Motivational helpers (cats) 3396a

I see they're working hard! Cute photo, Don.

They were always a help -- of the three, only Oz is still alive but Scout has become very much like Betsy (she's trying to help me now). (The picture's close to 7 years old)

Aw, losing pets is awful. I had to have my old black cat put down two weeks ago. Kidney failure. He did OK for six months after his diagnosis, then crashed and I knew he was not able to be a functioning cat, anymore. I still think he's somewhere around, or meowing at the door. So, I am partial to Oz. ;-)

I've always been close with my cats and am often accused by gay male friends of being "a lesbian" because I'll prioritize the cat over them. But, I tend to treat cats and humans in much the same way -- I'll invest a lot, but there's a time to 'move on'. So when my cats (and friends) reach a point where they've deteriorated too far to be brought back, it's time to say 'good by'. I always tell my cats (I'm sure they understand) that I'm not going to spend thousands of dollars on them since there are far too many who are going to be put down just because no one would take them.

I completely understand. I had told the vet who first diagnosed him (he suggested different treatments) that I could spend a few hundred, but not a few thousand on a pet. A pet is not my child, but I know a lot of people think of them that way. I also believe it goes against nature to prop up a badly failing animal.* That isn't to say I don't cry for several days and miss them for a long time, I do. That kitty went through a lot of changes and moves with me, so he was a good-natured little trooper!

*I also feel that way about people - myself, specifically - but that's a different topic.