Marie&HerCats RUSTY
Member Since 2018
Thank you all, members and founders of this forum, for the advice,
support and peace of mind knowing that help was just few typed words away
Our sweet Rusty was euthanized today during what I thought was to be a quick visit to treat a skin irritation, and sore, with a dose of antibiotics.
His condition was much worse.
The wound was much more serious (don't really want to get detailed) and infection had spread inside.
I was thrown off guard but we knew in our hearts that he was living on borrowed time.
I hadn't ever really been able to regulate Rusty's BG since his diabetes diagnosis in March and, the effects of a non specific nuerological incident/ episode last July.He left him slow, a bit confused and not able to groom himself very well, if at all.
I had to bring him home from the Vets before they even begin his anesthetized grooming last month because his BG was sky high.
He was beginning to loose his ability to walk & overnight took a turn for the worst.
Rusty was truly a cat with 10 lives!
He was outdoor neighborhood stray rescue with more than a few injuries and close calls.
One summer, My husband was secretly leaving food closer & closer to the back deck in the early mornings until I saw a scroungy skinny orange cat hanging out in front if my sliding glass door.
Only then, did my husband "fess up!"
He attached himself to my elderly Dad during his morning visits and actually knew the sound of my dad's car and would be waiting at the door for him!
Just last night my now 98 year old Dad called to ask how his "buddy" Rusty was doing.
This cat was so sweet natured and affectionate to everyone.
He would follows us around and sit with us on the deck or near our "Pride" rock in the yard. (See collage) He was so patient and affectionate to other cats and when we fostered kittens he took it upon himself to "corral" them if they strayed to far from us while sunning in the yard. He loved to greet each guest with a leg rub during our summer cook outs.
My hear hurts so. I miss him very much.
I cannot look or walk by one of his favorite napping spots without a lump in my throat.
We have devoted countless hours to his care these last few months hoping to extend a good quality of life for as long as we could.
But I know, beyond a doubt, that to euthanize him was the most compassionate kind & loving last thing we could have done for him.
He deserved to leave this world peacefully & pain free feeling safe & loved with me petting him and him hearing mine and my husband's voices.He gave us so much joy.
I also believe from the depths of my soul, that God entrusted Rusty (and all our rescues) to us. We were meant to be his caregivers. We are all chosen to care for and love our pets until it is time for us to say goodbye.
It is said that to "love one another" is a part of God's greatest commandment .
I know His creatures are included.
The love we have for our animal companions, and them for us, is, I believe, an example of true unconditional love.
I wanted to share my grief with you today for perhaps a selfish reason, to help me begin to process my grief response.
But, also, hopefully , to help others find comfort in their grief.
I will of course, always miss Rusty. But, I know my feelings will subside in intensity as I work though the loss of my beloved pet.
Just one of many types of loss we humans are destined to experience before we leave this earth.
ANY creature worthy of our love,
is worthy of the gift our grief.
I will pray for you all, for the graces
needed to help one other and to help your beloved felines.
support and peace of mind knowing that help was just few typed words away
Our sweet Rusty was euthanized today during what I thought was to be a quick visit to treat a skin irritation, and sore, with a dose of antibiotics.
His condition was much worse.
The wound was much more serious (don't really want to get detailed) and infection had spread inside.
I was thrown off guard but we knew in our hearts that he was living on borrowed time.
I hadn't ever really been able to regulate Rusty's BG since his diabetes diagnosis in March and, the effects of a non specific nuerological incident/ episode last July.He left him slow, a bit confused and not able to groom himself very well, if at all.
I had to bring him home from the Vets before they even begin his anesthetized grooming last month because his BG was sky high.
He was beginning to loose his ability to walk & overnight took a turn for the worst.
Rusty was truly a cat with 10 lives!
He was outdoor neighborhood stray rescue with more than a few injuries and close calls.
One summer, My husband was secretly leaving food closer & closer to the back deck in the early mornings until I saw a scroungy skinny orange cat hanging out in front if my sliding glass door.
Only then, did my husband "fess up!"
He attached himself to my elderly Dad during his morning visits and actually knew the sound of my dad's car and would be waiting at the door for him!
Just last night my now 98 year old Dad called to ask how his "buddy" Rusty was doing.
This cat was so sweet natured and affectionate to everyone.
He would follows us around and sit with us on the deck or near our "Pride" rock in the yard. (See collage) He was so patient and affectionate to other cats and when we fostered kittens he took it upon himself to "corral" them if they strayed to far from us while sunning in the yard. He loved to greet each guest with a leg rub during our summer cook outs.
My hear hurts so. I miss him very much.
I cannot look or walk by one of his favorite napping spots without a lump in my throat.
We have devoted countless hours to his care these last few months hoping to extend a good quality of life for as long as we could.
But I know, beyond a doubt, that to euthanize him was the most compassionate kind & loving last thing we could have done for him.
He deserved to leave this world peacefully & pain free feeling safe & loved with me petting him and him hearing mine and my husband's voices.He gave us so much joy.
I also believe from the depths of my soul, that God entrusted Rusty (and all our rescues) to us. We were meant to be his caregivers. We are all chosen to care for and love our pets until it is time for us to say goodbye.
It is said that to "love one another" is a part of God's greatest commandment .
I know His creatures are included.
The love we have for our animal companions, and them for us, is, I believe, an example of true unconditional love.
I wanted to share my grief with you today for perhaps a selfish reason, to help me begin to process my grief response.
But, also, hopefully , to help others find comfort in their grief.
I will of course, always miss Rusty. But, I know my feelings will subside in intensity as I work though the loss of my beloved pet.
Just one of many types of loss we humans are destined to experience before we leave this earth.
ANY creature worthy of our love,
is worthy of the gift our grief.
I will pray for you all, for the graces
needed to help one other and to help your beloved felines.
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He was so blessed to have you for a mommy!
