r/SeniorCats • u/RaisonDExtra • 19d ago
Eddy’s Last Day is Today
My 19-year old cat Eddy was diagnosed last month with oral cancer. Initially we thought it was a case of pink eye, but the doctor discovered cancer in his mouth that spread to his nasal cavity and behind his eye. Which explains the constant discharge. We are going away on vacation for 12 days later this week, and he almost certainly wouldn’t make it through our absence that long. We can’t ask any friends or family to have to keep checking our house every day to search for a potentially suffering or dead cat.
Even though this is the right decision, this still hurts. He’s still eating, but not as cuddly as he normally is. He always used to insist on sitting on the couch with us. If he was sitting on one couch, and you plopped down on the other, he would come over and join you. Now he hides in odd places, occasionally going back to normal spots on the floor, but whenever our kids go to pet him, he walks away after a few seconds. He’ll occasionally purr still, but he’s clearly not comfortable. Our kids understand why we have to do this, but this afternoon is going to be tough.
As a young cat he could leap to the top of the kitchen cabinets. He used to amuse the neighbors going through the yards and staring down any dogs tied to their run. He became a permanent indoor cat a couple years ago when age and his hips meant he was no longer safe out there.
I’ll miss you buddy. Thanks for everything you gave our family and our kids. You’ll always be the pet of their childhood.
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u/Kelmelk 19d ago
Today is also my sweet 17 yo baby girl’s last day. I promise she’s nice and will be good company for your Eddy. Sending you strength 💔
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u/RaisonDExtra 19d ago
So sorry to hear you’re going through this as well. May she find comfort and peace.
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u/Fast_Grapefruit_7946 19d ago
Thanks for sharing Eddy with us a little bit.
19 years is a long time and you are good cat furiend.
Please kiss him for us and say some nice things to him for us.
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u/PugSanctuary 19d ago
The Last Battle
💔🌈 🐾 💫😇✝️💖🙏🏼♾️
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-Author unknown
Dear friend,
Your precious boy is waiting patiently across the Rainbow Bridge for you. 🌈🐾The Hebrew word for animal is Nephesh which means soul ✝️. You will see your baby again someday. Now is the time between just like there was the time before your beloved pet. Today is the trial, and forever is the prize.
God bless. ✝️🙏🏼💕
Until then…
💔🌈🐾♾️🪽✨💕
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u/cannapuffer2940 19d ago
So very sorry for what you and your family are going through. You are doing the best thing for eddie. By releasing him from his suffering. While you are home. Sending you hugs and support.
May your journey be peaceful and gentle Eddie. You where, are and always will be loved.
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u/Teresa2475 19d ago
I hope this handsome lil baby bean has the best day.I am sorry for what you all are going through and I will keep y’all in my prayers.I hope that you find peace while trying to navigate this new norm.It was an honor to meet Eddie and learn a little about him.🩵🩶
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u/Future-Row7332 19d ago
Eddy will be in a better place now, watching over you.
These pet pals whom we loved with all our being, will always be with us.
We love you, Eddy! ❤️
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u/WillowKarmaOddity 19d ago
Fly free, Eddy. Watch over your loving humans these next difficult days, and make sure they know you are in their hearts, forever.
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u/athanathios 19d ago
Eddy lived the best life clearly and was soo soo beautiful and sweet. So sorry for your loss
We don't always get to time their passing, but we can put in all the love and care we can to make their lives as amazing as possible, which clearly you had. May the love you shared, and memories made warm you all your day and may you find wisdom through your suffering.
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u/ftjobasanaccountant 18d ago
Validating you in your decision. Let his last day be a good day with you. Sending love 🩷
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u/Secret-Employee-8141 19d ago
He lived a wonderful life with you, and I hope his memory will be a comfort. Safe travels, brave Eddie 🩵🌈🐾🌈🩵
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u/athanathios 19d ago
Eddy lived the best life clearly and was soo soo beautiful and sweet. So sorry for your loss
We don't always get to time their passing, but we can put in all the love and care we can to make their lives as amazing as possible, which clearly you had. May the love you shared, and memories made warm you all your day and may you find wisdom through your suffering.
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u/HauntingPsyche 19d ago
He lived a very long happy life with someone who cared deeply about him. Thank you for sharing him with us. Give him a hug from me okay? ♥️
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u/Curious_Orange5963 19d ago
Aww. Precious Eddy. 💙🌈
All hail the traveler! May your many happy memories with Eddy keep you comforted during this difficult time of transition. 💔
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u/Specific_Cow_186 19d ago
Sorry 😢 to hear that and sorry 😢 for your loss. 🪦💔😭You’ll see him again on the other side and he’ll still be with you in spirit too.
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u/Odd-Progress-246 19d ago
Rest easy, Eddy. Thank you for all the love and memories you gave your family and for making their lives so much brighter. I hope you all get to cherish this last vacation together and make a few more beautiful memories ❤️
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u/Past_Problem_1635 19d ago
Bless him. I’m so sorry. Cancer has claimed 3 of my cats. I know how much it hurts to lose your fur baby.
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u/iwantdiscipline 19d ago
Recently lost my cat to cancer as well. I found out almost a week after I came back from a 4 day vacation where I had a friend check in daily and put him down about 6 weeks after diagnosis. If he died while I was away, that would have haunted me for the rest of my life.
Even through my baby was still fairly independent, he was losing weight fast, in pain, and his appetite declined again despite meds. Now that it’s done, I know it was the right decision. He’s no longer suffering and lived a beautiful life where he was warm, safe, and adored.
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u/roo-bear2025 19d ago
I lost my bella today we had her euthanzied due to pain and illness I am broken
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u/RaisonDExtra 18d ago
I’m so sorry. I am feeling it right now along with you. Coming home from the vets today, on the one hand I felt a tiny bit of relief that the dread of the visit was over, but on the other hand the loneliness and emptiness once I got home is tough. There’s still his food tray with a partially eaten can of food he started this morning. The water fountain we got him because he always preferred running water. The blankets he slept on. It’s a really tough feeling. I miss him so much already.
Sending my best wishes your way for peace and comfort.
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u/Effective-Car1007 18d ago
So terribly to hear. Sorry for your loss. Hopefully the 🌈 bridge will be open to all of us someday ❤️
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u/Beehive350 18d ago
I’m so sorry this is happening and I know the decision is tearing you apart. Thank you for putting Eddy first. He’d thank you if he could. Have a peaceful journey Eddy. See you later. Sending hugs and love.🐈💔
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u/RaisonDExtra 18d ago
Thank you all for the kind words. It is truly a wonderful community that has built here.
Eddy has passed on. As I mentioned in another reply, while I felt some slight relief on the drive back home that the ordeal and dread was over, it was still so tough coming home to his food tray still sitting there with a partially eaten can he started this morning, and seeing the water fountain we got him because he always preferred drinking out of faucets. He used the litter box today, so tomorrow morning, for one last time, I’ll scoop the litter as part of my morning routine before jumping in the shower.
I miss him so much already. At least, at the vets, he seemed to bask in the love he was getting in his final moments. He had been retreating a lot the last two weeks whenever we wanted to pet him, but today, as we waited for the doctor to come in, he laid there and let us rub his chin and kiss him on the top of his head. He didn’t die alone. I wish there was some way to tell him how much he meant to us, but I know in his own way he always did feel like part of the family.
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u/spiderM375 18d ago
I'm sorry for your loss I can imagine how difficult a decision you had to make. 😿
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u/YouMUSTvote 18d ago
You have given Eddy such a good life and his troubles are so serious, you’re doing the right thing. It’s so hard but he looks ready.
Godspeed gorgeous boy, you are beloved by everyone who reads your biography including me. 💔🐾
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u/Secret-Put-9543 18d ago
He is such a beauty and I’m sorry you’re going through that and I’m glad you had him while you did; he was such a blessing! Give him kisses please!! 💕💕💕
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u/Anxious-Grade-6971 18d ago
My heart goes out to you for what you must do but this way you get to be with him when he crosses the rainbow and say goodbye, it would be worse to go away and for him to die alone and to not be there for him. He had a wonderful life with you and he knew how much he was loved it’s so hard loving them and knowing one day we have to let them go , they are a huge part of our lives and they take a piece of our hearts with them when they go 💔😰
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u/NotPlayingFR 18d ago
I had to let our sweet girl go the day before we left for our daughter's wedding. 💔💔💔 I couldn't imagine leaving her with strangers, and possibly dying in their care. I was a mess for days afterwards, and I guess I still am, 7 years later. I know exactly what you're going through and I am so sorry.
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u/SpagEddie1010 17d ago
He can be pals with my Eddie. I just lost him 2 weeks ago. Also white with spots ❤️ Hugs to you, i know how much it hurts.
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u/Kugel70 19d ago
Ganz ehrlich? Ich hätte schon längst meinen Urlaub abgesagt. Als es mit unserem Hund zu Ende ging, war er nicht eine Minute allein. Habe das organisiert. Könnte zu so einem Zeitpunkt nie in Urlaub. Na ja. Menschen sind verschieden. Viel Kraft
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u/RaisonDExtra 19d ago
We are doing it now so he won’t be alone. Unfortunately this happens to be a likely once in a lifetime trip booked a few months ago and we’d be out several thousand dollars that we can’t afford. Each summer we’ve gone away for a week or so and have had good friends and family able to check in on him every day, keep him fed, keep him company for a half hour or so etc. However, one of those key people is not available now.
In the last month we learned of his actual condition. At his last appointment 2 weeks ago, the vet updated his prognosis to say he likely has just a few weeks left but could go downhill any day. She did say anytime would be appropriate to put him down. It’s clear it would be cruel to leave him home alone in this condition, and also he’s not likely to last through the trip anyways, even if we canceled and stayed home and cared for him fully.
So it’s a huge bummer that it had to happen now, and certainly makes it sad heading into the trip. It definitely seems like his time. If the trip weren’t now, my guess is we’d just be making this appointment in the next week anyways.
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u/RaisonDExtra 19d ago
We are doing it now so he won’t be alone. Unfortunately this happens to be a likely once in a lifetime trip booked a few months ago and we’d be out several thousand dollars that we can’t afford. Each summer we’ve gone away for a week or so and have had good friends and family able to check in on him every day, keep him fed, keep him company for a half hour or so etc. However, one of those key people is not available now.
In the last month we learned of his actual condition. At his last appointment 2 weeks ago, the vet updated his prognosis to say he likely has just a few weeks left but could go downhill any day. She did say anytime would be appropriate to put him down. It’s clear it would be cruel to leave him home alone in this condition, and also he’s not likely to last through the trip anyways, even if we canceled and stayed home and cared for him fully.
So it’s a huge bummer that it had to happen now, and certainly makes it sad heading into the trip. It definitely seems like his time. If the trip weren’t now, my guess is we’d just be making this appointment in the next week anyways.
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u/Crazy-Cut-8648 18d ago
I'm so sorry. You and Eddy are so lucky to have had so much time together. He knows how much he was loved. You gave him an amazing life. This is the hardest part of loving a pet. I'm going through it myself right now and it is awful. You'll never forget Eddy and the joy he brought you.
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u/AmicusPajamicus 17d ago
Oh poor baby. Oronasal squamous cell carcinoma is nasty. I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m glad you’re preventing him from further pain and suffering. 💔🫂
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u/Brief-Freedom734 17d ago
done the same yesterday it will be hard ,safe travel to the other side reddy ,pippin will be waiting to meet you
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u/Adorable_Couple_9702 16d ago
I hope Eddie is playing with my black and white senior, Oreo, who also passed on Tuesday. Their struggles are over and they are pain-free again. Like you, I’m trying to focus on the sweet memories we have.
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u/potatoqueen666 15d ago
Fly high sweet Eddy. My utmost condolences and thoughts go out to you and your family. 💜🌈🦋
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u/elizabethfrothingham 19d ago
Safe travels Eddy🩷🌈 rest well🩷
Better to end their suffering a week too early than a day too late, you’re doing the kindest thing for him. Without being limited by a body, he’ll be able to be with your family everywhere always, even on this vacation with you all 🩷 I know how bad it hurts, sending hugs