It is with great sadness that I announce that our wonderful orange, one-eyed kitty Sniper lost his battle with cancer today. He was diagnosed with Lymphoma earlier in the year after we noticed his eye getting cloudy and swollen. His eye was removed, and we'd hoped that the cancer was contained soley in the eye, but a couple months later lumps started appearing on his chest and face, and we knew his time was about done.
He was put on medication to slow the spread of the cancer, but we knew it was only buying him time and that eventually, we'd have to let him go. He had one more good month full of love and treats and spoiling, before his health went rapidly downhill and he began to deteriorate. Today, we made the desicion all pet owners dread: to end his pain and let him go gently into that eternal sleep.
I cried the entire time.
But, as the great Dr. Seuss said: "Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened." And though we will miss Sniper cat terribly, we had six wonderful years with him, and he will always be in our memories. So this is a tribute to our awesome one-eyed kitty who loved life, and a reminder to love those furry family members who share your world.
Our boy.
Sniper in his box.
An early pic of Sniper before he lost his eye, with his best friend, Shinobi.
We'll miss you, Sniper cat.
Love, your humans.
Oh Julie, im so sorry. Rest in peace Sniper Cat <3
ReplyDeleteAs an owner of 4 dogs, I know how strong the bond is formed over pets and their owners, so I love that you did a little tribute for Sniper.
ReplyDeleteI'd cry too if I were you. May he rest in peace (I don't know if that's a fitting phrase for animals but when you have to say goodbye to someone you love dearly...).
I'm sure Sniper was happy and thankful to have spent his life with you. :)
Your tribute to your kitty, made me cry. My kitties are are an Orange and white tabby, your sniper cat almost reminds me of Tweety. And his sister is a black and white, those are my babies besides my children. My heart goes out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteOh, Julie, I am so sorry. My boy passed away last year and I still cry over it. It hurts as much as losing family.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing him with us ♥
I am so sorry for your loss of Sniper, reading this made me cry and realize how muh I have missed my pets that I have lost due to death.
ReplyDeleteAw I'm so sorry to hear this. I know Sniper is in heaven right now watching over you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Sniper!
ReplyDeletehey, I just wanted to say that i am sorry for your loss. I hav a pet cat too and he also lost an eye not too long ago. I feel so bad for you, I havnt lost a pet, but as a pet owner I know that that decision was a hard one and that you must be super sad. Everything will get better and at least now Sniper is in a happy painless place. Again sorry for your loss
ReplyDeleteWe lost one of our beloveds quite suddenly in June, but you lovely tribute inspired me for extra love and snuggles all around just now. It's good to be reminded of these things during the happy times.
ReplyDeleteSending all the best thoughts and hugs you and you're hubbies way.
Aww... may Sniper rest in peace...
ReplyDeleteAs a cat owner i know how you must feel...
Losing a precious cat is awful and heart-wrenching :(
I also lost one and it was only a year old...
Got hit by a car right in front of my house :'(
Burying her made me cry non-stop :(
But, at least you ended Sniper's pain :)
Even though Sniper will always have a place in your heart, there'll be others to keep Shinobi occupied :)
My heart goes to you and all other pet owners that are sadden by the deaths of their pets :)
I am so sorry! I am so heartbroken, I am sobbing right now. *sobbing to death* I have a dog named princess, and I would be dying inside if she passed away. My deepest condolences to you. Oh, Julie at least you know he's no longer suffering. :'(
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry. I know what you feel, I have cat and I love him so much and when something bad would happen to her I would be so so so sad...
ReplyDeleteI send you hugs!
Oh... even though i don't have a pet, i understand. Smile! :)
ReplyDeleteOh Julie, I'm sorry. I have a couple of cat's too, but I can't relate to your pain, I just hope that you'll be ok. I send you lots of happiness and hugs. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteReading this brought tears to my eyes. Losing a beloved pet is not just that, but losing a good friend as well :( I'm really sorry for your loss, and I hope Sniper will rest in piece from now on. Feel better! <3
ReplyDeleteI think one of the hardest things to do is to make that decision to end your pet's pain. I am so unbelievably sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteOh Julie. I had to put down my kitten Cleo just over a year after I got her after she was diagnosed with feline leukemia. I had to put her down on the 22nd of December a few years ago and I'm always blue on that day. But I do remember her spirit, her spunk, her love of life. And you will remember Sniper cat too. It will get better but it will take time. I'm sending you happy vibes in case you need them and a virtual hug. Losing a pet is losing a member of the family. But he will live on in your heart. :)
ReplyDeleteI so very, very sorry for your loss. Having to make that final decision is one of the hardest things we have to do as pet owners, and it's never easy. At least he isn't in pain anymore. And you have great memories! The story of the Rainbow Bridge really helped me when I lost my Didi. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteOh, I so sorry for your loss. I remember hearing about Sniper before....I thought he was going to be okay. I'm so sorry. But he will live forever in your memory, so you are right to smile that you got the time you did with him. *hug*
ReplyDelete-Kirra
Aww
ReplyDeleteRest in peace, Sniper. Sorry for your loss. It's so hard to let your little animals go so long before you do.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute for Sniper. I know how you feel, I have two cats myself and yesterday I had to say goodbye to my old man of a cat, Socks. He had an amazing 13 years of life, being spoilt by all, but like Sniper he also had cancer. It was in his mouth and after the initial vet visit seemed to perk up a lot, but within a couple of days this week he quickly deteriated and I had to make the desicion that no one wants to make. He went to sleep peacefully with myself and my dad and was relaxed and calm through whole ordeal of vet trip.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you at this very sad time, and although he can never be replaced Sniper Cat will always have a special place in your heart, as will Socks in mine.
What a great tribute! I am so sorry to hear about Sniper Cat, our pets are so important to us and became a part of our lives so easily it is hard to let them go. Sending good thoughts your way!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! He will be forever remembered, I know, and I'm sure he's having a wonderful time in kitty heaven!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry :( These little ones take such a huge place in our hearts and our lives, it's unimaginably hard to let them go, even when their time has come.
ReplyDeleteBut that was an amazing tribute!
I cried reading this. :,( I'm so sorry, it's so hard to lose a pet, it's like losing a family member. Best wishes to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Julie! I lost a cat two years ago and I still cry about it sometimes. You have my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteOh no Julie! I'm so sorry! My cat died on the first day of 7th grade, and I cried the entire day. I definitely feel for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, I know how you feel, I went through the same thing with my baby girl kitty over a year ago. My heart goes out to you. <3
ReplyDeleteOMG! He looks JUST like my Prince Harold (AKA Harry/Prince Harry) I am so sorry Julie *hugs*
ReplyDeleteWhen my baby Lucky had to be put down I was almost inconsolable! She was in severe kidney failure and she also had stomatitis, a severe mouth inflammation disease that's incredibly painful. It flares up like Lupus. She was on serious meds to suppress it and they think that's what hurt her kidneys :(
Tommy had Feline AIDS. I found him one cold night, starving, sick, full of ticks and fleas, etc. we took him right in and got him healthy. He had a good 5 years before the HIV took over and did what it does :(
2 of my babies were hit by cars that kept going, and they too are in kitty heaven.
Its sad when we lose these awesome animals. They all are buried in my yard. I couldn't think of them anywhere else. They were ALL strays I took in and helped. They only knew love here so why wouldn't they remain here?
I hope all of my kitties are hangin with Sniper in kitty heaven <3
I'm so sorry for your loss, Julie. Sniper Cat had a wonderful life with your family, I'm sure of that! He was adorable and I to take a second look at Sniper cat as we had a cat that looked just like him (but mine was a she...rare to have an orange tabby who's a girl apparently.) That is always the sad part of having animals share our lives...but it is so worth it. RIP Sniper Cat... ((hugs)) to you all!
ReplyDeleteThe decision is never easy, nor does anyone ever feel they've had enough time. The best we can hope for is that we have made a difference in their lives while they were here. I know all animals make a difference in ours. He's now left a hole, but he's also opened a space for a new love to fill :). When you're ready, check out your local animal shelter and adopt :).
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