the news

Thank you, all of you, for being so kind. I read your comments, and cried on my husband's shoulder, got myself together, and then my mom called and I lost it with her as well.

The vet said that Siggy is stressed and tense from the effort of staying alive. She's probably not in overt pain, but she's certainly not comfortable and she's not treatable. The vet said. "Any time now is the right time."

I hadn't considered having El C there (I was planning to tell him, but then take her by myself to have her put down) until Christine suggested it. I asked our vet about it, and she said that kids seem to be able to deal with it better than adults do. Given how well El C regulated what he wanted to see and didn't want to see while El P was being born, I decided to let him come along and watch the sedative injection. Then see how he's doing and have him go into the waiting room to wait with El Grande for the other shot. I asked him if he wanted to come and watch us "help her die" (thanks for the language, Alison) and he said he did. Then he said, "I want to give you two things" and gave me a hug and a kiss. What a love he is.

Poor sweet little Siggy.

Comments

[Sherry]

That kid is a tribute to what an incredible Mom you are to him. He's amazing, as are you.

I'm so, so sorry for the loss of your Siggy.

[MLE]

Moxie, I'm sorry about your kitty.

If you haven't already done this, may I recommend reading "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney"? You don't even have to read it to El C/El P. I read it again when my cat (age 17, born in my bed while I was sleeping in it) died just a couple of years ago and it helped me feel better.

[MoMo]

Oh, Moxie. I'm so sorry about Siggy.

You've got such an amazing kid. I'm so glad you were able to go through it together.

[Sarah]

So so sorry about your kitty. They are all such spirits, it hard that they don't live as long as we do.
El C is so lucky you aren't lying to him. My husbands paretns lied to him, and it was awful.
Sara

[Lisa C.]

I'm so very sorry about your kitty. The one thing I don't miss about having pets is having to say goodbye. Best of luck to you guys over the next few weeks as you grieve.

[Krapsnart]

Oh, I am so, so sorry. We lost both of our beloved cats to cancer in 2004; shortly after we watched James put down, I had to hand the box with his body in it to my husband because I needed to throw up in the bushes.

Bless you for making such a hard decision: know that it is the right one. And bless your son. What a remarkable little boy.

[liz]

I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose a companion.

Big hugs to you and your family and especially your sweet boys.

[ValleyGal]

Oh Moxie, I am so sorry. I'm glad, though, that you are going to take El C. He sounds very able to decide what he can and can't handle. When you say goodbye to a dear friend, having your family near is so important. I hope you guys and Siggy find peace.

[Brooklyn Mama]

Oh, how sad for you all. I'm so sorry.

[Brooke]

Oh, I'm so sorry. Losing a pet is so hard.

[Jill]

What a great kid.

[Jill]

And I miss Christine.

[Elena]

I heartily agree that it is much more kind to help them die sooner than later, if their quality of life isn't good. My daughter prepared a soft bed of blankets and a pillow on the living room floor, and we petted and brushed Old Lady for hours. I had arranged for our vet to come to the house. I rubbed her ears and whispered comforting things to her as she was given the injection. It was actually very healing, as a few years prior our beloved dog died unexpectedly and very suddenly, alone, while we weren't home.

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney is a really sweet book.

[wix]

Siggy was blessed to have you as her family for so long. I'd love to see a photo if you're ever feeling up to sharing one, and I'd love to read some Siggy stories, again, if you ever feel like sharing.

[Jessica]

I'm so sorry about your kitty, and it sounds like your son is an undbeleivable kid!

[happy]

I am really sorry for your loss. It's so hard to lose a beloved pet. They are such an important part of our families. We lost our Ziggy (pug) last year. We have Diego (another pug) now but Ziggy will be forever in our hearts. Find comfort in knowing that the life Siggy lived with you was one filled with love,

[Linda]

Oh God, Moxie, that's awful. Putting my childhood dog to sleep was one of the saddest experiences of my life (I was 21, she was 14). I'm so sorry.

[Nikki]

One of the hardest things I ever had to do was put my cat Gizmoe to sleep. He was very old (21) and sick and I knew it was right thing to do, but it didn't stop the pain. Sometimes when I come home, I still expect to see him sitting on the front porch waiting for me.
You and your family will be in my prayers today.

[Her Bad Mother]

I'm so, so sorry for you. But you did the very best thing for Siggy. The very best thing.

And such a tremendous gift to el Chico. Really. From you to him, and from Siggy to him.

[Jen (yup, another one)]

Aaaaaah - reading all this is bringing me to tears, especially your sweet, sweet son.

I'll be keeping you all in my heart on Friday.

[erika]

I'm so very sorry to hear about Siggy. My heart goes out to your family.

[Jill]

I am so very sorry. My cats Buttons and Jack have been such an important part of my life - and I know the time will come shortly when we are in the same boat.

You son sounds very sweet - you are lucky to have such a precious little bog....

Big Hugs to your family!!

Jill
Co-Founder, Silicon Valley Moms Blog
http://www.svmomsblog.com