Ragdoll Cat Forums

So, Angel's been very sick for the past couple of weeks.. we got her results back and its not good news. She wont get better, and is only going to get worse. My heart is broken. Seems that when she was bred for her 2nd litter, she contacted an STD, and its killing her. Its hemoglob(something, I cant remember the last part of it.. I was kind of numb with shock). Basically, this illness is destroying her blood cells, both white and red.

She stopped eating, her hair is thinning out, she's weak, wobbly on her feet and she cries a lot... and she's lost such an incredible amount of weight that when I saw just how incredibly skinny and underweight she was, I broke down and started bawling.

I know.. its cruel.. but I just couldnt put her down today, even though the vet asked if that's what I wanted to do today. I just couldnt do it.. I need more time with her to say goodbye. So the vet asked me to come back in about a week or two and he'd get some more blood and check her levels to see how its progressing. I've decided not to do that, but we're still going to the vet to put her to sleep. I just need time to say goodbye.. I also want to make her last few days to be her best days. I want her to sleep with us.. I want her to eat as much wet food as she wants (heck, I'd be happy if it were even just one bite!!).. I want her to be brushed as much as it makes her happy...

my life is currently on hold, and my heart is broken. I've been crying off and on since hearing the news... my best friend is dying, and there's nothing I can do but make her comfortable.

I've decided that breeding is too risky for me.. this was a serious eye-opener.. I was told that I need to detach my feelings from my cats because stuff like this will cripple me emotionally if I keep breeding them. If that's what makes a good breeder.. then I'm a terrible terrible breeder.. because I just cant do that. I love them too much. They're not "just" breeding cats to me.. I love Angel and my other cats like I love my human kids. I cant detach myself and look at them as just breeders.. they're so much more to me than that. I cant cage my stud because I feel bad that he cries to be with us. I'm just not cut out to be a good breeder. I'm actually a terrible breeder because I cant do that I cant separate the "pet" mindset from the "breeder" mindset... for example; I CANT lock any of them up 24/7 unless there's GOOD reason to such as not wanting to breed on a particular heat.

Its not fair.. Angel is the only cat that I have who has ZERO behavioral problems.. I never have anything bad to say about her, she's such a good cat.

So, my last few days with my beautiful Butterfly Angel are going to be very bittersweet.. its so hard to say goodbye.

Oh Amanda
Iam so sorry about Angel. the poor darling.
i hope ur last days with her are the best moments of her life and yours.

xx

Thank you

I'm actually crying right now while I write this, I'm so heartbroken for you. I hope Angel's last days here on earth are wonderful for both of you, and as perfect as her name is I'm sure she'll be waiting for you to meet again someday.

This is so, so sad, I am so very sorry to hear this. I too would be hopeless at dealing with the ups and downs and losses that come with breeding and competely understand your need to stop it.

Thinking of you
x

Im so sorry Mandy, this is horrible. I will be thinking of you and Angel over the next few days. May she rest in peace and wait for you at the rainbow bridge.

Sending hugs x

So very sorry to read this, Amanda, I can well understand how you must be feeling right now. I'm sure it will help if you can make her last few days as comfortable as possible. It is always a dreadful ordeal to have to make the decision to put an animal to sleep, but remember , it is the kindest decision for her, you wouldn't want her to suffer when you are able to stop that suffering, no matter how hard it is for you. I will be thinking of you both.

How very sad for both you and Angel. May her last days be peaceful.

I'm sorry Amanda. I'll be remembering you in my prayers.

Amanda who of us can separate our feelings emotionally. I am not a breeder but I can tell you I sure could not. I am glad you will have the time to say good bye when our Sebby died we did not. He went in for surgery and got the call they had to put him down. I think I cried for weeks and still there is not a day I do not think of him. He is why I stay away from the blue's since he was gray, dark.
If there is anything we can do please do not hesitate to ask.