Sudden Decision To Euthanize Cat Today Options

[NeverForgotten22]

Last Friday night I was visiting my parent's house and noticed one of our family pets, a 10 year old cat, seemed very lethargic. While I was at work the next morning, my dad took him to the vet and found out he had Feline AIDS, Leukemia and kidney failure. He spent the next four days at the animal hospital being treated. Today the vet called and said there had been no signs of improvement after running the tests. My dad told the vet to go ahead and put him to sleep.

I never had a chance to say goodbye and am now feeling extreme guilt that his life was ended too soon. The past few days I have been doing a lot of research online and I know the diseases were fatal, but I had read about many cases where the health could be managed to where the cat still had a good quality of life.

I also feel extremely guilty that no one was there with him or to say goodbye to him. I feel like he was probably confused at why he was taken there Saturday and then never saw another familiar face before he passed. If I had known they planned to put him to sleep, I would have gone to see him before it was time.

I just feel like this all came about so suddenly and I can't help but thinking a hasty decision was made. I know my dad would have taken the advice of the vet, but I still can't believe he made this decision and did not tell me until it was too late to see him. If I had known of the decision earlier, I would have fought to bring him home and at least try some of the methods I had learned from the success stories online.

My family has always cared for our pets until we knew it was time for them to go. I just feel like he wasn't given as much of a chance.

How do I get over the feeling of guilt that we didn't try enough options to help him? How do I cope with feelings of guilt about never telling him how much we loved him and not being able to tell him goodbye and be there with him before he passed? I can't help but feeling that he passed without knowing how much we still truly loved him.

[moon_beam]

Hi, neverforgotten, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for sharing pictures of your beloved Gruff with us. What a cutie he is!!

"I also can't help but feel guilty for paying attention to my other cats, when seemingly I haven't paid attention to Gruff for days and now he's gone. I just feel so guilty about continuing to love other animals. I feel like I'm not respecting him."

Please permit me to try to bring some peace to your heart about continuing to love your precious companions who are still physically with you. It is not dishonoring your beloved Gruff - - just the opposite. Gruff will always and forever have his own special place in your heart. In your deep grief your heart and life is going through a HUGE adjustment re-defining your life and routines without Gruff's sweet physical presence. The little lives who are still with you continue to need your love and attention and comfort - - for they, too, miss Gruff's sweet physical presence. Gruff absolutely beyond all shadow of a doubt wants you and all of his family to continue on. Of course it will never be the same - - it isn't supposed to be the same - - for your lives are changed now - - as they were changed when he came into your hearts and home 10 years ago. Right now your heart is filled with deep sadness, and rightfully so, and you are more aware of the sad reality that your precious companions who are still physically with you will at their appropriate time join Gruff in heaven's perfect garden, once again leaving you behind. As the heirs to their legacy of unconditional love and undivided attention, it is our responsibility to continue living our lives in a way that will bring honor to the love and memories they have entrusted to our care. It isn't easy in the depths of our deep grief, not by a long shot, but I promise you, neverforgotten, that one day - - probably when you least expect it - - you will find yourself smiling again, and will find great joy and comfort in the company of your precious companions who continue to share your earthly journey. This is what your beloved Gruff wants for you, neverforgotten, and eventually your heart will find a comfort and peace.

"I decided to go to my fiance's house tonight and after about 5 minutes of me crying and telling him my feelings he made a reason to get up and go do something else in the house. I know he loves me and he just doesn't understand what I'm going through as he has never lost a pet. I realized this two years ago when I lost a dog and then another cat a month later and he was no comfort either time."

Neverforgotten, I am so sorry your fiance is not able to offer you the comfort you would like to receive from him in this time of sorrow. Please know that we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us, neverforgotten.

I know right now there are no adequate words in any language that can make any sense or offer any form of measurable comfort. I only hope that as you read through each of the responses from all of the wonderful people on this forum that you will feel comfort and support and encouragement and hope that will help you as you travel your grief journey.

I hope today is being kind to you, neverforgotten, and that you will have a peaceful evening. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam