On Wednesday, it was clear that Fluffy wasn't feeling well - he was lethargic, but he was scheduled for his annual checkup for Thursday afternoon and figured he could wait.
Thursday morning we were heading out to our WTF appointment at 9:00 a.m. and Fluffy wouldn't even lift his little head off the floor. The choice was clear. We needed to reschedule our WTF appointment (#3) at the fertility clinic and take Fluffy to the vet, immediately.
Unfortunately, the local vet's office was totally busy and couldn't see him right away. This was NOT good enough, so we got back in the car and drove over to the emergency vet hospital where we took Sharkey when he was hurt a couple of years ago. They could see Fluffy right away asked that we leave him with them while they draw blood and determine the best course of treatment.
Within hours, we got a phone call from the vet. Fluffy's numbers were off the chart, showing kidney failure (read here for more on this disease). We had them flush his system with IV fluids and retest the next day. We came to visit him at the hospital and he was still very sluggish, but gave Mr. Jem a kiss and purred like crazy when he saw us. He seemed improved and actually got up to to greet us, but he was far from his old, healthy self.
Friday his numbers were only slightly better, but still horrible. The worst part was that he was vomiting. Blood. And not eating. When we visited, it was clear that Fluffy was gone. Instead was a cat that was suffering. His personality was gone, the spark of life was gone. He couldn't lift his head anymore. He was clearly suffering.
The choice was clear, we had to say goodbye.
It was the most terrible day for both me and Mr. Jem. He's never had pets before, or been faced with such a terrible decision. Deciding to put Fluffy to sleep (horrible euphemism, as he isn't sleeping, dammit, he's GONE), was the hardest thing we've ever had to do as a couple.
We love you, Fluffy. You will be missed. There is a hole in our hearts.
Thank you for all your support and loving comments over the past few days. They have meant the world to us.
~Jem
30 comments:
Oh Jem, that's horrible news! I am so sorry that Fluffy is gone. I am sending you and Mr. Jem lots of HUGS!!!
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that Fluffy is gone. I know that you'll miss him :(.
((hugs))
I am so so sorry. We had to put our 17 year old cat Sammie down two weeks ago and it was the hardest thing my husband and I have ever had to do. My heart is with you.
I'm so sorry. I'm sure he's playing in fields of catnip in Kitty Heaven. Hugs.
I'm so sorry. Huge hugs to you and Mr. Jem.
I am so sorry. My cat is my little buddy so I know the love you feel. Big hugs.
Oh Jem, I am so sorry. I'm just sitting at my desk crying. I lost it when Fluffy purred and gave Mr. Jem a kiss...maybe he was giving you guys a thank you and saying "it's okay." We went through this last year with our Golden Retriever. It was so hard, it does get easier but there are days when it still catches me and a year later I cry...like now. Your post brought it all back. Animals are such wonderful blessings. Our lives would be less without them.
Ohhh, this makes me cry!!!
I am so so sorry. Losing a pet is the saddest thing. I am just so sorry you have to go through this. It is so incredilbly sad.
Oh, I'm so sorry, Jem. My heart goes out to you. Losing a pet sucks so bad. Of course you did the right thing and you know you did but it doesn't make it any easier. Sending you lots of hugs today.
I'm so sorry. I've been checking in all weekend to see if you had better news, and I'm heartbroken to hear you had to put him down. That's just sooo hard, and I'm thinking of you.
I am so very, very sorry. My own darling little cat means the whole world to me so I can imagine how devasted you are at the loss of your beloved Fluffy.
Sending you many hugs and warm thoughts.
Oh Jem. I'm so sorry. I know how hard that is. We had to put our beloved Fiscus to "sleep" a few years ago and it was the hardest decision we've ever made. And I still miss her. They really do become our children.
Take care. I'll be thinking of you.
Oh Jem. I'm so sorry. So so sorry. I know how badly you are hurting right now. When I had to make the call to put Hershey to sleep in May my heart felt like I had someone rip it out of my chest. And like you, we had no idea he was sick. It was all so sudden, no warning. I don't know if that makes it easier or more difficult to deal with in the long run, but it sure doesn't help the pain.
Sending you all my love. Again, I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss.
Oh, Jem. I am so incredibly sorry about Fluffy. My heart aches for you. Losing a pet is losing a member of your family. Thinking of you and Mr. Jem and sending you many hugs.
Oh, Jem, I'm sorry. The loss of a pet is so hard.
{hugs}
Oh, Jem. I am so, so sorry about the loss of beautiful Fluffy. Fluffy was more than a pet to you and Mr. Jem, he was family.
Hugs to you both. I am thinking of you and sending love...
So so sorry for your loss. Pets bring so much to our lives and their lives are much too short. I'm glad you had a pet you cherished so much and brought you happiness while he was with you.
Oh, I am so so sorry. A big hug to you.
Oh, I am so sorry. I know how hard it is. But it was the right choice. Big HUGS.
My heart aches for you, Jem. I have been there and the grief is something terrible. The only way is through it. Thinking of you.((Hugs))
Love,
Maddy
I'm so so sorry for your loss. You made the best decision you could, under the circumstances.
You were kind enough to leave a comment on my blog and now I will do the same.
You allowed Fluffy to die with dignity - that's the last gift you can give any animal. I really know your pain, because as you know, I had to put to sleep my much loved labrador, Abbi, after an accident that took us all by surprise.
I was told today that the blogs I posted on my site indicated that I wasn't coping with grief very well, that I needed professional help and that the opinion of one such professional was that I probably needed to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act - this from the person who actually ran Abbi over: now there's compassion for you.
I have said on my own blog that there's very little one can say - just know you did the right thing for Fluffy, he's free from pain and suffering and youthful again, catching mice and exploring cat heaven. Remember too, there are many of us out there who are thinking of you both at this difficult time.
This pain will pass too, but Fluffy won't be forgotten.
David x
Oh Jem, I am so very sorry. You did right by Fluffy, but that doesn't make it any easier, I know.
(((((hugs))))))
So sorry to hear about Fluffy! It's just so hard to lose a pet and I am so sorry for your loss.
ICLW #27
I'm so sorry. Poor Fluffy, I'm glad he had such loving owners to look out fo rhis best interests and stop his suffering. He will be much missed (I miss my cats from when I was a child to this day).
I'm so sorry you've lost a member of your family. My heart goes out to you as you grieve Fluffy. (((hugs)))
So sorry to see you've suffered this loss on top of everything else! Hope the appointment at your clinic is helpful in moving forward.
I am so sorry about Fluffy.
Loosing a pet (love one) is one of the most difficult things in life. Fluffy was well taken care of and I am certain you had a great life together.
Thoughts of peace go out to you and your family.
Take good care.
One more thought, when I lost my last dog I went out a purchased a lovely plant on the day he died. I wanted a symbol of his life that I could keep alive, 10 years later I still have the plant. It is a healthy reminder of his life!
This is such a loss. I am truly heartbroken for you both. I miss having cats terribly and know what incredible comfort they are. Sooo much better than dogs. It sounds like Fluffy was an amazing creature and she's not in pain anymore.
My heart is with you both.
So sorry about Fluffy. It is so hard to lose a pet.
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