Topic: my best friend in the entire world isnt doing good

[bucky katt]

i decided that when the time comes, like all the other cats i've lost in the past 20 years, he'll be cremated and what i'm going to do is cut a 1" wide strip off the end of the kilt he was born on (6 yards of scottish wool, an inch wont be missed) and have it cremated with him.

[BeSeeingYou]

This may sound bizarre but we have a friend who is a potter and she uses some of the ashes in a glaze and makes a vase for us.

[bill440cars]

i decided that when the time comes, like all the other cats i've lost in the past 20 years, he'll be cremated and what i'm going to do is cut a 1" wide strip off the end of the kilt he was born on (6 yards of scottish wool, an inch wont be missed) and have it cremated with him.

     
            Only fitting Jeff, only fitting. Hope you all have some good times, while you can.

[bucky katt]

as incredibly sad as i am about my boy being sick and not knowing how long he has left until i have to make a very hard decision, this prednisone is obviously giving him a bunch of relief from his arthritis. for the first time in nearly 2 years, Hamish is able to jump from the coffee table to the back of the couch around 5 feet away. he's running and leaping and playing, he jumps on his brother Macavity from the top of my giant Pioneer speakers (about 4 1/2 feet tall) and runs up and down the cat trees acting like a 13 month old cat NOT a 13 year old cat. i am so very thankful that i'm able to give him a few weeks or a few months of living seemingly pain free (he has really aged quickly over the last few years) his muzzle and ears are starting to show grey/white hair and i had to have a tooth removed last year. for now he really is like he was as an adolescent cat terrorizing my horses and german shepherd again. i have no illusions about the outcome of this but getting hamish feeling good for a little while before he crosses the rainbow bridge* is easing my pain somewhat.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[bucky katt]

because of the prednisone Hamish is eating at least twice as much as he was before prednisone. i'm buying the 20 pound bag of purina one urinary tract health a full week earlier now. BUT he's really putting some weight back on. he was getting to be pretty bony.

[bill440cars]

because of the prednisone Hamish is eating at least twice as much as he was before prednisone. i'm buying the 20 pound bag of purina one urinary tract health a full week earlier now. BUT he's really putting some weight back on. he was getting to be pretty bony.

   That sounds good Jeff, get him all nourished up and he'll possibly outlive you all. Feels good to set him, getting back in shape, huh?

[bucky katt]

it's great seeing him all energetic and eating anything edible. vet says he'll probably be around till early winter or so. i'd love it if the diagnosis was wrong but i'm not going to talk myself into believing that. he'll have a few good months of being 10x as spoiled as he already was 

[Freaky1]

Glad to hear that he's feeling better Buck. My seal point Kona was loosing some weight but still eating and running the house like she always did up until a Saturday about a month ago. She was lethargic and just not herself, got her to the vet later that day took blood, and xrays. By Monday when the tests came back she was not in pain but clearly sick, crammed her with drugs and fluids but she was slipping. Elected to bring her home, I didn't want her passing in a hospital, made her comfy on her blanket and just laid with her. Wife and kids came in and said goodbye and 15 minutes later she was gone, I have known lots of cats but she was an original. Tuesday we found out that she had major tumors on her liver and there was nothing we could have done. Almost glad we didn't know sooner, there was only 3 days that she was visibly sick and never obviously in pain, I wouldn't do well thinking she might be getting better. Hope the Ham hangs in there and keeps enjoying every day, I understand your pain, Kona was hands down my kitty also.

[dave500]

it is sad,,pets truly are a part of our family,all families,too bad they dont live as long as us,,we have a seven year old staffordshire,had him since a puppy,we dread that day,weve had great pets over the years,every one of them has had a great life with us.,they join in everything.

[Don R]

When I see the day coming I start getting used to the idea that someday dealing with it will be my responsibility. It has been some comfort knowing I was able to end their suffering. I knew it was going to be up to me to make the call and unfortunately none of my pets just went to sleep on their own.

[bucky katt]

Hamish had/has the kind of life most humans would envy. ALL of my critters have been spoiled but him especially i think. he's always with me "helping" me to do stuff like computer repairs, model building, cooking......oh he LOVES to help me cook. and except for a very few no-no's these cats do and go whatever/wherever they want to. because he also has to get cosequin for his joints, he gets a small plate of whatever meat i've cooked for dinner every night and on the night when there is either no meat or something he shouldnt have, he gets a small can of tuna with his cosequin powder (RockingM will know all about cosequin) knowing that he has had the best life a cat could possibly have had, makes it, if not easier, me feel better about the fact that one day, possibly soon, i'm going to have to make the decision all pet owners hate to make. as i type he's trying to pull the bag of temptations cat treats out of my pocket 

[bucky katt]

well, when i went to the vet today to get the refill of his prednisone i decided to take Hamish along to get him weighed. since going on the prednisone he's gained back 1 pound 4 ounces! he's still a sick kitty but he seems to be feeling really good and lord knows his appetite is good too.

[bill440cars]

well, when i went to the vet today to get the refill of his prednisone i decided to take Hamish along to get him weighed. since going on the prednisone he's gained back 1 pound 4 ounces! he's still a sick kitty but he seems to be feeling really good and lord knows his appetite is good too.

  Hey, THAT'S cool Jeff.

[xfactor]

I know this feeling all too well, about 1 year ago my cat and best friend had to be put to sleep. He was 21 and a great cat it was especially hard because I got him when I was 2 for my birthday, I loved the hell out of that cat, but his last hours were rough, and we knew it was time, he couldnt walk and he didnt know what was going on, and I couldnt stand to see him that way.

[bucky katt]

it's starting to look like i'm going to have to make some touch decisions in the next week or so. he has started acting more like a cranky old man than Hamish. i'll see, once in a while if i dont let him eat grass when i walk him he gets a bit blocked up, but with the tumour the vet found i dont think thats going to be the case this time. i'm sitting here shedding a tear thinking about all me and the old booger have been through together and what life is going to be like without him. i've known this cat longer than any of the people in my life. i like him more than the people in my life for the most part too. we'll see though, maybe the old bastid' has some life left in him yet.

[bill440cars]

it's starting to look like i'm going to have to make some touch decisions in the next week or so. he has started acting more like a cranky old man than Hamish. i'll see, once in a while if i dont let him eat grass when i walk him he gets a bit blocked up, but with the tumour the vet found i dont think thats going to be the case this time. i'm sitting here shedding a tear thinking about all me and the old booger have been through together and what life is going to be like without him. i've known this cat longer than any of the people in my life. i like him more than the people in my life for the most part too. we'll see though, maybe the old bastid' has some life left in him yet.

           Jeff, I hear ya man. It's really something that an animal such as a Cat or a Dog can affect us that way, but it happens all the time I can clearly identify with your feelings toward Hamish. Old "Shadow" was MY buddy, my Friend and always messing with me. I was SO CLOSE to that cat. I was about 80miles away at weekend Army Reserve drill. I had stopped at a convenience store to call Brenda and tell her that I was finally on my way home. I did this everytime, so she would have an idea when I'd be home. Well, this one time, her parents were there and Brenda told me that she hated to tell me over the phone, but Shadow had died and her Dad would bury him, if I wanted him to. Of course I appreciated the offer, but I felt the need to do this myself. Brenda knew that, but wanted to give me her Dad's offer. So, I hurried home and took care of my Buddy for the last time. When I came in, my eyes were still wet from crying over that darn cat and NO ONE said anything about that, as they ALL knew how I felt about old Shadow! Oh, we've had several cats over the years, but Shadow was the first male cat and We formed a bond that was so cool.

   So, yeah Jeff, I know what you are going through and FEEL for you Brother, Bill
   

[bucky katt]

all my "kids" get cremated and when my time comes i do as well and all our ashes get mixed and spread in the gulf of mexico off of bradenton.