Poppy
Well ok we weren't but it seemed to follow on nicely from the very amusing picture I posted this morning......... and so talking of cats, I had some bad news today.
My old cat Poppy, who is 16 in four days time had for a while apparently been suffering the standard, old age cat complaint, of failing kidneys. She had visited the vet in July and was pronounced 'remarkable' for her age and holding her own on the kidney front. Sadly it seems no longer to be the case.
Having noticed some decline in her general state of health and the tell tale sign of a gradually increasing thirst I consulted the oracle in matter of cat, Maggie, she who knows almost all there is to know about animals and then subsequently the vet.
The outcome is a sad one and something anyone who is owned by a cat dreads, Poppy is unlikely to be for this world for too much longer, in fact if she is still gracing our bed and harassing us for food by Christmas we will be fortunate.
The decision has been made, I watched gemmak die of the same thing, fought the medical battles and subjected her to all that science had to offer. In the end it prolonged her life only a few weeks and in no way made those few weeks any easier for her. This time, and thankfully with the support and agreement of the vet, nature will be allowed to take it's course. Little is to be gained from putting her through the trauma of blood tests, medication and a special diet she will doubtless hate. She will have all that a cat could wish for, for as long as she lasts, and when the signs are that she has had enough, we will do the sad deed knowing she had a lovely cat life to the end.
My hope is that if it has to happen I will wake to find she has died in her sleep one night..... though I think that as is the way of things, it is unlikely to be the case.
Having lost gemmak I thought I was more prepared this time, I'm not so sure now. To some it may sound like a small trauma and on a world scale I know it is. Maybe it's the 'woman with no children thing' who knows, but Poppy has been with me and been my friend though thick and thin for 16 years and the prospect of not having her grace my life for much longer is something I have dreaded.
So it's off to get tins of tuna and fresh chicken, give her lots of attention and allow her permanent access to the human bed, this cat is gonna have fun to the end. Perhaps she will get a 'second wind', but I'm realistic.
I am sad today...... but happy that she chose to own me all those years ago.
13 Comments:
I find it never gets any easier when one recieves that kind of news about our animals. And why not, they are part of the family too. You are lucky to have had each other.
brave girl(s). smart girl(s). It is always a deep honor to be chosen by a cat.. and let me mention here that beloved PhatCat (he of the large girth and attitude) was pronounced terminal at age 14 with an obscure blood disorder, and at 21 years of age strolled past the supper table, greeted me politely, shared a bite of beef stew and a legbump and retired to the living room rug 6 feet behind me, where i noticed a half hour later he'd 'left the buliding'. The most serene peaceful expression,eyes open with wisdom and wonder, posed beautifully with paws curled neatly and his tail wrapped round his body, in 45 years of loving animals I've never seen a more kind and gentle move into the next world. I'm sure Phat's going to be one of the first to meet me when I get there, I'm deeply enriched for the privelege of having shared his life. If loving a cat is heaven-on-earth... imagine how much more we get, in the next go round! Love you both, my feline friends
oh, and hun? Poppy has Phat's eyes... exactly. Wise , wonderful, knowing green eyes. Trust her: she knows more then you, I, and the vet put together.
Lisa: sorry......it did the same to me ttping it, I will of course keep you informed :o)
Magz: as ever your words are wonderful. If Pop could go like Phat I would be a happy woman. That is just the most lovely end for a lovely creature. A very touching tale that gives me hope for Poppy's end, whenever it may be. Thank you.
Michelle: Agreed, it doesn't get any easier it seems and they are very much part of the family.
So sorry to hear the sad news but I know you will make her as happy as possible while she is still with you - and as Maggie says, it could be a long time yet.
My heart is breaking for you at this "sad height", but relish the time you have now, enjoy your ability to give tuna and permission to sleep on the bed, and you two can move together toward the end, neither having any regrets or misgivings about unsaid words or undone deeds. I'm sure can be said for Poppy, a life well-lived! Love and prayers to you, Gem.
You're in my thoughts, Scottie. And in my prayers. Poppy too.
Our cat Kushka suffered major kidney failure a couple of years ago, and did pull through with a *lot* of work from the vet, and us (including an emergency dash to teh vets on Christmas Day). She lived for another year or so beyond that, and seemed happy and active most of the time. Sadly the relapse she had earlier this year was too much for her and we had her put to sleep. We don't regret the effort (and, to be sordid about these things) huge amount of money we put into her treatment the first time though.
Anyway, what I'm saying is that we've been ther ourselves, and know something of what yo feel. I hope that when the inevitable happens it happens quickly, quietly and without any fuss.
Sixteen years of love! What a gift. I am thinking about you and your sweet baby!
BR: It is certainly the hardest part, the rest is just pleasure :o) thank you for your thoughts.
Sid: We will vertainly make the most of every moments we have left with her :o)
Jack: I am of course sad but the lengthand quality of time she has given mwe more than makes up for this hard part. Thank you.
Dale: Thankyou sweetie, I'ts so appreciated xx
Alan: I am so sorry to hear that you lost Kushka, you do indeed know only too well the feeling, thank you for sharing your sad experience.
True Willow: Poppy is and was a gift and to help her through this part of her life is the leat we can do for her :o)
Please don't make me cry... I'm at work right now.
PS.... loved the pics from the holiday, and I love your sparkles...!
We had a cat named Kitty who had that kidney ailment, though alot younger than 16. It was tough when she went. Thoughts are with you!
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