Everyone told me that I would know when it was time. Over the past few weeks, Poppy was finding it increasingly difficult to sit down. She would stand on the post outside our house for hours, not wanting to move or come in. She was still eating, but she was losing weight. All the time, the tumour was getting bigger and bigger.
Then on Thursday night I looked into her beautiful green eyes and I just knew.
My mum drove us to the vet’s. Poppy poked one of her paws through the carrier and rested it on my hand the whole way there. I couldn’t hold back the tears.
At the vet’s I started to panic. What if I wasn’t doing the right thing? What if it was too soon? ‘If she is struggling to sit down, she is in pain,’ the vet said simply. ‘There is nothing else you can do.’
It was over within seconds. I gave her a kiss on the top of her little head, stroked her gently and said goodbye for the last time.
Now we’re coming to terms with the loss.
No 1 Son is very angry with me, but I’ve tried to explain that when you love an animal, the kindest thing you can do for them is set them free, and let them die with dignity.
She was 17, and she had a really good life. The other cat and the dog will miss her, as will we all. I know it’s silly to be so upset, she was just a cat. But she was our little cat, and we loved her. We will always love her.
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She was a part of your family. They stop being ‘just a cat’ when you fall in love with the funny little furr balls. She was lucky to have lived with someone who loved her enough to not see her in pain. I hope that your son feels better soon and I’m genuinely sorry for your loss.
Such a hard thing to do but definitely the right thing. I hope you are ok. Your son will understand when he has a pet of his own and faces the same decision. xxx
Not just a cat a member of your family. I feel for you, I would be lost without mine. As for your son as you probably already know his anger is just grief showing. Our children expect us to be able to fix everything and when we can’t it hurts and scares them. Big hugs for you all xx
Not silly at all, they become part of the family and it is really sad when you lose one. You did the kindest thing rather than let her suffer. Luckily enough you got to say goodbye to. Sadly I never got to say goodbye to my dog as I was away and my mum was looking after her. It took me a long time to get over it I was about 14 at the time and it was probably the first time I had lost anyone that I loved. Im sure your son will come round eventually, hes just sad and different people deal with their grief differently. I really am sorry for your loss x
So sorry to hear this Liz. I love our little cat too and fret about her as if she is one of the kids. Pets become part of the family so their loss is very, very painful. As someone once said, this too will pass. xx
I’ve never been one for pets (RAF family growing up so it was goldfish or nothing) but I do know that they can mean so very much and really can be a part of the family. I’m really sorry for your loss Liz, I hope your son feels happier about things soon x
Of course she wasn’t just a cat. She was your cat and a member of the family, so grieve how and for how long you need to. It’s terrible thing, but more terrible to let her be in pain when you can help. I’m so sorry for your loss :0(
So sorry for your loss xxx
Oh heck, now I’m in tears. I totally sympathise with you, this must have been an awful experience. She wasn’t “just” a cat, she was “your” beautiful Poppy and a member of your lovely family and she will be in your memory forever. Your son will accept it eventually; I guess it’s a hard thing for anyone to deal with and he will soon realise that you did what was naturally right for Poppy. She won’t be in pain now but she will still be near you.
God Bless,
CJ xx
I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is. We had to put my dog down when he was 16 and I’d had him since I was 10 – it was the most upsetting time. But I know we did the right thing for him – it’s best not to let them suffer anymore than they have to. X
such a sad post, I remember taking our dog to the vet and the same panic mode but seeing his little face afterwards nice and peaceful was the best thing.
17 years of happiness thats all you should remember
Aw I’m so sorry, Lizbeth. You did the right thing and your lovely vet has reassured you of this. Sleep well little kitty x
Liz, so sorry to hear about Poppy. xxx
God this post is so sad. It actually made me cry. It’s such a loss when an animal dies but I think you did the right thing in letting her go, Liz. You wouldn’t want any other family member to be in pain so why let a cat suffer? I think your son will also understand that in a couple of days x
Its hard I know. I went through the same thing in February. My two children were terribly upset. The younger one drew a picture and wrote on it all the things he loved about Felix and its still pride of place on the fridge. I think it helped him. Even though it would end up with all of us in tears I openly talked about the good times with Felix and they would join in.
Beautifully written. Been there twice and i know the feeling. The depth of your grief just shows how much you loved Poppy and of course you have done entirely the right thing.