Goodbye, dear friend

[indysteel]

My sweet little Sophie Kitty has passed on. She was brave and feisty girl until the end. Sophie's had a rough year. In October, she had oral surgery for an abcessed tooth, and in December, she had a radioactive iodine treatment for her overactive thyroid.

She was already down to one kidney, so we knew it was just a matter of time before she developed chronic renal failure. In April, her BUN and creatine levels were still normal, so her rapid decline over the last week or so came as a bit of a surprise. She got really sick on Thursday all over the house. She was sick again on Friday and was very weak and unsteady. I took her to the vet and they admitted her to get her rehydrated.

Her blood work revealed renal failure. Knowing that we could still potentially manage it for a time, she stayed at the vet all weekend for IV fluids to get her stable. By Sunday, afternoon, however, she really hadn't improved by much and she refused to eat. She was already very thin, so there was little margin there.

We went to the vet's office at that point to evaluate her condition in person. Even upon seeing us, she seemed in distress, and immediately got sick again, throwing up a substantial amount of bile. At that point, I knew that it was time. Yes, I could throw a bevy of drugs and treatments at her, but her comfort level in the meantime seemed highly questionable.

So, we spent some time loving on her before finally saying goodbye. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I miss her so.

I got Sophie right after graduating from law school 14 years ago. She has been my faithful and loving friend through every moment of my adult life. She was a big sister to Henry, my other furbaby (the lil guy in my avatar). I don't have a very loving family, so to have these creatures in my life has saved me from so much loneliness and provided me with more joy than I can describe. I pray to God I did right by her.

I'm so grateful that she got to spend the better part of the last year with my husband in our home together. He came to love her as much as I do. While I'm sad he's hurting, too, I'm glad he understands my grief and that we have shared memories of her at her best.

[aka_kim]

I'm sorry for your loss. Sophie Kitty was blessed with 14 years with humans who loved her, I'm sure she had a wonderful life. Letting them go is the hardest thing.

[itself]

A big hug to you for your loss....everytime I lose one of my kitties I swear it is like someone tore my heart right out of my chest. I too do not have a loving family, and our four cats provide so much companionship.

Take care, and remember, if you ask her to let you know if she is ok, she will give you a sign. All my passed cats have always given me a sign when I ask...

[OakLeaf]

((((((((indysteel))))))))

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Veronica]

So sad... it's so hard to let our furry ones go. Sophie had a loving family. You can't ask for more than that. Treasure your memories of her. Feisty... I like that word.

Veronica

[TsPoet]

((((((((indysteel))))))))
I'm so glad she had you.

[NbyNW]

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like Sophie was an amazing companion.

[Catrin]

{{{{{{Indysteel}}}}}}

I am sorry for your loss, our fur-babies do worm their way into our hearts, that is for sure. I do not have a loving family either so I know just how she fit into your heart and home. Thankfully she had 14 good years with you, and what is it about the feisty ones!

[beccaB]

I'm glad she had you by her side. I'm certain she would know you were there for her no matter how sick she was.

[PamNY]

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet girl.

[colby]

Big hugs to you, your husband, and Henry. It's always hard to know if you did the right thing at exactly the right time, but it's very clear you had her best interests at heart and that's what counts most. All of my cats are over 10-11 years old, one with chronic renal failure (at this time being well treated with medication and diet, but I live in fear of the day you describe), and I only hope that I'm as able to make the right decision as you were. Goodbye, Sophie Kitty, you will be missed.

[indysteel]

A big hug to you for your loss....everytime I lose one of my kitties I swear it is like someone tore my heart right out of my chest. I too do not have a loving family, and our four cats provide so much companionship.

Take care, and remember, if you ask her to let you know if she is ok, she will give you a sign. All my passed cats have always given me a sign when I ask...

Oh, how I hope she gives me a sign....

I do feel like God was looking out for us, and my TE family played a part in it. Catrin and I had plans to ride some hills on Friday afternoon that we cancelled late in the week because of the heat. I decided to take the day off anyway, so I was home when it became clear that Sophie was in distress. I'm so thankful to have been here for her. The irony of Catrin's name is not lost on me either.

Thanks for all the kind words, ladies. I appreciate them so very much.

[redrhodie]

You did the right thing, I have no doubt. A gentle hug to you.

[bambu101]

I am so sorry. I know she will always have a special place in your heart.

[spokewench]

So sorry Indysteel! It is soooo hard to lose our little furry friends. Your kitty had a very loving home

[bmccasland]

(((((Indysteel)))))
So sorry for your loss. Know that Sophie will be greeted at the Rainbow bridge by other TE kitties. And that these little fur babies leave paw prints on our hearts.

[badger]

it's so hard to say goodbye to a loyal friend. You did so much for her, much more than most people would!

I'm really sorry for your loss.

[SheFly]

I have tears in my eyes reading your story. Hugs to you, Indy, and your DH. Losing our beloved kitties is so hard. I was lucky, in that Oreo decided for herself when it was time - it wasn't a decision I was forced to make. And like you, DH and I were both able to be there for her at that time.

Know that you did the right thing. Revel in the good memories. When we don't have close family, our kitties provide us with the comfort and friendship we need. Treasure that time you had, and give Henry a big hug as well.

SheFly

p.s.
My new kids, Opie and Ellie (who will NEVER replace Oreo), send their kitty love your way, too.

[Norse]

So sorry for your loss Indysteel. You gave her a happy, loving kitty home and you were there for her when she needed you to make that tough, compassionate and loving last decision.

[GLC1968]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Indysteel.

I know how hard it is to make that decision and to this day, I still question if my timing was right in a similiar situation. I hope you find peace with it (if you haven't already). FWIW, it sounds like you did exactly the right thing.

Sophie obviously led a wonderful life. You two shared a bond that was special and that will remain unique throughout your life. I feel the same way about my 11 years with my dog (also adopted after graduation and who was by my side when I was single and alone). Treasure the memories. :)

[snapdragen]

I'm sorry Indy, a big hug to you and B.

[indysteel]

(((((Indysteel)))))
So sorry for your loss. Know that Sophie will be greeted at the Rainbow bridge by other TE kitties. And that these little fur babies leave paw prints on our hearts.

I like the idea of Sophie hanging out with her own set of TE friends. And I agree, they do leave little paw prints on our hearts. They're pretty darn amazing.

[trista]

I'm so sorry. I went through a similar thing with my kitty a couple years ago. We had the radioactive treatment done in the spring for his thyroid. It worked great on that, but his kidneys had already started to fail. In the fall, we lost him to kidney disease. He had been the only constant thing in my life for 12 years. It was awful. I'm really sorry.

[divingbiker]

So sorry to hear this, but so glad she had a long and happy life.

[susan.wells]

So sorry Indysteel!

[Zen]

It's hard, I know.
I know.

My condolences.

[Bike Chick]

I'm so sorry, Indy. I really am.

[ccnyc]

So sorry for your loss. Big hugs from me and purrs and headbutts from Mojo and Mr. Moon.

[nancielle]

So sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose one of our furry little companions. I can't help but wonder how many of the qualities of your sig line Sophie might have embodied. If she was anything like mine she probably played with abandon, did what she loved (or whatever she darn well pleased) and lived as if this is all there is.

Play with abandon at the Rainbow Bridge, Sophie.

[Miranda]

Oh, so sorry... our pets our truly part of our families (((hugs))) for you.

[smilingcat]

Hi Indy,

Your story of Sophie touched me deeply. There will always be saddness when our beloved fur babies go.

She came into your life for obvious reasons, to give you company, to chase away the lonliness, to love you unconditionally, to give you happiness. She did this for 14 wonderful years and in return you gave her a wonderful warm and loving home.

14 years is a respectable long life for a kitty. She did quite well. Life is strange sometimes. You didn't go on your ride and instead spent the time with Sophie. The final days and hours. You returned her kindness and love for all these years by being next to her and she left earth knowing that you were at her side for eternity. She will always have that memory. And you were able to say your final good bye. You did the right thing.

peace be with you and Sophie,

Sincerely,
smilingcat

[Mr. Bloom]

(((Indy))). I know you loved her!

[tzvia]

"I pray to God I did right by her. ..."
You did. You were her loving family for 14 years, and cared for her when she was her feisty self and when she was ill. Lots of potentially loving dogs and cats live and die in the gutter with no one. She was lucky and I am sure she knew it.

My thoughts and prayers with you in this difficult time...
:(

[indysteel]

Thank you for that tzvia; I needed that.

Thanks to all of you for your kindness and support. I'm truly grateful.

[Owlie]

Just saw this. I'm sorry for your loss. :(

[sundial]

Indie, I have tried to post a reply but couldn't see the computer screen through the tears....It's so hard to lose a precious family member. Sophie tried so hard to be with you for as long as she could. Her little body soon grew too tired to work right anymore and she was gently carried away. She took a little piece of your heart with her but left you snapshots of the better times you shared together to bring comfort to you in the darkest hour. When the time is right Sophie will send another one into your life. She will not want you to mourn for her but will want you to embrace the good things in life. Tonight when I look into the skies I will look for her star. She will be the brightest one.

[Leigh66]

I am a pet own and have lost a few animals, but one in particular was such a sweetie and I was close to her.
I am sorry for your loss.