www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall ISO Spiritual Guidance regarding very ill pet

Christ is Risen!

Greetings. I am facing a very painful dilemma, and I am looking for some guidance. Our kitty is 17 years old. She is very ill (cannot eat, hardly drinking, vomiting just bile)and dropped from over 12 lbs to just 7 lbs, 6 oz. We took her to our local animal hospital Sunday and she is still there on an IV. They ran blood tests and told us she appears to have possible Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, and kidney failure. We were asked by the Vet how we felt giving daily insulin injections to the cat. As of this morning, our kitty is still unable to hold any food down.

I do not believe having to give a pet a daily inuslin shot to extend it's life is sensible. Instead, I find it on the verge of cruelty, having to jab that beautiful creature with a needle every day, and remember, she is now just skin and bones. The vet says it can be a bonding experience.

Our Ms. Kitty has given us a lot of love, is part of the family, but I also feel that as a pet owner, I have the obligation to ensure her life is good, and when it because painful, then she should have permanent rest.

My friend at work said pet owners have a tendency to place animal life on the same plain as human life, and that got me thinking to Genesis that Man is granted dominion over all creatures, but I do not wish to violate this gift our our Lord.

I am very confused. I do not want her to suffer anymore. She has had a good life. Should I take every step possible to preserve her life, or should I ask the vet to assist in granting her peace? This is causing great tension at home right now.

Thank you for your guidance in advance. I need to make a decision this late afternoon and I feel that all of us here share very close moral values.

In Christ (and tears),

Michael

Michael,

I once had a similar situation. I think the primary factor is proportionality. To what extent does spending money to keep an animal alive become morally objectionable when there are many people who cannot afford healthcare or medicine. I think a couple hundred dollars is reasonable. But when Animal Planet shows people spending thousands of dollars for operations on animals that will be gone a few years later anyway I just think of all the people they could have helped with the same money...

Fr. Deacon Lance

It sounds like you have one sick kitty. If it is just the diabetes, then I say do the shots.

The injections are actually quite easy. I have been giving my cat insulin shots for over three years, and he is doing just fine. Shots are far easier than pills. We now have a routine, and he doesn't mind a bit. In my case, the cat likes to drink water from the spigot. [diabetes causes thirst]. So, I come in with the shot, he runs to the sink, he get stuck, and its all over with in three seconds. I don't think he even notices it anymore. The insulin is cheap because you are using cat-size doses. Syringes aren't too bad either.

Thank you both for your advice. Our Lord has been gracious again! I am not worthy, truthfully.

We went to the Pet Hospital, and Snowball was bright, cheerful, and doing wonderful! The vet said she only needs to be treated for hyperthyroidism. Yesterday, she was knockin' on that door, and now this.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

In Christ,

Michael

Well, today, our kitty was put to sleep. She got down to 6 pounds, and has not eaten since Friday. We took her to the Vet yesterday and visited her today, and she was worse than ever. The Vet stated Snowball was experiencing full kidney failure.

I feel horrible. I made the decision, in conjunction with my wife and son, to have her put to sleep. I dislike having to make a decision like this.

How grave is my sin? Snowball was in extreme pain, and 2 months shy of turning 18. Her quality of life was gone these last few days.

Also, could anyone provide me with a link(s) to some type of prayer for a loved pet that is departed? She was a creature of God and I feel that her spark of life has to go somewhere, and I wish to do what I can to help her, if that makes sense.

I found a nice micro suede box for her and will inter her in the morning in the back yard. I plan on placing an outdoor statue of St. Francis on her grave. Is this too much? Is this blasphemy? I hope not, but please let me know if so.

Thank you.

Michael (feeling like the cat murderer)

Michael,

You did the right thing.
If Snowball was in kidney failure she would have died anyway in another week or so, but not without suffering the additional pain of dehydration/hunger/fever/multiple systems failure.
You did the merciful thing for your long-time companion. That all pets would have such caring families!

Sam

Sam,

Thank you for your kind words.

Michael

Dear Michael,

My sympathy to you for the loss of your cherished cat.

I don't think that a statue of St. Francis over the cat's grave is blasphamy.

God knows how much we love these little creatures and He gave them to us for love and comfort.

I sometimes feel guilty that they live better than many human beings. That is my only guilt in loving and taking good care of my dog.

I pray, that as the days pass, you will be consoled and get used to living without your cat.
There was nothing more that you could realistically have done.

With love in Christ,
Alice

Dear Michael,

I agree with Fr. Deacon Lance. Your cat was given to you by our Lord to serve 'you'. Your cat gave you companionship and love for many years. What more could you ask for?

Now if you continued paying and taking care of a sick cat, not only would you be serving it instead, but actually the animal would have intentionally prolonged it's life and suffering in order to please you. (I know of cases).

Now wouldn't that be cruel, and shame on those vets that can only think of how much they can make.

I offer you my condolences, and buy another cat so our Lord can pacify you with the love of another one very soon.

Zenovia

Dear Michael, I also think you did the right thing, painful as it was.My younger son,Greg, had a black cat named Midnight which he had gotten when he was 7 years old in 1986.Last September, just days before Greg's 25th birthday, he had to put Midnight to sleep.It was an agonising decision, butthe vet said thay 18 years is a pretty long life for a cat.I don't think you sinned in this case.When I look at my cats ,i'm reminded that they are God's creatures, but unlike us, they don't willfully sin against Him. I think we all need to be reminded of this.God bless you,Fr. Andrei

This past March we had to put down our 16 month old Great Dane. My two children (8 and 4) were devastated (as my wife and I were too).

It is a difficult balance between what is too much for a pet and what is just enough. In the end we could have "kept him alive" for 4-6 more months. I decided it was not fair to him and especially my children to see him barely getting by in order for us to have him longer.

God Bless you Michael. I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Honor your pets memory however you see fit.

Dave

May our Good and Loving God bless you with peace. His mercy in great and fresh every morning as the dew that rest upon the flowers of the land, so the same dew will fall - the dew of his love - and bring you newness of life in a special creature he has created just for you and your loving family.

I did a search in prayer, as this year there have been a good number of prayer requests for pets. Since a lot of folks don't post in prayer they may not be aware of these prayers being there so, here are some of the prayers I found from there. Fr. Gregory left prayer for us...

Let us pray.
God, who supplied even animals and pets to lighten man's life, we humbly entreat You to preserve this creature for our use, since without them mankind cannot subsist; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Let us pray.
We humbly entreat Your mercy, O Lord, praying that in Your name and by the power of Your blessing this animal Anna may be cured of the dire sickness that afflicts her. Let the devil's power over her be utterly abolished, and do You, Lord, protect her life and health against recurrent sickness; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Let us pray.
Have pity on us, Lord, we beg You, and turn away every scourge from Your faithful. Rid my pet of the dread sickness that is destroying her, so that we who are justly punished when we go astray may feel Your gracious mercy when we repent; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

(then sprinkle your pet with Holy Water!)

This one also:
PRAYER FOR OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS

Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is wonderful and special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our
special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering she has. Give us, their human friends, new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of
Yours. They have trust in us as we have in You; our souls and theirs are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection, and caring. Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have.

(Here mention the names of the animal needing prayer).

Your goodness is turned upon every living thing and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. From our souls to theirs goodness flows, touching each of us with the reflection of Your love. Grant to our special animal companion long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with us, and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our prayer through the intercession of good
St. Gregory of Nazianzen, who honored You and loved all Your creatures. Give him the power to watch over our animal friends until they are
safely with You in eternity, where we someday hope to join them in giving You honor forever. Amen.

Another one:
A PRAYER FOR ALL ANIMAL COMPANIONS

Lord God, Compassionate Wisdom, Pure Spirit, in the beginning when You brought forth life, You committed the stewardship of Creation to our first parents.

In Your providence we see Your love, and we find the beginnings and the endings of all journeys within Yyour glory.

We recall with heart-felt gratitude the lives of the animal companions who have shared our days.

In life they gave witness to your glory, in death they are memories of grace and beauty.

May we find in this mystery of the rhythms of our lives, grace, wisdom, fortitude, and the peace that passes human understanding, so that we may see You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly.

May all Creation praise, reverence, and serve Your Holy Name of beauty and justice.

These blessings we ask, with confidence in Your eternal love, entrusting all our animal companions to the care and protection of St. Francis, through Your Son Jesus Christ, compassionate Lord, by whose wounds we are healed.

Amen.

I just came across a link from one of our local RC parishs, pictures of their Pet Blessing Day Oct. 1
http://www.sfxbham.org/Photos/PetBlessing/TableofPetBlessingPhotos.htm

Dear wonderful forum members, and esteemed clergy,

Thank you all for your support, kind words, and prayers. Your actions have deepened my faith in God and the goodness of men.

With love and thanks to all, and asking Our Lord and Savior to grant each of you His Blessings for health and happiness,

Michael