I hope you dont think Im silly, but, our cat Josie has been so poorly with what the vet said was kidney failure, this morning she seemed so sad and unwilling to get up and say hi to the kids as she normally does, so I took her to see the vet. He said she was dying, and I should think about having her put to sleep to save her more pain. I felt I had to say yes do it.
Going home without her and having to face the family was a nightmare. Please, did I do the right thing? will she know why I did this?

Alice

Hi Alice,

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through such pain. Of course you did the right thing, we never do something like this unless we do it through love. That love gives us the strength to help our animals the only way we can.
At this moment, you are suffering grief, and yes, we do grieve for our Pets, so our emotions are all over the place, we feel guilt because of our inability to save them, but in time we realise that we did save them, we saved them from further suffering.
Your family too will realise this. In the meantime, grieve, its your right, you loved your pet, you dont need to hide this fact, be proud that you loved her enough..

Chris

Hi Alice

I know exactly how you are feeling. I had to have my cat Charlie put to sleep in November as he had feline leukemia. I too debated the fact whether or not it was the right thing to do. I then stopped and thought to myself do I want him here now for me or for him and then i also figured it was selfish of me not to let him go as he was suffering and was really unwell.

I stayed with him throughout the whole procedure stroking his head and kissing him and telling him I loved him and he looked at me, put his head down and sighed. He didnt even struggle and he just had a strong sense of calm about him and peace. I believe it was truly what he wanted.

I am crying typing this and I will admit that even now 3 months on the pain is as strong as it was then but I remember he is in a much better place and free from pain and suffering.

My young son made it seem all the nicer as after we brought Charlie home and made him a grave in the garden by putting a tree and a stone cat on and also pebbles with his name on them. The morning after he went out to put some flowers on and say morning to him and he came rushing in saying there were cat footprints on Charlies grave. I explained they were probably from Poppy one of my other cats who watched us bury her dear friend. My son who is 7 sincerely replied "no mummy the prints are from the cat angels who came last night whilst we were in bed to take him to heaven. His old body is in his grave but he has a new body now and he is looking down and saying "hmmmm thats a nice grave". Out of the mouth's of babes huh, still makes me smile through my sadness when i think of his comments.

Take care and believe you truly did do the right thing for your cat as hard as it was