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Linda, I don't know if anyone is EVER ready to let their beloved pets go. Just about 2 months ago, we had to put our 16-year-old cat, Bear, to sleep. He developed malignant melanoma that was spreading rapidly. I miss him terribly. He always sat next to me while I was learning transcription, then when I was transcribing on the job, and now as I am learning coding. It's very lonely! That said, my husband and I knew it was time, as I'm sure you will know in your heart.

As far as laser treatment, I know nothing, but the female in our last pair of cats had terrible arthritis in her back legs. Our neighbor is a chiropractor, and he would come over and treat her legs and hips. It sounds silly, but it worked for her for a while. Eventually, she just could not walk anymore, and we found out she had next to nothing left as far a cartilage in her hips. So, alas, then it was HER time to go.

And so it goes...we will get another pair of cats in May of next year. We have 2 vacations coming up between now and then, and we've decided not to adopt until then. That does not stop me from perusing the Wisconsin Humane society website and other various rescue sites in the Milwaukee area NOW, however! :)

Denise,

I had to go through that terrible ordeal more than once. I had my cat Squirt for 18 years.  He became ill and I took him to the Vet.  He suggested trying some medicine which helped for awhile. Then one day we came home from work and Squirt was having trouble breathing. We took him to the emergency Vet.  I had to make the difficult decision to let Squirt go. He was suffering. We do not have children and Squirt was more a person than a cat. I know I did the right thing. I now have four cats, but they could never replace my sweet Squirt.

This gets me right in the feels. Nothing worse than mobility issues in dogs; they're so brave and uncomplaining. We had Great Danes when I was a kid...  they suffered from hip dysplasia horrendously; our queenly lady, Phoebe, who was upwards of 140 lbs, finally wound up dragging her hindquarters and it couldn't go on; there weren't treatment options back then. It was gut-wrenching; but she never whined or complained. Later her younger sister got the same thing, but at least she made to age 9. * Sigh * I wish I knew something about the laser treatment, but alas, I don't. ...   At least, glucosamine is helping my late-middle-aged shepherd mix with the joint stiffness that is often a precursor to... well, something bad. It's kind of blackly comical that, with my vet's consultation, I found that he and I can both take the same tablets (I take 3 a day, he takes 2). 

I

This gets me in a tender spot.  My catahoula bitch, Suzie is 11 this year and suffers from arthritis. So far Rimadyl has been the answer.  I dread the day when it no longer works.  She's been my constant companion since puppyhood (my husband calls her The Duenna).  

I'm not familiar with the laser treatment, but I hope it works.  Let us know.

Terry

I've been reading your posts about your beloved pets. I know exactly how hard it is to lose one, especially when you truly love them as your own child. I had a cat named Midnight. We got her right after our second oldest daughter was born so they were the same age and extremely close. My midnight was younger than most kittens when you get to bring them home so it was quite an experience for me dealing a newborn baby who insisted on eating every 2 hours of the night on the dot and dealing with a brand new kitten who insisted on eating every 2 hours on the dot. The bad part was their schedules clashed and Midnight was too little at the time to get on-and-off my bed or find her food dish and litter box, so I was up every hour to feed one of them or the other.

About 8 years ago, and I remember the morning like it was yesterday, I came home from work to find my beloved Midnight in the road. It still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. She knew what times mommy and daddy came home from work and she would always rush to greet us at the door when we came back. Unfortunately, that time she didn't make it back and it broke our hearts completely. Since then, we have not gotten another cat, more out of fear that we wouldn't be able to love them the same. I was wrong!

Today was another tragic day. My daughter came in the house just balling after getting off the bus and asked me to walk up to the road with her because she believed her baby, Swirly Baby, was hit by a car and she was afraid to go and check by herself. While Swirly Baby was not "technically" our baby/cat, he was still our baby. He was born on this farm last year. He was attacked by something as a kitten and I had to fight to nurse him back to health because he just didn't trust anyone and his mom abandoned him. After a month, he was healthy again but still stayed away from us for the most part until spring this year. My daughter likes to walk laps around the house about 10-15 times a day and Swirly Baby started following her on those walks. Before we knew it, all of the kittens that were born this year were following Swirly Baby, who was following my daughter…Every time! It was quite funny to watch this line of cats following her.

Our 1-year-old Swirly Baby turned out to be the best male cat I've ever seen. He took off for about a month when he went into heat, but he came back with a completely different attitude. Suddenly, he wanted to be loved by us. Out of nowhere, he started taking care of the kittens that are outside because their mothers left them alone. So, he keeps them warm at night, helps teach them to hunt, and a week ago he even fought off a huge predator trying to get one of the younger babies out there. We're not technically supposed to have pets so we made them a warm house outside with blankets inside so they could stay warm during the winter, and we feed them every day because I'm not about to watch kittens starve, and we even sneak them in from time to time so they can really warm up. Swirly Baby was becoming more and more of our baby and I thought for sure we would take him with us when we moved eventually.

It's been a very hard day today. We got him out of the road, and wrapped him up nice and warm, and then had to burry him. All four of my children have been crying since they got home from school. I've cried a few times, but try to keep it together for them at least until they go to bed. My youngest two didn't really remember when we lost Midnight to this same tragedy, but it definitely brought back the memories and the loss, along with even more.

I know a few of you are getting to the point where you are worried that anytime could be the time to make the decision. All I can say is I'm sorry because I truly do know how much it hurts letting them go. But, until that day comes, love them as much as you can and gather as many memories as your brains can hold. We didn't get that chance with these two. As sorry as I am for you that it may come to the time soon, I am happy to know that you have these precious moments with them while they last. We can't stop the inevitable, but when we have the time to prepare for it, we can love them the best we can until that time comes when we need to make the feared but responsible decisions so they don't suffer. I wish we'd had those opportunities.

Just love them.

I am so sorry hear about Swirly Baby being hit/killed by a car. I sure do understand the feeling of not wanting to take a chance on another pet. For me it isn't because I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to love them. I'm afraid of the hurt sometime in the future when they die. Isn't that silly?!

I am so sorry to hear about your loss, and I really feel for your children.  It is really hard to tell them good-bye and I'm never prepared for it, even when I know it's coming.  I lost my oldest cat, Morrigan a few months ago, after 18 years.  I got her out of the shelter when she was six weeks.  So I went back to find another kitten.  Found two calico sisters - they just crawled up my shoulder and said "Hi mom, where have you been?"  Took them to my vet and there was a lady with two barely weaned she was about to drop off at the kill shelter.  So...

That doesn't work for everyone, but opening my home and heart to a rescue pet does help cope with the loss.  They don't replace the ones I've said good-bye to, but they need a home and love and pay that back in spades.

Terry

Thank you both for your replies about this. Linda, I think you are correct in stating that it's more about the worries of future loss because I know I can love any kind of animal any time! I've spent my life rescuing animals as well so that's got to be it.

Terry, I would have done the same thing! It was amazing of you to take the other two home after having just gotten two, but I would have done it too. My heart pours out to the ones that I rescue. They do definitely appreciate you more and love you back twice as much.

I remember back last year when Swirly Baby was just a little kitten and was almost someone's dinner, so he had a bad infection and his mom wouldn't go near him. I did what I could for him and he survived.  Maybe that's why I'm taking this so hard because not only did he survive, but he was taking care of all the kittens outside that were abandonded by their mothers. We live in an old farmhouse that has a few barn cats. Don't worry, my rescuing days will never end, especially if I stay living here.

I just read these posts today, and I think it was for a reason!  My youngest left for college this past August and left her beta fish.  Her fish was not alive this morning when I got up.  I know fish are no where near the same as dogs and cats, but this one was to me because he kind of replaced my dog.  We called our beagle dog, Snickers, a "God-dog."  My son had always wanted a dog, so we got him a hamster instead.  That hamster lived for about two years.  When Jimmy was about 12 and the hamster was getting sick, we knew his time was close.  Jimmy was upset and greiving and the subject of a dog kept coming up.  He kept asking me "why won't Daddy let me have a dog?"  My husband and I are not really dog people, but especially my husband!  After Jimmy kept pestering me over and over about it, I finally threw my hands up in exasperation and said "Jimmy, I can't change your Daddy's heart about it and neither can you.  If you want a dog that bad, pray about it and ask God to change his heart."  My sweet son got this determined look on his face about it and said that was exactly what he was going to do. 

Well, I did not say anything to my hubby, and every couple of days Jimmy would tell me that he was praying for "God to change Daddy's heart" about a dog.  This went on for about a month.  When it was clear his hamster was dying, my husband pulled me aside one morning (I remember it so vividly) and told me that he had something very serious to talk to me about.  He told me that he thought it was time to buy Jimmy a dog!  I about fell over!  And if you knew my husband, you would realize how much of a miracle that was!  Well, he had even done research and found a beagle puppy.  We were going to surprise Jimmy on Saturday morning and go pick him up. 

On that Friday, Jimmy told me that he was going to make a "Godly appeal" to his Daddy.  I was just trying not to ruin the surprise so I kept silent.  It was wonderful to watch him tell his Daddy all the reasons that he felt he was ready for a dog, the responsibility it would build, etc.  My husband just listened silently, and when Jimmy was done, he walked over to the computer, pulled the picture up of the beagle puppy and said "Jimmy, see that?  That is your dog.  I have already paid for him and we are going to pick him up tomorrow."  Jimmy burst into tears, as did I and the other kids!  We are all still amazed at the power of the prayer of a little faithful boy.  Honestly, I NEVER believed that my husband's heart would be changed about it.  Oh me of little faith!    (As an aside, Jimmy has been called into the ministry and is going to seminary to be a preacher next year after he graduates this spring from college). 

Snickers, the beagle puppy, was a part of our family.  There was not a more perfect dog for us.  He never howled and was so playful!  He was happy just to be in the same room with us.  As my kids grew, he became my companion during the day as I worked doing MT.  As my three kids left for college one by one, they would always enjoy coming home to Snickers too! 

Well, this fall my youngest, Betsy, left for college.  My husband and I had planned a trip to Alaska a week after she started and we had planned on boarding Snickers with our vet.  But two weeks before Betsy left, he started getting sick.  Just not himself and walking very slowly.  After two visits to the vet, they did some blood work.  He declined very quickly.  He was in severe kidney failure.  He was only nine years old.  We got this news the day before we were to take my daughter to college, and we just could not have him put down the day before she left.  So we had a friend come and stay with him all weekend until we returned.  On Monday morning, he actually got up and went outside, but collapsed in the grass and could not get up.  My husband took him to the vet and he is now in doggy-heaven. 

So he was our God-dog.  Given to us by God and taken at the time when God knew it was the right time.  I truly became an empty nester, with all my kids gone and even the dog gone.  But my daughter left her beta fish, Squirt, who I took over the care of.  That fish knew me, I swear!  When I would come in the room, it was just get so excited!  He did not do that when it was my husband who came into the room.  But Squirt is gone now and I am a bit sad!  But I know that God has a plan.  

Thanks for letting me share this!  Now it is back to Module Two! 

Marie

Marie:

While I am extremely sorry for your loss, I enjoyed your story! Pets are more than pets.  I know from experience, another pet can't take the place of a previous one, but it sure does fill a void and bring new happiness!

Take care dear!

Beth

Terry, please ask your vet about Metacam.  It's expensive, but we have two dogs that were on Rimadyl and still limping from arthritis and hip dysplasia, but they are now like puppies on Metacam - it's MAGIC!

Marie:
What a beautiful story that is.  Thank you for sharing it!

Thanks, I'll ask him about the Metacam.  So far Suzie has been doing great on the Rimadyl.  She's got a bad shoulder from a full throttle body slam into the wooden post  of our bedstead when she was a puppy.  She's doing very well with one tablet a day.  

So well in fact that Saturday we took them on a walk in one of the more rural area type parks and she and the other catahoula picked up on a deer trail.   I'm sure every scrap of catahoula DNA was standing up and screaming to find that deer.  Good thing they were leashed, otherwise, I'm positive they'd still be baying that deer.  My two little dogs were just watching, saying "What?  What?"

Thank you Beth and Terry. 

Just wanted to let people know - if you use Rimadyl or any other med that taste like treats, be very, very careful where you keep it.

My catahoula, Suzie has been on Rimadyl for a while for inflammation in her hips and shoulder, and has done well on it.  This Saturday, while we were away, somehow she got up onto the counter into the bowl I keep the dog meds and vitamins in, got the vial, popped the top and ate the entire contents. She is at the vet on fluids and meds.  She'll make it, but she's been a very sick old lady. So be careful.  I thought I was.  The vials were in a bowl with a lid.  From now on, dog meds will be on a top shelf in the cabinet.  

Oh no!  I hope Suzie doesn't have any lasting side effects after she gets back home.  I'm glad to hear she's going to make it and I'm sure she has lots of hugs and petting waiting for her once she's back from the vet's.

My older cat, Aisha, takes steroids and allergy medicine, which I keep shut up in a fairly heavy drawer.  I'm pretty sure she wouldn't willingly get into those bottles on her own, though, considering how hard she tries to spit the pills back out each day.  Now the hairball medicine she was on for a while, that would have been tough to keep her out of!

Thanks Glenda.  I think the long term problems will be minimal.  The blood work on the kidney and liver function were are comfortably normal yesterday.  They'll be doing another workup tomorrow morning to check again.  If all is well, then she'll come home tomorrow afternoon.

He did say she is about to gas them out of the building but other than that, she is doing fine at this stage.

I stayed up all night Sunday with her, and yesterday I was so stressed out I couldn't study.  Slept well, but still feel like a zombie, so may give up trying to take my coding exam.  Instead I may just pull double duty the rest of the week to make up for it.  The brain is NON-functional.  Kids and pets.  No sleep with them around, no sleep without them around.

Terry, I am sending good thoughts your way for Suzie and for you. I know just what you mean about not being able to concentrate. Be sure to take good care of yourself.

My corgi is on Rimadyl and loves the stuff. He goes right for the tablet in his bowl of kibble. It's very convenient (no hassle of hiding the tablet in a soft treat), but you are so right about needing to store it well out of reach. He would gobble the entire bottle.

Keep us updated on how Suzie is doing.

Thanks for all the good thoughts.  Suzie came home today.  She's weak and wobbly, and her bad hind leg is heavy with fluid from not being able to move like she's used to, but she's here.  She's making big, sad, catahoula eyes at my peanut butter sandwich, so I think she'll pull through.  It's just going to take a bit.

So glad to hear that Suzie is back home and feeling well enough to beg for peanut butter. I can imagine your relief, Terry. Sending good thoughts to both of you!

I spoke too soon I guess.  Her kidneys starting failing early this morning and we had to say good bye this afternoon.  She'll be sorely missed.

Oh Terry. I am so sorry to hear about Suzie. :(

Terry, my heart breaks for you.

Thanks y'all for the support and good words.  My grandmother always said when one door closes,another opens, and I think she's right on mark.  Saturday, we went to PetSmart for the usually supplies, food, cat litter, you know the drill.  Another dog was the furtherest thing from my mind.

The local shelter was having an adoption day and there was this boy there:

I picked him up, then I was embarassing the hubby by crying in the middle of PetSmart. :) The volunteers were all very sweet and understanding though. Any way, Bud is a 7 week old boxer mix.  He doesn't replace Suzie, no one could.  He's making his own place.

Oh, look at that sweet boy. Lucky Bud! Many happy and fun-filled years ahead.

Awwww! What a sweet little pup.  

Are there any cat lovers here? I have a silver-tabby Maine Coon and a sealpoint, bi-color Ragdoll. Both are indoor cats.

I have 2 cats as well, a longhaired orange and white male and a shorthaired dark grey female.  Neither is a particular breed, although I suspect Aisha has some Russian Blue in her background.  Charlie is pure mutt and a true scaredy-cat as well - he burrows under rugs or blankets whenever there is thunder!  He's also been known to run from stationary objects that he didn't expect, like a screwdriver set down on the couch.

I have cats as well as dogs.  My oldest cat is almost 17 now.  We found her under the husband's work truck when she was maybe 5 weeks old.  Tasha is creaky and opionated and will not hesitate to school the dogs when called for.  

I have four cats.  Simba and Kanga are outside/inside cats. Simba is a nervous cat and Kanga is everybodys friend.  Jake and Tea are inside cats.  Tea appeared in the garage one day.  She was about 4 weeks old.  I adopted Jake.

My son, Steve, has a cat named "konnichiwa" which is Japanese for Hello---I think---and he calls him "Con" because the veterinarian can't spell konnichiwa and it's easier to say.  :)   He takes his dog and cat on walks, the dog on a leash, and "Con" romping around at their feet. The neighbors always get a kick out of it. He doesn't take on the road, of course, just a large common area connected to all the back yards on that street.

Glenda,

I got a very good laugh over Charlie running from a screwdriver!!  I have 4 cats, 2 are very normal and sweet, and the other 2 are strange.  The weirdest one is an orange and white shorthair named Pumpkin.  She wants to be petted, but a lot of times she looks at me like I might just decide to throw her into an alligator-filled pond!!  After some soothing words, she'll decide it's safe, and come close enough for me to pet her.  This is a cat I've had for 10 years!  What would we do without our animals and their many and varied personalities??

Any poodle lovers out there? I've finally given in and gotten a dog. I'm an avid cat-lover. Marshal is 5.5 years old and is a large, miniature black poodle. He formerly was a beloved companion of a local breeder. He really likes cats. I'm not ready for a puppy yet, so I thought I would start out with an older dog. 

I have 2 Cockapoos - Teddy & Toby.   Their mother was a blue roan cocker spaniel and father a black poodle.  Ted is a typical poodle and Toby is a typical cocker spaniel.   They are 5.5 years old now - they moved with me last year from UK.   They both have a super temperament, are very intelligent (poodle), very responsive to training and Ted has just started agility training.    We also have a Bernese Mountain Dog....quite the contrast.   He takes up a lot of space and moves infrequently.

I had a standard poodle named Pistachio, or "Stasher" for short. I can almost not even talk about him still. I loved him so much. I called him "Mr. Woodman" because he loved to run and grab pieces of wood and carry them around. When it was time for me to let him go, I waited too long. He died as I carried him into the veterinarian's office to have him euthanized.

I have a couple of dogs. Samantha 'Sam'  5yo looks like a mini black lab. Abby 4yo is a yellow mix. Sadly, I had to put down my 18yo cat Sophie this week. 

Ayna, Marshal's buddy since he was a puppy, has come to live with us, too. Both dogs will be 6 years old in April. Couldn't resist posting! 

They are adorable!  I love them.

I'm so sorry for all of your loses. In the past 4 years, we have lost 3 dogs. The first 2 were related to old age, but they had gotten me through a lot, especially my Eskie, Angel. 

Our most recent loss was my Maltese, Riley. A couple months ago, he stopped playing. Bloodwork was done and he was found to have elevated liver enzyme levels. A liver shunt was suspected. I went to a specialty clinic in Omaha, and he was put on a hepatic diet to gain back weight in order to undergo a CT and possibly surgery. A couple weeks later, he was worse and symptoms had changed. I took him back in early, and he had protein-losing enteropathy with probably irritable bowel disorder and possible liver shunt. It is possible that the liver enzyme levels were due to the already dirty blood going through the liver and not a shunt, but we will never know. He went from 6 pounds to 3.5 pounds.

That day, they got his blood pressure up and sent me home with detailed instructions. A couple hours later, his gums were white, so I took him to the closest ER vet. They said he was anemic, temperature was 94, and that they would work on stabilzing him through the night. I hated to leave there, and the look in his eyes. I called to check on him a few hours later, and they did more blood work. He wasn't any better, so I told them I would be in to say goodbye. I live about 20-30 minutes from the ER. When I was about 5 minutes away, I got the phone call that he had passed. I'll never forgive myself for not being there. So many "should haves." 

He died just a few weeks ago, on May 8, so it is all still very raw for me. He would have been 2 years old this past Tuesday. I tried for 2 months to help him. 

Thank you for listening, everyone. I know you don't know me yet, as I've been so busy and not on the boards, but I will be. We still have our 2 cats, and we did get a Maltese-Shih Tzu puppy. Riley, my lost Maltese, used to sit at my feet while I did my transcription. This puppy isn't near as cuddly as he was, but so far she is happy to sleep in my office while I work.

Sheri

I am so sorry for your loss. 

I'm sorry to hear of your loss of such a young pet.  I lost my little Maltese,Princess, 6 months ago.  I was fortunate to have her nearly 20 years.  She was so special I am having a hard time thinking of replacing her with another dog.  I have still a 10 year old cat,who while not as affectionate is a faithful,caring companion.  Congratulations on your new little addition. 

Thanks. I have two cats, too, and one insists on "helping" me study. It is the only time she will snuggle with me. I think I need to dedicate a portion of my desk to just her! 

I miss my Maltese so much yet. Jewel, our puppy, is great, but so different. It's probably best that she isn't a full Maltese, because I don't know that I could handle that yet. 

My faithful friend, Baron AKA Bear-Bear, died at my feet around Noon today. He was getting petted with my foot and then was gone. I will miss him forever. 

Very sorry for your loss Linda :-(

Glad you were there with him and may you find peace soon.

Nicki

Linda, I'm so sorry for your loss of Bear-Bear.

Linda, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. I lost my 16 yr old cat Klio a couple of years ago, and it hit me very hard. I wasn't expecting it.

Then, just this morning, I was told my 18 year old cat, Kafe (as in coffee, "Cafe") has kidney problems. The vet taught me this afternoon how to give him fluid injections, which I'll have to do every other day for the rest of his life. I hope I remember everything tomorrow when it's my first solo time doing it.

Also, two things: First, there's a plastic card I keep in my wallet. I bought it back in high school 30ish years ago, & it's been broken & taped back together since then, but I always remember it when times get tough. It reads: "Keep me going Lord. Remember that nothing is going to happen today that you and He together can't handle."

Second, I haven't seen anyone mention The Rainbow Bridge. It's a beautiful poem that tells the story of where pets go when they die. Be warned--you will cry reading it. I get teary-eyed just thinking of it. You just need to Google it, or, the original version can be found here: https://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm

Again, I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Linda, I'm so sorry to hear that.  Having pets are definitely one of the family and when it's their time, it isn't any easier to have to let them go.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My heart goes out to you and your family Linda on your loss of Bear.  Rainbow Bridge has gained a member and you have your own personal angel looking out for all of you.  I know what a difficult time this is and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Linda,

_{I am so sorry to hear about your loss.}

I'm sorry, Linda.  It's so hard losing a pet.  Sending hugs your way.

I am so sorry for your loss of Bear Bear Linda. I am glad you were able to be at his side.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

"The Power of the Dog"

There is sorrow enough in the natural way from men and women to fill our day;And when we are certain of sorrow in store, why do we always arrange for more?  Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware of giving your heart for a dog to tear.

Buy a pup, and your money will buy love unflinching that cannot lie -----                 Perfect passion fed by a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.                       Nevertheless, it is hardly fair to risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the 14 years which nature permits are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits,     And the vet's unspoken prescription runs to lethal chambers or loaded guns,         Then you will find it's your own affair, but..., you've given your heart to a dog to tear. 

When the body that lived at your single will, with its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)                                                                                                       When the spirit that answered your every mood is gone - wherever it goes - for good, You will discover how much you care, and will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way, when it comes to burying Christian clay.   Our loves are not given but only lent at compound interest of cent per cent.       Though it is not always the case, I believe, that the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve.                                                                                                      For when debts are payable, right or wrong, a short-term loan is as bad as a long --- So why--in Heaven--(before we are there) should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling

Heart-felt sentiments from a fellow animal lover.

Nancy Ni