Some people may not like what I did
aka: how can things go so bad so quickly?
AKA: Remembering Lola July 7th 2009-13 March 2026
This is about Lola, who was very nearly 18 years old and doing well in spite of having arthritis.
Her allergic dermatitis was under control, migraines were no longer happening, she was fine apart from anxiety when I was away from home too long.
Recently she began having trouble jumping up to the table where she liked to eat her food, so I placed a chair to make it easier. Even more recently she couldn't manage the chair easily, though she would jump up to be near me, so her food bowls were placed on the floor.
Getting into bed with me was easy, the covers hung low enough that she could claw her way up and during the day, she would meow for me to lift her. So far so good.
Then last month she began losing weight and barely eating, a lot of uneaten food went into the freezer to be put in the bin on collection day.
Last Thursday I arrived home from visiting the twins and noticed Lola barely able to walk. Her hips were collapsing under her as she hobbled along. I went to the vet the next morning and arranged for an exam later in the day. I explained she had also been vomiting quite often but not her food, just liquid. I was told that is never a good sign
She was taken to another room for an IV to be placed in one leg and a sedative to make her sleep, then she was brought back to me and I held her as final injections were given and she slipped away.
I knew that "keeping her going" would be hard on both of us and I did not want to put her through that.
I cried all the way home.
My dear friend, my heart goes out to you! You did the absolute right thing in letting her go. She was in pain and unable to do things the way we know cats can! I feel your pain. I have had cats most of my 69 years and it is never easy to let them go. Sometimes they pass on their own, sometimes they need our help.
ReplyDeletePlease know that my thoughts are with you. Sending you much love and many hugs.
Linda's Relaxing Lair; thank you. Yesterday around dinner time I suddenly looked around wondering why Lola had been so quiet all day, then I remembered and cried a little again.
DeleteI know what you're feeling. Carlos and I have had 12 cats over the years and some have passed away quietly at home after good long lives, and others we have made THAT decision for, which is best for them even if it's hard on us.
ReplyDeleteLola is free from pain, and running and walking and climbing on beds now. Perhaps she's even met The Great Tuxedo. She had a good long life, and was loved by you and she loved you right back.
RIP Lola
Bob; thank you, I like to think that maybe Lola has met The Great Tuxedo and my Angel too and several other cats I've known who have passed.
DeleteAre we watching Hyacinth? That is the thing about our beloved little angels in fur suits - they do not outlive us but lucky for them they have good care and a loving ending. Thank you for that! She was a beautiful little cat. And you have been a beautiful Mum.
ReplyDeleteLinda Sue; we were watching Hyacinth! Thank you, I miss her more than I thought I would.
DeleteI am crying for you now. It's so hard to let them go. You did the right thing, by not letting Lola endure further pain. To keep her around for your companionship would have been selfish. Sometimes, letting nature take its course is inhumane.
ReplyDeleteVal; thank you, that was my thinking exactly and the vet agreed with me.
DeleteI'm so sorry, Poor Lola. Poor you. Things can change so very quickly. Keep playing your little video to remind you how she was until so recently, loving and loved.
ReplyDeletejabblog; thank you. Things did change so very quickly, she was fine at the beginning of the month then it all went downhill in a week. I have photos to remember her.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear of Lola's passing. I'm a big believer in not letting animals suffer unnecessarily at the end stage of life. Why put them through all that pain and confusion. SO much more kind and loving to let them slip away to peace. My condolences. It's hard when a beloved companion animal is no longer with us but I hope your memories can bring you comfort.
ReplyDeleteDebra She Who seeks; thank you. I agree putting her (or any other pet) through months or maybe years of pain relief injections just because you can't bear to say goodbye is wrong. I will always remember her, just as I still remember Angel who was before Lola and got stolen from the yard here.
DeleteI'm so sorry for the passing of Lola. As a retired Vet Tech I want to assure you that you did the right thing. As heart breaking as it is know that the care you gave right up to the end was done in love and Lola knows that. You have a lifetime of memories and love.
ReplyDeleteDVArtist; thank you, I am glad I cuddled her as she slipped away.
DeleteSending you a hug. You did what was best for Lola. It is so sad to see our little loved ones suffer and struggle.
ReplyDeleteTracy; thank you, I didn't notice much struggle at all until the very last few days, cats are good at hiding pain, though I knew she had some, even on her last day she didn't complain when I picked her up.
DeleteYou did absolutely the right and loving thing. And you were the last person she saw. You can't do better than that. I know how you'll miss her, but its better.
ReplyDeleteBoud; thank you, it is better this way. I know she isn't hurting anymore.
DeleteI am so very sorry. I've had to do it more times than I can count and each time my heart broke. My last one, I've never fully recovered from (I'm in a no-pets policy building), but I wouldn't have traded those years with beloved pets for anything. May her memory ease your grief and know you did the right thing River. She was suffering.
ReplyDeleteBig hug
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman; thank you. I have always said I would never let a pet suffer and I did think I would have a couple more years with her, then suddenly she couldn't walk properly and I knew it was time.
DeleteI am so so so so sorry. Been there. It always sucks. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk; thank you, it does suck, but better for her this way.
Delete100 percent ❤️
DeleteI have made the same decision a couple of times. It's never easy, but in my opinion you did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteKathy G; I have made the same decision only once before, I had a cat with kidney failure and had him put to sleep about 20 years ago now.
DeleteOh River. I am so sorry. I didn't realise how old Lola was. You know you did the right thing for Lola, and yourself, but that doesn't help much with the grief.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; thank you, she almost made it to her 18th birthday, but it wasn't to be. There isn't too much grief, I have done my crying, but will probably cry more now and again.
DeleteYou made the right choice, as hard as it was. The best gift we give our pets at the end is to make sure we don’t keep them around for our sake even when they are not longer enjoying life.
ReplyDeletemessymimi; my thinking exactly. Thank you. I know I am going to miss her, but that's part of life too.
DeleteI agree with Mimi on this 100 %. It is hard, but making a pet suffer for our sake is worse. Hugs from Denmark.
DeleteCharlotte; thank you, it was a hard decision, but I knew it was the right thing at the right time.
DeleteWhen my mum was elderly but healthy, a member of the family asked mum's doctor to euthanise my beloved parent, _without her consent_. I spent a month getting a guard on my parents' bedroom, calling the police and getting support from my parents' rabbi and their doctor. After 4.5 weeks, my mother died anyhow :( Since then I never allowed anyone to use the word euthanasia near me again.
ReplyDeleteBut Lola could not give you consent to end her misery. You did exactly the right thing.
Hels; shame on that family member! I am glad you put a stop to that. I knew Lola would not want to live a life filled with pain medications and astill being unable to properly walk.
DeleteSo sad when you pet/friends has to go to heaven, R. You made the right decision in my thinking as it was only a matter of time and misery for Lola. Such a lovely video and you have wonderful memories and gave her a good home. It's not easy when they go.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D; thank you. sad, but when it is time we need to let them go. It would have been harder for both of us, but more so for her.
DeleteGod approaches the mice in heaven and asks them what they want. God we've been running our whole lives we'd really like roller blades. God grants their wish.
ReplyDeleteGod approaches the cats in heaven and asks them what they want.
Were very happy here say the cats. We don't need anything, but the meals on wheels were a fantastic idea.
May Lola hunt whatever she liked.
I'm truly sorry. Been there too. She had a great long life and she had you.
Codex; thank you, you made me laugh. Lola was never a hunter, I imagine she might recruit some mice to serve her, bring her delicacies on silver platters. We did have a really good ten years.
DeleteI think it's harder to lose a pet than it is to lose a kid. I've had to do that many times with our dogs over the years.
ReplyDeleteMike; I think losing one of my children or grandchildren would be much harder for me.
DeleteMy son was sick with Hepatitis when he was a Freshman. His cat (Scuba) was on his lap all the time. Scuba lived to be about 15 when he died. It was terribly hard for our son.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane; Scuba clearly loved your son very much, such a bond is hard to lose.
DeleteI am very sorry, River. I "went through this" with fK´s cat Max. He, too, needed help to go. Could not walk etc etc and didn´t look happy. You did the right thing, I guess. "My" dog (that I never wanted... died of cancer in pain. I was too young to tell my Mum to get help to let her go. Still feel bad about that. Her name was Inka and she passed away alone in the garage.
ReplyDeleteLola sure had a very good life with you. And you were there!!! The mouse I had got very old and passed on her own when I was at school (as pupil, I was 13 or 14).
You were there. I bet she felt that. Still sad news, but you did the right thing.