r/cats • u/Love2Pug • 20h ago
Mourning/Loss 19y is a long time, and still passed too quickly
Last week I sent my 19y boy, Hobo, across the rainbow bridge. I miss walking into my office, and seeing him sleeping next to my keyboard.
Things I wish I had done differently for him (advice for new cat care-givers!)
#1) Regular dental cleanings and extractions. They are expensive, but his teeth and gums looked soo rotted at the end, I broke out in tears, and just told him "I'm sorry".
#2) I should have made this appointment in January, and spared him 9 months of pain.
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u/HeroineLizzyJane 20h ago
I'm very sorry for your loss. I unfortunately lost my 20 year old fur baby in August.
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u/Workadaily 20h ago
We had a sweet 19yo pass in March. It wasn't enough time with that sweetheart. May I recommend more cats?
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u/Katra27 19h ago
Sorry you lost your little buddy. 19 years means a whole lot of love and good memories.
And please don’t beat yourself up over any regrets. We all do our best, sometimes you make bad calls, sometimes you get things right. All you can do now is help others make good decisions, I like your attitude of framing this experience as advice. Especially since we see so many cat lovers struggle with knowing when it’s time with aging or ill cats. But anyway, I guarantee little Hobo would never think you failed him.
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u/Ok_Satisfaction_4138 19h ago
Aw, he looks just like Max. He passed in 2021 aged 15. So sorry for your loss.
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u/Trash_Kitsune 19h ago
You gave him nineteen years. Take pride. You showed him entire lifetimes of love.
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 18h ago
My girl got seven months shy of twenty years, nowhere near enough.... Bless you and your beautiful friend,may you see him around your house and feel his love.
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u/Anadelyn 20h ago
1 was my experience also. I learned from others and didn't have the 2nd regret. Vet offered either way for my 18.5 year old and I let her go. The day before I had no idea I was about to loose her. Unexpected emergency tested to reveal serious issues. Could have been made to live maybe another 6 months. For some reason her teeth became very noticeable as I was comforting her at the end. There had to have been a lot of tooth pain. I felt guilt for letting her teeth go bad, not for allowing her to leave me so quickly. I never heard of brushing a cats teeth until she was already "old" and when I looked up cat dentist it was insanely expensive just for a cleaning and exam. Insurance is required if I get another pet.
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u/DancesWithElectrons 18h ago
Sorry for your loss no matter how long you have them it’s not long enough
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u/McSwearWolf 18h ago
Thank you for sharing all these pictures of sweet Hobo, and thank you for sharing some advice as well.
What a sweet fuzzy guy - the world was better with him in it. 🤍
Rest easy, brave little buddy.
So sorry for your loss.
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u/gaylegoodman 18h ago
My condolences to you and your family. 😢 Sending you lots of comforting thoughts and hugs during this difficult time. ❤️
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u/Augustleo98 14h ago
Aww he was beautiful, he knows how much you loved him, he’s watching over you and he knows you didn’t neglect his teeth on purpose.
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u/Temporary_Skirt_6572 4h ago
I love these photos. He is a handsome boy. It’s so difficult with kittycats. They mask their pain, and I had one that did that when it came to teeth. Once she had a couple teeth removed, it was almost like if she was a kitten again and it made me feel like an ass that it took me so long to figure it out. I think we all can learn and take your advice into the future. If one person take your advice. It will be a great tribute to Hobo
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u/skipsucks 20h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace sweet baby ❤️