Austin
1994 - 2005
First let me thank you for your website - it has helped me make my decision. Here is our story:
1/26/05
Austin is an 11 year old maine coon --- very cool cat!! I have had numerous cats over the years, but next to my husband, Doulgas, he has been the love of my life. Douglas gave Austin to me for Christmas the year before we were married. He has been our "child" from the beginning. He is full of love & shares it with us on a daily basis. Always looking for attention, he demands that his ears be cleaned with a Q-tip at least once a day, much combing & only drinks fresh water out of the bathroom sink.
Austin also sleeps with me (spoons, under the covers!) every night. About 3 weeks ago we noticed that Austin's coat looked dull, dirty & matted. We were trying to keep him brushed & even used horse clippers to help the situation. We didn't know that this was a sign. Then about 2 weeks ago, while making up the bed, I noticed what looked like lightly colored drool stains on our sheets where Austin had been sleeping. He had had a tooth extracted in Sept. so I thought that the gum area might be bleeding a little. I checked on this, & it was a little red, but nothing alarming. Over the last 2 weeks, I noticed a change in Austin's breath & he started drinking & eating less. Two days ago, upon furthur inspection of Austin's mouth I saw he was holding his tongue to the side & underneath was an inflamed red swollen area. Douglas took him to the vet the next day (yesterday) - thinking we would get antibotics for an infection. But we sadly learned that it is cancer of the tongue.
I should tell you at this point, that one and a half years ago we lost another much loved "child", Mecca, to feline lymphnoma. With Mecca, we went through 3 weeks of everyday radiation & 6 weeks of chemo. We ended up loosing her anyway - and her chance for survival had been high. So Douglas & I are well aquainted with the emotional toll, not to mention financial (Mecca cost us close to $10,000) of trying to beat the odds of this terrible disease.
After much crying & careful thought, we have decided to not let Austin suffer. How do we, as humans, know when their suffering is too great? I carefully read the stories submitted by other owners & came to the conclusion that the end is the same. We would love to be selfish & keep him as long as possible (did Mecca suffer because we tried? - we'll never know). However, we love Austin too much & he has given us so much joy, that we cannot allow him to suffer one moment longer. Our appointment is at 3:30 today with our vet to complete Austin's circle of life. We will be with him every step of the way & make it as easy on him as possible. He will always be a part of us - I want to remember him as he is - not what he might become - the shadow of his former self.
Sometimes it is hard to know what is the right decision. I feel for us & him, this is it. I have cried all last night, most of this morning & can only imagine the personal hell I will be in later today -- but it is the best thing we can do for Austin.
