G’bye Tanner…
Thursday, 21. October 2010 - 10:56 am
I said goodbye to Tanner this morning for the last time.
Yesterday he didn’t eat “breakfast” as usual. I thought maybe he had swallowed some threads from chewing on stuff I was working on for my halloween costume, figured… hoped… he would pass whatever it was. Last night when I finally got home he hadn’t eaten all day. Couldn’t tell if he’d been drinking or not. It looked like he was trying to.
G was over, tried some reiki on him… but we could tell he was cold, dehydrated, etc. Tried to give him some water with a syringe. Got up the morning, he was.. meowing.. sorta. Held him for a bit, then showered and such before checking when the local vet opened. We got there just after they opened this morning.
He was severely dehydrated. Temp was nearly 10 degrees below normal. Gums and mouth were a sickly blue-grey. Even an all day IV would not get him hydrated enough to get back to normal.. he weighed just over 7 pounds. I think his normal was in the 9-11pound range.
I hate to say money was a factor… but it was. I may be laid off at any time right now, and I’ve got very little money in the bank right now. But I think the heaviest weight on my mind was Panther. How she suffered for over a week as her lungs filled up with cancer or whatever it was while I waited for the vet to figure out what was going on. She eventually died in my arms before I even got a diagnosis.
Tanner was going on 17. He’s had a pretty good life, at least I’d like to think so. I .. I know wouldn’t want to suffer like Panther did… I didn’t want him to. So I decided it was time to say goodbye.
We went and sat outside for a couple minutes… it seemed like Tanner was alway trying to get outside (even though the few times he did it seemed like he had no idea what to do once out there). Didn’t stay out there long, he started shivering in the cool morning air. Just long enough for G to snap this picture.
I realized I didn’t really have any pics with me and any of my pets… I’m always the one taking the pictures. I’m glad G was with me this morning (for more than just being able to take the picture).
The doctor and others at the vet were wonderful. Showing wonderful empathy for both myself and Tanner… and given his age and condition, the doc expressed that she felt I was making a good decision.
I’ll have Tanner’s ashes back next week… and he’ll be back with his buddy Panther once again.
21. October 2010 - 11:04 am
So sorry for you loss Rob. Big hugs to you.
21. October 2010 - 1:50 pm
Rob, our greatest empathy and understanding goes out to you.
My husband and I understand, and, we’re so sorry it had to come to this, but we’re so happy that Tanner was one of the lucky cats to have such a wonderful, loving home.
I’m pretty sure that if there’s a place Tanner is wandering right now? He thinks so too.
21. October 2010 - 2:19 pm
Hey Rob,
So sorry about Tanner. Sarah, Cole and I are sending big hugs to you!
Love, Kat
21. October 2010 - 2:56 pm
Lots of love to you. So sorry for your loss. Tanner and Panther reunited, I like that image.
21. October 2010 - 2:56 pm
We understand the love you have for your old friend. You did the right thing, we have our ole crabby cat and we’d miss her terribly, but we also have to speak for her when she can’t, it was time for your friend to go home. Our hearts go out to you.
21. October 2010 - 3:41 pm
Your decision was a hard one. But I noticed that just after you made it, Tanner perked up just a little. It seemed like he was gathering his strength to say goodbye… and thank you. Cats know when its time to go. From knowing you, I know that Tanner had an incredibly loving, gentle, peaceful life. You loved all you could… even to the point of saying goodbye. All the money in the world wouldn’t have changed that. Your decision was made out of love for Tanner and a desire to do what was best for him. And I believe you did what you had to do.
21. October 2010 - 4:07 pm
My utmost condolences, Rob. I know how much it hurts to lose a furry friend. I know how awkward it feels sometimes to express so much love for one and then to have to say good-bye. My thoughts and heart are with you.
21. October 2010 - 4:30 pm
You did the right thing. Of course, you already know that. I don’t like to think about my aging pets…it makes me sad to think of their not being there someday…What will it feel like when I don’t see Roxy or Kobe in their usual spots, curled up in the window, on the back of the couch, in the beanbag, or at the foot of the bed? That’s the hardest part about those little creatures; we know they are only here for a brief moment in time, yet we adopt them and gather them into our hearts anyway. God love you for being Tanner and Panther’s papa for so many years. (((HUGS)))
21. October 2010 - 6:15 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure Tanner felt how much you loved him.
24. October 2010 - 3:41 pm
Rob,
So sorry for your loss. Even though it was tough, you made the right decision but you don’t need me to tell you that. I just wanted to let you know that I feel and understand your pain. It’s always hard saying good-bye to friends…especially our animal friends that ask so little from us and give us so much love in return. Hang in there, buddy.
7. November 2010 - 5:25 pm
17 years is a grand old age for a cat, so sorry for your loss.
14. December 2010 - 12:49 pm
Rob, my heartfelt condolences. You wrote so beautifully about Tanner. It was a wonderful tribute to a great cat.
Penny ( Cynthia)
20. December 2010 - 9:32 am
RIP Tanner!
28. November 2011 - 1:34 am
So sorry for your loss. Simalure to my dog who passed away about a year ago. He to also had a partner who was blind. She was hit by a car
any way will pray for you, just think of them run in a grassy feild up in pet heaven… It helps