He's in Heaven now?

Question

I just put my cat down today due to renal failure that he has been battling for the last 5 months. I took him off the fluids a week and a half ago so he could have some time without having to go to the vet. He HATED treatment, and I just couldn't put him through it anymore. He was only 5 years old. I stayed with him the whole time. He was curled up with my other cat, his buddy, before we left. It was like they knew. He cried when I had to put him in the carrier.They had to sedate him first due to his aggressive nature. He freaked out when they put the needle in and he only got 2/3 of it. It was enough to make him gag and throw up. I gave him a bunch of ham before we left as his last treat. He loved ham but he threw it up, and it hurt to see him struggle to try and stand up. My mom got the tech and he came in and took Patches out of the carrier and laid him on the towel. I just kept kissing and petting him the whole time, telling him how much I loved him. Cried the whole time too.

The tech came back in with the vet when I okayed it, they shave his fur and put the needle in to give him the injection. No sooner did she do that, when she went to check his heart and said, "I'm sorry, he's gone." It only took about 3 seconds and his eyes stayed open the whole time. He fought to even keep them open while sedated. I am so sad. My other cat hasn't started looking for him yet, but she will, and she will cry out for him, just like she cries out for me if I'm not in the same room. I made sure his last day was a good one. I wanted to let him go before any major suffering took place. My heart is broken, but I know it was for the best. My little buddy is gone. I can't believe it. It hurts so bad.

Thank you all for your wonderful and touching answers that did help to comfort me. It was so hard to pick a "best" one. All your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me, saying "thanks" really isn't enough.

To Flying Indian--had my first sign last night from Patches. My little girl cat (his buddy) was playing with his favorite mouse toy. She NEVER used to do anything but just bat it around. Patches would always pick up the toy in his mouth (any toy really) and carry it around or sit with his belly down, front legs slightly out with the mouse in between, and he'd pick it up in his mouth and play with it that way. Then he'd move his head around a little bit and drop the mouse back down between his legs and start to bite/pull at its tail. Last night, she was sitting in that EXACT same position, belly down with front legs slightly out. I gave her the mouse (we were playing) and she picked it up in her mouth, moved her head around a little bit, then dropped it and started to pull/bite at its tail EXACTLY like he did. I immediately thought of your response. I knew then and there his spirit was with me, and that he was watching over me in Heaven. He let me know through her that he was okay now.

Answer 1

I am so sorry you had to go through this. Sometimes it really hurts to be kind and what you did was the most unselfish act of love.

I had to have my 15 year old ' Thomas' put to sleep because he was suffering with cancer and the strangest things happened after a couple of days things kept going missing and moving from where I put them. I believe it was my old Tom, we were inseparable you see and I think it was his way of letting me know he was still around. I put one of his pictures in a frame on my TV, its still there, and bought fresh flowers and put them in a vase next to it. About a week later I thought I would never get over the pain and then I had a dream almost like an out of body experience. Me and Tom were floating around my house together and it seemed to go on all night. The next morning I felt so much better and remembered him how he used to be and not the way he was the last time that I saw him. I will never forget him. Believe me it gets easier with time. In a few weeks you'll remember your cat how he used to be and the great time you had together in a happy way. Hope my story helps in some way .

Take care now and watch out for those little signs. He's in heaven alright, looking down on you.

God Bless

Answer 2

That is so tough! I feel for you and got very misty when reading some of the other responses, and I'm a 61-year old grandfather. So sad. We have 3 cats but my favorite is "The Spook" a little grey and white angora who usually is on my lap while I'm on the computer (or not while on the computer). She is 16 but still acts like a kitten. I know her days are growing short and God will I miss her when she is gone! Renal failure is is unfortunately common in cats. But hard as it is, you did the right thing. We had one years ago named Sooty, a pure-bred angora. Had him neutered, but the neutering was actually the cause of the loss. Became paralized and died under my bed. I was only about 8 at the time, but I remember how he suffered and there was nothing we could do. Hard as it is, the best thing you can do is find a new kitten from the shelter and give it a home and a new life. Whatever you do, don't try to find one that looks exactly like Patches. Every cat has a distinct personality even within the same breed. And is Patches in Heaven? As a very religious person who at one time wanted to be a minister, I've given that a lot of thought. Some people say that there will be no animals in Heaven wherever that might be in the "afterlife". But the key here is "Afterlife". I've come to the conclusion that Native Americans have the right idea. There is a certain "Spirit" in every living thing...it is an energy that never dies and is only "transformed". The Spirit of the Cat is in every cat and it seems only logical that a Loving God would give us a reward for caring for His creatures, creations and our fellow furry companions and co-travelers here on Spaceship Earth ( I never refer to them as "pets"). This may sound a bit far-out, but if you have a real love for anyone or anything, that love can't die. By the way, Spook just climbed on my lap and I told her about your loss. I doubt she understands, but I do. Chin up. Godspeed.

Answer 3

I am SOOO sorry for your loss!!!
I understand what your going through! When I was 5, my cat Bastet, that I had had all my life, was put down. It was the hardest thing in the world to deal with! I wasn't there when Bastet left, I was asleep and found out later, I'm sure that being with Patches when he left, was the best thing for him, and you! It will help to spend sometime by yourself, and maybe your other cat, and just think about and remember Patches and all the good times you shared. It will keep him fresh in your memory, and give you time to grive.
It will hurt a lot for the longest time because you were so close to him and he was so young! My cat was the same age, only 5. It will hurt, you will cry! It's ok! It's been 9 years since Bastet died, and I still miss her! You will always miss Patches, but you will always love him! It will get easier to deal with over time!
I feel for you! and I send you the best of wishes!

~Mystic~

Answer 4

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I have had to do the same thing before and it is so very hard, but please take comfort in knowing that you did the right and humane thing to end his suffering. It is one of the hardest things to do, but I know from experience...it's harder to watch a pet suffer and die in your arms. I believe 100% that animals go to heaven. There is scripture (don't know the exact ones) that speaks of animals in heaven and I have heard Billy Graham and other preachers speak of this. One of the best dreams I ever had was the night after my Collie died in my arms. She died from complications of surgery to remove a cancerous tumor the size of a cantelope and she also had hip displaysia which made it very difficult for her to walk or get up off the floor...anyway...the dream was so realistic...I was standing at the top of a hill with a beautiful valley below that had steps to where I was and my Collie RAN up those steps into my arms barking and waging her tail the whole time. That dream was a comfort for me and I believe a message from God. She was in heaven, no pain or suffering anymore, waiting to see me again. I am not a real 'religious' person, but I do belive that. Once again, sorry for your loss and try to have a peaceful day.

Answer 5

How distressing! I am so sorry you have lost your wonderful guy at such a young age.

You can get some homeopathic Igatia from a health foods store. 30C is okay. Igatia is specific for grief. Take a pellet for yourself and any other human and dissolve one in a little filtered water and give it to your other cat with an eyedropper. You can safely do that for the next three days. It will help you and your cat a lot as you move through your grief.

One pellet, once a day, for up to three days.

Answer 6

I'm so sorry for your loss. I had to euthanize my darling 17 year old Siamese who also had renal failure, on July 31, 2004. I have two new kitties, one was born the day she died, and looks a bit like her. I love them both, but nobody will replace my Kizi.

But at least he had a good life with you, and you cared enough to give him up when the time came. You made the right choice. He'll be waiting for you when your time comes. And if you want Biblical support for this, I can give some reasons to believe animals will be in heaven with us.

Answer 7

this made me cry because I had to do the same thing this past march with my sweet Ginger she was 21 and she was suffering from kidney disease the last moments were similar to what happened with your baby...Im sorry for you and I hope you will be ok I will say a prayer for you and cry if you need to and let it get out of your system ..I cried for days (weeks) after wards here is something for you to read...Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 8

I am so very sorry for your loss. I have worked at a veterinarian's office for 19 years and I assure you, you did the best thing. Sometimes we hold on to pets because it hurts too bad to let them go, but I know you didn't want Patches to suffer.
And yes, I honestly believe Patches is in heaven now and is being a comfort to all around him.
I would like to add that the sedation used makes animals very drousy and sometimes makes them sick, but your sweet Patches probably didn't realize what was going on. His last memory was you being kind to him.
Again, my deepest condolances.

Answer 9

I am so sorry you had to suffer this horrible loss. I had to have my doggie put to sleep seven years ago due to heart failure and it destroys my soul to this day to even think about the pain she endured up until we put her to rest. You had to make a very tough moral and ethical decision, but I feel you made the right choice. Your poor baby doesn't have to suffer any longer... my thoughts and prayers are with you... sometimes we have a stronger bond with our animals than we do with other people. Patches seemed like a sweet, special boy. I'll be thinking of both of you. God bless. I'll make sure Cocoa says hello to Patches <3

Answer 10

I am so sorry for your lose,you did the right thing and he knows that.I know just how you feel I lost 1 this year due to throat cancer,it's never easy but it's for the best.He's in kitty Heaven now with no more pain and playing with all the others that are there.