Pics of furbabies

[mgmsrk]

How cute!

[ladycattat]

Not a pic, but some news about one of my furbabies.
I am so sad. Today I had to take in my 12 year old tuxedo girl, Chevy, and have her put to sleep. She was one of three littermates that we rescued 12 years ago. They are all three strictly indoor cats, but Chevy developed some horrible infection that the vet hasn't been able to identify. In the last month she has lost all her teeth, so she tries to gum up her food, and just vomits it back up. She has lost a third of her body weight and half her hair. The last indignity to her poor sweet self is she could no longer control her bladder or her bowels; so she was leaving us *fragrant presents* all over the house. DH and I discussed it and cried. The vet is mystified; it's almost as if her body is eating itself. We all agreed that the quality of her life was severely compromised, and it was just cruel to let her continue suffering like that. I wanted to not tell the kids till after, but DH thought they should be given the chance to say goodbye, and told them; then we all sat and cried and hugged and talked for an hour. We told the kids She wuld be up in heaven watching us and having all kinds of fun, and they seem to be ok. My dear friend came with me this morning, and while it was awful, it was also as if a little tiny furry weight was lifted off of me......I know Chevy isn't hurting any more. *i'm crying as I write this* She used to be so big and fat and would be in my lap and push her face into my hand to say pet me pet me stroke me! And if there were buttons or chains on my shirt, or if I had on any shiny jewelry, there Chevy would be....trying to bite at it!
One of her sisters, DJ is being realllly clingy, and the other sib is no-where to be found. DH and the kids went of to a PTA subsidized showing of *KUNG FU PANDA* which I begged off of, needed some quiet time.
One of the other 2 girlies is being really clingy, and the other one just come out after being awol all day. I think they are kinda freaked.
I'm gonna go cry some more.
Laurie

[tizzylou]

Laurie,
So sorry, I've been there when all you can do is think it is for the best and know that the animal isn't suffering anymore, but start sobbing anyway, and then when you think you've cried yourself out you see the food bowl, or sibblings playing and start in again. So many comforting "hugs."
Hollis

[Xarata]

It's so sad to lose a family member and pets trully are family; my heart is with you.


kind of sounds like FIV(kitty aids)? My friends own a cat with FIV and oral infections and appetite have to be monitored really closely. I think Ringo had already lost most of his teeth when they got him so he eats wet food but is living a rather healthy and (more importantly) full life. I linked a good article. It lists specific symptoms (apetite, oral infection, gastro-intestinal problems, skin infections, drastic weight loss). If you think she might have had FIV, there are tests you can have done on her littermates. It is treatable.

Feline Immundeficiency Virus: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 16&aid=213

[zeebs]

One of my friends who is Muslim told me this about his personal beliefs (not all Muslims believe this): when God made the world, some souls chose to obey Him, and to be good. Those souls were incarnated as animals. Others could not decide whether to obey God or to obey Satan, or they chose to follow Satan. Those souls became humans, with free will, so that they could have a chance to redeem themselves and go to Heaven to be with God.

I don't know if you're religious, but it certainly humbles me to think of our pets being our superiors in that regard. "All Dogs Go To Heaven"... and all cats, too.

[~*mikie*~]

Laurie, I'm crying right along with you. Chevy is meeting my Ginger about now & I know they will be good friends. Making the decision is totally heartbreaking but we love them & need to spare them further suffering. We brought Ginger home to bury her, & as I took the box from the vet's office, I realized they'd sealed it with *Airmail* tape...& that seemed "fitting" & made me smile in spite of myself. My Abie was LOST without his big sister Ginger, but I think that's why Abie let little Silky into his heart many months later..Ginger may have sent Silky to me....maybe...

Zeebs, in my mind, animals are purer of heart than humans can ever be.

mikie

[JenW]

Hugs to you, Laurie! I wish I had something profound to say, but know that I am sharing in your pain as I have read of this news. You are definitely right to find some quiet time. I hope it helps a little.

[ladycattat]

Hi ladies, thanks so much for your hugs and kind words and sympathy! It does mean the world to know that you guys totally *get it* and understand.
Sam-I am pretty sure that one of the test the vet did was the FIV, and it was negative. We are going to have the other two girls tested, though.
Both other girls slept all up in our bed last night. DH, who ususally would have objected, didn't dare. Gosh...I'm starting to cry some more.
laurie

[karen]

Laurie it's very sad to hear of Chevy's passing. I've yet to find the magic words that make the pain go away- but I hope that you'll find some comfort soon.
Take care,
Karen

[Heathcliff79]

Oh, Laurie!
Your post really touched me... My parents said goodbye to the cat we had throughout my teenage years just last month. It's so hard to see them suffer so much!

I didn't get a chance to say "goodbye," and when my parents told me, I cried for two days.I think partly I was initially shocked by how much I was grieving and was really in mourning... I guess it makes sense. Those furbabies are members of the family. I guess what I'm trying to say is: I understand how difficult and heartbreaking it has been.