We put one of our two cats to sleep today.

Mrs. Devil Dog Dem and I had Smitty for almost 14 years. I found him as a 2 week old kitten standing on the side of the interstate one day while driving through the mountains. I named him Smitty after General Howlin' Mad Smith, the CinC of the Fleet Marine Force during W.W.II. I gave him to my then-girlfriend, now wife.

He was a great cat! He retrieved for me when I would throw Q-tips: he'd run and fetch it, bring it back in his mouth and drop it at my feet to throw again. We would do this ad infinitum. He would sleep on my chest, which I cherished, even if it wasn't that comfortable. He let our 19-month old -- Devil Pup Dem -- pat him and even pull his tail without protest. He was very patient.

He had been sick for awhile, couldn't keep food down and when we noticed that he had turned yellow we took him to the vet yesterday. They said his liver was in bad shape and that the treatment alone could kill him, and even then he had only a 20% chance of being "cured." They said he would have to be in the hospital for a week with a stomach tube to feed him, IV's to give him chemo, etc. We decided that we didn't want to put him through that so I brought him home for one more day so my wife could say goodbye to him and so we could give him his favorite meal, tuna fish (which he hadn't eaten in years due to his allergy to it, but that doesn't matter now). We took him to the vet this morning and stayed with him the whole time. He was very peaceful and put up no fight, almost as if he knew his time was here. We are having him cremated and scattering the ashes in the mountains where I found him. We think he would have liked that.

I'll miss him.

going through this in the past two weeks....maybe I just never noticed it before.

My heart goes out to you and I'm so sorry for your loss.

I had to put my cat to sleep after 12 years. It is such a painful experience. I'll say a prayer for you and Smitty. :cry:

that must hurt a lot...

kitty kisses from my cats to you and your mrs.

It sounds like you and he provided each other with many years of love and companionship though.

You're right, he would have liked his ashes scattered in that manner, I think any pet would.

Give the other pets pats and hugs, give them some extra love, they'll miss Smitty too.

My little furry buddy Quinn and I are sending good vibes your way.

E

I lost my best friend last year, (Baldwin)...their unconditional love is above reproach. I miss him with you. God Bless.

I've been there.

You gave Smitty a great life.

It's hard to let go. But he'll be waiting for ya on the other side.

You should be very proud. I'm sorry for the difficulty of losing a loved companion. I can relate well.

And he gave you a lifetime of wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing his story with us.

Well it seems to have had a good life with you and that is what counts.

But what a great life he had. He was a lucky cat because you stopped to pick him up that day. I know you'll miss him.

It's hard. Been through it ourselves a few times.

Take Care!
The Professor

You did the right thing. Trust me, there are a lot of liberal kittens waithing for yours under the big tree.

DDQM

a lot of us have lost pets in the last year - it sucks. But you gave Smitty a great life and did the right thing for him at the end, for which you should be very proud.

I've had a few cats put to sleep, and each time, I've gotten a new kitten right afterward. It doesn't replace your buddy, but it eases the pain - it's hard to be sad with a kitten pouncing on your head. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing you're providing a home for another little friend.

Best of luck.

eom

It's a tough thing to do, I know. Thinking of you. :hug:

We put her to sleep on June 20, 2003.

May you find comfort in knowing that we support you.

my beautiful Brittany Spaniel had lived for 15 years. Then she got Alzheimer's, and eventually became so disoriented that she was unable to eat or walk. I tried my best to feed her, but then she refused all food and water. The hardest part was making the decision, but even as they put her to sleep I stayed with her until the very end.

The hardest part was that I couldn't explain to her why this was being done, or how much more painful it would be for her to just waste away.

I poured her ashes in the woods behind my house where we used to go walking, and can find comfort in knowing that she lived most of her years in happiness. Pets do much to give us happiness, and all humans must in return do everything possible to make them happy during their short lifetimes.

And by giving Smitty a home you have done something that many refuse to do..take responsibility for unwanted and unloved animals, many of whom are put to sleep because they were dumped.

You were lucky to have found one another, way back then. I'm sorry he's gone.

One of my cats also loved to fetch Q-Tips...I'll always cherish the memory of him trotting around holding a swab in his mouth like a little bone, so funny. I had to put him to sleep because of kidney failure.

Rest in peace to all the sweet kitties who have given us their love.

:hug:

How those little pets of ours get into our lives, and then leave us so soon.



*sniff*

I miss our little lady too...