I hate playing "God" with these creatures!

[hamsterjill]

I'm so sorry, but I just need to vent, I think.

I'm involved in rescue. Cat rescue to be specific, and our group has just gone through a lot of loss this year for some reason. When I look at it logically, it all makes perfect sense. Several of the cats that we saved years ago are getting up there in years, and with that, just like with humans, comes a whole slew of problems and issues and concerns.

Emotionally, though, it's so hard and, as I think we all know in this group, it hurts like hell.

Today, we lost a little boy who was FIV positive. We'd had him in our care for 8 years and the vet estimated that he was about 16 years old total. He had fought like a champion for all of those years against the progression of the disease, and he was a sweetheart and a joy. He loved going to the vet's offices. Loved riding in the car and loved being the center of attention for a few minutes with the vet and the techs fawning over him. Unusual for a cat. He had more of a will to live than any others I've ever seen.

But the damn disease had eventually taken its toll and his body was worn and ravaged and scraggly. It was time to say goodbye to him today, and we will miss his sweet spirit in our lives. The vet who took care of him, and his staff, did an amazing job at keeping him healthy for as long as possible. I am so grateful that there are caring people in this world who can do that job. But I hate having to take that phone call or see that look on the vet's face, or just get that sick feeling in my stomach - when it's time to make that decision. I hate having to play God.

I know in my heart that letting them go when they are suffering IS the right thing to do. But I don't save them to lose them, and the loss is always horrific.

Hold your companions close tonight. Time is SO fleeting, and they are gone way too fast.

[Angry Dragon]

1. It hurts because you care

[hamsterjill]

8. Thank you for saying that.

It is very true. No one should be doing this if they don't allow themselves to love them!

[hollysmom]

2. It is hard to let pets go, it is hard to let people go as well.

but sometimes you have to let them go.
We let my mother die - we knew she did not want to live connected to machines, unable to communicate but still a little alert (not fully, too much brain damage. We told them to take her off the machines.
We let my father die, he took all the pills in the house, we only found out when he started to pass, he was in the last stages of Parkinson's and could barely move, we don't even know how he had the strength to move from his bed to the dresser to get the pills. he spent most of his days a prisoner in his body, all his children worked and mother was exhausted and slept a lot from carrying him around when she was in her 70's - I have no idea how she did it she dais it was a matter of balance. he was tired of the indignity of Mom changing his diapers. He asked us to not call 911.
So to let an animal in pain that can't tell us die is acceptable, I have not had to do it, I am dreading it some day, but luckily my dogs have passed from old age or, well, from grandpa when i was a child animals died in accidents whenhe took care of them, that is why I slept with my rooster, should have slept with my dog from earlier.

[hamsterjill]

9. Thank you.

I am so sorry for all of the sadness with your parents. It's almost unthinkable that people who are suffering and wish to end it don't have the same rights as we do for our pets. I'm not sure exactly what the answer is, but I do believe that there comes a time for some people when an illness that they have is too painful, etc. and when there is no hope for recovery or improvement, I believe they should have options.

[Phentex]

3. It hurts like hell and it doesn't seem to get any easier...

I am so sorry for your pain. It's just really hard no matter what.

[hamsterjill]

10. Thank you.

Yes it does hurt like hell. Time helps, but we never forget them!

[jtuck004]

4. "Time is SO fleeting, and they are gone way too fast. " < I read once where that is by design. They

keep trying to teach us how precious what we have is, and not to waste it.

We still aren't listening.

[Mosby]

5. sorry to hear about your cat

It's never easy.

[hamsterjill]

11. Thank you.

n/t

[R. P. McMurphy]

6. I know your torment.

Your heart is breaking because of their suffering and it is breaking because you will miss your little love so much.

If you love them YOU ARE LEFT WITH NO OPTION. The helplessness is devastating. I lost my sweet Onyx in February. My heart is still in shreds and I cry for her every day.

I don't know your beliefs and don't want to offend, so please accept this in the spirit it is offered - my prayers will be with you and your precious boy in your time of grief - and I hope we can all meet again.

[hamsterjill]

12. I am so sorry that you lost Onyx.

Thank you for your prayers. I will happily accept them from you.

Like you, I, too, hope we will all meet again one day. And I believe we will...

[irisblue]

7. I am sorry. It can feel like your heart is being ripped out

even when you know it is time. When I lost Alex of Blessed Memory, one person told me to imagine how great the joy on seeing him when I got to the Rainbow Bridge...((hugs))

[hamsterjill]

13. Yes, it can feel that way.

I do believe that we will see them again. And I look forward to the time when we will all be reunited.

I miss all of my furbabies that have passed, as I know most people do.

Thank you.

[shenmue]

14. Peace