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

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

First morning without her, it really felt strange to have only one water bowl and one food dish to fill. But I know she's at peace and it was the right decision. Yesterday afternoon she was lying over her water bowl with her face in it, not drinking. She was also leaking fecal matter. I think everything was just shutting down. Her passing was very quick and very peaceful. I am sure she is at the Bridge with Pawla now.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Karen,

I'm so sorry for your loss.  I love my elderly cats.  We are going through similar things here lately-- not making 1 foot jumps and falling backwards. limping, incontinence.

My  heart goes out for your loss.  Jack certainly must feel the same.   I'm sorry.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have already talked about 'when' the time comes to be put down.  You did the right thing.  I only wish they would do this for humans.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Joanne. Jack does seem to be wondering where she is.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

:(

I know my dogs will be looking also.   Starlit seems to go find Ol' Laz Girl and sleep with her on the bed during the day.   They have a bonded relationship.

Big hugs to you, JD.  I'm so sorry.  

Maybe you can leave a towel or some scent around for awhile, unwashed for him to go back to.  Don't know if that would help.  I know, I've done this before.  Sounds strange, but when I really really was missing my father I would go open up a crate with some of his old suits and give them a hug.  It helped.It brought good memories for me.  I have no idea though, how animals deal with loss.  My thoughts are that they do feel the loss and grieve. 

Little tears here now.  It won't be long for us.  Maybe this post has helped me or brought some reality of the inevitable.  We just talked about this a few days ago again when we were having a not-so-good day.

Again, sorry to both of you.  You are in my thoughts.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope your Kitty gives you a clear sign like Dinah did. I was struggling with it for a while, too, but yesterday, it was like she told me it was time.