Jake was a great pet...

[Stainz]

Jake (8/01-4/7/15):

Jake and his brother Samson were two of four kittens we found near a local shooting spot on the Sunday after 9/11. Their two other brothers had been shot and were kindly put down by the local 'Good Samaritan' vet. He also checked Jake's runt brother, Samson, for a host of diseases. As he was clean, it was a good bet that Jake was as well. Still, we quarantined them for two weeks before introducing them to our other indoor-only cats. Jake became a 'Gentle Giant', clearly, the largest, never fat, cat I had ever seen - with a huge tail. He never bit or clawed a soul - and was scared of his own shadow, retreating to the safety of his lair - under/in our bed - at the first doorbell ring or knock - even faster at the sound of my grandkids voice. He was my lap cat. He slept under the covers with us. He had no desire to go outdoors, leaving the house only in a pet carrier. He loved to play.

Jake started losing weight last June, getting under ten pounds and showing signs of dehydration - an expensive trip to a new vet yielded no information - ended with us re-hydrating him with IV's at home - not fun. He seemed to improve - then got worse - back to the vet end more IV's for us to administer. We had spent over $800 in two visits - and were told to take him home and make him comfortable - at 13 years, his days were numbered. We were able to eek out almost eight more months of good life for him. Last Monday, he even sat on his haunches, as in the picture, and raised and dropped his front paws in unison, 'begging', albeit a bit weakly. Tuesday would find him unable to keep anything - including water - down. The new young vet looked sad as she poked around his abdomen. He had a massive tumor that blocked his gut and stomach. It was inoperable. His last act - as she sedated him - was to reach up and lick me on my nose. She gave him the heart-stopping shot and he passed peacefully. My in-laws prepared his grave for us, and, after enlarging it (He was a large cat!), we buried him as night fell.

My second wife can't have children - the cats are 'our' children. Jake is survived by his runt brother, Samson, and friends Delilah, Bob, Steve, Elmer, and Chester. He was a great pet - and a Blessing to me - and I miss him.

John (aka 'Stainz')

[Hunter8282]

So sorry for your loss!

[Stephanie B]

My condolences. I, too, have a cat named Jake.



I took him in 11 years ago. He's now old enough to vote and is on thyroid pills.

[Rustyt1953]

In the last 32 years, Ruthie and I have said goodbye to 9 cats and 2 dogs. All were rescues. I still miss them. We have 3 cats now and 2 of them are getting close. We did all we could to spoil them and in return we got unconditional love.

I know some say "it's just a cat" be we know better don't we.

I'm sure his time with you was cat heaven. Dwell on that.

Walkin Jack is right.

[Jessie]

Sorry Stainz. At least you have more of his friends still with you.

[jarhead1178]

Sorry fory your loss. Lost my snooty girl just before Christmas. Just remember the good years you both had.

[Johnmuratore]

Jake was a handsome boy. You did your best for him and I'm sure he appreciated your love and care.

Sorry

[kozmic]

That picture makes it obvious that Jake knew how to play your heart strings. Condolences on your loss.

[bullfrog1108]

Sorry for your loss! Your Jake ' s personality reminds me a lot of our Rocky.

[tbgunner88]

Sorry for your loss, it sounds like you provided him a great and loved life.

[KTP]

So very sorry for your loss John... I went through something similar last fall with our Peeper. She also started losing weight and got quite dehydrated. She also had masses in her abdomen. It killed me to have to put her to sleep. It is the last and most important thing you can do for them to not allow them to suffer. God speed Jake. You were very much loved ( but of course you knew that).

[Watchdog]

Our valued and much loved companion animals are gifts to us from Whoever controls the universe and our lives. They always give us more than we ever give them, and if the truth be known, we probably always need them more than they need us. I know it's little comfort to tell you that you did the right thing, but as much as you may have hated to make the decision, you did the last best thing you could ever do for your Best Friend.

As I've told other people before, I know your friend would have thanked you. I firmly believe you will all see each other again.

I don't know you, and we'll probably never meet, but I do extend my deepest sympathy to you and your wife.

[allthumbs]

Very sorry for your loss, always hard to get over losing a valued family member, you gave Jake a good life, bless you.

[captorquewrench]

I am very, very sorry about your gentle giant kitty.

[Ranger514]

It's hard to lose a loyal friend, regardless of how many legs they stand upon. Jake was lucky to have you, and vice versa.

[Doug M.]

*sigh* Sorry for your loss. RIP, Jake.

[Jimmyjones]

You have my sincere condolences.

I am sorry for your loss.

[Stainz]

Thank you for all of the kind words, folks... it really means a lot to me!

John (aka 'Stainz')

[LVSteve]

After reading the OP's post my screen is all blurry. Sorry for your loss.

[timn8er]

My condolences to you & yours, & God Speed to Jake.

[the ringo kid]

Sorry for the loss of Jake. My cat Shasta--was abandoned because she was the runt of the litter.Wasnt abandoned by her ma--just the jerks who had the mama cat and other kittens. They left her on some stairs at an apartment complex I live at then--and I saw her only when I was going back and fourth to and from the laundry. It was a very hot and humid day back in oh four when I saw here. Thankfully,she is still here with me today--and is a full-sized kitty.

One thing that has me scared--even though she is healthy--is that she is wanting attention all the time, and I give it to her all the time anyway. I think every timeI have to leave--she feels like im abandoning her.I dont mind that she wants to be on my lapor chest all the time now--in fact--I prefer her to be there to pet but--she never needed this amount of attention before?and something has happened when im away, to scare her enough to need it.

Anyway,sorry for the loss ofJake. I mentioned this above--because of the runt reference.Shasta being a runt--turned out to be the best cat ive ever been graced with--and she is tough to boot. Shasta has the sae personality as Jake.

[e3mrk]

Pets become part of the Family so I know how it feels when Your Friend passes on.
My old Black Cat and Out Mutt Dog were both cremated and put in Urns and have Their Places in Our Curio Cabinet. Sounds dumb but it seemed to be the thing to do.

[Doug627]

I believe God watches our interaction with our pets. He smiles upon us when we treat them well and is angered when we mistreat them. I think you get a lot of smiles. Sorry for your loss. I had to put my cat, Scout, down a couple years ago. Cried like a baby and didn't care who saw me.

[e3mrk]

Originally Posted by Doug627

I believe God watches our interaction with our pets. He smiles upon us when we treat them well and is angered when we mistreat them. I think you get a lot of smiles. Sorry for your loss. I had to put my cat, Scout, down a couple years ago. Cried like a baby and didn't care who saw me.

Heres Our new Cat,She's a Hemminway Cat She has extra Toes on all Her Paw's and what a Stinker,She's so not like Our Other one.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by e3mrk

Pets become part of the Family so I know how it feels when Your Friend passes on.
My old Black Cat and Out Mutt Dog were both cremated and put in Urns and have Their Places in Our Curio Cabinet. Sounds dumb but it seemed to be the thing to do.

Doesnt sound dumb to me. I was thinking of doing the same thing with Shasta if I can afford it at the time? I was also planning on being cremated myself--and having Shastas ashes mixed with mine and taken away with the breeze.