aag

Sadly, yes. Although those letters weren’t written by children.

Some positive energy being sent to you for the difficult transition to be made.

That made tear up. It’s never easy when dealing with the probable loss of a pet. Look for a book called “Cat Heaven” by Cynthia Rylant. http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Heaven-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590100548 I have “Dog Heaven” and it’s a sad but wonderful book.

Why do simple requests from our children make us cry so hard? (well that made ME cry anyway) I have had to answer similar questions in the past for my children. It is never easy to answer those questions that come from an innocent view of life. You did a good thing in my opinion. I am reminded of the fateful episode of Sesame Street when Mr Hooper died. We sadly have to teach our children about ‘life’ and that includes the, hopefully painless, end to it.

Newb

it takes a lot of courage to tell your child the truth instead of sugar coating reality for her…

would that that made it easy

I think lots of letters did contain “die”. When you’re little and looking at death you reach for any magic you can to keep it away. I think Santa, Baby Jesus and God get lots of requests. I think your answer from Santa was just right. So, did she get a skateboard?

Given that dying is a natural thing, I’m sure many other letters contained the awful word too. But, natural don’t mean easy.

I’ve been where you are now with several dogs. I’ll send my best omnipotent juju to make it as painless as possible.

Hang in there.

Gosh, AAG, I really feel for you. My cat is dying of a brain tumour and his illness’s symptoms have reached a point now where I’m wondering if it’s time to do the decent thing. The idea rips me apart, because all I want is more time with my darling, but he is distressed and his vision is all but gone. I am taking him to the vet in half an hour. I hope she can give him something that will make him comfortable for a few more weeks but I don’t hold out much hope. I wish you and you family, feline and human, many more happy times together.

My daughter’s letter to Santa asked him to take a card she colored to her great-grandfather in heaven. (He passed away back in June). It was heartbreaking, but it meant so much to her when she woke up and the card was “gone.” When she is older, I’ll put it in her album so she’ll have the reminder of how much she cared.

Hopefully Santa’s response will help your daughter when it is time for your kitty to move on.

God Bless.

wow, how incredibly sweet. life can be tough sometimes. I’m dreading the say I have to have those convos with my kids.

We spent C’mas thinking one of our cats was gone for good, but thankfully our story has a happy ending… however… the time will come sooner or later when I, not Santa, will have to have the Circle of Life talk with the boys. Sigh. (They’re too old for me to pass this one on to the big old white guy.)
We need animals in our lives, and in the lives of our kids, but oh this part is not easy…

Unfortunately, the role of a parent is to usher her children from innocence to maturity. This role is never easy, but it is a worthy task that must be done. From what has been read here by me, and from what has been said here by others, you are doing a fine job, and I wish you the best.

I remember how heart-broken I was as a child when our cat died.

That being said, if I were a child again, I think the Santa letter would help a lot.

in the long run … your kids will love you more for being honest than being sweet and denying (especially the obvious)

in the short run … well it just sucks! sorry.

Children need to learn to face the world in steps. And death is one of the many lessons that pets teach kids.

And don’t worry too much about the animal’s pain as long as it socializes.

Once that stops, it’s probably suffering.

Strength, girl.

*big, tight, life-reaffirming hugs*

I don’t want to be too presumptuous, but make sure that your vet has considered hyperthyroidism. A growth (benign tumor) on the pituitary gland can cause an older cat’s metabolism kick into hyperdrive, causing weight loss and general unhealthiness. It can be cured by removing the tumor (requiring more surgery) or controlled with a twice a day pill.

Loss is inevitable. How we teach our children to deal with loss is what makes the difference. We can’t protect them from it, we can only show them the beauty of life and how to recover when we’re thrown off the horse (by getting back on the horse and keeping at it). The sadness your daughter feels at the upcoming death of her cat isn’t anything you can protect her from. All you CAN do is help her to accept it by being there for her.

In a completely unrelated matter, Happy New Year!!

So sorry about your cat, and that note tugged at my heart. I think your response was wonderful.

From the sound of things, your kitty boy has had a lot of check-ups but to add a note to John’s comment, has diabetes or chronic kidney disorder been checked? My family has lost two male cats whose illnesses started with similar weight- and appetite loss (one to each disease). Each can be managed (for a time) with medication.

On another note, so glad to hear the good news on your tests, and I’m hoping your heart will be treated more kindly in the new year. Take care.