A woman walked into my aunt's animal shelter wanting to have her cat and six kittens spayed and neutered.

"Is the mother friendly?" my aunt asked.

"Very," the woman said, casting an eye on all of the pet carriers. "That's how we got into this mess in the first place!" -Sarah Mitchell

While in nursing school, I lived alone and wanted some companionship.  My sister had a litter of kittens and invited me to pick one out.  Yeah, I came home that day with 2.  A brother, who I named Thomas and a sister who I named Harley (see my profile, I ride and she had attitude to befit a biker!).  At the time they were not old enough to be fixed so I bidded my time.  I didn't want a litter of inbred cats so that was a high priority.  Now, I had no problems with Harley, she was sweet and loving towards me but the minute someone else came in the house she was a she-devil.  They both learned to walk on leashes so that they could visit my residents at the nursing home and loved riding in the car.  The dreaded day came when they had to go to the vets for shots and neutering.  Thomas was calm, as always but Harley was quite the opposite.  I dropped them off in their carrier and went to work.  I got a phone call while at work that they had had a problem with Harley.  I didn't understand.  I thought, did they kill my cat?  No, she nearly killed them.  I arrived at the vet's office early the next morning to pick them up.  I was informed that Harley was still sedated.  I looked confused and then I noticed the bandages on the vet tech's arms and hands.  I immediately asked if she was alright and did Harley do that.  I was informed that, yes, Harley was like a caged lion when they attempted to get her out of the cage.  The staff gave up when the bleeding began and ended up blow darting her.  I was told that Thomas was a joy and could come back any time.  Harley would need to be medicated before coming to the vet again.  I was so embarrassed.

When I finally got them home, Harley's sedation had worn off and she was highly pissed.  I left to get some groceries and came back to find that she had removed most of her sutures.  I was at a loss.  I quick ran to the local drug store and bought steristrips.  I knew that I had to work that evening and didn't want to come home to a cat that had a dehisence.  I tried the steris initially and she pulled those off, as well.  Then, I thought, I'll fix you.  I wrapped her in an ace bandage.  If you have never put clothes on your cat you should try it once just for the comic value.  My thought was that the ace would keep her busy and she would leave her belly alone.  I was right and she stayed wrapped in the ace wrap for 4 days until I thought the incision was knitted together enough. 

I miss those 2 terribly.  I gave them to my sister when I moved in with my boyfriend.  She was in the process of getting married and those 2 cats destroyed my parents house.  They were so angry that they had to live with dogs.  Harley never forgave me.  My sister took them to the humane society and they were adopted by someone who needed barn cats.  I hope that they are enjoying their life as professional mousers.

Sorry to hear about your cat.Animals are so wonderful and its really hard when they pass....

It sounds like you did the best for him, and you loved him very much.