[Wrangler11]

This past Tuesday my girlfriend and I had to put our little kitten Oliver to sleep. The last month or so he was acting completely different, he used to be the sweetest and energetic cat I’ve ever seen. He started to just lie around, not wanting to play. He would eat and sleep. He was about 6 months old; I didn’t really think anything any thing of it, since he was eaten, drinking, and going to the bathroom in his litter box. I did a little research on cats, and came across a website that said kittens should continue to have burst of energy once in awhile, and if they didn’t they could be depressed and should be taken to a vet. Tuesday morning I called a vet near by and they told me to bring him in. My girlfriend and I were so excited, we thought he had a cold or something and they’d give him some medicine and everything would be back to normal. The nurse brought us in to a room and examined him. She asked how long he had been yellow for. I wasn’t sure I never noticed it; it must have just happened that day or so. Around his ears and mouth had turned a yellowish color. I asked her what that meant, and she replied “the doctor will explain it to you”. I still thought nothing of it; maybe he had an infection or something, still nothing a prescription couldn’t solve. A few minutes later the doctor came in. He examined Oliver, feeling his lever making concerned faces. He sat down afterwards and started stuttering a little, like he wasn’t sure how to say what he had to say. He was trying to figure out the best way to word it. He told us Oliver had a certain infection (I can’t remember what it was called) that a few number of cats are born with. He said that the infection was enlarging his lever and was causing huge amounts of pain. He said he could put him on drugs, but it wouldn’t cure him. He wouldn’t live much longer. I didn’t know what to do; it wasn’t something I was prepared to decide at only the age of 22. My girlfriend busted out in tears and the doctor left us alone for a while. I called my mom asking for advice. I couldn’t hold it back any longer and busted into tears myself. My mother said I couldn’t be selfish and had to think for him. He was suffering and didn’t deserve. We decided to put him to sleep. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, and I hope I’ll never have to do it again. Has anyone else been through anything like this? I know he was just a cat, but I thought of him as my baby. It hurts so badly, and I just don’t know what to do to get rid of the pain. I know it’ll get better, but it only seems to be getting worse.

[Jeeples]

When I was 15 I had to put my dog of 14 years down. We grew up together man, it was hands down the worst thing I have ever had to do. It still breaks me up to this day.


Damn, I think I need a beer.

[sharpie]

I feel for you. When I was 10, I had to have my dog put down (that one disease that affects springer spaniels often)

This past week, we had to put down my cat, which I've had since I was six (I'm 20 now), she had hyper-thyroid. But it was best for her.


I need a beer now, too

[War Eagle]

My dig died when I was about 10. We'd had him for ~5 years and he was the greatest dog in the world. When he died my Dad made me go get him, wrap him in a sheet, carry him to the back field and bury him. I cried like a baby the entire time but I also learned that pets don't live as long as people and they die no matter how much you love them. Since then I've had a lot of pets and I've loved every one of them, but when they die I bury them and get another one.

[Bender92YJ]

We lost my golden retriever of 13 years this spring. My dad couldnt do it by himself and needed a buddy to go with him. I lived 3000 miles away and wasnt able to go with him. Not that I wanted to but to support my dad. He said he felt as if he had lost a child. It messed him up for 4 or 5 months. Its only recntly that we can talk abouthim without tears. I know its one of the ****tiest decisions you can ever have t make. Im sorry about your cat, but you did the right thing and now its time to pick out a new buddy.

Im already drinking a beer, time for another.

[Nuthin]

The day it DOESN'T hurt to have to make that decision, you should probably put yourself to sleep. Over time, the immediacy of the pain will fade.

You did the right thing. That's the important part.

[Dirty Backroads]

You did all you could. Your pet was in pain and there was nothing left to do but alleviate his suffering. You did the right thing. Be glad that you could make this decision and perhaps one day you can honor his memory by getting another cat to enjoy as you once enjoyed him.

My condolences to you and your girlfriend. When I was 23 I had a similar thing happen with my dog. I loved that dog. He grew up with me and got me through some tough times. He was 10 and in good health when one day he collapsed. I rushed him to the vet and he was dead by the morning. It was a freak illness that came on suddenly and there was nothing that could be done for him. I was crushed. I know how you feel. It's hard to lose something you love and care about but life does go on, it just takes time.

I gotta say that I could never be a vet... Imagine how that vet felt having to tell you the bad news.

[EJames1226]

I say one of the only times a man can cry is when he has to put his dog to sleep. Or cat. It sucks. As soon as my cat of 13 years died, we went out and got 2 more about 2 months later.

[Ski01xj]

Originally Posted by Jeeples

When I was 15 I had to put my dog of 14 years down. We grew up together man, it was hands down the worst thing I have ever had to do. It still breaks me up to this day.


Damn, I think I need a beer.

Same with my family. My dad had trained our dog Casey to catch frisbees. He eneded up winning the World Championship a few years in a row in the 80s and got all sorts of publicity. My dad had to take time off of work when we had to put him down. It felt like the death of a human family member.

To the OP- you did the right thing. Its better for him not to be in pain than to be alive and miserable. Same decision I would make about myself. You definatly did the right thing.

[Wrangler11]

Thanks guys, that means a lot. I've already had 2 40's. I need to get some sleep and get back on track with school. It's just so hard, everytime I look to see if he's there he's not, and it's hard to realize he's not coming back.

After we left the vet, we didn't want to go back to my apartment. We decided to go back to the orphanage we got him from. Not to get another pet, just to look around. We were tlaking with a person that worked there, told her what had happened. They told us to take a kitten, they wouldn't charge us for him/her and they'd cover all his shots for the first year. What could I do? I had too... We took home a 10 week old kitten. It helped and still is... I still have Riley who I got about a year ago, she's a little over 13 months now. Thanks again everyone.

[Ski01xj]

Good luck with the new kitten

[Wrangler11]

Good luck with the new kitten

Thanks! He's the little devil, I'm just waiting for his head to spin around in a complete circle.

[tcestes]

Sorry to hear about your cat, but you did the right thing, take comfort in knowing that.

I had a dog several years ago, that was the sweetest dog I have ever had the pleasure of seeing/having on this earth. She was a beautiful cinnamon color and had the softest fur. She was a 10 week old stray puppy that had been dropped off in the middle of nowhere. When I found her, she was badly injured and malnourished. On her paw, the little triangle part below the toes, was literally halfway torn off. And she had been walking on gravel for days on my road probably. She had a gaping hole in her side, not sure what that was. Wolves or something I guess. She was very skiddish, as can be expected. I got her up and took her to a vet to have checked out. They gave her a good report. Said the wounds would heal, she had some worms, but gave medicine for that. I named her Ginger.

Over the next few weeks/months, she slowly learned to trust me. At first, she'd run away whenever she saw someone approaching, including me. But I gained her trust to the point where she was come and cuddle up beside me for protection, because she was still scared of everyone else.


Things were going pretty good. Six months had passed now, and she was much more trusting of people, but always had that cautiousness about her. She regularly traveled the countryside with my other, older dog. Things were great. Until one cold november morning, I awoke to one of my children waking me up telling me that she had been run over. I just laid there awhile, trying to gather up the courage to go outside and see her. I finally did and had my parents bury her for me, I couldn't do it, didn't want to let go.

I cried like a baby when that dog died, and I've got tears in my eyes even as I write this now, years later. She held a special place in my heart that to this day is still reserved for her.

I thought I'd never be able to get over the hurt or have another pet that could bring as much joy and fun. But I ended up getting a ferret, and that little booger has made me laugh so many times I've lost count. I just hope I can be strong when the time comes for him to go also, and move on.

[Jeeples]

Originally Posted by jeep.4x4guy

Damn it. Why do I always have to be the bad guy?
#1 Why am I picturing a guy that looks like Stuart Smalley with his sweater tied around his neck submitting this. Your good enough, Your Smart enough, and Gosh Darn it, People like you.
#2 If this is a decision that you are not prepared to make at 22, you have issues. I have killed terrorists in 2 countries by now.
#3 I predict that your GF will leave you soon for a man.
#4 I really am sorry about your cat but try to DEGAYIFY your crying next time.
Thank You and Good Night

I have held the hand of the man who was more of a father figure in my life than my actual father while he was dying.


I have also given CPR to a complete stranger for 45 minutes only to have him die when the paramedics take over.

But never have I met a complete ******* like you before.

If you don't have a enough compassion to relate to this thread please feel free to **** off.

[Jeeples]

Originally Posted by jeep.4x4guy

Things seem to die around you. Were you ever around his cat?

Yeah you're a real wise guy huh?