jennyaxe: Photo in black and white. I'm in profile, looking to the left, with a calm and content half-smile. (Default)
jennyaxe ([personal profile] jennyaxe) wrote2009-01-06 11:36 am
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Goodbye old friend

Back in June 1994 I finally dumped the cheating and somewhat abusive guy I'd been dating. He'd been allergic to cats, and the first thing I did was to get a cat. Her name was Pixel. She was only five weeks old; her mother was a purebred Persian, but the father wasn't, so the owners had unceremoniously dumped the kittens. I got her from a breeder who also took in unwanted cats. She was so small she fit into the palm of my hand.

That was fourteen and a half years ago. She grew into a stubborn and plump cat, ruling the other two cats with an iron paw and me with a velvet one.

At the end of last year we noticed that she'd lost quite a lot of weight. From being a very plump cat she went to being so thin that we felt her ribs. I took her in for a check-up and from the blood tests they found that she was having kidney problems - they were basically shutting down. For good.

I got some diet food, and that helped a little. She got back some of her weight. But over the past two weeks or so she's been losing it again, and now her fur is starting to look dull and rough. She's still very affectionate towards me and Calle, wanting to be petted, but she gets tired very quickly and goes to lie down in some warm place.

I can't delay it any longer. I would want to keep her with me for the rest of my life, but I can't let her suffer for my selfish desire for her companionship. Today we're taking her on the last trip to the vet.

[identity profile] bellinghwoman.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 10:54 am (UTC)(link)
My sympathies.

{hug}

[identity profile] cat63.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry you're losing your friend this way.

Even when it's the kindest thing to do, it still hurts like anything.

Much sympathy.
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[identity profile] supermouse.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs* I'm very sorry.
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[identity profile] wildcelticrose.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry.

What a terrible decision to have to make.

Of course, it is the only kind, loving and humane choice to make.

(((HUGS)))

[identity profile] jlms.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry. Life sucks sometimes.
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[identity profile] bcholmes.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry.

[identity profile] mac-arthur-park.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
{{{{hugs}}}} I'm so sorry.

[identity profile] shady-fox.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Hugs to both of you!

[identity profile] artela.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*
That's always a hard trip to make, but the most unselfish one you can make for your loved pet.

[identity profile] efriden.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry to hear it.

[identity profile] johnpalmer.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, poor kitty... my deepest sympathies, especially after the close call I had with my eldest cat Chibi.

[identity profile] dmwcarol.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
*Hugs you and holds you tight*

[identity profile] geek-kitten.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry, didn't notice I wasn't logged in. That anonymous comment just now was from me..

[identity profile] utterlyjaded.livejournal.com 2009-01-06 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
One of the hardest and most noble things we can do for the animals in our care is, in the end, to trade our own pain for theirs, so that they do not suffer.

I'll drink a toast to Pixel tonight, and to your loss. My heartfelt condolences.

[identity profile] pyrzqxgl.livejournal.com 2009-01-07 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
Having read your follow-up post as well, I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved cat, but glad that you were always there for each other for fourteen and a half years, and that the clinic staff were so gentle and caring.

[identity profile] pinkdormouse.livejournal.com 2009-01-07 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
HUGS
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Goodbye old friend

[identity profile] pir-anha.livejournal.com 2009-01-10 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
i am sorry for your loss. they live such short lives, *sigh*.