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