Making the hard choice...

[owned_by_a_cat]

Oscar went to sleep this morning.  He clearly wasn't well.  Though it hurt like hell, we didn't want to be selfish and drag him to the point where he was in continuous pain, as well as continuously nauseous.  He couldn't keep any food down most days and the vet said that he'd have more 'bad' days as time went on.  So we made the hard choice.

Oscar's last day had lovely weather. He spent it cuddling with us, running around the garden and being fed tiny amounts of food every two hours to keep his blood chemistry level. I was so glad when all the food stayed down.  Surprisingly, after a week of barely sleeping, I did get 4 hours last night. And Oz was a darling, curling up and cuddling and purring as if it was going out of fashion. 
We tried to keep calm and collected for his sake, but when he hoofed down a whole plate of shrimps for breakfast, just as if nothing was wrong, I felt like I was about to commit murder.

The vet was amazingly supportive and Oscar went to sleep without knowing what was happening.  Strange thing is, while before I hated to be woken a couple of times in the middle of the night, by a cat who wanted cuddles or just wanted to talk - now I would pay money to be woken in the middle of the night again.

Comments

[ichibanseiken.livejournal.com]

Sending many hugs and thoughts of support. I am so sorry - this is hard, and you did the right and humane thing. I am glad he had a pleasant day to end on. In the ripeness of time you'll see a cat and you'll know it's the right cat for you, and it won't be a mere replacement. It will be a worthy companion. Oscar would send you nothing less.

[owned-by-a-cat.livejournal.com]

I very much like the idea of Oscar sending us another friend to look after.. thanks!

[tylashke.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[owned-by-a-cat.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'm so grateful for all the support. And I take all the hugs I can get at the moment...

[writerx75.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about your beautiful kitty and friend. Big hugs to you, and all of my sympathy. ;_;

[owned-by-a-cat.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! It's surprising how much you can miss a cat.

[sardonicista.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am so sorry...I can imagine that no choice in that circumstance would have been a painless one for you, or for Oscar. I hope you can take some comfort -eventually- in trying to do what was best for him. Hugs to you.

[owned-by-a-cat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I know - intellectually - that it was the best thing for him. Still, the part of me that believes in miracles disagrees. Oh, well...