In October of 1995, on a rainy day, I followed the sound of a crying cat, to find this wonderful cat that had been abandoned in our neighborhood. She made it to the vet and back without a name and was estimated to be just about 6 to 8 months old or so at the time.
Raindrop has always been the sweetest cat. Happy to see anyone and patient with whatever any vet had to do to her over the years. Never trying to scratch or bit anyone (unlike the two other cats that I have - one bites, the other scratches).
She would never sit on my lap. She always would stand if she was placed on someone's lap. But she would sit next to me for hours. Or follow me around the house, to just be in the same room that I was in.
Over the last few years, things had been getting harder and harder for her. She was unable to jump up on things (so I got steps to allow her to get up on the bed and the couch). She relearned how to walk after she had some kind of stroke or seizure. She had this funny walk, but when she moved - you could see that she was determined.
Always my sweetheart of a cat.
Yesterday, I had to make the hard decision to have her put to sleep. The vet could not come up with any way to help. She had been getting dehydrated (kidney issues) and had been giving her liquids under the skin for several days. Then she started to have trouble breathing. There was liquids building up in her lungs.
If we treated the lungs, it would cause her to be dehydrated. If we then gave her liquids, it would build back up in her lungs. Leaving us no way to help her in the long run.
She was working so hard to breath the last few days, that she would not eat for me. All she could do was lay there and struggle to breath.
To say the least - i feel like my heart is now broken. I had to do what I felt was best for her. Allowing her to suffer, though she would never complain, was just not an option.
It was a wonderful sixteen years, and that is what I need to focus on.
But today - all I know is that I am going to miss her greatly.
Ohiocat,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Thanks for sharing and being a wonderful kitty owner. I'm sure you brought raindrop as much love and happiness as she brought you.
Carie
Dear Ohiocat,
It's so hard to lose such a dear friend like Raindrop. And she had a dear friend in you as well.
Tell me. How did you come about giving her the name Raindrop?
I'm so sorry :'(
Ohiocat - (((hugs)))
I had to do the same for a cat about 2 years ago now. It is so hard. It is also the last act of love you can do. It's like losing a member of the family.
Eventually the good memories will take precedence - but not for a while.
Take care - Scottie
((((((ohiocat)))))))
I'm so sorry for your loss...it is definitely like losing a family member as they become such a huge and loving part of our lives. I have been through this as well and I know its not easy...but remember that you did a very loving thing for Raindrop as you did not want to allow her to suffer. I'm sure that she knew she was not alone in her final hours and that she was very loved by you...how could she think anything else?
Let yourself mourn as you need to...and in time you will begin to heal. Try to remember all the good times you had together and remember that she will never really be gone as you will keep her memory alive in your heart forever!
There are many versions of the Rainbow Bridge...here is one of them..I hope it helps even if just a little!
http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm
Oh Ohiocat!
You did the very rightest thing. Hard and right. Bless you.
We have a neighbor who is keeping her pet alive at all costs. It is so sad.
And to my mind so selfish.
She is postponing her own pain, to no good purpose.
Well, I try not to judge.
But the pet doesn't get to vote at all.
So we must be the best advocate and owner we can be.
I know the love and comfort we get from our angel cats, and other animals.
But I'm a cat lover and have tears for Raindrop.
And think what a wonderful life you gave her! You both shared joy and comfort.
Hugs
Elaine
Quote from: Ohiocat on November 03, 2011, 03:50:26 PMTo say the least - i feel like my heart is now broken. I had to do what I felt was best for her. Allowing her to suffer, though she would never complain, was just not an option.
(((Ohiocat))) - I'm so sorry about your precious cat, Raindrop. You did the right thing for her - although, your heart is broken.
Take time to grieve for Raindrop and remember the joy she brought you and the joy you brought her too.
Hugs,
Bucky
OhioCat, I am so sorry you had to make the hard decision. I agree with the others here that. although it was tough, it was right and just.
You know how much I love quotes, so here's one from Kahlil Gibran:
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping
for that which has been your delight.
Be kind to yourself today.
I'm so sorry. it is such a hard thing to loose someone one you love dearly rather they have four legs or two .Your sweet kitty is in a happy place now free of pain in perfect mind body and spirit.You did the right thing and you did it with love . My heart felt sympathy goes out to you .I'm so sorry I know your heart is aching right now .
Cat lover here and sooo sorry you had to make that tough decision. Have you ever heard of the poem Rainbow Bridge. It might help you a bit to read it.
If you are a good caring pet caretaker,you become very close to those little souls in cat suits. I have 5 myself, all with unique personalities and all were abandoned by humans except one.
Love the name Raindrop! Just remember that she had a wonderful life with you. You made a difference for that little soul in a cat suit. I honestly believe that someday we will be reunited with our pets and we never forget the love.
<<<<<<<HUGS >>>>>>>>>>
I send you a hug.
Ohiocat,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your wonderful Raindrop. What a lovely name. I can't add anything further than everyone else, but want you to know you're in my thoughts. I know how hard it can be when we must say goodbye to a furry little one of our family.
As said, let yourself mourn; after all, she was a big part of your life for 16 years! I'm sure you gave her just as much joy and comfort as she gave you.
Take care and know we care.
Melinda
I am sorry for the loss of your sweet Raindrop.
I too had to take my 19.5 yr old cat to the vet for the last time on August 18th. He was in complete kidney failure and it was time to say good-bye. I know how your heart breaks but it does get easier with time.
Whenever I miss my Kitty or feel sad, I always tell him in my thoughts that I love him and how lucky and grateful I was to have him in my life.
Your love for Raindrop is very much alive and by acknowledging your feelings for her that's what will help you heal.
Take care, Sadie
Oh Ohiocat, sending you some { { H U G S } }, and I'm sorry for your lose.
I'm so glad that Raindrop was able to spend a lot of wonderful years with you, and you and your family have a ton of great memories of her.
Take care of yourself -
Patze
Thank you all for all your kind comments.
Right now it has just been a day by day thing.
For Carebear - who asked - Raindrop got her name due to how I found her. It was a rainy October day. With the raindrops coming down, she came out of a bush, just meowing. She had quite a loud meow, since I had heard her from across the street and 3 houses down. (I had thought I heard an animal that may have been trapped nearby..... I was surprised to find her 3 houses away.)
I found out later that someone had dump two kittens in our neighborhood. Someone else took the other kitten in and I took in Raindrop.
Fortunately she got along with my other 2 cats at the time, since it was just one week before I was leaving on a three week vacation. I had already made arrangements for someone to watch the cats while I was gone, just had to call them and tell them there was one more.
Hi Ohiocat,
Sounds like Raindrop was always meant to be a part of your family. ;D