Amber is dying

On Monday, March 25, 2013 7:56:50 AM UTC-4, ---MIKE--- wrote:
She has been fading recently. She was eating very little and drinking a

lot of water. Yesterday she didn't eat any supper. Last night she

stayed on my bed snuggled next to me. This morning she wouldn't leave

the bed. She has been with me over 18 years so I am resigned to the

inevitable. I am thinking of a vet visit today but I'm afraid the

stress would finish her off.



---MIKE---



In the White Mountains of New Hampshire

(44� 15' N - Elevation 1580')

{{hugs}} Mike. If she isn't in any pain or distress, I would leave her be. She sounds comfortable, and will go in her own time. It is hard to watch. If I was in her condition, I wouldn't want to go to the hospital. Let me die at home!
Mishi

Amber's legs are very weak and she stumbles when she tries to walk. I
carry her everywhere. Last night she slept on my bed and this morning I
brought her to her heated window seat. She is still breathing but not
much else. It's just a matter of time.

---MIKE---

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
(44� 15' N - Elevation 1580')

---MIKE--- wrote:
She has been fading recently. She was eating very little and drinking a
lot of water. Yesterday she didn't eat any supper. Last night she
stayed on my bed snuggled next to me. This morning she wouldn't leave
the bed. She has been with me over 18 years so I am resigned to the
inevitable. I am thinking of a vet visit today but I'm afraid the
stress would finish her off.

---MIKE---

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
(44� 15' N - Elevation 1580')

I'm so very sorry to hear that. :'(
--
Hate the belief, love the believer.

On Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:00:26 -0500, "MaryL"
wrote:



"---MIKE---" wrote in message
...

She has been fading recently. She was eating very little and drinking a
lot of water. Yesterday she didn't eat any supper. Last night she
stayed on my bed snuggled next to me. This morning she wouldn't leave
the bed. She has been with me over 18 years so I am resigned to the
inevitable. I am thinking of a vet visit today but I'm afraid the
stress would finish her off.

---MIKE---

~~~~~~~~~
I'm so sorry to hear this. Holly will be 18 years old on June 1, and I am
afraid I will soon be facing the same decision. That is always such a
painful time in our lives, but the joy we have received from these wonderful
companions makes it all worthwhile.

I can't give you any advice (and you did not ask for any), but I have mixed
"thoughts" on the situation. First--as you said--the stress of a visit at
this time can be critical. On the other hand, I have had friends who held
off taking their cats to a vet for that very reason only to see them die a
painful, lingering death through the hours of the night. So, I would at
least suggest that you make sure that you know where to locate an emergency
vet in case something like that were to happen.

My very best wishes are with you.

MaryL

Yes, it's always such a tough call.. Taking them from their home to
have them die at the vet is never good, but might be best for them.
But everyone dies and Amber doesn't seem to be suffering so Mike is
probably right to do it this way. If she starts suffering, then off to
the vet I think. So hard to tell.

I"m so sorry to hear about Amber...

"dgk" wrote in message ...

On Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:00:26 -0500, "MaryL"
wrote:



"---MIKE---" wrote in message
...

She has been fading recently. She was eating very little and drinking a
lot of water. Yesterday she didn't eat any supper. Last night she
stayed on my bed snuggled next to me. This morning she wouldn't leave
the bed. She has been with me over 18 years so I am resigned to the
inevitable. I am thinking of a vet visit today but I'm afraid the
stress would finish her off.

---MIKE---

~~~~~~~~~
I'm so sorry to hear this. Holly will be 18 years old on June 1, and I am
afraid I will soon be facing the same decision. That is always such a
painful time in our lives, but the joy we have received from these
wonderful
companions makes it all worthwhile.

I can't give you any advice (and you did not ask for any), but I have mixed
"thoughts" on the situation. First--as you said--the stress of a visit at
this time can be critical. On the other hand, I have had friends who held
off taking their cats to a vet for that very reason only to see them die a
painful, lingering death through the hours of the night. So, I would at
least suggest that you make sure that you know where to locate an emergency
vet in case something like that were to happen.

My very best wishes are with you.

MaryL

Yes, it's always such a tough call.. Taking them from their home to
have them die at the vet is never good, but might be best for them.
But everyone dies and Amber doesn't seem to be suffering so Mike is
probably right to do it this way. If she starts suffering, then off to
the vet I think. So hard to tell.

~~~~~~~~~~
It's also possible that a vet might be able to help Amber for awhile. I had
one situation where I cried as I drove to the vet because I was sure we
would have to put my cat to sleep (this was many years ago). I did this
several times, and we did not actually have to use euthanasia for more than
2 years--good, quality years thanks to good medical care. Sometimes, the
end is not as inevitable as it seems. My own guideline is not to try to
extend life if it results in pain, but I want to do as much as possible if
my cats can have quality life. Even so, it's an incredibly difficult
decision, and we usually end up thinking "what if...."

MaryL