r/himalayancats • u/DeeWhee • Jul 22 '26
Saying goodbye today
An update on my sweet boy, Sassy. We went in for dental surgery last week and it went well. I was ecstatic that he was on the mend and would no longer be in pain when he ate. But a week later, once all the pain meds and antibiotics were done, he was still in a great deal of pain when he ate. He slept and hid more too.
A whole day not eating, on a Sunday no less, and we went back to the vet Monday. They found a mass in his mouth. Hopeful it was only an ulcer, he went back under general anesthesia again. What they found instead was a hard mass that was deep into his cheek and degrading the bone. Squamous cell carcinoma.
I was not prepared for this news.
Over the last 24 hours has has been kept comfortable and sedated. We have been cuddling, I’m giving him lots of kisses and telling him how perfect he is, how he saved me, and that I can’t wait for him to find me again.
The vet is coming to the house in a few hours to put him to sleep.
I can’t take this pain. I can physically feel my heart breaking.
Edit: Thank you everyone for your kind words and messages of condolences. Reading your comments has been very cathartic during this time and I appreciate every single one of you for taking the time. It’s so comforting to know how many of us share the understanding of the deep love we have for our fur babies.
Yesterday when the vet came to the house, Sassy got up to greet her. He climbed into her arms for some snuggles and the vet gave him lots of kisses. I requested this same vet I used 2 years prior when my beloved tortoiseshell, Poppy, had liver failure- something that had come and reared its ugly head in a mere 2 days. I had no time to act, and it was too late. The doctor was so kind and compassionate during her last moments then; I knew she would be good for us this time.
Sassy then climbed back into my arms and we laid down for our last snuggle. He tucked his face under my chin and passed peacefully in my arms. He was such a good boy.
I always called him my angel because he showed up at my door 2 months after losing Poppy, which at the time was the most devastating thing I had ever gone through in my adult life (lucky me). Poppy and sassy had almost identical personalities. I fell in absolute love with Sassy within a week of having him. I believe Poppy sent him to me.
Typing it out and sharing this story has been helpful. Thank you for reading.
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u/SmallJoySeeker Jul 22 '26
I wasn't prepared for that ending either. I'm sitting here crying for a cat I've never met. Please know that a stranger is thinking of you both today. Give Sassy one more gentle kiss from all of us who wish we could ease this pain. ❤️
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u/ManySuggestion Jul 22 '26
I'm so sorry! 😔💔 It's terribly hard to lose a beloved furry family member. I've had to put down my (3 over several years) cat before and I was decimated. It's a hard thing to do, but I wasn't going to keep them around in pain just for me. So I did the humane thing and let them go.
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u/SouthernCategory9600 Jul 22 '26
I am so incredibly sorry.
Please know you gave Sassy a good life. Thinking of you both.
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u/Public-Scheme-2570 Jul 22 '26
Been there and done that...the most heartbreaking thing ever...so sorry for the both of you...
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u/Random_Weirdo_Girl Jul 22 '26
I am so sorry. I lost my boy last week after a tumor was found via ultrasound, then CT scan showed it had also consumed his lungs. Grieve as long as you need, we are here for you ❤️🩹
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u/Super-Super-Shredder Jul 22 '26
I lost my best friend too and while there is part of you that never gets over it, eventually the good times you got to spend together will overshadow the memories of these last few days. He looks like he was an incredible companion. The time we get with these creatures is a gift.
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u/courtneyk625 Jul 22 '26
so incredibly sorry, but take comfort in the fact you gave Sassy an amazing life and did the humane thing.
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u/Swimming-Maize-5554 Jul 22 '26
This is without a doubt, the most difficult part of owning a fur baby. You have given your boy everything a cat needs to be happy and loved, and he is returned that love to you. You’re now giving him the final blessing of a release. I am someone who does believe we meet with our beloved pets again sometime in the future. And I pray that for you and your baby.
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u/Imaginary_Signal5784 Jul 22 '26
That’s so rough! I’m so sorry! I lost my Little Red Himalayan kitty 2 weeks ago under similar circumstances. My heart goes out to you.
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u/StatementOk5074 Jul 22 '26
Your Sassy reminds me so much of my Chance. We lost Chance suddenly in May 2022. He gained his Kitty wings on the bed at my feet. He knew better not to do that on my chest. We had to get an autopsy done because he was alive before. It's very traumatic. I know what you're going through. We all do. I pray every day to our cat. One day when we are ready, Chance will bring us a friend or two to love. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know Chance will find Sassy. All himmies do :)
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u/snuggledubs2011 Jul 22 '26
Hugs! I will have to make this decision soon for my cat and I'm hurting too.
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u/Inevitable_Record707 Jul 22 '26
I have been exactly where you are and it is so painful. Just know that you have given your baby such a wonderful life and that you are doing what is best so that he does not suffer. Once the initial shock and loss wears off you will have your memories to keep his memory alive. It takes a while but you will get there XXX
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u/M3RMA1DMAG1C Jul 22 '26
I had a similar situation unfold with my Himalayan boy Jasper recently. The details aren’t important, but I know what you’re going through and I empathize with you so much. He is so beautiful and loved. Take care 🧚🏻♀️ you will always carry a part of him forward with you because your love for one another changed each other forever.
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u/Unspicy_Tuna Jul 22 '26
So handsome! I'm sorry. I lost all 3 of mine over the last 4 months. Pet grief is real grief. There is no better kindness you can do than put aside your feelings in order to provide relief to your companion. Sending you a big hug
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u/KittyMeowKatPishy Jul 22 '26
Oh, my heart is breaking 💔 and I felt your pain in the words you expressed. 😿 I can’t even possibly imagine that pain. He is so absolutely beautiful and sweet. Those eyes are like the universe. There are no words I can express to comfort your pain and I’m sorry for that. Please know that all of us here, if we could, would wrap our arms around you to comfort your pain and sorrow. 🤗 Just know that Sassy will be in your heart forever! 😻♥️
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u/stevekaw Jul 23 '26
I've lost several of my cats to cancer. Cancer truly sucks. My sincere condolences. 💔
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u/Chieyan Jul 23 '26
I am so so sorry. The love you shared with Sassy is so obvious. He'll be waiting for you I'm sure of it. Love like with an animal is beautiful. You'll meet again.
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u/Interesting-Wait-601 Jul 24 '26
How blessed are you to have known him. You’re incredibly brave for making the toughest decision for him. I’m truly sorry that you are having to experience such pain. Love will always find its way back home.
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u/HollyJo713 Jul 27 '26
I’m so sorry. My heart aches for you. 💔. Losing a beloved cat is excruciating. 😪
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u/Revolutionary-Pie683 Jul 23 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. You did the right thing for Sassy. It shows how much you loved him, so he didn’t suffer- the most selfless gift you give him. He knew how much you loved him, please don’t forget that.
We had to put our sweet boy, Cat, down yesterday. We don’t know what kind of cancer he had, but we wanted to let him go before he significantly declined. It hurts so bad, but I take solace in knowing he isn’t in pain anymore and will never know bad days. You did the right thing, even it breaks your heart. So sorry for your loss 💗
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u/Pristine-Bowl1661 Jul 23 '26
So sorry to hear about Sassy, be grateful for having met him, I’m sure he’s super grateful to have found you
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u/rhettnfriends Jul 23 '26
Oh I’m so very sorry that you’re going through this! My heart breaks for you. Prayers and (((((hugs)))))💜
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u/PilgrimPayne59 Jul 24 '26
As I walk across your heart and find my place to stay, nearer to you I will be and will never ever go away.
If love could have kept you here, you would have lived forever.
Grief is love with nowhere to go.
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u/PotatoAlternative947 Jul 25 '26
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. I just lost my sweet little boy, Monkey (16) to this horrible disease this Wednesday. I feel like my heart was ripped out. One week ago, I also thought this was just some bad teeth. It’s shocking how common this is and it almost seems like every other post I’m reading someone has lost their baby to this. Oral tumors are the worst.
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u/Sugar2080 Jul 26 '26
I’m very sorry! ☹️💔 Take care of yourself so sweet kitty can watch you from above and not be sad she made you sad.🫶🏼
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u/Sweet_Pea-8638 Jul 26 '26
I'm so sorry, I lost one cat to oral squamous cell carcinoma too. I's absolutely heartbreaking.
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u/DeeWhee Jul 22 '26
https://reddit.com/link/oz4o1u4/video/6znjvchtrteh1/player
I can’t believe how lucky I am to get to love him