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Junior Member
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Last Login: 7/21/2008 3:34:16 PM
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It was just 2 weeks ago Monday that we had to make a dreaded decision on our beloved, almost 14 year old tabby, Serpico. Serpico had been diagnosed with diabetes 3 years ago and had it quite under control. We weren’t expecting this. On that Sunday afternoon we were holding Serpico as we were listening to music. He was moving his lips as if he were singing. I said to my wife Cindy that this is quite unusual because cats usually breathe through their nose not their mouth. Into Monday he was still taking these short gasps. Even though he was eating, drinking and going up and down the stairs I felt something was seriously wrong. After watching a pet for 14 years you have a sense about these things. Monday morning I brought Serpico to the vet and they confirmed that this was not normal. They listened to his heart and detected a bit of a heart murmur. Also his mucous membranes were pale. Not good. They took an x-ray and gave him some oxygen to help him breathe better. At this point I could have used the oxygen myself after the vet showed me the x-ray. Serpico’s chest cavity was filled up with fluid which said that he is probably suffering from heart failure. I was given medical options. All of which sounded very expensive and also very pointless since his condition was guarded to poor. They also gave me humane options at which point I felt my stomach stick right to the roof of my throat. I knew this day would come and it is everything it is cracked up to be. Devastating! I told them I had to call my wife and discuss these options and I would return with my decision after they reopened for lunch. Really, at this point, I knew what option I would and should take and the only thing to discuss was how much we loved him. I just wanted to make sure that Cindy would meet me at the vet so we could both say our goodbyes together.
When we returned after lunch they had drained a massive amount of liquid that had filled up in Serpico’s chest so he would feel comfortable. They also had him in an oxygen box to help him breath better. We gave the vet our decision and they let us know how all of this was going to happen. We had the option of being in the room when they put him to sleep but one of the technicians knew I would not handle this well but it was my decision to make. She is the same technician who found Serpico for me when he was a 4 week old kitten 14 years ago. I agreed that I just couldn’t see him die in front of me. Cindy agreed. We spent our time telling him how much we loved him and if there was any way we could cure what he had wrong we would. I held him and cried openly. I told him how much we would all miss him and that it was an honor to have him in our family. Cindy then held him and said her goodbyes. We then left.
At that point all the financial and cremation arrangements were taken care of. We picked up his ashes last Friday.
This has also affected our other cat, Tang, who was his lifelong buddy for all 12 of her years. She was never without him. She still retraces his steps looking for him. We had to go away that weekend and leave her alone for the first time in her life. I was never so happy to see her than when we walked back in the house a few days later. After a respectful period of mourning I am sure we will find another buddy for her and us.
I know this is not the last time I will have to go through this. It was the first, though, and I’m sure it will not get any easier. You know the saying “it is better to have loved and lost then not love at all.” I couldn’t imagine my life without these guys. Now I know what it is to lose an animal companion but to know they enhanced our lives and we enhanced theirs gives me peace.
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Senior Member
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:32:28 PM
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G-D bless you both for being wonderful et parents, for loving Serpico and having the courage to cut him some slack and end his suffering. I have lost many pets over the years and each time it is like loosing a child.
The heartache is raw for quite a while. You never completely get over it, but the hurt does dull a bit with time.
Momcat
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 8/2/2008 5:47:49 PM
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| As Momcat said, bless you. You had the courage to allow Serpico to pass with dignity. Like most others who've had cats for any length of time, I know how painful this kind of decision is, and even though you may make it multiple times over the years, it gets no easier or less painful. Be sure that you show your other kitty as much care and comfort as possible, and don't be surprised if she does some odd things. (My Zorro bit me severely when he realized that his buddy Hogni wasn't coming home.) As you said, when you feel up to it, try and find another companion for Tang. And, don't feel that this new family member is taking Serpico's place; he/she isn't - they're creating their own place in your hearts, where they too will remain forever.
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 5:38:03 PM
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| OH, what wonderful, loving pet parents you & Cindi are! OH, how my heart aches for you! So much love came through in your post, I can't help but hope you will get another cat to be a companion to Tang and to you two, and to share that abundance of love. But you will know when it's time for that. Meanwhile, take time to grieve the loss of Serpico, show Tang some extra love, and try to let your memories comfort you. Come back to visit here as often as you like, we all know how devastating it is to lose one of our furry babies. What a great cat Serpico must have been!
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 7/21/2008 3:34:16 PM
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Please indulge me by watching this video of Serpico on You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-hLjulL8RY
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Supreme Being
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| Beautiful kitties! Serpico's name fit him to a "T" - he reminds me a bit of Al Pacino's portrayal of Serpico in the movie. I know you're still aching and miss him terribly - how're you doing? And how's your other kitty that was in the video?
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 7/21/2008 3:34:16 PM
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| Thank you..Tang still misses him as do I and now spends time in Serpico's places he used to frequent but I think she is coming around. Thanks for your concern.
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 5:38:03 PM
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| We had three cats, 16-year-old mixed breed Otis, and half-sister Scottish Folds YumYum and Phyllis, who were 11 and 12 respectively. First, YumYum got sick very suddenly and died. Then about two months later, we discovered that Otis had severe hypothyroidism and other conditions and the vet didn't think he'd be able to achieve a reasonable recovery. Three months after that, we found that Phyllis had bone cancer and there were no options. We lost her a year ago. So I do understand your pain. It's hard to let go!
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