We said good bye to our beloved cat this afternoon. I think we timed it well … she was not in constant pain, but there were enough negative things that had happened over the weekend that we knew it was almost to that point. We are cat-less for the first time in almost 40 years, and we don’t like it.
Hugs to you @kelsmom. It’s not easy to make that decision, but it sounds like you made the right choice.
Hugs. You did make the right choice.
@kelsmom - hugs to you and your family. When we said goodbye to our 20 year old cat 3 years ago it was the first time in 30 years without a cat for us. It only lasted 6 months before we adopted 2 sister kittens that are now 3.
So sorry, @kelsmom. 
Hugs to you @kelsmom. It takes such courage to take this step. I’m really sorry.
After being on prednisone for a few weeks, my cat has gained a half pound and her bloodwork is now normal (except for the early kidney failure, not currently a factor). Vet says that eliminates lymphoma and leads to the suspicion of some kind of inflammatory bowel condition. They are quite happy with her progress, so reducing the prednisone to 3 times per week and seeing how she does.
I’m leaving town for a week, so I’m boarding her at the vet. She won’t like that, and I’m hoping she doesn’t quit eating as a result of stress. Crossing fingers and hoping for the best.
I don’t care if she’s old, I’m greedy for more years with her. Sigh.
Hope she settles in reasonably happy at the vet, @Nrdsb4. (And I hope you’re going someplace fun, too.)
We had to put down our 15 year old cat last November. His brother, from the same litter, is in the early stages of kidney disease. He’s on calcitriol and enalapril, and the vet estimates he could be around another year or two.
A week ago, we got another kitten from the shelter. To add more chaos, my husband brought home a dog (Australian shepherd mix)on a trial sleepover for a week! He’s a sweet dog, but I’m not sure how this will all work out.
Owwww… what a cute cat. I’m sure Daisy will find a home after so much publicity. :
Poor Daisy!
I am laughing so hard! There is a reason it is called a “catwalk.”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IouL0KagQNs
?
Very tolerant cat. Mine would tell me what I could do with those sunglasses. 
I’m quoting myself but thought I’d provide an update:
So no good deed, etc. Mama Cat turned out to be an asymptomatic carrier of ringworm. By week 4 all babies were covered with it. I took the worst two kittens to a vet for advice/help. The vet couldn’t prescribe oral medication to the kittens (too young) or Mama Cat (nursing). She prescribed a lime-sulphur dip (with shampoo first) twice a week for four weeks (kittens only, as mother cat would have shredded arms in an attempt to get away). A friend showed up faithfully to help. Unfortunately with shampooing and leaving the dip on to dry, all five kittens caught an upper respiratory infection and, by dip six, it became obvious the kittens’ lesions were healing but new ones popping up. They needed to be removed away from Mama and to a sterile environment. They were 8 weeks old by that time - using the litter box and eating kitten food (though still nursing). Anyway, two were adopted at that time by a great couple (perfect adoption) and the other three moved to my friend’s house. Both the kittens and mama were now old enough for oral meds. So the kittens had their last two dips and almost three weeks of oral meds plus an antibiotic for their kitty colds. Mama’s prescription is for five weeks: one week on medicine, the next off and so on. Mama still shows no sign of ringworm. Next step - tomorrow Mama is to be spayed and get pertinent shots (if I can get her into a carrier). After that, she’s welcome to hang around should she choose; I have no idea if she will but we’ve done the best we can for her. She’ll never be an inside cat.
On the upside to the whole saga, Mama Cat lets me pet her when before she stayed well out of range. She has an outside home (with garage or shed for shelter) should she want either here or with my next door neighbor or both.
The kittens are ringworm free and healthy and not even the least bit feral. They love people and run to sit on a lap and be petted. As I said, two have already found their forever home and as for the other three - well, don’t count me out and my next door neighbor has also expressed interest. They’ll become well-loved inside cats.
Would I do this again knowing … I don’t see that I had a choice but it sure wasn’t what I expected.
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^^^Wow, what an ordeal. So great of you to work so hard for those kittens.
Wow, @ignatius! Amazing. Hope Mama Cat’s spaying goes smoothly.
Ok, if you had to google “cinderblock” today, the top hits were not related to construction materials… 
Cinderblock the cat is taking over the Internet.
https://people.com/pets/obese-cat-goes-viral-refusing-to-run-on-underwater-treadmill/
Could not get the cat in a carrier to get her spayed today. Right now she’s back in feral cat mode and I can’t even get near her. Not at all happy.
I am in mourning today. My brown tabby Maine Coon cross is missing–and I assume dead. (Coyotes in the area around the same time he disappeared.) He’s been missing since Friday evening. Although he was not my first cat (I’ve had cats since I was a kid), he was my first real lap cat. If I was sitting, he was sprawled in my lap. He followed me around like a dog, slept with me, woke me in the morning. A sweet & affectionate cat who purred a lot. He provided me with a great deal of companionship–which I appreciated because I live alone.
I’m surprised how hard his loss has hit me.
I have another cat–one I inherited when my D moved cross country 4 years ago, but that cat is not friendly and hides most of the day. (Honestly if it weren’t for the litter box being used and the cat food bowl emptying out, you’d never know she was here.)
Anyway–I just wanted to vent. And I’m wondering if I should consider adopting another [older] cat. I know a new kitty won’t be replacement for my sweet boy but it might help ease the loss of his companionship.
I’m sorry for your loss. Yes to adopting another cat. It won’t replace the cat you lost but it can provide companionship. And so many cats need good homes … you’ll provide companionship for the new cat.