My family mourns today.

[MarianJack]

Last night, the day after his 14th birthday, my wife and I had to send our kitty Spirit over the Rainbow bridge. He'd been losing weight, vomiting every day and had been pooping liquid for several days. We hoped against hope that he simply had a parasite or bug that would be cured by medication. IT turned out that his intestines had thickened and had blockages and he had a malignant tumor close to his heart. Even if it were operable, Spirit was simply too weak to survive surgery. We were determined that we would not make him suffer, so we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go.

While we are terribly saddened, we also know that Spirit was ready to go. He died with the same grace dignity that he carried with him every day. He is at rest and will never feel pain again. In spite of our sorrow, we are at peace with our decision, but boy oh boy do we ever miss our little guy. We will always miss and love him. When his ashes are returned, we'll bury him in our back yard with our kitty Moe and doggie Spencer by a lawn statue that we have of St. Francis of Assisi. Thank you for allowing me to share.

PEACE!

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Thank you for sharing with us. I am so sorry for your loss.

I know how it hurts. I have one who is 17 and is nearing her end. They just love us, don't they?

[MarianJack]

4. We were holding him in the minutes between the two injections, and...

...I had the feeling that Spirit, who never really liked being held, snuggled against us and I had the feeling that he was hugging us goodbye. We were telling him just how much we loved him and we thanked him for being such a wonderful part of our family and being our loyal little friend.

Thank you.

PEACE!

[skylucy]

2. So very sorry. RIP Spirit.

[MarianJack]

5. Thank you, skylucy.

PEACE!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. So sorry! RIP, Spirit.

[MarianJack]

7. Thank you, Velveteen Ocelot.

PEACE!

[FM123]

6. Sending you hugs ❤️

[MarianJack]

8. Thank you, FM123

PEACE!

[Moostache]

9. Thank you for being loving owners...

Spirit led a blessed life because of your kindness and love. The feeling of loss and missing the special ones never leaves us, but the happy memories always find a way to eventually crowd out the sorrow.

My condolences on the loss of Spirit and my sincere hope that you soon are remembering the best times and memories more than anything else.

[MarianJack]

10. Thank you, Moostache.

One of my fondest memories is from the day we adopted him. When we went into the animal shelter he leaned up against the window of his cage, looked directly at me and started meowing. Our hearts were CAPTURED!

I've always believed that he choose us as much as we choose him, and we're glad that he did.

His three kitty and one doggie brothers miss him too.

PEACE!

[3catwoman3]

11. Spirit - what a wonderful name.

I always struggle with the terminology surrounding these decisions. "Put to sleep" isn't accurate. "Put down" just sounds harsh." Euthanize is acccurate but very dryly clinical for such emotional situations.

Some years ago, I finally decided to say "liberate the spirit" for the times when we have had to make that final loving choice, which is always hard, even when it is right.

You liberated Spirit's spirit. A cyber hug to you and your family, from a fellow cat lover.

[MarianJack]

16. Thank you, 3catwoman3.

My wife wants to paint a picture of our three surviving cats and our doggie looking out a window at Spirit and our other pets looking back as they go over the Rainbow Bridge. They may be gone from our everyday lives, but we will always love and miss them.

PEACE!

[shenmue]

12. Hug

[MarianJack]

17. Thanks, shenmue.

PEACE!

[Upthevibe]

13. ..................

..............

[MarianJack]

18. Thank you.

PEACE!

[irisblue]

14. I grieve for you and your family.

[MarianJack]

19. Thank you, irisblue.

PEACE!

[jpak]

15. So sorry

[MarianJack]

20. Thanks, jpak.

PEACE!

[sweetroxie]

21. I'm so sorry for your loss of Spirit

I'm facing a similar decision about my 16 yo dog, Roxie. I know how hard it is. Take good care.

[trueblue2007]

22. SO SORRY for the loss of your boy Spirit.

He is friends now with my cats GRACIE, SOPHIE & SNICKERS in Cat Heaven.

My heart goes out to you.

[TuxedoKat]

23. Condolences

So sorry for the loss of your beloved Spirit. It's never easy to lose a pet no matter what age or how long you've had them. (((HUGS)))

[Laffy Kat]

24. So sorry.

I hurt for every one of these I read. Take comfort that you and your wife were great kitteh parents.

[orleans]

25. it's always so hard to say goodbye for now

i'm sorry for your loss

[MLAA]

26. Sending you 💕🌈❤️💖💞

Godspeed to Spirit as he joins Moe and Spencer.

[lunasun]

27. RIP Spirit . Peace and condolences to you and your family

[MontanaMama]

28. Safe home Spirit!

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your kitty boy.

[KT2000]

29. Oh - this is sad

I'm sorry, thank you for sharing. RIP Spirit.

[onecaliberal]

30. Rest in peace Spirit. Sorry for the loss of your furry family.