Had to let Bruce go today

[gatughirl]

I’m so sorry to hear that. It’s such a difficult time xx

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

Jezebel, I am so sorry that you have lost your lovely boy  Don't forget that cats are very good at hiding it when they are in pain or unwell, it is a protective mechanism for them. That's why you didn't realise how poorly Bruce was, not because you did anything wrong 

RIP Bruce, play hard at the Bridge brave boy.

[jezebel]

Thanks Sue. The guilt is just from wishing I could have spotted earlier just how sick he was. I know it wouldn't have saved him.

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Jezebel, you have nothing - nothing - to feel guilty about.  Bruce could have died in a rescue, or worse.  He didn't.  He knew love.  He had his issues, but you didn't judge.  You accepted him for who he was.    That's huge.   

[jezebel]

Aw, thanks.  One thing OH and I were determined about was that Bruce wasn't going back to the rescue.

Still feeling guilty though - I know it's normal but it's hard to deal with.

[Dawn F]

I'm sorry for you all but as everyone has said you bent over backwards to help him when you could have sent him back to the rescue and he had a great home for his last months  you are amazing x

[jezebel]

Thanks everyone, all your comments really help. 
It all feels a bit unreal today, Bruce wasn't here very long and had so many peculiar behaviours that there was no typical day with him so I feel something is missing but I don't know what. If that makes sense.
I just feel so sorry for the poor lad, he had such a terrible life. I know he had a good couple of months with us, but it seems so unfair it was cut short.

[Desley (booktigger)]

I'm so very sorry to hear this, but as others have said, please don't feel you did nothing, thanks to you he had a home for the end of his life, and owners who did everything to deal with his issues rather than just give up and give him back to the rescue. And then you opted to let him go peacefully rather than put him through procedures

[Misa]

SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

RIP BRUCE, BRAVE BOY

[souffle]

I am so sorry for your loss. We can only try our best and you kept his as comfortable and happy as you could.
Run free at the bridge Bruce x

[Judecat (Paula)]

So sorry for your loss Jezebel.

You gave him safety and security in his final months and that was priceless, and the dignity of passing before he got distressed.

R.I.P Bruce.

[Liz]

So very sorry for your loss, you gave him love and a home and many never get that chance and he has  left pawprints in your heart for ever x

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

I agree.  You gave him the biggest and best gift - a safe and loving place for his last months.  That has a value beyond price.  But I'm gutted for you.  Xxxxx

[Sootyca]

 

Bless him.  You did do something for him - you gave him a lovely home and let him go when it was too much for him to continue in this world.

 

RIP Bruce

[jezebel]

I can't really believe this but after all we've been through with Bruce, hoping that eventually we'd get him healthy and happy, today we had to let him go.

He'd become quite ill over the last couple of days - coughing, laboured breathing and not wanting to move much. Took him to the vet today and they found a lot of fluid on his chest. More investigation showed he had massive heart damage. The only alternative would have been to drain his chest and put him through more procedures, and then more medication, with a strong chance of it not working. Given his age and already poor state of health, we felt it was unfair to put him through any more.

I'm gutted. I miss him so much already and feel so bad that in the end we could do nothing for him.

RIP you gorgeous, gentle lad - affectionate and purring right to the end. I hope you enjoyed your first couple of months with us when you played and had fun in the garden. So sorry we couldn't do any more.