Remembering Sam:(

[Slash]

Hi everyone...
I'm new to the forum and seeking help as I'm not a very emotionally stable person, though I do have support from my family and friends.
Yesterday, we unfortunately had to put our 8 1/2 year old cat to sleep. We found a few weeks ago that it's Kidney's were failing(we took it to the Vets after we saw signs that something is wrong like not eating, not drinking, no energy and unfortunately it lost a lot of weight.
We got medication for it which the Vet said we could try.. it would not permanently fix the issue, as you can't stop Kidney failure, but he did say it will slow it down.
We decided to go with it, and see what it does. He had it for a week, and had no issues with it at all... I thought life was starting to change again last week when I saw him starting to gain a bit more weight, he was eating more, active again, etc...
Then like a slap to the face this weekend he just stopped eating... started sleeping constantly.. stopped doing everything that he normally did...
Yesterday morning he tried to jump onto my bed but unfortunately didn't have the strength to get up.. I knew this would be his last week...
Yesterday afternoon comes along and I was sitting in room... he tried to walk down the stairs, but then he just collapsed..
I picked him up to put him on our floor and he couldn't walk.. if he did, he would wobble back and forth..... I took him into the litter box but he just sat in there...
I knew it was time to let me furry friend pass on into heaven's gates..
I said my goodbyes to him at the Vets... hugged him and kissed him for 5 minutes then held his hand while he was being put to sleep... The Vet's say it took around 30 seconds for him to be gone.. he was asleep in 10 seconds..

I cannot believe that he is gone... I got no sleep last night.... it makes me depressed(emotionally) thinking that I will never be able to see my furry friend again

What can you guys give me for advice to make me accept the fact that he is passed on.. I have good memories with him stuck in my head, but then I can't get that awful picture of seeing him asleep out of my head...

Thanks for any advice guys.. it's appreciated.

[Karen]

Don't think of it as never seeing him again, as you will always have him with you in your heart, close your eyes and picture him, and there he will be.

And there's the Rainbow Bridge Story:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together ...

Old Norse Legend

[phesina]

I am so sorry to read of the loss to kidney failure of your beloved Sam. My very deepest sympathy to you.

[Anikaca77]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's never easy, it takes time but try to remember all the good times, it's hard to forget the last few minutes you have with them, believe me, I've done my share recently and it's never ever easy but with time that pain will pass and you will be able to look at photos of him and smile knowing you will see him again...on the bridge.

My R.C., Anika, Milo, and Ziggy are there to keep him company.

My prays,
Melissa

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sorry about Sam. I went through this same thing last year with my Taz. As for the image of him sleeping at the vet.....it's just that. He is at peace and no longer in pain and is sleeping.
Reading your post just brought back all the emotions from when I let Taz go. After the doctor gave him the shot to go to sleep he let out a long sigh. The vet assistant said he was finally resting. (Sorry, have to stop to wipe my eyes.)
The story Karen posted of the Rainbow Bridge is a great way to help ease that pain a little. I often just imagine Taz up there playing with the other pets I've lost along the way.
Do not let go of those memories you have. They are also important in the healing process.

RIP Sam

[Slash]

Thank you so much guys, it means so much to me..
I have a lot of memories with him.. I guess it is just a huge slap to my face cause my parents older cats lived to be 18... so I guess I thought he would live to be that age..
It's been 23 1/2 hours that he has been gone... I'm missing him every second of the day
I do have 2 other cats and 1 dog, I'm just worried about the other male cat.. him and sam were like best buddies and makes me wonder how he will react in a few days.

[Freedom]

I am sorry for your loss. Sounds like Sam was well loved living with you; and his furry pals as well. Sam KNEW this, have no worries, cats KNOW when they are loved, and they love back in return in their own way.

That love will carry you through this sad time. You will never forget your Sam, but the heartache will ease with time, and you will remember the funny things, the purrs, the snuggles.

RIP, Sam, romp happily at Rainbow Bridge!

[lvpets2002]

I am so sorry for your loss of Sam.. I know it is so hard.. RIP Baby Sam & Play Hard At The Bridge..

Welcome to Pet Talk & Enjoy All The Talks & Pics..

[Medusa]

Your story really tugged at my heart strings. No matter how long we have our furkids, it's never long enough. Most if not all of us here on Pet Talk have had your experience, unfortunately. It's so painful that the pain is almost palpable. However, as Freedom pointed out, Sam knew he was loved and he loves you even more now for doing the last act of kindness for him by helping him to the Rainbow Bridge. It sounds as though Sam had acute kidney failure and it does take them rather fast. My Peeka had it and I had to help her to the Bridge w/in 3 days of the diagnosis. My Puddy had chronic kidney failure but I was able to keep her around for 6 years or so. So try not to think too much about how it turned out. Instead try to think about all the good times that you had together. As time passes, it will be easier to do this.

Also, your other furkids need you now more than ever. I'm sure that they feel the loss of Sam as well and they're probably wondering what in the world happened and when is he coming back. You're a fortunate person to have such a kind soul and more furkids to comfort you. It'll get better, truly. Keep the faythe. (((HUGS)))

[Slash]

I can't thank you guys enough for all you have done on my first day...
I'm listening to this song almost every hour of the day remembering my buddy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcQvYh_3Atw

[carole]

You have my utmost heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your beloved and precious furbaby Sam, you have come to a wonderful place here amongst people who really understand your pain and can help to comfort you through it all, i too lost my old boy Ash Feb 13th this year to kidney failure, it is hard and it just takes time, time does heal, but it never takes away your wonderful memories of your loving furbaby and friend, HUGS to you at this sad time and just grieve for your baby.

[Sundance]

I am so sorry for your loss of Sam, especially when it seemed he was going to live longer than he did.

The Rainbow Bridge legend always makes me cry, but I truly believe there would be no heaven for us without our beloved pets, so I like to think that the ones who have passed before us are playing gently and waiting for us to cross with them.

You did absolutely the right thing when it was time to say goodbye to Sam. You hugged and kissed him, held him, and stayed with him until he was gone, and he knew you were there and that it was okay to leave. When you think of him sleeping, remember how peaceful and pain-free he was once again. It's so hard to let one of our pets go, but it's much harder finding them after they have passed on alone and scared.

When I read these messages in the Cat Memorial, they always bring a flood of emotions, usually accompanied by lots of tears, and sometimes I just can't read through them and have to go back later. (I'm very emotional, too!) It's okay for you to feel sad that Sam is no longer with you, but you probably have photos of him when he was healthy and happy, and you must have great memories of his life with you. It hurts a lot now, but it will get better. When I have to say goodbye to one of our pets, the tears seem like they will never stop, but eventually I can remember good times and look at their photos without crying so much. Some days are harder than others, but the tears do stop. We have planted a memorial garden in our backyard. It's on a sunny hillside and is covered with flowers and evergreens. We are buying engraved stone markers for each of our beloved pets who have gone before us. It's a beautiful, peaceful place to remember our furry friends.

I often reflect on the relatively short life of our pets compared to ours. I believe that if Duke, the cat I inherited from my mom, had lived as long as I might live, I wouldn't have known Billy, the happy-go-lucky guy who has brought so much laughter and joy into our lives. If Blackie had lived as long as I might live, I probably wouldn't have known the love I receive from Jess, Jinx, Midge and Sofie, all adopted from the local shelter, and all with emotional, medical, or physical needs that made their chances of adoption, even survival, almost nil. Both Duke and Blackie gave us the opportunity to care for older, diabetic, hyperthyroid cats, which led to adopting insulin-dependent Chloe, whose diabetes is now controlled with diet alone.

The loss of one life can bring you the gift of another, and when the time is right, you will know it. The hole left in your heart by the loss of Sam gives you room to love another without ever forgetting Sam and the wonderful times you had together. I hope you will soon find peace in remembering Sam and the joy he brought into your life.

Rest in peace, Sam, and play gently at the Bridge until one fine day when you will cross together.

[Slash]

Thank you so much carole and sundance!
Today I am feeling a little better, I know my pal isn't suffering anymore and I'm sure he's safe on Rainbow Bridge.

[carole]

I am glad to hear you feel a little better today, each day will be different , you will have your semi good days and your really bad days, just know we are all here to help you through them and comfort you, do you have a pic of Sam that you might like to share with us, of course this might not be something you feel you can do just now, but would love to see your lil friend when and if you feel up to it, now take care and GIANT HUGS.

[Cataholic]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know, like most on here, the frame you are in right now. These first days are near impossible. Time helps, losing the sharp edges of the last few minutes helps, and eventually....life seems to go on. We lost our 10 year old girl in July, and it is still very tough, especially for my son. But, it is better. We love them as much as we can for the time we have them. It is just never enough.

Sam was much loved and will be sorely missed.