Housesitter's Worst Nightmare

[Unit 5302]

I am house sitting for some people I've known for like 10 years. Their son is one of my oldest friends. They have a cat, which I sat for them a few times.

The cat (Conan) I've known since my friend (Unit 5113) got him as a kitten, 8 years ago. He was a cool cat. Fun to play with, smart, and he was affectionate. He shed a lot, which was about the only thing that bothered anybody.

I took him to the vet this morning, cause he wasn't right. Didn't want to eat, and he was lethargic. He had gotten a bladder obstruction for the 2nd time in 3 years. It was going to require surgery, again. I called the owners, and I was given the direction to put him down.

I don't cry when people pass away. Not for my uncle, or my grandmother. It's a part of life, but giving the direction to kill the closest thing I'd had to a pet since kindergarten tore me up. I was supposed to take care of him, and even though he didn't show any signs until this morning, and it wasn't something that I contributed to, I felt as though I had failed him, and he paid the ultimate price for it.

I took the rest of the day off. I still have to clean up his food, water, and empty the litter. It's quiet without my little friend here.

[Coupe Devil]

That sucks man. I house sit for a family friend sometimes too. They have this ancient little dog. hes real cute and all but he is on heart medicine. I just know He's gonna kick when I am there and they're not. It would tear me up to. the dog actually belongs to my close friend (thier daughter) and she moved away and couldnt take him. It would be so hard to call and tell her Woobie had died. I know how you feel. We have always had some type of animal around the house. Even had a three and a half foot Iguana once. Momma didnt really care for that one. Hum wonder why? Oh nevermind. We had a Gecko that would shoot poisionus blood from its eyes and it barked to. It was real cool.

Brad

[Mr 5 0]

Kell:

I sympathize with your feelings of loss.

I'm not a cat lover but I can certainly understand the sadness of losing a pet as I grew up with Championship Boxer dogs that my dad bred as a hobby. Losing one was devastating and from that time on I've always been able to understand the sadness that the death of a dog or cat can bring to anyone.

Of course Conan is now freed from pain but still, the loss will be with you for awhile. That's normal and natural as grieving is our way of dealing with it.
You'll feel better eventually but for now, it hurts. That's O.K. It gets better - but not today. Today, it's too close and as you said, too quiet.

This will pass. It'll be O.K.

[Rebel79]

Oh man Kell, that sucks! I would be very distraught if an animal I was looking after died, especially if I had to put it to sleep. Whats even worse is thatyour buddy and his parents did not get a chance to say good bye. Cheer up.

[Unit 5302]

I'm not really grieving for his loss. He was a cool cat for sure, but I'm in pain cause I feel as though he trusted me, and I let him down.

Death is a part of life. Everybody dies, even I will someday.

[PKRWUD]

Man, Kell, I would have totally lost it. I'm really sorry you have to experience what you are going through right now! Unlike Jim, I am a total and complete cat person. I own 7 of them (my kids). The oldest two will be 14 this year, and I know they aren't long for this world. I know I will totally lose it when they die. These felines really are the closest thing I have to children of my own, and I don't do the death thing very well. I just can't even imagine that phone call you had when they gave you your instructions. You are a far stronger man than I probably gave you credit for, Kell, and I hope this settles okay within you. We both know it wasn't your fault at all.

Take care,
-Chris

[lx mike]

I'd be a wreck!! and soon unfortunately i will be as i am slowly watching one of my ferrets die that i have raised since was 2 months old.

he has a tumor that would cost $1000-$2000 to remove and we don't have it so all we can do is just take care of him and when we see he is in pain and not eating to have him put to sleep!

i call home 2-3 times a day checking on him and someday i know i'm gonna hear these words " it's time" hopefully i can be there
and give him his fav snack one last time he luv fruit loops and we give his 3-4 when he gets up and when we put him to bed at night.

[RAGE_5.0]

I loose it everytime we loose a pet. we have put down a few pets. I am mostly a dog person but i love our cat to. HER name is EDDIE.

[OnMy3rdStang]

Oh man I am sorry. My cousin and my uncle both had to put their dogs to sleep and my little puppy is getting really old and her time is comming soon. I've had her since I was a little girl, age 7, and I am 19 now. It will be hard but when her time comes I will have to think or her and not be selfish even though I know it will hurt emotionally. As long as you have your memories your little frind will always be alive

[Mercury]

Hey Unit, hows it going.

I've been meaning to keep in better touch man. Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I know how loosing an animal friend can be.

I also know, and understand how you feel about letting him down. You did everything you could in your power. It was not your fault that he had chronic bladder problems. I'm sure if you could do anything that was within your power, you would go through great lenghts to do it. Thats because thats the kind of person you are.

8 years old is kinda young for a cat, but long enough that he lived a happy, full life.

I'm the same way with emotions most of the time. For some reason, I cry more at the loss of animals, than I do people. Dont know why. The last time I remember crying at someones death was My old Art Teacher, whom became a freind of the family. He died of Luekimiah 5 years ago. And before that I lost a good freind from High School from the same thing.

If you need to talk man, your more than welcome to e-mail me.

[Crazy Horse GT]

that sux unit, i had to give away my rott & odie's mini poodle, because of her chemo that's coming, i know that they are ok but it is still like they died, because they are gone forever, but my wife means more to me, but it is like i lost two children or something, at least the poor cat is not in pain anymore, i just don't know what to say except ,im sorry for your loss,take care .

[SilverPoet]

Even though you'll say you don't want it, and I know you don't need it, know that there is a hug waiting for you, ya know. I know exactly what it's like to own an animal with that same type of problem. My dog, Pepper (a shih tzu) has cysts in her bladder and we basically bide time until the day when she gets very ill and we have to put her down. She wouldn't survive surgery. So I know how it is. Sucks...Conan was a very cool cat. But you can't beat yourself up for it because there was nothing you could do. I think feeling like you let something down is more painful in lots of ways than mourning.

[89 Cobra LX]

Putting down a pet is a horrible experience.

[VNAMUS in VA]

I was watching the Pet Psychic on Animal Planet last night (that woman is amazing!) and she kept saying that animals only pass on from the physical world - their spirit and energy is still with us and even visit often. She talked to owners with deceased pets.....and Unit, all the pets who had to be put down knew it wasn't their owners fault, and thanked them for helping them stop hurting.

Don't feel like you let him down......cuz he doesn't feel you did.

[Unit 5302]

I'm not a big believer in the whole psychic thing, but thanks for all the comments. If not for me, at least Conan deserves the recognition. I've been working late, getting home at 8 and 9 o'clock, so I haven't had time to really say much.

Thanks

Kell