FAREWELL, SWEET BAILEY.

This is why I never wanted pets......eventually you usually have to make the horrible decision of ending their life. It's a power that makes me feel icky and emotionally wrecked, but I know as a cat-mom, it's up to me to make sure he doesn't suffer. Bailey has had chronic kidney disease for 4 years now, and even though his blood work is showing that it's stable, there is something really wrong with him. He's severely dehydrated, weighs only 7 pounds (he spent most of his life at 12-14 lbs), sways when sitting, stumbles when walking, and just generally seems too tired to keep on keeping on. The vet said we could do more invasive testing, but we would probably have to bring him in on a regular basis to get IV fluids. The poor guy is 18 1/2 years old, there's no way we're putting him through that. He's had a great life and it will seem very strange not to see him out of the corner of my eye all the time, or see him in the background of every picture I take :) My heart is breaking for Taylor as well, since Bailey is pretty much her most favorite living thing in the world, and how do you explain to a 2-year-old where her Bailey has gone?? So as I sit here and shed tears and look over at him laying in the sun and taking his last nap, I want to thank him for the years of purring, cuddles, nuzzles, patience, and love he has brought to me. This afternoon he will finally be reunited with his beloved partner Sammy and his best buddy Ty---may they all be happy and pain-free for eternity!