Friday May 22, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== From: WORKPARK Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 03:54:03 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela, Judy, Nancy, Susan, Kathy, Marilyn, Arlene, everyone else and all the furbabies, I'd like to thank all of you for your wonderful support. I know we have all gone through things with this horrible disease that make us feel guilty. I really try not to let it get the best of me, but finding out how much she had dropped since Friday was extremely discouraging, as I'm sure you all know. Unfortunately, she goes up and down like a yo-yo, as the vets have put it, and we're all tense over here every time she has a drop. But, she has always come back up again, and as long as she keeps doing that, we'll still have hope. After all, we were originally told she probably wouldn't make it through April, and here she still is, healthier still than she was when that prognosis was made. As for the comment that was made that someone felt they were doing a poor job - *No one on this list is doing a poor job.* Please remember that. In all honesty, we have been told that we shouldn't be using up our savings for a situation where death is the eventual outcome. We have discussed this, and every time something new comes up, we pay for it anyway. What can I say? We love our babies (both our cats) and would do anything we could for them - even if we are the ones who have to sacrifice. On a more positive note, she seems to be doing much better today. She is eating lots more, purrs, and has more energy. We really hope we caught this once again before it got too far. The vet called this evening and spoke with Chuck. The Oncologist wants us to hold off on the chemo and check her bloodwork again next week to see if we caught this in time. I'll post more updates when I know more. Pam Can we add chocolate moussecake along with the cheesecake? -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 04:27:15 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update:Rubin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gina & JoAnn, My thoughts are with you and Rubin. You've been great for him, and his being with you for so very long is definately proof of that. I know you will make the best decisions for him. Please keep us posted on how all of you are doing. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 04:31:03 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Kelly & Jade & Paige Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear K & J & P, My thoughts are with you. Pam -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:55:28 -0600 Subject: Re: Candle Ceremony To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi, all, Jim has asked me if I'd like to do the candle ceremony for rainbow bridge for our group, and I have I agreed. I have been participating in the ceremony since Ernie's death and I have found comfort in doing so--others probably will, too. Since there is a religious component that may be offensive to some, I would prefer that all who want their kitties on the list for the ceremony to let me know by Saturday. I am going to try to have it ready to go on Memorial Day, and I will post the ceremony w/ additions every Monday night by 9pm (EST) thereafter. Following is the candle ceremony. Best, Susan katseven@pcsia.com THE MONDAY CANDLE CEREMONY WE GATHER TOGETHER TO HONOR AND REMEMBER OUR PETS Tonight, Monday, we join hands, hearts and souls across the land as one large extended family to pray for our sick and dying pets and to pay tribute to our furbabies who have gone ahead to Rainbow Bridge. Someday, we will meet them again, with hugs, tears and kisses, as we walk together, in eternity, to our new home. Until that blessed day, we honor these precious souls and remember them with the warm glow of flickering candles, sending a message of love, light and healing, and the faith to believe in miracles. PRAYER: God, Creator of all living things, we ask that as we light our candles, the healing warmth of love will flow into the brokenhearted who are tending their ailing pets. Give to them Your strength and comfort. We also pray that the soft glow of light will part the clouds of grief and sorrow to surround our furbabies at the Bridge. May excitement REIGN SUPREME as wagging tails and ecstatic purrs feel our gentle touch once again. May they know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for their faithfulness and gift of unconditional love as they are forever remembered. We are temporarily separated for only a short while. The silver cord that connects us through time and space can never be broken. AMEN. CANDLE 1: PERSONAL FURBABY. Anything you wish to say. I will not look back for there is sorrow. I will not look for today for there is longing. I will look forward for there is OUR tomorrow. CANDLE 2: FURBABIES OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY Read the names of those who are ill or have gone on before us as a tribute to them and their loving parents. As we all meet here, our Bridgekids will be meeting all newcomers, easing their way. CANDLE 3: FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND PEACE In honor of all the homeless, forgotten, abandoned, abused animals. For the nameless furchildren who gave their lives for others, for research and as a result of humankind's inhumanity. May the Higher Powers that be forgive the cruelty. We light this candle for them. As our lights shine brightly through the galaxy, may the angels smile upon us, and know that for a brief moment, we have put aside worldly differences to bond as ONE. CLOSING: I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay. MOMENT OF SILENCE. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted." Love, light and healing to all. Amen. The candles being lit tonight; Cast a soft and welcome flame. And draw our loved ones to the light, As we call to them by name. Imagine spirits taking flight, For a moment our souls entwine. Say not Good Night, but in some Brighter Time Bid them all- Good Morning. -------------------------------------- From: Kelly To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Candle Ceremony Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:08:49 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Can you add Paige for me please. May 1994 - May 22/98. Also thanks for the reply about him. I appreciate your concern. Thanks. Kelly & Jade & Paige. -------------------------------------- From: Paula Lazo To: "'Felv Talk List'" Subject: Lucky crossed the bridge Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 08:43:19 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net To all of you my friends in this list I'm very sad to announce that my beloved Lucky passed away May 21 at 3:00 am at Clinica Providencia in Santiago de Chile South America. He's now reunited with his mommy Mancha and his sisters and all those lovely kitty who parted before him. He fought to the end like the brave he was, but that last night I went to visit him and he and I had a private talk, I told him if he was tired of fighting he should go to the rainbow bridge, that I was not going to force him to stay. He had enormous difficulty breathing although he was being treated against the lymphosarcoma. I think he listened and he decided to part. I respect his decision but I cannot help crying, I miss him so much, and I will for ever. He was my best friend. Thanks for your wonderful support. I'll be in touch with all of you. Paula -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 12:32:10 +0000 From: LawBet Subject: Re: Lucky crossed the bridge To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Home for Wayward Felines Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, Sleep soft, dear Lucky... The Lurker -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 12:40:52 +0000 From: LawBet Subject: Weekly Status Report To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Home for Wayward Felines Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Following is the weekly fund status report for the week ending 22 May 1998: Previous Bal---------------$1,385 Receipts------------------- 150 Current Bal----------------$1,535 Great show everybody!!! Larry -------------------------------------- From: Kelly To: "'felvtalk@mailinglist.net'" Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:26:33 -0700 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their concern and good vibes. Paige is gone now. He went quietly and I felt relieved for him. I decided to take him in this morning because he was on my bed when I woke up, and then when I was in the bathroom he came in and started gasping and peeing a little bit and then he fell over on his side. It was terrible. I held him while the vet gave him the anesthetic, I cried like a baby..but I know I gave him peace. Thanks again evreybody. I will continue to up Kelly & Jade. Paige May 1994 - May 22/1998 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 12:44:02 +0000 From: LawBet Subject: Re: To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Home for Wayward Felines Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, Sleep soft, dear Paige... Larry -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 13:51:11 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Lucky Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, I'm so sorry. Lucky isn't in pain or suffering anymore, he's at peace. Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 13:56:12 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Paige Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to watch a beloved animal suffer. At least he went quietly. Judy -------------------------------------- From: Paula Lazo To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Candle Ceremony Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:05:12 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Susan: Would you please add Lucky (Nov. 1 1996 - May 21 1998) to the candle ceremony. I think it's a beautiful ceremony. Thank you very much Paula -------------------------------------- From: Paula Lazo To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:18:19 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Kelly: I'm not sure about the time difference between Chile and CA, but please now my thoughts are with you and Paige. He's gonna be with Lucky now and he'll be lovely welcomed. Lucky's lungs were also full of fluid and it was devastating to see him struggle to breathe. Be strong and know my thoughts are with you both. Love Paula -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:02:23 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update:Rubin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gina, JoAnn, I am so sorry about Rubin. It makes me happy that you have had so much time with him, but I know no matter how long it's been, that this is a very sad time for you. It's so hard to lose these sweet little furbabies. Please know that I am thinking of you at this time. Rubin knows how much you've done for him now and through the years. Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:06:23 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Go Rissa-Tai! Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:09:14 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: "'Felv Talk List'" Subject: Re: Lucky crossed the bridge Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, I'm so sorry to hear about Lucky. How brave and kind you are to have let him go to a peaceful place. Having lost Panther so recently, I can share acutely in your devastation. Please know you are in my thoughts today. Nancy -------------------------------------- From: Paula Lazo To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Update:Rubin Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:38:35 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Gina and JoAnn You should feel so blessed Rubin has been with your for 7 years, those are 7 years of true love and care. I'm sure you know Rubin well and will listen to him if he tells you he's decided to part to the bridge. Listen to him carefully and you'll feel you're doing the right thing. My thoughts are with you all. Paula -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 08:54:00 -0600 Subject: Re: Lucky crossed the bridge To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, This is so painful for you, I know, but you gave Lucky a wonderful life and now he is waiting for you at the Bridge. (I have added Lucky's name to the felvtalk bridge list as you requested.) I tried to let my Ernie talk to me, too; I'm so glad you were strong enough to listen to your sweet boy. Susan -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 22 May 1998 16:00:56 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Positive & Negative Together Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Melanie, You know it's very hard to say why the vaccinated cats caught Felv anyway. I would say their immune system was generally weaker but I also have Fiv positive cats in my home and not one of them has ever caught Felv from the positives and their immune system is already compromised by the Fiv! Who knows!? Of course I MUST give the Fiv cats the Felv vaccine and now I just read that you shouldn't do that. I have no choice but to vaccinate them. It's the only chance they have. In my situation here, the only way I will expose a vaccinated negative cat is if it's a matter of life & death. I feel as you do that they are better off inside exposed to the virus than outside trying to survive on the mean streets! You said that Dexter's urinary tract infection was due to Callie's aggression. Well, I'll tell you that stress is a major factor on whether cats stay healthy! In one case for sure, I believe stress caused a vaccinated cat to catch Felv. Fluffy was 10 when her owner decided she didn't want her anymore. Don't even ask me how she could THINK of giving her up! She got her as a kitten! Well, Fluffy was totally stressed here. She had only known life with this one woman in a single cat home! I only wanted to give her a chance but she had Felv within the year and only lived another year. So in this case I'd have to say the stress did her in. In another case, Lucy was just super friendly with the other cats, always grooming them, eating and drinking with them, sleeping with them. It may have been just the very close contact. But she caught Felv and was sick within 6 months and she died 6 months after that. This is a terrible disease and we can't have cheesecake (or chocolate moussecake!) soon enough! Judy -------------------------------------- END