I'm depressed

[catlover4ever]

Oh Debbie, {{{{{hugs}}}}} to you. I know exactly how you feel. It is so hard and unfair in a way to watch our "furkids" grow old.

Tucker is about 18 and to me she struggles so much lately. Everytime I see her I think back to when I found her and how fiesty she always was....now she goes a couple steps and stops and sometimes even falls asleep when she is going from point A to point B. She is going deaf (or maybe she is just ignoring me) and she is constantly sneezing, her ears are burnt and will probally need to be "tipped" off, and her hair falls out in clumps.

This may sound really silly but what about going to a yard sale or flea market and getting a used baby carriage and when you and Terry go for a walk you could still take Tubby along....just put his collar and leash on and put him in the carrage....you know, start him out walking on his leash but when he gets tired just pick him up, secure him in the carrage and keep going. Tubby would still have your wonderful company and be able to get some fresh air all at the same time.

If you ever need to talk, feel free to PM me...I know just how you feel. Give Tubby a chin rub from me. {{{hugs}}} --- Meg

[K & L]

It so hard when our loved ones, be it pet or human, become this way. Hugs sent your way.

[aki]

Debbie, I know how you feel. I recently had to by a step stool so Chuck can get up onto my bed at night. I was about in tears when I realized that he couldn't do it by himself anymore. Chuck is 10. It is hard when you realize that you will outlive them but think of it this way, you lived some of the best parts of your life with them. They will never be totally gone.
((((((hugs))))))))

[Randi]

Oh Debbie, I know it must be so hard on you to see Tubby getting old and tired, but I hope you can keep him a while yet. Carrying him up the stairs is a big help and I'm sure he appreciates it very much. Give him lots of loving and spoil him all you can! I know you will. I think you know that Tubby is one of my favourites. Please give him lots of kisses and hugs from me!

I'm sure you remember Pjevs in our backyard, he is at least 12 years old and seems to be getting smaller lately. I dread the day I have to say goodbye to him.

Debbie, I'll keep you and Tubby in my thoughts.

{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}

I'll be here if you need to talk.

[christa]

I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out . . . death is a hard thing for anyone to think about . . . even when you think of your pets. Josie isn't even a year old yet, but it breaks my heart to consider not having her in my life. After the countless times that she has lifted my spirits out of depression and anxiety . . . I just couldn't imagine loosing her. But I do know how you feel . . . I've lost many pets in my 23 years. It's hard to know that you'll never have them again, but you have to believe that it's better that they don't suffer. Some have a strong will, just like people, and it seems that Tubby's strong will is carrying him along. Just pay as much attention as you can to him. And you never know, you may have him for a few more years . . .

My friend had a 21 year old cat . . . it was deaf and blind . . . they had to put litter on a newspaper on the floor, because it couldn't step over the side of a litter box . . . it had the run of an entire livable attic (they were lucky, wealthy people) and it was the sweetest cat . . .

Point being, you never know how long Tubby has . . . just enjoy every second that you have with him. You're in our thoughts!!! Sending Love & {{{HUGS}}} to you and Tubby . . . from me and Josie!

[catnapper]

Giant {{{{HUGS}}}} to you! I remember how heartbreaking it is to have a cat get old right in front of you. I am going through that right now, watching Nicki get older. She still shows signs of puppy, but she doesn't have the energy to be puppy more than a few minutes. I wonder how much time we'll have left with her. I know, morbid thoughts, and I should be concentrating on the fact that she's still healthy and here with us.

Tubby, I wish I could give you a pill that would give oomph back into your little legs and let you hover around your meowmie every morning.

[DJFyrewolf36]

I find that the key to being un-depressed is to think about all the wonderful times you had with your pet. 18 years is a wonderfully long time to have such a special relationship! As an avid caretaker *and maid mostly* to rats, I know what its like to lose that special pet. All of my rats were special to me, and dispite the time I did have, sometimes it feels as if it is never long enough.
I cry when I lose fish lol, I cry when I kill insects *ok ok so Im reeealy bad* When I was younger, my parents had a doberman, Hidi. Hidi was born literally three days after I was . The dog lived to be 13 yrs old and my parents got her as a small puppy. I grew up with and was raised partly by this dog. Losing her was the hardest thing I ever went through. But when I think about all the time I had and the fact that she is at the RB waiting for me, It doesn't hurt nearly as bad.
Sigh, I'm rambling
*Hugs* to you! and feel better! *Scritches* to the Tubby man

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thank you so much everyone. I try not to dwell on this and try to see how well he still gets around instead of always seeing the things he can't do, but sometimes it just hits me and I feel so sad.

He does have what seem to be good days and bad days. On the good days, I would say he's not a day over 10, but the bad days are the hardest - and the ones that creep up on you and hit you when you're vulnerable.

Terry was out of town last night so I slept in a little this morning - or I should say I tried to sleep in. No such luck though because Tubby was up and at 'em and right in my face, sniffing my eyeballs. I usually hate it when he does that (I don't know why but his sniffing me has always been a bone of contention between the two of us), but this time I just laughed and gave him a big hug and smooch, then proceeded to get up and give him his morning treats - after his morning medicine of course.

Gini, thanks for sharing the memories of Magic. What you did for him is basically what I'm doing for Tubby. Spoiling him as much as I can....as much as his sensitive tummy lets me.

Jen, thank you so much. Somehow the way you put it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Meg, I love the idea of a baby carriage! I hadn't thought of that, but it would be perfect for him! The only thing is, the neighbors will start to wonder about us having a baby! Imagine their surprise when their curiosity gets the best of them and they come out and see Tubby in the carriage.

Thank you all so very much. Tubby was pretty chipper this morning which helped a lot to push the sad thoughts to the back of my mind again. I did get some pics - which is another thing I agree with Jen on. Even though they look pretty much like others I've taken, I'm taking them anyway so I have as many as I can of my big boy....and I didn't forget Peanut in the photo session either so hopefully later today I can get those up before "somebody" starts whining.

[mruffruff]

I too know the feelings you have. Dale was only with me for 15 months when she was PTS on this past Thursday. She spent most of the time sleeping, but she also liked to lay in the sun. She was 15.

I regret that I didn't take more pictures. Be sure to take lots of Tubby.

All we can do is love them as much as they will let us until it's time for them to go. Then let them go peacefully.

Hugs to you.

Mary

[nibblets]

My Julie is still very young, 1 year, but our little Buddy is 12 and he is showing his age more and more all the time. His eyes are beginning to cloud with cataracts, he has had two spells with his back which his Vet attributes to a ruptured disk. He is occasionally incontinent when he sleeps so I have to keep a sheet folded up under him to protect my bedding. He still has his spunk most of the time. You can tell he is a little old man though.

Its all part of lifes cycle...it doesn't make it any easier to let them go but when they live a nice long life there is satisfaction in that.

Jazzcat- I understand all too well what you are feeling with your Dad and Brother. I lost my dad in 2001 to Parkinson's Disease and Diabetes. He went from a strong life of the party type guy to a frail, quiet almost childlike man before he passed.

All we can do with our animals and our people both as they age and their bodies wear down is love them...and hope that we have someone to love us when its our turn.

[sirrahbed]

((((((Debbie))))))) The three kitties we now have are actually a very NEW family!! I can empathize with you - where you are. Several years back - we had two geriatric kitties, Bert and Ernie. Bert had cancer and Ernie had kidney failure. They were 16 and 17. Both had grown old as our children grew up. It hurt to see them failing - but as I work with elderly - the way I see it is natural I guess. I loved to help them do the things they needed help with like jumping up to the bed or couch. I carried them around more than before. I took lots of pictures but wish I had taken more!! It is sad and hard to watch - but I had to keep reminding myself of all the happy years they had. First, Bert started to outwardly show signs of pain, the tumor was rather large - so I got Missy out of school and we took him to the vet for his final exit so we could hold him while he died. With Ernie, we chose not to extend his life with fluids , etc - because of kidney failure and he never appeared to be in pain - only very slow. He died one night in his sleep - a few nights before Missy's wedding.
My point is writing all this is just to say that life and aging are all normal stages - and each can be enjoyed and made easier and it can be sad and also a joy to help make life happy for them!! They can't be kittens forever of course but they were happy and joyful kittens! Now they can be happy and dignified elderly cats!! They can enjoy ALL of their lives with you. I hope I make sense here.
I DO understand the melancholy though Debbie. I cried my eyes out many times over my old men I still cry for them at times. But I also know they had long and happy lives with us. ((((Debbie))))
It is OK and normal to feel sad. Please take extra pictures and spoil them extra!! Lots of love and special treatment that they deserve Watch them and savor everything they do so you never forget! Feel honored that they chose YOU to love

[gini]

Debbie, the baby carriage idea is brilliant. Who cares what the neighbors say?

I know a woman who has two small maltese and they are older and infirm. She takes them with her everywhere and she has a cute stroller and they just love it!

The only problem is that people do stop her because her pups are so cute. And then she must explain the stroller idea over and over.

But I like to think what a great influence she is on people and can show them the deep love of her pets.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks again everyone. Meg reminded me of this "carriage" type thing on Drs Foster and Smith, but that made me think of a wagon - just a plain old child's wagon! Tubby would love it! I really don't think he would jump out at all - maybe at first until he got used to the feeling of the movement, but I think he would just sit there and take in all the sites while I pull him around!

Debbie, I'm hoping Tubby goes like your Ernie did, quietly, in his sleep, hopefully while he's snuggled up next to me in bed. Thanks so much for the comforting words. It is a natural part of life, but that doesn't make it any easier on us.

Again, thank you all. {{{hugs}}} You guys really are the best!

[RedHedd]

I know how you feel too. When my Goldie was getting on in years (she died at 15) I knew she was getting old and it just made me sad. I cherished every day I had with her as she drew near the end. Somehow I knew that last Christmas together that it would be our last and I made it extra special for my dear old lady. I wish I had taken more pictures - PT has taught me that! I did save some of her fur and it's tucked into her memorial photo album. All we can do is make their time with us more comfortable. I love the baby carriage idea too. Give Tubby and the Peanut lady some extra skritches from me and the M's.

P.S. I LOVE it when my kitties sniff my eyelids! It's the BEST way to wake up!

[gini]

Debbie, the only thought I had about the wagon idea is that you would have to PULL the wagon with Tubby behind you. Wagons can be bumpy.

If you had the stroller you could PUSH it and then know he was alright.