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Why do we do this to ourselves?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Why do we do this to ourselves?
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

Senior Member

4,745 posts
Sep 14, 2010 5:34 PM
I'm talking about taking the time and expending the emotion and money to have pets.

Why do we subject ourselves to the ultimate heartbreak when they either get killed or die on their own or (worse, much worse) we have to make the decision to end their lives?

I just had to make that terrible decision for the second time in less than a year for a cat who went from seemingly totally healthy to death's door in just 3 weeks (lymphoma). She was only about 10 years old.

Some months ago, I had to have my 17 year old feline bud put to sleep because he was slowly wasting away due to some other disease.

This latest one was much worse because it came out of the blue and she was still relatively young. Also, she was just the sweetest cat God ever created even though she'd been through hell (abused, neglected) before we got her. Still, she had the most easy going and friendly disposition.

Honestly, I feel like I've been lying on my side letting people kick me in the stomach repeatedly, over and over, and I'm just lying there waiting for more kicks to come.

This really, really sucks.

Here's a photo of her mousing that we found particularly funny...

<a href="http://s619.photobucket.com/albums/tt278/catman1954/?action=view&current=Inspector_Silver_Belle.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt278/catman1954/Inspector_Silver_Belle.jpg" border="0" alt="Inspector Silver Belle"></a>

And just a regular shot so you can see what she looked like.

<a href="http://s619.photobucket.com/albums/tt278/catman1954/?action=view&current=2007-04-23_Silver_Belle_3403.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt278/catman1954/2007-04-23_Silver_Belle_3403.jpg" border="0" alt="Silver Belle"></a>

God I miss her...
Sep 14, 2010 5:34pm
Fab1b's avatar

Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Sep 14, 2010 5:37 PM
I am right with you friend, put my lab of 13yrs down this past Friday due to bone cancer! Hardest thing I have ever had to do and it still is hurting badly!! I don't ever want to do that again!! My thoughts are with you!
Sep 14, 2010 5:37pm
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

Senior Member

4,745 posts
Sep 14, 2010 5:42 PM
We had to go through this on the same day. My sympathies to you as well.
Sep 14, 2010 5:42pm
Fab1b's avatar

Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Sep 14, 2010 5:48 PM
The worst part about it now is my house just isn't the same. It feels so empty, quiet, even smells different. Gonna take some time to get used to that is for sure!
Sep 14, 2010 5:48pm
S

Steel Valley Football

Senior Member

4,548 posts
Sep 14, 2010 5:49 PM
My dog and two cats mean the world to me. I'm sorry for your loss.

However, we do it ourselves because of the joy they bring to our families' lives. We just need to remember to hug our pets today like they won't be here tomorrow...much like we do with our kids.

Hang in there, WB.
Sep 14, 2010 5:49pm
D

dave

Senior Member

4,558 posts
Sep 14, 2010 5:56 PM
the many years of happy memories are well worth the heartache of the loss. hope you guys get through it soon.
Sep 14, 2010 5:56pm
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
Sep 14, 2010 8:07 PM
It was a cat...get over it already.
Sep 14, 2010 8:07pm
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

Senior Member

4,745 posts
Sep 14, 2010 8:16 PM
Tiernan;484231 wrote:It was a cat...get over it already.

I'd rather spend time with that cat than an asshole like you. You get over it.
Sep 14, 2010 8:16pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Sep 14, 2010 8:32 PM
Tiernan;484231 wrote:It was a cat...get over it already.

Fuck off.
Sep 14, 2010 8:32pm
Sykotyk's avatar

Sykotyk

Senior Member

1,155 posts
Sep 14, 2010 8:37 PM
I've had many pets over the years, and it's always tough. But, their companionship is so great. I love 'my' cat. Of all our pets, he's 'mine'. He comes to me when I enter the door. He sits with me (and on me) when sitting on the couch. When I'm using the laptop, he likes to lay on the desk. When I'm eating something, he bugs the shit out of me (and then I always give him a piece of something). I found him on the side of the road as a kitten. And he has loved me ever since. And i love him. He's always there. Never questions you. Insults you. Or, for me, ever ignores me.

I feel sad for your loss, as I know I'll be said they day my cat dies or must be put down.

Sykotyk
Sep 14, 2010 8:37pm
Q

queencitybuckeye

Senior Member

7,117 posts
Sep 14, 2010 8:45 PM
Steel Valley Football;484008 wrote:
However, we do it ourselves because of the joy they bring to our families' lives.

My thoughts expressed perfectly. My sympathies to you Writer, and Fab1b as well.
Sep 14, 2010 8:45pm
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

Senior Member

4,745 posts
Sep 14, 2010 9:29 PM
Sykotyk;484287 wrote:I've had many pets over the years, and it's always tough. But, their companionship is so great. I love 'my' cat. Of all our pets, he's 'mine'. He comes to me when I enter the door. He sits with me (and on me) when sitting on the couch. When I'm using the laptop, he likes to lay on the desk. When I'm eating something, he bugs the shit out of me (and then I always give him a piece of something). I found him on the side of the road as a kitten. And he has loved me ever since. And i love him. He's always there. Never questions you. Insults you. Or, for me, ever ignores me.

I feel sad for your loss, as I know I'll be said they day my cat dies or must be put down.

Sykotyk

Thanks for sharing this. And bless you for taking that kitten in. So many neglected or abused animals need good homes.
Sep 14, 2010 9:29pm
HitsRus's avatar

HitsRus

Senior Member

9,206 posts
Sep 14, 2010 9:51 PM
I am sorry for your loss. Putting an old friend down is a hard thing to do. My animals are like family to me. Yeah, it hurts when we lose them, but I can't imagine going thru life without them.
Sep 14, 2010 9:51pm
CenterBHSFan's avatar

CenterBHSFan

333 - I'm only half evil

6,115 posts
Sep 14, 2010 10:18 PM
WB, I'm sorry for your loss. It's devastating, I know. :(
I hope this doesn't keep you from loving another kitty!
BTW, I love bright green eyes and pencil eraser noses on cats!

Sykotyk,
I have two cats, one is very loving... to the point of obnoxiousness (lol) and the other (female) has no problem ignoring me or insulting me. She gives me her affection and attentions according to her own moods and times of the day. Both kitties are mutt cats and rescued.
Sep 14, 2010 10:18pm
redfalcon's avatar

redfalcon

Senior Member

1,088 posts
Sep 14, 2010 10:39 PM
Last December we had to put down our dog. She was 13, and it happened pretty fast. She was sick on Christmas night and we put here down unexpectedly the very next morning after a quick consultation with the vet. I am tearing up just thinking about her. I don;t even have a picture of her now because I lost all my pictures after I put windows 7 on my computer and something went wrong with the file transfer. We got that dog when I was in the 6th grade and I had to put her down during my first year of teaching. She was such a good dog, a lab mix with a bit of mutt in there as well. White fur with a toasted marshmellow type coloring on her back and snout, and stood about 75 pounds. I'll never forget her, and burying her back in the woods was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

I can't have a dog where I am living, but I will be moving after this school year and it is on the top of my list. I want two, preferably a brother and sister from the same litter, and I want them to look exactly like my old dog. I just saw someone selling the exact ones I was looking for, but they wanted $700 for the pair, and I don't have that money and I can't buy until spring. I alrady have their names picked out.

Jackson and Sheridan
Sep 14, 2010 10:39pm
CinciX12's avatar

CinciX12

Senior Member

2,874 posts
Sep 14, 2010 10:58 PM
While I was about to say that I'm not a cat guy..I couldnt after you can tell how upset you are.

I hope things get better for you..truly.
Sep 14, 2010 10:58pm
-Society-'s avatar

-Society-

Senior Member

1,348 posts
Sep 14, 2010 11:09 PM
These stories are truly heart felt. Go buy another pet now. You will never know the difference. They are like plants.
Sep 14, 2010 11:09pm
redfalcon's avatar

redfalcon

Senior Member

1,088 posts
Sep 14, 2010 11:29 PM
Tiernan;484231 wrote:It was a cat...get over it already.
-Society-;484503 wrote:These stories are truly heart felt. Go buy another pet now. You will never know the difference. They are like plants.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you two?

Mommy didn't love you? Stepdaddy touched you in the wrong spot?

You get together to kick each others dogs and fuck each others wives? (or visa versa)
Sep 14, 2010 11:29pm
Writerbuckeye's avatar

Writerbuckeye

Senior Member

4,745 posts
Sep 14, 2010 11:42 PM
Center: I still have two cats (I had 4 a year ago) which is part of what makes this so tough. You take these animals in (all mine were rescues of one kind or another), nurture them, doctor them when they need it, and love them unconditionally as they love you.

Perhaps what's been so hard for me here is two things: in both instances I had to make the decisions to deliberately end their lives. Now, even though it was absolutely the correct decision in both cases, it doesn't make you feel any better. Then there are the memories of the event; indelibly seared into your brain, because you wanted to make sure you were holding those creatures and loving them at the moment their lives ended.

I think Belle's death has been harder on me than the first one (Samson) because he was 17 and had been sick for a few years. She was sick less than 3 weeks and basically went from being healthy to almost dying (twice) in that short span of time. Also, of all my cats, she was probably the rescue who suffered the most and needed the most care and attention to bring her back. She went from a cat that literally didn't purr or meow, and had fur the texture of straw when we got her; to an open, loving creature that would knead on your, and purr loudly whenever you gave her attention -- and her fur took on the most silky and softest texture you can imagine.

Sorry for rambling on like this but if you've had to go through it, no doubt you understand. If you don't, then you probably are a budding serial killer we'll be hoping gets the needle sometime in the very near future. :)
Sep 14, 2010 11:42pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Sep 15, 2010 12:35 AM
I do it for the statistically longer lifespan.
Sep 15, 2010 12:35am
Sykotyk's avatar

Sykotyk

Senior Member

1,155 posts
Sep 15, 2010 1:06 AM
CenterBHSFan;484448 wrote:Sykotyk,
I have two cats, one is very loving... to the point of obnoxiousness (lol) and the other (female) has no problem ignoring me or insulting me. She gives me her affection and attentions according to her own moods and times of the day. Both kitties are mutt cats and rescued.

My wife and I have seven cats, actually. One I consider 'mine', the others have all taken to her. Some tolerate me, some ignore me, and I swear one is plotting to kill me (somewhat serious there). But, from the very beginning, my cat was mine. I had to leave home for a while, and my wife told me that for the first few days, he was fine. But he started walking around looking into rooms, around the couch, the bed, desks, etc. Did that for hours. Would go and sit by the door looking at it. He was waiting for me. And when I came home a week or so later, he absolutely lit up seeing me. Ran over to me. And for the next week would not let me not hold him while sitting on the couch. He missed me. And I did miss him, too.

WriterBuckeye, I hope you can get over these emotions and adopt another unwanted cat from a shelter. Give it a home. And know it can't replace your lost friend, but that maybe you can have a new furry little friend to brighten your life.

Sykotyk
Sep 15, 2010 1:06am
Heretic's avatar

Heretic

Son of the Sun

18,820 posts
Sep 15, 2010 1:24 AM
I have two cats. Being owned by me has caused them to turn into a pair of spoiled Hallmark card stuffed animal deals. It's a two-way street. The concept of losing them is mind-shattering just as a concept, so I don't even want to try imagining the reality. On the other hand, regardless of the future, they enrich my life. They're overbearingly friendly and get totally obnoxious if they're not getting the attention they're in the mood to receive. They keep things fun and are an important part of my life.
Sep 15, 2010 1:24am
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Sep 15, 2010 8:15 AM
Tiernan;484231 wrote:It was a cat...get over it already.

Fuck you, asshole. I'm sure nobody would give a shit if you or Society moved on to another life, including your families.

Sorry for your loss, Writer. I've had to go through this twice and I'm sure we'll be going through it many more having multiple cats. All I can say is remember the joy that your friend gave you in the time that you had together.
Sep 15, 2010 8:15am
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
Sep 15, 2010 9:22 AM
^^^
don't you know Society and I are best buds? Yesterday we entertained ourselves by dropping bags of cats into the river off the Talahatchee Bridge.
Sep 15, 2010 9:22am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Sep 15, 2010 9:28 AM
Tiernan;484681 wrote:^^^
don't you know Society and I are best buds? Yesterday we entertained ourselves by dropping bags of cats into the river off the Talahatchee Bridge.

Stop trying to derail this thread with garbage.
Sep 15, 2010 9:28am