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Unmanned Spaceflight.com _ Chit Chat _ Sad news

Posted by: Stu Feb 20 2007, 07:25 PM

Because so many of you were kind enough to post or send personal messages of support, I thought I'd let you know that Amber's test results came back to the vet's today and showed that there was nothing more that could be done to help her; she had a degenerative kidney condition that was just going to make her weaker and weaker, so Stella and I took the painful but easy decision to let her go when she was still free of pain, and after an injection into her drip she died peacefully in my arms, with me stroking her between the eyes as she loved, at just before 5pm.

Posted by: mhoward Feb 20 2007, 07:45 PM

So sorry for your loss, Stu. But glad that she clearly had such a great life.

Posted by: ddeerrff Feb 20 2007, 08:01 PM

So sorry Stu. I know how hard it is to lose a much loved pet. But now it's off to the http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm for Amber.

Posted by: dilo Feb 20 2007, 09:24 PM

my condolences, Stuart...

Posted by: nprev Feb 20 2007, 11:43 PM

Very sorry to hear this, Stu. You sure gave her a good life, though, and she was where she loved to be the most--with you--when she passed; hope that helps you.

Posted by: tedstryk Feb 21 2007, 12:08 AM

Sorry to hear that. I remember how sad I was when my 18 year old cat died a few years back. Hang in there!

Posted by: lyford Feb 21 2007, 04:06 AM

It's never easy, but you did the right thing. It's the last gift you can give a loved pet. My thoughts are with you.

Posted by: dvandorn Feb 21 2007, 02:59 PM

Dealing with death is one of the hardest things we have to do in life, Stu. And when it comes to putting down a pet, no matter how "right" the decision is, you never get to make it without it tearing you up a little.

But the sadness will pass, and soon all you will really have left are the happy memories and the ineffable presence of Amber's spirit, which will be with you always.

Until then, our hearts and prayers are with you.

-the other Doug

Posted by: MahFL Feb 21 2007, 06:27 PM

My condolences , Stu.

Posted by: Reckless Feb 24 2007, 06:36 PM

Hello Stu

Really sorry to hear the very sad news that Amber died four days ago now. My apologies for missing this news and mentioning it in another thread.

The pain will lessen with time but you never forget. My avatar is of a simlar rat to my "Teddy " who died in 1981. We only had him 4 years and he was our friend; after all the time you've both had Amber it must be awful for you.

I hope UMSF can take your mind off of the grief for short periods at least.

I'll keep a closer eye on this thread in future.

Roy F

Posted by: Ian R Aug 29 2010, 08:55 AM

Back in 2002, we had a serious cat problem in the street where I live -- here in Plymouth, Devon. The people who lived in a house on my block had moved out suddenly, leaving behind several un-sterilised cats, which began breeding with other stray cats in the area. My family, with the blessing of the RSPCA, caught as many of these stray cats as possible, using a special trap that they loaned out to us.

One of the cats that we caught was a tiny little female whom I named Cleopatra. We decided to keep her, and ever since then I have nursed her back to health and won her trust and confidence; she was the dearest, most affectionate and sweet-hearted cat you could ever hope to meet.

On Friday, she died suddenly of a heart attack, caused by a clot on the lungs, according to the vet. I miss her terribly and have shed many tears since.

I don't really know what else to say. Sweet dreams Cleo.

Posted by: Stu Aug 29 2010, 09:22 AM

Really sorry to hear that, Ian. It's definitely a "pet owner" thing. You'll be feeling horrible now, but try and find comfort in the fact that she had a *brilliant* life with you while she was there, much, much better than she would have had if you hadn't rescued her. She looked like a beautiful cat, full of character.

Posted by: Tom Gwilym Aug 30 2010, 03:44 AM

Always better to have them, enjoy them through out their lives, than to never have them at all. Sorry for your loss Stu!
Tom - 3 cats, 2 rabbits

Posted by: monty python Aug 30 2010, 06:51 AM

Some years back we owned an old dog. It became very sick during the evening before a major holiday. No vet could be found. It died a terrible death on our living room floor - there was nothing we could do. Your right Stu. Putting your pet down was a great kindness. You did good.

Brian

Posted by: warddw Aug 31 2010, 07:39 PM

So sorry to hear of your loss - our Dogs love us unconditionally their entire life...it's only right that our own love for them be just as unconditional at the end when they need us the most...we owe them that...

It's hard...but you did the right thing...

Posted by: Ian R Oct 4 2010, 08:22 PM

Stu, I just want to offer my very belated and overdue thanks for your kind and empathetic words after I posted the news about Cleo. Seeing as how you had obviously gone through a similar thing with Amber, I thought this thread would be the perfect place to get the whole experience out of my system; you know what's been said since time immemorial: a problem shared, a problem halved...

...so thanks; I really appreciate it.

Posted by: brellis Oct 4 2010, 09:20 PM

Clicking on my UMSF tab isn't supposed to make me so emotional -- condolences to those who have lost loved pets.

A long time ago I watched my cat get run over by a car and die in my arms. I watched the life go out of his eyes.

You can't love an animal - human or pet - without the risk of equivalent pain in the loss of that loved one. However, the risk is worth it!