The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Bailey

Everything was going so well. Last Monday, she had blood and urine work done. No ketones and her BGs were dropping so steadily. I distinctly remember the specialist saying "Bailey looks like she's going to be a diet-controlled diabetic and may never need insulin again." That was Monday. On Wednesday I noticed she was a little lethargic and that she wasn't finishing her meals right away, but she was still eating and happy. By Thursday morning, she was awful. She wouldn't eat and had a confused look in her eyes. I called the emergency hospital and took her in immediately. They admitted her for DKA (and the vet believed Pancreatitis) and immediately started treating her for dehydration and began administering medicine.

We dropped off her favorite blanket Thursday night and she looked almost back to normal. She was walking around the cage, and meowing. We thought for sure she'd come home within a day or two. However, Friday morning her doctor called us to tell us she wasn't responding to medicine and her BGs were rising uncontrollably. We came in immediately to see her and it was hard. She could barely keep her eyes open, but seemed happy to see us. Friday afternoon she was more stable, but they had put more needles and IVs in her. We went in to visit Friday evening.

This is where things were bad. She wasn't moving. Her eyes weren't opening, and her body wasn't responding to anything the doctor was doing. The doctor informed us that the PH in her blood was well below 7.0 and was almost certainly fatal. The doctor gave us one last option to try, but put Bailey at risk of cardiac arrest and said Bailey would likely never recover 100% and would likely be back in the hospital throughout the rest of her life.

We couldn't risk her dying alone, scared and in pain and knew it was time to say goodbye.

We took her into the back room and just laid with her. I lost complete track of time. She was struggling at first, scared and confused, but I picked her up and curled her up in my lap. It was her favorite position at home. She stopped struggling immediately and we just sat there and pet her until she fell asleep. The doctor came in and administered the shot and she passed within seconds.

I'm going to miss her. She was my coworker these past few years and not a day went by where she didn't curl up on my lap while I worked from home. I'm never going to get used to how quiet our home has become.

I am forever grateful for all of the help that everyone here has provided. You all helped us make sense of a very difficult time in our lives. I wish you all the very best.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Poor Bailey- Fly free dear one- you will be missed
:cry: :cry:

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Steve,

I am so sorry to hear of Bailey`s passing. My prayers are with you and your family.

Terri

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

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Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Steve,

So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved kitty. Take care. (((hug)))

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I am very sorry to hear of Bailey's passing.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I'm so so sorry to learn of Bailey's passing, but you did right by your girl, you gave her the final gift of love we have to give these beautiful souls that allow us to share our lives with them. You took her pain into your own heart and set her free from it. No matter how long we have with them it is never long enough, and when they leave us even the smallest kitty leaves a huge cat shaped hole in our hearts.

Fly Free and soar high Bailey, but also don't forget to visit those that loved you so dreams so they know you are okay, and running healthy and happy at the rb_icon bridge. Until you all meet again

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I am so, so sorry for your loss. It sounds like Bailey was a wonderful companion!

It is clear that you provided her with the very best care and did the right thing for her, hard as I know it was. We went through the same kind of thing with our darling Owen about a month ago and I know firsthand how terribly difficult it is to go from hearing great news at the vet's to an entirely different situation a mere day later; my heart goes out to you.

Sending hugs and prayers that the happy memories of your time with Bailey are a joy to you always.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

So sorry for your loss. What a sweet girl. I know she is in very good company at the Bridge.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Sending purrs and prayers at this difficult time.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I'm so sorry.

Always remember, it takes extreme love to release them from their suffering. Know that you did the right thing. All of us have been there and understand how hard this is.

You'll be in my thoughts, as with everyone that loses a furbaby, it always breaks my heart.

Much love. :YMHUG:

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

{{hugs}}

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

My deepest sympathy to you, Steve, and to those who also loved Bailey. What an absolutely beautiful girl she was. Sometimes the diabetes is actually a secondary problem to something else going on but it is the first that shows up. She may very well have had a heart problem or a cancer unknown but the only signs led to diabetes dx. So very hard when you don't know the "why". Mishka also was down to a 6.9 blood pH and it was my first time dealing with DKA......I had just adopted her to save her from being euthanized......and I asked the Critical Care vet what it meant and he told me she was close to imminent death with that 6.9.

You did everything you could do for Bailey with the knowledge you had and your final gift of love was knowing it was time to help her leave and you were with her. She was so young but we are not always given the years we want or thought we had and my heart goes out to you on the loss of Bailey rb_icon wings_cat

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I'm so sorry your beautiful girl has left you ((((Steve)))) It's such a shock when things turn around so fast. You did the right thing and with her cozy in your lap she knew she was loved. My heart goes out to you.

Fly free dear Bailey wings_cat

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

My heart just goes out to you. To have your hopes dashed in the matter of hours...I'm so very sorry. Bailey was a beautiful kitty and now a beautiful angel

Fly free sweet kitty land ever so softly back to your mamas heart forever.

My sincere condolences,
jeanne

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/mes ... d=18142410

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

((((Steve & Family)))) I am so deeply sorry; your post really touched my heart. Fly free, beautiful girl

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Hi Steve,

While I am very sorry to hear of your loss, know your little one knew you did the very best you could. And since I'm new here, your post today has reminded me to stay hopeful, yet realistic about the outcomes. Thank you for sharing your story and I'm sure Bailey is bouncing around and purring somewhere over the rainbow.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

So sorry for you loss, Steve.
Bailey was such a beautiful kitty - she reminds me of a kitty I had when a child.

Fly free and join the other kitties waiting for you at the rainbow bridge wings_cat

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

So sorry for your loss Steve.

Bailey, fly free and land softly dear one..... wings_cat

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Steve, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Such a beautiful kitty.

wings_cat Fly free, Bailey...

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Dear Steve and family,

Your Bailey was so beautiful! I am so very, very sorry that you lost her at such a tender age. She will always live on in your hearts, though, and you did the best you could for her.

These posts are always the hardest ones to write, and also to read, because we have all been where you are, and know how very hard it is to lose a family member that has been so very special to us, no matter whether they are very young, or very old.

I lost my tortie girl, Ketchie, one day before the day you joined here, and the pain is still fresh in my heart, but I thank God for all the time I had with her.

Bless your hearts and may you feel the love of your Bailey resting gently upon your shoulder when you sit at your computer.

Take care.
(((((((HUGS))))))),
Jean and Charcoal (GA) rb_icon wings_cat rb_icon

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Thank you all so very much for all of your kind words. You have helped us through a very difficult time. We have made a donation to the site in Bailey's name so that other kitties and their owners can continue to seek help and comfort during difficult times.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

So sorry for your loss Steve! :YMHUG:

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

So sorry for your loss. Bailey was a beautiful cat. Glad you were able to be with her at the end. I know how hard it is, and send you my condolences.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

So sorry to her about Bailey (((((Hugs)))))) Fly free, sweet Bailey wings_cat and land softly rb_icon My deepest sympathies Cindy & Sabrina cat_pet_icon

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

What a wonderful and thoughtful way to honor your dear Bailey. God bless you, your family and sweet little Bailey. She will forever help those that come after.
How very kind.
jeanne

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

We are so sorry that your beautiful baby has crossed. It is easy to see the love and bond you have for her.

Fly free Bailey.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I am so very sorry for your loss.

~M

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Bailey was a beauty. Fly Free Sweet Bailey. You will always be in their hearts. rb_icon

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Steve,

I am so sorry to hear about Bailey. My heart breaks for you. I hope you are doing okay and find peace in knowing that Bailey is not in pain. I am new to this site, but I am sure Bailey received the best of care and tons and tons of love from you from the first day she entered your life.

My Hobie has been very sick. He is home now and doing much better. He is a feral cat that showed up at my door nearly two months ago. He is now on insulin and several other medications. His biggest issue right now is he is hungry!

Again, you have my deepest sympathy and respect. I hope your heart heals soon so you can treasure all your memories of Bailey and tell wonderful stories about the great times you two shared.

Sincerely,
Maria & Hobie

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

Steve, I am sorry for your loss. Bailey was a beautiful cat and I will remember her in my prayers. Ann (Pumpkin's mom)

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I'm so sorry for your loss Steve. Bailey is just beautiful.

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba



I'm so sorry Steve.
It's always too soon.
Fly free Bailey! You were very loved! Such a wonderful blessing! rb_icon

 

Re: The Hardest Post I Never Thought I'd Write -- Goodbye Ba

I am very sorry for your loss. Your love was felt by Bailey and you did the best your could do. Bailey knew that. You know that too. Letting go is the hardest thing you will ever have to do. Be strong. Cry. Remember the good times you shared. You will forever have Bailey with you in your heart.