Barney is an Angel Now.

[Catty1]

Lara, I think of Tiger and what a trooper he was too...except Barney does take his meds like a good boy!

An appointment for Barney doesn't have to be "the" appointment - though you and all of us know it probably will be. Unless Scott wants to be there, you can certainly ask Trudy what she thinks - "if it was your cat", that sort of thing. She may give him a bit more insulin and inject the tumour with pred...or she may suggest he go to the RB. She is the expert - you are the boss.

Like my mom's ancient Siamese, we hoped he would go in his sleep. He never did! He had mini-strokes, I think - so by the time she DID take him to the vet for his RB trip, he was so out of it that when I opened the carrier outside in the sunshine for him, he just stayed standing facing the back of the carrier...as he had for the car trip. He was 19 1/2.

So - it IS tough when they don't give you the sign. It's easy to think he goes back to his room to "be served" - he is a cat, after all!

When I was stuck on this type of decision years ago, I asked the vet, "If I did decide to put him to sleep, would you think it was an inappropriate decision?" Immediately she said, "Not at all."

You know as well as any of us that the vet can't make the decision...but there is a way to get their opinion without putting them on the spot.

Did you give Barney kisses for me? Even if you did, can you give him a few more?

Bless you and your heart - you will do the right thing when it is time.

[Taz_Zoee]

I will be at work at this time, so I will make sure I have enough tissue ready, because I know I will need them.

Hugs to you, Lara. And please give Barney a little one for me too.

[Scooter's Mom]

I too will be at work during this time, as I am 2 hours behind the East Coast at the moment.

Lara, please give Barney a lot of hugs for me, and some hugs for yourself as well. Barney is such a special kitty and so very loved the world over.

My prayers are with you.

[Medusa]

Lighting candles is a daily occurrence for me and at approximately 5:00 PM I will light a candle for Barney. As I anoint it w/oil, the upper half of the candle represents the spiritual realm, ie., sending our request to Spirit and the lower half of the candle represents our request being fulfilled on the earth plane. Bless you, Lara, and God speed, Barney boy.

[jazzcat]

I've missed so much of this while I was sick.

I'll be thinking about Barney and you. Please give him a little hug for me too.

[Emeraldgreen]

Thank you so much guys. I can't tell you how much I love the idea of everyone lighting candles (or light houses ) and/or thinking of him at the very time that he goes. That is truly one of the neatest things ever and something I'll never forget. It has me in tears because it is so kind. And this little, once homeless kitty will finally know how very many people loved him in this world.


p.s. Jazzcat wrote:

I've missed so much of this while I was sick.

I hope you feel better soon. I gave Barney everybody's hugs, including yours.

p.p.s. I'm not sure about all the time zones but Scooter's mom, my brother lives in Tucson and I talk with him a few days a week and he is one hour ahead of me right now. We fell back an hour a few months ago. You'll probably still be at work but it will be at 3:30 your time, 2:30 my time.

[Randi]

I have to go out now and will post later - just wanted to give this time zone link for now.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/full.html

[Scooter's Mom]

p.p.s. I'm not sure about all the time zones but Scooter's mom, my brother lives in Tucson and I talk with him a few days a week and he is one hour ahead of me right now. We fell back an hour a few months ago. You'll probably still be at work but it will be at 3:30 your time, 2:30 my time.

Thanks. Tucson and Phoenix are rather close (and getting closer every day with all the construction it seems, lol) so we're on the same time zone.

Cyber hugs to you... now come visit your brother so I can give you real ones.