Saturday, March 5, 2022

Saying Goodbye to Winston

On Friday morning the test results came in for Winston. They were not good. He was severely anemic. His gums were white. The vet explained that due to his age and his kidney disease he would only get worse. There wasn't anything to be done for him. I had noticed that he was eating less and less. He was listless and lethargic. The spark in his eyes and his spunky sense of fun was gone. His legs would suddenly give way. All this happened within just a few days. I didn't want him to hurt like this anymore so I took him into see Dr B one last time on Friday. I'm not sure I can ever forget looking into his eyes and knowing that he couldn't see me any more. The vet told me that if I had waited a bit longer that his passing would have been very difficult. I know that I'm missing some facts here. Quite possibly I am not making much sense. My thoughts are all over the place and none of those place are good. He was my little bear for 17 years. I spent my time, resources and my heart, gladly, to make him healthy and happy. Now I can't do that any more. How can your heart can feel both empty and heavy at the same time.

43 comments:

  1. Oh dear, I'm so, so sorry. I know the pain and the heartache all too well. There are never the right words so we all send you hugs and love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so sorry. Try and take comfort in knowing that you made the most difficult decision that a furbaby parent can make but it was also a decision made out of great love. Winston is no longer in pain and can finally run young and free again. I lost Amber a little over 2 years ago and her brother, Max, just this past January. I still miss them more than words can say but the pain lessens with time when I think of them as young pups again. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such sad news. I am so sorry for the loss of your handsome, sweet boy. XO

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh no! We are very sorry to hear of your Winston's passing. Thank you for loving him so much, and for making that horribly difficult, but so, so loving decision to help your sweet and beloved boy on his journey. Thank you for loving Winston so much, and so well. Sending you love, and gentle purrs.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our eyes are leaking and Our hearts are breaking with yours. We know you did the right thing in saving him any further suffering but We also know how hard it is to take comfort in that knowledge and to get beyond the fact that he isn't there any more. And of course, he IS there - in your heart - and always will be. And one day, you will all be together again.
    Fly free, Winston Kitty. May the Great Cat in the Sky watch over you, always.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm brokenhearted for you beyond words. Please be gentle with yourself through the grieving process and know we're sending you hugs and purrs. Godspeed, Winston. ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  7. A quiet and painless end --the last great kindness we can give a pet we have loved, but still such a difficult time. 17 years is a good life for a cat, but never quite long enough.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Winston's Family I am so very sorry for the loss of your most handsome blue eyed furry boy. I understand you loss so many years together. I hope in time your thoughts have happy memories of his life lived fully and well with you
    Hugs Cecilia aka Mom to Angel Madi

    ReplyDelete
  9. We're so very sorry for your loss, and we're sending healing purrs. Godspeed, Winston.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I didn't know Winston but heard of your sad loss from the J Cats. I send you my heartfelt condolences.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. Sending hugs. Anesha

    ReplyDelete
  12. rest in peace winston, purrs to your mum

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, Winston, we'll miss you terribly, but you couldn't suffer any longer. We're so sorry. Sending love to your mom who will miss you more than words could ever say. xxx Tom

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your dear Winston. It is always so difficult to come to that decision, which is what is best for our beloved furry but the most heartbreaking for us. Give yourself space and grace and just keep remembering all those 17 years of love which will nurture your heart back to healing. Blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We are so sorry to read this. Please believe he knew you were with him even if his eyes had failed. He received and gave so much love. Purrayers to you and all who loved him, especially Emily. You did all you could and did it with great love.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh noes! Mum and I are so very to hear Winston has crossed his Bridge.
    While you made the right decision, we know it is never an easy one.
    You will miss your friend and companion a lot so I am sending you comforting purrs.
    Purrs, Julie

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are making perfect sense to me and you know what I get from your story of Winston's passing? You let Winston go before he began to suffer, and this is hugely important. This matters so much.

    Losing our cats is the source of our greatest anguish and pain. Their leaving never gets easier but I hope, over time, you will remember that Winston loved you, and you absolutely loved him and his leaving before he got worse is the greatest EVER gift you could give.

    Thank you so much for that.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh dear, this was so very sad to read. I know just how you feel, and our hearts go out to you on what you've gone through with poor dear Winston. Bless your broken heart, and please know so many others share the pain you're going through at this time.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Farewell, Angel Winston.
    You were well loved while on Earth.
    Hugs and purrs; I am so sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  20. We are so very sorry for your loss. Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy (and a big hug from Mom) from all of us here at Alasandra, The Cats & Dogs

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your Winston. I know it's so hard to lose them. Wishing you peace and comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm so, so sorry for your loss. You had 17 beautiful years together, yet no matter how long they're with us, it's never long enough.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am so so sorry for your loss. Its SO hard to say goodbyes like that. We send our love and big hugs at this difficult time.

    ((((( ♥ )))))

    I made you a memento/memorial in his honor...it will be on my blog, shortly...and you can snag it from there, or I will try to send it to you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, how terribly sad. It is a devastating moment for you and we send hugs from here.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your post makes absolute sense. ~hugs~ That is a hard decision but freeing him from pain was your final selfless and loving gift.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am so sorry to hear about Winston. Sending you comforting purrs. ~Ernie

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am so very deeply sorry for your loss. I didn't know Winston but in a way I do as he had your love as my Katie has mine...as all of us here love our little ones. It is so painful and I send love and hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  28. We are so very for your loss, and send oodles of gentle purrs and hugs. 💔🌈🙏 RIP Winston.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am so sorry to hear Winston is gone. Sending love and hugs to you and Emily.❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  30. We're back with continued purrs and purrayers to you and Emily. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm so sorry for your loss of sweet Winston. He may not have been able to see you, but never doubt that he felt every ounce of your love.

    ReplyDelete
  32. We are offering purrayers of comfort on your loss of Winston. May your memories give you comfort.
    Snuggles, Maggie May, Suki, and their mom, Anna in Illinois

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Winston. Losing our beloved furbabies is just devastating. I just lost my last Husky dog before Christmas...I'd like to think our furbabies are all together at the Rainbow Bridge...sending heartfelt hugs to you...

    ReplyDelete
  34. We are sending purrayers of comfort on the loss of sweet Winston. Know that Winston knew he was loved right until his passing and that you are saddened by that passing.
    One of my favorite cats points out that after they pass away, our loved cats go to Heavenly training on how to use their new wings and then return to comfort us. Look for signs that Winston has passed his wing training and is there, just out of sight, loving you too.
    Snuggles,
    Maggie May, Suki, and their mom, Anna in Illinois

    ReplyDelete
  35. We are so sorry for the loss of your sweet Winston. Our hearts break for you and your family. Huge hugs♥

    ReplyDelete
  36. We saw this news on 15 and Meowing. We're so sorry Winston had to leave.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Winston; we are sorry we did not have the opportunity to know you; yet we still send hugs to you and your mom. We understand how very hard this was on her. You are one handsome boy ....We are very sorry ♥♥♥

    dai$y, mackerull

    and dude, sauce, tuna, boomer and the mom laura

    ReplyDelete
  38. Maggie I am so deeply sorry to learn of Winston's passing. He was an exceptionally handsome mancat and will be missed by all of us. I know the pain you are describing far too well. First with my beloved Bobo who passed a day after his 18th birthday. Like you, the Vet told me if we didn't allow him to pass his passing at home would not be a good thing....then....in the summer of 2020 Cody's sudden and horrible passing and Dakota 9 days after him. The pain is unreal. I know the pain you are experiencing and I wish I could be there to offer you some comfort. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate. Sending much love to you and prayers for strength as well as my deepest sympathy. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  39. I missed this news; I'm sorry. I didn't know Winston, but he sounds like a true friend and a wonderful cat. He was certainly cherished. I wish it hadn't been time for him to go, but you let him fly when he needed to. Godspeed, Winston, and God bless your family.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am so very sorry to hear of your precious Winston's passing, there are no words for such a difficult, yet truly kind decision...I understand the pain and sorrow you are feeling completely...He was a gorgeous sweetheart and I remember you both fondly from many years ago...Wishing you comfort at this sad time in your life, Maggie, sending gentle purrs and much love...RIP beautiful Winston, I will not forget you...XO...J, Sukki, Rio

    ReplyDelete
  41. We send our condolences and purrs on hearing of your loss of Winston.

    Angel Mindy and mombean

    ReplyDelete
  42. Fly free beautiful Soul✨ So sorry of the loss of your beautiful Winston. Soft Pawkisses to comfort you all🐾😽💞

    ReplyDelete