I am heartbroken to have to tell you, we made the painful decision to have Thug put to sleep Thursday evening.
He has been showing his age and loosing weight gradually for the last year although the vet could find nothing wrong. Over the last couple of weeks he suddenly got very sick and weak and stopped eating.
He was very ill, weak & in pain. He probably had stomach cancer, liver failure and multiple other organs were struggling. The vet felt he wouldn’t be able to survive treatment, even if it was possible – which was unlikely.
The decision was easy in the sense that it was the only compassionate thing to do for my lovely furry ginger friend of 19 years but, as I’m sure you understand, Ben and I are in bits.
He was a fabulous, clever, affectionate and very photogenic cat who even non cat lovers warmed to (even my Mum!!) I have loved Thug a ridiculous amount since he was 5 weeks old and I miss him so much. I keep thinking I see him from the corner of my eye or hear him in the house. I am crying a great deal and can’t concentrate on much – sorry if this post isn’t great 🙁
Mewsley seems OK and is enjoying a lot of extra cuddles – even if they all end with her having damp, teary fur.
Rather than make this any more of an upsetting and sad blog post than this already is – I thought I’d share my favourite photos of my handsome furry beast – you’ve seen most of them on here before of course..
I’m trying to think of him on a fluffy white cloud, well and able to see again, chasing mousies and keeping and eye on me and my knitting. I love you Thug and I miss you so very very much. There will never be another cat quite like you.
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Over on a forum I belong to , they say their pets have gone to the Rainbow Bridge and I think it is such a lovely way to think of our precious pets. Your Thug was a beautiful looking cat and he will be in your heart for ever.
Thinking of you .
x Tricia
I am very sorry for your loss. My sweet kitty died in 1998 and I am surprised how often I continue to think and even dream of her. We are very lucky to spent time in our lives with these very special friends. RIP Thug
Susan, I am heartbroken for you, especially having experienced the exact same scenario 10 months ago with my beloved 17 1/2 year old Snowball. I cried buckets for weeks and missed him greatly. So sorry for your loss. Here is the link to the Rainbow Bridge poem; warning, although the sentiment is lovely, it will start you crying again. Thanks for the great pictures of Thug; a wonderful memoriam. http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm
Susan, I am truly sorry for your loss! Thug, like all pets, surely became such a huge part of the family. I know my two furry ones are truly loved and spoiled as they all should be. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
So, so sorry. I know exactly what you are going through as we had to make exactly the same decision for Henrycat a month ago. Look after yourself and give Mewsley a special cuddle from me. xxx
Really, really feel for you, such a terrible decision to have to make, I used to wish I’d come downstairs and find Barney (our dog) in his final sleep so I didn’t have to make that call to the vet. Thug was special and you loved him, take care of each other x
How sad for you to lose such a long term companion. I had no idea be was so old. At least you have lots of great photos to make you smile through the tears. I’m glad you have Mewsley to give you fluffy cuddles.
*humongous hugs* for you all!
He had a Fantastic life with you and I’m sure he’s wathing over you as you miss him.
Those of us who think of the rainbow bridge also like to believe our pets can come visit, we see them from the corner of our eye as they watch over us.
So sorry to hear this. It’s always incredibly tough when you lose a furry friend. Take heart from the fact the photos show he obviously had a very happy life with you.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about Thug–I’m sad, too! I know he was very dear to you, and I could see what a character he was from the cute pictures you posted so frequently on your blog. He especially seemed to like your knitting. He was a much loved cat, and I know he had the best possible life. Hang in there, and give Mewsley extra pats for me.
So so sorry.
Thanks for sharing all those lovely Thug photos.
Ginger cats are special.
19 years is amazing.
Susan, I’m so sory to hear about Thug, it’s aways the hardest decision to take for a much loved pet. Please take comfort that he obviously had a long, happy and pampered life, and that at the end, when he needed you to the most, you made the right choice for him, and did not let him endure a painful or lingering death.
Looking at the pictures it is easy to see that he was a very special and much loved cat, and I know that everyone who reads your blog will miss seeing the pictures of his sweet face. Dawn
Soo Sorry! I lost Tigger a while back( at the grand age of 21) but when he went blind it was because of Thug that I knew that he would manage. Your blog is the very lovely place that it is because of the pictures of thug and mewley and he will be missed in blogland. On another note we seem to have been adopted by a Ginger Tom Cat we are still convincing ourselves that we are not keeping him as we already have four. But, he does need a name would you mind if we named him Thug?
Oh I am so very sorry to hear you’ve lost your chum. Such a lovely friend for all these years. The ladies on Phoenix knitting forum will be very sad to hear the news – we all loved seeing his photos. Sending hugs xx
So sorry to hear of your sad loss … I have been through a similar experience, having lost my beloved 18 year old cat Boris a few years ago. Thug was certainly photogenic – a beautiful cat who was part of your family for so long – but in the end, you did the kindest thing for him. Jools x
Arianwen – Thank you so much – we would be honoured if you named your ginger beast “Thug” – it is a very fine name for a ginger tom cat and deserves to live on. I’m sure Thug would have been chuffed too.
All – thank you – it’s really helping me knowing I’m not alone in being this upset loosing my pet and knowing you all feel for me and that you cared for Thug. 🙂
~Susan
I’ve found you and your lovely pictures through Pinkshoes at Phoenix knitting forum. I’m so sorry to hear about Thug and I’m sure that he is there on the edge of your vision; when our cat Treacle was run over, I was sure I could feel her walking on the bed at night and often saw a white blur out of the corner of my eye for several weeks until I’d stopped crying. I think even in furry heaven a cat knows when it’s owner needs it.
Oh Susan I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Thug.
It hurts so much when you lose a much loved furry friend.
Hugs from Vonnie xx
Susan, my heart hurts for you, Ben and Mewsley. I fell in love with your gorgeous Thug the first time I saw his picture on the old angel forum. Your pictures of him always made me smile and feel warm inside. ♥
Sending lots of hugs and comfort your way –
Soxy (Karen)
We are sending good thoughts your way and keeping you in our good thoughts.
So sorry to hear that thug has gone. Hugs to you and all that knew him.
O Susan, so sorry to year you’ve lost your good friend. Thug was a great character, and seeing pics of him in knitting, or without, always brightened my day.
Thug, pretty ginger, thanks for bringing us so many smiles!
i’m so sorry to hear about Thug. I lost a dog in similar circumstances 2 years ago & it was heartbreaking. Thug looked like such a character and such a handsome little man too. Rest in Peace little one. Sending you lots of hugs xx
So, so sorry to hear your sad news, Susan. Thug was such a character and a beautiful cat. We will miss him modelling your knits. Hugs from Tricotine x
Susan, I’m so sorry to hear of Thug’s passing. He really was a Cat of Great Character and will be missed. Christine xx
So sorry to hear your sad news Susan, he was a beautiful cat and in time you will be able remember all the lovely times you had with a smile in your heart. I lost my beloved doggie a few weeks ago and time is a healer. Jill xx
So sorry for you, he was a very beautiful cat. Big hugs xx
You did the right thing by your lovely Thug! What a lovely, characterful cat. I know that you will miss him dreadfully but you had a great time together. Take good care.
So sorry to hear about Thug. Reading this post made me teary eyed, it reminded me of when I lost my houserabbit, a few years ago now. Lovely pictures, a real tribute.
I am so sorry to read about Thug. Letting a furry friend go is heartbreaking, but the beautiful memories will remain.
Big hugs for you, take care! XX
I’m very sorry for your loss; my 14 year old Newfoundland dog had to be put down last September. One of the tragedies of owning (being owned by?) pets is that we outlive them.
As a long time lurker, I have to come out of the shadows to say how sorry I am… It’s a horrible decision to have to make, and the fact that it is ultimately the most loving thing you can do for your pet doesn’t make it any easier. But what a lovely tribute this post is.
I’m so sorry to hear your sad news. It’s no easier losing a furry friend than it is a human one, they do become one of the family when they’re so loved. I’m sure in time you will be able to remember Thug with a smile rather than a tear.
I am so sorry to hear of Thug’s passing. What a truly beloved and beautiful puss. I am blowing my nose furiously and glad nobody can see me. With much love from Trish, Smokey and Blue (my two male greys) xx
That’s such sad news about your beautiful boy. Knowing that you have done the best thing for him doesn’t always make it any easier. Hugs to you both and to Mewsley too. Mewsley will miss him too, it took my girl months to stop looking for her brother (but he did tend to launch attacks on her at meal times)
So sorry to hear about your gorgeous cat 🙁 I’m glad you have plenty of photos of him to look back on, even if that’s hard right now.
I’ve been wandering from blog to blog for abit this morning, and I came to yours. I was happy to find it. I wanted to tell you how sorry I was to hear about your Thug. The photos are a beautiful tribute. We had to put our Siberian Husky, Timber, to sleep a couple of days ago. He was 14 and 1/2 and had cancer as well they were pretty sure. So I am definitely feeling your pain, and I want to express my condolences.
Sorry to hear about your cat 🙁 Very sad. xx
I’ve only just caught up with this thread. So sorry to hear about Thug, his photos show just how special he was. x.
When you see them out the corner of your eye, it is them in spirit letting you know they are still around, feel better, and are watching for you. I’ve seen my pets and at first thought I was crazy…but an English friend set me straight…and it’s true!
take care,
sara