Barney is an Angel Now.

[Purr-tender]

This is a very difficult time. We have all hoped and prayed that Barney would miraculously get well and be this contented old, lap cat. It is very obvious now that is not to be. I am so sorry for you, Lara. We are all madly in love with that sweet boy, but you are the one who has been there each day with him. You have given him so much!! When the time comes please don't second guess yourself. Just know that no matter what, I trust your judgement completely. You have always done what was best for him.

Tears, prayers and gentle hugs for you and dear Barney,
Mary

[Scooter's Mom]

I can only say what everyone else has. No matter how much we have fallen in love with Barney, you're the one who has physically been there for him. When you feel his quality of life has reached the point where it has been surpasssed by pain and depression, you'll do what you have to do.

Thank you for always sharing sweet Barney with us. I've never loved a kitty from afar as much as I have loved Barney Boy. Thank you for giving him love and shelter and the generosity of your kind spirit.

Hugs,
crystal

[pomtzu]

Oh Lara - major LES here! My heart just aches for Barney and for you as well. It's obvious from his video that he is fading, and he does appear to be quite miserable. The only saving grace here is that he still continues to eat. What a little fighter he has been.
I know that you are are torn between wanting him with you for a while longer, and letting him go. I think that all of us with fur kids have faced that same situation at some time in our lives. I don't have any doubt that you'll know when the time is finally here, and that you'll help Barney on to RB. My prayers are with you and Barney - for Barney to have a peaceful journey and final sleep, and for you to be strong!
Hugs to you both, and please give Barney a gentle little kiss from me on the top of his sweet little head!

[Pinot's Mom]

I think the quote on the bottom of Pomtzu's post says it all:
"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop, on what day, or what hour.
Now is the only time you have, so live it with a will
Don't wait until tomorrow - the hands may then be still."
You have "lived with a will" with Barney and I think he's loved you for it every step of the way. This decision is heart wrenching, but you know in your heart what is best for Barney. He does, too.

Thank you for sharing him with us and know that God will be with you both to guide sweet Barney where he needs to go, to guide you in your decision, and to heal your heart in love. You have no regrets; you've been a wonderful and caring mom to Barney. Bless you!

[Randi]

LES here. It's heartbreaking to see Barney in the state he is in now. He is standing there, not knowing what to do, and not enjoying life. I'm feeling SO sad. How I wish he could speak up and let you know what he wants you to do.

He has been fighting very hard to survive, but now, with all his issues and his old age, I think he's about to give up. He has definately enjoyed your care, and taking him inside was the best that could happen for him. He must have thought he had died and gone to heaven.

I know it's a very hard decision you now have to make, but I do believe that Barney will want you to let him go. You, and all of us will miss him very much, but knowing he has been cared for and had so much love in the past few months is a little comfort.

Until we all have to say Goodbye to Barney, is it possible for you to give him some painkillers, so he at least is not in pain? That is my main concern now. I would hate to think Barney entering 2009 in pain.

I'm sending lots of kisses and positive thoughts to Barney, and big hugs to you.

[ramanth]

Poor old guy. I'm sorry to hear that Barney isn't feeling well. He knows you love him though and he knows you'll do what you feel is best. At least someone cared for him and that was you.

[Lizzie]

I find it harder to let them go when they have had a very hard life and only a brief period when you have been able to make a huge difference in their quality of life. You want to rail against fate because they are finally in a place where they are appreciated, loved, comfortable, where they should have been long ago, and then the time is cut so very short. I let my Ginger go a few weeks ago, just as the bad weather started to hit our area. Like you, I was concerned about getting to the vet with holiday closures. However, Ginger was 22-1/2 and had had a very comfortable life. Her body was totally worn out from gracious living. Letting her go a few days earlier than might have been necessary gave me few qualms because there was no feeling that I was short-changing her. With Dagda, a few months ago, my feelings were very different because after ten years in a shelter's very crowded conditions, he'd had only 18 months with me. It seemed so damned unfair. I wanted to give him so much more time on sunny decks, in cushy armchairs, cuddled into my stomach at night, but Mother Nature wouldn't allow it. Like Barney, towards the end he seemed to choose the most uncomfortable ways to rest, lying on hard surfaces and rarely closing his eyes. Does Barney still sleep, really sleep? I waited a little longer than I should have with Dagda, he was telling me how uncomfortable and tired he was but as long as he would get up and come to me for a cuddle, I just couldn't let go. He didn't really get much pleasure from those cuddles, not enough to balance out how rotten he felt the rest of the time, it was me I was giving the extra time to.

As everyone else has said, thank you for taking in Barney and giving him the best quality of life you possibly could and for as long as anyone could. And, thank you for sharing Barney with all of us, we have appreciated it (even though my boss just walked into my office and found me with tears in my eyes!)