Hello all - It's been six years since I was here last. Thankfully, it has been awhile. I was dreading the day when I would need to post here again. Six years ago, after we lost Scooter to kidney disease at age six, our son, dropped off his two cats to our local shelter, for, whatever reason. My husband and I had already adopted our little Marcel, and we love him so. That brought our cats to four. We went to visit our sons cats at the shelter, not intending to adopt them. They look so sad and tiny in the cage together. We went back a few more times to visit them, and they said we could have them for free, because if no one took them, they were going to be euthanized. So, there was no choice but to bring them home and love them. So, that brought our home to a total of 6 loving cats. They managed to get along, but on their terms. Well, as time went by, we discovered that Astro was a diabetic, and his brother Dante, had hyperthyroidism. So, we gave Astro shots, and Dante pills. Both cats lost weight, and it was a struggle to keep them managed. But, Astro finally got under control, and needed dental work to remove a tooth. After the surgery, he just seemed to go downhill, started to become anemic, and lose weight. His blood sugar was under control, and he seemed to have low blood sugars. The doctor could never figure out why he was anemic, but he continued to lose weight. We finally agreed to have an ultrasound done, and discovered that Astro had cancer of the bowel. Being that he was 14-15 years old, and anemic and blood sugar issues, we decided it was time to keep him comfortable and love him until it was time. That was about two months ago. Astro started having trouble eating, and just did not seem interested in any food we offered him. The only thing he liked, was these little chicken treats, and the shrimp my husband would eat timetimes. He never ate much, just barely enough to stay alive. We could tell he was getting thinner, and yesterday morning, he was meowing while in the litter box, having trouble going, not acting right. And, he would just meow and look at us, as if asking, what is wrong with me, Help me please. He was even pawing at the bedspread as if wanted to use that as a litter box. He finally went in the litter box, but it was time. I told my husband, it was not fair to keep him here with us, because of the pain to let him go. So, I made an appointment at the vet that usually treated him . Thankfully, he was available, and spoke to us first. Astro was made comfortable on a nice blanket, and was given a sedative first. This would need to work for about five minutes. The only thing I regret now, was not calling the vet back in, when Astro's tongue was going in and out, as if he were licking the air. This went on for about a minute, then we settled him down, and he was resting comfortably, as if sleeping. Then the vet and the tech came in, and gave him the final injection. It did not take long. I cried my heart out, even though I know, we did what was right for him, not us. We gave him six years that he would not have had, but I still hurt so bad. I miss him, look at his picture that I took, before we left for the vet. His littermate, Dante, keeps looking for his brother. That breaks my heart. We are going to have Astro's ashes returned to us, so he will be back home with us, but always in our hearts.
We almost lost his brother Dante about two months go too. We came home, and Dante was in distress, he could not jump onto the bed, and his balance was way off. So we rushed him to the vet, and he had very high blood pressure, and we almost lost him. The bp medication worked fast, in a day or so, but we had two sleepless nights watching him. His blood pressure is now under control, and so is his hyperthroidism.
I'm not well either. I got sick around the same time as Dante. I had a procedure that shows that I have cells that can turn into uterine cancer, so I'm having surgery on June 7th, so the doctor can see if it has turned into cancer or not. (Having a D&C). Just a lot to deal with in such a short time.
Thank you so much for letting me talk, My husband is not the best listener, or comforter. Peace and love to you all.
Trisha

Hi, Shortrish, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Astro. 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.

Shortrish, as you know this grief adjustment journey is one of the most painful experiences you will have on this side of eternity. It doesn't matter if it's our first or our thousdanth - - each grief journey is uniquely painful because each relationship we share with our individual companions is individually unique. As I read through what you have shared with us there is no doubt in my heart that you gave your beloved Astro a happy and healthy earthly journey filled with love. And the good news in the midst of the deep sorrow that is in your heart is that the love bond you and your beloved Astro share is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Astro's sweet Living Spirit is always and forever a part of you - - for he is always and forever in your heart and your memories - - he is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by the deep sorrow during the grief adjustment journey, and it is intensified when we have multiple concerns happening at the same time - - such as with your precious Dante's medical crisis, and now with yours. I am so glad to know that your precious Dante's blood pressure is back to normal, and hope that you will receive an encouraging report from the results of your upcoming surgery. Please let us know how things go.

Shortrish, thank you so much for sharing your beloved Astro with us. Perhaps sometime you willl feel up to sharing a picture of him with us - - if / when you want to. I hope you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Astro's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you and your precious Dante are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dearest Moonbeam, Thank you so much for your kind, loving words. I am doing better than I expected, considering how much of a mess I was yesterday. We knew this day was coming, and, certainly, when we got up yesterday morning, we did not expect to have to say good'bye to Astro. I have my teary moments, but I hold Astro in my heart. He was such a lovable guy, and to see him fade away from cancer, was heartbreaking. He was so lovable and cuddly towards his last days. Looking for us for comfort, and we certainly gave that to him, anything he wanted, he got. He would meow to be picked up and put on the bed, and meow to get down. He loved to sleep above my head on one of my pillows, and even slept there during the day. I guess, I am numb from all of this and all that has gone on the past few months. My health concerns have also clogged my mind. But, I will deal with it and move on. I really don't have much choice, and I try to not fret about that. Don't get me wrong, I am concerned, but will certainly let you know how it goes. My surgery is on June 7th, so ask that all who read this, please, keep me in your prayers. It can't hurt, I don't think to have all the prayers you can get. I tried to post a picture of Astro, but it was too large, so I must find a different one.
Much love and thanks,
Trish

So sorry for your loss. You would think that with time or with other losses it would get easier but it doesn't. Sending you hugs and happier days!

Hi, Trish, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. As you know this grief adjustment journey is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns, and turnarounds we can go through - - sometimes all at one time. Unfortunately the only way to navigate this grief journey is one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time - - always with the reassurance that you are among friends here who truly do understand what you are going through and knowing that we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I know how challenging it can be to try to upload pictures on the internet to get them to an acceptable size, as I am not a tech whiz by any stretch of the imagination. There are instructions in the Administrator section for sizing and uploading pictures, but if you still need help the L S Administrator is always willing to help with the "technical" side of things.

Trish, thank you for sharing with us the date of your surgery, and will look forward to sharing any news you feel comfortable sharing with us. I hope today is treating you and your precious Dante kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Astro's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you and your precious Dante are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam