Today was his last day. He wandered into the street last week, confused, so I had to keep him confined in the house. Being an outdoor cat his whole life, in fact born in the wild, this was a very uncomfortable for him. Several times per day I'd pick him up and take him outside, and he'd immediately go over to the mulch bed to pee. So he hadn't lost his instinct to keep the house clean. Arthritis in his hind legs was starting to cause him pain, so I took him to the vet today.
He hated car rides and I was dreading that part the most. But my daughter drove us and I had him in my lap the whole time. He was alert but not nervous like he normally would be in a moving vehicle.
The vet did a commendable job. Appointment necessary, to ensure that you have the "comfort room" all to yourself and your pet. They ushered me in immediately. Comfortable couch, no TV, radio, or office noises. First the technician explained the process, had me sign forms and select options for disposal. Then she took him out back and put in an intravenous IV, then back to me in the room. She gave him a sedative to make him sleepy. He seemed to like that and was purring very, very softly with his head in the bend of my elbow. The tech took my payment, then let us say goodbye for a good amount of time.
The tech and vet then came in and put an absorbent pad under his bottom in case his bowels would let loose, then back onto my lap. The vet explained the next steps, then gave him a more powerful dose to put him to sleep, followed up with an injection to stop his heart. She listened for his heart and confirmed that it had indeed stopped, then told me to take my time, ring the bell when I was ready and both women left the room. I closed his eyes, and after a few minutes felt his ears go cold.
It wasn't easy getting off the couch.