My cat Tiger

Me | 10/11/23 | Me

[Celtic Conservative]

Miss pepper the tortie sends her regards and best wishes for improved health.

CC

[Carriage Hill]

My first cat, back in 1957, was named Tiger, and she was a outdoor stray kitten my Dad and I found at his Allied Chemical offices in WV, in a snowstorm. She was with our family for 24 years in WV-IL-NJ, had 9 incidents —dog attacks, shot by a BB gun, lost in a blizzard for 30 days etc etc etc— and she made it thru all of the 9, but age caught up in 1981, old and getting feeble, she just curled-up on the couch next to me and groaned, and she was gone.

[dayglored]

Very sorry to hear that Tiger is apparently approaching the end of his run.

My male DSH orange tabby cat was my best friend for 19 years. He was smallish, originally feral, and took no sh*t from anyone, but he was a very devoted companion and a mighty hunter. When he passed in 2017 I was heartbroken, but he lived a good life and exited with grace and honor.

I pray that your Tiger lives out the rest of his time in such fashion as befits his regal name; that he exits with grace and honor; and that God grants you strength and peace of mind in this difficult time. God Bless.

[Ex-Episcopalian]

check out rainbowbridge.com for sources of comfort and possibilities of what next.

[catnipman]

have a complete blood count done ... he may be suffering from late onset feline infectious peritonitis due to a failing immune system ... complete blood count numbers could indicate that ... however, at his age i don’t know if it’s possible to cure him of FIP, if that’s what his problem is ...

kittens can be cured of FIP with a black market anti-viral called GS-GS-441524, but i don’t know what success, if any, it would have on the elderly ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GS-441524

[M Kehoe]

Thanks.

We are aware of Rainbow bridge.

I posted on FR about Rainbow bridge about 15 years ago when my English springer Jake died.

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[Diana in Wisconsin]

Grief is the price we pay for Love. Don’t let him suffer. Do the right thing, though I know it’s hard.

I’ve had at least a dozen cats so far and half as many dogs. It never gets any easier, but we are the ‘stewards’ of their lives. *HEART*

[M Kehoe]

Tearful post.

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[Rockingham]

I am not a cat person. Or at least I wasn’t until, at the urging of my animal lover father in his last days, I started putting out food and water for a neighborhood male cat that had become homeless when his owner died. I felt like a fool. Now that black and white fur ball lives in my house, pampered and spoiled rotten. And I dread the eventual prospect of what you are dealing with.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Lost my last two male cats at 14 to kidney failure, way too soon. Sorry too hear about your boy.

[BipolarBob]

Yeah, I’m hurting.

[Miguk]

When I moved away to college in 1992, I left behind fond memories of my last cat, Peaches, a huge male Persian. Was poisoned and died at 16.

Fast forward to 2017, moved back to Spokane to take care of my aging mother, and adopted her cat, Chubbies, a female, black, yellow-eyed domestic short-hair. Chubby lap cat, very friendly.

When Mum passed, Chubs became my cat. Died of kidney failure Jan 2021. She had a good life, was very loved and missed, but it was time for her to go. She lost about 10 lbs very quickly, stopped eating, stopped pooping, could barely urinate. Stoic.

I didn't want to let her go but couldn't afford the massive vet bills, she would have had a declining quality of life, if I could afford it, she was 10+, and she was suffering.

Make the hard call. Do what is necessary and let him go. Grieve. Move on and eventually, get another furry friend to share your life.

Jan 2021, put Chubs down. Cried like a baby for days. Sad. But it was the humane thing to do. Sad for months. Neighbor had 2 cats of her own that became surrogates.

Then, in Aug 2021, a stray black cat, that had been hanging around the complex, jumped in my open window, and made herself to home. Black, female, domestic American short-hair, same white spot on her chest and belly; just like Chubs. Same yellow eyes. Friendly, just wanted to be warm and fed. A catch-and-release with a tipped right ear.

I had not made any plans to replace my Chubs, but God had other plans. Shadow (her name), is now almost 3 years old, strong, healthy, brave, purr machine. Not a lap cat like my Chubs, but friendly in her own way.

It will be hard, at first, to think about a replacement for your furry friend. Take your time and he or she will find you.

[MayflowerMadam]

“Rips your heart out”

It does for sure. We lost one in 2020, and another in 2021 (and many others before that over 40 years). Still cry for them often.

So sorry. Please don’t let him suffer.

[Beowulf9]

Our cat, Kit, is 22. Has trouble walking and about three weeks ago was sometimes having to drag his back leg making him go around in circles. Stopped cleaning his fur. Got matts friend of mine said put him out of his misery. I just couldn’t. Took him to the groomer and got him a bath and a lion cut figuring to make him more comfortable. Turned out he has some fecal matter clinging to his fur in the back impeding his stride. He came back, fur pretty short and clean. Was obviously appreciative, happier and no longer dragging that leg. I’m glad we did not put him down. He since has come up to me many times for petting. That’s new. Saying thank you. ☺️ I hope your cat keeps on keeping on. He loves you. Let him be with you ❤️

[M Kehoe]

Thanks to all of you.

When he can’t eat, drink, pee, poop or walk, we will put him down.

Tiger is a wonderful cat, but like us all he has a short timers calendar.

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[devane617]

Just lost my 17yo Black Lab...at his prime he was 110lb and full of life. But, old age got him and he could barely walk and in the end we were picking him up to stand on wobbly legs and watching him fall every few steps. I do feel sad for you.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I’m very sorry this is happening. We’ve lost a few over the years. It’s always hard, and we still miss them all. Just love on him now and don’t let him suffer too much at the end, and then remember all of the good stuff about him afterward.

And when it’s time, another cat will find you. You can count on that.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

*HUGS*

[M Kehoe]

Rough thread, but I really appreciate all the responses.

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[Bullish]

I had a sweet cat that lived to be 24. Make it easy on him.