We had to have our lovely, tolerant, gentle cat Sirius put to sleep on Monday. The vet agreed that he had after all been suffering from lung cancer. Sirius had been much less active recently than a cat in his prime ought to be. He's been on steroids for a year. We've been very worried in case he was in pain and we've been wondering if we ought to bring his life to an end, but it's such a hard decision to take. Then in the middle of last week, his breathing got faster and he was clearly very tired. He was also coughing more. Son and Daughter-in-Law, both doctors, were here at the weekend and said that if he'd been a human he would have been on morphine and oxygen.
The vet came to the house and Sirius died lying in the sunshine in our sitting room. We are very sad. We know that animals and indeed people die all the time but he was our lovely furry boy and we miss him very much.
He was nearly seven. Younger, in fact, than this blog, which featured lots of pictures of him and Cassie when they were tiny. He's the one on the right in the photos above and below.
One should not get so attached to pets. But one does. Goodbye, dear Velvet Ted.
Oh Isabelle. There are no words......
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful black boy. It is heartbreaking, however much we know it is the "Right Thing " to have done.
Sending love ( and a hug for his sister Cassie, left behind).x
So very sorry to hear about your lovely boy. I've been wondering how he was doing but didn't like to ask. And yes, it's a very tough decision, to say 'it's time'. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this sad news. I have a dear little black poodle who is old and rather infirm and I dread the day he will no longer be with us. Our pets do become part of the family.
ReplyDeleteOh it is hard and sad isn't it? It sounds as though it was quite clear what to do and when to do it but it doesn't make it any easier. Thinking of you all.
ReplyDeleteVery sad when the title of the post came up. That was all you could do. Never easy. I'm glad you didn't have to take him anywhere. Our final trips to the vet have been very fraught.
ReplyDeleteOh Isabelle...my heart aches for you and your family. He will be sadly missed by everyone there.
ReplyDelete{{hugs}}
What a sad post to read. I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
I am so sorry. We are all thinking of you and your loss.
ReplyDeleteHow sad, but know you've given him a warm and loving home and a dignified release.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, such a beautiful boy. So glad the vet could come to familiar surroundings. Lots of love to you all.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to say that this has been quite helpful to us in our present case with Mol, not least knowing that Sirius lived reasonably comfortably for a year on steroids, which we've been worried about. Thanks for sharing (I don't often use that expression but it seems right here), it always helps to know one isn't alone.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to see this, but how good that he could go in peace, at home in the sunshine. it's what any of us would want for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI knew from the title what I was about to read. I am sorry about Sirius, he is a beautiful boy. You did so much to help make his last bit of time wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWe had a black velvet bro-sis, bro now gone, sis still here and doing well.
I hope your girl gets on without her flatmate. Plenty of treats and scritches.
Kitty USA
Oh Isabelle....so so sorry.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle, I'm so sorry. It's very hard to say goodbye to our furry friends.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you all. It's a huge hole dear pets leave.
ReplyDeleteI send sympathy and love, knowing how sad and bitter are the sorrows and tears.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Sirius. It is so hard when a pet dies, especially when we have to make a decision for them that it is time. I'm speaking from experience: you did the right thing. How nice that the vet came to your house.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry to read this, but glad he's not suffering. I know how horrible it is to say goodbye to a beloved Cat. Hugs to you all (and back-of-the-ear scratches to Cassie!) xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those lovely pictures of Sirius. Knowing it was for the best doesn't make it any easier...
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear your news.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog since you got the kittens and I feel like I knew Sirius. I'm so sad at his loss, and yours.
ReplyDeleteYes, very very sad. Big hugs to you and gentle scratches for Cassie. L xxx
ReplyDeleteSo sad for you but it is so nice that he was able to go peacefully in his own home.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your family.
ReplyDeleteOh no ... it is very sad. What a beautiful kitten he was! And handsome grown cat.
ReplyDeleteIt hurts, I know. You did give him a wonderful life, and I'm sure that they know how much they are loved in the time that they are with us, brief though it is.
ReplyDeleteHe was a fortunate Cat, he found you and your family.
ReplyDeletelove herhimnbryn
So, so sad for your loss. I have had cats all of my life and each cat has been a treasure and hard to part with when the time came.
ReplyDeleteWe always do our best and as they can't tell us how they feel its sometimes difficult but you know that you gave him the very best life and he would have known it too so be at peace with yourself as I know he is at peace.
Blessings
Briony
x
I am so sorry , it's a horrible decision to have to make . But letting him go peacefully was very brave and loving , however hard ....
ReplyDeleteOne of mine is currently slipping away due to kidney failure, so I am right there with you... sending hugs and warm thoughts. Aren't photographs a blessing? You can have him with you always, and remember him when he was at his best and feeling fit and fine. You gave him love and a loving home, and his life was wonderful because of you.
ReplyDeleteThis is why we get attached, this is love, which includes loss and grief. Two sides of the same powerful attachments. A good life is a good life, no matter how long, how short. Bless you for mercies shown.
ReplyDeleteHe will haunt you, of course he will. Cats never quite leave, even when they vanish. My heartfelt condolences, such a lovely friend you had there.
We do indeed get attached to pets. Which makes it so very sad when we have to say goodbye. Thinking of you. x
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, such a lovely boy and you and Cassie will miss him so much. Sending you hugs x
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear this. Big, big hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pictures and memories you have of your sweet Sirius kitty. I like to think of him in kitty heaven, greeting all your visitors, playing with a ball of yarn and having a little snack. Prawns, of course. RIP Lovely Sirius.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sorry. ((((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm so sorry for your dear furry loss.
ReplyDelete