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Lesson 6: When It's Time to Say "Goodbye"
 | I hope that none of us will have to put this lesson into practice for many, many years. On the other hand, the fact is that most of us will outlive our cats, and the time may come when we will have to make the toughest decisions we'll ever have to make: letting a treasured cat go. A valued Cats Forum member, CatHelper, who lovingly manages her own hospice for cats, says it all, most eloquently:
"It's normal to want to do everything humanly possible to save a life, and that's important. Doing everything humanely possible to ease suffering is much more important, and sometimes, when the treatment is worse than the disease, and the disease is beyond any chance of a cure, that means letting go. Knowing when to let go is the most important thing of all. Give them every good day they have coming, but know when that last good day has been spent." ~ K. Sacksteder |
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Saying Goodbye |
Knowing When To Let Go
Like most of us, when I realized my 19 year old Shannon was approaching the end, I prayed that he would go quietly in his sleep, with no stress or pain. Sadly, that was not to be, and the night came when I had to make the terrible decision to let him go.
Kari Winters, published author and active rescuer, has written a beautiful article with all the resources you need to help you when and if that decision becomes necessary.
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Dealing With Loss
You'll think you will never recover, and you'll vow to never get another cat. But the day will come when the sun will shine again, and when you least expect it, a furry creature will sidle up next to you, put a furry pad on your arm and look up into your face with eyes you will swear reflect the soul of the cat you've lost.
Before then, however, there is a natural grief process that you must go through. As for those people who tell you, "It was only a cat," pity them, for they obviously have never known the unconditional love which cats give so freely.
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Some Important Pages to Bookmark |
Resources You May Need in the Future
The link above points to my Subject Library, a huge resource section listed (more or less) alphabetically. Other Resources you may want to save are:
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The About Cats Forum
If you didn't join at the beginning of this course, be sure to do so now. Our caring forum members come from a wide background of experience and knowledge, and will be happy to help you with any future problems or concerns.
Many of them have experience with elderly cats, and have dealt with or are presently coping with many of the same things you've encountered with your older cat. You'll find loads of support on the Cats Forum
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Coda: Feedback on the Course |
How Did You Like the Class?
Your feedback is important to me in helping to make this class as complete and understandable as it can be. I'd like to know your opinions. Did you like it? Was it too long or too short? Were there any important basics that you felt were missing?
Please complete the form linked here, and I'll be in your debt. Although the form asks for a name and email address, you can choose to remain anonymous. In any case, I'll respect your privacy, and you won't be added to any mailing lists by virtue of completing the form. Thank you!
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