Goodbye to Abbott. It's our last 2 hours together
I really hoped after the last visit that if Abbott would just eat a little bit of food each day he might be able to last another 6 months to a year. But in the end it was the right thing to do.
So as I sit here at type my last post ever while Abbott is still alive my heart feels like it's breaking just a little bit more. You have to realize that Abbott was my very first real pet. Yes that is correct - never really had any significant pets until now and I'm in my 40s. Sure we had a pair of rabbits when I was a kid but they lived out in a hutch and they weren't very friendly to us. And I took care of a black cat back in the 90s (her name was Arielle) but she was kinda like an apartment cat that one day no longer came around the place anymore. I've also had hamsters, geckos and goldfish but never had anything like a pet cat or dog.
So out of the blue 10 years ago while coming home on a cold and rainy night, an abandoned cat came up to me in the parking lot looking for help. I suspect someone did own him but when they moved they felt he wasn't worthy enough to bring with them so they left him out in the cold. What's worse was there were cats in the area but they were nasty feral cats and probably didn't want anything to do with him. So I felt sorry for the guy and brought him indoors thinking I'd find his owner and return him. Turns out I was to be his owner and he stayed with me ever since.
He was such a lovable guy especially once he was fixed (which btw until he was fixed he was also a very horny guy!). He grew to be almost 17lbs but his normal weight was around 15 - he was a very big cat. I could never sleep in on weekends because if the food dish wasn't filled by 8am he'd be batting me with his paws waking me up for his morning meal. At nights when I would watch TV, I'd lay on my sofa and that was his queue to snuggle up with me and we'd watch TV together.
I did bring a friend into the mix, Evita, but they were never very close. I think he kinda bullied her some since he was a bit bigger than she was. But lately now that Abbott is dying, Evita does seem to be coming to life. Last night I slept on the sofa while Abbott was spooned next to me, Evita was on the armrest by my head purring us to sleep. I think she knows something is going to change.
So goodbye dear Abbott, my beautiful boy and wonderful pet. You will be very much missed in my life but in the end I know it's the right thing to do. I have decided that I will be in the room when he's put to sleep. I want him to know in the end he was loved and that the last face he sees is mine and the last voice he hears is mine. He was abandoned once in his lifetime, I want his last breath to know that he was loved in the end and that he was special.
BTW I found the thread for when I found Abbott here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=524965
Turns out it was only 9 years I had with him 
I wanted to dedicate this song to Abbott:
(that's evita on the left)
= new reply since forum marked as read
It's hard to say goodbye, but it's for the best. 
He was very lucky to have found you. Hamlet, Ophelia, and Patrick will be there to greet him at the Rainbow Bridge.
I wish I could say something to make things better.
The last two hours are the absolute hardest.
When I went through this with Tillie(YouBitch) I had to keep reminding myself that letting go when it is time is another act of love. It is a small consolation right now, I'm sure, but with time the pain stabs a little less intensely.
Hearing yours and Abbott's story the least couple of weeks has really touched me deeply, because Chaucer (the fat black turd) is about that same age and he was also a rescue. He's had some health issues over the years and I almost lost him a couple of years ago--so I am acutely aware of how short our time together really is. I try not to dwell on that, but it is there, always. Abbott's story served as a reminder.
Abbott's story was a reminder of one other thing, and that is the fact that our relationship with these four footed ones is a pure form of love that humans find difficult to replicate with each other. He gifted you, you gifted him, and it was a lovely gift to be cherished always. They don't DO betrayal or scorn (well, a cat does do scorn, but it's part of why we love them...) they simply love us. In the balance, that's pretty cool.
Laura
It is such a tough place to be! But while your heart is breaking, you know this is for the best. They count on us to take care of them when they can't do it anymore...
And so you are.
He will always love you...he will always live in your heart...
I've always told them goodnight when it was time for them to leave; it's only a slip from the sleep the needle brings them to the dream of the Summerlands.
I'm so sorry.
Haele
Being compassionate, humane, and responsible can be an awful weight to bear. But he knows he's loved and he has no regrets, neither should you.
I said goodbye to 14 year old Bubba Ray in August 2011 and still cry often, and just found out this morning that my 6 year old Max has a terminal condition.
They give us so much, so effortlessly, its not fair that they should have to suffer for one minute.
Abbott will have many friends to greet him at The Bridge.
Take all the time you need, cry whenever you want to, and always remember every minute you shared with him.
to a cherished and beloved furfriend.
My dear Max passed in August 2010. He had been abandoned and never had a real home until I adopted him. He got me through some of the worst times of my life, but his kidneys gave out at about 16 or so. To this day I can swear that he let me know it was okay for me to let him go. I held him while the vet gave him the shot.
I cried every day for a month.
He will always be with you as Max always is with me. Cross safely and quietly, Abbott.
and comforting vibes to you.
Oh, why do the right things to do sometimes have to break our hearts?
So sorry to hear this.
I hope all the good memories you have of Abbott will help ease the sadness and worry of his final illness. Rest in peace little guy.
It's a short trip across the Rainbow Bridge.
Abbot's earthly suffering is at an end.
He always knew he was loved.
there are no words. Why do they make us love them so much?
and I know you will miss him greatly. Having just lost my kitty Inky after eighteen years, I know it's hard to say goodbye. May God be good to Abbott--and to LynneSin! They both have loving hearts!
LynneSin Abbott
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.
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One of the things that I learned from NoName (the pet love of my life) is that they
are never truly GONE. He will be with you always and he will bring you fewer and
fewer tears and more and more warm, loving smiles.
.
.
.
.
I just read that to my husband. Mr. Mickey's our boy, and we love him so. Every precious day we realize what a gift they are.
We're with you...
Abbott was a handsome boy--it's so unfair that their lives are so much shorter than ours.
and hugs to you, Lynne. It's one of the hardest things to ever do. He was a beautiful boy who lucked up when he found you (or you found each other).
I'm sorry.
Abbott lived a great life by having you take care of him.
He was a beautiful cat.
You rescued him and gave him a happy life. He was a lucky kitty.
So very sorry for your loss.. but no doubt he is comforted knowing that you are there loving him and will be to the end. By the way, this is a beautiful goodbye letter. Thank you for sharing your heart.
I'm actually a dog person, but at the moment am feeding five outdoor cats: Figaro, Arabella, Tosca, Faust and Chicken Cat(he won't let anyone approach him).
You'd never know I'm into opera, wouldja?? 
Try to take some comfort in knowing that he had a good life because of you.
Peaceful crossing to your beautiful Abbott. How lucky he and you were to have had each other for so long. Being with him at the end is the right thing to do. So sorry.
I know how much this hurts.
He was a beauty!
