Saying Goodbye: Part 1
on January 28, 2022 at 12:01 am
Well, this is it. The beginning of the end.
If any readers out there have ever had to make the decision of putting a pet to sleep (especially one who was an incredible friend), my heart goes out to you because it is absolutely one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
This is definitely the saddest page of CAAATS! that has ever been posted or ever will be posted. For a really long time I struggled with whether or not I should even include Hazel’s passing in the comic at all, but at the end of the day it just didn’t feel like something that should be ignored. Our pets can be such a big part of our lives, and one of the things I enjoyed most over the past four years was being able to share those experiences with other cat people (and even dog people) week in and week out. The happy ones and occasionally, the not so happy ones.
I know I say it a lot, probably too much but I’m so thankful for everyone who has shown this comic support over the years. With just three pages to go, I hope you’ll come along for the rest of the journey. See you next Wednesday for more CAAATS!
Oh, Matt… I’m so sorry. Yes, I’ve been through it too, too many times. It is never easy. But sometimes, it is the only thing to do - you don’t want your kitty suffering, you don’t want them to lose all dignity. You want their quality of life to be good. You make the decision BECAUSE you love them, certainly not because you DON’T. Please try to find peace with yourself, know that you certainly provided the best life for her and a wonderful, loving home. Light a candle for her… thank you for sharing her with all of us.
Thanks so much, Gail; it means a lot.
Been there, Matt. Massive hugs to you and to Olive, who is probably as down as you are. I shall greatly miss the strip.
Thank you, Lynne. Olive was pretty down for a while, but she’s starting to act a little more like herself these days.
Hi Matt, I understand and feel for you, having been there myself. I will miss the the strip very much. - Willa
Thanks, Willa! And thanks for reading.
So well done as always. I can’t believe this is the home stretch. Sad but excited to see what God has up next.
Meg
Thanks a lot. I am too.
Well drawn and very touching.
Thanks a lot, Sue!
I was so sorry to hear of Hazel’s passing. Not only for your family’s loss but I always feel so bad for the Sibling’s loss. Humans at least can understand what has happened and why, but I worried for poor little Olive losing her longtime pal. I am glad to read that she is bouncing back a bit. My condolences to your and yours. I will really miss the kitty’s adventures, give Olive a pat for me and thanks for the great comic.
Aw, thanks; I appreciate it. Thanks for reading!
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I have had to do this way too many times. It never gets easier.
Ah, sorry to hear that.
Thanks for the support.
It’s always a gut-wrenching decision, but one that’s ultimately kindest to your beloved furry family member. When our own sweet lilac-point boy, Rom, began to lose his fight to the cancer, it ripped my heart out, but we just couldn’t let him hurt. His brothers, Data and Tuvok, took a long time to grieve, as well. They’ve all gone on now, and I still miss every one of them, but others have come along, and they need us just as much. After all, pet people never really run out of love to share with our quirky critter companions. Love to you all and Olive, from us and Xander, Penny, Wash and Rupert!
Thanks so much! Sorry for your losses too.
Matt, my heart goes out to you all. I can understand how difficult it must have been to share this, but let me thank you for doing so.
Hazel could not ask for better humans. I’m so happy you all had each other for as long as you did.
Thanks for the kind words, David. I’m really thankful for you and so many others who have been here since the beginning.
I read this and I relived when I had to put Sarge down. He went quickly too, I took it as a sign that he was ready. No matter how many times you tell yourself that it’s the right thing to do, it still hurts. I’m glad you posted this. It’s very powerful.
What’s this about the comic ending? I don’t read many blogs and this is the first I’ve heard of it.
Yup, there are just three strips to go. My original plan was to run the comic for three to five years (it’s been four) and when Hazel passed it felt right to start wrapping things up. Also, I’m home with both of my girls these days so my schedule isn’t as flexible as it used to be. I’m glad you enjoyed the comic; thanks for reading!
…This is just a terrible loss, Matt, and I’m sorry you and your family and Olive had to go through it. It’s shocking to me because in the comic Hazel is always so active and wacky and it’s hard to reconcile that character with the Hazel of the last couple strips. This is gut-wrenching and I didn’t even know her. Thanks for sharing it. I hope things get better soon. -v
Thanks a lot, Vince; I really appreciate it. She went downhill really quickly as cats seem to do and it was tough seeing that playfulness and energy that inspired the comic gone in what seemed like the blink of an eye. But the support from everyone has been overwhelming and we’re all doing well these days. Thanks again.
Its never easy to make the call. I had to do it twice. Once a couple days after my birthday for my mom’s cat. We got Princess Anne from a lady fostering three kittens. They lost their mom in a tractor accident. Anne was the runt. We took her to finish fostering her. Mom decided to keep her. Anne lived many happy years with us.
The second was my cat Miss kitty. Got her from the spca. I knew she was seriously sick before the vet visit. Sadly, I had to be at work when the call needed to be made. So mom had the vet call me and I made the choice over a phone. They gave me a plaster casting of her paw print.
We can carry the happy memories and comfort in knowing they were dearly loved.
Sorry to hear about your losses too. That’s cool that you got a plaster casting of Miss Kitty’s paw. We had Hazel’s ashes spread over a rose garden with other pets. I’m hoping to make it there this spring and get some photos.
That was heartbreaking to read. When my cat passed I was a day late. I had set things up to have her put to sleep the following morning but she died during the night. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.