Panther is gone

[fragrancehound]

I had to make the hardest decision ever today and decided it was best to put Panther to sleep. His quality of life really deteriorated the last 2 days. He became very weak and dehydrated. I tried my hardest to get food, meds, and water down him but many times he vomited everything back up. The vet thinks that even though his small intestine was improving there may have been more going on with his kidneys or liver but at this point its moot. The only other option would have to take him to a 24 hour emergency vet where they could insert a feeding tube in his stomach. However, that would have required full anthesia and quite frankly I don't think he would have made it through the operation. From what she was telling me it is a very invasive procedure.

Part of me is relieved that he will no longer suffer but the other part of me is so depressed. I stayed while she put him to sleep. He looked like an angel. I will miss him terribly.

I can't bring myself to pick up his water dish and food bowl. I see all these reminders of him and it makes me cry.

In any event I wanted to thank everyone here for their spport. This is truly a great community. I very much appreciate the well wishes and thoughts.

[Craftlady]

I'm so sorry that decision had to be made but it was the best one considering the circumstances. Please know that Panther is playing happly and is pain free at the Rainbow Bridge. :)

[Queen of Poop]

So sorry that you had to let Panther go. It was for the best for him though. You'll see him again one day. Hugs for you, I know how hard this was, has been and will be in the next few days.

I'm playing the waiting game with my ferret Sebastian. He's ok for now, but is going down hill so I know it is just a matter of time (days) until I'm in your shoes.

You're not alone. Let yourself grieve. If you need anything let me know.

[Catty1]

{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

You did so much...and Panther was beautiful and very very loved.

You done good.

[MBones]

I am so sorry to hear of Panther's passing. It is so hard to make that one final decision, isn't it? Rest assured that your beautiful Panther is trouncing around with all of the other beloved pets at the rainbow bridge. Peace to you in the coming days, weeks, months.


(((((frangrancehound))))

[wolflady]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to see this today. Take comfort in the fact that you did everything, and I mean everything, for Panther. The hardest part is realizing that you need to let them go, so they don't suffer any longer. Bless you. Please know that we are all here to support you during this difficult time.

The Rainbow Bridge has welcomed yet another fur angel, just in time for Christmas.

**hugs**

[Freedom]

I have been thinking about you and Panther, and I was hoping for something positive.

I am so very sorry to see this thread. That decision is never easy. You ahve some wonderful memories which you and Panther made together. You will NEVER forget him, don't worry about that. He touched your eart in a special way. RIP Panther.

[jenluckenbach]

oh no. :( :(

I am SO sorry.


RIP Panther. You were a much loved kitty and will never be forgotten.

[lvpets2002]

:( I am so sorry.. Its always such a hard choice to make.. This wittle one is now at RainBow Bridge.. RIP Panther.. May Corinna open the angel door when he arrives.. ((((((( Huggss ))))))

[kb2yjx]

It is never easy to say goodbye to a good friend, like Panther was to you! Take care... sleep softly sweet Panther...

[Catlady711]

Sorry to hear that Panther didn't bounce back for you. I know it's a hard decision but he's no longer in pain anymore. (((((HUGS))))

[AbbyMom]

I'm so sorry. Why is it so hard to the right thing for our loved ones?

RIP Panther. You were well loved.

[emilysgk]

Im so sorry, you tried so hard though. Never doubt that. I kept up with Panthers story and you did so much for him. He knows how much you loved him. As hard as it is, it really having a big enough heart to know when its time to let them go.

[fragrancehound]

I very much appreciate the kind words. I can honestly say this had to be the hardest thing I have ever done. I still can't believe he is gone.

I took up his bowls this evening and the room where I kept them looks so empty. :(

I know I made the right decision but I am having a very hard time with it. My house and heart feel so empty without him.

[jennielynn1970]

I know the empty heart and home feeling well. I had to put my foster, Bear, to sleep back in July, and I still miss him terribly. He might have been a foster kitty, but he was my boy in my heart and I loved him dearly.

Panther is now in peace, and is no longer in pain. I hope he's playing with Bear and the others across the Bridge...

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[momtomany]

You loved Panther enough to let him go and that is the hardest decision we all make with our beloved pets at times. May your love for him and the cherised memories of times together comfort you.

[fragrancehound]

I have such overwhelming guilt right now. How do you deal with it?

I keep thinking what if I did things differently? Should I have put him to sleep earlier? I also keep asking myself if I should have had him hospitalized earlier thinking it might have avoided any suffering on his part. With all the vet visits added up (and there were quite a few!) I probably could have afforded for him to stay a few nights at the hospital to receive better treatment. I know I probably shouldn't even think that way but it weighs heavily on my mind.

[smokey the elder]

I'm so sorry about Panther. It's never easy to make the "big decision", but I think you and Panther both knew it was time.

[wolflady]

Honey, please don't beat yourself up with the "what ifs". My mom did the same thing with our old family cat Socks, and I felt so bad to see her suffering so and wondering if she should have done something differently.

You did everything you could for Panther, and when the time came, you made the right decision to let him go. Please try to take comfort in that you are a great cat meowmie and you did what was best for Panther. He is smiling down on you right now, and will be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

**hugs**

[Russian Blue]

I know I made the right decision but I am having a very hard time with it. My house and heart feel so empty without him.

I'm so sorry for your loss. :(

When you love someone, it's naturally hard to feel complete when they exit your life. And it takes time to heal from the loss and deal with the emotions which surround the decision you had to make.

When you take in a feline, there is no ownership manual telling you the exact course to take. You do what you need to do, with the best interests of that feline in mind.

Panther knows you loved him. That's all that matters.

(( hugs ))

[gini]

First, I am so very sorry that you have released Panther to the Rainbow Bridge.

I do understand and I know many on this board fully understand your huge loss.

Secondly, please, please, don't beat yourself up. It is perfectly normal for
you to wonder "could I have done this" - "could I have done that" that would have made a difference in the final outcome. I think all of us do that as we grieve so pitifully for our beloved pets.

All of us are here for you and again - from the bottom of my heart I extend my sympathies.

[kimlovescats]

I'm so sorry! :(

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Panther's passing.:( As others have said, please don't beat yourself up with the what if's. I also did this for a long time with my Pepper. I finally found closure by asking a pet psychic about him and was told that I did the right thing. My Pepper still visits me and I hope that Panther will also continue to visit you. If you need to talk you can pm me any time. Panther knows that you love him and he's now no longer in pain. RIP sweet Panther.:( Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[TopCat3]

I too followed Panther's story and marvelled at the lengths you went to to try to save him and give him the best quality of life you could.

Guilt is one of the stages of grieving. I find it's best to wallow and embrace all the feelings as they come and go in turn, which they will over the next few days and weeks.

Please know you are thought of and supported on this forum, even by those of us who can only duck in at odd times when we should probably be doing something else - like sleeping!

I have thought about you and Panther a lot and will continue to do so over the coming holiday period. I personally (as opposed to cyberly ;) ) know two other people who have had to let their cats go to the Bridge in the last few days, and I am thinking of all of you.

With best wishes, take care and be kind to yourself, Panther would want that.
The TopCats.

[4KittiesMom]

Hi FragranceHound -

In doing a search about Fibrosacroma in cats I found your posts about your sweet kitty Panther. I know it's been almost 2 years for you, but I am sure you still miss him everyday. I was so sad as I read along and saw that you lost him. I lost my beloved Ozone to stomach cancer very suddenly in 2004 - after we had only had him for a year and a half - (though he was 15 years old) He also had the beginnings of kidney failure. I still miss him everyday - and some are much worse than others.

Now, one of my other beloved fur babies has Feline Sarcoma - possibly vaccine related and is about to have surgery to remove the mass - tomorrow. I am hopeful that she will get better and get at least another year with us - after all a year of warm laps, purrs, and good scritches is a long time!!!

She is 13 years old, and one of the first kitties my husband and I ever had as a couple, I am so not ready to lose her. But I know that her chances of living much past another year is slim, as we cannot afford the chemotherapy or alternately a leg amputation as recommended by our vets.

I was just wondering, how long Panther was with you after the surgery - was it stomach cancer that finally took him to the RB or a recurrence of the sarcoma?

I am so sad, I just cry all the time for my sweet baby girl. Clawdia is my little girl - she loves to sit in a warm lap or on a fuzzy blanket and purr - she is one of our only lap cats - we have 4!

Anyway, I just wanted to send my love and BIG ((((HUGS)))) to you for the loss of your beloved.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2907889440_4681b5065c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2907043311_9dc23b8638.jpg

[momtomany]

I am so sorry for your loss and I will say extra prayers for you. I hope your happy memories will comfort you until the time you are together again. Rest in peace Panther and play happily at the bridge.