About a week ago we found out our 18-year-old cat has kidney failure. We have no idea how long she has left, but she's clearly not ready to go despite being deathly thin. We have to take her to get water injections, feed her special kidney food, etc. But one day we'll have to make the ultimate decision for her.
It's heartbreaking, because we've had Pixel (named after a cat in one of Wayne's favorite Heinlein novels) since before we were married. I hate to see her go, and while many many not understand this, it's like losing a member of the family. I'm really enjoying our cuddle times and her faint purrs when I rub under her chin make me grin every time.
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Hugs
I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Eighteen years is a long time to have her as part of your family.
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How sad
Me and my Shadow send our warmest sympathies.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
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Thanks, Guys
Taking care of Pixel right now is like having another infant. When she shows even the slightest interest in food, I jump because the vet said once cats stop eating, it's hard to get them to do it again. We found that out with Cali before losing her.
Thanks so much for your warm thoughts! Sometimes I wonder why we put ourselves through this, but then I can't image life without four-legged friends either...
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Sweet kitties
I'm so sorry. I lost my 15 year old Wimpy to cancer a few years ago and had never had to make that terrible yet compassionate decision before. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Unfortunately, it didn't get any easier when his sister Nasty finally succumbed to kidney failure 5 and 1/2 years later. My thoughts are with you.
"It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates."
Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Scarlet Letter
Hugs and purrs
My tortie Tara and I send you hugs and purrs during this heartbreaking time.
I went through the same thing with my cat Sam 10 years ago with the fluid treatments to keep him hydrated. Then 2 years ago I lost my 17 year old fur baby Sashi to cancer. Both times were the worst times of my life. It's such a helpless feeling when you're doing all you can to help them, but it doesn't seem like it's enough. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
LeanneG and catlover0908
You're the best! Thanks so much for your warm wishes. The first few days after we found out, I cried over anything. A song, her meow, seeing her wobble to the food bowl... I even cried through the grocery store. I think I'm more together for now, and am appreciating every moment I have with her.
I'm so sorry for your losses. We went through a mystery illness with our calico Cali a couple years ago. She spent all her time at the vet on IVs toward the end. My husband held her in his lap (her favorite place) when she passed with the injection while I scratched her head and told her I loved her. It was so hard to do, but I feel more at peace having been with her in those final moments. We plan to do the same for Pixel when her time comes.
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Kitty
Jill & Wayne,
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. Always a difficult situation when you've had the animal a long time.
I'm taking care of a dog & some cats right now. This is a long story, one of the cats bit into a electrical cord with power running through it. The owner kept it alive with CPR & got it to a vet. The poor kitty, you should see its mouth & it lost half its tongue so eating is a challenge. It has to have medicine twice a day & you have to hand feed although it seems to be doing better and eat some from a flat plate. The cat's name is Ro. Isn't that quite the story!
Everyone have a good weekend.
Take care, happy reading,
Donna M, Dream Team member
Oh man
That had to have hurt. Poor kitty. ((((Ro)))
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
Oh I'm so sorry!
I know those of us with pets grieve them. Some people don't understand but I know your kitty is not "just an animal" to y'all.
Keeping y'all in our thoughts,
Penn
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Hugs to Ro
Poor thing. I can't even begin to imagine what would happen if MY eating were hampered in any way! But seriously, I'm hoping Ro will be okay.
Penn, thanks so much. How's your family doing? You all are a big part of our Dallas memories.
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Hi Jill - sorry to hear about the cat
Hope things work out
Penni is unforgettable and a major part of a lot of memories
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
I had to put my doggie to sleep....
He had a few problems...but ultimately his liver and kidney's shut down and he stopped eating and started wasting away.
He was 12 years old, and up untill September he was a big happy puppy....In october he started having problems, and one by one his organs stopped working.
It broke our hearts to do it, but he isnt suffering anymore.
Terri
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and hard and all as it is to be responsible parents
our furkids suffering is the bottom line, so if we have to do
something to stop them suffering, well that's part of the "parental"
responsibility
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
Doing Well
Hi again,
I just wanted to come back & say this little cat is doing so well. When I first started taking care of it the poor thing had trouble eating but is doing much better & the area around the mouth looks better. The secret is baby food on a flat plate. The kitties people will be picking it up tomorrow & then I will be down to just 2 cats & 1 dog and back to my house on Friday.
Gotta go, I've been gone a long time!!
Take care, happy reading,
Donna M, Dream Team member
Terri, I'm So Sorry
to hear about your loss. It's hard to know when the "right" time has come. At least it is for us. The vet says Pixel isn't in pain as much as she may feel yucky like when a person has the flu. And she still seems very much aware of us and engages in some of her eccentric behaviors. But still, I'm constantly second-guessing myself. Am I prolonging her agony? WOuld I be robbing her of some special time with us? I just don't know, and I suspect I'll never know, even after a decision has been made.
Anyway, I wanted to give you belated hugs, Terri. I know exactly what you've been through and understand just how much it hurts.
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Yea, Ro!!!
I'm so glad to hear of Ro's progress on the eating front. That's HUGE with cats. Here's hoping Ro finds the warm, loving home she deserves!
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
I Know You're Right, Sadhbh, But...
...knowing when the "right" time is is a whole lot more difficult than I ever imagined. At least with Cali a couple years back it was pretty cut and dry.
Wayne was so cute. When we went to the pet superstore, he cruised all the aisles looking for any seafood (especially salmon, Pixel's favorite) canned food he could find. He emerged with a stack of TEN cans of varying flavors and brands. Shrimp and salmon chowder, and even some kitty spa brand with peas in it! Yes, one of our cats, Dusty, even ate the peas when everyone else rejected them!
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Right time
It's very hard to know the right time but it does help to have the assistance of a really good vet. They can always help though I know they are often hesitant. Good luck.
Funny story about the peas. When I was growing up we had a female german shepard that my mother called her only brown eyed child. My mother has brown eyes and none of her human children do. Anyway, my mother would give the dogs scraps from the table and Cissy would spit out lima beans into a little pile beside her bowl. It was very funny that she could detect them and really didn't like them.
"It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates."
Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Scarlet Letter
Peas and Carrots
LeanneG, that sounds like the lab I had when I was little. We'd give her leftover stew and she'd lick the bowl perfectly clean except for the carrots, which were left behind squeaky-clean!
We let Pixel go today. (There's a separate blog entry about that.) But you're definitely right about the vet. Our usual vet was off this week, but one of his colleagues took great care of us and saw to it that Pixel's journey was as relaxing as possible. Animals are amazing. I still can't believe Pixel told US when she was ready...
Take care,
Jill Freeze
http://www.JillFreeze.com
Pixel
I'm so sorry but I'm glad Pixel's experience was easy. I believe it's hardest on us. You just have to comfort yourself with the knowledge that you did the best for her and she had a good life. That's all anyone can ask. Again, I'm very sorry for your family's loss.
"It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates."
Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Scarlet Letter
RE: Another Sick Cat
Myself (HockeyJock), Jackie (purrr)
and Elvis (purr) 
(and Paul & Dave, too 
) send deepest sympathies.
"I went to a FIGHT the other night...and a HOCKEY GAME broke out!! "
HockeyDET@comcast.net
So Sorry,Jill
I just came across this today while I was searching. Am so very sorry,Jill, I had to make the decision for our black Lab years ago,he begged me with his eyes & I knew. Since he was a big guy,our vet & one tech came out to our Jeep & I was able to hold him on his journey also,was so peaceful. I still miss him greatly even though we now have 2 other doggies, & 9 kitties. We all send our deepest sympathies & hugs to your entire familie(((((((((((((Jill & familie))))))))))) Cheryl
Cheryl http://peacefulpond.blogspot.com/