Hope so awesome in putting pet to sleep

alafairnadia · October 2006

I had to put my cat to sleep today. It was a very traumatic decision. she had been diagnosed with cancer. I was out of town for about 5 days and in those 5 days the tumor doubled in size. I was horrified and frightened but I knew I could not be selfish.
I called her vets at Hope and was put in contact with the social worker/co-owner of the clinic within moments. we talked a long time, I cried, and eventually brought my cat in today at 1:30 p.m.
we were put in a private office, on a comfortable sofa. my cat, Alafair, was obviously not well, and the vets concurred that my decision was sound. they gave her an injection that made her sleep, and she was so calm and brave. then they gave her the shot that put her to sleep and I got to hold her during that time. they were all very kind and loving and I really appreciated their sympathy.
I've been crying all day over the loss of my Alafair, but I have not regretted involving Hope at all. they've been the best.

whyfi · October 2006

Sorry for your loss.

rose · October 2006

I'm so sorry about your kitty. I'm glad you could be with her at the end.

laura b · October 2006

My sympathies go out to you. How old was she? I lost a cat to cancer (lung cancer--wtf?) and it was devastating. It's also hard because some people--good friends, even--didn't "get" how hard it was ("it's just a cat," after all). But these little critters become family. Pet loss and bereavement is no joke.

alafairnadia · October 2006

thanks for your sympathies, everyone.

I'm not certain how old Alafair was - she jumped into my car in Houston in 1998 and was an older, sedentary adult at that point. the vets I took her to put her age at somewhere between 6 and 10 at that time, so she was somewhere between 14 and 18 when I had her put to sleep.

the cancer was extremely aggressive - I noticed a lump on her face at the beginning of September. it was treated with anti-inflammatories and anti-biotics - an xray was taken of her face that showed there were bibi pellets lodged along her face and neck. when she came to me, she was already missing her right eye, so we assumed that she'd been shot in the face at some point before she jumped into my car - and chances were it had been years previous as the wound was totally healed when I first met her.

After that treatment, the lump reappeared and got bigger, starting to split her skin open. I took her in for a biopsy two weeks ago, and got the diagnoisis last weekend. in less than a week (from last weekend until this past friday) the tumor doubled in size and basically caused a huge ulcer on the right side of her face. she was barely eating and only drinking minimal water.

the folks at Hope advised me that I pretty much had three options: chemotherapy/radiation treatment, treatment with steroids to shrink the tumor temporarily, or saying goodbye. The first two options seemed cruel and selfish to me, so I went with the third. when I arrived at the clinic, the vets all agreed with me once they got a good look at her - I think they thought I might have just been hysterical (which I was, also).

I'm just glad that she had a long life and was such a good friend to me. I'm really grateful to Vanilla for taking care of her while I had to be away for work last week. and I'm really thankful that Hope was so kind and caring throughout the whole process.

apollonia666 · October 2006

Oh, geez. I just now saw this.

I'm so sorry for your loss, hon. It's been a long time since I've lost a cat (and I hope it's going to be a long time before it happens again), but every time it's ever occurred it's just been devastating. Hang in there.

shishkab · October 2006

i am deeply sorry for your loss, alafairnadia. our companion animals bring us such joy and love and amusement, it seems highly unfair that they leave us so soon. we mourn them as we do other family members, and their absence is keenly felt.

sending warm feelings your way...

sweet tea · October 2006

my cat died of cancer a couple of years ago now. it's really hard. but i think you did the right thing. hopefully your other kitty (didn't you have 2? i hope i'm remembering right) will let you squeeze it extra.

alafairnadia · October 2006

thanks everyone.

the decision was hard but I know I did the right thing - I haven't regretted it beyond missing Alafair.

and yes, I do have another kitty - she was actually a stray that I found in my apartment building (and I posted uber-cute kitten pix of her to the board ... actually, here is her sweet face). I feel bad because she (her name is Guadalupe - Lupita for short) and Alafair used to cuddle a lot on the sofa so I think she's lost out on some affection.

solamami · October 2006

Hi,

I thought I posted a reply last nite, but I think the site crashed just as I hit submit...

Anyway, just wanted to add my condolences. I'm a newbie here, but I completely empathize with your situation: On Feb. 11th of this year, I had to put down my 13-year-old cat, who'd been with me on both coasts, through thick and thin, since he was 3 weeks old. Although I knew it was inevitable, I sobbed like a baby the whole time. I'd like to think my tears were cremated with him. And I know his soul is in a far better place.

I have a 7-year-old dog now (and I'm already dreading that day, be it far in the distant future), and a real-life human baby to keep my life complete (and busy!), but my Avery will always be my #1.

Our pets are companions, and their spirits will always be with us.

quijibo · October 2006

my condolences for your loss

i know i'll be a wreck when my 6 year old dog passes away

laura · October 2006

(wiping away tears and blowing nose) I am so sorry ... but it is wonderful she had a wonderful life with you after her early traumas. Smart girl, jumping into your car!

erikka · November 2006

I'm really sorry that I never got the chance to meet your kitty, and I'm sorry for your loss. Glad you found a place to help make such a difficult process a little easier.

Hope so awesome in putting pet to sleep

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