Reggie's gone

[tenaya]

I took him to the vets this morning for his procedure and Dr. E called at 11am to say that he had a massive squamous cell tumor at the back of his mouth, so large she couldn't put the breathing tube down and she wondered that he could breathe at all. We discussed our options and basically there were none. She asked if we wanted to come down and let him wake up from the anesthesia so we could say goodbye but it seemed cruel to do that do him just to euthanize him immediately after. I had hugged him many times in this past week and as hard as it was, we gave permission to let him go right then. He will be cremated and returned to us next week.

As much as we were hoping it would just be an infected tooth or something, there were subtle changes in the past two days. I began to suspect he was feeling pain and he was to the point of giving up on eating. It did appear that he was having to position a piece of kibble exactly before he'd be able to swallow it and he'd get frustrated after about two pieces and walk away. So, it was time. I would have preferred to be there and to hold him because he so completely trusted us and it feels like a betrayal to have left him there with strangers for his last few hours on earth but we were hoping for a miracle, hoping he'd be given back to us again for a little while longer. We are thankful that he went painlessly and did not smother which would have been his fate in the next few days.

We are grateful that he graced our lives for 14 and half years and taught us so much about love, trust and kitty/human communication. His non-stop purring was a marvel for you could truly hear him in a neighboring room. The last five years in particular were a gift because he never should have survived that fungus infection.

He was a sweet, gentle soul who loved us unconditionally and we ache with his loss.

Comments

[sg1scribe.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I'm so sorry.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[obelix]

Aww Hon, I'm so sorry for you :-(

*hugs tight*

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Very appreciated.

All we can do is love them while we have them.

[gillyp.livejournal.com]

It's the worst, the very worst thing you're going through. You have all my love and sympathy.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It helps to know people understand the loss.

[greyart.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[xochiquetzl]

I'm so sorry. :( {{{{{hugs}}}}}

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I lost my golden boy. :(

You've lost so many cats of late and I kept thinking how awful it was for you.

[xochiquetzl]

Yeah, that feeling definitely goes both ways. Believe me, I'm really feeling for you right now.

[khek.livejournal.com]

Oh, Sue. I'm so sorry.

He had a good life and a loving family. I'll be thinking of all of you...

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

We gave him the best we could and I know he had a full life, but still....

Thanks for your words of comfort.

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh, Tenaya, I'm so sorry. He looks like a fluffy pillow of a cat in that picture. It's so hard to lose a fur-friend. :-(

((((((hugs))))))

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

He was a big, soft, squeezy, purry lovebunny. Everyone loved to hold him and he'd just put up with it as long as he could. Thank you for the sympathy.

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}}

I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. Poor kitty.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I think I must have said, "Poor Reg" dozens of times today.

[leviathanmuse.livejournal.com]

Aww, I'm sorry to hear this. I'm sure he had a great life, though, with you taking care of him. I know just how you feel.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It hurts to lose them but none of us would give up living with them just to save ourselves from this pain.

[leviathanmuse.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I still haven't managed, though, to bring home another cat. Part of it is the current mess of the apt. Definitely got to get back into cleaning up in here.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

We've got a very old cat that just seems to get thinner and thinner but he's in good spirits. Nevertheless, I imagine his time here is in the months rather than years. When he goes, that will leave young Brindle who is 6. He likes to have a cat family to cuddle with. I imagine we will have to adopt a couple of kittens to keep Brindle company and then go through all the drama of them getting to know one another.

How long have you been without a cat?

[leviathanmuse.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, since 2001. Just a few weeks before 9/11.

Aww, how old is the very old cat?

Definitely need to get more kitties to keep Brindle company.

[margec01.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to read about Reggie. They brighten our lives so much while they are here, but it's so sad when they leave us.

Sending a hug your way.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

I appreciate it. Thank you for the words of comfort.

[moonchildetoo.livejournal.com]

Oh damn, I'm so, so sorry! {{{HUGS}}}. Poor sweet boy. I'm sure he knew that you loved him to bits, and were trying to help him. My heart goes out to you.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yeah...those big furballs leave a big hole in our hearts. I know he knew we were trying to help him, but today the guilt over not being there for him has been tormenting me. One always thinks of what one could have done better unfortunately.

Thanks for the kind words.

[geminia905.livejournal.com]

I'm so, so sorry, hon. :(

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Gem.

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved your sweet kitty and my thoughts are with you.
{{{{hugs}}}}

[gateruner.livejournal.com]

Aw, so sorry to hear this. He looks like such a sweetie too! My thoughts are with you *hugs*