this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2026
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And I’d do it every time because I love her dearly.

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[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 71 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (5 children)

She has an enlarged heart. She is, unfortunately, dying I think. I love her so much. She’s my best friend. I’m pretty well out of cash at this point but I’m trying my best to make it work and get her the help she needs :(

She’s 17, so she’s had a good run. Doesn’t make it any easier if she is dying though :(

[–] TheTechnician27@lemmy.world 39 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

Just remember at this point that you're likely to experience a flood of regrets: "I didn't spend enough time with her", "Maybe I could've saved her if I [convoluted, long-shot scheme you had no way of thinking of]", "I treated her too harshly", "I didn't give her a good enough life in some way", etc.

Discounting the possibility out of hand you have some serious skeletons in your closet, none of this is true. You'll want to feel agency over a situation you couldn't possibly have controlled to any meaningful extent, and when the inevitable is in sight, the only way you may see to express that is to look backward – and when you didn't do anything wrong, you have to make it that way.

If you experience that, what you might not see in the moment – looking at a present you have minimal control over and a bygone past – is that there is another direction to look. You can look toward the future – to honoring the love, comfort, and companionship she gave your life and sharing that with and finding that in the pets and people in your life going forward.

She knows she's lucky, and she knows you're lucky for having had her. You did a good job.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 21 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Nah, I believe she’s had a great life with me. She was in shelter/foster for 1.5 years because no one wanted her. She was old when I adopted her. I don’t know why no one wanted her. She’s been a great kitty. I’ve always put her needs (and now my other cat’s needs as well) before my own. I truly believe she’s lived a great life when she came into my life, and my life was all the better for having had her in mine.

Thank you for the kind words :)

[–] nate3d@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago (3 children)

I’m struggling with this right now after losing my kitty and my irl best friend just months apart. I’ve hit a point of pure jealousy that they will never have to see any of the evil happening today and will never feel the pain I feel. Is it possible to ever move past this?

[–] TheTechnician27@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I wouldn't presume to say; I've never had personal experience with that feeling, but it's valid, I empathize, and I'm sorry you had to deal with this loss – let alone so close together. The best I think I can say is that there are still sweet, innocent animals just like your kitty and good people just like your best friend who are still with us and who still feel the weight of the world. Like before, I think the best way to honor those who've passed is to hold onto the memories you shared together and to use those as your rock while you do good to others like you would've done for them and they would've done for you. I can't say for certain you have the power to change your community online and off; I can say you always have the power to do your best.

I hope things get better in your world and in our world, and I'm sure both of your companions would've understood how hard things are right now. There are psychological models that deal with "I feel a way, and I don't want to", but I'm not a psychologist and never will be, and frigid regurgitation of clinical models at you isn't, I'm sure, what you or anyone outside a classroom needs.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 month ago

I’m sorry. It’s never fair. I wish the best for you <3

[–] WolfmanEightySix@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Time is a great heeler. We had a cat pass in October last year. My partner blamed herself. He was a huge character, and it is still very raw, but it does …you get used to it. I’ve ordered a painting of him from a friend, that’s going to be a bitter sweet day. I think I might cry, again.

Coco, who passed, on the left, Steve on the right. Steve obviously misses his best mate.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I’m sorry about coco. I’m sure she knew just how loved she was. RIP coco :(

Make sure to give Steve plenty of affection and attention while he mourns the loss of coco </3

[–] WolfmanEightySix@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sorry, I didn’t say…Coco was a boy. I think they named him that, after Coco Chanel, then found out he was a boy.

Steven is named after Steven Morrisey, but we call him Steven cause we don’t really like some stuff Morrisey said. He’s my best boy and yes, he gets loads of attention, he deserves it.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 1 points 1 month ago

Oh, sorry. You said coco was a boy in your comment. I missed that. :(

[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Don't go too far. Just rememeber, it's for her, not you. It's hard to do that sometimes.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 15 points 1 month ago (3 children)

She doesn’t appear to be in pain. She’s just recently started coughing. I took her to the vet this morning and they want to do an echo and X-rays to check her for asthma and congestive heart failure. That’s ANOTHER 1k$ D:

But yeah, if she’s in congestive heart failure, I might have to look at euthanasia :( I’d be devo. But I don’t want her to be uncomfortable or in pain. I gotta do what’s best for her, not what’s best for me

[–] nalinna@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You're a good person and a good pet parent. All you can do is just keep doing the next right thing, until the only right thing left is to keep her from suffering. She's lucky to have you.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Thank you :). She is not in any pain yet, but once she is, I will give her the mercy of a painless end. I would HATE if I kept her in pain just because I didn’t want to lose her :(

I’m gonna get her cremated so she can be with me always. She’s the first cat I’ve had who was mine, not my family’s. She’s such a great kitty <3

[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sending good vibes. That really sucks!

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 1 points 1 month ago

Thank you :)

[–] Lemming6969@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Those services don't cost anywhere near that. You're getting fleeced.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Not everyone lives in America. The echo is the cheapest I found as I rang around to MANY places and 600$ was the cheapest by far. One place was 800$ for the echo.

[–] smh@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 month ago

Am in America and my pup had an echo last month. It was $600USD. Your prices don't sound out of line to me.

[–] naeap@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Feel hugged and have my sympathy
Went through something very similar and it's hard to lose a precious soul in ones live

Make the best out of the time you have left

I tried to tell my cat everything, I wanted to tell him. About stuff we experienced together and things that I'm sorry about.
I'm really glad I did that and although it still didn't feel enough, it helped.

Wish you two the best

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 3 points 1 month ago

Thank you for the kind words :)

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

cats are prone to cardiomyopathy, aka genetic enlarged heart, seems to be common in most breeds. except the rare ones.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 month ago

Well that certainly sucks :/

[–] islandcoda42@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

She is a beautiful sweetheart and I can see how well loved she is. It sucks watching them get old. I lost my soul kitty a while ago and will think about him every day forever. Much love to you both 💕❤️💕

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 1 points 1 month ago

She is definitely my soul cat too. Shes my darling girl and I’m not ready for her to die just yet :(

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 16 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

If you can, try to find a practice that hasn't been bought up by private equity.

Pumping prices on pet care is another straight up evil thing happening, because people will pay anything for love.

With the result that people who really can't afford it, either go into debt or lose their pets early.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

FWIW, I've been with this current practice since I had rats 6 years ago. they know me pretty well and always do the best by my animals

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 11 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I've no doubt the staff are friendly, and that the vets genuinely care.

I myself was with the same practice for ten years, and the price for the yearly checkup was reasonable.

Until my boy was diagnosed with kidney failure. The care was excellent, and the diagnosis correct, but the price for the bloodwork and kidney ultrasound raised eyebrows.

I went looking. Straight up scam. The place was owned by a group that owned several other vets in the area, all with a pattern of low prices for the basics, and then 5-10 times the "norm" for everything beyond that.

The next practice over charged 1/5 for the same bloodwork, and could have saved me over a 1000€ on the ultrasound.

So, just double check. If you're getting the best price in your area without compromising on the care, good. But if you haven't made sure, you should.

[–] HarneyToker@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sweet baby. I’m sure you will make the right decision for her.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 8 points 1 month ago

Thank you. I will, yes.

[–] The_Almighty_Walrus@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

One of my cats got a urinary blockage and it cost $5k to clean out his pp.

If you have a male cat, you've got a 50% chance of it happening. And it's either fork up the money or put it down before it goes into full renal failure and cardiac arrest. Get pet insurance.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I’m sorry about your little guy getting a urinary blockage. I’m glad you were able to get him fixed up :)

[–] FlyingCrow@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

If you get your male cat to drink more water, then the chances of a blockage go down. If you give them canned wetfood and pour in a couple extra empty cans of water too, they'll drink it all up and stay nice and hydrated!

[–] luciferofastora@feddit.org 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Our horse has easily cost us at least 20k in vet bills over three years, and that's because surgery insurance covered the 22k for the colic surgery. Between that and other events, our savings have dwindled and it's giving me anxiety.

But dammit, I'd do it again, because I love her dearly. I look at my phone's wallpaper, a selfie of wife and horse, and it's still worth it. And if I have to start counting pennies, it still will be.

My only regret is that we genuinely can't afford a cat, even though I'd love to have one.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I’m sorry. I hope your horsey pulls through!

[–] luciferofastora@feddit.org 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

And I hope your cat does as well as circumstances permit, and that you have the strength to see this through as well!

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 1 points 1 month ago

Thank you kindly. I REALLY hope I get at least anothrr year with her, but I don’t think I’ll be that fortunate. She’s slowed down a LOT In the last few months and mostly just sleeps all day :(

[–] starlinguk@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Ok, this is going to sound awful, but when it goes wrong, take her in your arms and snuggle her for as long as you want and THEN call the vet and arrange her box etc. I didn't when our baby collapsed, I was all organised and stuff instead of sitting down with him.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

she is such a sweetie and i know how hard that L was to type. I've had just the type they just get right up ins your heart.

[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 month ago

She’s definitely up in my heart. I love her soooooo much <3

[–] Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] osanna@lemmy.vg 3 points 1 month ago

Yup. That’s why I’m gonna spend even more on her. I love my girl. <3