The cat came to my yard to die. Was it a test? Why me?
This afternoon after returning home, I was out in my yard sweeping up leaves. Walking to the other side of the yard, I noticed a black & white cat lying beneath some shrubs. I went over to touch the kitty. No movement. Then it opened its mouth, seemingly gasping for air. What the hell do I do? It's not my cat. I have two furbabies inside the house but this one wasn't mine. Hadn't seen it before.
I went into the house and called my vet who was luckily still open. I told them I found a cat in my yard that seemed barely alive and wanted to bring it in now. They said "OK bring it in. We'll have a look but know that you'll be responsible for any treatment." I said "OK" and rushed outside with a pet carrier and an old towel. I laid the towel down by the kitty and carefully slid him over onto the towel. When I did that the poor thing growled or moaned. I told him: "I know and I'm so sorry!" It was clear kitty was suffering. I then put the towel with him on it into the carrier - then sped off to the vet.
Damn 5:00 rush hour traffic but I got there in time. The vet took him back immediately and the tech came out a few minutes later telling me it "didn't look good". They put me into a room and a few minutes later - seemed like an eternity - the vet came in and said she didn't know what was wrong with the cat but that it was an older male, neutered and covered with fleas. She said he probably came into my yard to die - may have been hit by a car or something or have some chronic condition. Whatever it was, it was clear, she said, that his little body was trying to shut down. She said the best and most humane thing to do was to go ahead and euthanize - so he wouldn't suffer anymore. She said that's what she would do if it were her or if it were her cat. I agreed and signed the paper. I asked to see him one last time and the poor thing was still hanging on. I gave the poor flea-ridden thing a last pet on his little cheek and said goodbye. I hope she gave him the injection shortly after. I just didn't want him to suffer anymore!
When I went up to pay, the tech came out and said "no charge - but you did the right thing bringing him in so he wouldn't suffer anymore" - they told me that several times. It was extremely sad and I had to try not to cry - even though I had no relationship with this evidently stray kitty and he wasn't mine. Still - it's so sad. But yea at least I saved him a little bit of suffering - maybe an hour or two and for that, it was worth it, even if I did have to pay.
Poor baby!! 
Why me? Why my yard? Was this a test? Why is my heart broken over a cat I didn't even know? I don't think he was there this morning or I'd have seen him. I still wondered what happened and if most people would have just left the cat to die then tossed the body in the garbage. That's not very nice or very humane. I couldn't do it. No way!
After it was all over, I went back into the house, washed my hands and cuddled my two furbabies profusely. When it's their time I'll be there for them too and I hope to God that when it's my time, someone will be as compassionate with me as well - no one should suffer like that.
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Thank you for being a hero and doing your best. I know it must have been tough for you.
You did good. 
[hr][font color="blue"][center]I'm always right. When I'm wrong I admit it.
So then I'm right about being wrong.[/center][/font][hr]
And you got to be the ferryman. And a fine one you were.
I'm sorry you had to go through that but you did the right thing. I have unfortunately been in the same predicament and it is heartbreaking. I had to put a small kitten down someone had been partially ran over not my cat. I was devastated.
That was a wonderful thing you did. I am sorry he didn't make it.
There was a feral who lived in my barn once that I named Tavy he was one of the few I could pet. He disappeared for about six months, I thought he was gone for good and then all of a sudden he showed back up. I was so happy. He remembered me. I fed him and sat with him. Two nights later I heard a cat yowling at the front door. It was pouring rain. I went out on the porch. There was Tavy lying there, with labored breathing. I went quickly to get a box and a blanket, locked the dog up in her crate. When I got back he let out two huge gasps and then he was gone.
I was heartbroken. I couldn't figure out why fate was so cruel to bring him back to me, only to take him away again so soon. Maybe he was sick and seeking food and shelter and somehow found his way back.
Even though this cat wasn't yours I am glad he found someone so kind to keep him from suffering.
That is heartbreaking. He came to the friend he knew and remembered so he wouldn't die alone. Poor bubby!
and the lack of closure you must feel about losing your pal of 10 years in that way.
OMG that enrages me.
is wrong with those people?
Darn little varmits!
But ai lubz 'em. Even Meezy when she drops her toy mouse into the water bowl for some inexplicable reason. 
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Welcome to DU!
Kitteh was training you to keep the bathroom door shut.
Of course, I know of no reason you were there for the sweet old boy, but I sure have hugs for your kindness.
No ... they should never.. we should never suffer. We are the guardians of these gentle souls... and yet, who can see the greater picture.
I'm glad you and I would do (did do) the right thing... You were his angle. 
You were so kind that poor kitty.
but you did what any humane person would do. You tried to get him help, and you helped him stop suffering.
Why you? Who knows. But he obviously picked the right place, where someone would do something to help him.
So sorry.
You did all you could. I wish there were more people like you on this planet. It would make the world so much more bearable.
. . .and when we adopt animals for pets, we do so with the knowledge that most of the time, we will out-live them; and their passing will teach us lessons about life, death, and love.
You belong to her now. She has bought you with rat magic!
You will have to give up your job and learn a steady local trade.
I join the chorus of all the others here who applaud you for doing the right thing. My family had a similar experience with a stray kitty who lived on the terrace for nearly a year. Very skinny with a broken tail and very shy. He disappeared during the day, but would turn up at night and sleep in his bed under an overhang. I could never coax him in, but he kept eating and drinking. Finally, whatever his numerous ailments were, and as his condition deteriorated, we were able to get him into a carrier and off to the vet where he was euthanized.
It's a heartbreaking thing to go through. Part of it may be that our own loved and cared for pets never get to that point - when they're sick, into the vet they go right away. So it's hard to grasp a dire situation where the animal needed attention before we "met" them.
Does that make sense?
Good on you, Triana.
You did what you could at the time. Poor baby kitty.
I'm sorry. I am happy the poor cat had a cat lover at the very end.
passed and thank you!
feral cat to the vet, incurring himself a $500 vet bill. Such acts of kindness and compassion imo represent what being human should be all about. 
That's the kind of thing that is SO hard to deal with.
Bless you.
At a time when it seems we can argue over whether water is wet, you've brought out the best in a whole lot of folks. Thanks.
although doomed, was blessed to find you. You did your best; I hope you take comfort from that.
