I am new to this page but have read your posts,
My beloved and toughy cat, Panther, had to be put to sleep on Friday, April 8. He was 14 and was in a 2 year remission from diabetes and had been cured of Hyperthryoidism with the Radioactive Iodine treatment 8 months ago. He came to our door 12 years ago and stole our hearts. He was diagnosed with the cancer Lymphosarcoma 2 weeks ago . My brave big boy began to fade so much in the last 2 weeks we had to put him to sleep. The day he went he had ice cream and cereal milk and sat in the sun. I tried to say good-bye.When the time came,my husband held him and talked in his ear and he went peacefully. I, however, am really struggling. I do not know how I can survive this loss. I am frantic to find him anywhere I can. I know we did the right thing, but I am so devastated and feel the pain will not end.
I guess it just takes time.

I am so sorry for the loss of your handsome Panther. I love that picture. That's so sad to hear he lost the battle but I am glad your little boy went peacefully. I know how unbearable the pain is when we no longer have them in our arms.

The first couple of weeks are the very worst. After that the pain begans to lessen just a little bit. I thought I could not survive either but somehow the heart keeps beating and we keep living on. We are all here for you and talking really helps so come and post often. You are not alone in this heart breaking journey we all must walk. At least we don't have to walk it alone.
Ann

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Panther. He was beautiful. You gave him a wonderful life and did everything possible to help him when his health declined. You've come to the best place as we've all felt the devastation of losing our precious pets. Everyone here is so kind and caring and will help you along this difficult road.

Sincerely,
Lynn

I am so very sorry that you are in such pain and distress after having had to have your beautiful Panther put to sleep. It must be so hard after having him with you for 12 long years.
He is a beautiful kitty, such glossy shiny fur and bright eyes. You must have cared for him so well for him to look so handsome. Your loss must be enormous. It's so very sad.
Lymphosarcoma is a nasty thing indeed. My car Tiggy died from it 18 months ago. Her ending was not a good one ... an operation was done against my wishes. I had put her in for what I had been told was a needle biopsy only, but the vet, knowing that I had health insurance for her, decided once she was under anaesthetic to do a major operation.

The whole things from then on in was a complete nightmare and because of yet another mistake by the vet when I took her 5 days later to be put to sleep, she did not go peacefully.

So I am very glad that your beautiful Panther did not have to suffer and that his passing was peaceful and that he had the loving arms of your husband around him. You made his last day as happy and loving as possible for him, and then you did the right thing for him ... you took away his suffering ... the greatest gift and sacrifice of all.

Bless dear Panther

With love
jilly

I am so sorry for your loss ~ Panther is a beautiful soul ~it is clear that he had so much love given to him in his life ~ someone mentioned to me that we have taken away their suffering and pain and made it our own ~ that is so true ~ our babies are at peace and we will be too when we allow the love we have shared to over take our grief ~ it is our love that endures and keeps us forever more ~ Take Care ~ You are not alone in your feelings ~

Dear Nank,

Our stories seem to be identical and want you to know that I feel your pain with you. Panther is at peace, so please find some solice in that.

This disease is a nightmare and it takes our babies away from much too soon, but we do what needs to be done to prevent them from suffering and deteriorating any further. You gave him the ultimate gift of love and dignity, although that doesn't ease the hurt you feel, but please know that you will begin to feel better in time. This I can promise.

Be strong, be well and come here often. These people are a caring, understanding and loving group and we all do our best to get each other through our pain.

Hugs to you,

Pat

I'm so sorry for your loss of Panther. He was such a handsome boy! It sounds like you gave him a wonderful life.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

Dear Nank,

What a beautiful Panther and I share so much in your sorrow. I don't know why our babies get these devastating diseases but we try with all of our hearts and soul to make them better. We have to help each other get through this pain and it took me weeks to finally write on this site but I think it is making me feel better already. Although I cry each time I come here, I guess what everybody says, it is a healing cry.

A family member sent me a sympathy card when I helped send my furbaby Ayla to the Rainbow Bridge Dec. 9, 2004 and this is what it said. I read it again tonight but it was such a blur in December and now that I have had a chance to really read it , I would like to share it.

"If we measure lives not in time but in grace, in the joy with which they are lived, and in the love they leave behind, then we have much to learn from our cats."

This didn't make much sense to me then, but it does now.

My heart is with you in this time of sorrow,
Kimi

I thank you all for your kind and supportive words. I know, now, that this is one of the things that will help me get through this. This picture of Panther was taken one week before he went to The Bridge. That is how fast the cancer moved. He was our good boy and his heart is all around us.

Nank and Panther (GA)