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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Posts
    627

    Goodbye, my Kallie Kat

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    I had to say goodbye to my Kallie yesterday. It was such a difficult decision. She started having breathing issues in March and she was diagnosed with asthma. It was so painful to watch her breathe, but we did get it regulated and she was doing so good...until 2 weeks ago. Even the vet commented that for a kitty on death's door, she is doing so good. She was active again and breathing comfortably. I struggled with a way to administer her meds and found a teaspoon of baby food (chicken) with the crushed pills mixed in served it up in yummy fashion for my girl. She took her meds without complaint. Then, her breathing became labored again, so I took her to the emergency hospital and she spent the night in an oxygen cage. I transported her to my vet the next morning and she was 'perky'. My vet kept her for the day and said she was doing quite well and she did for another week. On Sunday, I went on a bike ride and when I got back, she was in breathing distress again. I took her to the emergency vet again and they gave her a shot that would help her breathe easier. But I was back to the emergency vet in the early morning (3am) for another shot. I just wanted her to rest comfortably until my regular vet opened up. I realized during this time, that her prognosis was not good and that I really had to let her go. Watching her gasp for air and watching her try to get some air, I wondered why I was putting her through this pain. I wasn't going to post this, but I am missing her and wanted her to know that I loved her very much and I will miss her. My DH isn't much of a pet person. He never had a pet and doesn't understand why I am crying so much and why the decision was so difficult. Hopefully she is playing with Katrina Kat and Toby Dog and will forgive me for letting her go....

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    8,548
    Your kitty has already forgiven you for letting her go. She is somewhere right now with clean lovely strong lungs chasing butterflies. And there are lots of folk right here who DO understand what a good friend a cat can be and how hard it is not only to lose them, but to have to make the decision to do it.
    Mimi Team TE BIANCHISTA
    for six tanks of gas you could have bought a bike.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    northern california
    Posts
    1,460
    My heart goes out to you. It's so hard to make that call. You question yourself, "Did I do the right thing?", "Could I have done anything else?", "Was it too soon?". But you know in your heart when it's time. Kallie isn't suffering any more. You did the right thing.

    Hugs to you!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251
    Oh no- I'm so sorry. You did the right thing- and Kallie knows it!!! I'm crying right along with you- for it's such a terrible thing to lose a beloved companion. Hugs to you!!
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    1,071
    I'm so, so sorry. I just went through something similar with my best girl (Agnes, my sweet beautiful golden retriever), and hard as it was, I had to let her go. It's been about 5 weeks but I'm still heartbroken over the loss of her. Please PM me if you want to talk about it.

    You did the most selfless, loving, courageous thing for your wonderful baby. It was the right thing, so please don't question yourself. My husband and I were w/Agnes when the vet put her to sleep and it was very, very peaceful. While I would give anything to have her back, I would not want to have her suffer as she did during those last few days.

    My husband got me a votive candle after Agnes died. On it is a verse:
    "Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you ... I loved you so - 'twas Heaven here with you."

    Your Kallie is waiting for you at rainbow bridge. My Agnes went and welcomed her, and she will make sure Kallie is taken care of until you can be with her again.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Vernon, British Columbia
    Posts
    2,226
    {{{{{{{{{{{{sbctwin}}}}}}}}}}}

    Your Kallie knows you did the right thing and you did it for her, and she's so grateful. She's up at the rainbow bridge, and she's found so many TE friends that got there first. My Ted cat and Yogi dog are showing her around now.

    Yes, I am crying for you, because I know how much it hurts to have to say goodbye. That lump in your throat will eventually become a soft spot in your heart, and you'll smile when you remember Kallie when she was healthy and playful.

    Hugs and peaceful butterflies,
    ~T~
    The butterflies are within you.

    My photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/picsiechick/

    Buy my photos: http://www.picsiechick.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Shelbyville, KY
    Posts
    1,472
    I'm so sorry. Please know what you did for Kallie was your final act of love. You did not allow her to suffer. She is and will always be with you. Your kindness allowed her to be set free and to become whole again. My buddies, Squire, Hondo, Cumberland, Scooter, Motor, Saw, Bones and Max were at the bridge to welcome her. She will be at the bridge to welcome you some day and what a joyous reunion it will be. Cry your tears for there is a hole in your heart. There is a great childrens book entitled "All God's Creatures Go To Heaven" that I read everytime I lose a buddy - it's message brings me so much comfort. If you get a chance stop by your local book store and pick yourself up a copy - it will help.
    Marcie

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Riding my Luna & Rivendell in the Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    8,411
    Everyone has said it so well already.
    ((((hugs))))) to you for being there for her right up to the end. It's takes real strength to give love during the worst of times. You did good for her.
    Lisa
    My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
    My personal blog:My blog
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    2,059
    Someone once said, grief is the price we pay for love. You did the right thing. Give yourself a lot of grace and patience in the coming weeks.
    "The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Chi-town
    Posts
    3,265
    Quote Originally Posted by Velobambina View Post
    My husband got me a votive candle after Agnes died. On it is a verse:
    "Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you ... I loved you so - 'twas Heaven here with you."
    Oh, I am so sorry to hear of Kallie's death, but I know that you freed her from a body that could no longer hold her spirit. There's no question of forgiveness--she would be so grateful to be released.

    I put both of my beloved cats to sleep in this past season--Isaac in February, and Ariel 2 weeks ago. The decisions were hard to make--partly because I *knew* they couldn't keep on, and yet my heart ached at the thought of being without them. When they put Ariel to sleep, I was right there with her (Isaac,too). I cupped my hand near her nose so that she would smell me right up to the end. And afterwards, as I rested my hands on her body, I felt her energy fill me up. I "saw" it as vibrant red with gold sparkles, and I almost laughed with joy. I told my dear BF, "This cat's spirit is so much bigger than her body!"

    The quote on the candle from Velobambina was also on the card the vet's office sent me after Isaac died. It made me cry then, and now.

    You made the right decision. Without oxygen, there is no life. You freed her from a body that couldn't give her what she needed anymore. Many, many of us here at TE understand, and you can share your feelings with us any time.

    Gentle best wishes,

    Lise
    Run like a dachshund! Ride like a superhero! Swim like a three-legged cat!
    TE Bianchi Girls Rock

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    526
    I'm so sorry for your loss and I know how you feel, but you did make the right decision for your Kallie. She is enjoying herself over the rainbow bridge.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    719

    I had to say goodbye today to my cat

    Billie was about 15 years old. I adopted her from the SPCA in 1995. Actually the little princess picked me. She let me pet her and made me fall in love with her. I brought her home a couple of weeks later after it was determined that she had no owner looking for her.

    This past year she had some teeth pulled and was diagnosed with a thyroid issue. She took her pills mostly unhappily.

    Today i noticed her breathing was wierd and she was breathing with her mouth open. I brought her to the vet. He told me that she likely wouldn't make the night. No matter what i did, testing, take her home, she was suffering and i had to let her go. I have known this vet since i moved here in 1998 so i know he was being very honest with me. The best option was to put her down and it broke my heart.

    The house seems completely empty without her and i am a complete mess.

    It just happened so fast, which i am not sure is good or bad. I feel like she was taken from me.

    Anyway, I understand your loss and send you hugs too.
    Hannah
    Last edited by han-grrl; 06-26-2007 at 04:46 PM.
    "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."-Moliere

    "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." -Thomas A. Edison



    Shorty's Adventure - Blog

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Shelbyville, KY
    Posts
    1,472
    han-grll and sbctwin:

    Again, I am so sorry for the lose of your buddies. Below is a poem a friend shared with me when I lost my beloved cat, Scooter. He was my buddy for 17 years and I still miss him deeply.

    Lend Me a Kitten

    I will lend to you for a while a kitten, God said.
    For you to love while she lives, and mourn when she is dead.
    Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
    But will you, 'til I call her back, take care of her for me?

    She will bring you her charms to gladden you and, should her
    stay be brief, you will always have her memories as solace for your grief.

    I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return.
    But there are lessons taught below I want this kitten to learn.

    I have looked the whole world over in search of teacher's true.
    And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.

    Now will you give her all your love, nor think the labor vain?
    Nor hate me when I come to take my kitten home again?

    My heart replied, "My Lord, Thy Will Be Done"
    For all the joys this kitten brings the risk of grief I will run.
    We will shelter her with tenderness, we will love her while we may
    And for the happiness we have known, forever grateful stay.

    But should you call her back much sooner than we planned.
    We will brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
    If, by our love we have managed your wishes to achieve,
    Then in memory of her who we loved, please help us while we grieve.

    When our cherished kitten departs this world of strife,
    Please send yet another needing soul for us to love all their life.

    - Author Unknown -
    Adapted from 'Thy Will Be Done' by Edgar Guest
    Marcie

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Portland , OR
    Posts
    244

    poem

    I am so sorry about Kallie. This is a sad poem ,but it says a lot.

    " I Loved you Best"

    So this is where we part My Friend,
    and you'll run on, around the bend,
    gone from sight, but not from mind,
    new pleasures there you'll surely find

    I will go on, Ill find the strength,
    life measures quality ,not its length,
    One long embrace before you leave,
    share one last look before I grieve,

    There are others ,that much is true,
    but they are they ,and they aren't you
    And I ,fair ,impartial,or so I thought
    will remember well all you've taught,

    Your place Ill hold ,you will be missed
    the fur I stroked the nose I kissed,
    And as you journey to your final rest,
    take this with you " I LOVED YOU BEST.

    Author Jim Willis

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Vernon, British Columbia
    Posts
    2,226
    Oh, Han, I'm so sorry.

    Billie has been welcomed at the rainbow bridge by so many loving TE fur friends, including my beloved Ted cat and Yogi dog. You did the right thing and released her with love. Now she's chasing butterflies and waiting for you to reunite in many many years.

    Peaceful butterflies to you, Han,

    Hugs,
    ~T~
    The butterflies are within you.

    My photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/picsiechick/

    Buy my photos: http://www.picsiechick.com

 

 

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