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| Muffin was never declawed or neutered; my mom wasn't aware that these things could be done. Hey, it was her first cat too! LOL He never sprayed once; and the only thing he would scratch was his scratching post! He would even lay on the rug with his front paws curled in and upward, so his claws wouldn't snag my mom's carpeting. His favorite sleeping spot was on my bed, head on the pillow next to mine. He loved to curl up next to me and cuddle, and loved being brushed and petted. |
| Muffin had a problem of licking himself raw (as you can kind of see in many of his pictures, on his belly and legs). Our vet at the time prescribed Ovaban for him, and he was kept on it for about ten years!! Ovaban (megestrol acetate) is a progesterone type compound that has strong anti-estrogenic effects, steroid-like activity, and behavior modifying effects. In other words, it should only be used for a short period of time!! Although his behavior never changed, we do believe that Ovaban was the main reason he developed CRF in early 1991. |
| CRF stands for Chronic Renal Failure. Essentially CRF is progressive, terminal kidney failure. We had taken him in because he had been drinking and urinating much more than normal. We had a new vet, who had taken Muffin off of the Ovaban more than a year prior to this. He diagnosed him through the use of a blood test and a urinalysis, and estimated that he only had a few months to live. He guessed that Muffin wouldn't live through the summer. He was wrong. |
| On my birthday (May 29) in 1991 I brought home a little six-week-old kitten, given to me by a coworker. It only took a few days for Muffin and Bandit (the gray and white tabby/calico pictured here) to become the best of friends. I firmly believe that it was Bandit's presence that kept Muffin going for over a year after his diagnosis. It was as if Muffin felt that he couldn't leave us just yet, he had to show this little brat cat the ropes before he went!! Sadly though, Muffin's condition continued to deteriorate, until April of 1992 when he could no longer even get up to use the litter box or to eat. Mom and I decided it was "time." |
| Mom had originally made arrangements for us to euthanize Muffin on Friday, April 17, 1992. However, due to my volunteer work in emergency services (through the Salvation Army), we were forced to postpone it for one day. I got ready for bed, carried Muffin to his litter box, then brought him to my bed where he promptly made himself comfortable on my pillow. I held him and cried myself to sleep. The next day, I carried him into the vet's office; the vet was kind enough to allow us after-hours access for the euthanasia. I held Muffin in my arms, crying, and Muffin stretched up to lick my face as if to say "It's okay Meowmie, I love you and I know you love me too." Then the vet gave him the shots and he died peacefully, in my arms. |
| Muffin (1978-1992) Forever In My Heart |
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| Muffin you were my pride and joy. You were the first family pet that I can remember; you were truly MY furbaby, through and through. You shared happy times with me, calmed me down when I was angry, consoled me when I was sad, and listened to me when I needed a friend to talk to. I can honestly say that you were my best childhood friend. Muffin baby, I will love you forever, and someday we will meet again at the Bridge and will never again be separated. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you most. |
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