DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum R.I.P. Blaze

The past few days have been very traumatic for my family of cats and myself. It is with a very heavy heart that I write this tonite. I just got home from the Emergency Animal Clinic where I had to rush my youngest cat. He had gotten very sick suddenly and our regular vet thought that he had caught it in time. Blaze was suffering from a severely infected bladder with obstructions. As the vet at the clinic explained to me tonite that this is something that affects older male cats and would continue to be very bad problem with him since he was only 14 months old. I made the 2nd most difficult decision of my life tonite and decided that I couldn't bear to see Blaze suffer through this time and time again just for it to eventually lead to total renal failure. As I said, with a very heavy heart I write this memorial to my little man. I wasn't supposed to take in any more cats but couldn't help myself, my neice loved him dearly and when her husband told to either get rid of him or I'll kill him, I had to take the little guy in.

Within days of taking him in he had me wrapped around his little paws. His whole attitude and personality were incredible. He became a very strong part of my cat family. He loved to play and loved to cuddle with me. I will miss him climbing up on me to tell me that the water dish needed filled or to just snuggle.

Blaze, watch over us little dude, you are my bubba baby. I will miss you terribly but I know that you won't be in pain any more and it wouldn't have been fair to make you suffer out of my selfishness of not wanting to lose you.

Sorry to hear about your loss atomic. That's a hard decision to make. I've got a cocker spaniel that is getting older (13 next week) and 'stuff' is starting to happen... I can't even think about having to make that decision, so I really feel for you. But, like you said, you did what was in your pet's best interest, not yours. And that's the sign of a true animal lover.

It still doesn't make it an easy decision Cd. I held him for about a half hour just telling him how much he meant to me. It is truly amazing that an animal can make such a difference in your life. I will talk to you all soon. I'm gonna go snuggle with the girls and try to get some sleep. (work early in the am)

Sorry to hear the news. It is never easy to make such a decision.

You made a wise and unselfish decision, and it was very hard to do....

Hang in there.

Damn, that sucks Jan.
Making that decision is never easy and always heart wrenching.

Sorry to hear of your loss, as a pet owner myself I know how you can get attached to those little guys, I sometimes think they have bigger hearts than most people.

Sorry to hear about that atomic. I know I'd be a wreck if I were in your shoes.

Sorry about your loss, AD. There's a lot of us out here who know just how you feel today ... hang in there.

I am truly sorry to hear this Atomic,
May God bless you and your niece during this time of loss.....

I'm sorry to hear about this news. Good luck dealing with this loss.

So sorry to hear that, Atomic.

Wish I could help your heartache.. Hang in there.

Sorry to hear about that. You made the best decision, however. Like you and others have said, it was in the pets best interest, but I know that doesn't make it easier on you.

I'm a cat guy and I'm sorry to hear that...I have two little black and white ones and they are the joy of my childless life so far.

Hey Jan, as I said, I'm so sorry you have to go through this but you did make the unselfish, humane decision. I know that does not make it any easier. Just hang in there and know blaze is not suffering.

I'm so sorry. I am a HUGE cat lover and I love my 3 to death. It sucks when you lose a family member.

Sorry to hear that. Ironically, I just had 1 of our 3 cats put down less than a month ago for a similar reason.

So sorry to hear about your loss.

Thanks everyone. Friends of mine from Pogo came over today to spend some time with me to help ease the pain(while I was working no less, bless them) I finally was able to start functioning somewhat normally this afternoon. The girls are lost without the only "man" in their life. Foxy was so sweet when I finally tried to get a bit of sleep this morning, she slept the whole time right by my head purring in my ear as if to say "it's ok momma, we're here for you."

Arch....it isn't easy when the problem will only create a worse situation on down the line. With Blaze being only 14 months old it was going to only continue and get worse. Doc Bev said that it's an old cat problem with males she's really never seen it happen to one so young.

Again, thanks everyone. I will get through this and so will the girls. They will keep me sane.

I have a question to both you A.D. and Arch about cats; Is the illness that your cat had Atomic an "ongoing problem" that All or some male cats have? I am just curious to hear of so many ailments from the pet world that they are almost like us in every essence of the world. The only difference is that they cannot tell us what is bothering them and can only go with what we believe is the "best care and judgement" that we can give or get...I admire your courage A.D. in this difficult decision that you had to make and would NEVER second guess you nor anyone else here who had to go the route you had to take...

Not to change the subject but The Bourne Identity is on USA channel 242 Directv......

Bladder infections leading to blockage and causing toxicity to their system usually happens in older male cats. They will come back repeatedly. Sometimes it can be treated with irrigation but with Blaze it would have been surgery now and surgery again each time because of how bad it was the first time around. Eventually leading to complete renal failure. I lost my first siamese cat 24 years ago to complete renal failure and I know how horrible it was for her but she didn't have blockages. I am not sure if it's ALL male cats or only neutered males. But my understanding from both vets that took care of my bubba that it was neutered males that suffer from this more so than non-neutered males.

Jan, once again I'm sorry for your loss....as you know I had to put a couple down a few months ago, so I know how hard this was for you. Anytime you wanna talk, you know where I am. Sendin ki your way...

Domo Rie. I know exactly where you are my dear friend. I just wish I had talked to last night. You know why I say that. Nuff said



Random Thoughts:

Blessed Friends

You never know who really cares until something happens.

You never know how much it means until something happens to have you and your blessed friends raise their head and their heart to you.

These friends may be two legged and furless or they can be four legged with furry tails. They will come to your side when you need them the most.

To all my blessed friends, thank you for being here when I needed you the most.
tsa a nah

I am sorry again Jan. I know I become close with all my pets and when you lose one it hurts. It IS like losing a member of your family

My kitten is sick right now and it makes me very sad. He looks so terrible now but he still is purring away

I'm sorry it turned out this way, Atomic. It is always super hard when you lose a beloved pet. *hugs*

thanks for the phone call...I`m sorry for your loss....haven`t been on to see the post....All the cats survived our barn fire...and they all have homes now....

sorry to hear about your little kitty blaze. I am sad for your loss but you did what you did because you loved him. I would never want my babies to hurt either. God Bless you and your precious Blaze.

Yeah, I remember when my first ever dog had to be put to sleep. It was a pretty big blow, had to take the next day off.

The good thing is that you'll always have those memories that you shared together, even if you get a new pet.

Thanks again everyone. I took yesterday to just be. I had a let it be day. I am still kinda raw and shaky but I have to get through today and then I will have 2 complete days off to just sleep and recharge.

The girls have been following me every where and they keep looking around for Bubba and then come to me and look at me as if to say "He's still missing, where is he?" I have been telling them that he got sick and he went to prepare a place for us so when we next see him they will have a nice place to play together.

A friend from another board posted a wonderful poem and I want to share it with all of you.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are starring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Author Unknown

Sorry for your loss. I've had to go through that twice in a short period with my cats and it's very traumatic.

Sorry to hear of your loss Atomic! It's never easy when a decision like this has to be made.

If it's any consolation, you did the right thing!

Thanks Fargo. It wasn't easy but I know it was right. The girls are starting to come out of their funk over losing their man of the house, but they won't leave my side. It's still too warm to have a fur blanket on the bed but with my girls that's what I get. What I miss most is him waking me up every morning by flopping onto me to make me roll over so he could climb on my chest.