Thank you Tommy. I know you have a bunch of animals in your house, and you have a passle of kids to, so all this fuss over a cat must seem over the top to you. But I appreciate that you understand it's been hard for me.

Here's a picture of Luce about a month into his illness, hunting down by the stream at the edge of my property...

we have a zoo here and not by my choice
if it were up to me we wouldnt have any animals


to tell you the truth I thought running down the street with a loaded rifle and shooting the deer in the head was a bit out there

no offence :-)

Thank you Cleo.

Tommy, I know the thing with the deer was "out there". It was an intense experience.

But, I'm an experienced and I'm not afraid to say expert gun handler. I didn't "run down the street with a loaded rifle". The rifle was in a case, and I only slipped the clip of ammunition in place a few seconds before firing, after making certain I knew exactly what was behind the deer, and that all the other people were well behind the firing line. Instantly after finishing firing, I removed the clip and ejected the round in the chamber, and replaced it in the clip, and returned the rifle to it's case.

I've been handling guns since I was 10 years old, and have been trained by professionals. I am one of the pickiest and strictest gun handlers you will ever meet.

If you had seen the deer, you would have known that it was the greatest possible mercy that I decided to do what I did.

But, I acknowledge, it is an extreme story, and that most people might well think badly of me for having chosen to do what I did.

Yeah the shooting the deer kind of freaked me out too.

I have three cats and one Blue & Gold macaw.

I always keep multiple cats so that I don't get as upset if something happens to one of them but it still hurts a lot when something does. I have had to put down a few over the years. Each one is unique and special in their own way.

Bill, I know the feeling... having lost a few over the years, including the last one at only 4 years old. My condolences...

Alex

Bill, you are absolutely my hero! It does get easier with time but it never goes away. The best way to assuage the pain is to go to the shelter and give another kitty a life. The new one will never take the place of Luce but can perhaps become just as special in time. Take care.

Wow, what a twist to the day. We lost our cat over a year ago & I still break down when I think of her.

Even though I'm a firm believer of putting an animal out of their misery, I don't know if I'd have the stomach to do it. Maybe it happened to reassure you that you did the right thing with your cat. Fate has a strange way of working sometimes.

Bill - definitely rough - lost one of my dogs to a cottonmouth bite earlier - her sister still sits at the place I buried her occasionally looking mournful - I have 6 cats,3 dogs now, and a green winged macaw (one of those big red birds you always see in pirate movies) - and a new friend that likes to check up on me occasionally:

Sorry to hear the news Bill :(

So sorry Bill to hear about Luce. Any one that has animals knows your pain. They are part of the family, and it's very painful. Hope you and your wife feel better real soon. You gave Luce a long and happy life and thats what is important to remember now. Take care.

Bill, my most sincere condolences :(

Many years ago, Boomer...the cocker spaniel that was with me before Einstein...contacted lymphoma. After almost a year on doggie chemo, his quality of life was gone...his breathing was labored...he was lethargic. I kept questioning my decision to end his pain as I drove him to the vet. But, when the vet administered the shot of diazepam...as I gently stroked Boomer's head and spoke to him...Boomer looked directly into my eyes...and reached up slightly to lick the end of my nose...before his head fell softly into my hands. I like to think that final momentary gaze into my eyes and the little nose lick was his way of thanking me for a good life and for ending his suffering.

Damn, I still get misty when I recall those final moments. I do feel your pain bro...the pain never really goes away, but you do learn to live with it.

You absolutely did the right thing for that deer. Ending the poor creature's suffering was the only humane thing to do.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss Bill. I'm sure those moments you spent with Luce will be some of your fondest memories and the fact that your 'final' memory was one of holding him as he peacefully went in to that great catnip haven.

Perhaps somewhere there is a deer telling a cat about a gentle man who eased her pain so she could once again run free.

I feel for ya Bill - we had to do the same thing to Darcy back when this thread started :(

We lost a dog to cancer back in July. There's just nothing you can do. I think you did the right thing with the deer. Not easy. I choked up when I had to shoot an injured rat that was staggering around my garden.

Hey there Bill,

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty cat. :(
But don't feel bad about grieving over your
pets. I cried for months after having to
put my two lil ratties to sleep and for years
after I'd still get teary thinking of them.
Yesterday I just lost my little bristlenose
catfish and shed a tear. I'm of the opinion
that pets are part of the family so you can't
help but miss them when their time comes.

Hang in there, I know its hard, but with
time its easier to call on the positive happier memories.

Blue Max

Very sad when you lose a pet. :(

I have three cats and I wouldn't wanna lose any of them.