Merlin's gone.

[poltr1]

I came home today and checked on Merlin. His body was cold.

Thanks to all who've offered hugs and well-wishes. This isn't the first time I lost a pet -- Garion in 1993, Bubastis and Lady in 2002, Oreo in 2004. (To be accurate, Lady and Oreo were R's cats.) It's a sad, familiar place.

I'm asking myself if there was something I could have done differently -- taken better care of the litterbox, played with him more. And I wonder if he was in pain the past few days.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. My condolences.

[ocean-star.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm so sorry. :-( Losing a pet is never easy.

[braider.livejournal.com]

*hug* At least he got the chance to die at home.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

*bearhug* That's never easy, even when you know it's coming.

[rms-butterfly.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Sorry for your loss.

[stevemb.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I remember finding poor old Kami like that when I woke up in the morning....

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I can't possibly imagine you doing anything less than the best for him, so please don't beat yourself up over this. And accept another hug.

[mseuphrates.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
I'm so sorry, hon.

I'm so sorry, but it's nice that he chose his own time to go

[yourmommma.livejournal.com]

Also I wanted to add that you shouldn't beat yourself up at all about his illness. Kidney disease in cats and dogs is one of those things where they have slightly abnormal values for a really long time and then there is a precipitous decline and usually death soon after. And there is very little that can be done for it. Even in humans usually a transplant is the only hope of a "cure" and only a few veterinary hospitals will even try transplants. Meanwhile pre-transplant he would need to be on dialysis and again only a few University-type vet clinics are capable of that.

Merlin was loved and cared for and he's up there at the bridge reacquainting himself with his former housemates. He knows you're sad but he is at peace.

{{{hug}}}

[erinwrites.livejournal.com]

So sorry for your loss. :(

[dragon-pet.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *HUGS*
You did all you could for him.. please don't beat yourself up over "what if's"

[zorya-thinks.livejournal.com]

We lost Tigger the same way. He just got slower and slower and finally stopped. He wasn't in any pain, and I believe that Merlin was not in any pain at the end, either. We had Tigger scheduled to go to the vet in the afternoon (their earliest appointment) but he couldn't wait that long.

You did everything you could for Merlin. He knew he was loved, and he was able to pass at home, in familiar surroundings.

I agree with yourmommma, kidney disease can sneek up on you, especially when you are dealing with cats. They are experts at hiding illness and often the first sign is when things have progressed to a point that all you can do is keep your cat comfortable.

Susie, our 16 year old tabby cat is in the first stages of kidney failure. Koko, who will be 16 in Feburary, has irratable bowel disease. I have to remind myself that cats don't live forever and all we can do is love them and care for them while they are with us.

It's hard, though. Many (((hugs)) to you, sweetie.

Sorry you lost Merlin

[celticferret.livejournal.com]

It's hard to lose a pet. We lost Dart the same weekend as OVFF. You can't second guess yourself on what should've or shouldn't have happened. Unfortunately pets get old, sick and die of some illness or other.

Dart was put to sleep he had low blood sugar (insulnoma cancer) adrenal cancer and an enlarged spleen. We could only hold for so long on this side of the Bridge.

KG

[trektone.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. I don't know much about mammal pets, but kidney problems seem somewhat common. Sigh. Take care.

[shining-woman.livejournal.com]

Sincere condolences on the passing of your feline friend and family member. Continued hugs and loving support.

[shatteredkarma.livejournal.com]

awwww *hug*
our cats are aged 12 to 15 (except for the lil fireball we jus adopted) so we are slowly losing them too.
cats are pretty expressive bud.. if there had been discomfort youd of probably heard about it.

I'm sorry for your loss

[kliklikitty.livejournal.com]

I agree with everyone who's told you that Your dear friend and fuzzy brother was not in pain or you would have known it. He had exactly what he wanted a safe place that was familure to him to cross over. A place where he knew you were close by if he wanted you and therefore was all the safer in his heart.

I betting he knew it would be very hard for you to take him to a final vet visit and then have to come home alone. He chose to go out with his best version of dignity. Your love has added to his tail name, and he is waiting for you when you get there.

((((( Hug ))))))