Skip Navigation

Belle, you will be missed.

This is my cat Belle, this specific photo is about 3 years old. She is currently 17, but today had been diagnosed with very aggressive lung cancer. She will not make it to Christmas, and we have decided to put her down tomorrow to spare her the pain of what is to come.

I don't know why I'm posting this. She's spent the whole day with me in my bed since coming home from the vet. She hasn't left once, not to drink, not to eat, not at all. Her breath is becoming more labored, and a part of me wonders if she'll make it through the night. I suppose that doesn't really matter anymore.

Thank you to whoever read this, it means a lot.

39 comments
  • Pets give so much joy, but alas, they are with us a short time. Spoil her in the hours you have left together.

    I already had to say goodbye to 4 cats, 2 dogs and countless guniea pigs. They all are special and they al, had a good life. I'm sure many more will follow (we still have 4 cats, 1 dog and 3 gunea pigs), but I'll try not having later pets outlive me. That would be cruel. (We already had 2 dogs that outlived a total of 3 owners and 1 cat that outlived 2)

    • My husband and I both worked from home for around 15 years, during which we had 3 indoor cats. We didn't go out or socialize much, so one of my biggest fears at the time was that both of us would die in an accident and our cats would be locked in the house and starve.

      All 3 cats grew old, 2 have passed on, and we are now waiting for the last cat to go. We're not sure on his age but he is at least 19 and showing no signs of stopping. His name is Murphy and we sometimes call him the Energizer Murphy.

  • This happened to me 2 years ago, so I know it's really really tough. We put our old boy Stanley down on Christmas Eve and it was devastating. He was a long haired tuxedo that looked almost exactly like your sweet Belle.

    I hope you take comfort in knowing that her last moments will be right by your side, where she likely feels the most at peace. And I also hope that you take care of yourself, take the time to grieve, and lean on your loved ones when you can.

  • I lost my dear friend over 20 years ago and it still hurts. Sorry for your loss.

  • She's a beauty! I lost one of my two a few months ago due to tongue cancer, which also came out of nowhere.

    Give her a few scritchies between the ears from me. Cats are amazing creatures. She will have all the tuna and all the milk at the huntresses table!

  • I had to do the same for my cat. I was just petting him for about 2 hours straight, and I even had all of my friends say a proper goodbye to him.

39 comments