My 15 year Old Black and White Tuxedo......

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

......Cat ,T.C. , is dying. He is soooo sweet. He was born in my closet all those years ago. He has been with us through all our moves and all our other animals..and never fretted..just went along with it all and was just happy and content to know he was with us.

He has some kind of cancer/tumor and it looks like it is pushing on the Esophagus and he is now not eating , except for some bites...not drinking . We are forcing water down him..and trying to force medicine down too...which stresses him out really bad. He also has bad Asthma. We had him in to see the Vet and then the Cat Specialist a few times...they have done everything they know...They recommend an UltraSound, Lung Washing and Lung Biopsy...But we are not going there...That would be just to confirm the cancer..and with TC at 15 years of age, I don't think we would do Chemo.

It is tough...I hope I will know when he is suffering...right now, he doesn't seem to be. He is just wasting away.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=17042 http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=17043

[vicklynn]

Sure is a pretty cat! Sorry you are going through this with him.
HUGS

[Tatesgram]

I'm sorry you are going through this. He is a beautiful kitty. A friend of my just had her cat put down. He was old and tired, but it still hurts.

It amazes me how much our four legged friends mean to us and how hard it is to let them go.

I'll be thinking and praying for you.

[Sundays Man]

He's been a very special cat and a good companion for a long time. I hate to watch him go through this.

[Vacker Hast]

T.C. is a very handsome boy. I think you made the right decisions and as long as he is not suffering or in pain then I would keep trying to nurish him until the time comes you feel it is his time. He has had a full and loving life with you and your family the two legged and four legged ones too. Nature is taking it's coarse and we are able to make decisions to keep them from suffering that I wish we had more options with humans.

I hope you will have enough time with him to accept all this and continue to make the right decisions if you feel you haven't gotten enough time yet or maybe you have already and you will be okay with the decisions to come ... we're never really okay but we do what's best for them and we still grieve our loss but accepting to ourselves for those hard decisions.

Warmly, Stacy

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Oh thank you so much Stacy, Vick and tatesgram. I am having a very hard time with this. I just am not ready for him to go. I wish our little ones could live longer.

[shewasmyshadow]

Oh, spooky...he looks just like our cat Missy that we lost way back when I was a kid. She had cancer too. We did exactly as you did. We handfed her and kept her happy until she told us it was time. I got her for my 4th birthday and she was put down around my 15th birthday. I was the one to know it was time. That was so hard. My mom and I went together and we held her at the end. That was one of the hardest moments of my life. It was soothing to know we didn't let her suffer. She was a great cat. :)

Anyways, I just wanted to say that it's good to know you're caring for him and willing to put him down before he suffers. It'll be hard, but it won't be as hard as watching him suffer. I'm so sorry he's sick and hope he lives on in your memory has the wonderful cat he was.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

He's been a very special cat and a good companion for a long time. I hate to watch him go through this.

Remember when everyone wanted the little black and white fluffy butterball? I knew he was going to be a very special cat...even when he climbed up the Christmas Tree and then jumped down and started running with the strand of lights around his neck. Or when we got the kitten Taz and we walked in and TC (boy) was laying out and Taz was nursing...Well..that was a little weird, but that's just how sweet and loving TC is.

[WashingtonBay]

I'm so sorry. It's one of the unfortunate inevitable burdens we carry, that our pets lives are so much shorter than our own.

Our old orange Tom, Cartman, who died last year, we also knew was too aged to do radical treatment on. His was heart failure I think, and when he started to shut down, we kept watch and tried to keep him comfortable until it was clear his quality of life was all but gone. I think letting them go at their own pace has appeal but within reason. When we did take him in and have him euthanized, it was very near the end, but we thought it better than the lingering gasping and gurgling kind of life he had ahead otherwise.

Good luck, and may you have peace in your decisions these coming days ahead with your Tux Cat. :)

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Oh, spooky...he looks just like our cat Missy that we lost way back when I was a kid. She had cancer too. We did exactly as you did. We handfed her and kept her happy until she told us it was time. I got her for my 4th birthday and she was put down around my 15th birthday. I was the one to know it was time. That was so hard. My mom and I went together and we held her at the end. That was one of the hardest moments of my life. It was soothing to know we didn't let her suffer. She was a great cat. :)

Anyways, I just wanted to say that it's good to know you're caring for him and willing to put him down before he suffers. It'll be hard, but it won't be as hard as watching him suffer. I'm so sorry he's sick and hope he lives on in your memory has the wonderful cat he was.


Thank you. Boy, how hard that was for you...You know, I would love it if he would just lay down and go to sleep. I am hoping and praying that is what will happen. I know we will have to put him to sleep if he starts suffering...but how do you snuff out a life? I would want to hold him if we have to do that, but oh my goodness....so hard.

[allie0]

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=17042

I feel so sorry for you :( That picture is darling, certainly something that needs framed.
*hugs*

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Thank you WB.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

AllieO..thanks..kind of fitting this time of year. My Valentine.

[shewasmyshadow]

I know we will have to put him to sleep if he starts suffering...but how do you snuff out a life? I would want to hold him if we have to do that, but oh my goodness....so hard.

Oh, I remember that day vividly even now. I didn't cry a tear when I watched her slip away, but as soon as were in the car I just couldn't stop. There is nothing like putting an animal down.

It certainly reminds me of how precious and short even a human life is.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Oh, I remember that day vividly even now. I didn't cry a tear when I watched her slip away, but as soon as were in the car I just couldn't stop. There is nothing like putting an animal down.

It certainly reminds me of how precious and short even a human life is.

It does make us do some soul searching, huh? I guess if I know it is time, then it means he is suffering and I would never think of myself before him in that respect. Maybe that helps somehow.

[shewasmyshadow]

It does make us do some soul searching, huh? I guess if I know it is time, then it means he is suffering and I would never think of myself before him in that respect. Maybe that helps somehow.

I don't think you should worry. With us we just "knew". When she didn't look like she was enjoying life and always seemed in pain it seemed very clear.

[Gypsy Rose]

Awww! What a sweet kitty! He's had a wonderful life with you, and now it's almost his time to move on. It's always so hard letting them go.

((((HUGS))))

[jeezitsjacki]

oh no im sorry, what a cute guy. We just had to put my 1st cat down (im 20 now, got her when I was in elementary school) and it was very hard. I wasnt with her, my mom was. She said that its nothing you ever want to be there for, but you know that you need to be. For you, and for your pet

[oursarge]

I'm so sorry, he's a beautiful kitty, the kind of kitty I always wanted but the ones that I got are the ones that needed me most so I never got my Tuxedo kitty.

We had to put our Misty to sleep almost 4 yrs ago, 5 days after I had to put my horse down. Misty had no kidney function left but really gave us no symptoms other than she lost some weight and she couldn't jump like before. It was terrible, we took her to the vet to be checked, he was sure it was Thyroid since she was not 11 yet, 3 days from being 11 [Dommie died 3 days from being 28. My Noah died in May a week after his 12th birthday. I HATE May, they were all born and died in May] and that's not that old for a cat. When he did the blood work he found her kidneys were gone, probably a genetic defect. We decided we couldn't let her suffer so he gave her a sedative and I held her while he he did what he had to do. She was gone in seconds but I am still grieving, I'll never forget her sitting looking out the window before we took her. It was like she'd never sit there again, she knew we didn't. My poor baby, I sure know what you are going through and I feel so bad. I truly think I need a shrink since I can't get past their leaving me. I've been like a zombie since loosing Noah. I was finally doing a little better after Dommie & Misty then Noah got sick and I've fallen to pieces. I hope that when the time comes for you that you do better than me. It's just so hard and my heart is breaking for the kitty and you.

I always wish that mine will go in their sleep but they never do and we have to help them along. It isn't easy but at least they aren't suffering anymore but our suffering never ends. Stupid me I keep getting more to torture myself I guess. They need homes and I know I can give them a good home but when they leave me it rips me apart. I am so sorry, it's never easy to loose a family member. Such a beautiful kitty.

[Bessie13]

What a beautiful kitty. He looks so loved and content. You have given him the best life and I bet he has given it right back to you. He is blessed for having you. So sorry you are going through this, he will let you know when it's time, and you will know what the right thing is to do and when.

[JetLagaside]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear your news - it's never easy that's for sure. I lost one a few years back due to cancer too, you just do the best you can till they tell you it's time. I know it doesn't make things any easier.

[natisha]

My last cat passed peacefully sleeping under the kitchen table. I knew he was going. He never made a sound but would purr when I petted him. He was black & white too.
You'll know what to do when the time comes. He will tell you.
I feel for you.

[Sundays Man]

JetLag..it does help to hear kind and understanding words though from people who have been there.

[CaddoCinnamon]

I am sorry that you are going through this but your cat is very pretty. When the time comes you will know. As far as holding your cat while they give the shot you can. I had to put down Sheba a 8 month old mix pup I had 3 years ago. She got hit by a car. Her mom Missy jumped over her to put herself between the car and her. Missy died instantly and my hubby was about to finish Sheba but I told him that Missy gave her life for her we owe it to Missy to try to save her pup. Took her to the vet and everything was fine until she lost all of her hair. I took her back because she was in pain and there was nothing I could do I had tried for a month to get her better. I guess the day that I knew she looked up at me and with her eyes said mom I hurt please let me go. I did that day it is hard but you know in your heart that you are doing what is best for them in the end. I will not tell you that it doesn't hurt it does greatly but in time it heals. I held Sheba when the gave her the shot. She went peacefully. Your cat will tell you when it is time. I will keep you in my prayers.

[cheval]

I am really sorry. What a sweet cat. {hugs}

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Thanks everyone. TC ate some this morning. I still can't get him to drink tho..and we can't seem to get his medicines in him. We have a follow up appointment with the Cat Specialist at 12:30 today. I will give an update on him when we get back home.

[cheval]

Thinking of ya.

[JackieB]

Very sorry to hear of T.C.'s illness. We all have our time on this earth, but I guess that doesn't make it easier for the ones who love us.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Back from the Vet. TC most likely has lymphoma. He has a lymph node that is swelling and pushing on the Esophagus. But there might be other things going on as well like the Asthma and the lung congestions. The Vet said today that the lung xrays look more localized now..maybe the cancer spreading? He was given an antibiotic shot..long acting that should last 2 weeks. They also gave us another type of antibiotic paste to put on his skin( inside of the ears). I brought home fluid bags and will hydrate him here at home once a day. We got a type of paste "laxitive" to make sure he does not get impacted again. Now we don't have to stress him out all day long trying to get medicine and water down him .

I feel good that at least while he is still showing signs of hunger and can eat little bits during the day, that we are doing everything we can to make it comfortable for him...as the lymphoma progresses.

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

[oursarge]

Wish the news was better but at least he has a family who loves him, so much more than so many animals have. I hope he will be with you for another while and be pain free. It is so hard.

[Gypsy Rose]

At least you have a little more time with him, and can cherish each day.

[CaddoCinnamon]

I am glad that you have a little longer with your friend. That will help. Keeping you in my prayers.

[Vacker Hast]

I was so afraid you wouldn't come home with your Boy since he wasn't taking his med's nor drinking water ... his immediate threat at this point would be dehydration but I am so glad to hear your news and T. C. Boy can be with your family for awhile longer. Your Prayers have been answered to have more time with him to accept this even as hard as it is. I hope and Pray he is able to stay happy and content for awhile with lots of extra lovin' and you and your family can accept that you have done this for him and for yourselves.

Warmly, Stacy

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Thanks everyone for all your kind words , prayers and healing thoughts. You're right Vacker Hast that we have some time to give lots of petting and kisses and know that we have done everything we can to help this sweet boy. :)
I hydrated him today but he is not eating today at all.

[carla]

Love the pics. That first one is a classic TC look. :)

He is a terrific boy and will be greatly missed. :( We love you, Tee-Ceebers!!!