Euthanized my 6-year-old cat today.

[Faygo Kid]

Too young, obviously, but it came out of nowhere. A week ago she was fine; only a couple days ago did she appear sick. She disappeared into the basement last night and I left work early today to come find her. I did, and she looked more dead than alive. Took her to the vet this afternoon, and she was immediately diagnosed with kidney cancer. Nothing to be done.

I also have a 17-year-old cat, 16-year-old dog, 13-year-old dog, 11-year-old cat, and 9-year-old dog. And so the youngest goes first. Huh. She was a sweet kitty; kind of a runt throughout her life. Anyway, goes with the territory with pets, but she had a great life with plenty of love and companionship. Here's a pic, from healthier days.

Her name was Sparkle.

[Sultana]

1. So sorry

She was a pretty cat


:hug:

[Arugula Latte]

2. Aw, rest in peace, beautiful Sparkle.

:hug:

[JitterbugPerfume]

3. she was a beautiful kitty

I am glad she had a good life with you:hug:

[Spacemom]

4. Godspeed Sparkle

Beautiful cat. I'm sure she had a wonderful life. :hug:

[Haole Girl]

5. Oh no. That is young.

It must be so difficult for you. :hug:

[Faygo Kid]

9. I don't think this will be as difficult as others. Nothing could be done here.

I will miss her, but there is nothing that could be done, and it was extraordinarily sudden.

I have lost some being run over, a couple in front of my eyes (dogs). Those were devastating, and I am not sure I ever fully recovered from one in 2001 at two years old and was rescued from a VERY hard life (part pit bull, and the biggest sweetie pie you ever met). Then again, I spent close to 10 grand on The Greatest and Smartest Dog That Ever Lived in 1999, and only prolonged her life by a few months (she died of cancer at 11). It was money well spent: It's much easier to cope when you have done what you can than when you have let them off the leash and see them go down.

Anyway, that won't happen again. Sparkle was an anomaly. I never lost a dog or cat to natural causes before at 6. But there you are. Believe me, those six years were all good ones for her.

[ThomCat]

6. I am very sorry for your Sparkle.

:(

I am very glad she had love and a good life with lots of good company. :)

It is always heartbreaking when they die too young. I lost one of my boys over a year ago from a fast cancer. I have spent a lot of time thinking about the extra years I wish he was able to have. He has a twin brother here who still misses him, and I still miss him too. :(

[Polly Hennessey]

7. Too young

Sparkle was beautiful. I love her colors. I have a cat, Meg, who is 22 years old and in all her years has had almost no health problems. We should all have her genes. I also have Savannah who is about 12 now and has had bacteria in her urine for years and we have not been able to get rid of it; however, we are now having success with a new antibiotic shot that is given every two weeks. India, a black cat I had died much too early from a congenital heart problem. They are all different and as long as we love them while we have them and keep them safe, I think they will thank us. Sounds like you have an animal menagerie like I do; I have two Goldens, a Pug, and 5 cats and two fish.

[Faygo Kid]

12. A menagerie, indeed. Good for you.

You adopt a menagerie knowing that they will leave you someday; as I grow older, I would no longer adopt a puppy or kitten now (I'm in my late 50s). Only older animals for me, but I have my hands full (and wallet empty) with all these older pets (especially the dogs).

[Bossy Monkey]

8. So sorry. Sparkle was aptly named, though, wasn't she? n/t

[EFerrari]

10. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[Mike 03]

11. Oh, my god, I feel so sorry for you and your precious animal companion

My heart goes out to you like you can't even imagine. Sparkle was just very lucky to have an owner like you to give her love and care you did give her.

What a beautiful, beautiful cat.

I'm so sorry!!

[Faygo Kid]

15. Thanks. The three dogs and two more cats are here. It's her youth that's tough. But it's OK.

She had a great life.

I suspect she is not the only companion that will be lost in 2009. Just the youngest. A 16 year old dog with a heart condition is not a good bet.

Oh well. I am in my late 50s myself. 20 more years, dammit.

[Parche]

13. big hugs

i feel your pain
that is the hardest thing to do....:hi: :hug:

[Lavender Brown]

14. I'm sorry

Beautiful girl. :hug:

[Faygo Kid]

18. Thanks to all. But it's OK. She was young, but had a great life. Those in Iraq - not so much.

I love my dogs and cats. Unconditionally. But George W. Bush and Dick Cheney et al slaughtered dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle and (of course) people for an illegal, immoral, wrong-headed war. The worst of my life - worse than Vietnam.

I miss my kitty tonight because I am a decent person. I miss my nation tonight because I am a decent person.

I love my president. But he needs to be more FDR and less those who took the safe route.

[Flaxbee]

16. aw, RIP sweet Sparkle

poor kitty girl, sad she had to go so young. Sounds like she had a big, loving family, though.

She was quite beautiful. :hug:

[latebloomer]

17. What a cutie

Our beautiful Loki, only 4, died of a urinary infection 2 months ago.

It hurts a lot.

Hugs to you and the family.

[Faygo Kid]

19. Thank you. We have so many, and so old, that we expected this. Not Sparkle, though.

Our youngest. But that's what happens. She was loved, fed, taken care of, and her litter box was clean most of the time.

Plus, the windows were open, and she and the squirrels engaged in the stare down.

Not bad. Just too short.

[RiffRandell]

20. Awww, I'm sorry. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

21. RIP, Sparkle.

She was beautiful.

[applegrove]

22. RIP Sparkle.

[BarenakedLady]

23. What a beautiful girl

I'm so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[texanwitch]

24. So sorry that you lost your kitty.

My old kitty is over 20 years old and is looking frail.

What a pretty kitty Sparkle was.

[emilyg]

25. My heart feels for you. Today I

put my 18 yr. old cat to sleep - she had a stroke.

[Faygo Kid]

28. Wow. 18 years is a long time. My sympathies.

Nothing to be done there, either. Congrats on having your companion for such a long time.

[emilyg]

34. Thank you.

[tabbycat31]

26. I'm sorry, she was a beautiful kitty

RIP Sparky :-(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

27. I'm so sorry...

She was a beautiful cat...
:hug::hug::hug:

[Deep13]

29. Poor kittie.

And poor you!

:(

[Erva]

30. I am so sorry

She was a beautiful kitty. I hurts a bunch young or old, but the young ones have that extra-unfair feeling. I hope you feel better soon.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

31. Rest in peace Sparkle. You were a good one.

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

32. Sage passage, Sparkle.

Might your sufferings be over. Peace and comfort to you and yours, Faygo Kid.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Bertha Venation]

35. I'm sorry, Faygo.

Rest in peace, Sparkle.

[Maccagirl]

36. Thank you for giving Sparkle a good life

She knew she was loved and valued. RIP.

[mitchum]

37. My thoughts are with you and everyone who knew and loved Sparkle

[schmuls]

38. What a sweet little calilco girl. I know what you are going through

I had to euthanize my 19 year old boy a few days ago.

[KT2000]

39. Oh - I am so sorry

I am sensing she was a bit of a character too - at least from the pic.

That is really scary - did not know that cancer could hit them so young.

[mnhtnbb]

40. What a pretty kitteh was that Sparkle. So sorry, Faygo Kid.

:hug:

[litlady]

41. So sorry. I had to euthanize a 2-year old kitty for Feline Leukemia...

it is definitely hard. And like you, my other pets were all older than him.

:-(

[bigwillq]

42. I am sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[graywarrior]

43. I avoided this thread for as long as I could.

But a real friend offers support, even when their own heart is breaking over a kitty death.

So sorry, Faygo Kid.

[Left Is Write]

44. I'm sorry.

:(

:hug:

[Shell Beau]

45. RIP Sparkle! I am so sorry. You sound like a good

pet parent!! :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. Poor sparkle :^( Poor you. *hugs* I hate losing fur-babies.

[Condem]

47. Genuinely sorry to hear that, Faygo

Got 17 of them. Over the years, we've lost at least 15. Most die in my arms. So, they know they're loved as they head out of this world. Still, it kills me. Family, you see.

[Faygo Kid]

50. You're a good soul. I never lost one at 6 before of natural causes.

Bless You, and thanks.

[blaze]

48. Sparkle was beautiful!!

I've never seen a mostly grey face like that.

I'm so glad for the time you had together.

[foxfeet]

49. I'm so sorry for your loss. Safe passage, Sparkle.

A beauty!

[UrbScotty]

51. .

:hug:

[susanna]

52. I'm so sorry, Faygo Kid.

There are no words. Peace to you.

[mentalsolstice]

53. I'm so sorry

It is one of life's worst experiences. Every time I acquire a new cat or dog (they adopt me, not the other way around), I always ask myself if I'm ready to go the whole route, and I always do. However, taking on that responsibility really sucks, but it is rewarding during the pet's life...

[Faygo Kid]

54. You're right. It's worth the pain of their leaving, for the time they give to us.

I have had two wonderful dogs run over in front of me - one when I was a child, and another 8 years ago.

I don't think I ever recovered fully from either. However, this wasn't nearly as painful, as there was nothing to be done. That, too, has happened with many other pets, and there is a peace that goes along with that. I doubt I'm done losing pets this year, with two very old dogs and an old cat. But that does indeed go with the territory.

Thanks for your thoughtful words.