When pets get old…

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I’m just in need of a bit of a venting session. Be forewarned!

I’ve got 3 cats ranging from 11 to 17 and -1/2. The youngest has a mass of some sort on his neck that still is undiagnosed. He’s had a fine needle aspirate, alll the blood work, and radiographs. He’s had a CT scan last year due to suspicions that he had a different type of cancer and did poorly during and after the procedure. I’m hesitant to go that route again. He feels fine now, but the damn thing is deep and right by his carotid and jugular, not to mention his trachea.

Middle cat was adopted when she was morbidly obese. She’s still a big girl, but I’m working on it. Sadly, she has terrible arthritis and disc disease. She also has early hyperthyroidism. She has issues with not using the litter box.

My old man is tough, but his body is wearing out. It’s to be expected. However, it still sucks.

Even half of my ducks are elderly.

It’s just rough as it’s just one medical issue after another. It’s obviously a part of pet care. We had plenty of wonderful years with all 3 cats. This is natural. I will take care of them to the end.

I just miss the carefree times. Times when it wasn’t one medical appointment after another. Times when there weren’t daily messes to clean up. Times when home didn’t feel like a hospice.

I love them dearly and wouldn’t give up the experience of having them for anything. I’m just sad. We’ve always adopted a new cat soon after a previous cat passed as we believe a bad day for us should be a good day for a cat in need. However, I feel like I’ll need a break once this crew has passed on.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Ya I know what it feels like.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They are beautiful and obviously well-loved. Maybe you need to give yourselves a little break from care-giving for a while . Just ... a little break.

 

[Callender Girl]

I could feel tears welling up as I read your post. I admire you and my heart breaks for you at the same time.

Kudos to you for loving the old ones and trying to make your bad days into good days for another cat. It's clear you not only love your cats dearly but are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep them as well and as comfortable as possible, even when it's inconvenient, expensive or messy.

But endless medical conditions and their inevitable aging takes its toll on you as well.

One month ago today, I lost Magoo -- nicknamed "Goo" -- who was born to a stray in an old dog house in my backyard 15 years ago. The LAST thing I wanted was another cat, because the year before, I had rescued a pregnant stray who gave birth to four kittens in my basement. But Goo was born eyeless and wouldn't have lasted long outdoors. In the space of a year, I went from no cats to five.

The last of the original kittens, Ziva, isn't as feisty as she once was, but she's holding her own. Her mother, three siblings and Goo all developed squamous cell carcinomas -- one of the most common feline cancers -- in their heads and passed away.

Last year, the cat distribution system kicked in; when I was down to just Ziva and Goo, some imbecile dropped off three cats at my property. Ozzie, Jinx and Calypso adopted me.

It may be a good time to take a little break and let your big heart heal a bit

BTW, your cats are not just loved, they're lovely!

 

[littledog]

People like you make this hard world a better place. For the animals in your life for sure, but also for the rest of us animal lovers as well, by hearing your story.

When your beloved guys eventually pass, don't feel guilty about taking a break. Take comfort in knowing you did your best for them, that you eased their discomfort which is a normal part of old age for all of us, and that they never had a minute of doubt that you loved and cared for them.

Take as much time as you need, then follow the "cat distribution system" that distributes a young little kitten to you! Maybe it will need extra medical care for a time, extra warmth and love, which you obviously are an expert at providing.

You will again experience the joy of a little playful, fun bratty youngster! Catnip mice, chasing the laser dot, crazily climbing the cat tree and jumping to the curtains, then five minutes later, big purrs and head rubs while falling asleep on your lap.

Like you said, every animal you've cared for in your life makes you an even better caretaker for the next one. But there's nothing wrong with choosing as the next one, one who brings joy and youth and fun into your life as well!

 

[EggzactlyRight]

I knew I was going to tear up when I started reading your post but I continued anyway. This has been on my mind for quite some time so please allow me to share my feelings and experiences as well.

We have two dogs and a cat. Our younger dog is around 4 years old. He is still very much puppy-like in both appearance and behavior. He's so sweet!

Our cat is around 10 years old. She's fully grey but she started to visibly age a year or two ago. I think it was last year that we had to take her to the vet to remove two of her fangs because they got bent and she was in pain. We sometimes call her Toothless ever since then. That's when I started to think about how she truly has started aging. We've always had cats and I adored every single one, but she is my special little lady, the diva of the house.

This morning she wanted to go up the stairs outside and hit her face on the second stair because she stepped wrong - we've never seen this happen to her before. She has never been clumsy, she has always been especially confident on her feet no matter what. This made me realize yet again that she is in fact getting older.

Our older dog, bless his heart, is truly a senior. He started getting grey at least 4 years ago, and ever since we took our younger dog home he seems to have fully retired. He only ever barks when it's truly important, he doesn't even always realize we got home, and he has gotten a bit less confident in his walk. He behaves like a typical old man.

Just typing this out is making me cry because I know his time will be up way sooner than we'd like (ideally he would live forever, obviously). Ever since we took him home from the shelter I have joked about "when he dies we'll just flush him down the toilet" because that's what people do with their fish in cartoons (idk about real life), but lately I can't even joke about it because I know he'll pass away soon. I've known him for around 13 years now, which is more than half of my life, and I cannot imagine it without him. He's the best boy in the world.

Life will continue, that's for sure. No matter what happens, the sun will rise the next day. No one lives forever. Still, it hurts beyond words to even think about it. All we can do is appreciate all the time we have left with our pets and once they pass away we make sure to cherish all the good memories we made together. ​