We knew this day was coming. Our beautiful Sophie was diagnosed in early March with squamous cell carcinoma of the jaw. It is almost always fatal to cats when it is in the jaw. Cats can't tolerate having enough of their jawbone removed to remove the tumor, and those who do usually only live a year or less--often with a feeding tube. Radiation was another option, but we were told that it would destroy much of her mouth, would be very painful and she would likely not eat which would also kill her. We were told that cats usually only live three months past the diagnosis.
Sophie had a strong constitution and she survived a little over 4 months. But last night, I knew that she was in such pain that I couldn't keep her around any longer. Our vet came by the house this morning, gave her a strong sedative to relax her and calm her down so she wouldn't be under any stress when she got the final injection. Sophie fought the sedative with all she had. After about 20 minutes the vet said she would inject the medication subcutaneously and that Sophie would pass in about 20-30 minutes.
The injection just put her to sleep but she kept breathing strongly. So finally the vet said that she was sedated enough to put the needle into her vein and complete the process. In a very few seconds, she was gone.
We got Sophie as a rescue cat 4 years ago. She was 3 years old at the time. (She was way to young to die.) She has been the dearest cat we have ever had. Lovable, cuddly, friendly, funny. It is very hard to lose her.
My husband is out of town, and he adored Sophie. We knew that her time might come before he got home, but it is very difficult for him right now to have been gone.
Thank you to all you pet lovers who know how I feel.
Here are some pictures of Sophie:
Sophie helps me quilt:
Sophie with her pal Cranberry:
Sophie waiting to steal food from Feather:
Sharing is good:
Best friends:
Thank you for sharing in my sadness. The tears will go away before long, but the memories will stay. Cats truly leave pawprints in our hearts.