Monday February 16, 1998 Part 2 15 Messages ====================================== From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: Michele Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 14:08:18 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Depression sometimes follows panic, the situations that were thrust on you in a short period of time have been fearful ones, that's true. But with family support, and the caring of friends, in time you will feel a little better, and then again a little better. Grief work is just that, WORK. The only bridge I'd wish for you at this point, is the bridge of peace and understanding for yourself. .marilyn. -------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:28:55 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Topaz is gone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Reply-To: From: "AZ-HART" To: "felvtalk" Cc: "A Steve Hart" Subject: Topaz is gone Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 16:36:31 -0700 I had hoped I wouldn't need to post this for many years to come. My precious little 8-month old FeLV+ kitten "Topaz" died February 13th. "Topaz" was a beautiful little snowy-white, blue eyed kitten that arrived in August 1997 with her 2 sisters and mother here at the Shelter. I was surprised and disheartened when the whole brood came up FeLV+. I had tested over 200 cats, and had not had many positives. Four at once was a shock. One of the kittens, "Parsley" died 2 1/2 weeks later, partly due to never having been big enough to thrive, partly due to FeLV. But the others thrived and were wonderfully robust and sweet. In early December 1997, "Topaz" began having problems with her the iris in the right eye. We tried many things, but the iris got worse. A couple weeks ago, the Vet said it was time to put her on Interferon, so we did. But not much later, she began losing weight. She continued to eat well until another week went by, and she got so thin I asked the Vet if I should handfeed her with A/D. The vet said yes. "Topaz" began having a congested nose, and in the beginning the Gentocin Durafilm drops helped. But her breathing became more strained. I haven't been on the computer much during these last few weeks, tending to "Topaz" and the others. It all happened so fast, and I had so hoped the Interferon or A/D would help. When I had a skinny FIV+ cat that was hand-fed with A/D, he did very well for months, although it took him 2 weeks to respond to the A/D. "Topaz" was not so lucky. She declined quickly, and it broke my heart to see her shrinking away, annoyed at having to eat this gooey food, not feeling well enough to climb the cat tree, get into her little wicker basket with the pillow, or play with her jingly ball anymore. But I still hoped. The following day, February 14th, was Valentine's Day. But it was not going to be a day of hearts for me, because I knew my little "Topaz" couldn't pull through this. I could see in her eyes that she was becoming a bit disoriented, and could barely breathe. I had taken her to the vet the day on Thursday, Feb 12th, and the vet flushed her nostils with Saline solution. I bought some, but it didn't seem to help. As much of a believer as I am in trying all you can to save each one in need, I knew "Topaz" was now suffering. This tore me up, but I knew we had to go to the vet. I felt guilty whenever "Topaz" had a lucid moment and could hold her head up, but she could barely do that. I was with her when she passed away, and she took a part of me with her. This little one will be missed so much. I look for her on the couch she loved, and of course, there is no "Topaz" there. I have never lost a cat to FeLV before, and I still have 5 healthy FeLV+ cats. When I first read everyone's reference to "The Bridge" I thought you guys meant Star Trek, which is kind of funny. But I know now it is a gentle way of saying one's cat has died and their soul has crossed The Bridge. Well, at least my little "Topaz" will not be alone. Her sister is there with her. Irene Hart Arizona Homeless Animals Rescue Team (AZ-HART) http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/azhart Email us at: azhart@sprynet.com . -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 15:18:13 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Subject: Re: Just to say Hi: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net >Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 15:00:57 -0500 >To: macat@webtv.net (belinda sauro) >From: "Michele R. Smeal" >Subject: Re: Just to say Hi: > >Belinda: > >Thanks for the mail. I have something to share that is making me crazy, maybe you can help. I KEEP thinking I could have brought Benny home ONE MORE DAY, but felt everyone who was pulling for Benny the whole time at the clinic said they thought he should be put to sleep. I feel I SHOULD have taken him home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now what? He's GONE to the Rainbow Bridge w/out me!!!! But he is at the Rainbow Bridge due to a decision I felt I was forced into doing too early! He stretched his little back up high that day whwn I put him on the floor and when I felt his pads with my finger he had a good grip on my finger like he always did, Belinda, I just listened to them saying "Is it fair to let him suffer?" BUT, to me, I felt I wanted to take him home, feed him the turkey kitty food he liked and try everything to make him last, but NO, I didn't want him to hurt anymore and Belinda, I know the night BEFORE he had his 2nd transfusion, he did cry in pain again and it went right through ME. I felt his pain!! I scooped my baby up and called for medical attention. I TRIED everything but now wonder if I could have still had him even in spite of what the professionals said and what condition he was in, he at least did some of the things he always did that last morning, clutched onto my finger and raised his little back high as to stretch, but any other time he was on a vet's table, he would JUMP off immediately as he did out of his cage after surgery & his first blood transfusion. He sat in one position that made him comfortable that day as he did the entire time he was sick and I know there was a lot going on inside that I didn't know about (cancer) or whatever because he'd "run" like something was pinching at him, Belinda. His mouth was so infected and he couldn't enjoy food at all either. God love his little heart. >I would do anything to have him back and healthy. > >WHERE are you on your homepage???? Your Joey in the truck photos looks so much like Benny!!! I want to send his photo to someone who will put him up on their page and then we can let our felvtalk friends see!! > >Thanks again, > >Michele > > >BELINDA! I am looking at your home page & your Joey looks like Benny but Benny was smaller and had shorter hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 21:13:01 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Topaz is gone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Irene, Again I would like to send my condolences for someone's misfortune at loosing a friend. Topaz had a kind soul to care for her. We can only do so much. Linda -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:33:12 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: lose Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Well I guess it is my turn...My baby,'Storm' (21 wks old, 4 lbs and the loviest little thing around) crossed over the Rainbow Bridge today. She started to salviate yesterday. But she was still eating. I thought she had some indigestion, so I gave her some warm Chamomile tea. She seemed fine this morning. I call my husband at 12 and he fed the cats. She ate. Then he said an hour later she started to drool a pinkish orange spit. I called the vet and thought I would have to take her in tonight. My husband came home at 6 and caught me just before I left work. I knew today that this was going to happen. I kicked myself when I got home that maybe I should have come home and taken her to the vet today. But after speaking to my vet tonight she said that there probably wasn't anything they could do. She was jaundice and the fluid seemed to have passed to her lungs. I feel awlful knowing that she was just a baby and got sick before she had a chance to experience life. But she is with my other babies running and jumping just like she did before she took ill. That comforts me. I am going to continue to fight for my 'Beast'. I'll keep you posted. Kelly, 'Beast' and 'Wuzzy' -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 21:04:59 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: lose Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Kelly, So sorry for your lose. I know one day I'll be on here to with Russian. Linda -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 17:14:38 -0800 From: Dana Crow Organization: Magical Moments Preschool To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Storm: sending my sympathy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Kelly, I just read about Storm's death and am very sorry to hear it. The poor little thing. It must be so awful to have both those diseases. I am greatful to only have the 1 to deal with. You seem to have had more than your fair share of sick kitties to give your love to. I guess the story Choices was written for someone like you. It is too bad that with death there is always regrets & if only's. Why can't we just accept it without wondering if only.....? It would make it so much better. I hope you aren't too hard on yourself as we all can only do our best & always with the best of intentions. Take care of yourself & other babies!! Dana PS We must continue in the fight for the other Storms, Puffs, Bennys, Russians etc. etc !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Storm: sending my sympathy Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:28:03 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Kelly, I was so sorry to hear about Storm. I know not much can be said to comfort you. Remember everyone on the list shares your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your little Storm in Heaven. Cheri G., Kitty & Chaz -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: (Fwd) Topaz is gone Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:30:07 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Daer Irene, I am sorry to hear about Topaz. I know you will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Cheri G., Kitty & Chaz -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 21:48:26 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Linda about Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol from Vancover. When you gave your cat the A/D, how long did it take before she started to respond. Our vet checked her today and she is at 18 on her blood count, she is holding there. The food she said to add to the A/D is liver. We are slow cooking it in a skillet and using a blender to make it like the A/D. We mix it with it. The vet says the extra iron should help the blood production. They are talking of giving her Interferon to help. The cost is so high and we are not rich people. She was 7.2 in weight on Saturday and is now at 7. So she is loosing some. I'm having mixed feelings at how she is acting. She sleeps alot of the time and we are getting her up to feed her at night. She will not take water other then what is in the food mixture. I do not want to see her get dehyrated again. And when she goes all night wothout food it makes her weaker. Are we doing the right thing, I really am not sure. Except I want to give her the chance to be her old self. Do they get that second chance? Linda in Ohio -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 21:54:02 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb What are RBC's? I'm still learning this. And oh I read about your kitty. You need the support to. Your not suppose to hold back. Is the kitty better now. I wrote a couple people about Russian. She's not coming around too good yet. Read what I sent Carol from Vancover and give me suggestions. Linda -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 22:00:37 EST To: Felvtalk@mailinglist.net Subject: RBC Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hey Barb, never mind. My husband just told dumb me. Red Blood Cells. -------------------------------------- From: macat@webtv.net (belinda sauro) Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:07:56 -0800 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: lose Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, I'm so sorry to hear about little Storm, it's extra hard when they're just babies. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Belinda Happiness is being owned by cats... Come see why I'm so happy... www.geocities.com/heartland/estates/7122 -------------------------------------- From: macat@webtv.net (belinda sauro) Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:14:13 -0800 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Topaz is gone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Irene, I'm sorry to hear about Topaz, this has been a really bad couple of weeks, I feel for all of you. You are all in my prayers.....Take care. Belinda Happiness is being owned by cats... Come see why I'm so happy... www.geocities.com/heartland/estates/7122 -------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 22:05:46 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Bear and Nali's Mom Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 19:40:58 -0800 (PST) To: felvtalk@mailinglist.net From: tm8paws@cnnw.net (Toni Marie Labnow) Subject: joining Greetings from Portland, I am interested in joining your listserv. I have two wonderful FeLV+ cats named Bear and Nali. To read a little more about them you can go to: http://www.cnnw.net/~tm8paws/furry2.html I look forward to hearing from you soon. Warm regards, Toni-Marie Labnow -------------------------------------- END OF PART 2: See Part 3 at: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/8025/9802163.txt