https://twitter.com/catshouldnt/status/1357844278546898945?s=19
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I had previously posted about our heart failure dog. He has sort of leveled out for the time being. Our other geriatric dog had some kind of a episode tonight and was dead within 45 minutes. She died in my wife’s arms and it was beyond heartbreaking both for the dog and for us. She lived a good life and lived more than 16 years so it was going to be time one way or another soon but it is still insanely sad. Here is her the day we got her:
RIP Kiwi (December 1st, 2004-February 8th, 2021)
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I’m so sorry. It’s heart wrenching when this time comes.
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I’m sorry for your loss Wichita. The hardest part of having such loving animals become part of our family is the loss that they leave when it’s their time to depart. I really feel for you and hope you’re holding up ok.
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I always like the concept that dogs and peoples have a the same amount of love to give.
Dogs give theirs to you freely every day, so they use up their supply and thus their lives are shorter.
Take care. It’s amazing the hold they have on us.
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Sorry for your loss Wichita 
The vet just called me regarding the lump on Toaster. The lab results showed pretty much all fat which leads them to think it’s just a fatty benign tumor. She said there was no cause for concern unless I notice it gets bigger! Super relieved to hear.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard. My Roxie will get extra treats and hugs today in Kiwi’s honor.
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Thanks everyone. The two old dogs we have/had right now were my wife and I’s first two dogs. I actually got Kiwi for my wife on our first Valentine’s Day. I am lucky they have lived long and healthy lives but the feeling of loss is immense and worse than anything I have felt even more than losing grandparents and the like. It’s bizarre and wonderful really how much a part of you they become.
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I can feel the love just reading that. The soul crushing thing for me today was to have her reduced, even just temporarily, into a lifeless husk in a cardboard box as I carried her into the vet today. All I could think is she deserved so much better than to be reduced to that. I completely lost it driving away.
Small dogs are great for all the reasons you say. I didn’t want one either so when my wife picked Kiwi out 16 years ago I was kind of skeptical. Over the years every negative stereotype was shattered. They can be smart and trainable and of course utterly hilarious at times. They also are an unrelenting fountain of unconditional love. I can’t tell you how many times I have needed that in the last 16 years.
I’m sorry for your loss Johnny. While reading that made me cry it also is good to read your experiences with similar loss.
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God damn what a read. Sorry JT… hope you and the family find some peace.
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little dogs are amazing. Sid the Dogfather was all about Sid until someone was sick or feeling down and then he was glue.
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I can’t read these posts. I can’t face a day when my dog dies. I tried reading the first few lines of wichita and JTs post but had to stop.
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My thoughts are with you guys 
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That was a beautiful tribute to Vladdy. He was a very good boy.
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RIP Kiwi and Vladdy and condolences JT and Wichita and your families.
I almost got to be friends with Vladdy and was hoping for a second chance. :(
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Didn’t plan on crying at work today. Thanks guys :)
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Clio, my cat of 19 years passed away a couple of years ago. A friend had a cat that I took in after that. Wanda died after a trip to the vet when I took her in to get some matted hair trimmed. The vet sedated her for the trim and she was still groggy the next day. She passed while I was at work.
I had thought of getting a second cat for companionship, but I didn’t feel Clio would have accepted a young cat and Wanda passed before I had the opportunity.
So I recently adopted a bonded pair from a shelter. They were feral kittens from someone’s backyard. In the shelter, they seemed friendly and would play and let me pet them, but since I got them home, they stay hidden when I enter their safe room. I can hear them playing, but they hide when I enter.
I guess I need to be patient (it’s only been a week), but I was hoping for a bit more progress. Any tips for helping them become more comfortable in their new home?
I think this is Ivy, Keanu looks very similar, but has the opposite ear clipped.
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We had an outside cat that was very skittish until she got a bad abscess on her back that resulted in her having to have most of the skin on her back basically opened up and an open wound. It took quite a while to heal and a lot of care, but she fully recovered and was then sweet as can be.
I’m not saying a wound is what you need, but a ton of love and attention can turn a skittish cat into a love bug.
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We might be monsters but I’d say it took us literally years to get to max trust level with our cat, Ruby (see upthread). The hiding stopped after a few weeks, but choosing to come and lie next to us and have her belly rubbed was much later. She was 11 when we adopted her, though, so I’d guess it’s quicker with kittens.