And then were 10 (again): RIP Batman

Our dear sweet Batman crossed the Bridge yesterday afternoon.

Batman had been stumbling a bit when he jumped down from the recliner, and it seemed that he couldn't quite get his footing when he was walking around on mom. He also started vocalizing when he was walking. Batman was normally a quiet boy and rarely had much to say.

He lost the the use of his back legs yesterday afternoon. When he jumped down from the recliner he could barely stand. He tried to walk, but he couldn't keep his balance. He would take a step or two and then fall over. Mom immediately called our vet's office and was told to bring him in.

Mom's initial thought was he either had a stroke, or his kidneys were giving out. It was neither. Dr. Greene said Batman's heart was racing and she couldn’t feel a pulse in his back legs. She put him on the floor and watched him try to walk. The vocalizing was caused by pain. The diagnosis was saddle thrombosis. It is a blood clot that settles in the femoral artery, sometimes one side, sometimes both.

It was with a heavy heart that mom made the decision to let him go. Batman was 17 years old. Batman loved to put is paw in her hand when he was napping. Mom held his paw in her hand and stroked his head as he peacefully passed.

Batman was part of the crew of Cleveland kitties that she took in. There were five in the crew. Four siblings and Batman. He was 5 years old when he joined the family.  Puff and Ginger are the only ones left now. They are both 16.

This is the last picture mom took of Batman. He was soundly sleeping with his head resting on Sable. That was Sunday night.

Purrs,

Angel Clarissa

Dearest Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that my sweet, beautiful girl, Clarissa, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She had been failing for the past week. When she didn't come out to greet me on Friday night I knew it was time to let her fly free. She passed peacefully on Saturday morning. The vet who had cared for her from the time she was eight weeks old was with her to assist her crossing. I'm glad she had someone who knew her well. Of course, I was also with her. My brother was with us, but he couldn't stay in the room. After she had passed he came back to tell her goodbye.

I knew this day would come and I didn't want to think about it. When Clarissa had her senior exam in December 2017, I was told that her kidney numbers were off. I put her on the prescription food that Sable eats and she did well. Much like Angel Fred, she developed a respiratory infection and could no longer fight it.

Clarissa was just shy of her 18 birthday. She had a good, long life, and she knows how much she was loved.

I will keep Clarissa's blog running. I know posting is sporadic, but the other kitties will post when they can.

With love to all,
Malinda, Clarissa's mom