My pet cat
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/butiaboy/S7300381.jpg
that i have had for 18 years has got to be put down because it has got problems with its kidneys and has gone blind naturally i am totally devastated and upset how do you get over the loss of a pet you have had for so many years???????????

You can't. It will take a lot of time but in the end you'll get there - it's very hard when you lose such loved pets when you've had them a long time....:(

Sorry to hear you've got to have her put down - she's such a beautiful kitty :(

It's never a good time to lose your pet, Craig, even when they are elderly. I remember the shock when we discovered that my lovely old ginger lad had gone into liver failure and needed to be PTS.

It is, naturally, devastating.

From what you say, she is very elderly, and heading into the time where she has/ will have no quality of life, or a poor quality of life.

It's when it gets to that time that we have to bite the bullet and do the kind thing for them, rather than allow them to suffer.

Losing your pet is not something that you get over, within a few minute, it's something you have to work through.

I still miss my old lad, and it's nearly ten years since he passed. but I can look back and think "Well, he had a long, loved, and happy life. We can't ask for much more."

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. My avatar is of Louis who we had to put down 3 years ago and I haven't had the heart to change since.

This is Ginger, my remaining cat: Ginger (http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/0903/sheffmax/Things/Ginger.jpg)

My thoughts are with you. Its heartbreaking, but at least you know that its suffering will end. You are making the right decision, even though it really doesn't feel like it right now.
Its a beautiful cat and no mistake. You are lucky to have had 18 years with her as part of your life. Hold on to that, and think of her, pain free and happy, when she gets to Rainbow Bridge.

Time, that's all can help. And you remembering you've done the right thing, hard as it is, at least kitty isn't suffering.x.x.

Its really bad having to have a pet put to sleep.

It will take time. But when you are ready there will be a cat out there that needs you

It is awful making the decision and then going through with it but I have seen so much animal suffering that I know there are worse things than death for an animal. Life can be hell for a lot. Yours has been a very lucky one and you have been one special owner. And Kankel is right, there is a cat out there that needs you. You have done the right thing by your puss. x

my thoughts are with you, loss of a beloved pet is hard to get over, for me the loss of any animal brings tears to my eyes.

I've cried over injured strays that I've take to be PTS, and I'm supposed to be an unfeeling man.

The best way to get over is have your grieving period then give a forever home to another cat.

I am sorry to hear about your cat, no matter how many times you go through it with pets it hurts, I know that I was heart broken when i had to have my beautiful little 15 year old cat PTS because of kidney failure, but the old cliche is true...time is a great healer, and I can think of her now and chuckle.......and only the occasional tear :)

we had to have one of our siamese cats put to sleep earlier this year because his kidneys were failing/failed. It made me feel better to know that he didn't suffer for too long. The illness had been going on for a few months but in the early stages he would have just felt groggy. We (inc our other oriental cat) still have not got over him, even after buying two other siamese kittens to help be company for our existing cat.

My advice we would be to morn but try and get back to normal, when you think about your old cat, do it in a positive way, think about all the nice times you had . Times a great healer..... and in time get another cat or two... they'll distract you - but they'll never replace.
take care....
simon.

It is heartbreaking and it is natural to go through a grieving process. You may feel anger, loss, that you could have done more etc. These feelings will start to lessen over time. Concentrating on good times, sorting through photos and making a photo album of the happy times may help.

I had to have my cat Mush put to sleep 6 months ago. Mush was 14 years old. Following surgical removal of the thyroid he had a stroke which left him brain damaged, incontinent and blind. I wanted to hold on to him forever and didnt want to have to make the decision. However I now realise it was the right decision as his quality of life was so poor and he was suffering.

I know it may be difficult but you could try thinking about how you want the last moments to be. This may help you move on more easily. I insisted that I held Mushy because I wanted to help calm him and I spoke to him, telling him how much i loved him and that it would be ok.

The pic is beautiful, 18 years is an amazing age. I do empathise how difficult it is. To know she had a good life, was loved dearly and will be at peace, pain free without suffering will help ease the pain and loss.

Hi'
I have sent you a PM
X

My sweet cat Blaze had to be put down on Christmas Eve 2007 - for the same thing (kidney failure) - she was only 10. I won't tell you that you'll feel better soon - because you wont - and I wont tell you that you should rush out and get another cat - because it's down to you to know when the time is right.

It's been 9 months for me (just about) and I'm slowly warming to the idea of a new furry friend - but you'll never get another one like your old friend there and you'll not want to either. All cats are soooo different - and my heart goes out to you fella...

Time is a healer - that's the only comfort I can give you. Having your cat put down is the kindest and most beautiful thing you can do for it. It tore my heart to pieces but I wish it were possible for someone to do that for me when I am nearing my final days..... You gave your cat 18 years of love and they gave it back to you. A final gift from you is to take it's suffering away.

Drop me a PM anytime mate - I have an idea how you must be feeling.

Mick