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Bettie

(15,998 posts)
Wed Dec 4, 2019, 11:52 AM Dec 2019

Had to have a young cat put down today

and I'm so sad.

FIV. She practically lived on my shoulder for the two years she was with us. But, despite my best efforts, she had gone from 4.7 pounds to two in the last week. I tried, but there was nothing I could do for her.

And yet, I feel like it is my fault. Like I failed her.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Had to have a young cat put down today (Original Post) Bettie Dec 2019 OP
I am so sorry get the red out Dec 2019 #1
Thank you Bettie Dec 2019 #12
I've been there and I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you were a perfect cat mom. fleur-de-lisa Dec 2019 #2
Thank you Bettie Dec 2019 #13
🕯️ irisblue Dec 2019 #3
Thank you. Bettie Dec 2019 #14
Aw Bettie, I'm so sorry. redqueen Dec 2019 #4
Thank you Bettie Dec 2019 #11
I am so sorry for you and your little girl. Fla Dem Dec 2019 #5
Thank you. Bettie Dec 2019 #10
so sorry, Bettie Skittles Dec 2019 #6
Thank you Bettie Dec 2019 #9
Did you mean FeLv? I'm so sorry your girl was sick and was only with you for a short time UniteFightBack Dec 2019 #7
Thank you...will check this stuff out Bettie Dec 2019 #8
You two were a great team and you know you did not fail her!! You had a special bond. UniteFightBack Dec 2019 #15
Her name was Panther Lily Bettie Dec 2019 #16
Wow it sounds like she packed a lot of life into that short time! She knew you were there for her UniteFightBack Dec 2019 #17

get the red out

(13,459 posts)
1. I am so sorry
Wed Dec 4, 2019, 11:53 AM
Dec 2019

I know if was one of my doggies I would feel like it was my fault no matter, but is sure sounds like you gave her the best care and nothing could be done

fleur-de-lisa

(14,616 posts)
2. I've been there and I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you were a perfect cat mom.
Wed Dec 4, 2019, 11:56 AM
Dec 2019

She was a lucky little kitty to have such a loving mom.

redqueen

(115,096 posts)
4. Aw Bettie, I'm so sorry.
Wed Dec 4, 2019, 06:39 PM
Dec 2019

Went through this with my most beloved cat last year. Tearing up now, still, thinking of him.

You were her human and she loved you and that's more than a lot of cats get. Bless you for caring so much for her. You have a good heart.

😭

Fla Dem

(23,354 posts)
5. I am so sorry for you and your little girl.
Wed Dec 4, 2019, 08:40 PM
Dec 2019

You were there for her and did everything you could. She left this world knowing she was loved. She is no longer suffering.

Skittles

(152,967 posts)
6. so sorry, Bettie
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 01:40 AM
Dec 2019

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -

I loved you so -
'twas Heaven here with you

~Isla Paschal Richardson

 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
7. Did you mean FeLv? I'm so sorry your girl was sick and was only with you for a short time
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 01:48 AM
Dec 2019

I feel that makes it hurt even more! I know you are in despair now but please try not to feel like you failed her!
FeLv is every cat parents worst nightmare and unfortunately there is no cure.

I have to tell you when you love that much you will always find something to feel guilty about or find a way to convince yourself that you 'failed' your pet. I find something each and every time to make it 'my fault'.

What helped me was googling "pet loss quotes" ...and then I went to https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/
They have a monday light candle ceremony where you can honor your pet and connect with others going through the same thing. You can do this candle ceremony yourself at anytime and I will light a candle for your girl tomorrow. She will fall under the 'family and friends' candle. The 3rd candle is for all the pets that never even find a home or receive love or kindness. Your girl was not in that category so she was one of the lucky ones even though it was not for long.

There are also many free pet memorial sites if you are interested to do that.

I'm with you Bettie and I'm sending strength out to you through the universe....it will get better, just hang the hell in there.


Bettie

(15,998 posts)
8. Thank you...will check this stuff out
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 08:55 AM
Dec 2019

the worst was telling my three kids. All of us are animal lovers and even though we kind of knew that she was really sick, we figured she'd get better.

Little girl sat on my shoulder almost all the time, for her entire life, I was her preferred human. She purred as they gave her the shot, until the last second of her life. I'd like to think she was telling me it was OK.

She was a good little kitty.

 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
15. You two were a great team and you know you did not fail her!! You had a special bond.
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 01:21 PM
Dec 2019

If I felt I failed my pet I actually just asked them for forgiveness out loud. Even if I made a mistake I know they would forgive me because we loved each other.

What was your little girl's name...was it little girl??

Bettie

(15,998 posts)
16. Her name was Panther Lily
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 01:53 PM
Dec 2019

so called by my oldest son who is now at college.

She was mostly white with gray tabby spots and adored people in general, but if I was there, she was on my shoulder.

She also loved our goofy Pyrenees, who would roll her over and rub his nose on her belly.

I did tell her I was sorry as she went to sleep...purring the whole way.

 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
17. Wow it sounds like she packed a lot of life into that short time! She knew you were there for her
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 03:08 PM
Dec 2019

that's for sure. This is one of my favorite poems that I found when I was going through my grief. I still have it printed out today.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye

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