OT: Loss of a pet (again) (Now with photos)

[njperry]

Today, we had to put down our Siamese cat, Merlin (1993-2010) after a long illness.

Unless the last 2 cats, we didn't wait until he was miserable, which makes me feel both good for not letting it get that far and bad for ending his life when he could still enjoy life some of time.

Merlin was the favorite pet of our baby Sam. Merlin couldn't care less about Sam, but Sam found Merlin SO funny. Sam won't remember Merlin, but the baby liked the cat very much in thier 10 months together.

This was easier than putting Bop the Cat a couple of years ago, since this was more planned. Still hard after nearly 17 years with the tempermental cat.

I will upload some photos tomorrow of the poor guy.

[conroy]

Sorry to hear the sad news, Nick

Hopefully, Sam will have other pets in his life with whom he can make more permanent memories when he is a little older.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Aw, poor kitty. One of mine is nearly 16 years old, another one 14, and I know they don't live forever. Still, it's hard.

(that said, I *am* typing this while bookended between two nine-month-old mountain lions*...so I'll have some company into the foreseeable future...)

Sorry to hear you had to make that tough decision. Look forward to seeing photos of the departed. You really ought to be proud you did the right thing - my aunt put her cat on painkillers for months rather than face the music. I think the poor thing really suffered.

*They're not really mountain lions. Just regular cats, but they're HUGE for their age. I'm praying they stop growing soon. Vet thinks Maine Coon in the woodpile.

[Syling]

Aw, I'm sorry. The loss of a pet can be really hard.
At least he lived a long, happy life.

[ltwoman]

Nick, I'm so sorry for your loss. I put my Nike down in December after 18+ years. She was my first cat, first pet, and, well, I REALLY share your grief. No words can express... my heart cries with you. God bless.

[njperry]

Thanks for the kind words.

[quote="conroy"]Sorry to hear the sad news, Nick

Hopefully, Sam will have other pets in his life with whom he can make more permanent memories when he is a little older.[/quote]

He has another cat still (over 17 years old) and a dog with more eventually.


Here are some photos of the late kitty:



-[attachment=2]Merlin and Sam.JPG[/attachment][attachment=1]matching bandages.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]Merlin and Badger 001.JPG[/attachment]

[njperry]

And a couple more photos of Merlin.

[attachment=1]Merlin on couch.JPG[/attachment]


[attachment=0]Sam looking at Merlin.JPG[/attachment]

[ltwoman]

The matching bandages should have made it onto Pawnation!

Nick, did he had CRF? That's what took Nike out.

[njperry]

[quote="ltwoman"]The matching bandages should have made it onto Pawnation!

Nick, did he had CRF? That's what took Nike out.[/quote]

No, he had pancreatitis. He weighed 5.5 pounds yesterday. he used to weigh 17 or 18 pounds.

His paw injury came from jumping onto a hot burner. My paw injury, by contrast, had the opposite cause, slipping on the ice last winter while wlakign the dog.

[ltwoman]

[quote="njperry
His paw injury came from jumping onto a hot burner. My paw injury, by contrast, had the opposite cause, slipping on the ice last winter while wlakign the dog.[/quote]

Oh, yes, I remember the horrible start to 2010!

It must have been so sad to watch him fail. You did right by him, Nick!

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Awww. Poor kitty. He was gorgeous. You know, at least he had a good life with those who loved him.

(I'm subscribed to a bunch of pet rescue email lists and it just kills me. Wish I could take 'em all - but I think six is my limit...)

[moonstone]

Hi Nick

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news.

What a beautiful cat.

You gave him a wonderful life and let him go with comfort and dignity and you should be proud of your decision when it was so hard to make.

Big hugs to you Nick and to the rest of your family too. X

[Sarabande]

Merlin was a beautiful cat. Along with everyone else, I agree that you did the right thing. Run free at the rainbow bridge, Merlin.

[MariaH]

Nick, so sorry to hear about your kitty. It is so sad to lose a pet but the other side is that you gave him a wonderful long life which he would of otherwise not had.
I regret now in hindsight not letting my little pup go sooner. I realize she suffered those last few months. I hope she forgives me.

BTW-Sam is a very handsome little Police fan
I hope you get a nice pet for him when he can remember and love it and pet it.

[Rusty James]

Very sorry to hear such sad news, Nick.
Our cat developed a thyroid disorder a couple of years ago.
We first noticed it around the time we came back from our road trip to see The Police at The Gorge River Amphitheatre in 2008.
Like your Merlin, our Becky lost a lot of her weight, she went from about 18lbs down to 5lbs.
We had to dose her twice a day with her thyroid meds. Not an easy task.
(getting a cat to swallow pills is like trying to put it on a leash and take it out for a walkies).
We opted to have her euthanized at home as she hated going to the vets.
As sarabande mentioned, Merlin will be at the rainbow bridge.