Mullet could use some vines

  • Thread starter Thread starter Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
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WTH!! in my quiet voice I say
i am so, so very sorry Carl. believe it or not, words escape me at this time. hugs.
fly free Mullet. know you will always be in your daddys heart and thoughts
 
Oh no. I am so sad to read this. I am very sorry Carl. *hugs* Fly free Mullet.

I am sending you lots of prayers for comfort.
 
Carl, I am so SO incredibly sorry to hear about Mullet. My heart just aches for you. Nadia and I are sending you lots of hugs right now, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
 
(((((((Carl & Bob)))))
My heart breaks and my tears fall for you. Mullet left so suddenly you had no time to prepare. But he picked his time and made sure you two would be together.
This is when our little ones are wiser than us and we must bear our broken hearts while we say "until we meet again". You could not possibly have failed him in any way. True love cannot fail.
You and Mullet and Bob are in our prayers.
Fly so very high sweet Mullet. Stop by your dad and tell him you are ok.
xoxo mary and oliver
 
Dear (((((Carl)))))
Thinking of you tonight and lighting Stu's candle to help light Mullet's way to the Bridge. We are so sorry for your loss of your grumpy old man. His spirit will always be there with you.

In deepest sympathy,

Ella & Edward, Rusty, and Stu (GA)
 
Carl,

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. You did not fail Mullet. He knew how much you loved him and you did the best you could. You are one of the best dads a cat could ever ask for. Mullet will always be with you in spirit.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((CARL))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 
(((((Carl)))))

I am so sorry for your loss. Words are completely inadequate. Suffice it to say that you are in my thoughts.

Fly free Mullet and land softly. There are many of our kitties who are at the Bridge to greet you and keep you safe until the time you are reunited with the one you love best.

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(((Carl))) & ~~Bob~~, I'm so so sorry Mullet is now an angel. Always hard to lose a furry friend. Wish it weren't so. Sending warm hugs to you both.
 
((((Carl))))

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know deep down in my heart that you did everything in your power for him.

Fly free mullet wings_cat
 
Oh Carl. My heart is breaking for the pain you must be in after saying good-bye to Mullet. I'm in shock. Tears of sadness flow for you. Give lots of love and hugs to Bob.
:YMHUG:
Karen
 
((((Carl)))))) My friend....I am so very sorry. My heart is breaking for you; I know how very much your two handsome boys mean and what a horrible shock all this is. I hope your last minutes with him were peaceful; your bond will be forever strong.

We lit a Candle for Mullet.

"The Ridge" by Carol Notermann

It’s been such a lovely summer, I’ve been napping in the sun.
This morning, other cats and I enjoyed a long long run.
We chased butterflies together. I climbed high into a tree.
And now I think what woke me up was that small bumble bee.

I’ve yawned and stretched, and still I feel that something has begun.
He’s standing there in robes of white, and telling me to come.
I always run to Him you know, when He comes across the bridge
To see if we’re all having fun and if we’ve checked the ridge.

He gives tummy rubs to all of us and pets and cuddles too
I’m glad to see Him every day, when He comes into view.
Each day He takes a different cat, and chats with them a while
Then off that kitty starts to run. I swear they seem to smile.

But now He’s stopped in front of me. He’s said a name I know.
He said to look out towards the ridge. The sun is setting low.
I start to walk out toward the ridge, and then what’s that I see.
IT’S YOU! IT’S YOU! It’s really you. You’ve come to be with me!

My goodness you are running and I am running too!
You stop to bend, but I can jump and now I am with you.
I feel your kisses on my head, as I did in long off days
You’re holding me and hugging me, and into your eyes I gaze.

And now He’s walking with us, as you carry me once more
We’ve crossed Rainbow Bridge together. We’re here at Heaven’s door.
And He has held it open, and told us to walk through
That from now on and forever, I can always be with you.
 
(((Carl))),

Our hearts & thoughts are with you & Mullet. What a shock for you, but I am grateful you were able to be with him & hold him while he crossed. He's probably hanging around next to you wondering why you're so sad, because he feels just fine, now. Keeping you close in our thoughts, & sending lots of healing & care vines to you & your family.
 
((((Carl)))) ((((Bob)))) I am so sorry for your loss. I too have a special place in my heart for a grumpy old man cat I lost suddenly a couple of years ago. As tough as Mullet may have seemed on the outside, he knew how much you loved him. I'm glad you were there for him. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Fly free Mullet, land softly, and send your bean a message that you are whole again. wings_cat
 
I'm so sorry to see that your buddy Mullet had to leave you - please don't feel as if you've failed him. Any kitty that had the love he had certainly was never failed. I don't know what the problem was but apparently you set him free from a body that was failing him - and now he's pain-free and young again.

My heart goes out to you - saying goodbye is so tough - we love them so much and they are such a part of our hearts and lives. Those "grumpy" ones leave the biggest holes in our hearts sometimes because of their distinct personalities - speaking from experience here because Mittsi never fails to let me know of her displeasure.

Sending many many hopes that the memories of your life together bring a smile to your lips again and that they begin to fill the hole left in your heart and life.

I am so sorry.

Emmy & Dude (GA) & Mittsi too
 
Okay, I'm going to try and make some sense so bear with me...

Last night, it was obvious that Mullet was doing worse. He had begun rapid shallow breathing, and open-mouthed panting.
When I got home from work, I fed the boys. Mullet actually ate a tablespoon or so of Purina Tuna and eggs on his own. When I tried to get him to eat more, he wasn't interested. Thinking it was dental related, I didn't want to force the issue by sticking a syringe in his mouth and causing him stress and pain, so I let him be. I did get him to eat a teaspoon of baby food chicken before going to bed around 3am. But all night till then, he was very fidgety. Like he couldn't get comfortable no matter how he sat or laid around. Still breathing shallow and fast which I took as "I'm in pain".
This morning, not really any different. He ate a few mouthfuls of food, but I wasn't concerned because I figured that if he was going to be sedated at the vet, they'd want an empty belly anyway. When it came time to take him to the vet, I picked him up and put him in the carrier. For the first time every, he hardly resisted. It's usually a huge fight to get him once he sees the carrier. I put his favorite "nanner" in there with him and a couple of towels. He cried, but not much.

All the way to the vet, he was pretty quiet. Again, totally abnormal Mullet behavior. He usually squawks the whole way and drowns out the music. So I didn't even turn on the radio. I just stuck my hand in the carrier and petted him and he meowed a couple times. I figured he must really feel bad, the way he was acting.

I got to the vet, and of course then he got agitated. Dogs barking and all that. I only had to wait 10 minutes or so until a room was available. Once in there, I opened the carrier. Any other time, I've had to wrestle him out, but today, he walked right out, jumped off the table on the bench, then on to the floor, and plopped down on the cool tiles. So I got down there with him. Vet came in - not his "regular vet", but one I have a great deal of confidence in. She'd seen him a few times. We talked for a few minutes, I told her what I thought about the tooth problems and Hyper-T. We got Mullet up on the table and he was doing the panting, rapid breathing. She looked in his mouth and called the vet tech back in and told him to hook up the "oxygen tent". Apparently, Mullet's gums were white, turning to blue. She took a scope to his chest. Heard what I felt when I picked him up off the floor....his heart was beating like a drumroll, and she heard fluid noises.
She took him in back and stuck him on oxygen, then came back to talk to me. She said she thought he had a lot of fluid in his chest, don't remember the scientific terms she used, but basically his heart was having to fight the fluids to keep itself beating. She said he was "critical". She told me she could check to verify by either trying to get some fluids out, or by doing an x-ray. I asked her what all this meant. I'm sitting there thinking "but it's just Hyper-T???"

She explained that where Mullet really needed to be was at a clinic in Charleston, (two hour ride), where they were equipped to treat him far better than she could. He'd need an oxygen enriched environment, and they'd put a tube in his chest to drain fluids, and probably another tube down his throat to feed him. I'm like "but it's just Hyper-T and a bad tooth or two???" She said, no, that's not all it is. It might not even be hyperthyroid. But right now, his heart and the fluids in his chest are the emergency. EDIT TO ADD - I chose "x-ray" over stick a needle in his chest. She took a chest x-ray. She said "there was so much fluid, that I couldn't see his heart on the x-ray".

So I asked her flat out...what do you think his prognosis is. She said "poor, to guarded at best". So again, I asked her point blank, as I started choking and crying "If he were your kitty, what would you do?" She said "I will back up whatever decision you make, but this might be the time to think about letting him go".

So I asked her if I could see him for a few minutes. I needed to talk to him. So she brought him back in. She handed him to me and then grabbed my hand and said "take as long as you need". I tried to wrap him up in a towel and hugged him. He started squirming, so I just let him do what he wanted. He jumped off my lap, and plopped himself down on the floor. I sat with him, and talked to him. He looked up at me, stared right into my eyes, trying to tell me something. It was hard to see through the tears. So I asked him, "what is it Mullet, what are you telling me". He looked back up and stared. Cried once, closed his eyes, and put his little head down. He didn't say the word of course. But what I heard was "I'm done, dad". I pretty much lost it. So I said, OK little man. And I sang him a song. "Wonderful Life" by Alter Bridge. Tried to anyway. Pretty off key with the sniffling and bawling. If you have never heard the song, or read the lyrics.... it was the right song. One that I will send every pet I ever have from now until the day I die to the bridge with.

After 10 minutes or so, I told the vet I was ready for her. I told her that I couldn't deal with sending him off two hours away, when I wouldn't be able to visit until my next day off, if he lived that long. And I couldn't get to him quickly if and when they called me to say "it's time". And I refused to let him live the last hours or days of his life in a clinic where he would not see familiar people, or me, or Bob, or his home, and be poked and prodded by strangers. I told her that I thought it was time for us to say goodbye, and asked if I could hold him when he crossed.

She came back and explained the whole procedure to me. She first gave him a sedative, and he calmed down some. Then she brought me and him into the back room. I placed Mullet in this oxygen tent and they let him breath oxygen for a minute or two as the sedative took affect. Then she asked me to take him out, and gave me an oxygen mask to hold over his nose. He totally calmed down, and even purred a couple times. His breathing slowed down, but I could still feel him breathing and felt his heart beating. Then they let me have a couple minutes alone with him. I must have told him "I love you Mullet and I'm so sorry" a hundred times in two minutes. Then they gave him the second shot, and a minute or two later, he was gone. It was extremely peaceful. Like he just went to sleep. The entire staff were so amazing. The vet tech, some guy I'd never met before (I'd never even seen a guy vet tech working there before) came over and clasped my shoulder. When I looked up at him, he had tears in his eyes. He'd never met Mullet before, or me. He just said "you did the right thing for him, sir".

So, I won't know exactly what it was that claimed my boy's life. It doesn't really matter to me. I just couldn't let him suffer any more. And I wasn't willing to just ship him off, leave him someplace where he'd feel abandoned and petrified, and have him leave this world alone.

And I know I can't play the "what if" game with myself. What if I'd brought him in sooner? What if...... I can't change the past. And I can't shape the future. All I can really do, when it comes right down to it, is live in the present and try to make "now" the best place I can for my kitties. And "now", that means Bob.

I chose to have Mullet cremated, and it'll be a week or so until he "comes home" for good. He'll go right up there next to "Winkie". And I'll talk to him just like I talk to Winkie when I have something to say.

My goal is to put together a memorial video for Mullet, like I've seen other people do. I need to collect the old photos and "digitize" them, and put it to music, and that will take me a couple weeks since I don't really know what I'm doing. But I'll learn.


I want to thank each and every one of you who have posted in the past 24 hours, first with the healing vines and prayers, and then with the beautiful words since I posted the "rainbow". I simply can't put words to how you've made me feel. Today was a really, really bad day. I can't imagine how I would have made it thru the day without the support and love of the people here. My broken heart will mend, but even if broken, all the pieces are still there. And it is with my whole heart that I say "thank you" to all of you.

Carl & Bob & Mullet (GA)
 
((((Carl))))

I am so very sorry for your loss. When it's unexpected like this, the shock is paralyzing. I am so glad you were able to be with him as he left; it was a gift to you both. Your voice was the last he heard, your touch the last he felt, and he knew your love surrounded him. I know that gave him great peace, and I hope that you can share in that peace someday, as well.

Please know that hearts around the world are mourning with you as you grieve for your sweet Mullet.

Gentle journey and safe landing, Mullet. You were dearly loved, and will be forever missed.

"Death is not the extinguishing of the light... it is the
putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come."
~ Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore

Realistic_candle.gif
 
Okay, sitting here in tears typing this and you did the absolute right thing for Mullet. You put Mullet first, your pain second, and you knew it was time to let him go. After reading all that transpired from last night through today it was the right decision, never doubt that. It can happen so fast sometimes with no signs anything is wrong till suddenly they are in trouble. Open mouth breathing scares the hell out of me and that is a bad sign. I have also learned to let go before it becomes a terminal stage and they might suffocate from not being able to get air. Bless you for loving Mullet so much that your thoughts were all of him and he went peacefully surrounded by your love.
Your greatest gift of love in 16 years with Mullet was helping him to the Bridge.
 
I'm so sorry -- big hugs to you (((((( Carl ))))))

It is so hard to loose a pet, and so suddenly too. You absolutely made the most loving decision by being with him for his transition rather than sending him off alone and scared with little hope of a better outcome. I love that he purred for you there at the vet's, and that you got to tell him over and over how much you loved him, grouchy ornery guy and all that.

Though he has now flown wings_cat to that rainbow rb_icon bridge, you will surely meet your loved one again cat_pet_icon as love transcends time and space.
 
I'm so sorry, Carl, for your loss of Mullet. I didn't get a chance to post earlier with the Board down. I'm so glad you had that time with Mullet helping him cross peacefully and hearing your voice. My deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family.
 
Carl, there are no words I can say to ease your pain. You did the very kindest thing one can do for a loved one but it comes with great agony. Sounds like you gave him a fabulous, long life and he will be with you always.

Deepest Sympathies,
Bernadette
 
Carl

Part of the love and care you gave Mullet was knowing when to help him to the Rainbow Bridge. You did that in such a beautiful and peaceful way. Guilt is a part of grieving - I am sorry that you have to experience that after all the care you gave to his grumpy self.

I am crying with you.

Robin
 
What an incredible story. I don't post here much, just follow one or two threads that catch my attention now and then, and for some reason I started reading this one today. I am so touched by the sheer love that pours out of you, Carl - love for a very special kitty who will live for ever in your heart.

Those of us who have been in your shoes - we will all be there sometime, I have been there twice and others several times more - understand the complete devastation you feel at your loss and the feeling of it all being a bad dream. Can there be a worse feeling in the world than losing a special little baby who is the world to us and more? - I don't think so. Sadly this is the small print that none of us takes on board when we welcome these beautiful little creatures into our homes, our hearts and our lives. Are we devastated? Yes. Is it worth it? Unconditionally, yes, for the limitless joy and love they give to us. It takes a while but we cannot but accept that.

Wishing you comfort as you face these early days without your friend, Carl.

Diana
 
(((((((Carl, Bob & Ex-Wife))))))

Carl, I am at a loss for words. You, Bob and your ex-wife are in my thoughts and prayers today. You gave Mullet the most precious gift any caregiver can give. Hang in there, buddy.
 
Dear Carl

I know of one possible "what if" and I'm so glad you didn't go through this. My Farrall developed chylothorax (possibly the same condition as Mullet), a type of fluid in the chest. Not knowing anything about it, I let the vet "tap" her chest to drain off the fluid so she could breathe, then took her to MedVet, a specialty facility. They tapped her too, the fluid kept refilling the chest, the fluid losses wreaked havoc with her electrolytes, and she still couldn't breathe well. And I had to let her go because nothing seemed to control it. Had I known, I would have let her go peacefully instead, as you did with Mullet.
 
Oh Carl I am so sorry to hear this . You are such a good bean to your furkids, but they are so good at hiding illness until it is too late. You did all you could. It was so beautiful that you had time for to say goodbye to Mullet.

Sorry this is so late, the Board went down just after I saw. Lighting a candle for Mullet. rb_icon

candle-400.jpg
 
Carl, I am so sorry for your loss of Mullet. You both were fortunate that you could be there singing to him as he crossed. We have you in our Prayers, Carl.
 
What a difficult decision you had to make. When members here ask what to do for their kitty who is ill, I will often tell them to talk to their cat and listen very carefully for what their kitty tells them. Cats know. We just need to be smart enough to listen. You are a wise man, Carl.

I also often post this fable about why we choose tears for the caregivers of a kitty that has crossed the Bridge. I hope it provides a bit of comfort.
 
((((((((Carl))))))))

OMG I am so sorry for your loss of your grumpy ornich fellow. But now Mullet is running free playing with all his buddies that have gone ahead. I'm very sure that right now he is making friends with Muse, Musette, Onyx and all the others that he has met through you and this board. He is now free from pain and it is your heart that is breaking. Again I am so very very sorry and my heart breaks with yours...Fly free dearest Mullet.

mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
I'm so sorry Carl. I just went thru a sudden loss of one of my boys just over a week ago myself and I know what you mean about it being so sudden and not knowing what took him and not doing the what ifs and all that. I know, and you know, and so many know, we have to do the what's right. And we do. (((Carl)))
 
I'm so sorry .. I cried tears as I read your post .. I know Mullet knows that you did everything you could have for him .. Fly Free Mullet ..
 
Carl,

Fluid can build up so quickly that playing "what if" really doesn't matter. You could have taken him in one, two or three days sooner and there wouldn't have been any fluid. You would have pursued the hyper T, dental route and still not know that something else was going on.

So, don't feel guilty, don't play "what if", it wouldn't have changed anything.

I do believe they let us know when they are ready. Like Mullet did by easily going into the carrier, not fussing in the car and looking at you with the clarity of knowledge. My Sydney did a very similar thing. I placed the carrier next to her and she walked into it on her own and laid down waiting. I knew in my heart what she was doing and when we got the to vet and she said, are we doing an x-ray, I cried and said no, I don't think so, please look at her.

You sang to him, cried and snotted on him and sent him on his journey with a tear/snot halo - his badge of love to show to everyone at the bridge just how loved he is.

Once Mullet comes home, you can begin to heal the pain in your heart.
 
thanks for sharing that. i know how hard it must have been.
what a good dad. Mullet will be with you forever.
many tears here and huge hugs to you.
love ya sweet cheeks
oh, and I agree with Hillary about snotting all over your boy. JWD.

again, huge hugs to ya
 
Carl & Bob, I don't know what to say. I am so sorry. I am so happy that you were able to sing to him and be with him. Sending you and Bob all the comfort vines I can muster. Fly free, sweet Mullet. Your dad & brother love you much.

rainbow_bridge.jpg
 
Oh, Carl! You know I'm not around a lot anymore, but did try to access the board on Tuesday, gave up when it seemed to be down and didn't try again until now. I could hardly believe it when I saw the rainbow you had posted.

I could tell you what a great dad you were to Mullet and how blessed he was to have you, how you did everything you could for him and loved him well, but you already know that. I wish I had the words to heal your aching heart. Praying sweet memories of your time with Mullet will bring you comfort in the days ahead.

Hugs to you and Bob.

Through tear-filled eyes,

Libby (& Hershey, too!)
 
So sorry about your loss. So many hugs. Mullet was dearly dearly loved. I'm crying tears after reading what happened. So sorry.

wings_cat
 
Dear Carl,
my heart is with you. Fly free sweet Mullet & land softly on your daddy's shoulder & help him.
Love, Sophie
 
BEYOND THE RAINBOW

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, an on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful - lush and green and wide
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright glow pierced the night
"Twas the glow of many candles, shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in it's brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be
We are still connected by a cord no one can see
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
 
Dearest Carl & Mullet,
Carl, Sooo sorry to hear about Mullet. I know for a fact when Bean was dx and I drove this place crazy, you were always one to respond. I want to send many thanks for that and paw hugs for sure.
Mullet knows you were a great daddy and will be waiting for you. It took a moment for me to be able to reply as I am crying my eyes out for you and deeply feeling your pain.
Hopefully Mullet has found my 2 girls: Gumpy & Slappy by now and they are showing him around the Bridge.
Again, many many hugs & prayers coming your way.
 
Mullet was so lucky to have you as his person. I am so deeply and truly sorry for your loss -- I know Mullet knew how fiercely loved by you he was, and what a rare and special thing that is. Godspeed, Mullet.
 
I am new to the board, but I wanted to tell you I am so sorry you lost your boy...I have been there and know I will be there again and so I know and understand how you feel, so I am sobbing as I read your posts...my heart breaks for you...
 
Carl,

My heart breaks for you. You gave Mullet a wonderful life, and you were there with him till his last breath. No cat could ever wish for more. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Cindy
 
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