Did I Let Her Down??

xsunnysuex

My 15yr old cat Tinker was being treated for cancer. 5 years ago she had an operation to remove mammary tumours. She was well for about 2 years. Then more tumours appeared. She had another operation. Then another smaller operation a year ago. They told me after the last operation that they were unable to remove all of the cancer. And that they didn't think it fair to operate again. They said I should just take her home and make her last few months happy. They gave me tablets for her. Until a week ago I managed to get her to take the tablets by hiding them in cat sticks. But then she didn't want to know. No matter what I tried to tempt her with she wasn't interested. All day Saturday she was quiet and hid herself away down the side of my daughters bed. I knew things weren't looking good. But I hoped she might be reacting to the heat. I decided to leave it until Sunday morning to see what she was like before I took her to the vets. I knew deep inside if I took her I wouldn't be bringing her home again. When I woke on Sunday I found her dead. It's breaking my heart that I didn't take her to the vets on Sat. I can't shake off the guilt that during the night she might have suffered. She was my baby. I'd had her from an 8 week old kitten.

My Tinker

hayley11

I'm so sorry for your loss, try not to beat yourself up with "what if's" - it sounds like you took really good care of her and she had a happy life.

dmg24

I am really sorry to hear of your loss.

I do believe that if animals are in pain, they will find a way to let us know. I am sure Tinker would have wanted to spend her last hours at home with you. You didn't let her down at all.

GemJar_2

I don't think you let her down at all, she probably would have preferred to go at home where she felt safe and happy instead of in a vets where she would have been scared from the previous operations. Don't beat yourself up about it, sounds like your kitty had a very happy life and I am sorry for your loss xxxx

motherofstudents

Aw so sorry to hear what happened, what a lovely cat.
You mustn't torture yourself, you did the best you could and cats do go off and find a quiet place to die so maybe it was better than making the journey to the vets. Just filling up thinking about it. It's life and you should try to remember the good life that you gave Tinker

delain

I second the above, it would have been a much less stressful way for her to go, probably in her sleep in her own home where she felt most comfortable.

If she had been in pain she would have seemed agitated and you would have known.

Your cat got the love and care of a very good owner for all her long life, please don't beat yourself up about not taking her to the vets.

BitterAndTwisted

You did what you believed was the best for her at the time. That's all that could be asked of any of us.

RIP Tinker and hugs to you for your sad loss

Boomdocker

Hi SunnySue,

I lost my baby, Pip, to cancer at the age of 15 last Febuary so I feel for you. My circumstances were slightly different to yours in as much as we made the decision to have her PTS rather than operate at her age or before she lost condition.

Don't feel too bad. Tinker was in the place she knew best, her home. Look at it that that she went in the comfort of familiar surroundings and not having to go in a carrier to the Vet and the potential trauma and upset that comes with that.

I'm sure you must have been very shocked and upset to find her like that. Hugs to you.

hethmar

Dont feel guilty, you did your utmost to give her a long and happy life - feel proud you did. If she were in pain, you would have known. She probably just felt very tired and went to sleep. To be honest, a good way for anyone to go to the bridge.

Thinking of you xxx

EmptyPockets

I'm really really sorry to hear about little Tinker, but please don't carry on feeling guilty. You have nothing to feel guilty for: you knew she was a poorly girl and you did as much as you possibly could to make her remaining time happy and comfortable. THAT is what it means to be a responsible and caring owner.

Believe me, I think Tinker chose to make this easier on you. I lost my dog last week. She was my best friend, companion, honestly DH and I absolutely doted on and adored her - we would have given anything to have her pass peacefully at home with us, but unfortunately, she died at the vets while undergoing a massive operation.

Tinker would not have wanted you to feel guilty when there is no need. Try to think of all the happy fun times with her. It really does help to make you smile again.

BIG hugs (((♥)))

Miroslav

Sorry for your loss

I've lost 3 myself in the last 13 months and I think it's natural to blame ourselves, even when we've done all we can. I still feel guilt now, but you done your best for Tinker and at the end she was where she wanted to be.