Thanks, Kerry. What you say makes me feel better - I have been surprised at the amount of "guilt" I've felt - especially looking at little feleuk+ Carla who is undoubtedly going to be the next to go - so very early in her life.
"MacKenzie, Kerry N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
"MacKenzie, Kerry N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Dear Susan--I hear what you're saying, and I'm pretty sure I'd be feeling similar "guilt" if it were me---BUT how wrong I would be!Big Rik's long, full life is truly something to be celebrated, with NO apology necessary---to anyone! Also--and I can only speak for myself here--I feel that the longer you have them the more painful in many ways the loss is, and the harder it is to accept that they've gone. It's truly wonderful that Big Rik lived to such a ripe old age, and unquestionable that the sweet little furball is going to leave behind him a huge gap.....until all the good memories come flooding back as, of course, they surely and eventually, will.love & hugs to you and Big Rik, in his peaceful resting-place, and to all your furballs, Kerry-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Susan Loesch
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:54 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: Please add Big Rik to the special needs list - Big Rik has diedThank you Kerry. And he did have such a long life - I feel almost ashamed of being upset over losing a kitty who nearly reached 20years. All of us who have feleuk babies would kill for a lifespan of even half that for them, I know. Mylittle Butternut who died last week at 3 1/2 - long for a feleuk pos kitten but wow, to have had 19 1/2 years with him, or my other feleuk babies - Daisy, Leader, Valley, Misty Morning, Jingles, and little Carla - who is over 2 years old but is the size of an 8 week old kitten and going down hill. I feel like I should apoligize to them for feeling sad about Rik.
"MacKenzie, Kerry N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Dear SusanWhile I haven't had a chance to post myself, I've been following your posts as much as possible and am so sorry to hear you lost your beloved Big Rik. At least, unlike so many of our kitties, he did have a full and long life as well as being a much-loved little fella. I know how much you're going to miss your sweet guy and hope all the good memories of him bring you comfort in the weeks to come.take care, Kerry-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Susan Loesch
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 8:22 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Please add Big Rik to the special needs list - Big Rik has diedThank you, Julie. Aren't our old guys wonderful. I am so sad to have to say that Big Rik died in my arms around 2am this morning. I had followed up on the suggestion of potassium - talked to my vet and added it to his SQ fluids. Late yesterday afternoon he seemed to rally a bit but it didn't last long. He has had this voracious appetite - scarfed down almost a whole can of cat food when he seemed to feel a little better yesterday.. I think that in itself is a sign of something wrong - he was like that for about a week.(I know that hunger/eating is one of the last functions to be lost - that a cat will eat up almost to the point of death so I knew it wasn't really a positive thing. He may have had some thyroid problems to develop or diabetes. Had I not known his kidneys were so bad and if he hadn't been in such poor condition I'd have had blood work done.) In fact I didn't get my hand out of the! ! way fast enough one day and he chowed down hard on my thumb. I look at the thumb now and wish I had another opportunity for him to bite me.Give your Tommy and Sunny hugs from me. I hope they are around for many, many years but when their time comes I know Big Rik will be there waitiing for them - they can have the "old folks club". Based on the amount of SQ fluids he absorbed very quickly over the last couple of days I think his kidneys just quit. I will definitely look into the glucosamine/condroitin treats - I have other older kitties - but at 13-15 they are just kids compared to Big Rik. Thanks for that information.
Julie Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Dear Susan,Sending huge amounts of love and good wishes to Big Rik! I adore the grumpy old men! My Tommy is an old-timer, too, (not even sure how old), but he's also a bit weak in the hindquarters. My vet Wendy said it's from losing a bit of muscle mass due to the combination of age and arthritis. I have some kitty glucosamine/condroitin but he doesn't like the taste mixed in his food and he really objects to being pilled. This company does have a treat formula that I bought for Sunny last year (she's about 105 years old!) and she wasn't crazy about it, but Tommy likes treats so I think I'll try it again for him.Give Big Rik a big hug and Tommy and Sunny understand completely 'what a drag it is getting old...'Love, Julie
Susan Loesch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Please add my 19 1/2 year old Big Rik to the special needs list. He has been your typical grumpy old man for the last few years, but incredibly healthy. He has just begun to stay dehydrated enough to need subQ fluids and I noticed yesterday that his hind quarters are getting week and unsteady. He's a really fine old fella, felv negative. thanks
"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is
to protection by man from the cruelty of man. "
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged
by the way its animals are treated."
Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)
Paws Come WITH Claws!!!
If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__________________________________________________
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