moochpuppy Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 This morning we had to put Rylee, our 17-year-old cat, to rest. My wife came home from work last night and found him in our bed lying in puke. She got him off the bed and he could barely walk. She took him to the Vet and they could find nothing wrong. All his blood work came back normal, his results were like that of a 10-year-old cat. She then referred us to the emergency clinic and they put him in a heated cage (his temp was down to 97, normal is 100). They took some x-rays and all they could see was quite a bit of arthritis in his back and tailbone but his colon was empty and so was his bladder. At 10:00pm we had decided to keep him there overnight so they could get him hydrated (he was a bit dehydrated) and take a couple more tests. This morning we called and they said he had shown no improvement but they wouldn't give the test results over the phone. My wife and to go in anyway because the clinic closed at 8am and we needed to either take him home or back to our Vet. After she got there they said his white blood cell count (normal 500) was around 4,500 and they could not keep his temperature up, he would not eat or drink and he is a big one at both of those. He was in obvious pain even with the meds so we decided to put him down. My wife held him in her arms and after the Vet gave him the shot, he looked up at her, licked her lip and nuzzled his head into her arm like he would do all the time when he would sleep with us.........and then he was gone. The Vet said he had never seen anything like it. Rylee was different than other cats; I actually think he thought he was a dog. He would meet us at the door when we got home from work, he would beg right next to our Akita's while we ate, he actually would even eat the dog food out of their bowls when they were not looking. He was a very affectionate cat who loved to snuggle and watch TV. If we were both on the couch he would have to be touching both of us. I will miss him terribly. (Thanks for reading) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 I hate cats, but reading that brought a tear to my eye. Sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Wow, mooch I am really sorry to hear that. Losing a long term pet is like losing a member of the family. Best wishes to you and your wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 My sympathy for your loss. I am a cat lover and its saddens me when they pass. Especially after someone has had them for so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your wife mooch. Some animals we have are like family to us. R.I.P. Rylee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 This morning we had to put Rylee, our 17-year-old cat, to rest. My wife came home from work last night and found him in our bed lying in puke. She got him off the bed and he could barely walk. She took him to the Vet and they could find nothing wrong. All his blood work came back normal, his results were like that of a 10-year-old cat. She then referred us to the emergency clinic and they put him in a heated cage (his temp was down to 97, normal is 100). They took some x-rays and all they could see was quite a bit of arthritis in his back and tailbone but his colon was empty and so was his bladder. At 10:00pm we had decided to keep him there overnight so they could get him hydrated (he was a bit dehydrated) and take a couple more tests. This morning we called and they said he had shown no improvement but they wouldn't give the test results over the phone. My wife and to go in anyway because the clinic closed at 8am and we needed to either take him home or back to our Vet. After she got there they said his white blood cell count (normal 500) was around 4,500 and they could not keep his temperature up, he would not eat or drink and he is a big one at both of those. He was in obvious pain even with the meds so we decided to put him down. My wife held him in her arms and after the Vet gave him the shot, he looked up at her, licked her lip and nuzzled his head into her arm like he would do all the time when he would sleep with us.........and then he was gone. The Vet said he had never seen anything like it. Rylee was different than other cats; I actually think he thought he was a dog. He would meet us at the door when we got home from work, he would beg right next to our Akita's while we ate, he actually would even eat the dog food out of their bowls when they were not looking. He was a very affectionate cat who loved to snuggle and watch TV. If we were both on the couch he would have to be touching both of us. I will miss him terribly. (Thanks for reading) My cats are like that too... they are awesome. And one of ours has just been diagnosed with diabetes, since we've been giving her insulin she's been awesome, coming to the door when we get home, playing, really affectionate... And to know, that one day we'll be in the same spot as you, makes me really sad. Sorry to hear that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 My sympathies. One of my hamsters died a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 How blessed you were to share your life with such an extraordinary cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Mooch, I feel for you man. Our family lost our 16-year old cat in 1998 to cancer(he was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in early 96 or 97, though I can't remember which. The funniest/cutest thing about the whole thing was was that after his surgery, he had to wear a shirt to keep him from tearing the stitches out, like some cats do, so we put one of my old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shirts on him...oh hell did he hate that ). That was about the first time I ever cried, like actually crying from sadness, and that was the first time I'd ever seen my dad cry too. The night we put him down is one of the things I will remember for the rest of my life like it was yesterday. It was late October, and I had just gotten into a "fight" with my best friend, and then I went home. Later that night, I went out to this Halloween thing with another friend, and then I went to his house, borrowed a video game for the Nintendo 64, was playing that, when my dad came into my room and said "Aren't you going to come out?" I asked why and he told me that my cat was going to die. That was pretty much a cold slap in the groin. He was breathing real heavily, and he was either going to pass away in the middle of the night in pain, or we were going to put him down. We chose the latter. I honestly believe that it was destiny. He was all black, and he died the night before Halloween. I just think that God needed a black cat for Halloween, and so he called on my cat to come up. Mooch, my thoughts are with you. Soon enough all these sad thoughts of your cat will fade and the only ones left will be the good ones; the ones that make you happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 This might have been posted before, but it is appropriate. I tear up whenever I read this. Brian says Stinky Butt I is probably enjoying a good nap under an oak tree while waiting for us... ******************************************************************* RAINBOW BRIDGE Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 hate cats, but i know how tough it is to lose a pet. sorry for your loss mooch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 I've had 2 cats put to sleep. It's hard to deal with. We currently have 2 cats now. Each one is unbelievably unique. We had a cat that was always really nosy and affectionate. One was an asshole to the other cats (that's what happens when you have 2 cats, and add 2 to the household), but he was always pretty playful. Especially for a fat cat, lol. Now we have a female that HATES me. She is weird because she likes to be brushed REALLY HARD. You'd think you were hurting her, but she loves it. The other we have now eats all the time and is very cuddly and stupid. It's humurous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 This might have been posted before, but it is appropriate. I tear up whenever I read this. Brian says Stinky Butt I is probably enjoying a good nap under an oak tree while waiting for us... ******************************************************************* RAINBOW BRIDGE Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together... Dammit Fan, big boys don't cry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 I don't at all look forward to putting ours down. Sidney is 13 and Sam is 12... time is not on our side. But I hope that our final moments are similar to yours.. Peace to Rylee and hugs to you and your wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Truly sorry to hear of your loss. I have a 19 year old cat who is starting to go into systemic failure, and we lost a 16 year old to mouth cancer a couple of years ago as well (with a vet office euthenasia story eerily similar to yours). We lost another old timer a couple of years ago to a %$&*# redneck family's pack of pit bulls that came onto our porch and tore him up, so I feel your pain and commend you and your wife for giving a good animal a good, long and happy run. Here's to cool cats no longer here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 I have a 19 year old cat who is starting to go into systemic failure 19! Geez, he's almost old enough to drink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
israel4ever Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 My condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 19! Geez, he's almost old enough to drink. What do you think has kept him around for so long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Sorry to hear that mooch, my family's got 4 pets (2 cats, 2 dogs) and I couldn't picture the house w/o them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Why does everyone hate cats, I hate dogs and love cats. Mooch sorry to hear about that and my cat is now 18 the same age as me and is turning 19 May 13th 5 days before I'm turning 19. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Why does everyone hate cats, I hate dogs and love cats. Anyone who hates cats has never had one and/or is allergic to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Really sorry to hear bout that Mooch, our cat down here is only 9 but he mite not hav long to live either. He's can't walk properly on his back leg and we hav to giv him special diet food from the vet, because othawise he can't pee properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Mooch, I'm really sorry to hear that. Losing a pet is an awful thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxin' Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Why does everyone hate cats, I hate dogs and love cats. Mooch sorry to hear about that and my cat is now 18 the same age as me and is turning 19 May 13th 5 days before I'm turning 19. I love cats, but I don't hate dogs. I have had two cats die in the past year. One was 9 and died of a tumor and another one somehow got outside as a kitten and never came back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 I love cats, but I don't hate dogs. I have had two cats die in the past year. One was 9 and died of a tumor and another one somehow got outside as a kitten and never came back. I don't really hate dogs, I just don't like to take care of them, I take that comment back!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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