Your Day

Trollheart · 02-14-2021, 05:22 AM

OK, well, just so we're clear: as I said, I don't deny your right to offer opinions, I just choose not to pay attention to it on this subject. You don't have, let's say, the moral high, or low, ground and you don't have the experience. Sure you say you were sad when your cats died, but I'm willing to bet that sadness (whatever age you were) didn't last into more than the next month or so. Three years on, nearly four now, I still miss and tear up about Ritchie.

Eddie does not have no teeth: he has gum disease, which is impacting, according to the vet, one of his teeth and giving him pain. But now he says this may not be why he's not eating. So they're checking to see if it's anything to do with his legs. While he was not eating, almost at all, I was terrified and upset to see him lose so much weight (a third of his body weight over a year, and even lost a bit more between the time I took him to the vet initially, nearly two and a half weeks ago, and this time). I was not prepared to let him starve to death and quite ready to drop the hammer if I was told there was no choice.

However, if my vet - a professional, who has a great love of animals and tons of experience in advising people whether or not it's time to let go - says he can live a relatively comfortable but shorter life, I'll be guided by that. Goes without saying that if we get him back and he shows no improvement or deteriorates, we would make the necessary call. But I'm not going to have him put to sleep just because it might be easier. The easy thing is not always the right thing, and vice versa.

Eddie is the last of our cats - probably the last cat we'll ever own, at this stage - and while yes there is sentimentality and good old-fashioned love of our pet involved in my/our decision, we will as always do what's best for the cat. When Ritchie went blind, we tried for a few days but it was no use. When the same thing happened to Millie the decision was taken out of our hands, but we were thinking along the same lines.

We don't want any pet living beyond what's comfortable for them, but we're also not going to cut a pet's life short just because someone thinks it's the merciful thing to do. I'm full of mercy, and if I thought for a moment I was keeping Eddie alive past his time, I would do what needed to be done. But I don't want to lose him before I have to, and if the vet agrees and says I don't have to, then I'm not going to.

Thanks for your input and advice, but as I say, on the basis of not being a pet lover it is rejected, and again no offence. I'll be guided by my own experience with pets and by people I trust and who know me.

Long live Eddie!

OccultHawk · 02-14-2021, 05:35 AM

One thing I’ve learned about vets since I got my dog is they ****ing love people willing spend every last dime on their pets. A dude in love with his dying animal is a living breathing walking Christmas to vets. Especially ones who own the shop and don’t just work there. But goddamn if they won’t up sell you. They’re worse than mechanics and car salesman.

Key · 02-14-2021, 08:42 AM

Only at MB will people choose to debate whether someone is treating their pet properly or not in the context of death. How bout just stfu and let TH do what he wants.

Sorry to hear TH. That is tough. I've been through it before several times. Never gets easier.

The Batlord · 02-14-2021, 09:36 AM

Tfw you agree with Key.

Trollheart · 02-14-2021, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

One thing I’ve learned about vets since I got my dog is they ****ing love people willing spend every last dime on their pets. A dude in love with his dying animal is a living breathing walking Christmas to vets. Especially ones who own the shop and don’t just work there. But goddamn if they won’t up sell you. They’re worse than mechanics and car salesman.

In fact in my case you're wrong Hawk. When my three cats had to be boarded for five months while Karen's downstairs extension was being built, we were looking at a bill of 4,800 Euro. Without me saying a word, Ciaran immediately said "let's just forget that eight hundred, we'll leave it at four thousand." Abd then he let me pay 100 a month. He's always aware that I'm on carer's allowance and of Karen's situation, and he never sells me anything or encourages me to have treatment for any of my cats that would be simply spending money. He may be in the minority, certainly, but he's different. He really cares.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Key

Only at MB will people choose to debate whether someone is treating their pet properly or not in the context of death. How bout just stfu and let TH do what he wants.

Exactly. As far as I'm concerned, the subject is closed, and nobody will convince me to put Eddie down until Karen and I, and Ciaran, believe it is the best thing. So keep out of it please guys: I appreciate the effort but it's really not your decision, any more than I would try to persuade one of you to make a decision I had nothing to do with. Had I asked for opinions or advice, that's one thing, but I didn't, so let it lie. Thanks.

Quote:

Sorry to hear TH. That is tough. I've been through it before several times. Never gets easier.

Thanks man. As he gets older it becomes more real and imminent, and inevitable, but never easier. If we get one last summer with him I'll be content. Hell, if he can go out into the garden once more I'll be happy.

Key · 02-14-2021, 09:43 AM

All you can do is just make sure hes happy and comfortable. When it's time for him to go, you'll know. He'll know probably before you do. Cats especially will separate themselves from their humans in order to pass on. Typically it's done this way so they dont disappoint you. Just make him feel as comfortable as you can which I imagine you have. I can tell you love animals TH and I love that about you.

As far as I'm concerned, you're doing everything right. You're being a good cat dad.

The Batlord · 02-14-2021, 09:46 AM

An Irish vet named Ciarin? Slip her my number next time you see her, TH.

OccultHawk · 02-14-2021, 09:49 AM

Quote:

we'll leave it at four thousand

I had to check

Quote:

1 Euro equals
1.21 United States Dollar

Wow. Did they train at the Mother Theresa Veterinarian School or something? I’ve never heard of such incredible generosity.

Trollheart · 02-14-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Key

All you can do is just make sure hes happy and comfortable. When it's time for him to go, you'll know. He'll know probably before you do. Cats especially will separate themselves from their humans in order to pass on. Typically it's done this way so they dont disappoint you. Just make him feel as comfortable as you can which I imagine you have. I can tell you love animals TH and I love that about you.

As far as I'm concerned, you're doing everything right. You're being a good cat dad.

Thanks man. Love ya back!

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

An Irish vet named Ciarin? Slip her my number next time you see her, TH.

Ciaran is a man's name, idiot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I had to check

Wow. Did they train at the Mother Theresa Veterinarian School or something? I’ve never heard of such incredible generosity.

He's just such a nice guy, really. Initially he totalled it up to 1,600 and I was like are you sure? Five months? Then he says oh that's only for one cat. Then I swear, he wrote down the full figure, didn't even look at me, and scratched the 800 out with his pen. A real gent.

OccultHawk · 02-14-2021, 10:04 AM

How much would you charge to keep three cats for five months?

02-14-2021, 05:22 AM	#74001 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	OK, well, just so we're clear: as I said, I don't deny your right to offer opinions, I just choose not to pay attention to it on this subject. You don't have, let's say, the moral high, or low, ground and you don't have the experience. Sure you say you were sad when your cats died, but I'm willing to bet that sadness (whatever age you were) didn't last into more than the next month or so. Three years on, nearly four now, I still miss and tear up about Ritchie. Eddie does not have no teeth: he has gum disease, which is impacting, according to the vet, one of his teeth and giving him pain. But now he says this may not be why he's not eating. So they're checking to see if it's anything to do with his legs. While he was not eating, almost at all, I was terrified and upset to see him lose so much weight (a third of his body weight over a year, and even lost a bit more between the time I took him to the vet initially, nearly two and a half weeks ago, and this time). I was not prepared to let him starve to death and quite ready to drop the hammer if I was told there was no choice. However, if my vet - a professional, who has a great love of animals and tons of experience in advising people whether or not it's time to let go - says he can live a relatively comfortable but shorter life, I'll be guided by that. Goes without saying that if we get him back and he shows no improvement or deteriorates, we would make the necessary call. But I'm not going to have him put to sleep just because it might be easier. The easy thing is not always the right thing, and vice versa. Eddie is the last of our cats - probably the last cat we'll ever own, at this stage - and while yes there is sentimentality and good old-fashioned love of our pet involved in my/our decision, we will as always do what's best for the cat. When Ritchie went blind, we tried for a few days but it was no use. When the same thing happened to Millie the decision was taken out of our hands, but we were thinking along the same lines. We don't want any pet living beyond what's comfortable for them, but we're also not going to cut a pet's life short just because someone thinks it's the merciful thing to do. I'm full of mercy, and if I thought for a moment I was keeping Eddie alive past his time, I would do what needed to be done. But I don't want to lose him before I have to, and if the vet agrees and says I don't have to, then I'm not going to. Thanks for your input and advice, but as I say, on the basis of not being a pet lover it is rejected, and again no offence. I'll be guided by my own experience with pets and by people I trust and who know me. Long live Eddie! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

02-14-2021, 05:35 AM	#74002 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,033	One thing I’ve learned about vets since I got my dog is they ****ing love people willing spend every last dime on their pets. A dude in love with his dying animal is a living breathing walking Christmas to vets. Especially ones who own the shop and don’t just work there. But goddamn if they won’t up sell you. They’re worse than mechanics and car salesman. __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

02-14-2021, 10:04 AM	#74010 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,033	How much would you charge to keep three cats for five months? __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

02-14-2021, 08:42 AM	#74003 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Only at MB will people choose to debate whether someone is treating their pet properly or not in the context of death. How bout just stfu and let TH do what he wants. Sorry to hear TH. That is tough. I've been through it before several times. Never gets easier.

02-14-2021, 09:43 AM	#74006 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	All you can do is just make sure hes happy and comfortable. When it's time for him to go, you'll know. He'll know probably before you do. Cats especially will separate themselves from their humans in order to pass on. Typically it's done this way so they dont disappoint you. Just make him feel as comfortable as you can which I imagine you have. I can tell you love animals TH and I love that about you. As far as I'm concerned, you're doing everything right. You're being a good cat dad.