Well, I think we are about that time again for our furry friends. I swore 17 years ago that my pet owning days were done after losing three within a few years. Of course, they were all about twenty years old when they died. Two died at home and one was euthinized. Before that, another fur monster worked her way in our hearts, only to suffer from heart disease at age six.
Now within a week, both of our cats have been diagnosed with late renal failure. One is sixteen, the other is about twenty. It is pretty common in old cats. Doesn't look like there is much to realistically do at this point other than modify their diet a bit. The vets basically said that they really discouraged anything aggressive for them.
I only adopted these two 16 years ago because my wife still wanted pets and we had younger children that really missed their old pets. Now once again, I have old pets that need step stools to get on the bed, have occasional accidents, and so on. The older one, I think is too tough to die, she has been through a lot and is still plowing through her problems. She still has a good appetite. She has lost her hearing. She was a tough stray that basically disliked me and barely tolerated the rest of the family. After a bunch of years turning her nose up at us, giving us the occasional hiss to remind us of her intolerance, she did an about face. She worried herself sick when the kids were not in their beds. She would walk about the house looking for them and trilling for them. She would catch socks and toys for her "babies". And she routinely sleep with each one for a couple of hours, and then move on to the next bed. Miss standoff, who couldn't be touched for several years evolved into Miss full body massage. If you think about stopping, she will grab your hands to make you continue.
My younger cat is going down faster, eating is becoming more of problem, and we doubt he will be around too much longer. I hate the thought of taking him in. He has never been able to sleep well unless both my wife and I are in bed. If it is bedtime and you are not in bed, you will be nagged.
OK, I know I am rambling. I just am dreading those decisions again.
And after 60 years of dogs and cats, I am kind of ready to not have more. I have loved and spoiled them all, but I think I am done.
Has anyone else here made the decision of no more pets?
Now within a week, both of our cats have been diagnosed with late renal failure. One is sixteen, the other is about twenty. It is pretty common in old cats. Doesn't look like there is much to realistically do at this point other than modify their diet a bit. The vets basically said that they really discouraged anything aggressive for them.
I only adopted these two 16 years ago because my wife still wanted pets and we had younger children that really missed their old pets. Now once again, I have old pets that need step stools to get on the bed, have occasional accidents, and so on. The older one, I think is too tough to die, she has been through a lot and is still plowing through her problems. She still has a good appetite. She has lost her hearing. She was a tough stray that basically disliked me and barely tolerated the rest of the family. After a bunch of years turning her nose up at us, giving us the occasional hiss to remind us of her intolerance, she did an about face. She worried herself sick when the kids were not in their beds. She would walk about the house looking for them and trilling for them. She would catch socks and toys for her "babies". And she routinely sleep with each one for a couple of hours, and then move on to the next bed. Miss standoff, who couldn't be touched for several years evolved into Miss full body massage. If you think about stopping, she will grab your hands to make you continue.
My younger cat is going down faster, eating is becoming more of problem, and we doubt he will be around too much longer. I hate the thought of taking him in. He has never been able to sleep well unless both my wife and I are in bed. If it is bedtime and you are not in bed, you will be nagged.
OK, I know I am rambling. I just am dreading those decisions again.
And after 60 years of dogs and cats, I am kind of ready to not have more. I have loved and spoiled them all, but I think I am done.
Has anyone else here made the decision of no more pets?
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