Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Kitty Update

This was the morning stray kitty went to the vet. Our daughter-in-law is Japanese, and she's never wanted to drive. Son asked me to take her, and kitty, to the appointment.

The vet took one look at kitty and pronounced she was dying. He recommended she be euthanized. Daughter-in-law said no way. It was not the first time I'd seen this happen with her.

The vet made his decision with his brain. He had no emotional involvement with the cat. He's a trained clinician and could see it was dying. He saw euthanasia as the most responsible option.

Daughter-in-law was all heart, and emotion. She was not open to vet's logical thinking.

I says to myself "Self, we've got a problem." I whipped out my phone and called son at work. He talked to both of them.

Final decision was to do nothing at that moment. The kitty has a very old chip. Son will decide tonight whether to euthanize the cat and pay the bill, or attempt to contact owner. Highly likely owner information has never been updated.

Daughter-in-law needed some time for her heart to say good-by to kitty. Vet thought death was eminent. She may well decide to let kitty die at home while she lovingly cares for it.

Everyone has their own opinion of what's appropriate. I would have chosen immediate euthanasia but I would not force that on her.

In the past when one of their cats is dying they keep it at home. After it dies Son takes it in to be cremated. She will set up a small shrine with a candle, and whatever else is appropriate, perhaps a picture, maybe the ashes, I don't recall. I think this may go back to the Shinto religious tradition. Heck, I don't know, it just may be unique to her.

Bottom line, we took the kitty back home. It's now up to Son to sort it all out tonight.

18 comments:

  1. Thank you for the update. It's tough. We have had two cats euthanized because they were suffering, and one died at home because he didn't seem to be in pain. There is no right answer. but at least you don't have to make the decision.

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    1. I think I've decided to remain petless. I miss having one but this incident reminded me again that owning a pet is another area Bob and I are not in agreement, it's not woth the stress.

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  2. Fully understand how your DIL feels. These poor animals don't do anything wrong, end up discarded to fend for themselves. Please let you DIL know that even if for a short time, she and your son have provided kitty with a loving place and kindness.

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    1. She takes the death of an animal so hard it is painful to watch. I hope it's all over quickly for them.

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  3. Sorry to hear the Kitty's prognosis. Your DIL has a good heart and that's a wonderful quality even if it seems impractical to some. If the cat isn't in pain, I can understand showing it love for however long it has. If the cat had a chip it probably got lost a long time ago and once had a loving home. As an animal lover I'm comforted by your DIL and son's caring for this kitty. If Levi ever got lost, I'd hope he'd find a caring couple like them.

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    1. I learned a lot yesterday watching my DIL. It isn't always all about the animal, it's also about the heart of the caregiver. I woke up this morning thinking about that kitty. I thought wouldn't it be something if that kitty made a comeback under her loving care. It's fur is almost total mats. I think shaving it would be too traumatic, but I volunteered to bring my tiny sewing scissors, sit quietly in the floor, talking gently to it while snipping away some of those awful mats. It would be therapy to me to imagine snipping away the cruel things that kitty has suffered.

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  4. very sad. I wouldn't want the poor thing to suffer more than needed, so I would've followed the vet's recommendation.

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    1. Absolutely, but I learned yesterday you also have to consider the heart of the caregiver.

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  5. I think this always has to be a very personal decision.

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    1. Absolutely. I learned so much yesterday watching my DIL. I'll never approach the death of an animal the same.

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  6. Sad to have to make such a decision. She may be right although I probably would have put it down so it would not suffer. She is a good soul.

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    1. I learned a lot watching her yesterday. She is a loving caregiver.

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  7. Ya gotta love your d-i-l's heart. I am surprised he diagnosed the cat as terminal with out a single test. Minnie looked terminal, could not hold food down any more than a teaspoon full at a time and that was 12 years ago.
    I just hope the cat is isolated from her other cats in case she has something communicable.
    I hope this is not too hard on your d-i-l. Tender hearts hurt the most.

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    1. This kitty is very old already but she might have a little time left. If love heals she's in a good place to get better.

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  8. I'm glad you updated us about kitty. It's always sad.

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    1. Saw kitty earlier today and she was able to walk around. Don't know what the future holds for her.

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  9. This makes me sad. I just knew this was the kitty for you. I'm so sorry for your daughter-in-law. You folks have kind tender hearts.

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    1. Kitty is still on her feet and moving. I'm going over this afternoon and spend some time snipping hair mats. She is almost solid mats.

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