OT: Loss of a pet

[OutlandoGirl]

Every pet we have leaves its mark on us because they make us better caretakers of the pets that follow. I've learned how to be a better pet mom from all our dogs and cats who have been a part of my life.

I've been there too many times too. Take consolation that you made the decision a pet needs us to make: to end the pain and suffering in a humane, caring, loving manner. They can't do that for themselves.

The fact that you were there with him at the end and could hold him and love him until he passed is a much better scenario than having him die one day while you're at work, or something. Believe me, I know.

I'm sure that you are a GREAT pet dad and Bop could not have had a better life with anyone else. He was as lucky to have you as you were to have him.

[njperry]

Thank you all for your sympathy. The thoughts and hugs are much appreciated.

In the now over 24 hours since I gave the word, I have had lots of memories of Bop.

He is really damn luck to have lived as long as he did. He got sick in 1999 and pulled through and had been dealing with several things in the last couple years. That he lived to be 16 and a half is remarkable. 9 lives indeed.

He also should have died way back in about 1993 when he spent a second or so being microwaved. Yes, in a microwave that was on. When my wife was cleaning our microwave, Bop walked into the microwave when my wife turned away. Bop's mate/mortal enemy, the evil genius cat Bip, shut the door and pressed buttons until the machine turned on. My wife stopped right away and then Bop beat up Bip. (Bip was a VERY bright cat. She used to turn on the TV and other things.)

Bop survived nearly 16 years after being microwaved.

He did have a good and very long life. Much love through the years, although I wish I had given him more.

And he does live on in more than a memory. He and Bip had a litter of kittens before the fixing and one of our two remaining cats is their son Badger, who is real chip off the old Bop.

[GinaSuperCat]

So sorry to hear about this, nj...we have three cats that are 14-15 year range and we know that our time with them is limited. Of course my joke is always that is if I don't go first, which PCat doesn't like <grin> It sounds like Bop had a great life with lots of love and assorted antics, which is the best any of us can hope for. Give Badger an extra hug for me in Bop's honor!

Best wishes & <3, gsc

[njperry]

[quote="GinaSuperCat"]So sorry to hear about this, nj...we have three cats that are 14-15 year range and we know that our time with them is limited. Of course my joke is always that is if I don't go first, which PCat doesn't like <grin> It sounds like Bop had a great life with lots of love and assorted antics, which is the best any of us can hope for. Give Badger an extra hug for me in Bop's honor!

Best wishes & <3, gsc [/quote]

Badger has been getting lots of hugs in the last day and I will add one more.

Our other cats, Badger and Merlin are both born 15, so we know they are closer to the end than to the begining.

[Madgrad]

RIP, Bop. Hugs to you and yours, Nick.

[njperry]

Thanks, Madgrad. Much appreciated.

It is getting easier each day now.

Bop's only surviving offspring, Badger, is sitting on my lap as I type. Badger has been hanging out with me a lot. I think he misses old Bop.

And, Carrie, Badger is not named for the mascot of your alma mater Wisconsin. He was Bop Junior which became B-ger and the I called him Badger in my sleep one night and the name stuck.

[Madgrad]

Ha ha! I actually like your explanation of his name better.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Aw, man. Sorry to hear about your baby. All five of my spoiled rotten mongrels send their condolences.

It's always hard to lose a friend. My aunt just found out one of hers is nearing the end of the road...she's just a basket case. I'm probably gonna have to go along and handhold.

[njperry]

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]Aw, man. Sorry to hear about your baby. All five of my spoiled rotten mongrels send their condolences.

It's always hard to lose a friend. My aunt just found out one of hers is nearing the end of the road...she's just a basket case. I'm probably gonna have to go along and handhold.[/quote]

Thanks, Dive. I appreciate your mongrels sending condolences.

I was lucky in the sense that I wasn't there the way your aunt will be. I dropped off Bop at the vet in the morning and they said they needed to keep him for at least the day. After a call of good news around 3:30, I got a 4:30 call that things had turned much for the worse and gave to ok to have him put down then. While part of me wishes I would have been there to say good bye, a larger part is glad to have missed it. I gave him a good pat in the morning knowing it might have been a farewell.

I was there for the last cat to be put asleep, back on Thanksgiving night around 2004. That was harder in person.

Back to the living cats, Bop's son Badger is being more like his late father each day. He knows he needs to do it now even though it is his late father's more annoying things that he does such as being the main beggar for food and demanding water. I wish he would also do some of the more endearing things do.

[MariaH]

aw, so sorry to hear about Bop.

I feel a good cry helps and snuggling my other pets. I know I will be going through it soon with my little dog.

She is about 15 and has been with me all those years.
She is almost blind, deaf and sometimes messes herself but she can still flip her tail when she sees me.
even though Im her nurse now I can see her little sparkle once and while.

just remember that you gave Bop and his siblings good lives and that will not suffer

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Yeah. I have the bad feeling my aunt is going to let her cat's illness drag on and on...it's just not fair to do that to an animal.

I had a cat get infectious peritonitis one time - he got weaker and weaker, and started to hang out under the furniture and in the dark (which is how you know a cat feels reeeeally bad.) I finally did the deed but was a little sorry I hadn't done it sooner - FIP is always fatal.

When Mr. D's beloved cat Ocho was diagnosed fairly young with advanced lung cancer, we had it done nearly that same day. It was really hard on him, but in my mind? if there's no chance of recovery, why put them through the suffering?

Now, of course, we have a cranky mean cat that scratches and bites, and she's spry as hell and nearly 16 years old. The grumpy ones live forever.

[E]

Sorry about your kitty Nick, cool that he was able to have such a long and full life. I have an old kitty too, Sam, who we've had since 1995, and we've been told to "be prepared". Its nice that you have his lil boy around.

[samburusunset]

Nick I saw this the other day and couldn't post at the time. I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. They bring such joy to us with their unconditional love and attention. It's so heartbreaking to lose them.
He's a happy, healthy kitty romping around endless fields of fresh catnip now. My thoughts are with you, Mrs. Nick and Badger.

[njperry]

Thanks, Amy and Erica. It has been over a week and I am now really able to look back at the long life of Bop and be happy about it all. Sad that he had to go but amazing that the guy lasted so long and, while always complaiend baout not getting all the food he wanted, he did have a good life.