This is the last photo I took of Maddie. She is sitting on the kitchen table. She was a sweetheart. She liked to sit on my lap and be petted while I was on the computer. FIP came exactly like a thief in the night and stole her away from me. At 8 last night, she was at dinner and nibbled at her food. At midnight treat time, she didn't want her treats, which was unheard of. Then I noticed her abdominal muscles working hard, just like Cissy's did the day before she died. There is an all night emergency vet 36 miles away, but I don't have a car and my friend was in bed asleep, so I had to wait for morning. By the time I could get her in to her regular vet, it was too late. Her chest cavity was almost completely filled with fluid and she was suffocating. The vet gave her a 1-2% chance of surviving an attempt to drain the fluid, so we put her to sleep. During the wait between the sedative and the fatal injection, I held her in my lap. I think that she liked that. Now she is at the Rainbow Bridge. Sea Shell must have run to greet her. Now they are romping together on the grass with weather like spring, having an absolute ball together.
I keep thinking that I don't know how much more of this I can take, but then I look at all their sweet faces and know that I have to keep right on taking them in. I find the strength by remembering that without me, they might not have a life at all. They do all so much enjoy being here with me and each other that I absolutely cannot say, "Enough, no more!" So, I will keep right on taking them in and taking care of them and losing them. I must be doing something right because right now I have three five-year-olds who got the disease as kittens. The expected lifespan with the disease is four years maximum.
12 comments:
I'm so very sorry. You are a blessing to all of them.
Oh no! We are so very sorry.
I'm here to pay my respects to Maddie. *bows head* Sending comforting purrz to those who loved her. She was too young to run to the Bridge.
We are so sorry, Karen Jo. Thank you for loving Maddie, and for the blessing that you are to all the babies lucky enough to come your way.
I'm so very sorry about Maddie. Again, thank you so much for loving these kitties and giving them a home where they have a chance to work through their FeLV health challenges. You gave Maddie a wonderful life for her time here, and that's really awesome.
Karen, you have earned many jewels in your crown in heaven.
I am so sorry for the sudden loss of Maddie. It hurts so much to lose her, but you gave her a life she would not otherwise have had. I really am sorry.
We are so very sorry fur your loss. She is, was and always be bootyful. Now she is healthy and whole and young and furee. And, she will be 'membered furever. You gave her luv and a life she'd never had known without you. We're sendin' lots of purrayers and hugs.
Luv ya'
Dezi, Raena and monny A
I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful girl. XO
We are so sorry, Maddie was a beautiful girl and you truly are an angel to give these cats a chance at a normal life in a loving home for as long as they have. Paws of comfort and purrs of sympathy for your loss
Oh, this is such sad news. We know she has lots of friends at the Bridge, but really. We all send our purrs to you. :-(
Karen, I didn't realize you are posting again. Were sooooo far behind in everything. You are wonderful to give these kitties a chance at life and to take such good care of them, especially since losing them is so painful!
I'm sorry about Maddie. Hugs
Jan
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