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Dagney · 10-13-2005, 04:35 PM

I've noticed this year, that a few of us have had our dear pets cross over the bridge from this life to a much better one.

Today, my Maxwell joined them.

He didn't suffer at all, and was in the care of his Vet when it occurred.

For the past few weeks, Max had been very lethargic. Sleeping more than anything else, devloping a cough that was a little troubling, and starting to not groom himself. The Vet said that with his age, we would do some minor tests, but anything invasive would be more traumatic to him than what the Vet thought he could endure.

I noticed on Sunday afternoon, that Max had taken up residence under my bed. While it's not unlike him to find a spot and camp out in it for a while, there was nothing at all I could do to lure him out. Treats were ignored, his favorite toy, he didn't want. He wasn't eating (even his favorite, chicken), would only drink if i took the bowl to him, and wasn't using his litterbox. Yesterday, I called the vet, who asked me to bring him in. I made the appointment for this morning. Last night, for about a half hour, Max was his 'old' self. Mooching, purring, and being a general goofball. But it didn't last very long. He went back under the bed, and any time I went to check on him, he would hiss, and then meow pitifully. I knew, he wasn't feeling that good at all.

This morning, with just a basic examination, the vet told me that his liver was about 5 times larger than its normal size. His intestines felt like they were 'little sausages', and he was having trouble breathing due to the size of his liver and the other problems. Without doing surgery to make certain, he said he was fairly (about 95 percent) sure that what was wrong with Max was cancer that had started in his liver and spread all through his body. He said that it was a very real possiblity that Maxwell wouldn't live through the end of the month, and if anything, he would suffer from the pain. He'd already lost 3 pounds, was down from 10 to about 7, was losing his hair, and was pretty unresponsive unless you really pushed him. He said that the best thing we could do for him, would be to help him be comfortable. <script></script>

So we did.

I wish I could say that he wasn't scared or nervous - because he was. Max never did like car rides or strange places. But he was calm when the vet examined him - didn't meow at all. When I was holding him before he went to sleep, I told him that everyone who knew him loved him, and we would all miss him. He'd developed this habit lately of patting me with his paw, almost as if to tell me that it was okay. Well, before the vet gave him his medicine, he reached out and put his paw on my hand, and meowed softly. I think he knew...and wanted me to know it was okay.

Max has been a huge part of my life ever since he came to live with me. A constant companion, minor nusiance when he was 'fixated' on something, and all around best friend.There's something about a pet that loves you unconditionally that makes them so very special. Max will have a constant place in my heart. There will never be another neurotic little man like him.

10-13-2005, 04:35 PM	#1
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	Crossing the Rainbow Bridge I've noticed this year, that a few of us have had our dear pets cross over the bridge from this life to a much better one. Today, my Maxwell joined them. He didn't suffer at all, and was in the care of his Vet when it occurred. For the past few weeks, Max had been very lethargic. Sleeping more than anything else, devloping a cough that was a little troubling, and starting to not groom himself. The Vet said that with his age, we would do some minor tests, but anything invasive would be more traumatic to him than what the Vet thought he could endure. I noticed on Sunday afternoon, that Max had taken up residence under my bed. While it's not unlike him to find a spot and camp out in it for a while, there was nothing at all I could do to lure him out. Treats were ignored, his favorite toy, he didn't want. He wasn't eating (even his favorite, chicken), would only drink if i took the bowl to him, and wasn't using his litterbox. Yesterday, I called the vet, who asked me to bring him in. I made the appointment for this morning. Last night, for about a half hour, Max was his 'old' self. Mooching, purring, and being a general goofball. But it didn't last very long. He went back under the bed, and any time I went to check on him, he would hiss, and then meow pitifully. I knew, he wasn't feeling that good at all. This morning, with just a basic examination, the vet told me that his liver was about 5 times larger than its normal size. His intestines felt like they were 'little sausages', and he was having trouble breathing due to the size of his liver and the other problems. Without doing surgery to make certain, he said he was fairly (about 95 percent) sure that what was wrong with Max was cancer that had started in his liver and spread all through his body. He said that it was a very real possiblity that Maxwell wouldn't live through the end of the month, and if anything, he would suffer from the pain. He'd already lost 3 pounds, was down from 10 to about 7, was losing his hair, and was pretty unresponsive unless you really pushed him. He said that the best thing we could do for him, would be to help him be comfortable. <script><!-- D(["mb"," \r\n \r\nSo we did.* \r\n \r\nI wish I could say that he wasn\'t scared or nervous - because he\r\nwas.* Max never did like car rides or strange places.* But he\r\nwas calm when the vet examined him - didn\'t meow at all.* When I\r\nwas holding him before he went to sleep, I told him that everyone who\r\nknew him loved him, and we would all miss him.* He\'d developed\r\nthis habit lately of patting me with his paw, almost as if to tell me\r\nthat it was okay.* Well, before the vet gave him his medicine, he\r\nreached out and put his paw on my hand, and meowed softly.* I\r\nthink he knew...and wanted me to know it was okay. \r\n \r\nMax has been a huge part of my life ever since he came to live with\r\nme.* A constant companion, minor nusiance when he was \'fixated\' on\r\nsomething, and all around best friend.There\'s something about a pet\r\nthat loves you unconditionally that makes them so very special.\r\nMax will have a constant place in my heart. There will never be\r\nanother neurotic little man like him. \r\n \r\nPlease hug Trouble and Furball for me.* I have some fairly recent photos of him if you\'d like one.* Just let me know. \r\n \r\nKellie ",1] ); D(["mb"," -- Life will be the death of me yet... But I\'m enjoying it while it lasts! \r\n\r\n",0] ); D(["ce"]); D(["ms","b08d"] ); //--></script> So we did. I wish I could say that he wasn't scared or nervous - because he was. Max never did like car rides or strange places. But he was calm when the vet examined him - didn't meow at all. When I was holding him before he went to sleep, I told him that everyone who knew him loved him, and we would all miss him. He'd developed this habit lately of patting me with his paw, almost as if to tell me that it was okay. Well, before the vet gave him his medicine, he reached out and put his paw on my hand, and meowed softly. I think he knew...and wanted me to know it was okay. Max has been a huge part of my life ever since he came to live with me. A constant companion, minor nusiance when he was 'fixated' on something, and all around best friend.There's something about a pet that loves you unconditionally that makes them so very special. Max will have a constant place in my heart. There will never be another neurotic little man like him. __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.