No, it doesn't. But, I've been emailing my supervisor as I do some work from home, who recently put her dog to sleep, and she said this:
Everything you are doing sounds to me like you are taking really good care of her. I made the same decision about Scully. I could have done expensive tests and procedures in her last months, but I already knew I didn't want to put her through any surgeries. So I just kept her as comfortable as possible. Just know you don't have to make any major decisions today. Take one day at a time and you'll know when it's right
( ... )
I think the most difficult thing I'm trying to figure out if whether or not she's letting me know she's ready to go. I've been monitoring her more closely with this latest bout of medical issues, and there is definitely a change. If she's not uncomfortably urinating everywhere (which has gotten better since I started her on meds again), she's either pacing the apartment or spending long hours curled up in her cat bed. She hasn't really even been meowing in the middle of the night to "ask" for food or coming toward the couch to paw at it to let us know she wants attention. She's keeping more to herself.
I don't know if that means she's ready to go, though. But, I don't think I want to wait until it gets worse and she literally is dying painfully. I'm thinking I'll spend as much time with her between now and the weekend, keep her comfortable with medication, and put her to sleep before I head on vacation to Florida. I'd like to spare her that stress of us being gone as well.
I do agree with everyone who says that she had a long, happy life, she doesn't fear death or even think about it (unlike us) and you'll probably get a sense of when it's time... even if that time isn't now.
However, I can't come up with much advice because we are currently going through something very similar (life-threatening bladder infection, upcoming surgery, vet costs at $5000 and climbing) for a five-year-old cat - whose age changes the cost/benefit analysis a lot. All I can offer is all the sympathy in the world for you right now. And the confession that if he were 18 years old, I don't think we'd put him through all of this intervention, either.
You're probably right; I imagine she doesn't think about death like we (and especially I) do. I think the hardest part for me is not feeling like I'm robbing her of any good time left and not feeling guilty for making the decision for her.
I think I would be in a similar situation to you if my cat was much younger. But, I've had many good years with her since I was 11 and she was a kitten, so I know she had a good life.
I can pretty much guarantee that because she neither thinks about nor expects any "good time" beyond the moment, she won't be robbed. She'll be happy and enjoying her life right up until the moment that she peacefully leaves it with no regrets. It's one of the blessings of an animal's life philosophy
( ... )
I think the hardest part of all of this has been that I perceive Cocoa's feelings and reactions like a human's. However, I am sure that she is not thinking about death; she is just trying to live comfortably day by day.
Considering that she spends most of her day sleeping either in her cat bed or near the heater, compared to what she used to do even a few years ago, I know that things aren't as great as they used to be.
Thanks for telling me what to expect. I know I'm going to be a bawling mess (I came home from work today, picked her up, and immediately broke down into tears), so it's good to know what will happen.
I agree; there would be some serenity in knowing you could ease your pain in a similar way we can ease our pets' pain.
I think I'm understanding that point right now. She doesn't have much of her sight, so maneuvering in a new apartment would be very stressful for her. That, combined with her already existing medical conditions, would put her through stress that would only be done because I'm afraid to put her down. As many people are telling me, it's best to let her go before things get much worse than to be selfish and hold onto her until she's painfully dying.
I hope this decision is a long time coming for you, Dominique! I've been very emotional as I've been working through this decision.
This is so hard, Rachel. It seems as though you're going through a situation similar to what I did with Reggie -- your cat's health is declining rapidly due to age at the same time that your life is becoming more stressful. I understand your guilt and confusion about your motives for euthanizing Cocoa
( ... )
Re: So HardpaninogirlFebruary 9 2010, 15:46:48 UTC
Thanks, Lauri. Given you went through this recently, I was hoping I'd get some advice from you. I have been very worried about moving her, as well as her diminishing health. While nothing seems immediately life-threatening at this point, I don't want her to suffer any more than she already may be.
As difficult as it is, I think putting her down before the move is the best thing I can do for her. And, as everyone has mentioned, it is the most responsible thing to do as her owner.
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Everything you are doing sounds to me like you are taking really good care of her. I made the same decision about Scully. I could have done expensive tests and procedures in her last months, but I already knew I didn't want to put her through any surgeries. So I just kept her as comfortable as possible. Just know you don't have to make any major decisions today. Take one day at a time and you'll know when it's right ( ... )
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I think the most difficult thing I'm trying to figure out if whether or not she's letting me know she's ready to go. I've been monitoring her more closely with this latest bout of medical issues, and there is definitely a change. If she's not uncomfortably urinating everywhere (which has gotten better since I started her on meds again), she's either pacing the apartment or spending long hours curled up in her cat bed. She hasn't really even been meowing in the middle of the night to "ask" for food or coming toward the couch to paw at it to let us know she wants attention. She's keeping more to herself.
I don't know if that means she's ready to go, though. But, I don't think I want to wait until it gets worse and she literally is dying painfully. I'm thinking I'll spend as much time with her between now and the weekend, keep her comfortable with medication, and put her to sleep before I head on vacation to Florida. I'd like to spare her that stress of us being gone as well.
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However, I can't come up with much advice because we are currently going through something very similar (life-threatening bladder infection, upcoming surgery, vet costs at $5000 and climbing) for a five-year-old cat - whose age changes the cost/benefit analysis a lot. All I can offer is all the sympathy in the world for you right now. And the confession that if he were 18 years old, I don't think we'd put him through all of this intervention, either.
*hugs*
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I think I would be in a similar situation to you if my cat was much younger. But, I've had many good years with her since I was 11 and she was a kitten, so I know she had a good life.
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Considering that she spends most of her day sleeping either in her cat bed or near the heater, compared to what she used to do even a few years ago, I know that things aren't as great as they used to be.
Thanks for telling me what to expect. I know I'm going to be a bawling mess (I came home from work today, picked her up, and immediately broke down into tears), so it's good to know what will happen.
I agree; there would be some serenity in knowing you could ease your pain in a similar way we can ease our pets' pain.
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I hope this decision is a long time coming for you, Dominique! I've been very emotional as I've been working through this decision.
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As difficult as it is, I think putting her down before the move is the best thing I can do for her. And, as everyone has mentioned, it is the most responsible thing to do as her owner.
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