Conference misery::feline

    I'm very sorry Guz is ill.  It sounds to me like he had really
    found a refuge with you, and knows you love him (otherwise he
    wouldn't be sleeping on the bed normally.)  Hang in there, and please
    let us know what is happening.  I'm thinking about Guz,
    
    Karen
    

    So sorry to hear about Guz....it's so sad when our furry
    friends are not up to par.
    
    To help you with the decision....I would just ensure all possible
    tests were done to prove that whatever it is...it is not treatable.
    That way the decision will be easier because of his suffering and
    you will never question the decision.
    
    Please keep us posted......and don't give up all hope just yet.
    
    Sandy

    
        So sorry to hear about Guz, so hard to make the decision also.
    But, I'm sure you'll 'find' it in your heart once you've talked to
    the vet.
    
       Good luck,,,,   
    
       rosie

    I wish all th best for you.
    Nat

By the time I got home on Friday, Guz couldn't seem to move.  Since I already
had an appointment at the vet, it was easy enough to bring him in.

On the way there, I resolved to have him put to sleep unless there was some
kind of miracle cure for his situation.  I couldn't see keeping alive a cat who
couldn't move and was clearly in pain.  I've seen this kind of thing before,
in humans.

When I got to the vet, he was shocked at the change from the previous morning.
He took an x-ray, which showed no problems with

1) heart
2) kidneys
3) lungs

...but -did- show inflamed nodes around his gut.  The verdict was lymphoma.
He had nothing in his gut other than some gas, and the vet didn't expect him
to last the night.  He said that I -could- try bringing him to Tufts, but that
sounded to me like "heroic measures", if you follow my meaning.

He was weak, in pain, apparently unable to see, sensitive to the touch, and
the only possible fix was "heroic measures".  -Very- easy to follow through,
as the alternative was to let him die in pain that night.  The situation was
clear, though unplesant.  I decided to stay with him to the end.

Guz couldn't seem to make a blood pressure.  The vet would insert the needle and
the vein would collapse.  After much effort, he got the thing inserted, and did
Guz the kindness.

I stayed with Guz for a while, and left him with the towel I'd brought to keep
him warm.

    Your decision was right...and I'm sure Guz appreciated what
    you did for him.    Guz knew you were there for him....
    
    For some reason this poem has helped me in the past...and 
    hopefully it will do the same for you.  
    
      Grieve not...
      nor speak of me with tears
      but laugh and talk of me
      as if I were beside you...
      I loved you so --
      Twas heaven here with you!
    
    Hugs to you....
    
    Sandy
                                            

    I'm very sorry.  What you did for Guz is the hardest and most unselfish
    thing a pet person ever has to do.  I know Guz is waiting for you at
    the Rainbow Bridge.
    

    I too am very sorry to hear of Guz. Tears are streaming down my face as
    I read your note. YOu absolutely did do the right thing. Try to find
    some comfort in knowing that.

    
    
    Howard,  sorry about your loss. My sympathies.
    
    Shaw

    I'm so sorry. 
    
    Deb and THE FIRM

    
    It always hurts so much to let one go...
    
    len (knowing that Merlin's day will come too soon).
    

    I'm so sorry.  Know that Guz is at play in and pain-free in kitty heaven
    
    - Lauri
    

    
    I'm so sorry. Guz is in good hands.
    
    Take care,
    
    Eva

    
    Very sorry about Guz's suffering and your loss....
    
    I just got into the FELINERS again and I too have lost many in
    rescues and pets myself.  My tears are running down my face
    cause I too have LEKEMIA kitties and I too will face this again..
    
    Hug one of your Fur-Faces and say some paw paw prayers for Guz
    
    He is very happy in kitty heaven
    
    Carol Weston
    and the Dudley Road Gang
    
    

    Howard,

	So sorry about Guz - I've added his name to the SLM listing.

    Debbi

    My sympathies for your loss and my congratulations in making such a
    tough decision, but it was the right one!
    
    Regards,
    Sari and the Hon. Colonel Sebastian Moran, DROFFC

    
    I'm so sorry, Howard.
    
    

    
    I'm sorry to hear about Guz. It's awful to have to make the decision to
    have a furry friend put to sleep but he's at peace now.
    
    Trevor,
    
    and the girls (Molly & Cassie).

    Howard, I'm sorry to hear about Guz, but feel you did the right thing.
    I almost had to do that with JOJO and it's a tough thing to face.
    
    
    Steve

    
    I wish that there was more to say then Sorry for your loss..  It hurts
    a lot, but in time the pain does let up..  It has been 3 years since we
    had to have Tayna and Rocky laid to rest... I still think of them
    often..  But to help ease your pain try to remember all of the good
    times that you and Guz had together... Like everyone else has said he
    is no longer in pain and knows just how much he was loved by you....
    
    Best wishes to you.
    
    
    *joyce and the guys!
    

    God bless you for your kindness to Guz.  You did exactly the right
    thing, and I'm sure Guz is thanking you with all his kitty heart.
    
    Our hearts go out to you.
    
    In thought,
    
    Kate and family (especially Oscar and Misty)

So sorry to hear about Guz.  Hope you're doing O.K.  I know it wasn't
easy, but you did the right thing.

Laura

    Howard, I just wanted to add my sentiments to everyone else's.  You did
    the right thing, difficult as it was, and remember that he knew how
    concerned you were, right up to the end, because you were with him. 
    (That helps me when I think about Moon, who died two years ago at age
    17.5.)
    
    Leslie

    I am sorry to hear your cat is ill.  I believe that when an animal has
    lived a long life and becomes increasingly ill, that it should be
    uthanized.  I had to put our cat Tricks down about 5 months ago. 
    Nothing could be done for him medically...he was on a downward spin. 
    Instead of prolonging his suffering, I made one of the toughests
    decisions of my life.  I believe in the quality of life and that I did
    what was best for him.
    
    Good luck with Guz!!  Let us know how it goes - (I haven't everything in
    this note).  I will though. 
    
    Marilyn 

Thank you, all.  Guz has now been gone for almost 2 months.

I tried bringing in one of the cats from Note 4 (4.823, Bandit) but it didn't 
work out.  Bandit seems to be a nice demanding cat, but she can't defend 
herself, and she -must- do so against Mu or not be very happy.  For the 2 weeks 
I had her, she spent most of the time (99%+) under the bed.  Mu would follow her 
there.

If someone could give Bandit a home, it would be a Good Thing.  She needs a
place with either no other cats, or other VERY laid-back cats.

At this time, I'm not considering getting another cat.  Mu never seemed to
like having to live with Guz, and seems just as happy that he's not around
anymore.  If I change my mind, the new cat will be someone like that male
at the vet's office (4.830, Bootsie), that is, an old "recycled" cat in the 
sense of this File.  It will have to be one who won't take Mu's abuse.

    
    Howard,  from my experience of multi cat family and occassionaly adding 
    cats, if you have a very territorial cat, it would be easier to add a
    kitten to the family, especially if its female and no threat to MU. 
    
    Shaw
    

I don't want to commit to a kitten, as I'd have to get two.  She's beginning to
act like she used to as a very young cat, before she left my company.  I'm not
sure if that's good or bad.