I'm so sorry you are going through this; I have no experience on the subject. Let us know what happens.

I'm so sorry you're going thru this. From what you describe tho then yes I would think it's time to set her free and you're doing what is best for her.

Lisa

Giving our beloved pets an easier exit is the last compassionate, kind, loving thing we can do for them.

Yes, take her in & let her go in peace, without fear or pain.

Our thoughts are with you & Purrie.

Having just gone through a similar experience a few weeks ago with my 18 year old, I completely understand the pain and feelings of guilt. But, you know in your heart what is best for your furbaby -- and prolonging her suffering isn't it. Let her go in peace, pet her and talk to her as she goes, and remember that this act is the hardest way to show her how much you really love her. There's no easy way to go about it. You will be in my thoughts today.

This is so hard, and I am sorry for you. It does sound like it is time.

Have you asked your vet if s/he would be willing to come to your house? Then you would not have to remove her from her comfortable position.

Hi. I'm new to this forum, but not new to the pain of losing a best friend. I agree with sheltiemom, pet her and talk to her as she goes. You are doing the best thing, however hard. I have several animals that are all about the same age...so when the time comes...it will be...unbelieveable pain. I don't mean to turn this post to me instead of you. You, your family, and your furbaby will be in my prayers today. I think that you need to know that when a friend of mine put her cat down due to cancer it was peaceful except after the shot and into it a little the cat kind of jerked and bit my friend. She has always had trouble with this b/c she said that the cat had never bitten before (it actually had, I never bring that part up). I think this was a natural muscle-tensing reaction, not an action of being mean. I have heard of others putting their cats down and this DOES NOT happen. I don't know you at all, but I would want to be prepared for anything that could happen. As I read back over this with tears...I just hope it helps you.

grama2 - you know in your heart when the time has arrived. Yes, ask your vet if he/she will come to your house if you're comfortable with that. Many people do this.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you throughout the day. (((tons of hugs)))

I'm sorry you are going through this, but you are so doing the right thing. It's good that you let your kids know what is happening and that they had a chance to say good bye this way and less traumatic for them then had she died at home.

What ever you do my prayers and love is being sent to you, Purrie and your family. I have taken my animal friends to the vet and I've had them die at home. I know you will do what you feel is best it will be the right thing to do.

I am almost where you are with my 18 year old. He looks terrible but still eats and uses the litter box and drinks water...Since he was a baby , he's hated the vet visit more than any cat i ever had, so I hope and pray I find him some day peacefully lying in his bed. To have him euthanized would be so traumatic for his last hours, but if he stops eating, then I guess I will. That's the down side of pet ownership. If he was a child , he'd be graduating from High school..In fact GD who will be graduating next year and just turned 17, never knew life with out him. Hope it goes as well as possible for you.

I have to side with let Purrie go peacefully. Not eating and drinking could go on and be very painful for Purrie.

This particular decision, is the most generous and selfless decision a petowner has to make during the life of their pet. Also the MOST difficult. Having just done it recently, the wounds are fresh, but I know it was time and my girl was depending on me to what was right for her.

I am very sad for you, your family and Purrie.

just want to send some ((((((((Hugs)))))))))'
sigh, it's never easy to say goodbye............

I want to thank everyone who reponded to my post. Thank you for your love, compassion and sharing of your personal experiences. All of that helped me feel that I did indeed make the right decision although painful as it was. I had never been through this before and it was nice to have caring people like you available to me at this time. Unfortunately, I will probably have to go through this again as I have another cat and two dogs. I pray I don't see those days for a long time.
I was surprised that when the vets give you a time to come in that you have to wait in the waiting room until called. I thought they would take us right away. Thank God my mother was there to keep me company. I would have been even more emotional than I was, had I had to wait more than a half an hour alone with "Purrie" knowing what was going to be done. By coincidence my mother arrived there with her dog to have what she thought was an imbedded tick removed from her dog. Actually I believe an angel sent her. Her appt. was scheduled 10 minutes after mine but we arrived the same time.
Kelly you posted about your friend being bitten by her cat when being put to sleep. Well, I was disturbed that the vet put a mask/muzzle on my Purrie when she was attempting to insert the needle. She had trouble with it because Purries veins were too small and I didn't see it happen because I was looking at the vet, but I guess Purrie moved her head and tried to. bite the tech. I had told the vet that the tranquilizer they gave her 5-10 minutes prior might not be lasting to well because she had attempted to move her head and lift her paws off the table a little. It felt very mean to me that they covered her face and she died with a mask over her whole face . (Although I certainly didn't want the tech to be bitten.) All I could see were her ears. I also thought I would be holding her then. Maybe it was suppose to be up to me to ask? I did pick her up after and sat in a chair holding her telling her how much I love her and how much I will miss her then kissing her several times on top of her head. I'm starting to cry now thinking of it. Thank you again to everyone for your kind words and prayers.