posted on February 23, 2007 11:19:16 PM
Nah, you guys are very special to me, always will be, just have not been myself lately.
Things have been pretty sad around here. One of my cats, Peepers, was having a problem so I took him to University of Penn Vet Hospital. Even has the same doctor who pulled him through a tough time three years ago that no one thought he would make it.
He had swelling around his eye so they did a cat scan & a biopsy & it was brain cancer.
There was no hope & since he didn't seem to be in any distress the doctor said he would be better off home with me. So I brought him home loaded down with Lactated Ringers (sub Q fluids), Clavamox (antibiotic), Dexamethasone (Cortisisone) & Buprenorphine (pain med). Nothing much changed over the next 6 days & he still responded to me & would purr every time I held him which was practically all day. His appetite was dropping so I decided to take him back to Penn for a checkup & advice.
A block from the hospital he had a small seizure, first time this happened & he started agonal breathing, but within minutes started breathing normaly. While the doctor was with him he had another seizure, again very mild, so I sat there holding him & that slow agonal breathing started & again quickly stopped.
I was encouraged, but was told this a very bad sign & would quickly get worse. I felt like I wanted to die because I knew I would have to consider putting him down.
The doctor checked his heartbeat & it was very slow so he said he wanted to give me time to say goodby if need be & he would be back in a few minutes.
Peepers died right after the doctor left the room while I was holding him, he just went quietly to sleep.
I told only one person that he was going to die soon & that was the friend who gave him to me when he was 13 years old & she was also with me everyday & at the very end.
My friend spent the Summers in Wildwood, NJ & I would keep Peepers for her all Summer. One day she said you can give him a more stable home than I can so would I consider keeping him. Oh my God, yes. We live close & she sees him several times a week, always bringing something for him, usually steamed shrimp which he loved, so it worked out beautifully. I always wanted him & she made me very happy giving him to me.
For some reason I just couldn't talk about it to anyone else, but I'm ready now which you can see by the length of this post. I want you all to see him & if you've ever loved a pet, & I know most of you have, then you know how I feel.
It was a very dreary rainy day & when we left the hospital with Peepers at 5:00 the rain had stopped & the sun had come out & of course in our state of mind we thought Peepers did that to tell us that he was at peace.
Peepers died 2/22 at 4:00 pm, he was 19
I feel a better talking & sharing him with you & I'm so glad for EO & I am so grateful for Tom & glassgrl & of course sweet little Ralphie & just about everyone else all too numerous to mention. We are very lucky to have each other & there is no othr place I would want to talk about this than here.
posted on February 24, 2007 03:03:52 AM
What a beautiful cat, he had a wonderful life with you and your friend! I am so sorry for your loss. We love our 'fur babies' nearly as much as our children (and some days even more). Hugs coming your way.
posted on February 24, 2007 04:20:55 AM
I am so sorry, I have lost many cats having had them all my life, and I know how it hurts. Peepers had a long life, and was very loved, take comfort in that. It is very painful now, and you miss him very much, but the time comes when you can look back and remember all the joy he brought you, without all the sadness. He was a beautiful cat.
posted on February 24, 2007 05:32:17 AM
So sorry, McJane. I lost my little terrier, Nina about 4 months ago. Her favorite chair, bear and squeeky are still in the corner of my bedroom. I still feel her presence there. Its tough losing a pet but think about all the fun times you had with Peepers. I love that face!
posted on February 25, 2007 01:48:18 AM
I sent you an email.
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a dearly beloved pet is as bad as losing a child. It breaks my heart to think what you are going through. My thoughts are of you and your family right now.
