I had to put my very dear Maine Coon kitty down yesterday

[Digit]

I found her as a stray and had enjoyed her company for 20 years.
She had developed cancer about 5 years ago, but the two operations managed to get it all.

Then, I guess old age caught up with her. She was doing great last week and the vet had said her kidney were very small and it would be kidney failure that took her. The last time the vet had seen her she was doing great and the vet was amazed how well she was doing.

She was on prednisolone for cats, but then I noticed a change. She stopped eating and began hiding. I was trying every variety of cat food I could find to tempt her. I had set up a lounge chair with a heating pad under a beach towel to keep her comfortable. She was also wobbly when she would go to her water dish. I took her to the vet and her vet confirmed it was time. She pointed out that she was also jaundiced since her liver was also failing. She said our dear kitty was feeling horrible and all her systems were shutting down.

Tearfully, my daughter and I gave her hugs and kisses and with that, we said good bye and she was gone.

It was the first time for me to lose an animal and 20 years is a long, long time.

But when the vet confirmed she was in so much pain, what other choice can you make?
Tuffie never cried out or made a sound...it was the wobbliness that alarmed me and the situation had turned quickly.

Tuffie was just a tiny thing, probably since she was on the streets for almost a year...only 7 lbs max, but the sweetest little girl you could ever imagine. She would come up and nuzzle my ear just to be affectionate and put her little paws around my neck.

Thank you my friends for listening.

Rest in peace, little Tuffie. :cry:

[Mist]

1. I'm so sorry Digit. It hurts to lose our friends, even when it's the right thing to do. I wish

Tuffie a safe journey to Summerland. I know how hard this is.

[southerncrone]

2. :(

So sorry, Digit. For what it's worth, 20 yrs is close to a record for cat longevity. I know that doesn't make it any easier. May she rest in peace.
:hug:

[hermetic]

3. You absolutely did the right thing

Bless you for relieving her suffering. And hugs to you to relieve your anguish. Remember the good times. {{{:hug:}}}

[lildreamer316]

4. So sorry for your loss,Digit..

:hug: :hug:

[onecent]

5. I'm sorry for your loss.

Our feline friends crawl right into our hearts and stay there forever. I know you will miss her.

[FirstLight]

27. +100

i have been amazed at how they do just that... used those excat words when i lost my baby sheba

:( sending love to you and your family, and blessings to your furbaby for being free of pain now... :hug:

[get the red out]

6. Bless you, I'm so sorry

The love of an animal friend is the truest thing on Earth. I am so sorry for your loss but glad you had those 20 years.

[WolverineDG]

7. Sorry to hear about your sweet baby

:cry:

:hug:

dg

[rosesaylavee]

8. That is such a hard thing to do ...

Hugs to you Digit and to your daughter too. You did the right thing... and don't think Tuffie isn't still around for awhile. 20 years of love - that is an amazing age for a kitty and such a gift to have her that long!

:hug:

[Kookaburra]

9. Love to you Digit

And swift passage to Tuffie. May your fond memories of her ease some of the pain.

There is a lot of guilt associated with having to help our furry friends make their transition, and I send you light and love to help with that. You know all the rest: she's better off, not in pain anymore, etc., but that doesn't help heal the hole that is left when they are no longer with us. Fill it with love. There is a lot of love just from this message board, and we freely offer to anyone who wants or needs it.

My wish for you is that your pain will soon be eased, and you will be comforted by memories of Tuffie.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. ....

That is one of life's most difficult moments, in my experience.

:cry:

Blessings to you, Digit; Godspeed to your little Tuffie....

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[japple]

11. Your Tuffie is in her light body now. She is free of her sick

body, and you were right to help to release her. I know she is grateful for the wonderful life she had with you and your family. It's hard to let them go because they give so much to us. May the Universe send peace and comfort to you and your family in this time of sorrow.

[I Have A Dream]

12. I'm so very sorry for your loss, Digit.

Much love to you and your daughter. May she return to you in a strong, new body very soon.

Happy trails, Tuffie.

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[cate94]

13. I am sorry for your loss..

It is always heartbreaking to lose our animal friends. 20 years is such a long time to have been blessed with Tuffie. It must have been so difficult to let her go.

[Missy Vixen]

14. Digit, I am so sorry for your loss

I'm so glad that Tuffie's life was full of love from your family.

I hope she's playing at the Rainbow Bridge right now with our sweet Merlin, another Maine Coon rescue, and the light of our lives.

:hug:

[yellerpup]

15. So sorry for your loss.

Losing kitty-child is losing part of the family. She sounds like a delightful girl and I am sure she would have stayed with you forever if she could. I know your heart is aching, but you did the right thing for her. :hug:

[MorningGlow]

16. ...

:hug: :hug: :hug:

Maine Coons are the best. :loveya: Safe passage, Tuffie, and blessings to you, Digit, for taking care of her so well for 20 years. :hug:

[Howler]

17. OHHHHHHHH.......

I'm so so sorry Digit. :(
I know its very hard to say Goodbye.
But you were there for her even at the end and she knows that.
Every love affair with these little four legged guys comes with a built in heartbreak but they give SOOOOO much back in return.
I'm so very glad you both had that time together.You are such a good mom.And because of you, you are both so very blessed.:hug:

[Kind of Blue]

18. I'm very sorry for your loss, Digit.

Such long and wonderful friendship is very heartwarming and inspiring.
Rest in peace, Tuffie, you done good. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Why Syzygy]

19. Digit

losing her is a huge loss for you and your daughter! Whatever you're feeling now is appropriate.

What a wonderful friend you had in Tuffie; an her with you. My heart goes out to you.

As you know, she is all better now. We had to allow one of our dogs to go. She was deaf, constipated, and confused.
One morning she couldn't stand up. She fell down every time she tried :( Soon afterwards she came in a dream.
She was smiling and shaking her tail which made her whole body wiggle. She let me know she was completely healed.
That made it much easier to deal with losing her. I hope for you to have some closure as well.

[findrskeep]

20. I'm so sorry Digit...

My heart goes out to you. I know how hard this is to do. My little Maggie is 15 years old and I'm starting to notice things that don't look good. I dread the day when I have to do the same thing. Sending lots of love your way and also to Tuffie, may she have a pleasant and easy crossing...BIG :hug:

[LiberalEsto]

21. Oh how sad

I hope Tuffie is flying on her new cat wings in kitty heaven.
Blessings to you in your loss.

[Cleita]

22. Aww Digit.

:grouphug:

[woodsprite]

23. I'm so sorry, Digit!

Thoughts and prayers are with you. It's so hard to lose one of our furry friends and you are so luck to have had so many years with her.

[Mnemosyne]

24. So terribly sorry you have lost a dear family member, Digit.

:hug:

[MagickMuffin]

25. Digit, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Sweet Dear Tuffie

I have been down that road a few times myself and it is never an easy one. It causes even more pain than the babies dying at home, knowing we "have" to make that decision. But it has to be made and it is unbearable to say the least. However, it IS always the right decision. When we know and realize this it makes everyone stronger knowing we are doing the right thing.

At first the memories might be a little painful, however, over time the memories are our reminders of our special little loved ones, and how much they touched our lives and taught us how to love unconditionally. That's been my experience.

Rest in Peace Tuffie

Embrace the tears, let them flow
Know in the end Tuffie knew
That she was loved
As she gave love back to you
She will return to you when she is ready


Take Care and remember Lil' Miss Tuffie as she has left you with 20 years of memories.

:hug:

[Digit]

26. Thank you all dear friends for the outpouring of sympathy

My heart is aching but it is just because I miss my little Tuffie so much.
She is no longer in pain and nobody wants to see a loved one suffer...be it human or animal.

Thank you all for the supportive messages filled with love and understanding.

So many evolved souls here giving me and my daughter support has helped us immensely.

I love you all. :grouphug:

[kimmerspixelated]

28. It's so tough to lose someone you love.

Pets just as much! Big Hugs!

[BanzaiBonnie]

29. I'm so sorry.

The hardest thing to do, was the best thing you could do for her.

[Bluestar]

30. So sorry for your loss

[PinkTiger]

31. Oh, dread this so much.

I have two cats that are everything to me. I'm so sorry for your loss - and I send you blessings.

[NuttyFluffers]

32. aw, I'm sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[murielm99]

33. I am so sorry.

It is wonderful that you had twenty years with her.

RIP

[Ricochet21]

34. So sorry Dig

I love cats. So sorry.

[davsand]

35. It is difficult to let them go even if it is time.

I have been there too, and I am very sorry to hear you had to let her go. It hurts terribly, but keeping her with you while she suffered would be a betrayal of the love you shared. You acted out of love and you cannot ever lose sight of that--even in this time of loss.

Peace to you, and given enough time you may find that you have room again in your heart for another different love--equally strong, equally sweet--but different.

May the winds carry her soul gently, and may the sun warm you in her absence.


:hug:




Laura

[liberalmuse]

36. I'm so sorry.

It's no matter that you know this was the 100% right thing to do. It's an extremely hard decision, even though you know she was suffering. You gave her a loving home, and that is so much more than a lot of kitty's get. Hopefully you can find comfort in the memories you have and that you were able to share a special bond with this other being in the physical realm for so long.

[Blasphemer]

37. I'm sorry for your loss

May Tuffie R.I.P. Sounds like she was appropriately named - she had a long and happy life and she was a cancer survivor. I found my cat as a stray kitten. I hope she lives as long as Tuffie did and that I can be as strong as you have been when her time comes.

[Myrina]

38. I am sorry Digit ... I was in the same situation last week ...

I cannot believe how difficult it's been, both to make the decision and then the grief afterward.

Rest in Peace, Tuffie. O8)

[Cleita]

42. A big hug for you Myrina.

:hug:

[Digit]

43. Yes, it is very difficult, and as we both know...it was the right decision

We miss our little furry companions and I hope you can begin to come to terms with your grief.

I am working on the same thing, and it is not easy.

Take Care, :hug:
Digit

[Digit]

39. She was cremated and they put her ashes in a lovely velvet bag

The bag reads:

"Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge"

It really touched my heart when I saw it.

Thank you all again for your support.
:loveya:

[virgdem]

40. Digit...I'm so sorry for your loss....

I've lost 5 kitties within the last 8 years and it never gets any easier to deal with putting them down when their time comes. It's so hard to part with companions that have been so close and with us for so long. My cat Samantha is also 20 (in two weeks) and she is doing very well at this time, but I know that time is short and the only thing I can do is treasure her company day to day. I wish you much peace at this difficult time.

[laylah]

41. I'm so sorry,

Digit. :hug: