Tomorrow, my cantankerous old cat Polly will be off to The Bridge, she's reached the remarkable age of 19, but now, due to arthritis in just about every joint, which the pain relief isn't really controlling, and a suspected thyroid problem, I've decided to let her go. She's so tired and frail, I have to support her body just to brush her, or else she falls over.
She's ruled our house with a rod of iron all these years, making various dogs lives a misery with her intimidation, and occasional whacks on the arse from her claws, the place just won't be the same without her.
Although I'm sure Daisy and the kittens will be jumping for joy

I'm so sorry. I lost my 19 years & 8 month oldest cat in February and it is so hard to get used to them not being around after such a long time.

Such a sad decision to make but obviously the right one, may she RIP

So sorry to hear this, and I am sure it won't help much to think about this on the day, but what a tremendous long life she has had, bless her. Thinking of you xx

Very sad and hope she goes to sleep peacefully x

I hope she will let you spoil her a bit Jane, probably not though! What a long time you've spent together. Wishing her a peaceful passing and will be thinking of you tomorrow x

My heart goes out to you, I had my Oscar PTS 18/12/2005 I got him and his sister as rescue kittens in 1982 his sister Cleo was PTS on 24/7/2007 when they have lived with you for so long you miss them so much yet know they have had a good good life.
I hope the day goes as it should for all of you.

So sorry Jane.  What a decision to have to make, even when you know it's the right one.  My sympathies for you, and will be thinking of you and Polly tomorrow.

Bless her I hope she slips over the bridge peacefully

Sleep well, Polly. Pleasant dreams.

Thinking of you today as you say goodbye to Polly.

A year ago today at 3.30p.m. I had to say goodbye to my Boxer veteran Abby.
She was 10 3/4 years old. There's not one day that goes by without thinking of her and others that
I have lost.

I think it's the big character's that you miss so much, 19 is a fantastic age and I'm
sure you will have many funny tales to remember her by.
She sounds a lot like one of my cats that had a big character, he used to lie in wait under the hedge
waiting for a particular dog and it's owner, he had taken a dislike to this one dog...and it's owner
asked my Dad to keep our cat in as he was upsetting their dog who was starting not to walk past
our hedge for fear of ambush.

Hugs

Thank you so much for all the kind thoughts, they are much appreciated.
Polly actually had a really good night last night ( she lives in the bedroom so she's with me right through the night ) she was pretty active and enjoyed her chicken and ham, she's still quite good this morning which of course, makes me feel awful having her pts this afternoon, but I know this will just last for a day or so more, and then she'll be back to suffering.
She did the most peculiar thing, I wonder if anyone can shed any light on it ?. After she had eaten a bit, she became very active, almost like the daft turn young cats take, but she crashed into the low window sill, raced about a bit, yowling her head off, she didn't collapse, and after a few seconds , went into her bed and seemed to fall asleep straight away, what came to mind was that it was some form of a fit, even though she didn't keel over.
It was quite upsetting to see.

>She did the most peculiar thing, I wonder if anyone can shed any light on it ?.

This site mentions "Generalized convulsions are rare in cats. More common is the "partial complex seizure," which involves an "altered consciousness" and can involve anything from a lack of motion to bizarre behavior such as attacking invisible objects or frantic running and collisions with objects (yes, I know your cat does this normally, this is why it's difficult to diagnose).". It's possible that her organs are failing and the altered blood chemistry is beginning to cause seizures.

Thanks for that Jean, it does sound very likely, it also makes me feel a bit better about having her pts when she's having a good day.

That's her away, my wee girl.
Vet said it probably was a fit, possibly brought on by her kidneys failing.
He had to inject her in the stomach as she was so frail it would have been hard to find a vein and would have caused her more distress, she went pretty quickly, and is now buried beside Spud, Ben and Louie.
Night night Polly Polsa xxx

So sorry, RIP Polly x

Glad she is safe with her friends x

You've done her proud, 19 is a fabulous age, she sounds so like my oldie female she too passed at 19 and had bad arthritis which is why I eventually gave in and thought..... it is time, even though she still ate heartily.

You'll miss her, she has been with you for so long, but take pride that she has had a long life and you gave her peace before things got really bad for her.

RIP Polly and sending a big hug. x

Thanks again guys.
I do hope I've done the right thing, it's such a rotten decision to end your friends life, this is the first time I've had to do it through old age, all my others have had cancer so, in a way, it was a more cut and dried choice.

So sorry.  RIP Polly.  xx
I do love a fiesty cat.

PS Spud. Never knew him personally but how I miss your tales.  Funny how a dog I've never me, just sticks with you?

Lol, thanks cracar, I miss him too, he was such a big loveable balloon, on his death, one of my friends said of him " you could have fitted his brain in an eggcup, but you could never dig a hole big enough for his heart " didn't half make me cry !

you could have fitted his brain in an eggcup, but you could never dig a hole big enough for his heart " didn't half make me cry !

Oh gosh, that has just made my eyes fill up too..........