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Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 440
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 7:17 pm: | 
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Do you love your pet? If that love were tested, how far would you go?
A couple of stories in the media have captured the imagination of pet lovers across the country. A man pulled his Golden Retriever puppy out of the jaws of an alligator and certain death.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13043875/
A woman risked financial ruin, jail time and the wrath of her neighbors for her cat.http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2098991
So, what do you think is reasonable, and what crosses the line into "crazy animal lover"?
(I know where I stand )
Calli
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combustion
Citizen
Username: Spontaneous
Post Number: 123
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
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I'm happy the woman loves her cat that much, but kitty should have been indoors in the first place. When I was growing up we had outdoor cats, I can remember three of them being lost to cars. My troublemakers stay indoors, and although my ADHD dog often runs them over while careening through the house (actually funny to watch in a sick and twisted sort of way), they're safe from vehicular traffic. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5413
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
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I'm glad to hear Lewis's life was spared; but combustion is right, he should have been kept inside. We also use to let our cats out while growing up. It was about thirteen years between our last cat and current one. At first we let her out, but she wondered too far. She now is an indoor cat, though she looks for every chance she can to escape.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2268
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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JTA, I'd be very worried if I was you. Those cats, sure can wonder. 
I have a lot of people tell me that I went above and beyond for my dog. He ran into a bus during our first year living here. We hadn't had him for all that long, but I would have done anything to save his leg. The first doctor we saw wanted to amputate it off. The second doctor was able to help him, THANKFULLY. When I tell people how much the surgeons bill was (which I'm still paying off) most people callously say, "Oh no way, I would have put him down." But I'm not sure they really would. Also, it wasn't even a question of putting the dog down. It was a question of amputating the leg or not...which was going to cost a fair bit of change too. But in for a penny, in for a pound. Every time, I see my dog, I KNOW I made the right decision. And everytime I see him running around, I smile and know that it was money WELL SPENT.
I too have been following the Lewis saga quite a bit too. I agree that cats in more urban areas should be indoors. But, I had skads of cats as a kid, and we lived where there wasn't lots of cars. I would NOT have wanted those cats to have a diminished life indoors all the time. We had woods for them to explore, and they always came home for meals. Now Lewis, I don't really know what to make of this case. Honestly. First off, a killer house cat just seems SO far-fetched to me. Human vs. housecat. Really. I just think it's dumb. All the human needs to do is hiss at the cat and give it a kick. I suspect then the cat would leave the human alone for good. |
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 296
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
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How far would I go for my cats? I gave my 18-19 year old around the clock care when she was deteriorating from kidney disease and old age. Every three hours I would give her a little bit to eat. Every other day I gave her subcutaneous fluid. Every other week she received an injection of medication at the vet.
I lost one of my magnificent Maine Coons almost two years ago to a horrible and hopeless cancer, hemangiosarcoma. I ran up the cash register with failed surgery, contacted top-ranked veterinary oncologists around the country, and kept his lesions clean with daily application of sanitary napkins. I would have given up my own life for him to have survived. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2483
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 4:02 pm: |
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Slept in a barn for 72 hours while Shorty was dying. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1205
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 5:10 pm: |
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I've been massively fortunate that my cats (age 18-19-20) have just slowed down and faded away at home without appearing to be in any distress. If one was in pain and without a chance of improvement, I hope I would be brave enough to do what's needed to end his misery (as I hope someone would help me when/if the time comes).
Brett, way to go. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8162
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 5:31 pm: |
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Brett- I'd have done the same thing.
Our first just got really old at 19 & started to fail over 4 days. It was hard, but the thought of letting her suffer was harder. We took her to Dr. Sepulveda, who was then our vet in Bayonne. He was very gentle and compassionate putting her down.
The next one had renal failure and we did subcu fluids for a year. She was supposed to get them every day, but hated it so much that we did it a couple times a week. It completely traumatized her. When she failed to the point of needing them daily to survive, we let her go.
The 3rd had leukemia. We decided to forgo treatment. I saw what my Dad's cat went thru with chemo & radiation and I really think that he suffered. Now, having gone thru it with my mother, I am really glad that we didn't put the animal thru it. For what? Her greatest life aspiration was to find a sunny, open window and steal food. Not watch her grandkids grow up. She lasted a good, long mischevious 18 months.
Not to say that I wouldn't do everything possible if it were a younger animal with a good chance of a healthy life ahead it it. Sometimes I think the hardest thing to do is to step back and separate what you want from what's best for the pet. No one wants to lose a pet. I have always thought that helping them die without suffering is just as much our responsibility as giving them proper care and love during their lifetimes. |
Carrie Avery
Citizen
Username: Carrie33
Post Number: 1351
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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I certainly value and appreciate CAT LOVERS, as it is apparent that they are part of our families. We also have had the sadness of putting down animals that were suffering, (but did not go to the route of investing in trying to save them with medication when they were over 16 years of age.)I think it takes a beautiful soul to go to these lengths to help their family member,) Our cats do not venture outdoors for obvious reasons, but we do take care to hold them outdoors to see what they might be missing ( and lose a fee holes in shirts, as they claw their way back in)
Thank you for being pet lovers, they are wonderful creatures and Gods gift to us. |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 444
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 6:25 pm: |
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Combustion and JTA,
Thanks for being such responsible guardians for your cats. They are lucky to have you (and make no mistake, they DO have YOU)
Alley,
Every time, I see my dog, I KNOW I made the right decision. And everytime I see him running around, I smile and know that it was money WELL SPENT.
And he has repaid you over and over with his joy and devotion. Good for you to advocate for him and not just make an economic decision, and fortunate for him that you were in a position to do that.
catmanjac,
I would have given up my own life for him to have survived.
Wow,
"greater love no man hath ,than he would lay down his life for a friend"
You both understood what it meant to bear the honored title of "friend."
Brett,
Slept in a barn for 72 hours while Shorty was dying.
That says it all.
mjc
my cats (age 18-19-20) have just slowed down and faded away at home without appearing to be in any distress.
How sweet and secure they must have been to be in a home in which they chose their own time.
greenetree,
Sometimes I think the hardest thing to do is to step back and separate what you want from what's best for the pet. No one wants to lose a pet. I have always thought that helping them die without suffering is just as much our responsibility as giving them proper care and love during their lifetimes.
So beautifully put. I couldn't agree more.
The saddest part of rescue, I found were the senior and terminally ill animals , dumped at a "shelter",many times, I thought, because their "humans" could not or would not, help them leave this life. We always made sure that someone held them, and cried for them, and gave them a fitting final tribute. It was emotionally very distressing for all the rescue people (and there was only a small core of us who would actually do it)but to feel the final relaxation, and the absence of fear, gave us some comfort.
My Felicity hung on, at age 22,until after my father died. I think it was a sheer act of will on her part to see me through that. And then she told me it was time. But this was my cat, my heart, and I was bereft. This time it was different. I held her in the vet's office. I felt her pure, true little heart stop. But we had given each other so many wonderful gifts through the years, that this was just the last one.
Carrie,
they are wonderful creatures and Gods gift to us.
So true.
Calli |
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 490
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
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My cat was in decline for about a month before he was finally put on insulin. His tests kept coming back borderline diabetic, so we tried to control it with diet. He was having trouble walking on a thursday, so the vet looked at him and decided to put him on insulin. I was told that it wasn't urgent that he start insulin right away and that the next appointment was Monday. By Monday he could barely get around at all, and he was unable to eat. I started the insulin, but because he was eating so little, there was no improvement. I pureed the fancy feast and fed him out of a turkey baster 3 times a day in the hopes he would be able to improve. Finally on Sat I realized the end was near. The vet said the only option was a surgical feeding tube, but I knew he couldn't make it through the surgery. The Sat he died was a beautiful day, one of the first great spring days. I took him outside and had him sit on my lap in the sun. Later, after I fed him, he died on my lap.
I wish that I had been more proactive about putting him on the insulin when he was "borderline" Perhaps we would have had a happier outcome. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5421
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 8:40 pm: |
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Ooops Alley
I meant roam! Sorry. Sometimes when I'm trying to type fast my fingers mix up what I'm trying to say! But she did tend to go a little further then I would have liked. The people who live next door to us would tell me they'd see her down by the Baird Center. If we lived directly across from the park, I wouldn't have been too concerned. I saw her two times across the street from Marylawn. Took a while to catch / find her. She had also found her way above Ridgewood. She also liked to hang out by the train station with another cat that lived behind us. Our other cats would stay within a few houses.
My sister's cat started out here back in 1987. He went with my sister and brother in law when the moved to Hopactong. He had been an indoor / outdoor cat here, but they were concerned with him up there due to all the woods and the 'wild animals.' He adjusted pretty well! He'd get some scrathces every now and again, and he did tango with some kind of animal because he came home one morning with half his ear missing, but he always came home.
He spent about 12 or so years going back and forth between Hopatcong and here. (whenever my sister went away they'd leave Smokey here). He died about four years ago. He lived about 16 years!
I know where you're coming from when you're faced with making a decison over the amount of money one spends on medical care four our four footed ones. I think when push comes to shove most of us would go into debt to help our furry friends. My mom still gives me a hard time about spending about $10,000 trying to help my last cat. (and that was back in 1991)!
I kind of wonder if the humans mad Lewis to be more of a terror then he was.
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Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 446
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 9:02 pm: |
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Campbell,
I know that Attilla left his pawprints all over your family's heart. His loss will always be felt, but don't forget that you honored his spirit by helping a homeless, diabetic cat. That really was a generous and selfless tribute to him. While we never have them long enough,he was so loved for his whole life.
JTA,
I kind of wonder if the humans mad Lewis to be more of a terror then he was.
Well, I think maybe the judge wondered that,too. Doesn't seem like typical cat behavior, does it?
Calli |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5422
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 9:06 pm: |
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One of the reasons I spent so much trying to help my cat was I felt we would help child or human loved one, we have an obligation to help our four footed ones who love us unconditionally. Another reason was I kept asking the vet what I should do; to which he would respond, he didn't have an answer.
Toward the end another vet told me when I asked if the cat was suffering, that the cat wasn't comfortable. The vet also said it was a matter of time -days, weeks maybe. That he would die a painful death because he would sufficate. I didn't know what to do. I could choose more aggresive treatment, which may or may not have work, or I could end his suffering.
I din't want him to die at the vet's, so I took him home with me where I could think about my options for the next 48 hours or so; as this was a Saturday the vet wouldn't be back until Monday. We didn't last that long. By the ext morning I knew what had to be done. We wrapped him in his favorite blamket, called the emergency number for the vet and left for what would be his last visit.
I swear to this day Octavious (I didn't name him) knew what we were doing. He started to purr weakly while I held him with his head on my shoulder for the ride to the vet. When the vet tech tried to take him from me I refused. Toldhim I am not letting him go by himself. I want to be there. I refused to hand him over and held him in my arms while the vet injected him with whatever it is they give them. The whole time the tears were falling from my eyes (as they even now when I talk about it). The whole time Octavious eyes had such a look of trust in them as if he were telling me I made the right choice. It was as if he was saying "Thank You! I'll see you on the other side..."
I had him creamatd (sp) with strict orders he is to be with me when I pass away. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2280
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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OK, where is Glock and SLicK to tease me...? I'll admit that this thread made me cry a few times. |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 464
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 12:28 pm: |
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Just to put a new twist on this, how far would your pet go for you?
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13439261/
Belle is a service dog, but ordinary pets do extraordinary things all the time.
I know a scruffy senior llahsa/poodle mix named Cuddles, who was cranky,had a myriad of medical issues, and hard to adopt. She finally went to a wonderful home in which the elderly couple were dedicated to each other and to her. When her "mom" had a stroke and was immobilized on the bathroom floor, Cuddles went into action and dug at the covers of her "dad" who was almost totally deaf and did not hear his wife's feeble cries for help. All are well and happy today , because of their unwillingness to give up on Cuddles, and her unwillingness to give up on them.
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flugermongers
Citizen
Username: Flugermongers
Post Number: 657
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 2:54 am: |
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Are you kidding? I'd do everything those people in the articles did. I think the human race doesn't do enough for animals, and that putting them "to sleep" is far too common. |
flugermongers
Citizen
Username: Flugermongers
Post Number: 658
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 3:00 am: |
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Alley - here here, that's why I wrote so little - I fear my emotion'll get to me. That dog article got to me. I've gone to lengths for my animals, but never thought of it that way. I'm an animal activist, and will stick up for any living creature (except mosquitos, **** them), but through having animals I've learned how completely in tune they are. We see them as lesser beings and most people see them as more material objects than parts of the family, but really they have deep understandings of things that we don't give them credit for. I believe the reason for that is that we don't believe animals have thoughts, feelings, thought processes, etc etc because we can't understand their raw emotion without the layers that humans have. Whoa, I'll bet no one understand what the heck I'm talking about. It's 3am, I can't write right. |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3455
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 1:20 pm: |
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Not even a close question--my golden would now be wearing an alligator-skin collar clipped to an alligator-skin leash and sleeping on an alligator-skin covered dog bed. That 'gator would not have stood a chance if he had grabbed my guy in front of me.
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Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 467
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 5:11 pm: |
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ES&L,
What a beauty your boy is!
It might no be so far fetched that he might get that collar & leash , etc.
http://1010wins.com/pages/50046.php
Calli |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3459
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 5:57 pm: |
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Thanks, Calli, he is my love. Well, he is one of my loves, and he takes up more room in bed than she does, but he is not quite as much fun (or, rather, he is fun but in different ways). Oh dear, perhaps this is not coming out quite right...... |
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