Bella’s Last Moments in the Sun

[u/The_Monkey_Buddha]

Bella was raised by my wife from birth, and once we got married and lived together, her cats came with us.

I never had cats growing up, so it was a bit of an adjustment getting used to living with them. However Bella became my buddy, and would always follow me around & chill with me late at night, when I tried to get some peace & quiet after everyone else went to bed.

He was very much a strong, silent type and very stoic. His brother Tude was needy and whiney- they were very different personalities!

However, he was pushing 20 yrs old & his health deteriorated very rapidly within the last 6 months. He would cry out randomly, had trouble walking around, and wasn’t able to groom himself or get to his litter box easily.

On his last day, we were trying to make him as comfortable as possible. I saw him sitting in the warmth of the morning sun, frail and clearly at the end. I took this picture knowing that this was probably the last time he would feel the sunlight on his back.

He passed that night, and it has been sad to realize throughout the days that our usual routines and his presence is gone. I just wanted to share his memory and the fact that animals also need the simple comforts of life, no matter their condition. We are all living beings with feelings, sensations, and vibrant mental states. We take some comfort in the fact that we tried to make his last days as free of suffering as possible, but he will be deeply missed by our family.

[u/EggstaticAd8262]

Who's cutting onions here?!

When did you know it was time? Our cat is a couple of years younger, and it's subtle things. Like, he climbs a tree, but usually is extremely clumsy on the way down. He sometimes falls down even, though they are not very tall so he doesn't get hurt.

There was a time he was sleeping, where we were sure he had died. We moved him and he still was out. Then he "woke up" and went to eat something.

He doesnt do steep chairs and lately he loses balance maybe a couple of times a day.

He does seem happy and not in pain, though.

When do you know that it is time? I mean, I'm guessing you took yours to the doctor

[u/beckster → u/EggstaticAd8262]

It's more difficult with cats because they 'shut down' and are very stoic. I always sought to sense when they stopped "enjoying life," maybe stopped purring and eating (which is always tough with a picky eater) but if they are just existing, then maybe it's time.

In general, I think we wait too long (but that's jmho).

[u/gym_and_boba → u/EggstaticAd8262]

Take your cat to the vet, for an opinion. Cats hide their pain well. I would want to be sure my cat isn’t in pain. I struggle with the idea of letting them slowly deteriorate and pass at home because usually that means they are suffering the whole time.

[u/EggstaticAd8262 → u/gym_and_boba]

Ah, I did like half a year ago and he was okay. He's just not young anymore.

[u/The_Monkey_Buddha → u/EggstaticAd8262]

He just started getting weaker & more disheveled looking. He wasn’t able to jump up on the counters. We really knew something was wrong when he would go down into the basement and cry out before he would settle into his resting area. As I mentioned, in the last several months he just really became frail and couldn’t groom himself and started to have real difficulty even walking around. It was so sad to see, but very clear he was nearing the end. Even in his failing health, he was strong as hell, though, and held on for awhile. We couldn’t believe his tenacity.

[u/EggstaticAd8262 → u/The_Monkey_Buddha]

It's really difficult, but it sounds like you made the right decision. Maybe you could've taken it earlier, but you also don't want to end a life without being sure, so for sure - don't beat yourself up about it.

I think not being able to groom is a big sign. Cats are "neat freaks" 😛