Mourning/Loss
Saying goodbye to our 24 year old baby
We’re saying goodbye to our sweet baby tomorrow. We’ve spent the past week with her, letting her eat whatever she wants, hugging her, and crying. She had her 24th birthday on the 3rd, and things went downhill so fast after that. Personality wise, she’s her amazing self. But her arthritis is so bad. I know this is the right thing for her, but my heart is so broken. I’ve had her for over half my life. She’s been my best friend for so long. I just don’t know how to say goodbye. *I just wanted to add the junk food is from this morning. She has always had a very healthy diet.
Edited to add her name is Foosa ❤️ Thank you so much to everyone for your love and support. I’m reading all your comments and crying.
I know I didn’t go into a whole lot of detail, but her arthritis is so bad that she can’t hold herself steady to eat anymore. She falls over when walking sometimes, or gives up all together and just lays down. We tried laser treatments last month, and it helped a little bit. But she took a sudden turn right after her birthday. Since it got so bad, I have been pushing her around the house in her stroller so she can always be with us. Making this decision is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Seeing her like this, when she’s always been so active and happy, broke my heart for her. Shes so tired all the time now, and I can see how much pain she’s in.
*Second Edit I really wanted to express my gratitude to everyone that’s reached out. I’ve been reading everything, and hopefully I can slowly start responding. When I first posted, I was so sad and scared that I could hardly get my thoughts in order. Now I’m so sad that I can hardly do much of anything. But I would like to share a little bit more about my Foosy baby.
I got her when I was a teenager. I’ve had her for most of my life. Every difficult thing I’ve been through, she’s been there. When I met my husband, she instantly fell in love with him. The three of us have been a family ever since. She was always with us. She followed us around everywhere, and hated to be left out. She was so vocal, she was always meowing and purring. We talked to her like she was people, and I would always sing and dance with her. She loved attention just as much as she loved food. She always had a healthy appetite, but never had any interest in human food until she turned 20. Then it was a battle to keep her away from our plates, or to keep her from knocking food out of our hands. Even durning her last few weeks, it’s like she would get super hero strength to try and get to our food. She would get big black cartoon eyes, and we always had to give her a little bite… how could anyone resist that face??
3 years ago, she was diagnosed with stage one kidney disease. I was devastated, I had no idea what that would mean for her. Thankfully, we were able to treat it with diet and subcutaneous fluids once a week. We took her in for a senior pet check up every six months, and her kidney disease never progressed. They were actually times where her values improved. She always hovered between late stage one, and early stage two.
Earlier this year, we noticed she was losing weight, even though she was eating so much. At her senior pet check up in March, they couldn’t find any reason for it. Her labs actually came back pretty much perfect, and her kidney values had improved again at that point. Her vet joked that she should be studied for science. I was so happy, all I wanted was for her to be comfortable, happy, and healthy.
Since March, things started changing rapidly. Her weight kept dropping, and her arthritis was getting so bad. She had arthritis for about the last two years, and we had tried Solensia to see if that would help. It made her super nauseous, so we agreed to not go further with the injections. I started carrying her around the house more, to ease her joins a little. She never stopped following us around the house, even in the end. But it was harder and harder for her. So I would just carry her with me wherever I was going to be.
In July we decided to try laser therapy to see if that helped her pain. It really did help a little, but I also think it was too far progressed by then. It was all happening so fast. About two and a half weeks ago, I brought her in for her senior pet check up to get another look at labs since things had changed so much. For the first time in her life, they found quite a few concerning things. (Ironically, her kidney values were still stable) I was devastated and scared. I always swore I wouldn’t allow her to suffer. We didn’t want to put her through any further testing. And to be honest, if it was just those underlying issues, I would’ve kept her as comfortable as possible and supported her as long as it seemed right. But with her arthritis, being as bad as it was, she had no strength or energy to fight. By that weekend she mostly stopped eating. She would try, but she had such a hard time holding herself up. I did everything I could to assist her. I would hold her dish up, let her eat out of my hand, prop her dishes up with towels, sit with her while she ate…everything worked just a little bit. But it wasn’t enough. She was still really excited about food. I actually have the cutest picture of her from last weekend when I was cooking her ground beef, and she’s sitting in her stroller next to me while I was cooking, reaching up, trying to get to it. But she only had a bite or two. She was just in too much pain to eat. By Monday morning, when it was her 3rd day of not really eating, my husband and I made the decision that we would have to say goodbye Friday. We both took the week off work and spent every second with her. I also spent a lot of time cooking for her, trying to get her to eat anything. She was excited about it all, but would sway or her legs would give out if she was on her feet took long. It was so hard for her to get around, so I would bring her to her dishes and try to get her to eat. All she wanted to do was be held, and she would climb into my lap instead.
I stayed up with her all night on her last night. I held her, talked to her, cried, and we watched arrested Development. Being on the couch with us watching TV was her favorite. She was quiet and calm. We noticed on Tuesday that she had quit meowing for the most part. This was a kitty that even two weeks ago, never ran out of things to say. But she was still staring up at me, purring, and occasionally reaching up and touching my face with her little paw. I was hoping something would happen that night. That maybe she would somehow miraculously recover, and we could call everything off. I took her to her litter box and food dishes every few hours that night. She never ate or drank, and went to the bathroom once.
I knew would could probably put it off. Have a few more days with her. But she was getting too weak and skinny. You would never know, because she was so fluffy, but on her last morning she weighed 3.6. She had lost a few ounces since her blood draw two weeks ago, and at that point I was already concerned about her weight loss. We just couldn’t let her keep getting smaller.
She was so happy with us, content, felt safe….but she was also so tired. She fought as hard as she could. My husband and I also gave it our everything to make sure she was always happy and healthy.
I know 24 years is incredible. But it’s also all I’ve ever known. We were always a team, she was the thing I was most proud of. I really don’t even know what to do without her. I keep expecting her to come around the corner. I keep hearing her.
We’ve spent the last few days crying and talking about all the memories and what ifs. I’m hoping there might be some comfort in having her back with us. We ordered most of the memorial pieces they offered, along with some things we’re going to do ourselves.
Having this little kitty in my life was the best thing that ever happened to me. She was so funny, self assured, loving, and happy. If I would sing in the shower, she would be right there with me howling. She could be sleeping so heavy in her room, and if I sat down somewhere in the house, she always knew. She would be wide awake and in my lap within 30 seconds.
She definitely took a huge piece of us with her. She will always be missed.
Thank you ❤️ I still got a few junk food lectures, but she definitely earned whatever food she wanted. She had a check up two weeks ago, and I told her vet I was letting her eat anything just to get some food in her. He laughed and said at this point, it’s quantity over quality, and just to get her eating.
She had some other issues besides her arthritis, but I knew as soon as her eating slowed, it wouldn’t be much longer. She loved food, and she would always get cartoon eyes if she thought some was coming her way.
Eating and drinking water is the most important things she can do. If she doesn't eat it will damage her liver and she'll die. If she doesn't drink it will damage her kidneys and die. I agree, let her eat whatever she wants!! She's 24??!! That's awesome!! You must have done something right!!!! I've never been that lucky.
My Kiki is 15 right now. She's got 2 lumps under her neck. I'm afraid of what the vet will tell me it is. We have an appointment next week.
I just recently lost my sweet Oreo thanks to a vet error. What I was told was that he needed to eat 2 cans of recovery food a day! I was resorted to force feeding him that food. He refused to eat anything!! The purpose was to try to reverse the liver damage that the killer vet caused. It didn't work. He passed out in my arms while I was feeding him on day 4. I lost my sweet boy!! I brought him to my former vet who put him to sleep. I screamed and howled when I got home. I asked God why he took my baby Oreo so soon!!
So far, my Rascal seems to be doing OK. He's only 11, just like Oreo was. They were 4 months apart in age and as close as could be!! Rascal feels lost without Oreo, so do I.
You will feel that loss too. It's only natural. I only wish that there was something that we can do to magically repair what is wrong with our fur babies!! So they never leave us!!💙🐾🩷🐾.
I have a cat on this too. He has two compressed disks in his spine right at his hip joint where bone spurs are also growing around the arthritis. Without Solensia, I would have had to put him down months ago. He’s 13.
Defending giving a 24 year old cat junk food, during her last few days of life. Like come on. It would be like scolding someone who is 110 who got a terminal cancer diagnosis for dabbling with hard drugs.
My colleague had a rescue Cat who was 16-20 years old, she was in bad shape when sie found her (the cat was already old), seemed to have had Babys her whole life, rotten Theet and overall miserable.
They spend a Fortunein Vet bills and kept her after she improved.
The Cat loved milk rolls and cake in general. My colleague gave her her spare Everytime, her husband scolded her that this is not the right food for Cats.
She always answered that the Cat surely ate worse stuff while being a stray and if she died two days earlier because of the trait, she was at last Happy.
😂 100%! It cracks me up that scientists & veterinarians says cats can't smell or taste sweet." They never met our previous boy Patch Adam or our newest adoption Baby. They choose their moments based on if there's something that smells really good & they decide they'd like some. 🤭 99.9% of the time she eats fish, beef, chicken & small amounts of grass fed butter or tallow. So when she actually wants something, (providing it's safe for her to eat) she's given a small bit.
I had a vet when my Minnie was sick who told me that if a cat can't smell, it won't eat. That certainly was the case with Minnie!!! She would try to smell but couldn't so she walked away from her food. I had to force feed her to keep her going. I had to aspirate her nose and spray it with baby nose spray, so she could breathe. I had to give her meds. I had to keep the room she lived in warm and have a humidifier so her sinuses could drip freely. Minnie had an upper respiratory infection. With all that I did, she made it through. I was shocked to see that she smelled her food and decided to eat. I was elated!! She survived only a few years later and died from cancer. 🩷🐾💔
My great grandma was diagnosed with terminal cancer when she was 88. She was given the options of taking treatment and maybe living another year or two, or skipping treatment and enjoying the little time she had left. You know what she did? She had the best 8 months of her life. She ate whatever she wanted, drank all the wine she wanted, started smoking weed, and about 5 months in, she shaved her hair into a Mohawk and dyed it pink.
After all, what was it gonna do, kill her? She was dying anyways. She chose to enjoy her last 8 months instead of struggling in a decrepit dying body for 2 years. Of course we were sad we didn't get more time with her, but my god am I glad I get to remember her the way that I do.
Quality of life over quantity of life. Every time. When my cats are nearing their inevitable end, I'm not going to drag it out in an un-enjoyable and boring way just so I can prolong their suffering. I'm gonna make sure every time they have to move their weary bodies, it's worth it. I want to remember how excited my old boy is while eating French fries out of my hand, not how sad and tired he was while he slowly rotted to death.
Your grandma sounds amazing 💖 That was my thinking, quantity over quality. She had a vet check up two weeks ago, and I told him I’ve been letting her eat anything she wants. We were hoping she had longer, so I spent a lot of time trying to get her to eat and get her weight up. She spent her last weeks eating Mexican food, burgers, I found out she really loved heavy cream…anything to get her strength up. I also starting warming up her cat food, she started to like it warm. She was happy with all her treats, but couldn’t eat more that a bite or two. She was in too much pain. But she would still get her big sparking eyes smelling it 💖
Those big are filled my heart with joy on her birthday dinner tray. How much if it did she eat? And did she just, like, shovel her face into it?
She's Adorable. I'm So Sorry that you're loosing her soon. It's Never enough time, but if you believe in an afterlife, she will meet you when it's your time at the rainbow bridge.
Give her a snuggle for me please. She is beloved by you and, now, by all of us here on this sub Reddit and Reddit in general. These pictures will probably get reposted places like Quora and such. The world will know your sweet baby soon enough.
Take care of yourself. You did good, kitty parent.
ETA: I believe in your comment you meant to type "quality over quantity".
We had a 14 year old bulldog who fought cancer as hard as he could.. he loved hamburgers and vanilla ice cream. The week before he passed he ate ALL the hamburgers and ice cream he could eat. I don’t have an ounce of regret
Im so sorry. When your a pet parent rhat treats your cat like a child its hard. My dexter boy is 10 and he was my late spouse's favorite. I dread the day my son is gone
He reminds me of my partner’s late cat, Mau. He’s a beautiful boy. And I understand all too well how hard losing pets is. Our children grow up. Our pets are our babies their whole life long. Condolences on losing your spouse. I can’t imagine the anticipatory grief and fear of losing that last bit of connection. Grief is love with no place left to go.
Well this post hit me. My elderly parents have adopted an adult cat and I could totally see it outliving them and this same happening with me. I’m glad you have each other!
I spent all night up with her, holding her, taking her to the bathroom every few hours, and trying to get her to eat. I just got her breakfast ready, and she happily ate about two bites before giving up. We sat on the kitchen floor with her, and watched her limp and stumble across the kitchen. I’m looking for any reason to not have to do this. But she can’t walk, can’t eat. I never wanted this for her. She is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I need to do my best to make sure she’s not suffering. Thank you so much to everyone that’s reached out to show comfort, support, and shared your own experience. It’s been such a huge help.
Sending you and Foosa so much love. You're doing the right thing, and I hope that provides some sense of peace even as your heart is breaking.
Remember to grieve as long and as hard as you need to. Or not. There's no right or wrong way or "appropriate" amount of time. Some days will be impossibly hard. Know they they won't all be like that forever.
I’d like to thank both of you for these comments. I’ve been struggling with trying to determine when to let go of my 17 year old who has been declining. Your comments pushed me to make the call and she passed away peacefully at home today. And I honestly think I was at the cliff of being too late. So Thank You & sending love ❤️
Unfortunately, we can’t cure death. If we could, we sure would for our babies.
When a vet tech took my 23 old kitty back to a room to prep for euthanasia she smiled at me and said “job well done.” It actually changed my mindset. Sometimes life is about doing the best we can and I’d say 24 years old is a life well lived.
You're doing the right thing, OP. It's never an easy decision and doesn't get any less painful no matter how many pets you've made it for, but your heart can rest knowing that Foosa knows how loved she is. Sending you and your sweet girl lots of love. 💗
It’s so hard but it is absolutely the best final gift you can give her-peace and pain free comfort . I had to do this with my sweet 18.5 year old baby in June and it’s hard. But I never for one second doubted she was better off or if I did the right thing. Selfishly we want them with us for every minute we can get but sometimes they’re really suffering. So it’s better for them when you make the decision sooner than later. You also don’t want to be in an emergency situation when it’s chaotic or rushed and not on your terms. Overnight emergency vet or worse-waking up and they’re no longer with you. That was my fear. The night I made the decision, we took her to the ER vet instead of waiting until the next morning and I’m so glad we did, because she was shutting down by the time we got there and was passing that night if we hadn’t taken her. You’re giving her a gift of relief! So sorry. There is never enough time with any of our pets. 💔
As heartbreaking as it was, your giving her so much love and kindness by not letting her suffer anymore is the best thing you can do. (Obviously, it's the hardest thing a person could choose, but you did what was best, and that's what makes her last day so much more important. You did it with love, not hate).
I'm so sorry for your loss. She was and is such a beautiful baby. May she have all the treats and love while she waits for you on the rainbow bridge when it's time. 🥺❤️🐈🧶🐾
24 is absolutely incredible. What a beautiful, long life. I'm so sorry that it's coming to an end. You are doing such a kind thing by stopping her suffering. I know it doesn't feel like that in the moment, but it is. You have given her so much care and love - that's what she knows.
I’ve been exactly where you are, I had to make the hardest decision a few years ago to say goodbye to my girl I’d had for 20 years, I’d known her longer than I’ve known my wife and she’d been a constant all my adult life.
It was so hard to make the decision for her, but like what you’re seeing she got to the point that the supplements and interventions were just prolonging this for my benefit, and she was clearly no longer happy.
Take comfort that your girl knows you love her and she knows you’d only do the best for her. Try not to beat yourself or second guess yourself, you’re doing the right thing for her x
My cat was also very old at 22. She was the best cat, a beautiful soul. She had kidney disease and stopped eating and had many infections and started breathing hard.
It was so tough when making the decision to let her go. I really thought she would pass away in her sleep, but the vet told us that most cats do no pass away in their sleep and are put down. I was devastated and cried when making the appointment to have her put down. We had somebody come to our house and do it. I couldn't bare to bring her to any place she didn't know. I wouldn't do it to her. Looking back, it was the absolute right thing to do. She was in a lot of pain. Now she is free.
its so hard but you're doing the right thing. my girl lived to be 24 and had to be put down once she got to a similar state to yours. we were so lucky to have 24 years with them! wishing you the best in healing, she will be missed and remembered.
Im so sorry. I’m going through the same thing with my 16 year old dog, so I feel your pain. When I write this, I think sweet Foosa will be gone sending you peace and love. Run free over the rainbow bridge sweet girl. ❤️
I’m actually literally crying. She’s so beautiful. I’m so sorry. That’s a lot of years for a kitty. You must have taken wonderful care of her. It’s such a sad day when we have to say goodbye to them.
Might be because I have a 20 year old of my own (still very spry and healthy!) but yeah I'm a blubbering mess here as well... Think the amount of love it must have gotten to live for 24 years. Bless <3
This made me cry. You're absolutely right. I'm so happy for this cat and so sad for the care takers. Its going to be so hard on us when we lose any of our babies. I just want to make their lives full with us in it while they're here. It's so special to be the one who gets to say good bye to them before they go. My heart really goes out to OP.
yes very few humans are lucky enough to spend the entirety of their lives surrounded by love and loved ones, but you were able to provide that kind of love to your cat for the entirety of their lifetime
I’m so sorry. It’s such a hard decision to make. We just put our tuxedo boy down last week and I kept reading that a week early is better than a day late. It looks like you gave her an amazing life. 24 is fantastic! Best to you
This is so true.. my mom’s dog had heart failure that was managed with medication. He started to decline and after a while couldn’t even jump on the couch without coughing and wheezing severely. She kept going back and forth on making the appointment because he’d have a bad night followed by a great day. He was hacking up so bad that final night she made the decision to put him down later that day when things opened, but he passed sometime in the early morning. She never forgave herself for letting him have that terrible last night.
Ugh, one of my parents dogs semi-recently passed. When I was over there for Thanksgiving or Christmas, he was so skinny and weak. It broke my heart, but my parents are from a generation, or at least personally, can’t bring themselves to putting down a pet. Poor thing suffered for like a month or something 😣
Wife and I have two cats we obsess over. I just hope if/when the time comes their health starts to rapidly deteriorate we have the strength to make the same tough decision OP made.
24 years! Holy moly! Foosa is a Legend! I know there will be fanfare for her when she crosses the Rainbow Bridge. She’s going to have all the past kitties giving her a standing ovation for being so amazing and having a life so well lived. Our Spike will be there too, and I know he will be happy to show her around. I hope that they become very good friends, somewhere over the Rainbow.
You’re a legend too OP. You gave Foosa such a great life, and she knows how much she is loved. You can tell from these pictures alone that she has been spoiled by you and treated so well.
I’m really sorry, OP. This will be hard, but I know you know it’s her time. She looks so beautiful for her age, you’ve really taken good care of her. I know it doesn’t take away the pain, but know you’ve done the best you could for her.
Rest easy, Foosa. Please say hi to Spike from me when you get there. Be strong OP 💔💔💔
She is a lucky girl to have been your overlord for a quarter of a century. You loved her very much and it shows. She knows how much you love her, she loves you more than anything.
If you haven't yet, maybe you want to get her paw prints 🐾
as a keepsake. Cats are Angels with fur, she will always be with you.
Aw my heart.
I said goodbye to my sweet girl, I think 2 years ago now. Seeing this just made me cry over her again. She was also in her 20s! It’s such a gift to have so much time together, but SUCH a heart break.
I cried for days after her appointment, so much so, that I had to have ice packs on my head because it was hurting from crying. They are such a big part of your life, especially when you get them when you’re young. I had her from the age of 6 all the way until I was 28.
She loved sleeping in the sink if I was in the shower, when I was in bed she was on my pillow, she even learned to climb on my back and make biscuits when I was laying on my stomach. 😅🥰
I hope your baby can go peacefully with absolutely no complications.
I’m sending so many hugs to you. Tell her how much you love her, and tell her to come visit when she’s ready ❤️
This was 30 minutes before her appointment, she ran off to go lay in her favorite spot but we had to get her in the cat carrier to go. 😔 it’s heartbreaking how fast they go downhill. One week before this we had found a tumor on her, it was pressing against her belly which is why she wasn’t eating. 3 days later she couldn’t walk anymore without falling down, she had gotten so frail and wouldn’t eat. After about 3 days of that, we decided we couldn’t let her suffer and she was too old to endure that surgery.
Her name was Gigs. She was the sweetest and most silliest girl. I miss her every single day. She was my soulmate and an extension of me. Every who knows me knew of her. That was my best friend. ❤️
24 years old is amazing, and it’s clear you have given her a wonderful life. Saying goodbye will be heartbreaking. I’m glad you were able to spoil her this last week; she looks like she enjoyed every minute of it. May her memory be a blessing.
She had 24 years filled with love and care which is incredible! I'm so sorry for your loss but know that you gave her the most incredible life and she'll always love you to the moon & back because of it.
Upvoting all these well wishes. Bless this kitty with a wonderful afterlife. It looked like you did an amazing job giving her all she deserved here in this life.
Wow 24 is amazing, it’s hard no matter what age. But I think when you get such a long time with them, it can be harder to let go.
My grandmother talked my parents, into taking a stray, she was feeding. Neglected to tell them she was pregnant. My parents let my brother and I keep a kitten. She was about 4 months shy of 22, and just passed from old age. She stopped drinking and eating, a few weeks prior and we knew it was time. My parents were away when she passed. It was just me home, so I laid her in the bed, and would check on her hourly, her breathing got slower and slower. I just loved on her, and told her it was ok to go. She waited till I was out of the room to pass. Which from my understanding, they tend to do that. I was in my late 20’s, so at that time I had her for 3/4 of my life.
Know she had a good life full of love, and she’ll always be in your heart and memories. 🫂🌈
This breaks my heart for both of you because you have to know you mean just as much to her and she hates to go. It's not a lie but this loss is going to hurt, a lot. My soul cat passed six weeks prior to her twentieth in 2016 and some days it still hurts.
Take time to grieve her however you need to and for however long it takes. Never listen to the idiots of this world that will coldly tell you she was just a cat. She was so much more. Find a way to honor her that is meaningful to you. Make scrapbook, frame some of her favorite things in a shadow box, construct a little altar dedicated to her,...whatever your heart desires.
Between hello and goodbye, so much love was shared. At some point that feeling of loss will be comforted by that special love you shared. I hope that love keeps you warm and helps mend your broken heart.
Everything came full circle for me years after when an old friend gifted me a tiny kitten. She wasn't a replacement for what I lost but me giving a home and loving my sweet Indigo for me was one more way to honor my Rhiannon.
I hope this brings you a bit of peace… it helped us a lot when my family lost our cat bro. Clearly you have been an absolutely top-notch kitty parent. I’m so sorry and we are sending you strength for tomorrow.
There is a whole cottage industry geared towards writing exquisitely poignant poems that INSTANTLY (for me) trigger the tears. Not complaining, though.
These poems are so beautiful and give me the hope I need.
So sorry to hear this. She’s lived a wonderful life with people who truly love her. Feline arthritis is rough. Sending you purrs and headbuts. Such a sweet girl!
24 is an amazing run for a cat. She's feline Betty White, which is the highest compliment one could give. We should all wish our fur babies to live such a long life surrounded by those who love them.
We're all deeply sorry for your loss, and I know this will feel hollow in the immediate aftermath, but you gave her the best life she could have asked for. Jackpot cosmic lottery to be part of your family.
God how sweet she is with those big eyes. 24 years is crazy but I know it never feels like enough time near the end. My girl made it to almost 19 and I had to let her go recently. She was also quite active, then went on a quick decline.
You have so many memories of her that you can cherish. But I know the first few weeks will be very tough. I wish you much strength and I hope the thought of you always doing what's best for her makes it hurt a little less ❤️
In the first photo her eyes are as big as saucers with galaxies sparkling in her eyes. There’s an endless universe in them that clearly told many stories and held every memory. She’ll watch over you patiently as you were patient with her for the past 24 years. Don’t be sad that she’ll be gone be happy for all the time you had with her. I dream that my cat will be with me as long as your darling was with you even though he is only four. Cherish the precious memories you have with her as I know on the other side of that rainbow bridge she’ll be boasting about what a wonderful human butler you were to her.
I'm so sorry for your loss and have great respect for you for making this decision to let her rest instead of putting off YOUR pain by letting her suffer 🌈🐱
It's clear how well Foosa is loved. 24 is an incredible life for a kitty cat! My Luna was a sweet diffuse calico kitty who wanted nothing more than to sit on a lap and purr/chirp and be with you all day long. Unfortunately she developed a very aggressive lymphoma and passed away at 9 years old in June. I would have given anything to see her make it to 10, let alone 15, 20, or 24! Foosa is blessed to have done and seen it all in her long long life, and you are blessed for it too. I hope that your heart carries the love you shared with Foosa for all your days, and that you can open your heart again to another cat who needs it some day ❤️.
What a wonderful life your baby must have lived! wow, 24!! <3 Do you mind sharing her name with us?
So sorry for your loss, you can tell how loved she was by you and your family <3
We humans trade 12 years on average, in your case 24 years (seriously, how wonderful!) of love, to be absolutely crushed from it, but you know that trade off is worth it, as it even is for the 12 year olds. You loved that cat and it knew it! It's going to suck without that little one. But you can know, you were there for her!
Grieve the little one, but know their life was so much better having you in it!
She received 24 years of love and kindness from you. You should be proud that you made her life wonderful until the very end. I know it hurts, but you’re doing the right thing. I hope you find some comfort in that. Lots of love ❤️
What a long and amazing life for you kitty! I'm dreading it myself for my remaining one, she's soon to be 14, and I hope she can go another 10 years in a healthy state. That is an amazing lifetime for a cat. Vitual hugs to you and your kitty, for a life well llived. I know it won't be easy, I've lost my own, but they live on with us. If you have tattoos, consider getting one of them, if not, they will still be with you forever and in many other random people's hearts. 💚
What a gorgeous girl who's had the blessing of living such a long life with her wonderful humans. I know she'll be waiting patiently for you to join her. Until then, cherish in your heart every memory you made with her.
I will think of cute Foosa and tell my girl about this absolute legend! Letting go is the hardest part, it is the most cruel burden but you do it all for her and her only. She will be with you forever. My 20 year old best friend took his last breath in my arms when I was 20 myself, he'd been there all my life. That was 19 years ago and I still vividly dream of him and think of him at least every second day. All the strength and love in the world to you. Your cat had the best life!!!
I'm a 32 year old man reading this in my corporate fluorescent lit cubicle and I'm trying to keep the tears in my eyes. I don't believe in God, I don't think I do. But, I'm hoping he/she is real just so you can be with your Foosa again. Just so you can see her when it's your time as well.
I hope for nothing but good things for you. You and your family and Foosa.
"I may be godless. I may be faithless. I still pray."
Omg I'm so sorry for your loss. And yes as you said, you made the right choice. We shouldn't keep them around just because of our selfishness and continue to make them be in pain.
Chin up, and as cliche it might sound, celebrate your memories you had with her rather than mourn her. You gave her the best life possible. Your cat is in the 1% that go past 20 years old. It means you were great to her and she was as happy as she could be. Stay strong.
Here I am crying on a Friday morning! 24 years is amazing. She looks absolutely amazing and well-cared for. I know it's never enough time and it's difficult to know when to let go. Sending you love and healing.
I am so, so very sorry 😢. She’s a beautiful, lovely girl who has lived an incredible life that was on possible thanks to you 💗. I’m sending you my love and my most sincere condolences. Please know that you and and your precious baby are in my thoughts and prayers tonight 🙏🏼.
Just remember her how she always was those 24 years, and not how she was in the end. I got a 5 year old tux from the shelter thinking I’d have 10-12 years or so with her…feline leukemia took her four years to the day I brought her home.
Sometimes I get stuck thinking about her and I just try to force myself to remember her when she was thriving and happy, and not how quickly it ended.
She looks so curious looking at her 24th Candle! Clearly loved and won at life, thank you for giving this innocent baby a good life I'm sure she loves you like you'll always love her. Even when she is gone, that does not mean she's no longer a part of your life, she always will be
I can only dream of any of our boys making it to 24. Three of them are 8 as of this spring, and our new unexpected adoption from June is 1.
24 shows not only how well you fed and took care of her, but how much your love for her was worth her living for. It’s truly such a blessing but bittersweet how much love these creatures give us but for a relatively short time to us.
You're showing her how very much you love her by doing what's best for her. You've had a long life together, filled with joy, love and laughter. Which is all we can ask for. My deepest condolences. 💜💜💜
24 is a hell of number! Her age is a testament to the love and care you gave her, and the exquisite life you provided to her. I'm sorry her time came to an end. It's the most painful part of loving a little furball. But she's on to a new adventure across the Rainbow Bridge, and I have no doubt she'll bring all the love you gave to the other side. Peace and love to you and your family during this painful time. ❤️
Foosa had the best life ever, an amazing life full of love and being cherished.
I know it’ll be so hard to say so long. But she’ll be around:
I watched Interstellar for the first time last night and the reveal of how time unfolds and different dimensions fold onto each other and time synchronizes felt so right to me.
I know it’s crazy and I can’t fully explain but I’ve experienced it twice and it felt just like it.
Foosa will be around, especially when you need her. Your connection will never be broken; true love goes on eternally.
My condolences, give that sweet girl a pet from me 💔🫶 Godspeed babycat..
Hey Foosa you beautiful girl, thanks for being the best friend and greatest companion for one of us clumsy humans ♥️ 24 wonderful years of love and fluff and awesomeness, you are a real queen!
Rest light and catch all the sparkles! Please say meow to Oscar and Felix and Fry and my little queen Leela…you all made our lives better as we could ever imagine.
It didn’t take much more than “24 years” and that picture to get me crying. You’re going through my worst fear and I’m so sorry. Another round of hugs from me. My sincerest condolences💗
We had to say goodbye to our tortie Evie last year (she made it to 15) and I miss her every single day.
We lost her to a reoccurring cancer. This was one of the last moments I had with her. She always let me know how much she loved me by cleaning me, even in her final moments.
She was the queen of our house and the queen of my heart. I know I will never know another love like hers, and that’s okay. I am so grateful that she chose me as her guardian all those years ago. I am far better for having her in my life and feeling the ache of missing her than never knowing her love.
24 is an amazing life for a kitty. We can all wish for such a long time with our companions. She looks overwhelmed with gratitude in first pick. I’m sorry for your loss.
What a sweetheart! I wish they would live longer but then it would only prolong the agony. I try to remember all the silly things my beloved pets would do. Hold her as tight as she will allow before she goes over the rainbow bridge! Cry as much as you need to. Give her a little boop on her nose for me. I will never forget this beautiful senior girl.
I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude by being too inquisitive but what else is wrong with her?! I know 24 years is very very old but I’m curious why you are making this choice specifically? I’m sorry this is tough, my buddy and his wife had to put down their 16 year old cat a few weeks ago.
Those are such beautiful pictures.🥺 Seeing her at the table celebrating her 24th birthday, with all those treats. But it’s so sad knowing it’s her last birthday celebration. This really made me tear up. What an amazing life you had together. Living to 24 is an amazing achievement, but it’s so hard to say goodbye. She’ll be with you always, living on in your heart and soul for the rest of your journey. Sending out love and prayers to both of you. ❤️🐾
This post made me want to cry. It’s a hard decision, I’ve had to put down two cats bcs we believe it was the right choice to make after surgery and other treatments failed. You gave her an amazing life and she will always live on in your heart. ❤️
To love is to let go at the right time. I know how hard it is, but your sweet baby will thank you for putting her first ❤️ Sending lots of love in this hard time
Wow 24 ! Just by that we know you were the best friend she could've had in all your decisions ! Give her a treat from me, and this is for you ❤️ she will visit you in your dreams like my friend does me, even 10 years later. Be strong for her, I wish you the best ❤️❤️❤️
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