[KajunButterfly]

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My minny passed away Friday the day after Thanksgiving. Needless 2 say I am devastated. Too soon for me to even think of getting another dog but, I'm sure I will some day. Thanks for all your prayers for us.

[mrsD]

I am so sorry to learn this. I can imagine how devastating this is for you. I think you did your best. She was lucky to have been loved so much during her life!

Since your post, my cat Oreo is struggling along with a cancer diagnosis too. A rare cancer in cats called mast cell carcinoma.

After many expensive, invasive tests, we got the cytology report, and were not eager to be going down a surgical route with this disease which would only stress her, and decrease the quality of time she has left.

We found a new vet, who is very compassionate, and after reading all our reports decided to do palliative treatment with prednisolone for her. She has had 2 high dose bursts, and is now going on 1/2 dose every other day. Today her check up showed her neck mass gone, and her abdominal nodes perhaps a bit shrunken. Her weight remains good with no loss.

So we are hoping for the best, but we realized eventually she will be in pain, and have to be put to sleep. After losing 2 old cats recently this is a horrific thought, but I guess there is no escaping the inevitable!

I decided to get a new kitten last January when our second old friend died of a blood clot. She has been so much fun! And now when this crisis with Oreo started, I decided to get a kitten a month ago, Houdini, a little male, and he is just the cutiest and most loveable thing! I have pictures of them in my profile album.

I know the pain of loving a pet, and losing it, can be very huge and traumatic. But I am glad I took the plunge and adopted these two new kitties. My first impulse was to not do that. Each day we laugh and enjoy them, and I think that part is very important and eases the pain of the loss. You are not betraying your lost friend, you are giving another animal who needs a home, some love and care.

Whenever you decide to adopt a new friend, if you do that is, think about how much love he/she will get and give you in return.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by KajunButterfly
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My minny passed away Friday the day after Thanksgiving. Needless 2 say I am devastated. Too soon for me to even think of getting another dog but, I'm sure I will some day. Thanks for all your prayers for us.

Hi KajunButterfly,

Having been through this numerous times ourselves (not to mention with relatives, friends, and acquaintances), I can't say I would agree that any time is too soon to consider another. Whether our loss was sudden and unexpected, or impending due to age or illness, we knew ahead of time (like you) that another furry friend in our lives was a given, and every time we've had a loss, we knew that for us, sooner was much better than later, and we have always gotten one asap without hesitation or remorse.

There is no disrespect to Minny or her memory, and I think there's a lot to be said for anticipation and excitement about a new family member being therapeutic and healing. Whenever - now or soon - there is a puppy/dog waiting for a loving new pack (home/family).

Doc