It has been over a week now since I had to put my precious baby to sleep. She was a 16 year old Himalayan beauty named Sassy. We lost her to CRF, chronic renal failure. She was diagnosed 6 months ago and it has been a real roller coaster ride ever since. She was really my daughter's cat because she was her birthday gift 16 years ago but she also stole my heart and became my baby. I was really her mommy and she believed that I was.
I could not even bring myself to write about it till now. I am really feeling the loss now because she is everywhere I look in this house. I find myself going to check on her all the time. I have lost many loved ones over the years but it has been a long long time since I lost someone that I live with day in and day out and we were really doting on her for the past 6 months.
I was devastated when she was diagnosed. In her prime she was 8.5 lbs but she was down to under 5 lbs in April and probably around 3 lbs when she died. She was literally skin, hair and bones. It was very hard to watch her but she was a fighter and was still trying to enjoy life though it became harder each passing day especially at the end. She started to wet the bed in April and I just knew something was terribly wrong because in all her years she had never wet outside the litter box. Other then that though she was doing okay. They said the only treatment was Sub Q fluids to keep her hydrated and renal food which I never did get her to eat. The Vet told me to feed her whatever she would eat because it was more important that she eat instead of trying to force her to eat the renal food which obviously very bland tasting. We were unable to bring ourselves to jab her with a needle three times a week to give the fluids. I was blessed to find a Vet Tech to come to the house to give them to her and we did that for 4 months. Sassy was stable all summer but started to fail in September. By the beginning of October she was getting worse and was having more bad days then good. She didn't want to eat anymore and just picked at her food and then she would not even eat her treats which was really the only thing she enjoyed the past few months. We had to make the decision before she got really bad because I just knew it was coming. She was getting weaker and weaker and I was afraid she was going to be unable to walk. She just didn't seem to be able to get comfortable. When she did, she had to keep getting up to wet because she did that every 2 hours and at the end it was even more often. The fluids were just running through her. On Oct. 9, the day before my daughter's birthday and the day before the anniversary of her adoption, we had to let her go. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and I never want to do it again. I kept hoping and praying that the Lord would just take her in her sleep so that I would not have to make that decision but we could not stand to see her that way. Her face was starting to show signs of suffering which it never had done before. My daughter had the worst birthday ever. But our Sassy is at peace now. She wasn't a people cat and only really liked us but she let us do just about anything to her and she was so clean up until that devastating disease hit her. She hated going to the Vet because she did have chronic constipation problems off and on for the past 7 or 8 years and when she went they always had to torture her so she started to fight back and the Vets did not like her very much. She was her own worst enemy but it was not surprising after all she suffered through over the years.
The end went very well though because we took her to the clinic where the tech that was helping us worked and Sassy was very calm and the end was very peaceful. She passed in my daughter's arms.
We are just so lost now and miss her terribly. It helps to write about it now because I know there are others out there going through similar situations. It is never and only pet lovers can begin to understand the pain of losing our babies. I was unable to have any more children after I had my daughter so poor Sassy became my baby. I would hold her and tell her how much I loved her and how she would never grow too big for me to hold and cuddle, but it just never occurred to me that she would someday grow tool old and have to leave me. The time just flew by and I can't believe she is gone.
We were very blessed to have had her for sixteen years though and I am really grateful for that. It still hurts so bad though to have to live now without her.
My wish is that no other pets would have to suffer that dreadful illness.
Dorothy Carlisle
Full Version: Missing My Precious Sassy!
QUOTE (djc508 @ Oct 17 2012, 07:44 PM) 
It has been over a week now since I had to put my precious baby to sleep. She was a 16 year old Himalayan beauty named Sassy. We lost her to CRF, chronic renal failure. She was diagnosed 6 months ago and it has been a real roller coaster ride ever since. She was really my daughter's cat because she was her birthday gift 16 years ago but she also stole my heart and became my baby. I was really her mommy and she believed that I was.
I could not even bring myself to write about it till now. I am really feeling the loss now because she is everywhere I look in this house. I find myself going to check on her all the time. I have lost many loved ones over the years but it has been a long long time since I lost someone that I live with day in and day out and we were really doting on her for the past 6 months.
I was devastated when she was diagnosed. In her prime she was 8.5 lbs but she was down to under 5 lbs in April and probably around 3 lbs when she died. She was literally skin, hair and bones. It was very hard to watch her but she was a fighter and was still trying to enjoy life though it became harder each passing day especially at the end. She started to wet the bed in April and I just knew something was terribly wrong because in all her years she had never wet outside the litter box. Other then that though she was doing okay. They said the only treatment was Sub Q fluids to keep her hydrated and renal food which I never did get her to eat. The Vet told me to feed her whatever she would eat because it was more important that she eat instead of trying to force her to eat the renal food which obviously very bland tasting. We were unable to bring ourselves to jab her with a needle three times a week to give the fluids. I was blessed to find a Vet Tech to come to the house to give them to her and we did that for 4 months. Sassy was stable all summer but started to fail in September. By the beginning of October she was getting worse and was having more bad days then good. She didn't want to eat anymore and just picked at her food and then she would not even eat her treats which was really the only thing she enjoyed the past few months. We had to make the decision before she got really bad because I just knew it was coming. She was getting weaker and weaker and I was afraid she was going to be unable to walk. She just didn't seem to be able to get comfortable. When she did, she had to keep getting up to wet because she did that every 2 hours and at the end it was even more often. The fluids were just running through her. On Oct. 9, the day before my daughter's birthday and the day before the anniversary of her adoption, we had to let her go. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and I never want to do it again. I kept hoping and praying that the Lord would just take her in her sleep so that I would not have to make that decision but we could not stand to see her that way. Her face was starting to show signs of suffering which it never had done before. My daughter had the worst birthday ever. But our Sassy is at peace now. She wasn't a people cat and only really liked us but she let us do just about anything to her and she was so clean up until that devastating disease hit her. She hated going to the Vet because she did have chronic constipation problems off and on for the past 7 or 8 years and when she went they always had to torture her so she started to fight back and the Vets did not like her very much. She was her own worst enemy but it was not surprising after all she suffered through over the years.
The end went very well though because we took her to the clinic where the tech that was helping us worked and Sassy was very calm and the end was very peaceful. She passed in my daughter's arms.
We are just so lost now and miss her terribly. It helps to write about it now because I know there are others out there going through similar situations. It is never and only pet lovers can begin to understand the pain of losing our babies. I was unable to have any more children after I had my daughter so poor Sassy became my baby. I would hold her and tell her how much I loved her and how she would never grow too big for me to hold and cuddle, but it just never occurred to me that she would someday grow tool old and have to leave me. The time just flew by and I can't believe she is gone.
We were very blessed to have had her for sixteen years though and I am really grateful for that. It still hurts so bad though to have to live now without her.
My wish is that no other pets would have to suffer that dreadful illness.
Dorothy Carlisle
I could not even bring myself to write about it till now. I am really feeling the loss now because she is everywhere I look in this house. I find myself going to check on her all the time. I have lost many loved ones over the years but it has been a long long time since I lost someone that I live with day in and day out and we were really doting on her for the past 6 months.
I was devastated when she was diagnosed. In her prime she was 8.5 lbs but she was down to under 5 lbs in April and probably around 3 lbs when she died. She was literally skin, hair and bones. It was very hard to watch her but she was a fighter and was still trying to enjoy life though it became harder each passing day especially at the end. She started to wet the bed in April and I just knew something was terribly wrong because in all her years she had never wet outside the litter box. Other then that though she was doing okay. They said the only treatment was Sub Q fluids to keep her hydrated and renal food which I never did get her to eat. The Vet told me to feed her whatever she would eat because it was more important that she eat instead of trying to force her to eat the renal food which obviously very bland tasting. We were unable to bring ourselves to jab her with a needle three times a week to give the fluids. I was blessed to find a Vet Tech to come to the house to give them to her and we did that for 4 months. Sassy was stable all summer but started to fail in September. By the beginning of October she was getting worse and was having more bad days then good. She didn't want to eat anymore and just picked at her food and then she would not even eat her treats which was really the only thing she enjoyed the past few months. We had to make the decision before she got really bad because I just knew it was coming. She was getting weaker and weaker and I was afraid she was going to be unable to walk. She just didn't seem to be able to get comfortable. When she did, she had to keep getting up to wet because she did that every 2 hours and at the end it was even more often. The fluids were just running through her. On Oct. 9, the day before my daughter's birthday and the day before the anniversary of her adoption, we had to let her go. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and I never want to do it again. I kept hoping and praying that the Lord would just take her in her sleep so that I would not have to make that decision but we could not stand to see her that way. Her face was starting to show signs of suffering which it never had done before. My daughter had the worst birthday ever. But our Sassy is at peace now. She wasn't a people cat and only really liked us but she let us do just about anything to her and she was so clean up until that devastating disease hit her. She hated going to the Vet because she did have chronic constipation problems off and on for the past 7 or 8 years and when she went they always had to torture her so she started to fight back and the Vets did not like her very much. She was her own worst enemy but it was not surprising after all she suffered through over the years.
The end went very well though because we took her to the clinic where the tech that was helping us worked and Sassy was very calm and the end was very peaceful. She passed in my daughter's arms.
We are just so lost now and miss her terribly. It helps to write about it now because I know there are others out there going through similar situations. It is never and only pet lovers can begin to understand the pain of losing our babies. I was unable to have any more children after I had my daughter so poor Sassy became my baby. I would hold her and tell her how much I loved her and how she would never grow too big for me to hold and cuddle, but it just never occurred to me that she would someday grow tool old and have to leave me. The time just flew by and I can't believe she is gone.
We were very blessed to have had her for sixteen years though and I am really grateful for that. It still hurts so bad though to have to live now without her.
My wish is that no other pets would have to suffer that dreadful illness.
Dorothy Carlisle
I am so sorry for your loss. I know the loss is very painful. I have lost two precious kitties in the past 12 months. One was elderly and I knew she was going to leave us soon. The other one was young and healthy. We think he may have been hit by a car.
Hi, Dorothy, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Sassy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Euthanasia is the last gift of love we can give to our companions at great sacrifice to ourselves so that they can be restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels.
Dorothy, please let me try to reassure you that the deep grief you are experiencing is very normal - - very painful both physically and emotionally, yes - - still very normal. This grief journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Sassy, and it is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time. It is a journey that will not reconcile in an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months, for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" - - the first hour, first day, first week, first month, first birthday, first holiday, first vacation, - - and all the "this time last week, last month, last year" - - and on and on and on - - and your heart breaks anew.
The good news in the midst of this painful journey is that the love bond you and your beloved Sassy share is eternal. It is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Sassy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. Your beloved Sassy is always and forever a part of your heart and your memories - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are not alone. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Sassy with us, Dorothy. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to you. I hope today is treating you kindly, Dorothy, and please let us know how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Dorothy, please let me try to reassure you that the deep grief you are experiencing is very normal - - very painful both physically and emotionally, yes - - still very normal. This grief journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Sassy, and it is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time. It is a journey that will not reconcile in an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months, for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" - - the first hour, first day, first week, first month, first birthday, first holiday, first vacation, - - and all the "this time last week, last month, last year" - - and on and on and on - - and your heart breaks anew.
The good news in the midst of this painful journey is that the love bond you and your beloved Sassy share is eternal. It is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Sassy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. Your beloved Sassy is always and forever a part of your heart and your memories - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are not alone. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Sassy with us, Dorothy. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to you. I hope today is treating you kindly, Dorothy, and please let us know how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
QUOTE (moon_beam @ Oct 18 2012, 11:25 AM)
Hi, Dorothy, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Sassy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Euthanasia is the last gift of love we can give to our companions at great sacrifice to ourselves so that they can be restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels.
Dorothy, please let me try to reassure you that the deep grief you are experiencing is very normal - - very painful both physically and emotionally, yes - - still very normal. This grief journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Sassy, and it is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time. It is a journey that will not reconcile in an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months, for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" - - the first hour, first day, first week, first month, first birthday, first holiday, first vacation, - - and all the "this time last week, last month, last year" - - and on and on and on - - and your heart breaks anew.
The good news in the midst of this painful journey is that the love bond you and your beloved Sassy share is eternal. It is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Sassy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. Your beloved Sassy is always and forever a part of your heart and your memories - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are not alone. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Sassy with us, Dorothy. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to you. I hope today is treating you kindly, Dorothy, and please let us know how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Dorothy, please let me try to reassure you that the deep grief you are experiencing is very normal - - very painful both physically and emotionally, yes - - still very normal. This grief journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Sassy, and it is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time. It is a journey that will not reconcile in an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months, for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" - - the first hour, first day, first week, first month, first birthday, first holiday, first vacation, - - and all the "this time last week, last month, last year" - - and on and on and on - - and your heart breaks anew.
The good news in the midst of this painful journey is that the love bond you and your beloved Sassy share is eternal. It is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Sassy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. Your beloved Sassy is always and forever a part of your heart and your memories - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are not alone. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Sassy with us, Dorothy. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to you. I hope today is treating you kindly, Dorothy, and please let us know how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Thank you so much for your kind words. It does help to know that others care. I will post a picture of her when I can get my daughters help since I am not so good with the new technology. She was the most beautiful cat and she kept herself so clean with our help. We used to bathe her and she was so good about it. We always made a big fuss about how beautiful she looked and she just ate it up. She was soooo spoiled. It just felt like such a waste to have to bury her but I could not bring myself to cremate her either. I bought her a really nice casket with a little pillow and blanket and she looked so peaceful. I know it will take time and I will be fine, it is my daughter that I am worried about. She is taking it very bad. This was her very first pet that she had for over half of her life. Thanks again for your kindness. It means so much.
QUOTE (djc508 @ Oct 18 2012, 08:00 PM)
Thank you so much for your kind words. It does help to know that others care. I will post a picture of her when I can get my daughters help since I am not so good with the new technology. She was the most beautiful cat and she kept herself so clean with our help. We used to bathe her and she was so good about it. We always made a big fuss about how beautiful she looked and she just ate it up. She was soooo spoiled. It just felt like such a waste to have to bury her but I could not bring myself to cremate her either. I bought her a really nice casket with a little pillow and blanket and she looked so peaceful. I know it will take time and I will be fine, it is my daughter that I am worried about. She is taking it very bad. This was her very first pet that she had for over half of her life. Thanks again for your kindness. It means so much.
I know exactly what you mean about how peaceful they look. My Murfy looked as if he was sleeping, curled up with his paw under his chin. I just hated leaving him at the crematorium. I'm very glad the image you have of Sassy is a peaceful one. ( I too have a 14 year old kitty named Sassy. She's a Persian (torti colored), and spoiled as well!) Now, if she could just get along with the dog...
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.