On Wednesday, September 9th, we lost our favorite orange and white buddy, Owen. He had been having some intestinal issues for a few months, but was on medication for IBD (basically like IBS, but in cats), and was doing really well. We were feeling great, and like we had his issues under control. He was purring constantly, still playful, and acting cuddly and like himself.
Then, on the night of the 8th, seemingly out of nowhere, he started acting funky, and we rushed him to the emergency vet, where he stayed overnight. After a night of nearly no sleep, the next morning we took him to our regular vet for an ultrasound. They found that he didn’t have IBD after all, it was a gastrointestinal tumor, and it had spread too far to be removed.
We were (and still are) heartbroken, and felt kind of blindsided. There was absolutely no way I thought we’d have to put him to sleep that day. He was acting totally fine no more than 12 hours before. We knew though, that even though it was heartbreaking for us, that it was the right choice for him, because we could never knowingly leave him in pain.
The past two weeks have been extremely hard, and grieving for a pet is awful. We’re trying to remember all of the wonderful times we had with him, and taking some solace in knowing that we gave him a good life, and that he was one of the happiest cats who ever lived.
He brought so much joy to our lives, and our family feels a little less whole without him.
More about Owen:
The story of how he (and Taby) became part of our family
How he’d act on Instagram (if Cat Instagram was a thing)
We miss you so much, buddy!
September 23, 2015
What a fitting tribute!! He was a very special & quite lovable cat! We miss him too!!
September 27, 2015
Thanks, Dad! He was a great cat!
September 23, 2015
I am so, so sorry. There aren’t words to make these situations any better. Thinking of you!
September 27, 2015
Thanks Chelsea! I appreciate it!
September 23, 2015
I’m so sorry to hear this, Ashley. Unfortunately I can identify.. in 2013, we took our then-oldest dog to see a new vet for a rash and after he peed blood again. Our previous a$$ of a vet said he just had allergies (“not cancer”) and gave him some meds.
Overtime, he started gaining weight; we’d just laugh it off, blame it on how much he liked eating, and exercise him, but during what turned out to be his last vet’s visit (and during which he peed blood again), we found out it was indeed cancer..and his tumor was the size of a tennis ball and was located near his tummy.
Naturally, my parents said Goodbye right then b/c they didn’t want to put him through anymore pain to fight that cancer, and I didn’t find out til later that PM b/c they didn’t want me to suffer as long. But to this day, I can’t help but cry when I think of him and how sweet he was and how much pain he probably was in but never showed. He was quite strong through the end.
His passing allowed us to rescue another dog soon after, who we LOVE, and who’s brought so much happiness :). Full circle…
I also wrote a post about it–best way for me to cope. You’re not alone and I’m keeping you in my thoughts..
September 27, 2015
Thank you, Annie! I’m so sorry that you had to go through something similar. It’s a tough situation all around. Glad that you and your family have spread the love to another sweet dog who needs you 🙂
September 23, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about Owen. Losing a pet is always so hard because they are such a part of the family. I am sending you hugs sweet friend.
September 27, 2015
Thank you, Nadine! It’s true – they really are part of the family!
September 23, 2015
I’m so sorry!!!! I can’t even imagine losing Howie.
September 27, 2015
Thanks Amberly! It’s really hard. Hope you guys have many, many years with Howie!
September 23, 2015
This brought a tear to my eyes. What a lovely, but sad post. Grieving for a pet is one of those things that pet lovers totally get. My heart goes out to you and your husband.
September 27, 2015
Thanks so much, Erin! As a fellow cat lover, I know you realize how much they really are part of the family.