new thread
When I posted a few weeks ago about the loss of my cat Cleo I never would have believed I would need to post another about the demise of my second cat Cammi shortly thereafter.I first started noticing something was up with Cammi last week as she barely wanted to eat her food.Then by Saturday she didn't want any at all.I also noticed that she was breathing rapidly as if she had just run a marathon but she way laying down at rest.So I took her to the vet that day and learned she was gravely ill as her chest was filled with fluid thus compressing her lungs.They drained her chest but it didn't help as Cammi would still struggle to breath.By today it was clear she was not going to recover and the vet agreed as she was too advanced in her disease.So in less than a month I had to euthanize another long time friend:( I am utterly beside myself with disbelief.How could this happen so soon after Cleo.Anyway now I post my tribute to another departed friend who has been a great companion to me for 14 years.I hope to not have to do this again for a long, long time.
Mark
So sorry you are going through this again, Mark. Fluid in the lungs? Sounds like congestive heart failure, not really much you can do about it. I'm sure Cammi met Cleo on the other side of Rainbow Bridge, they are probably playing together.
>^..^< >^..^<
Hi Carol and thank you for your reply.Actually the fluid was in the chest cavity but no in the lungs.Her chest was filling up which was compressing the lungs so they couldn't inflate fully causing the shortness of breath.
Yes, I read about the Rainbow Bridge and its kind of a tearjerker.I guess I'll be meeting them both there someday.
Mark
Sorry for your loss Mark.
peace, jonalbear
Hi JB, thanks for your response as it was quite a shock being this unfolded and ended in a few short days.For those that have pets always keep a watchful eye on any behavior changes in them because you never know.
Mark
My condolences on the loss of your family (I do consider pets family). I haven't had many cats (have mostly had dogs), but I know how much it hurts to lose a close friend like that. :(
Thank you so much for your words that ring so true.It's one thing when you can see it coming but when they get ill so rapidly you hardly have time to react.Cammi, as well as Cleo, will certainly be missed.
Mark
mark sorry to hear about your cat! losing a pet is never easy-to me they are guardian angels-I have my baby Chihuahua and she is my baby-pets always make our lives richer...Stay strong and think about the good times u had with her!
Your response rings so true as I've had these cats for many, many years and they do become a part of you.They have become great companions as I look forward to seeing them everyday when I return home for the day.I will certainly never forget them.Thanks dee:)
Mark
I'm so sorry to hear this, I know how cats can become an integral part of the family and losing one is just like losing a family member or friend. I know your cats would have had great lives in your company.
Hi Charlie,thanks for your kind reply.I know they and I enjoyed our lives together and each will be sorely missed.Hopefully I won't have to face this issue again for a very long time.Too much in a short period of time.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I am just so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news, about the loss of your Cammi. Losing a beloved pet is always hard, and having to go through this loss again after such a short time is horrible.
My hear goes out to you, and take care,
David
Thank you David for your condolences.It was such a shock to learn the extent of Cammi's illness and I have to wonder had I failed her in some way by not catching it earlier.Unfortunately our pets can't tell us when they aren't feeling well so that makes it harder to notice these changes until its usually too late.I had not much of a choice to say goodbye to her and feel she now is in a better place.
Mark
Mark, I am so sorry to hear of your second loss, all I can say is I know what you are going through, just remain strong, you just have to remember all the good times. All my condolences go out to you at this moment in time.
James
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Thank you very much James as I really do appreciate your response to me.Loosing
my first cat was bad enough but when Cammi suddenly became obviously ill
and to learn there really wasn't hope was too much to comprehend.Sometimes
you can take your pets health for granted figuring they will always be healthy but
this has shown me otherwise.Thanks again my friend for posting back.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I'm at a loss for words. Losing one beloved pet is bad enough but to lose another so quickly afterwards is very traumatic.
When my dearly loved cat Tiger got hit by a car a few years ago, I went and got a kitten only a week later. It was not that I thought he could be replaced as he was very unique but I did feel joy at seeing a new cat in my life and that cat has now developed a deep bond with me as well.
Particularly with losing two now, perhaps it would be time to look into adding another cat into your life.
My thoughts are with you.
Jason
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Hi Jason thanks for your thoughts. Actually now that I've lost two great friends that very thought has crossed my mind.How interesting for you to bring that up in your response. Now that I only have one cat left I'm concerned that she will be lonely with the others now gone.Opal,named by our own Walter White Tail, is very outgoing and likes being around other cats. So that is incentive to get a new cat for her as well.If I may ask where did you seek out your new kitty?In a week I'll be taking some time off for vacation and that could be an oopportunity to look for a kitty.Anyway I will always remember my departed two and hope to see them again someday:)
Mark
My cat Tiger was a purebred Bengal. I decided when he died that I'd like to try another purebred and settled on a Siamese as I had heard they tend to have quite interesting personalities.
I checked out a few websites and placed some inquiries. I had a friend at work who was also a cat lover and I mentioned to her about my search. Very soon after telling her, she sent me an email about an ad she saw for Siamese kittens for $200 each which was a lot less than the prices I had seen at the breeders' websites I had checked out. I immediately called the number and was told there were two left but that some people were already on their way to look at one of them. I told the breeder that I'd be up as soon as I could later that day (the place was just over the border in New Hampshire). So I went with my coworker friend and the other people were still there and had picked out one. The breeder put the remaining kitten on my lap and it was love at first sight! Riley had found his new home.
I hope you find a new family member soon!
The breeder put the remaining kitten on my lap and it was love at first sight! Riley had found his new home.
Hi Jason and thanks for that heartwarming story:)What a beautiful kitty you have, but I bet if you could you'd have picked up the pair.I've never had purebred cats as mine were all rescue ones.Basically your typical "working class" cats!LOL.I hope to find a new kitty to give a home to.I know Opal misses her old friends.Thanks for the cool pics Jason:)
Mark
Hi Mark/Hairball,
So sorry to hear of your loss, I have not been on for a while sorry to say I'm so late to see your message. I know I would be very upset if my cats were suddenly taken from me by illness or accident.
Here's my 2 cats Tickles and Ma, Ma (on the right) was a stray who got pregnant and we took her in. (both are desexed of course now) Tickles (left) is one of the 5 kittens Ma gave birth to on our lounge! We gave the others to the pet adoption program here. She is 3 this October time goes so fast.
Couldn't be without them!
Take care,
MattT
Hi Matt T.,
Thank you for your response no matter when you were able to make it. As the old saying goes, better later than never.LOL.You have two beautiful kitties and that is interesting of their histories.They are still very young so you will enjoy many years of their company:)I'll be looking to adopt at least one new kitty being I lost two and have only one left.The remaining kitty, I believe, misses the departed others.Hope to see you more often here my friend:)Cheers
Mark
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I have 8 dogs and love them all, I can't imagine losing 2 so close together. God bless your two kitties, I share your sorrow at the difficult time for you. Take care and remember the good times with your beloved animals (family) Tom
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Hi Tom, I do appreciate your response.It's just so sad to see my cats get ill and not be their old selves anymore:( It is heartbreaking to see them decline as life begins to slip away. When I took Cammi in yesterday she was clearly having breathing difficulties and would moan at times. I said my final goodbye to Cammi before the vet ended her life.Certainly I will always remember our good times together:)
Mark
My heart goes out to you Mark. I'm truely sorry to hear of you losses. Years ago we had three of our creature friends leave us in the span of a month. It's devastating.
Bruce
I'm sorry to hear you've experienced the same sadness that I have just had.When my first passed I knew it was going to happen at some point so I was a bit prepared for it but the second came very sudden which I was not prepared for.Sometimes I wonder if there is a connection or not.I feel for my third kitty Opal as she was very chummy with Cammi.It appears Opal looks for Cammi at times.I have to say its been a rough month:( Thanks Bruce for responding, I appreciate that.Your friend
Mark
My heart and a hug goes out to you, I know full well the pain at the losss of a pet. She knew she was loved and you know you were a most responsible companion to her. Take care, my friend.
Thank you Rktect for your kind words.It was very hard taking her to the vet yesterday which I knew would be the last I'd see Cammi alive.Leaving with the empty pet carrier just summed up what a bad weekend it was for me.Thank you my friend.
Mark
Mark,
I am truly sorry for your loss. The loss of a friend of 14 years is a hard thing to face. I too lost both my cats but they were 1 year apart.
With Respect,
Steve
Hey Steve, I'm sorry to hear of your loss too.It's been a very long time since I lost a pet so having two go so quickly now was certainly an eye opener.I hope I won't have to deal with this again any time soon.Hopefully some good things happen for me soon.....
Mark
My heart's with you, my friend. Like I told you regarding Cleo, think of the good times, and know you have tons of support here!
Rich
Thank you Rich for your support along with all the great members here at mlhh too.This is the only message board that I confided my deepest sadness to because I know you all would understand.I feel mlhh is more than what it looks like on the surface:)Thanks my friend.
Mark
Mark, sorry to hear of another of one of your long time kitty friends. My condolences.
Hugs - Oren
(corrected)
Mark, sorry to hear of the loss of another of one of your long time kitty friends. My condolences.
Hugs - Oren
Thanks you Oren as I can certainly use those hugs!I feel April has been the worst month of the year for me regarding my pets.I need some nice things to happen now.I sincerely thank you for your post Oren.Hugs back at ya.
Mark
So very sorry for your loss, Mark.
--Val
Thanks Val.I hope to be done with these kind of posts for a very long time now.
Mark
I had that happen with two of mine over the last five years. That comforted me to know there was nothing you could do, as mine happened very quickly after vet business hours. One laid right next to my face in bed as she died.
It might have been due to sadness of the loss of her playmate, with yours.
My thoughts are with you.
I've had kittens every year since 2003, keeping them all, losing most to the coyotes, got up to 42 cats two years ago when volunteers fixed them for free, with me doing the trapping. They were outdoor / indoor with a cat door.
There's about ten left, most living in the woods. I've seen alot of things with them. Alot were born right on my bed & couch.
Wow John, it sounds like you have quite a "cat house" going on there:)My cats were indoor only as I hoped they would live longer not being exposed to the outdoors and the dangers associated with it.That's cool you've had some born right in your home:)
I would have tried anything,within reason, to save my cats but sadly their illnesses were too far advanced.Thanks for your reply John:)
Mark
Very sorry to hear this Mark, take care buddy.
Big hugs, Dave
Thank you Dave as I appreciate you reply.I dreaded having to make another announcement here about another fallen pet.The response has been awesome.Hugs back daviee!
Mark
So sorry for your loss, Mark. A close family member of mine passed away suddenly (from a complete accident) last year. I wrote out a lot of what I was feeling in a journal and in poetry, and it really helped me identify my exact feelings and work through them. I am glad that you are talking about this loss, and not keeping it inside. Sometimes writing your feelings, memmories, etc. out can help also. I'm sure both of your cats loved you as much as you loved them, and they are not hurting now but in a peaceful place. Sending love, hugs, and good thoughts your way -- Laura
Hi Laura,thank you for your comments.After Cammi was gone I debated should I post another thread like I had just done a month earlier.I decided to publicly honor Cammi as I had done with Cleo.I didn't want to treat Cammi with any less respect.At least I know their stories will live forever on the internet and both are at peace now.Now life has to continue.....
Mark
Hey Mark,
It's been a long time since I posted on this forum. I check in from time to time but I'm just not social online any more. However, I just had to post to your thread here because you are definitely not alone, brother.
After reading your story about Cammi I was like "NO WAY"...because, sadly, the same thing just happened to our family cat "Marls" last week. The week before Easter Marls went into a funk which was noticeable since he's the spunkier one out of him and his brother. He hardly moved from the couch and didn't eat much. But, nothing physical seemed to be wrong with him. We thought he just had the kitty blues or something. He started getting more and more depressed as the days went on and eventually began avoiding his food. I tried everything to get him to eat and he'd take tiny bites here and there but definitely wasn't interested. By Wednesday of last week his breathing became more and more laborious so we took him to the vet first thing the next morning. They ran x-rays and stuck him in an oxygen tank which he responded to well enough that they sent him home with some medicine. They also shot him up with something, too, to "open up his lungs" (can't remember what it was off the top of my head). His lungs were severely compromised. Anyway, just that afternoon things started to get worse for "Marls". I noticed he was seeking out dark places to rest all afternoon. By evening things went downhill for him as he began to moan terribly. So, my wife got him in the car and rushed him to the emergency "after hours" care but the little guy died in the parking lot. He stared into my wife's eyes and took his last breath. He was gone. She brought him home and we both weeped while saying our goodbye's. He was only 4 years old and I still don't know what happened exactly. He's an indoor cat and very safe here. He leaves behind a brother (who's been taking his absence very well, I have to say) and a family who loved him very much. It was hard explaining to my kids (5 and 7) why they wouldn't see their Marls again. We are having him cremated and I'll be scattering his ashes off the coast of Santa Cruz the next time I'm out there with my surfboard.
I'm terribly sorry, Mark, for losing both your cats so close together like that. I just can't imagine it. 14 years is a long time with Cammi so I know it's tough. I lost my cat of 17 years back in late 2006 and I still miss him dearly. We're still in a bit of shock over "Marls", but every day seems to get a little better, though, so try and keep your spirits up, brother.
Take care,
Garth
Hey Garth, its great to see you back again but sorry it has to be under such sad circumstances.You story is very touching as I can see many parallels with what happened with my Cammi.Cammi's serious condition showed up very abruptly with little time to treat her as it was already too far advanced.It's amazing how Cammi was able to conceal her illness until the very end as I admit not noticing any warning signs until late last week.Of course my focus was on my other cat who was ill and I was dealing with that.Cammi will be cremated but I will save her ashes in an urn they are providing.I'll place them next to Cleo's ashes as sort of a memorial.Anyway I''m sorry about Marl's and your loss but hopefully we won't have to deal with such issues for a long time now.Thank you again for you response Garth as I very much appreciate that:)
Mark
Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear of yet another one of your four legged animal companions passing over the bridge. Sometimes a surviving cat may die soon after the death of a fellow cat - it may have been in part due to a broken heart. I'm sure both cats are together in cat heaven and you will see them again when you pass on. My heartfelt sympathy to you. From a fellow cat lover,
Duncan
Hi Duncan,thank you for posting to my thread as the response to it has been heartwarming.It was such a shock to have another cat pass so suddenly as maybe there was a link between the two.Both cats were close in age and were adopted only a couple years apart.Now I have one left who is much younger and hopefully will be with me for many years to come.I have considered adopting a new cat now that I've lost the two.It would be nice to give a cat a home that doesn't have one:)Thank you again, my friend, for writing.
Mark
Sorry for your loss, cats are great friends and losing two of them is a very sad thing.
Do you still have some cat or do you plan to have a new kitten ?
Take care.
François
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Hello Francois,thank you for writing and your condolences.I do still have one more kitty but have been considering adopting a new one so my last has a friend:)
Opal has always been receptive to my other cats so I'm sure she would welcome a newcomer.Hope all is well with you my friend:)
Mark
Hi Mark, So sorry to hear about Cammi. We lost our Himalayan Gus, after about 15 years to old age. I'm not sure how I'd handled it if he had gone through something like Cammi.
I'm sure they are all playing together on the other side of the bridge.
Ken
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Hey Ken thanks for writing. I have to admit what I learned about Cammi's condition over this past weekend was shocking to say the least.After they tried to medicate her on Saturday I was really hoping she would begin to improve but that was not the case.Ultimately on Monday evening I had to do what was best for her.I think loosing the second in such a short time was even harder than the first loss a month earlier.I'm really tapped out at this point.
Mark
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Mark. Don't beat yourself up about not noticing sooner, animals tend to suffer pain stoically so it's not until they're in dire distress that we realize something is wrong. Take solace in knowing you did all you could and that she lived a long and happy life.
--Dale
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Thanks Dale as sometimes I feel not being observant enough led to this happening.Of course previously I was dealing with my first ill cat so my attention was focused on her at the time.However I'm thankful both Cleo and Cammi both had long happy lives together:)I guess we now soldier on in life.
Mark
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Gosh, this is awful, losing 2 kitty cats in 2 months. I am at a loss for words.
Scott
Hi Scott, don't worry about it, I'm just happy you wrote:)These past two months have been awful in regards to my kitties.Even Opal, my youngest got sick but was cured with antibiotics so she is OK:)I was supposed to travel out west in a week but after all this I decided to postpone that trip.I'll be going out in September.I just can't leave Opal home alone that long with all her friends now gone.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I so understand and empathize, as you know about my own grieving over the loss of our oldest kitty 2 years ago. My sincerest condolences to you. Looking forward to our next talk over the phone, as I always enjoy touching-base with you....
Take Care, and Warm Longhaired Hugs to you!
- Ken
Thank you Ken for your condolences.When we last spoke on the phone I know I gave you an update on Cammi and thought she might have showed slight improvement which later in the day was not the case.I do appreciate the outpouring of responses concerning Cammi from the mlhh users:)I feel we have a great bunch of friendly people here which is one reason I like being here so much.Looking forward to seeing you in the not too distant future Ken:)
Mark
I can't even begin to fathom losing two pets so close together. Cammi is beautiful. My deepest regards.
Venya
Hi Venya,
Yes it was very hard having to face euthanizing another of my cats in a very short time period.The first one I was kind of prepared for but the second unfolded in a matter of days.Cammi was a beautiful cat as I will miss having her around the house for sure.Thank you for your condolences my friend.
Mark
Sorry for the loss of your companions Mark.
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Thanks for your post Charlie as it means a lot to me.It certainly was a rough month concerning my cats.Hopefully things will settle down now.Have a great weekend my friend.
I read your post, and with the age of 14 years, it was about her time as well. I understand it sucks to have to put your pet down, but it is inevitable. My cat Pris is now 10 years old (we had her for six years. Since she is an indoor cat, we should have her for another five years at least. Was your cat an indoor or outdoor one? Are you going to get another kitten?
MattM
Hi Matthew,
First of all its great to see you on the board again as I have missed seeing you here.Lately I have been thinking about guys like you who used to visit often but have been gone for awhile.I hope all is well with you otherwise.
Thank you for responding to my thread about Cammi.The hardest part about this past month was loosing two cats so close together. I do realize both were in their mid teens but in Cammi's case she appeared well until last Saturday.When the vet told me how ill she was I was shocked.Now I have one cat left but she is much younger so I would hope to have no serious issues with her.Yes, my cats are all indoor only and I was looking to get a kitten so Opal can have a new friend:)Cheers
Mark
She seemed too look good for her age despite her illness. I extend my condolences to you Mark.
Thank you for your condolences Michael as its much appreciated.I admit by looking at Cammi on the surface she looked fine but her body language told me otherwise which is why I decided to have the vet check her.The big shock was when he told me what was going on inside of her.I certainly do miss Cammi but am thankful she no longer is suffering.
Mark
My friend,
When you lost Cleo I could picture how you felt from the loss of my dog. Seeing this post, I can't even comprehend the level of sadness you must be feeling, and I have no words. All I can offer is my condolences.
Jim
That's OK Jim as just your kind words are comforting to me. What really can be said as this second loss just blindsided me last weekend.How could what seemed like a perfectly healthy cat just decline that rapidly.The vet laid it on the line leaving me with little options.Thanks Jim for your condolences.
Mark