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f13.net General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ingmar on April 04, 2011, 11:05:56 AM



Title: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Ingmar on April 04, 2011, 11:05:56 AM
On a similar note, I've always been intrigued that cats tend to live longer than dogs in captivity.  

Few reasons I would speculate for this:

- Domestic dogs are on average more inbred than cats as the 'breed' thing is much more popular/common in dogs, so they tend to have more genetic health problems. There are cat 'breeds' too but most people just have random mutt cats. I'm pretty sure I've read that mutt dogs tend to live longer than ones from specific breeds of the same size (see next point.)

- There's a pretty strong correlation between lifespan and size of the animal in dogs. Cat-sized dogs pretty much live just as long as cats do (I have known several ancient cranky Yorkies and such). The big dogs have more health problems on average, like hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, etc., that are introduced by their size and weight. (This is the one that makes me sad, as I'd love to have a Newfie or an Irish wolfhound, but newfs only live 10-11ish years typically and wolfhounds like 7.) If we could have, say, golden retriever-sized domestic cats, it is possible they would have shorter lifespans too. I would guess you don't see the "big size = short life" thing nearly as much with wild animals, since they actually evolved properly to carry all their weight around rather than being bred for largeness like big dog breeds. Natural selection > us doing it.

- You can keep a cat inside for its entire life pretty easily, most dogs have to go outside to poop at least, which adds a bit more danger of getting hit by a car, eating something poisonous, getting shot in a gunfight over where they're pooping, etc. Cats that go outside die off much faster than ones that don't.

- Cats are solo animals for the most part, so in the wild they don't have the protection of a pack to help them find food, take on predators, etc., so they probably stand to gain more by being protected by captivity - a wild dog probably lives closer to its natural lifespan just by virtue of this.

I'm kind of making this up as I go but it sounds plausible right?  :why_so_serious:

EDIT: I forgot:

- Cats have tiger blood.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Morat20 on April 04, 2011, 11:19:34 AM
I've heard the size things before.

Personally, I think it's just Death is too nervous to take a cat until it's been sufficiently neutralized by old age or injury. Cussed mean suckers.

I suppose the hardest part of putting my dog down was he had that...old man attitude I associate with my grandfather. That "fuck you, I'm managing" hard-assed stubborn side that refuses to admit pain, refuses to admit he can't do something, and somehow through sheer bloodyminded willpower manages to do whatever the hell it was you said he couldn't do.

My dog was like that. I think it would have been easier if he'd been the sort of dog that whined or cried when he hurt. He wasn't. He screwed up his front foot over the weekend, and even though he wouldn't put weight on it and limped -- he didn't make a sound, not even when I was manipulating it. (I originally throught he'd stepped on a piece of glass I'd missed after breaking something).

So intellectually -- I could tell he was in pain. But he was so stubborn and tough, it wasn't really something that registered. Once it finally did, and medicines weren't working -- well, stubborn or not, there's no reason he should be suffering. Especially when all the bloodyminded stoicism in the world wasn't enough to keep him mobile.

*shrug*. I probably could have had his dosages increased, and he'd have gone another few months. But for what?

Sucked fucking balls to be there holding him when they did it, though. I can see why most people don't. But he always hated -- HATED -- shots. I could give him that much, you know? Couldn't fix anything else, but if he was going to have to go out in the vet's office with a needle in him, I could at least be there.

Still, beats a cat hands down. Arrogant, stabby little bastards.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Ingmar on April 04, 2011, 11:22:05 AM
Yeah as awful as it is to be in the room I don't think I'd feel right not doing it. Been there for both of 'em so far, anyway.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Khaldun on April 04, 2011, 11:47:20 AM
Next college student who complains in my presence about how he has to fight the evils of class privilege and then turns right around and screams at white-collar administrators about how to do properly jobs that those administrators have trained for years to do, jobs about which said student knows nothing more than what he learned in one class and from Wikipedia...is gonna get a serious chewing out about what "class privilege" really is.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Sand on April 04, 2011, 12:07:39 PM
So, you know, I had to put one of my two dogs to sleep today.

Being an adult fucking sucks sometimes. Also, scientists need to go ahead and invent a dog immortality serum ASAP.

Oh my, I am so sorry for your loss Morat, and offer my deepest condolences.  :cry:
As a proud pet parent you have my empathy.

Glad you were able to spend so many years of happiness with them.




PS- Yegolev, kimchi is the ambrosia of the gods, try it on hotdogs, mixed into a green salad, tossed with pasta, etc.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Nebu on April 04, 2011, 01:24:36 PM
I'm sorry for your loss as well, Morat.  Losing a pet is a difficult thing. 


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on April 04, 2011, 01:34:08 PM
Aw, sorry to hear about your pet, Morat.  :heartbreak:

Being an adult really does suck when dealing with pets at the end of their lives.  It's just not fair that we get to have them for such a short amount of time.  And now I'm tearing up because I keep thinking of our first Golden when we had to put him to sleep.  That really was one of the toughest things I've ever done.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Sjofn on April 04, 2011, 01:48:40 PM
Sorry for your loss, Morat, it always sucks to lose a pet. Stupid lovable things!

Being there in the room sucks, but you'd never convince me not to be there for it. Everyone is different, and I respect the choice of people who can't bring themselves to be there (because it suuuuucks), but I need to be there for them at the end for whatever reason.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Sand on April 04, 2011, 02:21:40 PM
Damn it, now Im here at my desk with tears running down my cheeks.



Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Lantyssa on April 04, 2011, 04:13:22 PM
I'm sorry, Morat.

You're a brave person.  I've never been able to do it, it hurt too much.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Sky on April 04, 2011, 04:20:38 PM
Lost mom's cat a couple weeks ago. Mom thought the cat was just ill, anti-biotic shot or something. She was decently aged for a cat, like 15 years or so. Doc said maybe a year with daily IVs, and pain all year. So I rushed out from work to be there, and my fiancee came as well. I told my mother how my dad had just lost his cat this year, and he decided to be there for it. That gave mom the courage to be there and hold kitty as she fell asleep for the last time. First time I'd been there, too.

Like everyone is saying, it's totally awful but something you should really do. Maybe it's just ego, but I think sharing that moment, comforting your loved one as they fade out of consciousness, is the last gift you can give to an animal you've given a happy existence to.

That said, I'm going to be a total wreck when Bart's time comes. But I'll be there for him. Hey, this thread is getting as shiny as the Cat thread!

edit: One other thing, it's important to have someone with you. My mom took a moment with the cat after she died and started to lose it, second guess the decision. I was able to transition her quickly out of that moment, pull her away and comfort her while the doc came in and removed the body. The blanket didn't really cover the cat well, I'm so glad I had mom turned away for that moment so she didn't see it and could just cry it out on my shoulder.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Strazos on April 04, 2011, 04:55:30 PM
Sorry, Morat. Cried like hell when the childhood Rottweiler got put down due to cancer, and when the later Shih Tzu had his kidney's fail (we think he got into a neighbor's antifreeze or something).

For reasons similar to Nebu's, I don't see myself getting a dog anytime soon either. Certainly don't like the prospect of having to possibly abandon the dog at times, such as when a buddy got evac'ed from Libya and he had to leave the dog with a tub full of water and a lot of food left out. Luckily, it turns out he was able to get the dog out after all.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Cheddar on April 04, 2011, 06:01:02 PM
Damn it, now Im here at my desk with tears running down my cheeks.

Wrong forum/thread, dude.  Thin ice.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Abagadro on April 04, 2011, 10:23:24 PM
Sorry about your poochie. It's a tough deal, but you will be glad you were there once you have some distance from it. At least I am glad looking back that ours wasn't with strangers  (did it at our house which allowed me to pound bourbon during the whole thing which is all that got me through it). 


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Bunk on April 05, 2011, 06:06:45 AM
Sorry about that Morat, toughest thing about having a pet. I've never been there myself at the end, as I was either a kid, or with my last two dogs, they were at my parents - a four hour drive/ferry away. In both cases my mom didn't tell me until afterwords, probably because she knew I would have skipped work and drove over.

I still keep photos of my last two dogs on my cubicle wall.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Morat20 on April 05, 2011, 07:09:17 AM
I'm already guiltily planning on getting another dog. I still have one (she's 10) and my limited experience has been that dogs at least tend to be happier with another dog around.

Assuming they get along. Some pack thing, I have no doubt. My remaining dog has been acting confused, constantly trying to figure out what happened. It's rather sad.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: tgr on April 05, 2011, 07:50:32 AM
I'm never going to keep just 1 cat, especially since I keep them indoors 24/7 (I live on the 5th floor). I lost one of the two I had to something I don't understand (I think she just choked on some object, but the vet said it was a virus; I don't believe him, she started choking right after he tried to intubate her). While that was the worst thing I've ever had to endure (watching her try desperately to take just one more breath), the thought of having just one cat just doesn't compute. As long as they get along, they'll be happier with someone to play with when I'm not around. I expect it's even more so for dogs, as they're more social than cats are.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lantyssa on April 05, 2011, 08:18:43 AM
Cat or dog it's always good to have two or three animals.  Though we don't tend to think of cats as social, they usually are, they just try and pretend they're not.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on April 05, 2011, 08:37:53 AM
We have a running debate on getting a second cat. I grew up in the country, we had a pretty open door for strays. For most of my teens, we had six cats, two dogs, some rabbits, a guinea pig (which created my rule against prison animals, no caged pets) and a budgie (which created my abiding hatred for bird pets).

I'm also on the same page about the dog, I just don't have time to do it justice now. I've had dogs and they're a lot of work to properly care for (but so worth it if you have the time/lifestyle). But multiple cats is just awesome.

However, Bart is 2 feet long, 20 pounds and muscular (I trained him to wrestle since he had no siblings as a kitten), and master of his domain of 950 sq ft. The current thinking is he would just destroy any smaller cat we brought in.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on April 05, 2011, 08:43:22 AM
I've thought about getting a second cat as well but there's just no way in the world Stuart would put up with it.  And I really don't have the energy to go through a long process of getting him used to having another cat around.


Title: Re: Useless Conversation
Post by: Sand on April 05, 2011, 02:27:31 PM
Damn it, now Im here at my desk with tears running down my cheeks.

Wrong forum/thread, dude.  Thin ice.

Excuse me?


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Jherad on April 05, 2011, 04:54:51 PM
I'm sorry for your loss Morat.

Our dog, Oscar, is coming up to 6 months old now, and he's part of the family in a way that I never felt with my childhood family dogs. I guess once you've been responsible for them through all their trials and tribulations - staying up with them when they're ill, watching them experience their first snowfall, working through teething and growing pains, you form an incredibly close bond.

Oscar is a newf, so I know he'll probably only have around 10 years. When his time comes, saying goodbye is going to be hard.


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: MuffinMan on April 05, 2011, 05:33:16 PM
This has got to be the worst thread/thread title of all-time. :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Pet Death Thread
Post by: Fraeg on April 05, 2011, 08:18:21 PM
joy oh joy of threads.


my cat Topaz lived to be 21-22 years old.   She was half abyssinian and half street prowler  :why_so_serious:
Was a great cat, very much an outdoor cat who had the streetsmarts to not be hit by a car while living near some very busy streets.   Watching her die over a period of about two weeks hit me harder than any human death I have experienced.  Perhaps it was because I was with her every day watching her go from being unable to eat, to being unable to drink water, to being unable to move.


to the OP fuck you for making a thread like this.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lantyssa on April 06, 2011, 07:49:37 AM
It was split off.  Blame the mods.  (But also thank them, for isolating it.)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Paelos on April 06, 2011, 07:53:03 AM
It was split off.  Blame the mods.  (But also thank them, for isolating it.)

I thank them personally. While I do feel bad when people lose pets, the depressing talk was bleeding over into places it didn't need to.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Morat20 on April 06, 2011, 08:42:56 AM
Sorry for harshing everyone's buzz. :)

If it makes you feel better, my OTHER dog got a fairly clean bill of health today. I have a teeth cleaning scheduled for next month (she badly needs it) and having two...thingies...removed from her eyelids. I'm already paying to have her anesthatized for the teeth, and those eyelid things are just going to get worse.

They look a bit like stys or skin tags, but one extends back UNDER the eyelid. It's got to be irritating her eye. Vet says they're almost certainly benign, but if they're not removed she'll eventually start rubbing at them and routinely scratching her eyeball.

I might get bored and post a before/after photo of her -- she's due at the groomer's tomorrow. Right now she looks like a giant, 50 pound fuzzball. (Take a german shepard and a black lab, with an extra dose of collie hair). I normally keep her practically shaved, except for her tail, which just waves back there like a flag.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Zaljerem on April 07, 2011, 06:30:13 AM
Lost my wolfdog Minerva about a year ago. Still hurts. She made it 11 years; a long time for a shepherd/wolf cross. She was beautiful and brilliant, irreplaceable.

Pretty much decided no more pets for me, at least at this point. If my daughter were to end up living with me I'd probably reconsider.

My condolences on your loss.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Tmon on April 07, 2011, 11:57:10 AM
Ending a pet's life at the right time is the last thing a responsible owner does for them and the hardest.   I grew up on a farm and thought I was pretty used to the idea of having an animal put down.  That happy delusion lasted until my wife and I had to decide whether to try chemo on our 10 year old rat terrier or just end it.  We both cried like babies at the end, but after watching our friends deal with chemo for their dog we realized we'd definitely done the right thing.  It turns out that it doesn't get any easier, having to put down our 13 year old Jack Russel last year was just as hard.  We now have a four year old rat terrier (adopted from a rescue) and a two year old cattle dog mix of some kind that was rescued from an animal hoarder (96 dogs in a 900 sq ft house) living with us.  I suppose that in 10 or so years we'll be looking at the same decision, but I figure it would be silly to miss out on the joy of having dogs just because the end is hard.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: devildog on April 07, 2011, 12:43:38 PM
Dogs are strange animals. To be so gentle while at the same time being the toughest bastages around is pretty odd. Sorry for your loss as i just had to go through a similar thing myself,except mine was a 2 year old lab mix. She ran out the front door, into the street and got clipped before i could get a hold of her. She walked around pretty well(must have been adrenalin) , but i took her immediately to the vet since she had just been clipped by a car. Turns out she broken the verterbrae in several places right above the tail. Talk about a reversal of the mood in about 30 seconds. I went from thinking she was bruised and a little beat up to being told by the vet staff that no one they know will operate on it and that it is pretty much a done deal. Anyway, bad times and i sympathize totally.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Azazel on April 09, 2011, 06:52:39 AM
Condolences guys, I know your pain. Being there for them is hard, but it's important to do if you can manage it.

On a related note, I went with my wife to the local vets to pick up some dry super-kitten food for Leonard just this morning. I was in there for about 45 seconds before I started tearing up and had to wait outside, since the last time I was in there was when we took Little Girl in January...


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sir T on April 10, 2011, 06:44:15 AM
I guess this should be the Theme picture for this thread

(http://rubendevela.com/out/SQUEAK.jpg)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Morat20 on April 12, 2011, 08:56:33 AM
I love the Death of Rats.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: K9 on April 12, 2011, 08:57:06 AM
SQUEAK


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ghost on April 12, 2011, 09:01:25 AM
Isn't Depressing Pet Death Thread redundant? 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Morat20 on April 12, 2011, 03:55:29 PM
Isn't Depressing Pet Death Thread redundant? 
Some pets are pretty obnoxious.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lantyssa on April 12, 2011, 08:58:36 PM
Like the pit bull that attacked a neighbor's dog the other week...  I blame the owner more than the dog, but the screams from the owner drew the whole neighborhood outside.  I almost ran outside with a gun thinking the damn thing was attacking a person.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on April 12, 2011, 10:37:44 PM
I get the 'blame the owner not the dog' thing. I really do. But fuck pit bulls. Since apparently 99% of owners are fucking scumbags who have no control over those things. Living next door to a rotating hive of scumbags and their dogs didn't help my opinion (and I work with the landlord's mother from that apartment, so get updates on the continuing scumbaggery).

Also, fuck cat ladies who don't spay/neuter or even seek basic medical care for their cats. Lady, you aren't helping those cats, you're abusing them. One cat that is Bart's age (3 yrs) has had four litters and is pregnant, never had shots.

In depressing news, when I took Mr B into the vet this morning for bloodwork, a friend was admitting his Maine Coon who has chronic gum disease and things look gloomy for the poor thing. Also, while I had Bart perched on a window for some sun to relax him, the vet's resident cat decided to hop up next to him..he growled and lashed out (he was in the carrier, though) and then when I removed the other cat he sat tensed in the corner...cue the technician "We're ready for Bart." I laughed and warned the poor fellow.

The Bartman goes in for dental cleaning tomorrow, right now he's pouting because he's on food and drink restriction (they knock him out for the procedure...which is very wise). Routine, but still...it hasn't been very long since I watched a lethal injection of the very same sedative used to put down my mother's cat and any surgery can go bad. I'm a basket case. He also hasn't been away from home all day since being neutered over two years ago.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Azazel on April 08, 2012, 06:46:23 PM
I ask all of you please hug your pets, and tell them how good they are an how much you love them. I had to put my Thumper to sleep last night. The world is not better for this. He was a part of me, and no matter how my day went, he was always there, purring, just wanting to sit next to us. congenic heart failure attached him suddenly last night sometime before we came home from dinner, he was fine that morning, and after work. He was even purring, even though we knew he was in pain. He was purring and happy and trying to sit on my mouse hand just before we went out. Cogenic heart failure and blood clots. I feel like I have lost a part of my personality, the part that purred with one simple look, and never would stop as long as there was someone to hear.

Hug your pets. He had no signs before hand. Hug them, love them. Because you never know.



Fuck, Bloodworth. I'm sorry to hear about that and I know just how you feel. You bastard, made me tear up.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Salamok on April 10, 2012, 06:28:11 AM
I guess I am too selfish, part sociopath or just a heartless bastard (or a mix of all three), I do love animals and my dog is the best dog ever.  That said he is nearing the end of days now and I am at the point where I would just rather have it behind me.  If it wasn't for the fact that he doesn't seem to be in pain (or at least the $100 in painkillers he eats a month seem to be working well) and still seems fairly content/happyish I would have put him down already.  When he finally does go I have a feeling that the strongest feeling I will be experiencing is relief.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: 01101010 on April 10, 2012, 06:33:27 AM
I guess I am too selfish, part sociopath or just a heartless bastard (or a mix of all three), I do love animals and my dog is the best dog ever.  That said he is nearing the end of days now and I am at the point where I would just rather have it behind me.  If it wasn't for the fact that he doesn't seem to be in pain (or at least the $100 in painkillers he eats a month seem to be working well) and still seems fairly content/happyish I would have put him down already.  When he finally does go I have a feeling that the strongest feeling I will be experiencing is relief.

For whatever reason, mostly because I am a bad person, I feel this about people more than animals.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Salamok on April 10, 2012, 07:38:17 AM
I guess I am too selfish, part sociopath or just a heartless bastard (or a mix of all three), I do love animals and my dog is the best dog ever.  That said he is nearing the end of days now and I am at the point where I would just rather have it behind me.  If it wasn't for the fact that he doesn't seem to be in pain (or at least the $100 in painkillers he eats a month seem to be working well) and still seems fairly content/happyish I would have put him down already.  When he finally does go I have a feeling that the strongest feeling I will be experiencing is relief.

For whatever reason, mostly because I am a bad person, I feel this about people more than animals.

I just put myself in the place of the dog, if I were in his condition and the road ahead were all downhill I think I would want to be put down.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lantyssa on April 10, 2012, 07:49:58 AM
People handle end of life differently.  I'd be in pain whether it was my mom or my cat, but I can understand feeling relief that it's over, too.

As long as you love them, I don't think there's anything wrong with how you approach it.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sjofn on April 10, 2012, 04:44:16 PM
When Gilly and Usagi were both finally at the End, I felt both. Deep sadness they were gone, relief they weren't suffering. It helped that in both cases, we knew it was coming, it was just a matter of judging the "when." People who lose pets suddenly, I have no idea how they deal with it, I'd be a total fucking mess.

'Course I felt the same sad/relief mix about my final grandparent passing away. Relief outweighed sadness by quite a margin, though, as it had been what felt like a long, slow process ... which made plenty of room for guilt! But the same was true for my dad (it was his mother) so we got to bond about that a bit.


I HAVE MANY FEELINGS


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Morat20 on April 10, 2012, 06:22:41 PM
Relief is fairly normal. And like most human reactions, it seems to designed to fuck you over by making you feel bad about yourself.

And by "normal" I mean "people often feel that way about other people dying" -- if the end is lingering, generally.

My vet's rule of thumb is basically "If the dog is happy to see you when you come home and greets you at the door, it's probably not time yet".


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lucas on July 25, 2013, 07:44:42 AM
Fuck, sorry for bringing up this depressing thread, but, yeah, me and my mother decided to put down my 18 yrs old cat, Fido (we have another one, called Pluto, who is almost 14 and also a dog) to sleep. : her kidneys basically stopped working, luckily in a not so long span of time. She has been weaker and weaker (eating and drinking less and less), started to emit those deep "meows" which are always a bad sign; this morning, while trying to walk, she stumbled a couple times, so hey, what the fuck, let's end her suffering. We dug an hole ourselves in our small  courtyard, and that's it.

She's has been, by far, the pet I grew most attached to and, at least personally, the demonstration on how cats too can give you attentions and affection: always climbing on the bed when I did it, climbing on my back when I started to sleep, purring like crazy, rubbing our heads together and so on and so forth. She filled an "affective" hole I definitely experienced for a long time.

I feel that, now, the hardest moments are behind me, but still...while walking around the house, it comes natural to have a glance at the places she used to sleep and relax, so yeah, for now the feeling of emptyness persist. Goodbye, my dear.




Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Paelos on July 25, 2013, 07:48:12 AM
Sorry to hear about your cat  :?

The positive thing is that you had 18 great years, which is a lot of time for a cat. Ours usually didn't live past 14.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on July 25, 2013, 10:58:08 AM
Sorry to hear that Lucas.  These stories about old cats make me sad.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on July 25, 2013, 11:07:07 AM
So sorry, Lucas.   :heartbreak:  

I remember when the dog I grew up with died.  We had him from the time I was about two or three until I was 16.  For ages I would "step over" him, or the shadow of him or something.  Sometimes I still see flashes of  him curled up on the floor or lying in front of the screen door.  I don't think it's an odd thing though.  I bet lots of people experience that feeling and it doesn't startle me.  


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Engels on July 25, 2013, 12:22:36 PM
Sorry for your loss, Lucas. If its any consolation whatsoever, a cat dying of kidney failure means she dodged every possible bullet she could before the system wore out on its own. Kidney failure in cats is essentially the built in timer. Still, hate those empty window sills.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on July 25, 2013, 12:41:59 PM
Ah bad luck Lucas :(

Our two cats are 19 and 18 right now, it's a ripe old age for a kitty.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on July 25, 2013, 12:47:38 PM
I'm very, very sorry for your loss.  18 years is a good, long life for a cat.  It sounds like your family were the perfect guardians for your cat. 

To me, my first cat's death is still a bit raw, even after five years.  I miss that guy terribly, still.  :( 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on July 25, 2013, 01:03:07 PM
Sorry about your kitty, Lucas. :(  Hope your other cat and the dog don't grieve too hard and have issues, too.

It took me a good long while to stop looking for my dog at the base of the stairs whenever I was home from college.  My parents had to put him to sleep because his only kidney was failing and his eyesight was going, they were worried he was going to fall down the stairs. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lucas on July 25, 2013, 01:38:32 PM
Thanks a lot for your kind words, folks  :heart:

Yes, she basically died of old age, we loved her and she absolutely loved us back, so that, together with the memories, makes me really happy (beside the melanchony of the situation, of course). Our other cat has been always very placid and right now he's apparently pretty calm, although he's looking around the house quite often :/ . Of course we pet him more than usual today :D (dog is away with my mother's fiancee for the rest of the week).

Before these two, we had another cat from 1981 'til 1999, so we consider ourselves quite lucky when it comes to the health of our pets, yeah :).

While, just like men, each pet is unique, one (among others) positive aspect is that, when one pet dies, you can bet there is another one, somewhere out there, ready to give you the same amount of unbiased love if you can embrace it.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Azazel on July 30, 2013, 03:20:41 AM
Sorry to hear about that Lucas. I went through pretty much the exact same thing 2 1/2 years ago. 18 year old cat, kidneys, sudden onset, then passing. Like Hawkbit, I'm still far from over it, but you seem to have a really good attitude, and I'm sure your kitty was well loved, looked after and cared for - which when it comes down to it is the best kind of life they can have. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Surlyboi on July 30, 2013, 04:16:10 AM
Sorry to hear that as well, Lucas.

My sister-in-law's cat died about two months ago. A cat I had seen all of a dozen times total and that lived, for the most part, 3000 miles away the entire time I've known he even existed. A cat that I was sometimes violently allergic to as well. Still hit me a lot harder than I thought it would when he suddenly went. I suppose it's partly because he was such a huge part of the wife's family. Gonna miss the hyper little SOB next time we go out to visit.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on December 12, 2013, 10:35:35 AM
I knew it'd be my turn to post in this thread some time soon :(


We had Sputnik put down this morning, 17 years old. She'd been diabetic for 2 years and it finally took its toll. She had a serious hypo a couple of weeks ago and she never really recovered fully from that. The last 48 hours were rough, as she lost her appetite entirely and by this morning it was clear that enough was enough.

She was a proper special kitty, much loved, the friendliest, cuddliest cat ever, and it's going to be a difficult time adjusting to her not being here any more. I helped her be born and I held her as she died, she's going to leave quite a hole in my life.

She'd now buried in the front garden, and we've planted a holly bush above her, which is nice.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nebu on December 12, 2013, 11:38:11 AM
I'm sorry.  It does sound like she had a long and wonderful life though. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Bunk on December 12, 2013, 11:44:10 AM
Sorry Apoc, its never easy.

I just heard that my sister was about to put down my favorite of her cats, Hades. She was barely walking and not eating, so they took her in to the vet. Turns out she's diabetic, and apparently going to stick around for a while yet. This was a big relief for me - I raised the cat for her as a kitten for a couple months while she moved, and the cat still seems to recognize me 13 years later, even though I only see it once a year.

Keep hold of the good memories, that's what matters. I was devastated when we lost our last two family dogs, but now the pictures of them on my desk just make me smile.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on December 12, 2013, 01:03:52 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss.  I agree, though... it sounds like you really gave your cat an awesome life. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on December 12, 2013, 01:10:46 PM
I'm sorry apoc. Losing a pet is never easy.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on December 12, 2013, 01:50:37 PM
Sorry to hear about your kitty, Apoc. It's always rough.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on December 12, 2013, 03:27:06 PM
You have my condolences, it's hard to lose a kitty.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on December 12, 2013, 03:31:57 PM
 :heart:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Numtini on December 12, 2013, 04:15:07 PM
So sorry man.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on December 12, 2013, 11:00:36 PM
TYVM everyone, she did indeed have a very happy, full kitty life!

Bunk, that's exactly what happened with us, 2 years ago we thought she was a gonna, vet diagnosed her as diabetic and thing improved massively with insulin treatment. We consider the last couple of years of her life a gift really, she'd not have had them otherwise.

Anyway, thank you all again for your kind words. Now we've got a huge heap of diabetic cat food for our other cat (Sputnik's mum, Zebedee, in fact) to eat :p


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rk47 on December 13, 2013, 01:44:43 AM
I ask all of you please hug your pets, and tell them how good they are an how much you love them. I had to put my Thumper to sleep last night. The world is not better for this. He was a part of me, and no matter how my day went, he was always there, purring, just wanting to sit next to us. congenic heart failure attached him suddenly last night sometime before we came home from dinner, he was fine that morning, and after work. He was even purring, even though we knew he was in pain. He was purring and happy and trying to sit on my mouse hand just before we went out. Cogenic heart failure and blood clots. I feel like I have lost a part of my personality, the part that purred with one simple look, and never would stop as long as there was someone to hear.

Hug your pets. He had no signs before hand. Hug them, love them. Because you never know.



Fuck, Bloodworth. I'm sorry to hear about that and I know just how you feel. You bastard, made me tear up.

nice bed sheets.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Numtini on December 18, 2013, 07:40:22 AM
We lost one of our kitties yesterday. We adopted Carmen as a 7 year old and had her for 7 years. She wasn't an intentional adoption, we'd found the perfect black kitten through petfinder and when I went to meet her, they opened the pen and this little black and white cat hopped up into my arms. It turned out she was from the same home as the kitten, and we ended up taking both. She didn't have an easy life from what we can figure. The owners apparently neglected them, let their cats breed, and then just uncermonoiously dumped them on the shelter. It was 3 weeks before we even got to take her home because of complications when the shelter had her spayed. She was a gentle wonderful cat in the somewhat reserved yet affectionate Queen Cat mode and a perfect contrast to the big black dopey cat that the kitten became. Two years ago, she had a sudden kidney failure. We'd just come into some new income from writing and we took a chance on treating her with intense hydration, she fought like hell, and rebounded and her levels went back to normal. We had a recurrence this weekend, but this time she didn't respond. They did a lot of tests and think she probably had been on one kidney for the whole time we had her and her past just caught up with her.

She was just a lovely cat and used to sit on the desk and watch me game. I know we sure did the best by her, but I can't help but be angry with the savages who had her before us and probably robbed her of a longer life.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on December 18, 2013, 08:59:38 AM
So sorry to hear that Numtini :(


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on December 18, 2013, 12:38:18 PM
Aw, sorry about your kitty, Numtini.   :cry:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on December 18, 2013, 12:42:27 PM

She was just a lovely cat and used to sit on the desk and watch me game. I know we sure did the best by her, but I can't help but be angry with the savages who had her before us and probably robbed her of a longer life.

That's the sign of a happy cat.  Know that you took your kitty from a bad situation and you did the best you could to make it good.  I'm sorry you lost your cat. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nightblade on December 19, 2013, 09:36:51 AM
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/48093114/2012-08-04%2011.57.34.jpg)

I have a lot of great memories with this little dog named Junior. Initially he was a gift to my father; but he ended up bonding with me more. I was the one who cared for him, who defended him against my psychotic father's attacks, who put a stop to my parents feeding him microwaved hot dogs covered in cat treats, who walked him, who paid his vet bills, and so on.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/48093114/2012-10-01%2015.55.51.jpg)

One particular memory comes to mind as I write this. It was a sunday afternoon, many (10?) years ago. My parents had guests over and the dog would get overly excited and just hump his bed furiously. Dear old dad, having had enough was about ready to throw the dog out when I intervened desperately and said "Look, I'll just take him." Not waiting for an answer, I just grabbed the dog and went into my room. I let the dog lay on my lap as I used my computer. Some time later, I looked down to see the dog fast asleep on my lap; and that quite a bit of his drool wet my pants.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/48093114/2012-08-12%2012.37.40.mp4

Every time I watch a video or just look at one of his pictures I just want to reach in and hug him one more time. He was my only friend growing up, and remained my only friend well into my adulthood. I would come home and sure enough he'd be there to greet me, happy to see me... Or he'd be asleep; then I'd walk up to his bed and his tail would just start slamming itself on the floor.

Then around March I ended up getting very ill with something called the cocksakie virus. I was out of commission for a bit over two weeks; thus the responsibility for caring for the dog fell to my inept father. I remember the dog coming home from a walk one day with his entire stomach covered in filth. The dog during this time had problems holding his urine; and after constant prodding from me to take what was technically their dog to the vet (I was broke at the time, what being a penniless retail worker), they finally did it.

The vet didn't have a good idea as to what was happening, nor did he ever figure out what was wrong. They prescribed some medication that made things worse and  In the end, the dog was on his last leg. He trembled constantly and was unable to urinate in spite of his best efforts. I left work early to come home and put him down. Though it was very trying I stayed with him until the very end. When the final injection was administered; the dog's eyes closed, twitched violently; a then stopped; a moment that I will never forget as long as I live. He died in March; and the hole he left has been tremendous.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Numtini on December 19, 2013, 10:38:37 AM
Our kitty was on our laps when we did it and she was so close she just slipped quietly. It's agonizing, but personally I can't imagine not being there.

In better times...

(http://www.numtini.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/carmen.jpg)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on December 19, 2013, 02:40:46 PM
I'm sorry for you both. What a rotten thing to happen just before Christmas.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nightblade on December 19, 2013, 04:54:22 PM
I'm sorry for you both. What a rotten thing to happen just before Christmas.

Actually, he died in march; but I was feeling down so I thought I'd vent :x


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ghost on April 20, 2014, 09:23:25 AM
Our Dachshund, Maggie, died this morning.  She was 14 years old and was just a super dog.  She was one of the wiener dogs with a ton of personality but yet was gentle and loving to just about anyone.  It will be sad without her.  She went outside to get a drink of water this AM, then went over in the yard and laid down......and just never got up.  She had lost a lot of weight recently.  I suspect she had cancer and possibly threw a clot to give her an MI or stroke. 

Boo.  Merry fucking Easter.   :oh_i_see:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nightblade on April 20, 2014, 12:21:23 PM
Our Dachshund, Maggie, died this morning.  She was 14 years old and was just a super dog.  She was one of the wiener dogs with a ton of personality but yet was gentle and loving to just about anyone.  It will be sad without her.  She went outside to get a drink of water this AM, then went over in the yard and laid down......and just never got up.  She had lost a lot of weight recently.  I suspect she had cancer and possibly threw a clot to give her an MI or stroke. 

Boo.  Merry fucking Easter.   :oh_i_see:
.
At least she went naturally, and you didnt have to have her last moments in some doctor's office.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ghost on April 20, 2014, 08:09:09 PM
Yeah.  She was a good pooch.  She had a long, fun life and went peacefully.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on April 21, 2014, 07:52:39 AM
So sorry, ghost.   :heart:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nebu on April 21, 2014, 07:54:09 AM
Sorry Ghost.   :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on April 21, 2014, 09:01:42 AM
Sorry, ghost.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Engels on April 21, 2014, 09:19:58 AM
Bleh, sorry Ghost. <insert trite truism here that won't make you miss her any less>


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Evildrider on April 21, 2014, 02:53:08 PM
Sorry Ghost, shit sucks. 

I also had to put my dog Ryker to sleep today.  14 year old American Eskimo.  He stopped eating on Friday and got him to the vet and found he had spleen cancer.  Vet said there was really nothing that could be done at his age that wouldn't be hard on him.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Paelos on April 21, 2014, 04:05:37 PM
Sorry about your pets, but on the plus side 14 years is a good time for a dog. When our first lab died she was 11.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on April 22, 2014, 08:44:40 AM
Aw, sorry about that, Evildrider.  :heartbreak: 

All this talk about losing dogs makes me want to go home and hug my baby.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ezrast on April 22, 2014, 09:05:29 AM
Hugs to you both. This thread is a lot more real now that I'm responsible for a little fuzzy guy of my own.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on April 22, 2014, 04:23:48 PM
Our doggie has been sick for a couple of days so I've hugging her a lot.  I know how horrible it is to lose a pet.  I've loved some of my pets more than some of my family!  Srsly.  I don't want anyone else I know, including animals, to die before me.  Once I'm gone, they can do what they like.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Mithas on May 09, 2014, 08:48:41 PM
My dog Max has an appointment tomorrow morning to be put to sleep. He has had multiple surgeries to take care of bladder stones; he has had them back for a while and my wife and I have decided not to operate again. He now can't hold it for more than a few hours. We're not sure how old he is, somewhere between 12 and 14 because his original owner died. I inherited him when I got into a relationship with my wife (then girlfriend). We had a tumultuous relationship, but we ended up being friends in the end. I am the stereotypical 'keep your emotions in' man, but I sit here and am blubbering like I never have before.

He has pretty much been the perfect dog. He only barks when someone comes to the door, he doesn't drool, and has been a perfect angel with my 2 year old daughter. It really sucks because I know that if he didn't have the bladder issue, he could easily live for another six months or more.

Sorry for the blurry images. And yes his eyes are crossed, it adds to the charm.


With my daughter when she was about 1:

More recent walking with my daughter:

If there is such a thing as dog heaven, this is what he would be doing. I will always picture him like this:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on May 10, 2014, 07:31:17 AM
He's beautiful.  I'm so sorry.  :heart:  We had a beautiful dog that belonged to my mother.  When she died, I mostly took care of him.  A few years later, right after I moved to England for the first time, my dad did something with him.  I think he had him put to sleep.  I didn't find out for ages and I was devastated.  I never expected that.  He didn't do it because the dog was sick or anything, he just couldn't be bothered to care for him.  When my dad visited me a couple of years later, I could hardly even look at him.  I had to constantly bite my tongue.  Saying something wouldn't have been beneficial to me or anyone because my dad was pretty much crazy.  You didn't really want to make him angry.  I'm really glad there's so many people on f13 who can be bothered and who feel the pain when something bad happens to their pets because animals matter to them.  If it wasn't for the empathy and the feeling of loss, we'd all just be a bunch of Amish people or worse.  You know what I mean. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Engels on May 10, 2014, 12:02:57 PM
Sorry for your loss :/


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on May 10, 2014, 12:35:55 PM
Sorry to hear this, Mithas.  It's tough but it sounds like you gave him a good life.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Evildrider on May 10, 2014, 04:13:03 PM
Sorry Mithas.  :(


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on May 11, 2014, 01:49:31 AM
He was indeed a very beautiful dog. Sorry to hear he's gone, glad he had a nice life, certainly looks like he had lots of fun and love.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on October 24, 2014, 06:38:06 AM
Time for this thread to rear its ugly head. Lost my gf's old lady cat Kiki. Blocked bile duct, leading to pancreatic and liver issues. At least it was fast and we got to be there. Losing two within 6 months makes it worse though. At least her last cat is young and healthy. Unfortunately her likes me more than her now.

Guess kitten time is right around the corner


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on October 24, 2014, 09:00:44 AM
I'm so so sorry, Rattran. 

This,
Quote
Guess kitten time is right around the corner
is lovely, though.  I love that you are so dedicated.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on October 24, 2014, 09:13:39 AM
Sorry about the kitteh, rattran.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on October 24, 2014, 12:02:11 PM
:(  Sorry, Rattran. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Ozzu on October 25, 2014, 05:35:39 AM
My own sad tale that I posted on another forum I frequent a couple of months ago. It still gets to me sometimes. I put it in spoiler tags since it's a wall of text.



Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on October 25, 2014, 10:28:11 AM
The feels got to me.  Thanks for sharing, Ozzu.  We have a GS dog too and I'm not looking forward to that day.  They're such damn good dogs.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Azazel on October 26, 2014, 04:55:33 AM
I wish I could post more supporting stuff in this thread, but it always just rips my heart out when I come in here - both for you guys and your pets and for Little Girl, since it brings all of that stuff up. Shit, I'm starting to tear up just posting this. All the best to you all, and hope things can get better.

Now I'm off to hug my new idiot cat.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Mithas on October 26, 2014, 08:59:50 PM
That just brings back the memories of my dog. It's earlier in this thread. We scheduled to put him down because he couldn't control his bladder anymore. I still have it burned into my brain the last time I saw him as my wife drove him to the vet...

Condolences to to you Ozzu. Hopefully time heals the wounds.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on October 27, 2014, 08:37:31 AM
It's never an easy thing, but it's part of having pets to know when to let go, and be there for them. I'm just glad to get the time with them that I do. Late condolences to you both.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on January 07, 2015, 07:18:45 PM
Cayman the Sunset Hunter
August 1, 2005 - January 7, 2015

Rest in peace, my little cow. You were such an awesome pup and we'll never forget you. ♡

(http://i.imgur.com/ERxhAXS.jpg)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Trippy on January 07, 2015, 07:22:50 PM
Sorry to hear that.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on January 07, 2015, 08:58:15 PM
My condolences, it's always hard to lose a loved pet.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ezrast on January 07, 2015, 09:16:57 PM
Sorry, Rhyssa.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on January 07, 2015, 10:15:11 PM
Aww... he's got big brown doggie eyes.   :heart:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on January 08, 2015, 03:37:51 AM
That's sad Rhyssa. Sorry.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Selby on January 08, 2015, 03:55:43 AM
Very sad indeed =(


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Paelos on January 08, 2015, 05:52:03 AM
Sad, but glad you got 10 good years with your pet. He had a good life with you.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: jth on June 27, 2015, 03:27:50 PM
My sister's cat died a month ago to FIV complications, he had probably contracted the virus at some point fighting the local strays. Today I went to visit, they showed me the beautiful grave they had made, and my nephew (3.5 years old) petted the grave mound. It was probably the saddest thing I have ever seen.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Triax on July 10, 2015, 04:57:49 PM
Just lost my lovable cat, Angel, today whom I had for 7 years after getting her from a great local shelter.  Biggest lovable goof-ball though she always had health issues known about when I'd gotten her from the shelter.  Sadly, she was unable to eat on her own and I'd been feeding her on a liquid diet now for months.  The Vet and I agreed that at this stage, it was only downhill and had become inhumane to keep her in this diminished and miserable state.  My mother and I both cried as she was the biggest belly-rub slut of a cat I'd ever known.  The techs and vet also cried, they loved having her there even for just visits as she was the sweetest they'd known as well.

I'm honored for the time I had with her and wouldn't have traded it for anything, just selfish enough to have wanted so much more.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on July 10, 2015, 06:05:12 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss.  It sounds like you were an awesome cat parent though.

I'm amazed sometimes how much my cats have stuck with me in my memories. Moreso than many people I've known.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Lantyssa on July 10, 2015, 09:45:40 PM
Sorry to hear.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on July 11, 2015, 03:22:09 AM
I'm sorry to hear that Triax.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on July 11, 2015, 03:56:34 PM
So sorry you lost your kitty, Triax. Sounds like she had a great life with you.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on November 17, 2015, 02:14:52 PM
So to make my late Monday night/Tuesday morning suck so horribly horribly bad, I had to put one of my dogs to sleep last night after he had such bad seizures, he was foaming blood. That may well have been one of the hardest, yet quickest decisions I've ever made once I saw him on the table after they'd stabilized him. Now the house feels kind of empty with only two dogs. If you pray, throw me a few and if you don't, just think happy thoughts at me.  :cry:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: 01101010 on November 17, 2015, 02:47:51 PM
Sorry man.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Triax on November 17, 2015, 02:57:47 PM
Ouch,

You've my sympathies, that's a rough thing to have to do.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Trippy on November 17, 2015, 03:16:06 PM
It wasn't Snowbeast was it?


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on November 17, 2015, 03:17:19 PM
No, it was Spudley, the one we found 8 years ago with a broken leg under our neighbor's deck.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on November 18, 2015, 06:10:37 AM
Damn, sorry to hear that, Haemish.   :cry:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on November 18, 2015, 07:40:52 AM
Bad luck man, always sucks :(


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on November 21, 2015, 07:12:30 AM
I'm so sorry.  You guys always have good vibes and happy thoughts coming from me.   :heart: :heart: :heart:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on October 14, 2016, 12:36:45 PM
I fucking hate this thread, but now I have to post here.

Fuck.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Chimpy on October 14, 2016, 12:40:08 PM
Oh no, Bart?  :crying_panda:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on October 14, 2016, 01:28:18 PM
Oh man  :?   :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on October 14, 2016, 01:44:16 PM
So sorry for your loss.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on October 14, 2016, 02:28:13 PM
Man, I'm so sorry.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on October 14, 2016, 02:30:58 PM
I'm sorry.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Selby on October 14, 2016, 02:34:56 PM
:-(


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Merusk on October 14, 2016, 05:11:39 PM
Aw shit, Sky. I'm so, so sorry.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nebu on October 14, 2016, 07:55:09 PM
Sorry Sky  :sad_panda:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on October 14, 2016, 08:41:09 PM
Thanks, kids. This is...difficult. We're actually pretty private people and it was mostly the three of us spending time together.



Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sir T on October 15, 2016, 03:17:28 AM
Throw in a hug from me.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Engels on October 15, 2016, 09:16:00 AM
I'm sorry Sky. Bart was like the unofficial f13 mascot.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Ard on October 15, 2016, 12:24:22 PM
 :cry:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on October 15, 2016, 03:23:14 PM
Oh no!  So sorry, Sky.

 :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on October 16, 2016, 08:46:44 AM
I'm so so sorry, Sky.  I'm feeling this as if it happened in my family.  :(   Bart was like the giant male counterpart to my tiny female Magenta.  Big hug to you and the missus.   :heart: 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on October 16, 2016, 12:54:03 PM
Thanks, it means a lot. It's kind of funny, everyone loved him and he made a big impression on people with his strong personality and of course, massive size and paws. But he was super private, he only really liked being around me. The old lady would be barely tolerated and anyone else he would just leave the room.

Here's a thing I wrote just now on FB...

Another tough day, but I haven't broken down yet. Yesterday was brutal, I was such a mess all day. Each time I would do something it would normally either be with or 'supervised' by Bart. And I would think of that and lose it. I couldn't even open the dishwasher, because his plates were in it. He always had to 'inspect' the mail when it came, etc. All the planned projects for new toys or cat furniture or a little tunnel for him to sneak into the bedroom, ramps for his old age, all come to naught.

Today I'm putting away his things for the last time, breaking down his cat trees, storing the dishes. Tomorrow I find a new home for things I can pass on to other cat parents.

I never realized what a crucial part of my life that cat was, he did literally everything with me. He was so much more than a pet, he was family. I don't like to say it's like losing a son, because parents of human children might be offended. But it was.

I'll get better, I'm a strong person and a survivor. But I've lost part of myself, a part that brought me the most joy in my day, and that void looms large every waking minute.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on October 16, 2016, 12:55:17 PM
I'll post some pics when I feel stronger, I started to go through them and it's too soon. I did look at my camera for the last pic I took, it was him banging his stuffed lion. Last video? Same. Just a few days ago...


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Trippy on October 16, 2016, 12:56:53 PM
Sorry for your loss.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Jimbo on October 16, 2016, 02:35:33 PM
Sorry Sky


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Paelos on October 17, 2016, 06:11:12 AM
Ugh. Just Ugh. So sorry.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on October 17, 2016, 07:41:08 AM
Sorry, Sky. Losing a pet is way harder than non-pet people could ever imagine.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Engels on October 17, 2016, 10:48:34 AM
When I lost my old gal cat of 19 years, I went into a 4 year funk of not having a cat. That was a mistake. When my second cat died (Archilochus Jones), I mourned, but I also allowed myself to get two new cats within a few months of Jone's passing. Life it too short to be catless for too long.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on October 17, 2016, 11:14:12 AM
My plan is to give it a year, take the time to be able to go out of town without planning for it, do some jobs around the house that don't require sequestering the cat, etc. Then keep my eye open for any stray candidates that show up (Bart showed up as a 7 week old kitten under the bush in front of the library, some kids came in saying there was a hissing mean cat in there...). I will probably get two cats this time, so they can keep each other company while I'm at work.

Things are down to a dull ache now, so a bit better. So hard to believe he's gone and not coming back.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: apocrypha on October 17, 2016, 12:01:49 PM
I think Sputnik died over 2 years ago now, and I still miss her regularly. But with every week that's gone past it's been easier to remember all the good memories of her instead of just the pain of losing her. Doesn't mean it doesn't still make us sad when we remember her, but that's OK.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Cyrrex on October 18, 2016, 04:08:10 AM
Oh poop, I am so sorry to hear about Bart :heartbreak:  That you posted so much about him and that everyone knew his name showed just what he meant to you.  Pets are not like kids, but at the same time they fill a certain hole that even your kids, or any human beings for that matter, cannot.  Their is something about that unconditional love that goes in both directions that you just can't replace.  Hope you will share those pics, when you feel strong enough to do so.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Gimfain on December 29, 2017, 09:27:46 AM
Mom decided to put down her dog, told me christmas day and had him removed two days ago. He went from being a dog that never made any sound to start wailing immediately as he was left alone and something like 10 days back she told me he started wailing during the night as well. Used to have him quite frequently before and he was pretty much the best dog you could have, never had him leashed when I was walking him and very relaxed when he stayed over. Was a bummer when he started getting arthritis and you no longer could throw frisbee with him to the same extent but always so damn cheerful when I came to visit.

Visiting my mom will never be the same again.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Nebu on December 29, 2017, 05:19:15 PM
Sorry to hear it Sky. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ezrast on December 29, 2017, 07:08:08 PM
slowpoke.jpg


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: ezrast on December 29, 2017, 07:21:40 PM
That sucks, Gimfain. Sometimes when they're in pain letting go is the best thing you can do, but damn is it rough.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on May 04, 2018, 03:20:56 PM
We had to say goodbye to our oldest cat, Isis today. She was a tiny girl, only 8 pounds at her peak but down to 4.5 pounds in the last month. Her liver started having some troubles over the past month and I decided to do the right thing and end it before the pain got bad.

She was a super sweet cat. Her only fault was that she liked to pee on high-pile rugs so we haven't had them for 15 years. Now we can get a few rugs to see how we like them again. This is the third time I've held a pet while they die and it really does not get easier with experience.

I definitely don't want to do the super depressing thing though - she had a good long life and was a great cat. I'm a bit sad and drinking whiskey but we made the right choice. As an aside, I no longer have people side-eyeing me when I tell them my cat's name is Isis. As if yes, asshole, I named my fifteen year old cat after a terror group named five years ago. Because the name Isis has NO possible other meaning. Wankers, all of them.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Engels on May 05, 2018, 08:56:23 AM
Aw I am sorry to hear that. My sister's cat's name is Isis too, and she's in her waning years, and it's gonna be a horrid day in hell when she passes. You did the right thing, and also, Isis is a great name for a cat. Nothing like a facebook update from my sister with the title "Isis stole sausages from the pub again".


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on May 05, 2018, 09:38:04 AM
That's too bad Hawkbit. Losing a pet you've had that long can't be easy.  I expect that I'll be going through the same thing in a year or so. I took my 18 year old cat to the vet a couple days ago and yesterday the vet called back with the results of the blood work. Stuart has first stage kidney disease. The vet says he probably only has a year or two left. Eighteen years is the longest I've had any pet and he'll be the first I'll actually have to put to sleep. His predecessor had a heart murmur  and died suddenly when he was seven.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on May 05, 2018, 11:16:35 AM
My condolences, it's hard to lose a companion of so long.  I too am looking at losing my oldsters soon, the 20 year old is starting to have balance problems and is eating less and less, the 18 year old is having more seizures and her feline dementia is getting slowly worse.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on February 26, 2019, 08:53:21 AM
I hate to have to necro this thread.

We had to put my oldest dog down on Friday, the Great Snow Beast. She would have been 14 years old at the end of this month, which means she lasted about a year longer than most of her breed do (about 10-13 years for Great Pyrenees/Samoyeds or dogs of that size). Her back hips had become really twisted with arthritis and we'd been restricting her trips up and down the stairs for a few years to reduce wear and tear on the joints. Thursday night she was just unable to stand to the point where she was having to just go to the bathroom wherever she lay. I gave her until Friday noon to see if the combo of bad weather and rest would allow her the use of her back legs again, even if only to keep around a few more days but she was never able to stand. We took her to the vet and then I took her to my mom and dad's house out in the country and buried her under a nice big pine tree.

Needless to say, this weekend has sucked. We're down to one dog now, the little pug terrier named Fluffy and that little guy is getting spoiled as much as he can.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Mandella on February 26, 2019, 09:23:54 AM
I hate to have to necro this thread.

We had to put my oldest dog down on Friday, the Great Snow Beast. She would have been 14 years old at the end of this month, which means she lasted about a year longer than most of her breed do (about 10-13 years for Great Pyrenees/Samoyeds or dogs of that size). Her back hips had become really twisted with arthritis and we'd been restricting her trips up and down the stairs for a few years to reduce wear and tear on the joints. Thursday night she was just unable to stand to the point where she was having to just go to the bathroom wherever she lay. I gave her until Friday noon to see if the combo of bad weather and rest would allow her the use of her back legs again, even if only to keep around a few more days but she was never able to stand. We took her to the vet and then I took her to my mom and dad's house out in the country and buried her under a nice big pine tree.

Needless to say, this weekend has sucked. We're down to one dog now, the little pug terrier named Fluffy and that little guy is getting spoiled as much as he can.

I hate to hear that HaemishM. We went through something similar last year with our ancient Golden Retriever (she was a stray, so we can't be sure of her age but it was 15+, and likely several years plus). When it got to where I was having to pretty much carry her up and down the porch steps for bathroom time, I took the trouble to build her a doggy handicapped ramp to make it easier on both of us.

Every other dog we have saw the ramp and went "Great! This looks like fun!!" and immediately ran up and down it. Not the old lady dog. She took one look at it and actually shied away in panic. I have no idea what she was seeing, but she acted like it was a giant snake ready to grab her. She never used it. I just got used to picking her up four times a day.

Wish I still had to do that.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Trippy on February 26, 2019, 09:33:36 AM
No not Snow Beast! :cry: God we're old now.



Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on February 26, 2019, 12:30:58 PM
I hate to have to necro this thread.

We had to put my oldest dog down on Friday, the Great Snow Beast. She would have been 14 years old at the end of this month, which means she lasted about a year longer than most of her breed do (about 10-13 years for Great Pyrenees/Samoyeds or dogs of that size). Her back hips had become really twisted with arthritis and we'd been restricting her trips up and down the stairs for a few years to reduce wear and tear on the joints. Thursday night she was just unable to stand to the point where she was having to just go to the bathroom wherever she lay. I gave her until Friday noon to see if the combo of bad weather and rest would allow her the use of her back legs again, even if only to keep around a few more days but she was never able to stand. We took her to the vet and then I took her to my mom and dad's house out in the country and buried her under a nice big pine tree.

Needless to say, this weekend has sucked. We're down to one dog now, the little pug terrier named Fluffy and that little guy is getting spoiled as much as he can.

Great, someone's cutting onions here at work.   :cry2:

Sorry to hear that, Haemish.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on February 26, 2019, 05:34:42 PM
Sorry for your loss, Haemish. Cutting onions, indeed.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: WayAbvPar on February 28, 2019, 08:35:07 PM
We just put our nearly 16 year old Maine Coon down about 3 hours ago. He was very old and very ready to go, but it still sucks.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on March 01, 2019, 07:16:35 AM
 :heartbreak:  Sorry, WAP. 

I'm going to hug my Jasper extra tight tonight when I get home, now. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on March 01, 2019, 09:01:21 AM
Sorry, WAP. Shitty month for pets, it seems.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Bunk on March 01, 2019, 10:05:35 AM
Sorry WAP, I'm dreading that day.

If no one minds me lightening the mood a little in this thread: I took my 12 year old kitty in to the vet last Monday.
She had some scabs on her neck that she was intensely scratching, but doesn't have fleas.

Vet looked her over, confirmed it was not fleas, probably just an allergic reaction to something. Recommended an antibiotic and a steroid shot to break the scratching cycle. Then recommended we also do bloodwork due to her age.
Figure ok, why not. Vet picks her up and takes her back.

Five minutes later the Vet's assistant comes out, cat half dangling from a blanket, assistant is wearing what look like Falconer's Gloves. She hands her to me. Cat would not let them draw blood. Escaped from everything they tried - three people couldn't hold her down.
They offered to have her sedated and then try again in an hour. I decided fuck it, clearly my cat is far too strong to have measly health issues, if she can fight off three full grown humans.

Plus she was already clearly traumatized and the last thing I wanted was to keep her there any longer.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Signe on March 07, 2019, 09:12:45 AM
I hate reading this thread and I put it off but eventually I have to let you guys know how dreadfully sorry I am.  I'm still not over the death of our beautiful girlie girl, Loki, a couple of years ago.  So, so sorry.   :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Polysorbate80 on April 17, 2019, 03:45:07 AM
I have a ridiculous number of barn cats—around a dozen?  The number is flexible since they move around, disappear for days, turn up again here or at the neighbor’s place, or sometimes just vanish.  There are coyotes/puma/bears etc around so I try not to get too attached, but we do care a lot about them.  They have shelter, food, water and love if they want it (some are just dicks, and that’s ok too.)

Incidentally, the crustiest old farmers around here will all bitch and moan about their barn cats but they all put out food and water and when they think nobody’s looking they’ll all play with their cats. Old fakers...

One of my two favorite cats died tonight.  She had kittens last year and just never recovered. She’s been practically skeletal for months, but would not eat no matter what we tried.

I feel horribly guilty; she wanted so much to be a house cat and I wish I could have accomodated that but there’s no worse asthma trigger for me or my son.  He loves them as much as I do, and insisted on helping me bury her. 


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Mandella on April 18, 2019, 11:12:11 AM
I feel ya. My wife is deathly allergic to cats, so ours have to be outside. I do what I can for them (heated houses, sit out on the porch and hang out), but when they get old or sick it is hard for all of us.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: 01101010 on April 18, 2019, 12:23:41 PM
I have a ridiculous number of barn cats—around a dozen?  The number is flexible since they move around, disappear for days, turn up again here or at the neighbor’s place, or sometimes just vanish.  There are coyotes/puma/bears etc around so I try not to get too attached, but we do care a lot about them.  They have shelter, food, water and love if they want it (some are just dicks, and that’s ok too.)

Incidentally, the crustiest old farmers around here will all bitch and moan about their barn cats but they all put out food and water and when they think nobody’s looking they’ll all play with their cats. Old fakers...

One of my two favorite cats died tonight.  She had kittens last year and just never recovered. She’s been practically skeletal for months, but would not eat no matter what we tried.

I feel horribly guilty; she wanted so much to be a house cat and I wish I could have accomodated that but there’s no worse asthma trigger for me or my son.  He loves them as much as I do, and insisted on helping me bury her. 

Well that takes me back to my youth when I had my first run-in with pet death. My grandparents on my father's side lived out in the rural part of town I grew up in. I'd go visit when I was little and always noticed at least 4-5 cats around the property. They were skittish and never allowed anyone but my grandmother near them. Came to find out they were mostly cats that were dumped which is infuriating to me now. But I was out playing and noticed one of the cats didn't run at the sight of me so...I wandered up to it and it was basically unconscious and about to die. My grandmother came around about the same time and had the kitty heaven talk with me while she wrapped the cat in an old blanket she left out for them. It died shortly after. Very weird experience.

And she and my grandfather would bitch about the cats getting into the garage and shitting on things, but they mostly loved having them around - esp for rodent control.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on April 18, 2019, 01:05:55 PM
Sorry to hear that, PS80 - barn cats can be lovey too.

We are sending off another cat tonight, less than a year from my last post. Ivan finally succumbed to kidney disease after a six month fight. I thought for sure he would be some 20+ year old cranky monster, but only made it to 11. We had been doing subcutaneous fluids every few days for the past six months and he was doing better with that, but hasn't been himself through this. And now finally he's not really getting up to eat anymore. So it's time.

He will be a big loss in our house - such a personality. His shelter name was Lovebug but he was such an asshole we renamed him Ivan the Terrible. Fucking cat stole an entire slice of pizza and ran it through the cat door to the basement, where he ate all the cheese then threw it all up five minutes later. He also stole bacon frying in a pan at one point, too. He was an asshole but he always wanted to snuggle on our chests. Most cats run when company comes over, not him. He immediately curls up in people's laps when they're here.

So after tonight we'll be down to just a dog and a cat, both of which are towards the later years, too. The dog is an 11y German Shepherd Dog and the cat is ~15y diabetic tomcat.



Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Shannow on April 28, 2019, 04:03:09 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/1maVb5Vs.jpg)

Maggie the annoying beagle gave up the fight today. 12 years old and with Addison's the last two (take a greedy Beagle and give her steroids every day...fun times). She barked too much and would take any open gate to go on adventures...("Yes hi this is Olympia sports, do you own a Beagle named Maggie?"). She'll be missed.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Cyrrex on April 29, 2019, 02:25:49 AM
Sorry about your losses people.

He will be a big loss in our house - such a personality. His shelter name was Lovebug but he was such an asshole we renamed him Ivan the Terrible. Fucking cat stole an entire slice of pizza and ran it through the cat door to the basement, where he ate all the cheese then threw it all up five minutes later. He also stole bacon frying in a pan at one point, too. He was an asshole but he always wanted to snuggle on our chests. Most cats run when company comes over, not him. He immediately curls up in people's laps when they're here.

That sounds about one part asshole and 9 parts awesome cat.  But you knew that already.  Godspeed, Ivan.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on April 30, 2019, 08:23:55 AM
So sorry about your loss, Shannow.  :heartbreak: Maggie sounds like she was just trying to make your life exciting for you.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Mandella on April 30, 2019, 10:15:08 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/1maVb5Vs.jpg)

Maggie the annoying beagle gave up the fight today. 12 years old and with Addison's the last two (take a greedy Beagle and give her steroids every day...fun times). She barked too much and would take any open gate to go on adventures...("Yes hi this is Olympia sports, do you own a Beagle named Maggie?"). She'll be missed.

I had to look up Addison's disease. Doesn't sound fun. It's just incredible how dogs can take so much in stride.

We have a new "adoption" mixed breed beagle right now (adopted as in yet another animal abandoned down our dead end dirt road) and apparently she was raised in town because country life is *amazing* to her. Which also means that I've had to run down more than one rabbit trail trying to catch her as she gleefully runs to the horizon nose down following a scent. Then five minutes later she is all curled up between me and the sofa arm asleep.

Truly lovable dogs.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on April 30, 2019, 12:57:51 PM
I love a dog whose favorite game is "CHASE ME" and does not know the meaning of "too far." Annoying but so cute.

Sorry about Maggie, Shannow.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on July 24, 2019, 06:36:13 PM
Mr B went away today, last week he was fine, but asthma and pneumonia did him in. 11 years is a good run, but not good enough. I'll miss him grooming my beard at bedtime every night, and his head-down rolls at my feet for attention. A good cat.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on July 24, 2019, 07:37:40 PM
I am so sorry for your loss. 11 years is too short of a time.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on July 25, 2019, 06:34:10 AM
Sorry to hear, Rattran.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on July 25, 2019, 08:29:02 AM
Thanks all, it never gets easier.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on October 07, 2019, 06:40:18 AM
I generally avoid this thread.

About a week ago, we had 7 cats. Today we have 3. These have been moved indoors until the perpetrator is dead.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on October 07, 2019, 07:51:37 AM
Oh no, that's horrible. I'm so sorry - hope a resolution comes quickly.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on October 07, 2019, 09:11:36 AM
Oh no!  That's got to be horrible, Yego!  Hope you can find out what's been hunting your cats.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on October 07, 2019, 09:31:59 AM
I found out what it is last night. Coyote. I missed. Need a better rifle and some legs for it (and to be a better shot). Those should be coming this week (minus suddenly being a good shot). A shotgun that is effective at 50 yards might exist, and I'll use that if I can get one.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Trippy on October 07, 2019, 09:39:29 AM
Go practice at a shooting range.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on October 07, 2019, 10:09:30 AM
Typically practice in the backyard when I do. Not often enough to hit a coyote at 75 yards.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Brolan on October 07, 2019, 11:45:18 AM
You need to zero in the sights first.  You can’t hit anything until you do that.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on October 07, 2019, 04:39:22 PM
12ga shotgun with BRI sabot slug is accurate that far... if you are. There's always more coyotes than you'll see though. Coyotes are pretty neat, but they're a reason why I have indoor cats and the ducks go into a 1/2" mesh hardware cloth hut at night.

[edit] Have you considered an M20 claymore? I'm sure they can be bought in Atlanta. "This side toward enemy"


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Samwise on October 07, 2019, 08:49:03 PM
If you can airmail him to San Francisco, I promise he'll have all the feral cats and raccoons he can eat.

If he's housebroken I'll let him sleep in the garage and he can deal with the mice too.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on October 08, 2019, 11:06:42 AM
12ga shotgun with BRI sabot slug is accurate that far... if you are. There's always more coyotes than you'll see though. Coyotes are pretty neat, but they're a reason why I have indoor cats and the ducks go into a 1/2" mesh hardware cloth hut at night.

[edit] Have you considered an M20 claymore? I'm sure they can be bought in Atlanta. "This side toward enemy"

You seem to be kidding, and I can dig it. I'll answer seriously anyway.

I have a friend bringing some weapons that should fit the project. He doesn't have a 12 that he has fired, so we are going with a Ruger 6.5 precision bolt action, a Chinese SKS, and a Winchester 1892 which was requester by my wife. The 1892 is absolutely overkill but is a lot of fun and very, very accurate. Unlike my wife's rifle, he has been shooting his recently and they are definitely sighted correctly.

I've thought about traps a lot. The claymore and similar are far too indiscriminate for what I'm trying to do. The outcome will probably be armadillo, possum, or raccoon bits. The armadillo "threat" is pretty low on my list, and I probably could take care of that guy with a melee weapon based on seeing him in the same area on the same night... if I was of a mind to eliminate him. Similarly, I'm not in favor of poisoned bait. The raccoons and possums comprise the Cleanup Crew here, removing all things that the cats don't eat.

Likewise, I don't poison off all the anthills. Worse things appear if there are no ants. Hakuna Matata, Circle of Life, etc.

If you can airmail him to San Francisco, I promise he'll have all the feral cats and raccoons he can eat.

If he's housebroken I'll let him sleep in the garage and he can deal with the mice too.

I'm not above using a live trap since the kill traps are pretty dangerous, IMO. If this happens, I'll ask him if he is housebroken and if so, will buy him a bus ticket.

If he was eating feral cats, that would be one thing. Three trusting kittens and an established Perimeter Defense Fatty-Catty is another matter.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Mandella on October 09, 2019, 12:04:13 PM
Although there are always more coyotes, only one may have gotten the taste for feline, and be brave enough to come get it.

It's "funny" (in a non funny way) how different the same critters can behave in slightly different biomes. Since you're shooting at them I assume you are in the country, but how close to urban are you? I mostly hear about urban coyotes killing pets.

Anecdotal of course, but out here waaay to the west of Atlanta we have no shortage of coyotes (I enjoy hearing them at night), but have never lost a pet to them, and we have to keep the cats outside due to spouse allergy.

As for armadillos, after I observed them digging up both fire ant nests *and* yellow jacket nests in the yard I've let them be. Those divots they dig out are probably good for aerating the ground...


Edit: just remembered that you live over west of Atlanta too. Hope the coyotes out here aren't picking up a new diet...


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on October 11, 2019, 01:03:50 PM
My house is about 27 miles northeast from downtown Carrollton. I live in a 40-acre field and we shoot away from any houses, and always downhill in any case.

I think you're right about the individual coyote, since we have lived here for 17 years and not had this sort of problem. Of course we usually lose a young cat when we get a new set of them but in this case the coyote was definitely plucking them on a regular. No doubt the cats being super trusting probably tried to rub on him and play, and what predator can say no to that?

I have learned a lot in a few days. They are rather lingual, for one thing.

I almost got him last night, but night hunting is HARD. The Ruger isn't able to hit anything closer than 60 yards (where the bait is and where I saw him last), and I can't see the iron sights on the 1892 in moonlight, so when he came across broadside 20 feet from us, my friend didn't even get a shot and I missed. The 410 shotgun was inside the house, lesson learned there. Saw a 12 gauge Mossburg today while looking/learning about night scopes for $550 and considered buying it.

Anyway, no luck yet. He doesn't seem to care for the bait I put out, which consists of a chicken covered with sardines. Meanwhile I have 2 litter boxes in my house and am counting the days until I find mouse scat indoors.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on October 19, 2019, 03:57:00 PM
And a second cat gone this year. Random was 22, so a good long run for a rescue. He was just worn out, kidney disease got him.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: 01101010 on October 19, 2019, 06:25:12 PM
Sorry to hear that, but let me just say 22?? god damn that is pretty old.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on October 20, 2019, 12:56:20 PM
22 is a helluva run for any pet - cat or dog.  Sorry for your loss, rattran.  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Tale on October 20, 2019, 02:03:41 PM
The official "world's oldest living cat" in 2014 was 24 (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/5/worlds-oldest-living-cat-24-year-old-poppy-is-new-world-record-holder-57368/), so 22 is quite a life. Farewell Random, and well done cat and family.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on November 08, 2019, 12:18:17 PM
Fuck you, 2019. Dagmar had to be put down today, she was a little over 20. Her feline dementia had progressed to where she couldn't see, and stopped eating. 3 lost in under 6 months.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on November 08, 2019, 12:31:01 PM
Damn, man. Sorry about that.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on November 09, 2019, 09:19:05 PM
 :heartbreak:



Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Khaldun on January 03, 2020, 11:42:37 AM
We're trying to decide what to do about our 16-year old Boston terrier buddy. He's blind (he can sense light and darkness a bit) and deaf (unless there is a REALLY loud noise). He can still smell pretty well, he eats healthily, likes to go for a good walk. Mostly sleeps, gets very anxious if he thinks no one is home. He's having trouble standing up normally--he kind of locks his hind legs together like a mountain goat--and he's not metabolizing the food he puts away very well, so he looks somewhat skeletal despite eating quite a lot. It's really hard to know when his quality of life is low enough that it's not fair to keep him going, but we know it's coming soon.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: rattran on January 03, 2020, 07:35:49 PM
Hopefully you have a good vet to help guide you through. Both my oldsters looked like skeletons for their last few years, and one was entirely blind, but had decent quality of life until the end. Having a good vet to let us know when it was time helped.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on January 03, 2020, 08:48:40 PM
If he's not metabolizing food very well, make sure he's checked for diabetes. We almost lost Fluffy about 3 years ago for the same thing but with daily insulin shots, he seems to be doing ok. Of course, he got cataracts and thus went blind shortly after that and it's only the last 6 months or so when that's started to affect him. He's begun circling a lot for no reason whatsoever when we walk - which may be a sign of the onset of dementia. He'll be 14 this year so none of that would be a surprise. This is the last dog out of the 3 we've gotten since we haven't yet replaced Snow Beast. I've been hesitate to get another dog with him being blind and once I got laid off, I put it off until the job situation stabilizes.

Getting old sucks balls. Watching your pets do it just seems to come out of nowhere.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Reg on January 04, 2020, 06:17:39 AM
Sorry about your cat rattran. I know how you're feeling. My 19 year old cat Stuart died the week before Christmas. He just got weaker and weaker until he couldn't even walk and he lost interest in food. I guess I had to do it but it's hard to lose a pet you've had for almost 20 years.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Khaldun on January 05, 2020, 06:57:45 PM
Yeah, he circles a ton--he clearly has some form of mild dementia.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on January 07, 2020, 07:42:48 AM
I've stayed out of this thread since Bart passed, so I apologize for being remiss on a pile of condolences for you fine folks.

Here we are 3 1/2 years laster (!!) and it's still really hard on me. Lot of pressure from the old lady to get a new kitty around the house. I was probably ok with it last year, almost adopted two 5 mo old brothers over the xmas holiday but some cretin adopted ONE of them :( Still debating getting the other one because I feel bad for the lil dude, losing his brother like that.

Re: coyotes. We have 'em in my city, and they suck. Found a neighbor's cat in my next door neighbor's yard. Well, the front half. The old lady internet-sleuthed and found the owner two blocks over, and we went and shared the news to give them closure, it was fucking hell. The thing that pisses me off is a new neighbor lady with several cats was also at the scene and still lets her cats out.

I live in a school zone, so unfortunately the varmint rifle is not an option and I'm not practicing the bow just to kill varmints...yet...


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on January 07, 2020, 08:50:23 AM
Bonus for previously mentioned remission on my part:

(https://i.imgur.com/OE9TwNs.png)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on January 07, 2020, 10:56:46 AM
Coyote trapping is hard but might be the alternative to shooting. Trouble is possibly the cats, or other wildlife, but I'm not 100% convinced that a cat would be heavy enough to trigger a trap larger than 4".

I'm somewhat certain that coyotes are too smart to be caught in live traps but I'd love to be proven wrong.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Sky on January 07, 2020, 11:13:33 AM
We've got too many chonk critters from the neighbors feeding off their back porch to do any trapping. One neighbor across the street tried trapping a fox (!?! I gave him a piece of my mind on that one), but karma kicked in and he got a skunk in his trap. We call it skunktown (skunks are what the neighbors are trying to feed, but everyone comes in for it, coons, fox, coyotes, etc).

Honestly none of them have really been a problem for me, aside from a few aromatic evenings when the youngin's who can't control their butts get too randy... And I do love my backyard zoo.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Yegolev on January 07, 2020, 01:37:16 PM
It's only because the coyotes are eating the zoo that I'm engaged on this. The Cleanup Crew still comes around despite staff rotations but we are rather attached to the Rodent Patrol. Used to have a turkey family but haven't seen them for a few years now.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Khaldun on January 09, 2020, 01:56:29 PM
Coyotes are basically too smart for live traps, yeah. You might get one every once in a while, but every other one in the area will learn to avoid the trap at that point.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on October 04, 2020, 09:35:39 AM
Welp, it's 2020 and this year just can't seem to stop giving.

We finally had to put down our last dog, Fluffy, this Thursday. His dementia had just gotten to be too much. He'd been slowing down and getting more frantic for months now but had still been relatively manageable. The last week though, he just kept waking up earlier and earlier in the night, and being unable to be calmed down until he had a walk and his breakfast. Normally, I'd be up with him at around 5 am, but he was getting up at like 3:30 - 4 am consistently, and whimpering, pacing and walking into walls until he was taken out. He had basically 3 states of being the last week - asleep, calm when being walked or eating (though even then he was walking in circles or standing staring into space) or absolutely batshit insane barking and walking into walls or walking in a circle all while panting furiously. The last few days even during his frantic periods you could tell his body was just winding down. We made the decision this past Monday and had the appointment for Thursday, which meant he got to have one last day of hamburgers and french fries and fish sandwiches and whatever he wanted.

(https://bridgechronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/fluffy.jpg)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: 01101010 on October 04, 2020, 12:13:44 PM
Sorry to hear it man. Putting a pet down is a horrible experience... my mother just went thru that with her 15y yorkie.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Hawkbit on October 04, 2020, 02:11:38 PM
Sorry for your loss, Haemish. It sounds like you gave Fluffy a good, full life.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Khaldun on October 04, 2020, 04:27:24 PM
Our very elderly boy is walking in circles half the day now panting and then peeing little dribbles as he turns and turns, which makes him pant more frantically because he was very well house-trained and it makes him feel even worse. I think I'm at "it's time" but my wife and daughter can't bear it yet. He's so unhappy in his dementia, though--he's ok when he's walked/dragged in the afternoon and when he sleeps at night with us but the rest of the time he's like a 97-year old wandering the nursing home wondering if the Germans have invaded Belgium yet.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: calapine on October 05, 2020, 06:57:10 AM
My sister's puppy which she had for all of two weeks died. She must have eaten something poisonous when no one was looking. Really everything is shit lately.

(https://i.imgur.com/Hg8ePvG.png)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Cyrrex on October 05, 2020, 08:07:41 AM
Nooooooooooooo.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on October 06, 2020, 01:30:33 PM
 :cry2: :cry2: :cry2:

Sorry for your loss, Haemish and for your sister's puppy, Calapine.

Now I want to go hug my doggo.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Abagadro on November 11, 2021, 08:05:22 AM
RIP to the psycho.

(https://i.imgur.com/5J8jSMp.jpeg)


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: RhyssaFireheart on November 11, 2021, 08:28:27 AM
 :heartbreak: Sorry for your loss, Ab.  Goldens are the best.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on November 11, 2021, 04:47:10 PM
Sorry, Ab. Just one of the hardest things in the world to have to say goodbye to something that is such a huge part of your everyday life.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Khaldun on November 11, 2021, 05:31:42 PM
I fucking hate it. I am sorry, Ab.

We have our current girl, and weirdly she's been vastly more loveable since we put her enemy, our good old boy, down--she is way more obedient and focused and interactive. But she's old too and when she's gone, I have to wonder if I can do this again, much as I love these creatures.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Krakrok on January 24, 2023, 11:19:39 PM

Finally had to put down Blackdawg the cat. At 19 he was almost as old as this site and just as black. Went blind maybe a month ago. Back legs gave out a few days ago. Options were arthritis shot (not effective for 2 months), twice a day heart pills for high blood pressure (as if a cat would take that), or sleepy time. I knew it was time before taking him in. Once he couldn't get to the litter box anymore that was it.

He had 1 tooth left.

In his heyday he would attack dogs that came into the neighborhood. Took out a dalmatian once. If there was a pack of dogs he knew to run away though.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Cyrrex on January 24, 2023, 11:34:07 PM
Godspeed to you, Blackdawg.  Sounds like you had a good life.


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: HaemishM on January 25, 2023, 05:29:35 PM
Vaya con dios, kitty cat.  :cry2:


Title: Re: The Depressing Pet Death Thread
Post by: Khaldun on January 25, 2023, 05:35:24 PM
Well done Blackdawg. Valhalla awaits.