I, too, am a cat lover. reading your story has brought back memories of our family cat, Hercules, a yellow tabby, that i just adored. I was young when my Mom had him put to sleep as he was suffering from feline leukemia. I remember my Mom coming back home with him and how much we all cried, including my Dad. We buried him under the huge lilac bush in the back yard. It has been many years since we lived at that house, but i probably could take you straight to it.

I talked to my mom about him, today and a little of your story with Rocky ("Mom, i have this friend online who is dealing with... What did you do?") She told me that indeed it was one of the hardest things that she had to do in her life, but after they put him to sleep, she knew that he wasn't suffering anymore and happier where ever he was at. I asked her when she knew when the time came, to take him in. she said that her heart told her that he wanted to leave this world but his body wouldn't let him do it. (needless to say, i cried when she said that, and now as i write this. )

Oh, Lixy, I am pulling for ya and your "baby" Rocky. I wish that I had a magic wand to make him all better for you. Please, next time that he wants to be petted, pet him for me.

((((((((((Lixy)))))))))))

TY ladies ^^^!

I can literally feel the love and concern exuding from this thread and you'll never know how appreciated it is. That everyone is thinking of me is such a calming feeling...pushing aside the turmoil I feel in the pit of my stomach and in the depths of my heart.

I'm still watching Rocky very closely and I have told him that I know he is tired. I told him that I would understand if he wants to rest and that I'll always love him and never forget him! I even told him that if he dies my mother would be there to take care of him. As silly as it sounds, I asked him to give my mom, dad and brother my love.

Time is near. Luckily I have the rest of the week off and I can be with Rocky 24/7 till the end.

I'll keep you posted.

(((((EVERYONE)))))

LixyChick,

I suspect that Rocky somehow knows how lucky he is. You are the best.

After spending several hours helping Rocky get around earlier this morning, I've called the vet and scheduled an appointment for this evening at 5:15pm.

He's so weak today (started weakening yesterday) and has lost power of his left hind leg. It drags and trips him up and when he falls it's as though he thinks I did something to him to hold him back from getting to wherever it is he is trying to go. He is disoriented at times and he has a look in his eyes that makes him almost unrecognizable. He barely blinks and if it wasn't for my being able to see that he is breathing with his belly going up and down, I would have sworn he was gone on a few occasions that I looked into his eyes.

He's always hoovered over his water bowls/glasses. It seems to comfort him to be close to his water. I think it's part of his hyperthyroid condition. So, while I wait for Mr. Lixy to come home, I've put one of his favorite blankies on the kitchen floor between his water bowl and his food bowl (they are on separate sides of the room) and aided him to lay on it. Every now and then I'll look up from whatever I am doing and find that he has drug himself off the blanket and is laying on the cold floor. I cringe when I discover this. I'm not sure where he is trying to go but it must be so frustrating not to be able to get there.

I've poured a glass of wine for myself, in a effort to calm my nerves. Scarecrow recently made a thread of who we'd want to talk to if we had a little time and could reach them. I know many of you who would have thought, "If they could just talk and tell me how they are feeling". I'm thinking that exact thing right now! He's talking to me in the only way he can and I am talking to him in some of his favorite phrases (though I haven't mentioned tuna to him at all today) and I'm hoping he can't feel my pain and anguish.

To sit here and type is helping a bit. I get up and check on him nearly every minute. I'm wishing that he'll die here, before the appointment. I hate the thought of his nervousness as we get in the car and then go into the vets office. This is his final day and I just wish there was something so special I could do for him to make it as comfortable and fear/pain free as possible. I hate this helpless feeling.

I know I'm not alone because of all your expressions of caring and comfort above...but it sure feels lonely in this house today! Please keep us in your thoughts throughout the day and evening. And keep good thoughts for a swift and painless passing for Rocky!

TY for listening...again...(((((EVERYONE)))))

(((Lixy)))


I know the feeling too well, my Lucky is doing ok at the moment, but last year he had a bout with some old dog ailment that was like vertigo, he couldn't keep anything down & was walking strangely, & when I went to the vet's office to get him, he couldn't stand up straight or walk, & his eyes were just rolling...for a few minutes, until the vet came in & explaned that he would get better, I was sure I was just there to say goodbye...

I know you will be a comfort to the Rockster...

((((Lixy))))

You're in my thoughts hon...... as is the little fella.

Hang in there sweetie

DM

Lixy Hun we'll all be there with you in spirit for your apointment. I know how hard this is. Just love him. That is all you can do. That's all he needs to make his day as special as possible. To know he's been loved.

(((((hugs))))))
I'll say a prayer for you and your furry baby.
Eliza

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Request From Rainbow Bridge
by Constance Jenkins
In Loving Memory of Isolde Jenkins


Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.

Thinking of you.

Lixy the leg thing means that his kidneys have shut down. It's time. He would not live more than 2-3 days and it would be a slow death. I am so sorry Lixy, I know cause it's what happened with my kitty girl. You are being kinder to Rocky than we are permitted to be to eachother. (((((((((((((Lixy))))))))))) sending you comfort and bravery. I'm so sorry.

(((((Lixy)))))


amd (((((Rocky)))))

Rest in peace

Lixy,

I am so sorry that your time with Rocky is at an end. You are so lucky to have had seventeen years together.....

Rest in Peace (((Rocky))) ole boy, and be peaceful at rest (((Lixy))) knowing you did the right thing for him.

((((((((Lixy)))))))))

My thoughts are with you.

(((((EVERYONE)))))

For Lilith especially...The doc told me a year and a half ago that he'd "shut down". His kidneys were only "fighting" because of all the water he was obsessed with. I knew it would happen...I just never knew exactly what would happen. TY for making that clear. It's truely a relief to know why his legs ceased to work so suddenly (seemingly overnight).

Mr. Lixy got home around 3:35pm and we sat with Rocky for a while. Mr. Lixy had to go in and out of the house periodically and Rocky, who was on his blankie in the kitchen still, would raise his head and try to get up and go out with "daddy". I picked him up and took him outside one last time, to see the birds under the trellis and the sunset and daddy doing his thing in the yard. It was raining and Rocky hates rain on his face, but he looked and looked and then turned his head to me...so I knew he was done looking! I took him inside again, wiped his face of all the rain drops and laid him back on his blankie till it was time to go.

Our drive to the vets was the most peaceful drive we've ever taken to the vets...except for the cramp in my foot. Pay no mind to that...I flipped my shoe off and on we rode. The vet took Rocky into "the back room" and inserted an intravenous line. When Rocky came back he was weak, but not nervous. I felt his chest to see if his heart was beating faster than a freight train. It wasn't. The vet gave us some time to talk to him and then he returned.

The rest is pretty obvious...but just know...I picked his head up, looked him in the eye so deeply and made sure he saw my eyes and told him I love him soooooooooooooooooooooooo much. And then he was gone.

Rocky passed away at 5:35pm EST on December 29th 2005

We brought him home and will bury him tomorrow morning in a small family ceremony on the land that he so loved to roam!

My gratitude and thanks go out to all who have helped me through this time of sorrow! I cannot tell you how grateful I am for everyone here!!!!!!!

((((Lixy)))) RIP Mr. Rocky cat, you were very well loved.

omg i'm soooooooo teared up right now...........

how sad......

hugs to you all.