We have to say goodbye to my boy Link tomorrow
My all-time favourite photo of him as a kitten, and one of him keeping my wife company in her office included ❤️
My precious boy Link (just shy of 11yrs old) was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By the time he showed any signs at all, it had already metastasised through both of his lungs. His regular vet has been incredibly kind and compassionate all the way through, and gently advised us that he would likely decline quickly over the coming days. In the last 24 hours, he has refused food altogether and won't accept much water even via syringe, which is why we've decided that it's the right time to let him go. I'm in the process of scheduling a vet to come to our home to facilitate, so that he can be somewhere familiar surrounded by family when he goes to sleep.
My wife and I are completely heartbroken. I adopted this little guy at 8 weeks old from a local rescue I had been donating to. He was found roadside in a cardboard box with around 4-5 of his littermates. As soon as they opened his enclosure at the rescue, he immediately jumped out into my arms - 20 minutes later he was in the car with me, on the way to his new home.
This was around two years before my wife and I met. As soon as she met Link, she immediately became his person - he's been absolutely obsessed with her from day one. Their bond is so incredibly strong.
Link has four siblings - our two other cats and our two dogs, who all adore him (and vice versa). It's gut wrenching thinking about what it will be like without him in the house.
I don't post on Reddit often and I'm not sure why I feel so inclined to post this specifically, but I feel like I need to help balance out the grief I'm already feeling in anticipation for saying goodbye tomorrow with knowing that I'm doing the right thing for him, ensuring he doesn't have to experience further pain or discomfort.
If you're reading this, I'd love to see photos of your cats (either still with you or at peace) and maybe your favourite 'quirk' or behaviour they had?
My favourite thing Link would do is stick the top of his head up and offer it to you if you'd approach him making a kissing sound. He also used to love being (very gently) tossed onto a big beanbag as a kitten and would come straight back to me waiting for me to do it again.
I'm going to miss him so much.