Monday, June 8, 2009

Goodbye Tanner

It was a sad sad day at the Bryan household today. We went from a family of three (including the cat), to a family of two. Tanner, the little furball that I raised from an itty bitty kitty, was put down this afternoon due to lymphoma (cancer). He'd been vomiting off and on for a while, but a few weeks ago it became a 4 times a day occurance, so I took him to the vet. He had tons of blood work done, and was given some anti-nausea medicine, but it didn't do much good. He was still vomiting and losing a lot of weight. His white bloodcount was very low. The following week they did an x-ray and found that his spleen was enlarged.....SEVERELY enlarged was the exact words. This all pointed to lymphoma. The next step was ultrasounds and biopsies, but I couldn't justify spending the money....all a confirmation would do is confirm he had lyphoma...his life would only be lengthened by about 6 months with chemo. I had to make the choice to put him down. He was so miserable and actually spent the weekend meowing (sounded like crying to me) out in pain every time he vomited. My poor baby. I've had him for 10 years and that cat has been through A LOT with me. When I was mourning the loss of my first failed adoption and went into a deep depression, this cat stayed by my side every second I was home (which was every second I wasn't at work). He knew something was wrong and wanted to let me know he was there.

After I talked to the vet this morning and made the decision, I took rest of the afternoon off and went home and just layed on the bed with tanner, petting him and just loving on him. We then headed off to the vet where I stayed with him during the first phase. He quietly laid down and let me cuddle and carress his face. The vet then came and took him and "finished" the job in another room (I had the option to be at both phases, but couldn't do the second one).

It was the best decision I could make for him. He was so miserable. He is in no more pain. I miss you Tanner. You were the best! I know you are in a much better place.




9 comments:

Mona said...

Tania, I am so, so sorry. I know how much you love Tanner. I've got tears in my eyes because I know much you are hurting right now. I know you and Sabah are going to miss him very much. I wish I could give you a hug right now.

Jennifer said...

I'm so sorry. I love my animals like you do, and it is so hard to lose them.

Amber said...

Oh Tania, so sorry. That is so sad. My thoughts are with you!

Colleen and JF Bertrand said...

What a beautiful cat! I am so sorry! That must have been a horrible decision and a very hard day. You are in my thoughts!

Emily said...

Tania, I'm so sorry to hear this. My kitty will be fifteen in July and it breaks my heart to think that she won't be with me for another fifteen years.

veggiemom said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Tania,

I have very fond memories of Tanner at the Pink House. Especially when he'd hang on the door and peek in the window.

I'm sorry for your loss - he was a great kitty.
Kate

Anonymous said...

Tania, I have tears in my eyes, I can only imagine how difficult that was and still is. Sending you a big hug...Kim @ tickledpink

Teri said...

It is hard to lose a member of your family like a pet. I'm sorry for your loss, but rejoice with you also because he is in a much better place.