Lydia...sick kitty progress

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Some of you have been sending healing vibes to our kitty Lydia in her critical battle with kidney failure this past week, so I made this thread to avoid taking over the "Show Us Your Pets" thread with Lydia updates.
I truly thought she was going to die on Saturday night and that her story would be over. But she decided different and has actually improved a bit since then. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I am glad that she seems to be breathing more comfortable at least and her congestion has improved. She does not seem to be in pain, just very weak.
She's still lapping up tuna water, and is peeing in the cat box, so that's a good sign.
Like Aggie-Ama recently did with her beloved Maggie dog, we'll just take it one day at a time. :o

[Biciclista]

Hey Lisa
glad to hear, are you going to the vet today? Or at least checking in?
(what do you do when there's a miracle?)

[wackyjacky1]

Will continue to send positive thoughts your way.

[redrhodie]

I'm glad she's hanging in there! What a tough girl. Cats seem to plan getting sick on a fri evening, after the vet goes out of town! I'm glad she made it through the weekend. I hope she continues to improve!

[Tater]

Awwww, BSG, my two fur kids and I send healing vibes your way!

[OakLeaf]

Sending healing vibes.

[mtbdarby]

((hugs)) Lisa. What a strong girl you have there. Please keep us posted and you're in my thoughts.

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh BSG!!! I thought so many times Maggie wasn't sticking around, as you know. If she is eating that is a good yet guarded sign. Fingers crossed and good vibes to your family and kitties.

[spindizzy]

((((Lydia)))) and ((((Lisa)))) My thoughts are with you.

[tctrek]

Hoping she continues to improve!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thank you!!

Lydia seems to be in a holding pattern today, about the same as yesterday. Didn't look good this morning, but this evening she started eating a few soft kitty treats on her own. What a roller coaster.
I confess that when she didn't eat at all this morning, in my desperation I poked 4 bites of roast chicken down her throat as quickly as I could so she wouldn't get furious with me. :o I'm lucky I didn't get my finger bitten off.

I am hoping for when she starts nibbling at moist cat food that is more nutritious than those wheat/corn based soft cat 'treats'- but that's all she will nibble at right now. That and her tuna tea water. So the good part is that she's still drinking and peeing and eating tiny bits of 'something'.
But the bottom line is she will have to turn herself around very soon and start eating more or she will waste away to nothing and lose any ability to get better.

[short cut sally]

My thoughts are with you Lisa..hope kitty can feel the healing vibes...

[hipmama]

Oh, thoughts with you and your kitty.
I know you're taking this one day at a time but just one ray of hope, I had a kitty in that position once, and she was not supposed to go on, but with some tuna tea, tlc, hopes and love, she lived another 10 years...
It's hard times with our furry friends, sending comfort to you all.

[uforgot]

It's great that you can still get her to nibble at soft treats. She still has some spirit. Hope she keeps it up.

[bmccasland]

Bonnie Cat suggests mackerel - you can find it in the people food aisle next to the tuna. Whole fishies which she finds quite tasty canned in water. Maybe Lydia would like the taste of the mackerel? (and it isn't very expensive either)

May she get to feeling better soon. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Bonnie Cat suggests mackerel - you can find it in the people food aisle next to the tuna. Whole fishies which she finds quite tasty canned in water. Maybe Lydia would like the taste of the mackerel? (and it isn't very expensive either)

May she get to feeling better soon. :)

Thanks- I have Jack Mackerel and Lydia thinks it smells too strong- prefers her tuna tea.
I'm going out to buy some more goodies to tempt her with today- including that weird nutritional paste from the vet that you smear on the roof of their mouth and they either love it or hate it. I'll get a bunch of other gourmet treats too- the other two cats will eat it up if Lydia doesn't, anyway.
Lydia threw up in the middle of the night....but then she used her scratching post this morning- how cool is that?? Up and down, up and down...keepin' the faith...

I post an update later tonight. :o

[Grog]

I read about your cat for the first time, BSG. It is very sad to read, I hope she gets better soon.

Lydia must be thinking she is already is cat heaven if she is served tuna water!! I'm sure she'll stick with you forever if you keep serving her that!

[spokewench]

Just saw this post. Sorry about your kitty. I know what it is like to have an old and sick kitty; so hang in there. We do the best we can. They know we love them.

spoke

[invsblwmn]

Big Hugs Lisa and a tender scratch behind the ears to Lydia...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lydia passed away in our bed peacefully about an hour ago. She slept between us last night, and was still able to purr then.

Brian and I tried to think of the one thing most special about about her. We both agreed it was that Lydia had the most impeccable manners of any cat, and that she tried to be GOOD above everything else....and she succeeded. She was so sweet and loving and so very good. She'll be so missed.

Pix from happier times...including her beloved scratching post...where she always enthusiastically showed Brian how 'good' she was every evening when he walked by it. She'd wait and wait and wait for him to walk by and then she'd spring into action on the post- scratching as hard as she could so that he would bend down and pet her and tell her how GOOD she was to scratch there...of course he always lavished praise on her for it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3510571103_61f9d5e5f4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3511379750_1a334d83af.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3491996905_e29034925b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3492810038_6f03027cbe.jpg

[Duck on Wheels]

For a cat to want to please you and be praised, that's really rare and special. You just know she knew she was loved. So sorry for your loss.

[Biciclista]

thanks for sharing the photos of her happier days, and i am truly sorry about your loss.
She was a pretty cool cat all right!

[redrhodie]

I'm so sorry, Lisa. She was a beauty.

[PamNY]

Lisa, I know you will miss her. I am glad her passing was peaceful. She was beautiful, and unusual, too -- a cat who wanted to be good? I am chuckling over that. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Pam

[Possegal]

Sounds like the complete opposite kitty of my Bailey boy, whom I still miss desperately. So I really understand your pain. She really was a beautiful kitty. I'm so sorry to hear the news.

[Blueberry]

Lisa - I'm so very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful kitty - and I'm glad you can cherish your happy memories of her.

CA

[tulip]

pretty kitty...

[oxysback]

I'm sorry Lydia has passed. It sounds like she knew how fortunate she was to be a part of your family.

[Ninabike]

Lisa, So sorry about your Lydia. She looks so much like my Cookie, who is also a very special cat. {{{{Lisa}}}}.

[Tuckervill]

What a lucky cat, to be loved by you.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

Lisa,

Lydia was lucky to have your family's unconditional love, doing subcu for months and then again. She knew she was loved.

Hugs to Brian and you.

[crazycanuck]

Lisa, lydia was a beautiful kitty :)

[tctrek]

Lisa, Our pets are with us such a short time. Sounds like your time with Lydia was wonderful and I hope you are comforted by the fact that you gave her a great life. She's at peace now in catnip heaven!

[sbctwin]

I am so sorry, Lisa. Lydia was loved and cared for, she brought you joy, the best gift our furbabies can give us...

[HoosierGiant]

Soooo sorry for your loss. Lydia was special, she was beautiful, and, most importantly, she was loved. Hugs to you all.

"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals." ~~ Anonymous

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

For a cat to want to please you and be praised, that's really rare and special.


She was beautiful, and unusual, too -- a cat who wanted to be good?

Yes, Lydia was very unusual in her total Goodness...

In fact, she was good before I adopted her from the rescue kitty place- she was a one year old 'unwed mother' thrown out on the street with her newborn kittens when the rescue place took her in. There, she not only raised her own three kittens who were then adopted, but proceeded to nurse and raise 11 MORE orphan kittens in a row. When her milk finally dried up, she was spayed, and she just kept washing and caring for all the orphan kittens there...but sadly no one ever wanted to adopt HER...until I came along. Lydia picked me, though- sauntering across the roomful of kittens (who were all ignoring me) and politely arranging herself in my lap.
She never threw up, never had hairballs, never complained, always came immediately (like a good dog) when you called her no matter where she was in the house even if she was on a different floor, didn't shed much, never sharpened her claws anywhere but her special scratching post, kept herself clean and tidy, waited her turn politely until the other cats were done jostling at their 'food trough', spoke quietly and ALWAYS greeted us with a cheerful happy little "meh-OW!" and a toss of her head whenever we entered a room. Always trying to please and be good. Sometimes I think our other cats Pearl and Ellie resented a little that Lydia's Goodness in comparison tended to make them look bad.

Thank you all for your very kind words and sympathy- it has meant a great deal to me!
Yes, the house seems sadly emptier now.

Lydia was a good and helpful kitty right up to the end. :o

[wackyjacky1]

:(

Very sorry to hear about Lydia.

[roadie gal]

Yes, Lydia was very unusual in her total Goodness...

In fact, she was good before I adopted her from the rescue kitty place- she was a one year old 'unwed mother' thrown out on the street with her newborn kittens when the rescue place took her in. There, she not only raised her own three kittens who were then adopted, but proceeded to nurse and raise 11 MORE orphan kittens in a row. When her milk finally dried up, she was spayed, and she just kept washing and caring for all the orphan kittens there...but sadly no one ever wanted to adopt HER...until I came along. Lydia picked me, though- sauntering across the roomful of kittens (who were all ignoring me) and politely arranging herself in my lap.
She never threw up, never had hairballs, never complained, always came immediately (like a good dog) when you called her no matter where she was in the house even if she was on a different floor, didn't shed much, never sharpened her claws anywhere but her special scratching post, kept herself clean and tidy, waited her turn politely until the other cats were done jostling at their 'food trough', spoke quietly and ALWAYS greeted us with a cheerful happy little "meh-OW!" and a toss of her head whenever we entered a room. Always trying to please and be good. Sometimes I think our other cats Pearl and Ellie resented a little that Lydia's Goodness in comparison tended to make them look bad.

Thank you all for your very kind words and sympathy- it has meant a great deal to me!
Yes, the house seems sadly emptier now.

Lydia was a good and helpful kitty right up to the end. :o

It sounds like she was a beautiful old soul. I'm glad she went easily in your arms. Rest In Peace, Lydia. Hugs to you and Brian.

[spindizzy]

BSG - I am so sorry.

Thanks for sharing your memories and pictures of her with us. What a wonderful, generous cat....and that she chose you to spend her life with...how special was that? Sweet memories are yours always.

[OakLeaf]

((((((((Lisa & Brian))))))))

I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful kitty.

[mtbdarby]

Aww Lisa, I'm so very sorry to hear about Lydia's passing. My heart's breaking for you guys - what a special soul in your lives. Thanks for sharing her with us and for all you did for each other. I love the story of how she picked you guys....animals are so gosh darn smarter than a lot of people I know.

(((hugs))) to you and Brian.

[Grog]

I am very sorry for your loss, Lisa. Beautiful and loving cat.

[kelownagirl]

I'm so sorry BSG. :( I lost a kitty the same way a few years ago. :( :(

[aka_kim]

What a pretty little girl. So sorry for your loss.

[jobob]

I enjoyed your descriptions of her. A remarkable little lady. She was clearly well loved.

[jesvetmed]

Lisa: I just came across this thread. I'm so sorry to hear you have lost Lydia. The stories you tell are wonderful -- and she sure was beautiful to look at, too. Thanks for sharing her with us, and for rescuing her so long ago. Looks like it was a wonderful kitty life.
HUGS.
Jessica

[divingbiker]

Just came across this, Lisa, and am so sorry to learn that Lydia is no more. She had a good, happy life.

[bmccasland]

((((((((Lisa)))))))))

Sorry to hear the news about Lydia. May she find peace at the Rainbow Bridge with the other TE kitties. I still miss my little gray tabby Erin, who had a shorter than normal life. They do work their way into our hearts, fur balls that they are.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thank you all- such thoughtful support. :o

Today is our first day without Lydia. So sad and still many tears, but we told stories of how good she was to friends in our favorite cafe this morning, and then we dedicated our bike ride to Lydia. I sense that Lydia's special 'goodness effect' is reaching beyond her death like ripples on a pond, and in fact is already working to transform our sadness into happy positive memories of her. She would want us to be happy when we think of her, so we are working hard to make that happen.

[GLC1968]

Wow, Lisa - I finally got to check this thread for an update and I'm sad to read your news. It sounds like her passing was as all cats should have it; at home, in bed and surrounded by the humans they loved the most.

Lydia sounds like she was one amazing cat. If it weren't for the age separation, I would wonder if she wasn't a sister to our cat. The looks, so many similiar traits... maybe our Kitty is one of Lydia's descendents? If so, take comfort that many of her good traits (and her good looks) live on in those kittens she had. :)

[invsblwmn]

So sorry, Lisa, big hugs....

[sgtiger]

I'm sorry for you loss, Lisa. Lydia sounds like she was a very sweet cat. I'm glad that she was able to find a good home with you and that she was able to find the love that she deserved while she was here.

[Crankin]

I 'm sorry about your cat, Lisa. Maybe she is out riding with Vashti (our cat who died last summer) in cat heaven.

[bambu101]

So sorry to hear of Lydia's passing. I hope your memories of her will live on in your hearts and ease your pain.

[smilingcat]

Hi Lisa,

I been mulling over on what to say since yesterday. Words fail me sometimes as she was truely a special cat. From the photos, you could see her love for your husband and contentment as part of your family. Loss is never easy even when she went peacefully in her sleep. She managed to live a happy wonderful life in the short time she was here.

Best to honor her life is to remember everything that was special about her. A tribute ride was a wonderful gift.

Still I am so sorry to hear of her passing.

from my cat family to yours, sincerely,

Smilingcat

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

There was a rainbow here yesterday after a huge thunderstorm- very symbolic and hopeful.
My sincere thanks to everyone who wrote sweet encouragement on this thread.
I happen to have a little 1950's vintage Steiff stuffed grey tabby kitten, and I put it on the top of the couch in Lydia's favorite spot to watch over all of us to make sure we be Good. :o It looks kind of silly but it makes us smile when we walk by, instead of seeing the empty space.

Thanks smilingcat, I always smile at your avatar picture. It's a kitty world...we just live in it. :)

[tzvia]

Oh nooo just found this thread, (no DSL waiting for UVERSE), so sorry Lisa... She sounded like a very special kitty...:(

[nancielle]

Wow, Lisa - I finally got to check this thread for an update and I'm sad to read your news. It sounds like her passing was as all cats should have it; at home, in bed and surrounded by the humans they loved the most.

So true, so true.

So very sorry to learn of your loss. Lydia sounded like a very special cat who had very special people who loved her.

[MM_QFC!]

Hi Lisa,
Adding my sincere condolences to you on Lydia's passing...what a wonderful life she had in being part of your loving, caring family! I can only imagine how painful her physical absence is now; you're wise to focus on her spirit living on...so true. Best wishes for a comforting transition for you and your husband...and a well-deserved rest for that oh so very good kitty, Lydia!
Mary