this is a post i never thought i would have to write. ever. tonight, joe and are putting my sweet julius to sleep.
i took him to the vet today because he’s been lethargic for the last couple days and hasn’t really been eating, drinking or going to the bathroom. as soon as the doctor came into the room, he could tell julius was very sick. he said julius was very pale, and when he took julius’ temperature and listened to his heartbeat, julius started screaming like i have never heard him scream before. it was all i could do to keep my composure. and, julius peed all over the table and the doctor, which i knew was a bad sign.
the diagnosis is some kind of heart condition. the doctor thinks it’s a heart tumor, but he won’t be 100 percent sure unless he does an ultrasound. his lungs are filling with fluid, and he’s *severely* anemic. if we did want to try to keep him around for another couple of days to spend some time with him and say goodbye, he’d need a blood transfusion. but, after joe talked to the vet this afternoon and heard how much trouble julius is having breathing, we decided to take his recommendation and put him to sleep tonight. i don’t want him to suffer any more than he already is. joe’s going to pick up a hamburger for julius (he *loves* any kind of meat), and we’re going to be able to spend 30-45 minutes with him. if there’s anything good that can come from this, it’s that julius tested negative for feline leukemia. that was the first thing the doctor thought it was, and the fact that he doesn’t have that means that aj and dizzy are safe.
there is just so much more i can say about this awesome cat who is taking part of my heart with him, but it will have to wait. right now, i need to go pick out some of his most favorite toys to bury him with.
My sweet Julius. ::wipes eyes::
We love ya, buddy.
Oh Sweetie, I am so sorry! I will keep you and Joe and JUlius in my thoughts today!
I’m so sorry Cady and Joe. Losing one of your precious furry babies will be so hard. You gave him a good life though filled with love. I’ll be thinking of you guys.
Oh, you poor thing. Losing a pet is as bad as losing a human. So sad! I’m very sorrry for your impending loss.
Oh no!! I’m so sorry Cady & Joe! I’m *literally* sitting here w/tears streaming down my face as I read this. I’m such a “cat” person & love love love cats & I know from experiece (a few times actually) exactly what you’re going thru. Enjoy & treasure these last few hours w/your precious Julius. Take heart in knowing that HE knew HOW much you & Joe loves him & that you’re ultimately doing this for him. I know it’s going to be a tough time for you all & I will keep you all in my prayers. Thinking of you guys.
I was going to say too, give AJ & Dizzy extra love & snuggles because they love Julius too & will miss him too.
So sorry, Cady!
Oh my gosh, Cady, I am so so sorry. This post brought tears to my eyes… I am so devastated for you.
I’m so sorry to hear about Julius. I can’t stand loosing a pet. Your blog reminds me of all my precious pets I have lost. They are like family to me. I really feel for you. Just know that he couldn’t of had a better life. You both are in my thoughts.
I just came across your blog and saw the picture of your beautiful kitty.. and reading the first post just broke my heart. I know the pain of losing a cat, and I am sooo sorry to hear about you having to put him to sleep.
Oh, I’m so sorry. That is so sad! Hugs to you guys. ~j
oh he was such a beautiful cat… I am so sorry hun… hang in there…
Awww….so sad. It is so sad to lose a pet – like losing a family member. I am so sad for you today (tear). It was for the best as you know and he lived a great life!!
Oh Cady, I am so sorry that this happened. Losing a pet is so hard. Hugs to you and Joel.