Prayers for my 24 year old kittie -- (doing much better now)

Me | 07/20/2006 | me

[freedumb2003]

My kittie "Musica" is 24 years old. Up until now, she has done well but the vet says her thyroid is failing.

She has been with me for almost my entire adult life. She has been on thyroid (and other) medication for the last 6 years but it looks like the medication isn't working any more.

The vet said radiation therapy might work but 24 equates to over a hundred years old in human terms. It would be torture to put her through that. Even a trip to the vet is an ordeal.

[freedumb2003]

I don't know if the request is prayers for her or me and my wife. I can't imagine a world without my cat.

If nothing else, please pray for a heaven that includes our beloved pets.

God sent them to us to be our friends and companions in life and to teach us the meaning of unselfish love. A loving God would not withhold that from us in the afterlife.

Would He?

[freedumb2003]

sad ping.

Can you please ping the group?

It doesn't look good.

I don't know what I will do if I have to let Musica go.

[BenLurkin]

I love cats. It would indeed be good to see old feline friends in heaven.

[stuartcr]

I can't imagine why He would.

[freedumb2003]

We learn true love through our pets.

I HAVE to assume God will have them there with us. I HAVE to assume they have souls (although not like ours).

I HAVE to.

Thanks, Ben.

[Darkwolf377]

As someone who lost a dog I was really attched to after five years (that was five years ago and I've not gotten a replacement--the first time in my life without a dog), all I can say is, Man, are you fortunate!

I hope your gratitude for this long time with your pet doesn't blind you to its suffering, and you do the right thing by honoring the LONG time you've had together and let her go so she'll be out of pain. Best wished to you and your family.

[DarthTinkerbell]

My prayers are with you and your kitty. May I ask what breed she is? Is she an oriental breed? Twenty four is extreme old age! You must have taken very good care of her.

How are her kidneys? Is she getting IV fluid treatments daily? Is she hyperthyroid? How is her attitude? Is she cranky?

[bwteim]

My thoughts are with you and your wife. You are fortunate in having Musica so many years. But don't hold on too long, trust in the vet as well as your instincts.

[freedumb2003]

Thanks, Darkwolf.

For 5 years the vet has been calling our kittie a "miracle cat." So I appreciate every day.

I am working on the road, but I will see her this weekend. I hope it isn't for the last time, but it seems time has caught up with us.

It is difficult to imagine life without her after a quarter of a century. She is older than some FReepers for Goodness sake :)

I appreciate your sentiments.

[freedumb2003]

She is a basic tabby (probably why she lived so long).

One Kidney has been gone for a while. The other seems to be OK.

She is hyperthyroid and that is the problem. We can't increase the medication, but there is a possibility the current regime will start working OK again. But if i doesn't, that is pretty much it.

She is demanding but not cranky. She eats well, so we will be watching closely.

Thanks for stopping by.

You really know your old cats!

[EdReform]

Prayers for your family

[pookie18]

My prayers are with you. I remember when I had to put my 18 year-old cat (Pookie) to sleep :-( I still honor her (below)...

[freedumb2003]

Thanks. :)

My wife is holding together -- but I don't know which if us is more devastated.

I suspect she is stronger than me.

[linda_22003]

There are certainly some pets who belong there more than some people do. :)

[freedumb2003]

remember when I had to put my 18 year-old cat (Pookie) to sleep

Ouch! When Musica's sister passed 5 years ago I didn't think I would ever mend. You can imagine what I am feeling now.

I think it is wonderful how you honor your kittie. And I am sure you agree that we will all be reunited in the bye and bye.

[pookie18]

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

[freedumb2003]

here are certainly some pets who belong there more than some people do

There is truth and wisdom in "all dogs go to heaven."

[FourtySeven]

I feel your pain. My 9 year old cat has some kind of intestinal cancer. She's fading fast, although doesn't seem to be suffering (she's on predisone to help reduce the swelling of the tumor, and it also helps her appetite).

I'll pray for your cat. Please keep mine in prayer as well.

[freedumb2003]

Thanks -- I am a complete and total blubbering mass of tears now.

Thank God that I am telecommuting today!

This is something people either understand or they don't.

[subterfuge]

Whatever you do, don't let the vet anesthitize the kittie. She'll never wake up from that at her age.

[freedumb2003]

9 years is a LONG time. Prayers for your kittie and for you and your family.

I don't recommend the wonderful Rainbow Bridge link Pookie gave a few posts up, unless you are ready to cry from love and hope.

NOT recommended for the Office! Even if you are the most macho dude on the block!

[rintense]

24! Your beloved kitty has had an extraordinary life! Please find comfort in the story below...

The 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 very 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....

[freedumb2003]

Whatever you do, don't let the vet anesthitize the kittie. She'll never wake up from that at her age.

6 or 7 years ago we gave her mild sedatives to help her trael and it took a week for her to recover. We swore never to do that again.

We just need to figure out how to minimize any pain as she enters her twilight.

[freedumb2003]

See the link on 16 -- I am all cried out (almost)

Cleansing tears of love, but the eyes are pretty doggone red.

:)

[MotleyGirl70]

I'll say a prayer for you and Musica.

[mykdsmom]

We just had to put our 13 year old dog down 2 weeks ago and it was much harder than I ever thought it would be. I still see and hear him in the house every day. I'm a stay at home mom and I just took him for granted and didn't realize how much company he was to me. There is an empty place in our home and hearts that he used to fill.

I pray that you will find the strength to deal with whatever may happen with your kitty.

[freedumb2003]

There is an empty place in our home and hearts that he used to fill.

2 weeks ago I had to leave Musica with the vet for the day. When I came home, the house felt empty. Even though all she does during he day is sleep in her spot, I could feel the emptiness.

My wife doesn't want to get a new pet if and when Musica leaves us. But I think we have to, if no other reason than to fill the emptiness.

Thank you for your prayers.

[pookie18]

My daughter also eventually had to euthanize her cat earlier this year. After my experience, I wasn't going to get another pet & then one day my son came up from VA with a Father's Day/birthday present...yes, you guessed it...she's now 13. To have had your cat for 24 years is extraordinary!!!

[bluesagewoman]

We lost our dear old cat when he was almost 25. Like your sweetie, ours was sick for the last few years and required a lot of attention. We did it, and didn't mind. However, the last few days of his life it was very obvious he was suffering greatly. We finally decided to cook up some really great tuna and we all had a last meal together. We then took him to the vet for the deed, and it was such a hard thing to do.

Just know, your kittie had a great life. It takes a long time getting over it. We're convinced there are beloved pets in heaven, and that helps some.

[Slings and Arrows]

Kitty prayer ping.

[freedumb2003]

13 is pretty old too! I hope she makes it to the record (35 according to Guinness)

[Slings and Arrows]

Kitty prayer ping.

[DarthTinkerbell]

I used to work in veterinary nuclear medicine with hyperthyroid cats.
The geezers loved it when someone took a soft, damp, face cloth and gently wiped their faces. It mimics mama cat grooming them. Cranky old cats would start to purr and it could buy you another day or two with a critical kitty (mental attitude counts with all species and boosts immune response). Sometimes its the little things, like getting your face washed, that make all the difference.
Again, you have my prayers.

[backhoe]

I am certainly very sorry to hear this- for whatever my opinion's worth, Heaven would not be Heaven without our animal companions. We're formed alike, of second-generation star matter, and if there's nothing on the other side of death for them, I doubt there is for us-- so let's all hope we all end up in a better world than this one.

My old dog ( 13 ) whose adventures have amused so many here for years is finally feeling age lay its hard hand against her. You take it one day at a time, and do as much as you can.

The oldest cat I ever had, in days of much more primitive medicine, made it to 12 years- I can't picture a 24 year old. I know its awful to contemplate losing one who has been with you so long.

[freedumb2003]

Thanks S & A.

I suspect I should just open a box of kleenex and get ready.

FR is the greatest place on the planet.

:)

[freedumb2003]

The geezers loved it when someone took a soft, damp, face cloth and gently wiped their faces.

I'll try that! She loves being scratched. She actually wakes me up at 3:00 am and demands the pillow. So after I give her her pillow I scratch her neck and shoulders for awhile. But when I fall asleep, she bumps my head and makes it clear my scratching and petting duties are NOT over.

I trade laughing and loving for sleep.

[humblegunner]

Prayer up for Musica kitty.

And yes, there are animal friends in heaven.. of course.

My grandma told me so.

She's there right now with several kitties.

[freedumb2003]

We're formed alike, of second-generation star matter

What a lovely thought. May I use it as a tag?

[freedumb2003]

And yes, there are animal friends in heaven.. of course. My grandma told me so. She's there right now with several kitties.

Your grandma was a woman of wisdom. Remind me to look her up when (if?) I get up there.

[Canedawg]

My kitty left this Earth just over 100 days ago.
It still saddens me, but sometimes I feel him looking out for me.

Prayers for your kitty.

[RSteyn]

Prayers for you and Musica.

They give so much and ask so little in return.

My oldest cat is 13.

[freedumb2003]

It still saddens me, but sometimes I feel him looking out for me.

He is, or there is no point in life.

[Slings and Arrows]

De nada.

[Tabi Katz]

Prayers for you and your little beloved companion. I lost 2 kitties in the last year (the second one being just a baby). I, too, hope and pray there's a place in the afterlife for our furry little friends.

[MizSterious]

Ok, then, prayers for all--Musica, you and your wife. And I do think (just my opinion) that when we're reunited with our loved ones in Heaven, that includes our beloved pets.

[freedumb2003]

Thanks!

I am getting comfort and tears (good ones) from this thread.

[beyond the sea]

I didn't read the whole thread at all, but..........

I have had a large number of cats who lived to that age.

If I may say, if the sweet animal is still eating, try to give her nice soft, ripe, mushed-up cantaloupe in her food each day. Sometimes they eat it sometimes they don't. It seems to do miracles.

I pray for you and your kitty.

Please be well...................

Also........... well, just do a private mail............

[backhoe]

We're formed alike, of second-generation star matter- What a lovely thought. May I use it as a tag?

Of course- and my kindest regards.

[SelmaLee]

God bless you, your wife, and your kitty. Of course kitties go to heaven - my dear sweet Selma Lee has been there for over 3 years now. I am sure that Kitty Puff and Be-Mew were there to meet her.

[iceskater]

So sorry to hear about your kitty. My Bubba is 18 and is starting to decline a bit so I sympathize.

You have a lot of FRiends here.