R.I.P. my little Pumbaa!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Pumbaa

Pumbaa

Member Since 2012
I haven't posted in over a week, because Pumbaa was put to sleep, in my arms, on 1/21, knowing how very loved he was, And I miss him a lot!

This was not an easy decision for me. My little guy had been fighting me for BG testing, and using all of his strength to climb off of my lap and get away from me at testing times. I knew he was tired of our routines after nine months. Not to mention how the sleep deprivation for nine months, due to Pumbaa's frequent dives, affected my health, and my income and my taking care of my elderly and medically challenged Mom.

I refused to consider re-homing Pumbaa, because I didn't want him to wonder why I no longer loved him. That was never an issue. And he still would have been subjected to the testing/shooting that I was subjecting him to, and hating it.

I wanted my little guy to leave this earth knowing how loved he was for nine years. And he did. Peacefully.

I thank Marje so much for reaching out to me, and asking what was going on, and for understanding my difficult decision. (((HUGS))) Marje, you so deserve a purple heart for really caring about our FD cats. Love you! (((HUGS)))

I took lots of photos and videos of Pumbaa, his last weekend. Things I had wanted to capture for years, but had never made sure I had my camera ready for.

Here is my tribute to my Pumbaa!

http://www.arizonagraphicandwebdesign.com/PUMBAA-BECK-012013.m4v

Please don't judge me for my very difficult decision, since you don't walk in my shoes. This was a very difficult decision for me to make and it was the right decision, for all involved. I still miss my little guy so much, but he will always be alive in my heart and in my memories. And now I can make sure that I am doing what I need to do for and with my mom, to lengthen her time on this earth, and make that time enjoyable. As well as taking care of me, so I can take are of my mom and my business.

I hope you all understand this, as Marje did.

Suze
 
(((Suze))),

Nobody here is going to judge you.

You've obviously been through a really difficult time. And ultimately the decision you made to end Pumbaa's life was made out of love for him. It sounds like you knew that he'd just had enough. It is for each of us here to do what is in the best interests of the cats in our care. And you did what you thought was best.

I am really sorry for your loss. I hope you will be able to take comfort from the memories of your beautiful boy, Pumbaa.

All good wishes to you,

Elizabeth x
 
(((((((Suze))))))))

Breaks my heart.

But thanks for the part of yourself you shared with us.

Fly free little guy. o:-)
 
Sorry for your loss....((((hugs)))) Whenever a decision is made, you in your heart know what's best for your loved ones....whether human or furbabies wings_cat God Bless You Cindy & Sabrina cat_pet_icon
 
((((((((Suze)))))))))

I am so so sorry for your loss I know how much you loved that handsome man.....there are no words right now just adding my tears to yours.

Fly Free Pumbaa and give Musette whisker kisses when you see her at the Bridge, she will show where all the best butterfly chasing spots are.

Until you meet again.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
I am so sorry. Quality of life is very important and the decision you made was out of love. No one will condemn you or judge you for that. Hope you are doing ok. It is never an easy decision.
Godspeed little Pumbaa wings_cat
 
I am so sorry for the loss of your kitty and friend. I am glad you are reflecting on the good memories of your time with him and hope they will continue to bring you much peace, comfort, and happiness in the difficult days ahead.
 
(((((((((((((((((((((((((SUZE))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sending many many cyber hugs to you. It is never easy to make that decision, and noone can walk in your shoes. EVen if someone does say something negative about it, it is your decision.

Pumbaa is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon
wings_cat
 
I am so sorry for your loss. :cry: It is never an easy decision to make and my heart goes out to you. I pray that you are comforted knowing that Pumbaa is thankful to you for knowing when it was time to set him free. He now passes the time frolicking about joyfully with all of our other dearly missed feline friends while they eagerly await the day they will be reunited with us to show us the way across Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon
 
:( Nobody is going to judge you....I am so sorry for your loss.My Teddy went to sleep in my arms one week ago today.I feel your pain and know where you are right now.You did good by him.Fly free little Pumbaa......
 
I'm so sad to see this. I know how hard you struggled with him, trying to get him regulated.

{{Hugs}}

May your good memories help lighten grief.
 
I am so sorry for your loss of Pumbaa. No one can judge you. You did the best you could just as we all do. Pumbaa will always be in your heart. Sending you prayers of peace and comfort.

Fly Free Pumbaa wings_cat
 
Oh dear Suze,

My heart just broke, and I can't begin to fathom how your's must hurt. I hope that you can find peace and solace in these words. This song is what I will sing to Bob when the day comes that I have to make a final decision for him. I only hope that I am able to do that, that I can be there and hold him as he crosses the bridge, and give him that final gift of love as you were able to do for your little sweet boy.


Wonderful Life
Close your eyes
And just hear me sing
One last long goodbye
One last song before you spread your wings

There's so much left to say
And before this moment slips away

What a wonderful life
For as long as you've been at my side
And I want you to know
I loved you so

The cold night calls
And the tears fall like rain
It's so hard letting go
Of the one thing I'll never replace

And soon you will be gone
But these words, they will live on, oh

What a wonderful life
For as long as you've been at my side
And I want you to know
I'll miss you so

And though our days come to an end
No, I'll never love like this again
What a wonderful life, my friend

And all that I am you let me be
I will remember you
For all that you've done and given to me, oh

Love will remain, this I can see
Now and forever more
Because of you now I believe
I believe

What a wonderful life
For as long as you've been at my side
And I want you to know
I loved you so

What a wonderful life
For as long as you've been at my side
And I want you to know
I'll miss you so

And though our days come to an end
No, I'll never love like this again
What a wonderful life, a wonderful life
What a wonderful life, what a wonderful life

And with one last embrace
And as the tears fall like rain you're gone
And with one last goodbye
As you fade out tonight, you're gone...


Fly free Sweet (((Pumbaa)))

(((Suze))), I truly will miss our Friday Nights, my friend,

Carl
 
I'm so sorry to hear about this, but you did the right thing for ALL concerned. There comes a time when we have to give up the battle and I am sure you felt this way too. If he was fighting you for shots etc, then it really was his time. He knew best and knew you adored him.

I hope it is not too long before you only recall the joy you shared with this cat and the unpleasant end becomes a dim memory.

Best to your mother and you take care too.

Valerie aka RuthV
 
Suze,
So sorry to hear you had to go down that road. No one can judge your decision, because no one but you and Pumbaa lived it. My deepest sympathies. (((((Suze and Pumbaa))))
 
(((Suze))), so very sorry for your loss and sorry you had such a decision to make.

Land softly Pumbaa and visit your mambean often to let her know you are ok and she will be too!! wings_cat wings_cat
 
So sorry to see Pumbaa had to cross. If anyone gave it their all, you certainly did. I'm sure Pumbaa understands. Hopefully he will come visit you to give you some comfort and let you know he's happy & free on the other side. Fly free little Pumbaa wings_cat
 
I can't thank you all enough for your kind words and understanding and support of my difficult decision. (((HUGS)))

It took me 10 days to get to the point where I thought I could type my notice about Pumbaa's passing, without being overcome by grief again. But I was wrong. While I was typing my initial post, I was so overcome I could barely see the keyboard. And I know what I typed was fragmented, and I left out so much, because I just couldn't bear to type any more, and had to deal with the tears.

First, Lyresa and Trix, I am so very sorry to hear about your losses recently as well. (((MAJOR HUGS))) to you both. One thing I do know for sure is that the people on the boards LOVE their pets and are willing to sacrifice so much due to their love for their pets. You both made difficult decisions based on love, and that is the most important thing.

Next, while I singled out Marje for contacting me, I was glad that she waited, because I wasn't ready to talk, or type, about this decision. (Poor Marje had to endure a lengthy, tear-filled conversation with me. ) Last night was the first time I had come back to these boards, and today was the first time I had looked at a spreadsheet, in 11 days. That hurt, a lot! Once Marje contacted me, it surprised me that no one else had. Not sad or disappointed, just surprised (and also relieved, since I was trying to deal with my grief). I did find out today that others had worried about what what happening here, and I thank you all for that, and for not contacting me sooner, since I really was concentrating on healing, and PMs would have put me over the edge, just like typing my post last night did.

There are so many people that I want to thank, for helping me deal with Pumbaa's FD since last April. (((HUGS))) I would make a list, but would be so afraid to leave someone out, and hurt some feelings. So I hope you know who you are. I couldn't have survived the 9 months as I did, and Pumbaa would not have thrived like he did, without you all. And I'm not just talking about the "time to increase the dose" support, but the friendships that blossomed, and the humor that was shared and the things that became normal, like Pumbaa's Friday night diving parties. (Love you, Carl and Chippendale's, and thank you both so much for being there!)

Someone PM'd me today, and mentioned how things in life happen for a reason. I agree with that, even if it takes us years to figure out what the reason was. Pumbaa's diagnosis with FD led me here, and I have met some truly wonderful people that I care a lot about. This also caused me to warn other pet owners that I know to get their cats and dogs off of the dry food before it causes problems. And it caused me to learn a lot about diabetes in general, to maybe help myself and others who are walking the line to becoming diabetic. Maybe the biggest thing that I have realized already is that, I thought my life was difficult before Pumbaa was diagnosed, and really didn't think I could handle any more stress. But I did, for nine months. And now, what I have to deal with seems like a piece of cake.

I don't regret my decision, even though I miss my little guy tremendously. I picture him in heaven giving thanks that I'm no longer poking him constantly, and being happy about the very spoiled and pampered nine years he had with me, when his life could have turned out so differently if he hadn't been abandoned at 4 weeks old outside of my vet's office, and had the vet's office not introduced me to him when I was gathering my wits/emotions after having my 17-year-old Killer put down. Knowing that I can, once again, try and make my mom's last years on this earth happy years, without feeling so stressed or being short-tempered to her due to sleep deprivation, means a lot to me.

I'm rambling again because I am crying again. It's just too hard for me to come here and post, when I have tried so hard to concentrate on good memories of Pumbaa, and forget the difficulties that caused me to put him to sleep. I wish I would have been Super Woman, and could have dealt with everything life handed me. But I still don't regret my decision.

Suze
 
Dear Suze, I think that everyone has said it all here, from their hearts.

I remember when I was still posting on the Levemir board, that you were so interested in learning everything there was about FD. I wasn't posting much then, but I remember your dedication to learning...doing everything you could for Pumbaa.

You had many wonderful stories about your boy. You loved him very, very much. It was so obvious.

I can't imagine how hard that must have been to let him go. You are very brave. No one needs to judge you.

Take care Suze.....

P.S. I think we were posting about the same time. My heart goes out to you.
 
(((((Suze))))))
You were such a wonderful mom for Pumbaa! You gave it your all!
Fly Free Pumbaa! rb_icon cat_pet_icon

So many of us face the same thing at some point in our walk with our furbabies. And it's such a hard walk.
Pumbaa knows how much you love him.
And now he is free.
 
Oh Suze! I am so sorry for the pass over of Pumbaa. Ive got no words of comfort for you because I know how it hurts. Hope you can find comfort in the taking care of your mom & family.
 
((((((((Suze))))))))..... I just saw this and I'm so glad you decided to post. I knew in my heart that more people than you could imagine would comfort you and wrap you in their arms with empathy and caring.

You love Pumbaa with every fiber of your being and only wished to set him free. You did the very best you could for him for many many months.

I wish you many, many happy times with your mom. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
(((Suze)))
So sorry to hear about Pumbaa. I know it was a difficult decision but was made by a very loving mom who understood her boy the best.
 
Thank you, everyone! (((HUGS)))

I haven't been back here in a couple of weeks because it hurts when I come here and read, because I know now how many people really cared about my little guy. I can't thank you all enough for caring about my little guy, and helping me help him those long nine months!

When I come back here, I expect my alarm to go off to alert me to test Pumbaa yet again, and I wait for him to climb up on my desk and sit on my mouse hand while I type. :)

Most of the time now, I am fine, because I know Pumbaa was tired of the the incessant poking-poking-poking, and me never leaving him alone to just do his cat things. If I thought I was sleep-deprived, what about Pumbaa? It seemed like every time he was napping, I was waking him up for more poking!

I spent so much time carrying him to the kitchen for testing, over my shoulder while I petted him and felt his tummy for any sensitivity, to this day, I can feel him in my arms like that. :)

Some days I miss him so very much, but I still have yet to regret my decision. It was the best thing for him, and for me, and for my mom.

My sincere gratitude and love to you all!

Suze
 
Suze - I'm so sorry for your loss of sweet Pumbaa. It's never easy, but hopefully time will heal your heart. They mean so much to us, it's so hard to let them go. I wish you peace.

And I also wish you many happy memories with your mom. Time is precious. I love the video & pictures. Thanks for sharing with us.

Lu-Ann
 
Your post brought tears to my eyes. You loved him enough to make absolutely sure he had the best care - emotional included - right to the very end. You'll see him again someday healthy and whole, I truly believe this.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top