Saying Goodbye To Dinah

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My cat Dinah is 17 years old, plus a few months, and she has been in kidney failure for almost a year now. These past two weeks or so, I have seen a very noticeable decline in her health and behavior.

Dinah is the first cat I've ever had. I'm really a dog person. But back in 1994, I had some major life changes, and my then 4 year old poodle Pawla was being left alone too much of the time. I thought that having company would help her. Getting another dog when I wasn't home enough for the one I had was out of the question, so I adopted a kitten as a companion for Pawla.

Poor Dinah got pushed around an awful lot in the beginning, but she had her claws, and they eventually worked things out. Most days when I got home, the two of them would be lying side by side.

Pawla died in 2005, and shortly after that, I moved to my current home. Dinah was 11 then, and she seemed to like the new house. When Jackdoodle joined us a few months later, there was immediate harmony. He likes cats, and this time around, Dinah decided that she had seniority and was not taking a back seat to any dog, no matter how big he was. To this day, 80 lb. JD is a little bit afraid of her, and treats her with the utmost respect.

Dinah has been the easiest pet I've ever had. She has never been ill, never displayed problem behaviors, and has needed so little from me. Some food and water each day, a brushing here and there, a few scratches behind the ears, and she's happy.

About 10 months ago, she started peeing outside her litter box. She also stopped eating. We consulted the vet, did blood work, and discovered she was in early kidney failure. We changed her diet, made some litter-box adjustments, and things seemed better. But since then, we have had to change her food again several times, and she will now only eat baby food. We ran more bloodwork, and her BUN and creatinine levels are considerably higher. She has stopped grooming and is covered in mats, down to the skin. She has started spending time in strange out of the way places in the house, places where she never was before. It's like she can't find a place for herself. And now, the past two weeks, she's started peeing and pooping outside her box, in strange places around the house, and she also seems to be leaking or dribbling urine. I knew it was getting to be her time, but she has still been wanting to eat and looking for affection. I know how to tell when one of my dogs is ready, but Dinah is my first cat. And this is an awful, awful decision to make, as any of you who have been through it know.

Now, something has changed again. Her litter boxes have barely been used over the past day or so. She woke me in the early morning hours retching in my bathroom, and this continued on and off for about an hour or so. All that retching produced very little. She has been sleeping on my bed all morning (not normal for her, that's Jack's spot), and today was the first time ever that she was not standing on the kitchen counter meowing for her breakfast, and the first time in more than a year that she hasn't touched her food. I think she's telling me something.

There isn't any point in trying to prolong her life, it won't help anyone but me. I don't want to put her through anything that would cause her stress. I think it's her time. Does anyone agree? I know nobody can make this decision for me, but maybe hearing that it's the right decision would make it easier.

Thanks.

***UPDATE***:

Dinah went to the Rainbow Bridge August 5th, 2011. RIP, Diney Girl. And give Pawla a kiss for us.

Dinah 3/17/94 - 8/5/11

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Oh Karen, I feel for you so much!  It is such a hard decision to make for our beloved furkids no matter what species.  You know that we have a 17 year old cat too.  I have not had to make that decision yet for him, but we did have to for Sherlock in January.  But as Jane says, it is a matter of quality of life.  I know your heart is aching today and mine is aching with yours, but now Dinah is no longer suffering.  She is basking in a glorious ray of sunshine or chasing butterflies just this side of the rainbow bridge.

Much Love, Nina & Harlow

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear about Dinah. I, like so many of the others here and yourself, have been through this WAY too many times. After reading this I believe that your heart is already speaking to you and leading you in the direction that is best for Dinah.  I think you are hearing it but like all of us, don't WANT to hear it!  Our previous cat was 18 years old when we had to make the decision for him. I know from watching your relationship with JD that Dinah has had an awesome life with you and her age alone speaks of the wonderful care you have given her.Bless you both during this difficult time!

 

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nina and Ricki, thank you both. The poem is very much appreciated.

Dinah went to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. She was in even worse shape than I knew when I posted this discussion, so I know I made the right decision.

Her passing was very peaceful. I know she was telling me that she really was 'ready to come home", as the poem says.

Thank you all so much for your support and your comforting words, I could not have gotten trhough today without you.

Love to all of you.

 

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Karen, my heart aches with you.  I hope peace will wrap your sad soul and lift your wounded spirit!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Ellen.

[Eva]

Hi Karen,

  It is terribly sad what we parents have to consider what to do for our furry friends. I am so sorry for the loss to your family. You have given her a wonderful life and enriched the doodle's life too, and she sure was lucky to have you as a great parent. I am so sorry you have to go through this. Eva

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Eva.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Karen, I feel for you. When our old Lab got sick, I hated making that hard decision. Our vet was very reassuring and said he felt it was time. I just wanted her to go to sleep and not wake up, so the burden would not be on us. The vet said that almost never happens. It seems to me that Dinah is telling you in the only ways that she can, that she is sick and tired and ready. Sometimes, that is the last act of kindness we can show for our pets. I am sorry this is happening to all of you!

 

I just read your last comment that Dinah went to the Rainbow Bridge. I am so sorry for your tremendous loss!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think she really did know that I needed a clear sign that it was time. That was her last act of kindness to me.

Thanks, Laurie.

 

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

Karen,

My heart goes out to you.  We had to make this same decision in May of this year when our 13 year old boxer started limping and when we took her to the vet we were told that she had bone cancer.  They said that they could amputate her affected front leg but we knew that at her age the liklihood of surviving the surgery was slim and even if she did survive, with arthritis in both her back legs, her quality of life would have been non-existent.  We made the decision gave her extra hugs, kisses and treats, told her to go find Louie (her Choc. Lab brother that we lost to cancer 5 years ago) and said good-bye and cried all day.  I still cry sometimes, (I'm crying as I write this now.) but we know that the decision, although not the best for us, was what was best for her.  And that's all that matters.

 

You are in my thoughts. 

 

Jen

[Kate]

I burst into tears when I read that you told her to "go find Louie." That's just so sweet and touching.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Jen.