The vet was very reassuring, and said that, although there was a risk with the anaesthetic because of Sylvester's age, he definitely stood a good chance of making a full recovery.
He was given a sedative (the cat, not the vet!) and I left with instructions to call after 2pm.
Sadly, the people at the clinic called me back at about 12noon to say that Sylvester had passed away. Although he'd started to recover from the anaesthetic and seemed to be ok, they thought his heart just gave out... and they reassured me that he would have been so zonked with the painkillers that he wouldn't have been in any distress.
So, it's RIP Sylvester... I thought I'd share a few of the photos I have of him.
Many thanks for all the messages of support, prayers and best wishes for him over the weekend - they're much appreciated. Normal non-cat-related blogging will recommence shortly...
Sorry to hear your sad news. It may appear trivial to grieve over a pet when the world is tearing itself apart but our lives are touched and enhanced by animals.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you will continue.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry... You're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss :(
ReplyDeleteSorry, Mac.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened and am very sorry for the loss you are feeling. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt's never easy taking care of our pets at the end of their lives. I've been there, too, and will be again. Thanks for sharing Sylvester. You have my condolences.
ReplyDeleteOh i am so sorry. You will miss him so much. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteOh, so very sorry to hear the sad news about Sylvester. Chin up!
ReplyDeleteMac, I am so sorry. I know exactly how you feel. Cats are gifts from God, too, and He fully expects us to grieve when they die
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that. I lost my dear little dog in similar circumstances 18 months ago, from complications after treatment with a drug that impacted his existing drug regime - again, I had to make the decision to try treatment, and do not regret it, because the alternative was for him to suffer the discomfort of the problem. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry - it's always agonising to lose an animal, even though one's reason points out that they will always predecease us unless we die first - and that's even worse, as the animal has to be rehoused or worse. (We've recently taken in my mother-in-law's two cats, who are continually in stand-off situations with our two.)
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me if I offer some advice: get another kitten/cat (or preferably two) ASAP. They can never replace their predecessor, but they quickly worm their way into our hearts, and one is offering them a loving home.
Sorry to hear your sad news. Will remenber you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mac, I'm SO sorry! Your accounts of Sylvester's doings have often brightened my day, and of course you must miss him terribly. I'm sure that he was our Lord's gift to you during his time on Earth, and you were our Lord's gift to him. You'll be in my prayers. - Rosemary
ReplyDeleteOh, Mac. I'm so sorry. God bless you and prayers for you. I was happy for the chance I got to see him live on skype when we spoke. He'll be missed.
ReplyDeletePets always leave a huge gap when they finally peg out. I still miss my dear old Springer bitch who succumbed to two strokes in January; fortunately we still have a rather younger Springer dog.
ReplyDeleteSue Sims is quite right - get another cat, pronto.
God bless you.
Sorry to hear the news. The bonds we create with animals is so often amazing. My sympathies are with you.
ReplyDeleteMac, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Be assured that God in all his greatness is there as your strength in such sad times.
ReplyDeleteOoooh - this leaves such a big, Sylvester-shaped hole, doesn't it? Prayers offered.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHow very sad. Been through it twice. Still pipe my eye.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sue that, when you've had time to grieve, you might perhaps think about getting a rescue cat. So many are now waiting for loving homes, turfed out because of the recession or owners moving away and just leaving them to fend for themselves.
Lots of love and prayers.
Sorry to hear about Sylvester. At least he is out of pain.
ReplyDeleteI went through a similar event with our first cat a few years ago. The memories will last and the pain will fade.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Neil (from CV)
I'm so sorry! It really is painful to meet a much loved pet. And it is bound to be hard to get used to the house without him. One has to allow oneself to grieve even if they're not people, and even if people who tend not to form bonds to animals may not understand what we're on about.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear the news. Sylvester was just like my cat, black with a little white under the chin. I still miss my little furball.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. Been down that road several times myself, and this is one thing that does not get easier with practice.
ReplyDeleteWe still have our black cat with white smudge under her chin, but we lost her brother to cancer a little over a year ago. And I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes for both of you.
As I wasn't on line yesterday - away in Court - this is the first chance I've had to say how sorry I am, and how much you are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with what many others have said . . . getting another cat (or two) soon would be good for you, as well as a fine tribute to Sylvester's memory - and, of course, if you can 'rescue' a kitten or two, it is also an act of charity.
Immediately, though, just remember Sylvester, and enjoy the love God showed you in his affection, support, and company . . . and be assured of all our prayers.
Very sorry to read your news. Lovely pictures. I have enjoyed following your accounts of life with Sylvester. He seems to have been quite a character.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Dorothy.
We love our pets and it is natural to feel a great loss when they, like us one day, return to their creator. I'm sure you can console yourself with the happy thought that Sylvester had a lovely life with you. I can't believe that God doesn't have a plan to reward all those creatures who have been a friend to humans.
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry to learn about Sylvester's passing.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your sad news.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about your loss. I'll remember you and Sylvester in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWe all know are pets are our families and it is a great loss when we lose them. We will pray for you
ReplyDelete(((((( hugs ))))))
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your loss.