The Greatest Pet I Ever Had

The Reluctant Singer	A Traveler's Thoughts

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Posted by: thereluctantsinger Original: 3/2/2008 5:59 AM Comments: 28 eProps: 56 Read Comments Post a Comment Back to Your Xanga Site

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2 eProps from: Kween_of_the_Queens jassmine greasy_cat tater40 Lyssa quilt_cats seedsower arminus9 Lmoisan baldmike2004 NightlyDreams ralahinn1 comet555 The_Queen_Of_Swords WakeUpLaughing Zeal4living heidicindy sugarxane TheCheshireGrins Jemstone05 endlesssummer128 Mymanyblessings silkenbutterfly FourthChance lesannejenk eucalyptusXxXanonymous pogueatl LilTaytay123

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Sunday, March 02, 2008

The Kween_of_the_Queens challenges us to tell about the greatest pet we ever had, but how can I do that now, at this time?

During my life, I have had many cats and dogs, and I remember them all; but it is really impossible for me to do a proper post on the greatest pet I ever had at this time, because I am in the process of losing one right now, even as I write. Sandy, my cat, who I've had for 17 years, is in his final weeks of life. He sees the vet twice a week for treatment of a failing kidney, and the vet now informs me that he has also developed a feline leukemia. It's slowly taking it's toll on him. He can still stand on his own four feet and find his litterbox. Unfortunately, he is losing weight and is down to six pounds. Three years ago, he weighed in at 14 pounds. That should give you some idea of how close he is to the end of his fight.

Actually, I thought I would have to put him down before this, but he somehow hangs on. His eyes are still bright, and he is alert to what is going on around him, though you can tell that he looks a little older than he once did. He can still jump on the furniture, and he still comes to the door to greet me when I return home from an outing, but he is not as quick or as active as he once was. Also, while he is in a slow state of deterioration, he is in no pain, so I can't justify putting him down just yet.

But his time is close at hand -- maybe only days away. How then can I compare him with other pets I have had in the past. Maybe I will be able to do so a few months after I do what I must soon do -- but not today.

[EDIT:] I will say that in one respect, Sandy has been by far the greatest at parting me from my money in order to give him as much life as he can comfortably enjoy.

Posted 3/2/2008 5:59 AM - 28 comments

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28 Comments

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MiLady,

Oh, I'm so sorry about your dear cat. I can totally understand your feelings! Thank you do much for this entry! You've been linked and starred.

Posted 3/1/2008 7:48 PM by Kween_of_the_Queens - reply

Oh I hope he goes peacefully. I lost my Lucy last summer. I felt so sad. Judi

Posted 3/1/2008 8:49 PM by

jassmine

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I remember losing a cat to feline leukemia. I cried for months. It took me a couple of years to get over him and get a new cat. I adore my new cat right now and I think I'm a much better cat owner for having learned from the previous one but I still find myself missing the old one at times. Cherish every moment with your cat. Take care.

Posted 3/1/2008 9:04 PM by greasy_cat

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I am so sorry to learn of you going through such a tough time. I really believe that in our afterlife we will be reunited with our loved ones and that includes the animals. I'll say a special prayer that Snowball help watch over Sandy til you get there. She always liked cats. : )

Posted 3/1/2008 9:07 PM by tater40

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I'm sorry for what your going through. My thoughts are with you and I hope that you take comfort in the moments you have left.

Posted 3/1/2008 9:41 PM by Lyssa - reply

It is so painful going through a pet's deteriorating health. I had a cat for close to 19 year before it's kidneys shut down, and I was forced to put him to sleep so he wouldn't be in pain. That was the hardest thing ever (made even harder because it happened on a Christmas Eve). May you have plenty of sweet times left with Sandy, and appreciate each of those moments.

Posted 3/1/2008 9:53 PM by quilt_cats

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Oh I am sorry,I know that this is a hard time to go thru. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Posted 3/2/2008 9:01 AM by seedsower

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I wish him the best

`elliott

Posted 3/2/2008 11:19 AM by arminus9

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This is not an easy time to go through. I am so sorry. My prayers are for you.

Posted 3/2/2008 5:49 PM by Lmoisan

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Dear Susan,

I can relate. Our sister cats (so small they still look like kittens) are pushing 18 years old. We call them the "geriatric cats". One of them needs a kitty walker. The other has "cat"aracts. So far they aren't hurting too much, but they're getting up there, and I'm pretty sure that soon problems will arise with both of them healthwise.

My prayers are with both you and Sandy in this difficult time.

Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool

Posted 3/3/2008 10:44 AM by baldmike2004

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it's hard to see a pet go. they are like family. i had to make the decision a couple years ago. i chose not to give treatments (cat was having renal failure). she wasn't social except for loving me. so the trips to the vet were awful for her.

Posted 3/3/2008 1:53 PM by NightlyDreams

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I hope your pet is as comfortable as you can make him. I have a betta fish right now, but the last dog I had, about 5 years ago, I'd have to say was the greatest pet I ever owned. He was such a character, I use to call him the son I never had, and my Grandchildren sometimes called him"Uncle" because of how he'd watch over them,lol.

Posted 3/3/2008 6:11 PM by ralahinn1

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So sorry to hear about your kitty. It's so tough to lose an animal. I lost one right before Xmas and still think of her every day. Sending prayers your way

Posted 3/3/2008 6:59 PM by comet555 - reply

I'm sorry to read about your kitty being ill, but thankfully you have experienced happy memories to keep both of you going till the end.

Posted 3/3/2008 10:00 PM by The_Queen_Of_Swords

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I am so sorry to hear about your cat. Pets really do become part of the family.

Posted 3/4/2008 1:00 PM by WakeUpLaughing

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Wow, 17 years is old...one lucky cat to have had you.

Posted 3/4/2008 3:49 PM by Zeal4living

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I'm sorry about Sandy.

Posted 3/5/2008 9:03 AM by heidicindy

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Sorry to hear about Sandy.. Fortunately, you had lots of years to share with her. Thank you for sharing your story <3

Posted 3/5/2008 4:30 PM by sugarxane

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Awww, I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. It's hard to watch your animals go through being sick; they become like family. My first cat had a stroke when I was in middle school and she could not walk anymore so we had to put her down. I hope that Sandy goes peacefully!

Posted 3/6/2008 7:31 AM by TheCheshireGrins

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17 years is a good long life for a cat. I'm sorry that you're losing a friend, but I'm glad to hear that he's not going through any pain -- that's what's important. I wish you blessings and strength as you go through this difficult time.

Posted 3/6/2008 5:19 PM by Jemstone05 - reply

It's so difficult to lose such a dear friend, but thanking for sharing. Prayers for you and Sandy.

Posted 3/7/2008 7:38 AM by endlesssummer128

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Oh my I certainly can relate...my Boots once weighed 20 pounds and
lost down to 9. He was in constant pain he whine all the time...I had no choice.

Linda

Posted 3/7/2008 1:16 PM by Mymanyblessings

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At least he isn't in pain- and he is loved. In the last days of life, what more can you ask for?

Posted 3/8/2008 11:11 AM by silkenbutterfly - reply

oh honey, my heart goes out to you. I remember when my Felix was 17 and on his second thyroid surgery, and getting thinner and thinner. you take care now, hang in there, and enjoy the time you have with your precious kitty.

Love, Cyn

Posted 3/8/2008 5:13 PM by FourthChance

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