Death of a Friend

[Savas]

Sorry I haven't been around much but we just lost one of our cats, a sweet guy called Ralphie Boy and it's thrown me off my game.

It was one of those cases where every decision you make made perfect logical sense at the time and should have had a happy conclusion but...

as we know, these things don't always work out despite all our best efforts.

I'll be back on on a day or two when I've (hopefully) come to terms with the whole situation. right now all I can do is sit here and second guess every call I made, wondering what the hell went wrong.

thanks for those of you picknig up the slack.

[Savas]

Thanks for your support ya'll. I think I can finally get some perspective on the whole matter. I'm going to see how it goes on here where I can hopefully keep doing some good. I have (I think) decided to ease back on the rescue work though.
    
     As mentioned above, it is very hard dealing with the suffering of the animals. I always felt I had a good perspective on the whole issue, but this recent death made me realize I was perhaps somewhat out of focus. I think I've just had to personally put down and seen put down just one cat to many. It's something I've never cared for and with changes to funding and services I'm beginning to feel more like an executioner than a help.

Thanks again to those who picked up the slack around here and God bless.

[paintsflowers]

I know just how you feel. I just put my precious Annie to sleep and have cried so much that my head hurts.
My Vet said a wonderful thing. God has given us wonderful animals who love us with the Agape love that is so sincere. Even more than a human. I had 13 1/2 wonderful years with her and her spirit is within my heart.
May God bless you and comfort you during your loss of Ralphie.

[keepingin4med]

Savas, I just read your summary/bio. I didn't know that you volunteered in taking care of cats. (You've been writing back & forth with me regarding my kitty with the ongoing injection site/constipation problem) Although I've had ten cats as pets in my 40+ years, losing one of them never gets easier. I am so sorry to hear about Ralphie Boy. I don't know how you do it, and the thought of going through the loss of a cat you're trying to help, and can't help but get attached to, is the very thing that keeps me away from volunteering at a cat shelter myself. (My present 5 cats keep me busy enough, too.) I lost 3 extremely beloved cats due to old age and illnesses 3 years ago, one after the other as they were close in age, and it was very tough. Simultaneously, I fostered a litter of new kittens, and though they all got good homes (kept 2 of them) and were a joy to foster, all that took a lot out of me. Give yourself time to grieve and try to think how happy you must have made Ralphie in the time he had with you. That's all you can do, besides pledging to love some more little furry souls that need you... the best way to heal is to keep doing what you're doing, even if you have to stop and take a breath and shed some tears. Just a quick thought of my old angels will bring me to tears/right back to the pain of losing them, but I am still proud of myself for pulling through and being strong for my new cats, and you too should know it will be that way for you again. It's only human for you to question whether you made all the right choices regarding Ralphie's care, but rest assured you probably made that best choices you knew to make at the time. God bless you for your work and bring you the peace and strength you deserve. Will check back with you in a few days...hope you will be feeling better.  

[donna1p5]

I'm so sorry to hear about Ralphie.  You know I lost Woodpile (Woody) about 4 weeks ago.  I certainly can empathize with you, it's always hard.  My thoughts and prayers are with you - Donna

[April2]

Sorry for your loss, Savas. I know how hard that is to lose a pet. Take care & God bless you.

[Logan206]

Very sorry to hear about Ralphie.  I'll be thinking of you and hoping time will heel some of your pain.  Hang in there.

[NewLeaf]

So sorry to hear of your loss. We all do our best when it comes to taking care of our animals and you have amassed great knowledge in the tending of cats. Sometimes life or death can get the upper hand and there is nothing we can do to change the outcome.

I wish you peace with the situation over time.