My 17 year old cat, Tie Dye has passed over

[ikojo]

the rainbow bridge.

It was a VERY difficult decision. She had lost control of her back legs and could not walk well. I took her to the animal hospital this morning and the vet said it could be several things which he said he'd not put a cat of her age through. I then said, "the elephant in the room then is the decision I have to make" to which he said, "yes."

He was understanding. I was there as she passed from this world to whatever is beyond. As I stood with her she was purring. I hope if there is something beyond here that she is able to forgive me.

RIP Tie Dye the calico cat.

[reyd reid reed]

1. I'm sorry...

I know it's hard. We lost our 19-year-old baby a week ago.

:hug:

[ikojo]

10. My condolences to you

I have a roommate and she lived in my room. I find it hard to go in there knowing she is not there.


Thank you for the cyberhug!


:cry: :hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

2. I'm sorry....

I've had to make that decision a few times myself, and it's heartbreaking.

[ikojo]

11. Thank you. This is the first time I've

had to decide to end an animal's life. The odd thing is she was purring as the doctor and I were in with her. I am glad I had the option of staying with her so she was not alone as she passed.


I wonder if the purring was her way of saying it was OK and that she was OK.


I wish I knew.

[MonkeyFunk]

21. My old girl was the same way....

it's comforting how quick and painless it is.

[stirlingsliver]

3. I'm So Very Sorry

I'm so very sorry to hear this.

I know how difficult it can be to say goodbye to someone who has loved you and been totally dependent upon you.

Know that you did the right thing to end her suffering.

[cwydro]

4. Hugs

I have a twelve year old and dread the day that happens. She never leaves my side. The best thing is for them to pass in their sleep, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen. I had to make that heartbreaking decision with my two old dogs years ago. It is horrible.

There is nothing to forgive you for; Tie Dye knows that better than we do. She'll be waiting for you over the bridge. :hug:

[ikojo]

12. Thank you.

:cry:

[Arugula Latte]

5. I'm so sorry. It's so, so hard to go through this.

I don't think she'd have to forgive you; I think she'd be grateful for your decision. I am all for sparing animals suffering whenever possible. :hug:

[racaulk]

6. So sorry to hear this, ikojo.

I don't think there's anything you need to be forgiven for, it sounds like you made the right decision to end her suffering.

I'm so sorry for you loss. :hug: :cry:

[ikojo]

15. The one thing I can commend this vet for

is that he said I had not made the wrong decision. Vets are so different from human doctors, far more compassionate.

I hope Tie Dye is romping and doing cat things over the rainbow bridge. When I first got her lo these many years ago, she was able to go outside. She would walk me to the bus stop. I'd try to discourage her by stomping my foot but she'd not hear that. She'd hear the door to the house close and would scamper from the back yard and follow me to the bus stop.

After I moved from that house she became an exclusively indoor cat, which I am sure enabled her to live to 17 years. I regret she was not able to go outside like she so enjoyed, but there are cat eating machines called CARS and I didn't want to get off the bus one day and find a flat cat.

[femmedem]

7. Oh! I'm so very sorry!

RIP sweet Tie Dye.

[mike_c]

8. oh I'm crying with you....

That is so hard to do, but you know in your heart when it's time. Hugs to you and RIP Tie-Dye. :hug:

[MissMillie]

9. ikojo, I'm so sorry. I know you know that you did the right thing

and remember, she's going to miss you too.

:hug:

[ikojo]

13. Even when she would get mad at me for

going out of town by pee-ing on my bed and I'd yell at her I hope she knew I loved her. I was so hoping she'd pass in her sleep. Of course it'd be easier for me. The doctor told me she was suffering and I couldn't bear that.

[ThomCat]

14. I'm sorry.

I hope she had a good, happy life. :hug:

[ikojo]

16. I like to think she did. It was primarily the two of

us for most of her life. She was pretty much a loner of a cat but did like to sleep with me. She'd sleep near my pillow.

[cwydro]

23. She sounds so much like my twelve year old

oops, just realized it is thirteen years now. She is a complete loner of a cat, ignores the other two, (and most people), but sleeps everynight curled up in my arms practically under my chin. She pissed off a fair number of SOs along the way, lol. But she is still here and they are not.

When she gets mad, she doesn't pee on the bed, but will regurgitate her food somewhere I am likely to sit. She also likes to go and steal ONE of my shoes and hide it, thereby making me crazy when I'm trying to go somewhere. I guess she figures, mama has no shoes, mama won't leave.

your Tie Dye sounds like quite the character also.

[ikojo]

26. Thank you for making me laugh about your

cat hurling in just the spot you are likely to sit. They do have their ways of getting even don't they?

[sammythecat]

17. I feel bad for you

I've experienced that myself and it's horrible.

You made the humane and loving decision. It's clear Tie Dye was lovingly cared for and had a good life.

I have a 19yr old and a 17yr old dog who is 5 years past her normal lifespan. Often when I look at them I realize the time we have together is limited.

There are a lot of very good-hearted pet owners here at DU. They understand and sympathize with what you're going through. There is certainly a higher concentration of these people here than there is in my "real" life situation. If we were in a room together you'd get lots of hugs. And some tears too.

My sympathy for you. :hug:

[slj0101]

18. She was a pretty girl. I am sorry.

It sounds as if this life was a great one for her.

[Guava Jelly]

19. I know how you feel

Just know you made the only decision you could.
When I had to put my cat down I made sure i was in the room with him because
I wanted his list image to be a friendly face.
It is quite peaceful and humane the way they do it so there is at least that.
:hug:

[sammythecat]

27. Good for you that you did that.

I feel the same way.

Did the same about 10 years ago. I wanted everything to be as normal and comforting as possible. But, oh, that feeling when he slumped in my hands. Brings tears to my eyes as I write.

[Guava Jelly]

65. I know exactly how you feel

I cried like a baby afterwards.

[wildhorses]

20. may you one day, meet again

over the rainbow bridge...
and tie-dye comes to meet you

:hug:

[stuntcat]

22. "forgive"

she totally forgives you. She's lucky she had you taking care of her, especially at that point, you've just saved her from the pain that would make the end of her life so awful for her. This was a peaceful sweet end.
She is so beautiful and it's great she had her life with you! She's an angel.

[LaraMN]

24. Hugs to you. She was a pretty girl.

:hug:

[eyepaddle]

25. My heart is breaking as I read this

:hug:

Fare well Tie Dye

[bertha katzenengel]

28. oh, ikojo

:weep: I am so sorry.

RIP Tie Dye. Give Richard a big kiss for me.

[ikojo]

31. Thank you.

:cry:

[swag]

29. I'm very sorry.

What a sweetie.

Take care.

[GenDem]

30. I'm very sorry.

It's very hard to lose a companion of that many years.:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

32. I'm so sorry

:hug:

[u4ic]

33. Much light and many hugs to you, ikojo

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[myrna minx]

34. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[myrna minx]

35. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug: You are a very compassionate person to do the best thing for her.

[TimeChaser]

36. I'm sorry

:hug:

I lost one of my babies a few weeks ago, and I still can't believe he's gone. Who knows, maybe Tie Dye's over their playing with my Romulus across the Rainbow Bridge

[Blue_In_AK]

37. My late cat Julie had the same thing with her back legs

and her son Punkie has it, too. I think it's some kind of hip dysplagia. We let Julie go naturally, but I don't know if I'll wait so long with Punkie. It's painful to watch.

I'm sorry for your loss. We do get attached to our little furry friends.

[ikojo]

40. The vet told me that what Tie Dye had could be one of

three things...

ear polyps
brain tumor
stroke

Her eyes were moving quickly side to side which led the vet to believe she was having vestibular problems. He said nothing could be definitively diagnosed without a CAT scan. He then said that he'd not put a cat of her age through all of that.

[Blue_In_AK]

44. It was something that came up suddenly?

My kitties just gradually deteriorated over time. It's hard to know where to draw the line and say enough is enough. In fact, I had just called the vet to have Julie put down (this was right after Christmas), we went out for a little bit and when we came back she was gone. It was a relief. I'm watching Punkie pretty close now because I don't want to let him get that bad off, but he can still get around and is in a pretty good mood, so I don't think I'm quite ready yet. It's a really difficult decision to make.

[ikojo]

47. Yes, it came up suddenly. When I went up to

Springfield IL to visit my family she was fine. I returned on Tuesday of last week. I kept her food up off the floor because I didn't want my roommate's miniature dachshund, Guido, to get to it when it would dart into my room. I noticed the other day that she was having problems jumping up to get her food.

Last night I noticed that when she walked she would flop and then meow. One of my friends had this happen to her cat, Annie, and was told the same thing by her vet ten or so years ago. Annie just got worse and worse. I could see the same thing happening to Tie Dye.

She was also staying in the closet more than she normally did (she liked to sleep in a clothes basket).

I don't know how to explain this...but there have been a few times over the last six or so years where I get this horrible feeling in my gut that something is going to happen and then it does. I had this feeling before my brother Robbie died in May 2002 and before my step father, Bill died in August 2002. I started having that same feeling the other day. I now know what it was.

Thanks to all the DUers who have posted their hugs and comments.


:cry: :grouphug:

[Call Me Wesley]

38. Safe passage, Tie Dye.

Might your suffering be over. Peace and comfort to you and yours, ikojo. :hi:

[Connonym]

39. :hug: My sympathies

it's so hard to lose a beloved kitty. I'm sorry you had to make the decision but you did the right thing. :hug:

[Madspirit]

41. I am SO sorry. My condolences and thoughts and RIP...n/t

[ThatsMyBarack]

42. So long, sweet girl.

It always makes me sad when a good kitty dies. :cry:

[Shine]

43. There is nothing to forgive, in my opinion

you stood by her side, with love, as she crossed over the rainbow bridge. Her transition was filled with ease and grace. I wish that for all of us, don't you? To die, in the presence of great love....

I send you a big :hug: of Peace and Comfort at this difficult time. I know how it is to lose a dearly beloved and ancient cat. Our sweet 19 yr old torty, Alfalfa, died naturally in my arms, a couple yrs ago. It was heartbreaking, but it also felt like she gave me a huge gift, to be soulfully present for her in that way, as she died.

I'm a hospice volunteer visitor and have been doing it for over 5 yrs. Before being with Alfalfa, I'd never had the privilege of actually being present at that pivotal moment of transition. It was life-changing, truly.

:hug: May Tie Dye's journey continue to be filled with abundant colors and joy.

[xchrom]

45. for tie dye

Prayer for Animal Burial
Eternal Spirit, we bring you our grief in the loss of tie dye and ask for courage to bear it. We bring you our thanks for who lived among us and gave us freely of his/her love. We commit our friend and companion tie dye into your loving hands. Give us eyes to see how your love embraces all creatures and every living thing speaks to us of your love. Amen.

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

[ikojo]

48. I can't thank you enough for that

lovely prayer. I am going to cut and paste it and send it to my work e mail where I can print it off.

I can't believe I have this many tears.

[GoneOffShore]

46. So sorry

She looks like she was a lovely cat.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

49. So sorry. RIP, Tie Dye.

:hug:

[Wcross]

50. She'll be waiting for you ikojo.

I am sorry for your loss, it is a sad day indeed. Imagine what it would have been like for her without your love. I am glad you had the courage to do the right thing rather than let her suffer for your feelings.

Rest in peace Tie Dye.

[lavenderdiva]

51. I'm so sorry, ikojo

I believe in the great beyond for our beloved pets, and I believe that Tie Dye is running around there. May she rest in peace. My heart goes out to you over your loss :hug:

[enigmatic]

52. I'm sorry ikojo

She knows you loved her very much, and you know she loved you, too. And Tie Die will always be with you; you'll sense her presence around you, just be aware.

:hug:

[flamingyouth]

53. I'm so sorry about Tie Dye.

My parents lost their 14-year-old calico, KC, the same way this past December. It was really heartbreaking for them too.

RIP, Tie Dye. It's horrible when we lose our fur friends. :cry::hug:

[City Lights]

54. So sorry for your loss, ikojo.

I've had two cross the bridge, although I never had to make that difficult decision. :hug: Mine crossed the bridge at 15-1/2, and 5. The older one died in the vet's office before I had to make the decision, and the younger one died at home. I found him slumped over the side of the cat tower in the middle of the night.

[barb162]

55. I am so sorry

And it is so hard making that kind of decision. I think the vet was telling you you were doing the right thing by letting her pass peacefully.

[JackBeck]

56. She's beautiful and I'm sorry for your loss.

We lost out Ruby-grrl a few years ago at the very young age of 9.

She had a tumor on her intestines and for about a month we would come home from work and while my husband gently comforted her while he held her down, I inserted a needle subcutaneously into her back so that we could get some saline into her system since she wasn't eating anymore.

I know how hard this must be so I have an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on if you need one.

[AirmensMom]

57. I'm so sorry.

:cry: It's always hard when a furbaby leaves us. There is nothing for her to forgive you for. You did the right thing by letting her go with dignity. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

58. I'm so sorry, Ikojo

There was nothing to forgive. Tie Dye knew, and was purring to let you know that she loves you. You did what was kindest and best. :hug:

[UrbScotty]

59. Deepest sympathies, ikojo. (nt)

[idgiehkt]

60. I am very sorry

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Robeson]

61. I'm so sorry, ikojo...

...so very sorry...:hug: :grouphug:

[Maraya1969]

62. I am so sorry for you loss. You will meet again someday.

For you

:hug:

For Tie Dye

:hug:

[Rue]

63. Our oldest cat died at that age.

Even purred as well. I think she realized that we were ending her suffering (she had cancer all over her body), so she may have appreciated it as she went down.

Amanda, if you can somehow sense this, may we meet in the next world O8)

[Pushed To The Left]

64. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

:hug: Losing a pet is never easy.

[NMMNG]

66. My condolences

:hug:

RIP Tie Dye.

[DainBramaged]

67. Threads like this sadden me so, I am very sorry for your loss

17 years, what a wonderful life. You are blessed she stayed with you so long.

[ScreamingMeemie]

68. ikojo, I am sure somewhere she is thanking you and missing you

all at once. You cared enough to not let her suffer. That is a beautiful picture and you know you will be caring for her and holding her memory close forever. :hug:

[bigwillq]

69. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Deep13]

70. She would say, "There's nothing to forgive."

"I was suffering and my life was essentially over and you ended that suffering."

And then you would say, "Eeeek! Talking cat!" :)