I Am Sad Today

Today I am very sad. At 5 pm today we will have our old cat, Dixie, put to sleep at the vet. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing but she has to struggle to breathe, is deaf, nothing but skin and bones to the point where she can barely walk or even stand. She can't sit properly - her butt doesn't even touch the surface as her hips don't seem to move far enough to allow it. Her balance is really bad and her back end almost falls over when she starts to walk or when she shakes her head. She's had a kidney issue for a couple of years and has to eat a special diet - yet we can barely get her to eat it. She has a swelling of her nose area below her right eye - we've tried to treat it with medication from the vet but it has not abated. This blocks her ability to breathe through her right nostril.

I know it's time. But she still seems to be a generally happy cat, despite barely allowing anyone to pet her much anymore. But - all you pet is fur against bone so I can't blame her for not wanting to be petted much. And purring makes it more of a struggle for her to breathe.

She spends most of her time now lying under furniture or near her food bowl.  Sometimes it seems like she is pulling away from human contact.

This is not an easy thing to do, not an easy decision to make. We will be with her when she goes to sleep.

Then I will cry.  (Who am I kidding?  I'm crying as I type this.)

Good bye, Dixie.  You have been a wonderful friend and have comforted me in my times of distress.  I will always love you.