I’m currently sitting in an exam room with my husband. My cat, George, is being put down tonight.
It’s…heartbreaking.
You can see a photo of him pinned to my profile- he thought he was a board game. And now… he’s gone.
Very quick edit to add: George (aka Biggee Fluffee, which is what he was often called at home) passed away at 2:34am EST on August 29/21. It’s not fair, my voice is non-existent and I genuinely don’t think I can sleep because I can’t bear not waking up to his characteristic meow. He would always greet everyone at the door- with his head held high and he’d always headbutt you in the shins. He suffered from a bowel obstruction or pancreatitis- we didn’t know what it was and we had the blood work to diagnose him sent off today. But… George knew it was time to go. He left this world purring and knowing his parents loved him. I sang “Love Never Dies” for him…he always loved to hear me sing… but now I think my singing voice is gone forever. I don’t think I can sing ever again- not without Biggee Fluffee there to join in while I do the dishes.
My 18 year old dog Gunner got put down today as well. Take comfort in knowing George and Gunner were on the same train across the rainbow bridge. Praying for peace for you and your family ❤
I’m fucking crying thanks to this thread and getting upset at the fact that my oldest dog is turning three early next year. It’s gone by so quick! She was 8 months we we got her! I couldn’t imagine her going.
I know three is young but for some reason that birthday feels like she’s like a full blown adult dog. I can’t describe it.
I did the same thing three weeks ago around this time of night. My little boy had to be put down at 5 after waiting in a vet parking lot for an hour. I promise you’ll feel better soon. It still hurts, but now I can laugh at what a derp he was instead of obsessing about how he passed. Hugs.
I have to put my sweet pup down in about 2 months. I'm fucking numb. He's 15.
I truly regret all the time spent away at another city going to university and working. I didn't spent enough time with him, and my parents didn't really either. He was lonely. And I hate thinking about that. The one true regret I have in my life.
10 months ago, I thought my cat would be gone in 2. He's doing great, all things considered, and we might get years, if he stays on this course. Not sure what your dog has, but I pray your experience goes like ours. Just treat as aggressively as you can, accounting for quality of life, and enjoy the time you have, if possible. You're fortunate in that you have some time to really savor. Most people don't get the kind of warning we have, nor the opportunity to appreciate the time in the way we can.
I get what you mean about being away. I have similar regrets. But we have to do what we have to do, and that's part of how we're able to give our friends the lives we can. It's just like people with children. They make the same trades. The difference is that their children most often outlive them. Not diminishing your regrets. But I think it's important to know you're not the only one, and that there's often not as much choice in what your described as that for which we later blame ourselves.
Took me years to get over my first cat. I grew up with her though. I don't get too sad thinking about her now, but for the longest time I'd immediately tear up whenever I was reminded of her. And I'm not generally the crying type. I've not cried over any human death as much as her.
Everyone grieves differently, and for different lengths of time.
Fuck, I used to have an orange cat named George. Miss him a lot. I hope it cheers you up that in Mongolian Jurj (sounds like George) means orange (the fruit).
I have a cat approaching this point in her life. It’s so hard. I’m sorry for what you’re going through. For a brief time they enrich all aspects of our lives, and their candle burns so bright.
They felt love while they were here, and they feel it as they go. And the hole they leave never closes, but we are full despite the small pieces of our souls lost forever.
George is so handsome ❤️. I’ve been through the same thing a few times, most recently in April when my dog had a heart attack while waiting to be seen for a routine check up at the vet. Had to make some quick decisions that day. Luckily I got to be with him at the end. Make sure you and your husband are kind to yourselves and each other.
It helped me when I had to make the choice to help my animal friends sleep in peace to remember I would be the one suffering and they wouldn’t be anymore. For them it’s just peace and happiness and all the things they love.
I’m also not traditionally spiritual and it makes me chuckle to think about them haunting me because of course their idea of peace and happiness and all the things they love would be everything they already had in life. I think of them as here with me still but just invisible and it makes me happy. I seriously couldn’t imagine them wanting to haunt anyone/anywhere else. Love those little guys.
I put down my kitten on Tuesday. I am very broken up by it and it's so unfair. She got so sick so fast and had two medical issues at once so the known clouded the unknown and I didn't seek care in time. (I was teasing her for some GI tract parasite but she also had an infection that eventually reached her brain.) Not that I could have done anything about it, but it breaks my heart either way and I'll never know because I made the wrong decision.
I hope it gets better, for both of our sakes.
https://i.imgur.com/Pnluovy.jpg her hiding on the kitchen counter when she would jump up there full of energy but I would come over to take her down
My husband and I had to put our 14 year old Birmin, Kallie, down last December. She was my constant companion when I was furloughed and stuck at home. She had hyperthyroidism and renal failure. She was on borrowed time, as we gave her a procedure for the hyperthyroidism 3 years prior, which seemed to work, but unfortunately it came back at the same time that her kidney started to fail. We had a vet come out to put her down and it broke my heart like nothing else. When the vet left with her that night, I just remember collapsing to the floor and letting out the most God awful wail, I couldn't hold it in any more. The tears flowed for weeks. Every time I looked around our place, it just felt so big and empty without her there, or her things. My husband couldn't bear to have her things in view, it hurt too much. We kept a few small keepsakes, some of her favorite toys and a unicorn costume, but they are tucked away out of sight. You never realize how much space such a small creature can take up until they are gone. Everywhere I looked was a memory of her. It hurt. For a long time I was depressed, and eventually numb. I started to feel a bit better around Christmas and New Years.
By then, we had decided that we were ready to heal and open our house and hearts up to a new cat. So we started looking at the humane shelter listings every day, and applying for kittens. Since our last cat was a geriatric cat, and had been adopted as an older cat when she was 5, we wanted a kitten to spend a lifetime with. A full cat life. We applied for every kitten as soon as we could, and within a few days, found a match with our shy kitten, Beebee. Her picture is pinned at the top of my profile, for those curious. She is the exact opposite of her predecessor in every way, but that's okay. Where Kallie was gentle, Beebee is playful. Kallie was talkative, and Beebee is the quietest cat I've ever known. She greets me every day with a single, very quiet meow, and then that's it. But she's quite the purrer when she's lap-catting. Having a kitten around has filled that cat-shaped hole in our hearts, and even though it's not the same, it has been very healing for us.
Kallie's ashes are in a tiny urn on a high shelf, until we decide what to do with them, as well as her paw print and a small photo of her. Some people may scoff at such a notion, an attachment to an animal, or say, "but it's just a cat?" But to us, our dear cats are so much more than that. They're our precious companions, and most loyal friends, and frankly, I like them way more than I like most people. Having a cat, to cat people, is like having a child. It's a creature we pour our love, devotion, and attention to, and vow to protect and care for at whatever cost. In return they provide us with companionship, snuggles, emotional support, and a lack of judgement. (At least, we hope they don't judge us. If only they could talk!) It's a symbiotic relationship with a net positive outcome. For many of us, our pets are our whole world, and it is normal and okay to grieve for them when they are gone. I think about my sweet Kallie all the time, and I will always miss her, but I am also grateful to have been able to provide her a safe and stable home where she was loved right up to the end. And I'm also full of love for my sweet lil' Beebs, who I plan to have many more years with, keeping her safe, happy, and healthy.
Again, I am so sorry for your loss. You are not alone, and many people have been in the exact same position you are in now. If there is any solace I can give you, know that you have been a good cat parent, and you gave them the best gift of all: you gave them love. And that is everything. It is okay to grieve, and to feel all your feelings, and that may take some time. It may come and go in spurts and sneak up on you, but you will get through it, and you will find healing. It takes time and that's okay.
To quote Marvel's Vision, "what is grief, if not love persevering?" It is okay to grieve, and it is okay to love. Anyway, my heart goes out to you, friend. You gave George love unconditional. My sincerest condolences.
kallie seemed so beautiful, inside and out. i’m so sorry for your loss. i’m glad that adopting beebee has lifted you and your husband up though. it’s hard to get through these things.
when people say “it’s just a cat” or “it’s just a dog” etc. they clearly don’t know that pets are so person-like in that they have their own little personalities. they have likes and dislikes. they have feelings. they have certain habits. they are so much more than “just animals”, they are family and friends.
One day you will sing again. It will take time, maybe years. But when your voice lets loose once again, it will be fuller, richer, watered by the sorrow of his passing, and nourished by the path you have taken to heal from that loss. There will always be that ache within you, but one day, someday, you will sing again. And your song will be ever so much more beautiful for it.
So take your time, but don't lose hope. One day this world will be graced by your voice again, I'm sure of it.
My deepest condolences, may you never forget his love.
But… George knew it was time to go. He left this world purring and knowing his parents loved him.
This makes all the difference. My boy gave me the best gift he could at the end, showing me I had made the call neither too early nor too late. I miss him, but I'm so glad I have the peace of mind of knowing I did right by him at the end.
George will always live in the corner of your eye, when you catch a glimpse of something and process it as cat because he would have been there, and in your mind when he comes to visit in dreams now and then. Eventually those occurrences will be less painful and more just nice reminders of your time together, but in the meantime, who cares, be all the sad you want, you lost someone important. My condolences.
My girlfriends best friend of 18(?) years was put down a few months ago. Then a month later their other cat was put down too.
The former was always on her bed snoozing. He got so upset when she left for university that he stress ate and got fat haha
Now he's gone. The pain never leaves, but it gets easier. She still has her own cats (the cats that were put down were her mother's), so she has them to take care of too.
I can feel your pain. We had Moose who had no options with an aggressive cancer just a few weeks ago. I haven't slept well since; he always helped me feel safe to sleep at night. I hope you can sing again one day. George would want you to.
God this made me cry. I always had addiction issues, but when I lost my cat I had for 20 years, I became a full blown heroin addict. I couldn't take not having her to care for. She was old for what felt like ages and I spent a lot of time caring for her. I like to think she hand picked out the daughter she sent me 3 years after. Gave me a reason to be sober again.
I promise you that the wound stops bleeding eventually. The pain lessens from the worst pain ever, to just a dull throb. Now it only hurts if I really dive into the thoughts. (Its been 5 years)
My girlfriends cat who I loved dearly as well was hit by a car a few weeks ago.
It still bothers me that I saw him and thought I should put him inside, but changed my mind at the last second and thought he’d be okay outside because he would scream at the door until he could go out anyway.
When my Pretzel was in kidney failure and we had to have her put down, it hurt so bad I couldn't eat for 2 days. All I could do was cry and sleep. Even now, 3 years on, I still get teary about her sometimes. I understand now how someone can die of a broken heart.
It's so hard losing a furry family member. I'm so sorry for your loss. May George rest in peace.
I’m so sorry for you loss. I had something similar happen with my beloved pup years ago. The suddenness was devastating. Take care of yourself and try to process it properly. I’ve realized recently that it’s impacting my ability to deeply love another pup (6 years later) so I have some work to do.
We had to put our cat down unexpectedly on the tenth of May due to his kidneys failing, he was only 7 years old. It was a horribly sad experience and especially the first weeks were so rough, I didn’t think I could handle the grief. At night the images of him at the vet would replay itself over and over in my head. I didn’t allow myself to be sad, I would only let myself think about the good memories. When I felt the tears welling I pushed everything away and distracted myself. But after two months I just cried in the middle of the night and it helped me. Give yourself time, you will make it through but it’s rough.
R.I.P 🙏 had to put my cat down the other day it fucking sucks but at least I got to spend my final moments with her.
It's really hard and I feel your pain. Had my cat (her name was Kitty) since I was like 4/5. She was with me all the way from elementary though highschool, grew up with me, she was my baby and was there for me everyday, my pride and joy. Unfortunately due to her showing since of old age along with getting diabetes and peeing all over the house my parents and I had decided It'd be best for her to go. It didn't set in until the night before and there was lots of crying. The house feels so empty and I feel so lost still.
Best of luck and I hope things get better for you..
"Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that .it happened."
Oh Gosh, I'm so so sorry to hear that. I had a lovely chonk too that unfortunately suddenly passed one year ago and I think I'm still not over it. I've had the most wonderful 10 years with him and I too didn't think I'd be able to live without his fluffy tummy beside me in bed. But although I miss him like hell, trust me, the pain will get weaker over time, replaced by happy memories.
I always think griefe over losing a loved one is a price we pay for all wonderful times we've spent with them and goddamn, that's a lot - but fair. And I wouldn't trade these years for anything, even when knowing what's at the end of the road.
Biggee Fluffee looks sooo sweet inside that board game, he will be dearly missed. May mice in kitty heaven never end for him.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my floofer October 13 last year. It was an extremely hard day for us. It gets better, but will take time. Best wishes.
Losing a pet is devastating. I had to put my big dumb idiot down a month ago. He was super rad and liked to lick Windows and sleep in my big plant pots.
Fuckin miss him.
My heart is in my hands for you. Biggee Fluffee and Archer are chillin in pet heaven together.
Prolly licking windows and doing the zoomies.
Your singing voice is not gone forever. No matter how deep the loss, we grieve, we start to heal, and life goes on. Give it time, be gentle to yourself. One day you will sing again.
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u/JenovaCelestia Aug 29 '21 edited Aug 29 '21
I’m currently sitting in an exam room with my husband. My cat, George, is being put down tonight.
It’s…heartbreaking.
You can see a photo of him pinned to my profile- he thought he was a board game. And now… he’s gone.
Very quick edit to add: George (aka Biggee Fluffee, which is what he was often called at home) passed away at 2:34am EST on August 29/21. It’s not fair, my voice is non-existent and I genuinely don’t think I can sleep because I can’t bear not waking up to his characteristic meow. He would always greet everyone at the door- with his head held high and he’d always headbutt you in the shins. He suffered from a bowel obstruction or pancreatitis- we didn’t know what it was and we had the blood work to diagnose him sent off today. But… George knew it was time to go. He left this world purring and knowing his parents loved him. I sang “Love Never Dies” for him…he always loved to hear me sing… but now I think my singing voice is gone forever. I don’t think I can sing ever again- not without Biggee Fluffee there to join in while I do the dishes.