Entry tags:
RIP, Buddy.
I do despise seeing animal (or really anyone) suffering. Yesterday, one of our cats - Buddy - did something to his leg. We weren't sure what, but he dragged it a bit. It did not feel broken. Alas, it was Sunday - and of course the vet's office was closed. So we kept him comfortable and did what we could for him. He was able to eat, but he was a bit low. By the end of the day, he had taken to lying down, unmoving, breathing hard. I had seen him breathe a bit heavier as of late, and it bothered me - but he seemed perfectly healthy otherwise. But his leg injury sent him on a downward spiral.
But mother-in-law was loathe to take him to the vet. She did not want to lose him. While I understand this, her absolute gripping fear of seeing another one of her animals die nearly put her in a state of denial. By morning, he had perked up, but he had refused food. I told Buddy, in the night, that we would assuredly take him to the vet. If he had to be euthanized, so be it - it was better than watching him suffer. He was fifteen years old. He'd had a good life.
At first she wouldn't really listen to me. Three years ago, her cocker spaniel suffered from cancer and died - particularly mammary cancer. It completely broke her. The following year, Felix, our longhair cat, died. Both of these animals were in their teens. With poor Felix, it happened all of a sudden and within twenty-four hours he was skeletal.
When I saw Buddy exhibiting the same signs Felix had - difficulty breathing and weight loss, I mentioned it again. It angered me to see her act so selfishly. I have done it too. I've had to euthanize a six-month-old dog due to my own irresponsibility. When I wasn't able to get him his shots, he managed to get parvo and I lost him. I felt responsible. I looked him in the eyes and stroked him as he died, and I swore I would never be irresponsible like that again. Since then, I have taken very good care and paid careful attention to my animals - and so it frustrated me to see him clearly suffering. But she was so blind to it.
Cats are very stoic creatures. They will avoid showing pain or suffering - but you can just tell. The simple fact that he can hardly walk should be MORE than enough evidence that he is not well. But his inability to breathe should be another sign. Finally, we got through to her. Some hours later, after Buddy, who was resting on our bed, began to pant heavily. I had sensed it - the looming hand of death caressing the back of my neck. I knew, but no one else seemed to.
We called mother-in-law into the room, and she knelt down by the panting cat. Finally, she looked up at me and asked, "Should we take him?"
I wanted to drag her out the door. But I calmly nodded instead. We took him to the hospital and sure enough, he was displaying obvious signs - and we had to let him go. Az could not stay in the room, so I did. I'd done it before, so I petted him as mother-in-law held him and he slipped away.
I understand her attachment. But she, like many pet owners, is very ignorant of the way many animals work. I do not claim to know everything. But she is one of the types who will deliberately not fix an animal so she can breed it. But she seemed, at the time, to be unaware of the danger you can put an animal in by keeping it intact. Domesticated animals - at least dogs and cats - tend to live longer, happier, and healthier lives when not intact. And it is foolish to breed your pet when there are hundreds of thousands of homeless, starving animals or shelter dogs that are desperate for a home.
I am happy she made the right decision in the end. I am disappointed it had to turn out the way it did, and I miss him, but we have the living to look to. The end of a beloved pet's life is often the worst part of pet ownership, but it is merely a small part that should never overshadow the years you have with them.
Once Az and I settle we intend to acquire another cat. When I first came here there were three dogs and four cats. Now we're down to two dogs and two cats. The house has begun to feel empty. This cat will be spayed, given all of its shots, and receive annual vet care. It will be exposed to new sights and sounds, lightly trained, and its claws trimmed (primarily through posts). I might even teach it to use the toilet. Just maybe.
But mother-in-law was loathe to take him to the vet. She did not want to lose him. While I understand this, her absolute gripping fear of seeing another one of her animals die nearly put her in a state of denial. By morning, he had perked up, but he had refused food. I told Buddy, in the night, that we would assuredly take him to the vet. If he had to be euthanized, so be it - it was better than watching him suffer. He was fifteen years old. He'd had a good life.
At first she wouldn't really listen to me. Three years ago, her cocker spaniel suffered from cancer and died - particularly mammary cancer. It completely broke her. The following year, Felix, our longhair cat, died. Both of these animals were in their teens. With poor Felix, it happened all of a sudden and within twenty-four hours he was skeletal.
When I saw Buddy exhibiting the same signs Felix had - difficulty breathing and weight loss, I mentioned it again. It angered me to see her act so selfishly. I have done it too. I've had to euthanize a six-month-old dog due to my own irresponsibility. When I wasn't able to get him his shots, he managed to get parvo and I lost him. I felt responsible. I looked him in the eyes and stroked him as he died, and I swore I would never be irresponsible like that again. Since then, I have taken very good care and paid careful attention to my animals - and so it frustrated me to see him clearly suffering. But she was so blind to it.
Cats are very stoic creatures. They will avoid showing pain or suffering - but you can just tell. The simple fact that he can hardly walk should be MORE than enough evidence that he is not well. But his inability to breathe should be another sign. Finally, we got through to her. Some hours later, after Buddy, who was resting on our bed, began to pant heavily. I had sensed it - the looming hand of death caressing the back of my neck. I knew, but no one else seemed to.
We called mother-in-law into the room, and she knelt down by the panting cat. Finally, she looked up at me and asked, "Should we take him?"
I wanted to drag her out the door. But I calmly nodded instead. We took him to the hospital and sure enough, he was displaying obvious signs - and we had to let him go. Az could not stay in the room, so I did. I'd done it before, so I petted him as mother-in-law held him and he slipped away.
I understand her attachment. But she, like many pet owners, is very ignorant of the way many animals work. I do not claim to know everything. But she is one of the types who will deliberately not fix an animal so she can breed it. But she seemed, at the time, to be unaware of the danger you can put an animal in by keeping it intact. Domesticated animals - at least dogs and cats - tend to live longer, happier, and healthier lives when not intact. And it is foolish to breed your pet when there are hundreds of thousands of homeless, starving animals or shelter dogs that are desperate for a home.
I am happy she made the right decision in the end. I am disappointed it had to turn out the way it did, and I miss him, but we have the living to look to. The end of a beloved pet's life is often the worst part of pet ownership, but it is merely a small part that should never overshadow the years you have with them.
Once Az and I settle we intend to acquire another cat. When I first came here there were three dogs and four cats. Now we're down to two dogs and two cats. The house has begun to feel empty. This cat will be spayed, given all of its shots, and receive annual vet care. It will be exposed to new sights and sounds, lightly trained, and its claws trimmed (primarily through posts). I might even teach it to use the toilet. Just maybe.
