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as you may remember, just after we moved to our new house our little corgie Sadie got poisoned. Yesterday we went to the corgie rescue and picked up a new member of our family. Her name is Rowena and she is almost two years old and fully grown although she is very small and weighs in at less than 14 pounds. She is still a bit stressed by the move, meeting and getting used to a new dog (my FIL's Llapso Apso) and two cats, one of whom outweighs her, but is starting to settle in a bit.
Rowena
Ernest T. Bass was in love with Roweena
somebody knows what I'm talking about
Beautiful! And at the perfect age too. ;) Rescues always have the most interesting baggage. If only they could talk...Quote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker
Marni, congratulations on your new furkid and thanks for adopting a rescue as well.
Wasn't that Ramona? Or Romeena? I wish I could type the whistle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
all four of animals are rescue animals, wouldn't have it any other way.
Her real name was Ramona but Ernest T. called her Rowena and maybe even Romena.Quote:
Originally Posted by tulip
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...w/DSC00540.jpg
Colin was gently led to the Bridge yesterday and was released from his pain. I held him as he drifted off and found solace in the slowing rhythm of his heart, knowing that he would finally be free from a body that betrayed him. Under a beautiful magenta sky I laid him to rest near the wild honeysuckle, a special place where we would gather together in the summer evening to watch the hummingbird moths. As the sun set a cardinal stood watch over him as twilight fell upon them. He had been battling cancer since his Gotcha Day on April 3 and despite his failing health I felt ever so blessed to have shared the few months that we had together. He had lost most of his hearing and always had a head tilt, as if listening to a whisper. His tail always wagged and he was completely content with whatever the day brought him. Not a day went by that I didn't kiss his nose and in reply he would sneeze. Despite all of his worsening health problems, he became more endearing to me. As the days progressed and his health worsened, Niki and Kali would offer a gentle kiss to encourage him and to perhaps relieve some of his pain. He fought hard to remain with us as long as he could but his time had drawn to a close and with a final, soft sigh he journeyed to a special place where he will be waiting for me, never to be separated in death again.
Sundial - so sorry for your loss. I hope Colin gets along with kitties, as I think Herald won't be too far behind.
That's sweet about your other animals giving him kisses. One of my kitties would groom my dog in her last days, and would come by to check on her. Then searched the house over when Nala didn't come home.
It's a hard decision to make, that last trip to the vet. :(
Big hugs to you and your family.
Sundial, that is the most touching tribute to a lost, beloved pet on this thread i have ever read. Isn't it amazing how they don't complain, they don't argue, even as their health changes so drastically and they are in pain? They seem to simply adapt and accept their life, regardless of the circumstances.
You obviously had a great, great dog and you served him very well...to the very end. My deepest condolences.
(btw, he was beautiful!)
Sundial - my sympathies. Colin was a beautiful boy and lucky to have you. Your tribute to him touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It is never easy but you gave him back the greatest gift of love and care giving. A beautiful tribute for a beautiful dog.
Thank you all for your heartfelt words of encouragement. I am deeply touched and for that I thank you. The early morning hours are the most difficult as I am acclimated to getting up with him when he would get sick. Every now and then his scent drifts through the room and it comforts me. He may have taken a piece of my heart with him but on the other side he is piecing it back together. It's for that reason I believe that parents and pet owners are the most courageous people I know. We are willing to allow our hearts to be broken to experience tender moments in return. If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, I wouldn't hesitate. He brought so much joy to our lives and mourning his loss is a small sacrifice I'm willing to make in return for his unconditional love.
Sundial, i am so sorry for your loss. Colin was such a beautiful dog, and it obvious that you and he loved each other very much. He was so lucky to have you right up to the last moment of loving care and companionship.
As I posted on Nov 8th, my 10 yr old Maine coon kitty Pearl has been failing from her longtime bout with kidney disease (thanks to that poison Chinese pet food gluten a few years back).
Through all her last 5 yrs of ups and downs in terms of kidney issues, she's mostly been pretty happy and strong and able to bounce back from each little crisis with our renewed water treatments and special care, but this time it seems a losing battle.
I'm afraid this time she just keeps losing weight and not being able to eat more than a couple licks of food anymore. We've been giving her daily water injections for almost a month now, and various natural supplements and medications, but her kidneys are just not bouncing back this time. We've tried everything. She's slowly getting weaker each day, and I'm afraid it's just a matter of time before she gives out.
She doesn't seem in much pain, and when I hold her and brush her she purrs like mad, she loves to just lie purring in her big cushy box of blankets. She still is able to move about and she pees when I carry her to her box, and she still laps up the diluted water from cans of tuna, which she loves. But she's getting thinner and weaker every day.
If she was in lots of pain I would take her to the vet to end it quickly. But she seems pretty peaceful and happy here at home, and perhaps, like our last two kitties Ellie and Lydia, she will be able to fade out peacefully at home here with us. I don't know yet. As long as she's relatively peaceful and purring, I'll just keep making her as comfortable as I can. It's hard for me right now.
Our Pearl, the 'Gossamer Kitty', the little shining light, two years ago:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/...0c39a39e_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/...7c70ee527e.jpg
Pearl asleep on the scratching post last year:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9fPBEJTqGz...sleeping-2.jpg
Lisa, she is such a beautiful cat. Peace to both of you.
She is so sweet, her personality just shines through the photos. Peace, indeed, to both of you. Your post and the pictures brought tears to my eyes.
((((Lisa)))) and special cuddle for Pearl. What a gorgeous BRAVE girl.
I am sitting here with the tears just streaming down my face. Lost my Maddie 4 months ago. Sometimes still feels like yesterday.
(((((Lisa and Pearl)))))
I can sympathize, Herald has good days and bad days. Today was a good day, he was a hungry little monster this morning. The bad days make me wonder if I'm doing the right thing.
Big hugs to everyone who's dealing with end-of-life for your fur-babies. It sucks. :(
Lisa, Pearl is such a beauty! She looks like she has led a very happy and contented life.
Sundial, So sorry about the loss of your beloved Colin. Despite his health concerns it sounds like he was a much loved (and loving) member of your family. You gave him something a lot of sick shelter dogs never get...a loving home. He chose his family well.
Wise words.Quote:
Originally Posted by bmccasland
Yes, embracing beloved pets into our lives entails both the happy and the sad parts of life. As with most worthwhile things in life, we cannot have one without the other.
Pearl keeps fluctuating up and down- she really surprised me today by actually eating two tablespoons of food- more than she's eaten in several days. Every day her behavior changes unpredictably as well, and her habits of where she decides to spend each day- sometimes mighty strange (today's spot of choice was curled right on top of the toaster and also the microwave :eek: ) One day she wants to find every low hidden place dark she can, now she is seeking high exposed vantage points where she has never gone to before. We are trying to accommodate her as much as we can. There are little nesting spots made of heaped towels everywhere now, to encourage and offer her more comfy and reasonable resting spots.
As you noted- on the 'bad days' it makes you wonder and you get up in the morning half hoping they will have passed on peacefully during the night. But then they look up at you lovingly and purr and it makes another day's nursing care worthwhile again.
The good part in all this is knowing you have provided love and protection to these little innocent creatures and have given them as much happiness as you possibly could. This is the comfort we can hold onto. :o
Sundial, I am sorry to read about Colin. So handsome. You write very eloquently about our relationship with our animals. Sometimes I have wondered why we do this to ourselves -- and then I'm eager to do it again. Because, as Colin was, they are so, so worth it.
your main is a gorgeous girl. My heart goes out to you as I dealt with the same issue with our 20 year old cat this summer including the silent wish each morning that he would not be alive so I wouldn't have to watch him suffer another day, but then the purr and the greeting chirrup- I knew it was time when he quite eating and drinking entirely for a couple of days and spent his nights wandering and crying out to find the other kitties. I held him on my lap all night for two days before I could really face and accept that it was time. I am so sorry for your pain, but know that she is aware how much she is loved, and that it is the one kindness that we grant our animals that we cannot seem to grant ourselvs.
Lisa, your beautiful Pearl is a comforter, even in her struggle with her illness. She is strong in spirit and will remain with you for as long as she can. You are a very compassionate, caring mom who will know when to release her when the time comes. She will let you know. As the day draws to an end, may you both continue to share in the little victories and the small pleasures of life.
Oh Beth, I'm so sorry that you are having to struggle with this too. Please know that you are near in my thoughts as you walk this path. (((((Beth))))))Quote:
Originally Posted by bmccasland
I haven't had a pet for nearly 2 yrs. In 2006 I had to put down the first cat that was mine and mine alone, rather than a family pet. She was my best little buddy, with me through my getting my PhD, then moved back north with me and was by my side for so many of life's ups and downs. At one point, she and I had to take in my Mum's cat, when Mum died. She never liked him, but never stopped loving me. He's the cat in my avatar and I had to put him down in Jan of 2009. At first I couldn't bear to get another one, then I had so much house renovation going on that it seemed bad timing. Then I think I got scared that I wouldn't be as lucky as I had been with my other two cats.
But today, I brought home with me two cats that I met at an adoption event last Sunday. They are fostermates, though not littermates. Boy and girl, with no names yet. Have to come up with something. The woman fostering them even said - please promise me you'll change their names from the ones the shelter gave them. :) She doesn't photograph as adorable as she is in person. Her fur is orange and gray, but when you take the photo, the orange doesn't seem to show up. ETA - I added another photo that shows her colors a bit better.
Possegal, those are beautiful cats and congratulations on the new additions to your home!
Possegal, how good of you to take in those two lucky happy kitties who so desperately needed a loving home!
They look like the perfect pair. How sweet! They will bring you so much joy.
Possegal - they're so cute! Congradulations on your new fur family. :)
Possegal, how wonderful for you! What a wonderful opportunity that came at the right time. :) And not one but TWO special kitties nonetheless. :) :) Their new names will come to you as their personalities emerge. I believe that rescues like having a new name to go with their new lifestyle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Possegal
"Pul-eezzee, let us off the leash.. we must run down that trail! Unhook the leash, we'll be right back...."
Great photo Sundial!
Great snap Sundial!
I would like to go walking down that trail, it looks beautiful.:)
It's been 4 months since Maddie died. If someone had asked me if I was ready for another cat, I'd have said No.
But then two weeks ago, a friend approached me quite gently and carefully to tell me about two black beauties needing a home. They are brother and sister, 4-1/2 years old, neutered and microchipped. Their owner developed allergies to them after having her baby... and then she moved to Israel and rented out her apartment with a clause in the rental agreement requiring the tenant to look after the cats. Then he moved away. The cats were left behind in the empty apartment. THREE MONTHS AGO! :eek: :mad:
Fortunately, the people in the Pilates Studio upstairs stepped in and have been looking after them. My friend is a client there, which is how she learned of their plight.
I met them last weekend and of course just fell in love. :) They came home today (with a detour first to my veterinarian who gave them a clean bill of health and updated their vaccinations).
They are soooo gorgeous with such lovely personalities! They're already making themselves totally at home. :)
I am enjoying their company so much and looking forward to being their family for the next 10-15 years. :)
In their old home:
Attachment 12344
Bailey today:
Attachment 12345
Sara today:
Attachment 12346
P.S. I've re-named them. They were called Mis and Tique. :eek: :p
Rebecca how wonderful that you adopted those two beautiful kitties who needed a home so much. I hope you have many happy loving years together!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebecca19804
It never ceases to amaze me how callous people can be toward animals. My two cats were put out on the street to fend for themselves. Sheesh.
I have such a soft spot for black cats & dogs. Your two are very pretty. May you all have many happy, healthy years ahead. :)
Rebecca - such a nice thing you did for those two kitties! I just do not understand how people can abandon pets the way they do :mad:
Yes, WE all very clearly see it as abandonment (as do the Pilates people in the studio upstairs and their clients including my friend).Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
But it sounds like essentially the owner and her tenant each just assumed the other one would look after the cats. The tenant moved out, thinking "they're not mine, the owner will take care of things" and she was in Israel assuming her cats were being looked after (when really she should have properly re-homed them when she moved away). All my dealings have been with the Pilates people. This morning though I got an e-mail from the lady in Israel, thanking me profusely for taking them. But - I noticed - she made no hint of an apology for putting them in such a precarious situation to begin with. She also sounds like she just does not understand cats.
They are so much better off with me now! ;) :)
Meet Dickens! This little guy (approximately 4 months old) came to me last week. I thought I saw a cat jump into the engine of one of my cars. When I got ready to leave a few hours later I banged on my hood and nothing came out so I decided to pop the hood to just make sure. There he sat on top of the engine- shivering. I scooped him up and though he was freezing he light up with the biggest purr. The weathermen were forecasting storm and wind chills below zero in the next few days so I could not leave him outside. I put him in my guest room with food, water and a litter box. Off to the clinic he went that afternoon for a quick FELV/FIV test (both negative). I put out flies the next day and have a "found" ad running but no one has claimed him. Given I found him around the holidays I decided he needed a holiday name - he looked like a Dickens so there you go. He has settled right in with the other nine felines and three dogs. He is not afraid of anything and is a real love bug, full of energy and his motor never stops. I think he is happy!
Dickens is CUTE! And am glad Mis and Tique have found new loving forever homes. We all luvs happy endings. :D