Heart of the City by Steenz for February 22, 2012

I’m coming to a similar point with one of my cats…he’s 17. The vet’s coming to see him tomorrow.

They lie. They say the animal just goes to sleep. Phooey. There’s a jolt and an abrupt end.

no, this is life! I applaud MT for this story line, sad as it is (my cat’s only 8 and I hope she has many years left).

Even though she was 22 when my cat died, it was hard. 2 months on, I still see her in the house, in her usual spots…

God, what a brave kid! This kind of thing is hard enough when you’re an adult. Yes, the end is abrupt, but far better than an animal to keep suffering or have to undergo treatments that will only prolong the inevitable. The vet gave me the option of staying and explained what was going to happen. I felt I needed to be there for Foudini, and I was able to hold him one last time. I would’ve regretted it for the rest of my life if I hadn’t. Any parents who are follow this story line, please sit down with your kids and explain this as gently as you can. Make sure you tell them that love doesn’t die, no matter what.

I want to feel stupid for crying over a comic strip, but one of our cats had to be euthanized a few months ago and I still feel the pain. This is ripping my heart out.

Wow, mhgbear…you have got it right. I have lost a few kitties this way, and it does take a certain amount of courage to be there at the end. Their love deserves your courage and empathy in return.

good boy Dean.

My 16 year old cat Hannah Bee died in my arms on the way to the vets to have her put down. She looked me in the eyes, meowed and died. I think she was saying goodbye, I really do.My yellow lab Susie died in my arms, and my dog Charlie Girl. My dogs Teddy and Gallagher both 17 were put down at the vets office.

THIS STORYLINE IS TOO TOO TOO SAD!

Have ‘lost’ 2 fur-friends. Last one died in my arms on the way to the vet to be put to sleep. cannot imagine a more gentle passing. Never easy…but when they say ‘forever’ home think they also mean our hearts!

Ok, I’m done reading Heart until this is over. I can’t bear to redo my morning make up one more time.

I had my first cat Snowy put down at the Humane Society after 21 great years, seemed painless, we were with her when she went. I had two more cats, Maxi and Inscissor, die at home after 22 and 21 years of loyal loving companionship. I must admit it was better for us both having them in our arms at home when they slipped away.

I know this is a big moment in everyone’s lives, but…omg this is a comic strip…please stop with the sad!!

Ugh, I can’t take it anymore.

No,No, don’t do it,Mark!! (Comics aren’t supposed to be real.)

what’s Maraduke and Garfield and Snoopy’s secret on avoiding the big sleep?

Maybe I’m just a stupid, uneducated American dolt, but golly gee, I thought the root of the word comic was comedy.

That is just part of the deal having a pet. Having experienced these things many times, I really feel for Dean. Our animals give us unadultered love. To be with them at the end is the very least we can do for them. Kudos to you all!

I know :-( I still miss my dear sweet kitty, Seven :-(

We’ve done this with to several of our cats over the decades. If I know in advance, I wear the same shirt for a couple of days and they lie on that for some sort of comforting smell. And yes, we stay with them. It’s never easy. Our Starclan can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/22772439@N04/sets/72157620074096335/

Would be better if Bogey and Becall were there.

I have a question. If animals deserve a dignified and painfree end, why don’t people? Aren’t we all God’s creatures?On to other things. The strip is sad enough, but the comments have done me in.

This is so awful! I cannot believe you are killing off Spock! I euthanized two cats of six in October, and this is breaking my heart.PLEASE make it a “bad dream”!

When Nimrod, Sylvester 2nd, and Pandora (Boo-Boo) were in that situation, I told them that I did not want to have that experience. I could not have handled it…

This is so sad. My neighbour’s cat (my buddy) died on Saturday and the timing is just too much.

So proud of Dean, so proud of Heart. Been there, done that way too many times.

this is heartbreakingly sweet

I’ve said this before, but better to put your pet to sleep than watch it die an agonizing death like I did. ;-(

.True. My cat may have a failing kidneys. If she has to be put down I will try to get another cat because she has brought to my life the joy and friendship of a companion anima, and made my life fuller.

The vet performed the Final Act of Kindness on my dog outdoors under a tree. I would not have her depart from a cold metal table. The syringe was full of a pink soapy-looking fluid. It took effect quickly and she quietly stopped breathing. Her once intelligent and soulful eyes clouded over and sank back into her head. She became cold very quickly. After a while her eyes flew open and she fought to start breathing again. The look on her face was one of pure terrror. This was in 2001. I never got another dog; I can’t go through this again. In memory of Dammit, 1987-2001

About a week after my dog died I saw the obituary of the old man who owned the dog before me and couldn’t keep her. God took the dog so she would be there when the old man got to heaven.

I’ve had to put several cats and dogs down due to illness or poor quality of life. It was very peaceful and they looked like they were going to sleep. I stay with my animals. They were with me through thick and thin.

I did NOT need to know this! Our beloved Rusty is in a little blue box by my husbands chair where he always lay when my husband was sitting there watching TV. I will not tell him about your comment here. It would break his heart to think that might not be Rusty.

Hmmm – maybe Dean goes in, and its the wrong cat? Tags were mixed up?

Heart is a really good friend, comforting Dean in his time of need.

………Are we really doing this?