Losing my best friend of 12 years

[oxygen thief]

We adopted our first-ever orange tabby in 2007. Big BIG boy currently at 25 pounds. He came from an abusive household (they did an at-home front declawing and the vet said he had both his shoulders dislocated at some point) and it took quite a while before he purred or showed any kind of affection. The abuse has made him be able to only walk - slowly - no jumping or running. And he does not play.

All that said... there will now ALWAYS be an orange fella in the household, even after he leaves. We have never had a more loyal cat.

SilverBear, That was a big cat! Jules hurt a hind leg jumping through a fence years ago. I think he weighed 16 pounds and the vet said he needs to lose weight, I wouldn't want you giving him two insulin shots a day. I tried I really tried to feed less etc and he would have nothing to do with it. I finally gave up and he did fine. But I made him fat and if(probably) I get another cat down the road apiece I'll feed him less.
I think Tabbys are the best.

I don't understand why people hurt animals. There are just a lot of s***heads out there. Good for you to take on Mother Theresa job.

 

[stillnotsmoking]

People who are cruel to animals should be taken behind the barn and shot, plain and simple. That said, my heart goes out to you, OP, for I have been in your shoes and will be again someday. In fact, I have 6 dogs currently and 4 of 6 are all the same age which in hindsight was not the greatest idea, as I'm sure they will all pass at relatively the same time... UGH.

Your cat knows he is loved, and unfortunately death is a part of life. You both will know when he is ready to go, again my thoughts are with you OP.

 

[mcol]

Many of us have been through this with our beloved furkids. And it doesn't get any easier. Sending lots of hugs, you are doing the right thing by not letting him suffer.

 

[Lisa66]

My orange buddy......about 13-14 years old now; got him as a companion for my other cat; they love each other. Also from a shelter. Evidently abused by someone who looks, smells or sounds like me, because he hated me from the day I got him in 2001, up until about 3-4 years ago.

When I first had him I had just taken out the trash and used a cheap aerosol air freshener in the trash can before putting a liner in. He went ballistic and was squinting and blinking. Someone had clearly sprayed him with pepper spray or some other substance. Who knows what else that b---- did to him because it took him so long to trust me. Now he doesn't give a second look if I spray anything, use the vacuum cleaner, etc.

He's showing his age lately. Oxygen, your post made me spoil him even more.

Edit: that's his little stool behind him where he sits and watches the world outside.

 

[Ryedan]

All the best to you and Jules oxygen thief! My first cat was diagnosed with a tumor close to her bladder. I didn't know if I would know when the time was right to let go, but we worked it out together. I think it helped me to have some time to get used to the idea but it still hurt like hell. Take it easy on yourself and god bless.

 

[oxygen thief]

Awesome!! A friend told me, when I said that Jules didn't seem to be in pain, that they should prescribe pain killers now because with cancer they do have pain. I'm not saying this right. I mean surely he has pain but I haven't read anyone else saying to give them pain killers.
Anyone know? The vet didn't even bring it up.

My orange buddy......about 13-14 years old now; got him as a companion for my other cat; they love each other. Also from a shelter. Evidently abused by someone who looks, smells or sounds like me, because he hated me from the day I got him in 2001, up until about 3-4 years ago.

When I first had him I had just taken out the trash and used a cheap aerosol air freshener in the trash can before putting a liner in. He went ballistic and was squinting and blinking. Someone had clearly sprayed him with pepper spray or some other substance. Who knows what else that b---- did to him because it took him so long to trust me. Now he doesn't give a second look if I spray anything, use the vacuum cleaner, etc.

He's showing his age lately. Oxygen, your post made me spoil him even more.

Edit: that's his little stool behind him where he sits and watches the world outside.