Yesterday, my sister's 2-3yr cat died from liver complications. And me and her were the ones that had to dig a hole in the yard (which im sure isn't deep enough for the box she was placed in, but we were getting tired from wrestling with the root system). Im sure it was fatty liver because her stomach was bloated. When my sister found out 4 weeks ago, she was quick to bring it to out guardians attention. They said they'll take her to the vet tomorrow. We were decided to not bother too much because we're a low income family and my sister and I are very aware bills must get paid. Then it turned to they'll take the cat next paycheck (they get paid every week). This went on and on every week. My sister later text this guardian at school. She was left on read. All this time and some money was going elsewhere like hair for a cousin's birthday and some dang bag for another cousin. I get they may have been promised these things in advance (this guardian is a main source of income for our house) but can their trinkets wait? I mean, it's not like they haven't postponed my sister and I's stuff indefinitely.
Im sure the cousins can freakinf wait. The cat was still eating and drinking but we noticed 3 days from passing away that she was really confused and lethargic. And she was thin. The day before she passed one of our guardians said to look at tge shelter for potentially lower prices. But they didn't think of that sooner? I just feel like we failed that cat. She died by her food bowl. Early in the morning. I found out coming from the vathroom to my sister wailing. She could've at least been taken out for a examination so we know for sure what we were dealing with. Little to no effort was made but empty promises.
Guardians/parents if you don't have the money and you see the pets condition worsening for the love of God don't constantly promise you're going to do something about it. Just say up front and say you can't afford it. I know you are paying other expenses, but letting the animals just wither away like that is just awful. And for the love of God get them spayed/neutered. It'll prevent so much heartache.
Like, my sister took in this cat when she was suppose to get her to shelter, im assuming our guardian had the mentally of "oh, it's not my pet/my problem" so the priority bar was low. it really ticks me off. Im no vet, but I do suspect (from the internet research ive done anyways) the complications maybe stemmed from her having kittens with one of her relatives ginger cat that won't leave her alone even when she's expressed that. Like. She was so much smaller. The first batch of kittens were healthy but they were unlucky enough to exposed to fleas (that the dang ginger cat BROUGHT) (cats are allowed outside, but he's always been the one to bring fleas bc he goes out the most). Everytime she went into heat, he'd bother her without her wanting him to and seemingly nobody gave a crap. This happened twice. One litter was born dead. And im sure this 3rd was too. She just came back slim one day after being pregnant. Our family thinks it's her fault fyi. Not even thinking about taking in account that their ginger is always sick from something or the dang size difference can cause issues (especially since shes a younger cat. We found her when she had to be a few months old.)
Shortly after, the 3rd pregnancy the jaundice happend. She was supposed to be spayed forever ago. But of course, even when we asked and they said they'll get it done. Now looking back, I wanted they were only saying that to get us out of their hair. I hate that this beautiful, genuinely sweet cat — never intentionally scratching, always following you around — literally the perfect cat wind up dead because our family doesn't know the term animal neglect if it hit them sideways. If I had a job I would've done something. If I could drive I would have done something. I had ss benefits, but it was but off long before this happened. All that wasted money on keeping someone else in the family afloat with the last check I had going to dogs we were sitting and the then messed up car (which didn't work for a long time anyways).
I know it was months before and I can't possibly know the future, but I feel like I should've been smarter. I wished I convinced my sister to take the cat to the shelter more. That way she would've had a better chance at living a healthy life. Because nobody here can't afford it — or maybe refuse to sacrifice their own responsibilities idk. I'm just frustrated. The amount of passiveness had ticked me off. If they allowed that, then they don't deserve to have anything that fragile near them ever again.
I hate they even bother to speak or comfort because while it is appreciated, did they ever really give a crap? Especially how they made it clear they didn't want the cat their initially but grew used to it?
Its funny. Im in econ class rn. And we learned about opportunity costs. If you're not willing to give things up for something, then you never truly loved that something. Guess that was true.
Im sorry for the rant, but i had to get things off my chest