And Then There Were 7: RIP Ginger

Hello Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news regarding Ginger. Our sweet sisfur crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, February 18. She had kidney disease. Even with prescription food she could not fight it any longer.

Ginger was one of the five cats mom brought home from Cleveland, Ohio. Mom's friend told her about them. They lady who had them was selling her house and moving into her boyfriend's house. He didn't want the cats, so she got rid of them. Mom said she would be getting rid of him if it were her.

Ginger, Panda, Puff, and Spunky were littermates. Batman was a year older than them and not related. Mom was going to take Ginger and Spunky only. They were a bonded pair and they had to go together. Then mom said they couldn't find a home for Puff, so she said she would take him. Then there were some red flags going on regarding the foster home that Panda and Batman were going to. So...that's how mom ended up with five adult cats!

Panda crossed the Rainbow Bridge in April 2013. Her kidneys gave out. Spunky passed in October 2017. He had cancer. Puff crossed last year. He also had cancer. And now Ginger has joined them. Batman passed in June 2018. He had saddle thrombosis and lost the use of his back legs. The Cleveland Crew are back together again.

Mom and her brother are having some hard times. If your parents pray, ask them to send a prayer for our household. They are determined they will do whatever it takes to keep the house. I can't go into the mess mom has gotten into, but she is doing the best she can to try to make it right.

We love you all!!

Purrs,

Angel Clarissa

 Ginger in her box.

Spunky and Ginger.

Panda's Memorial Altar

I picked up Panda's cremains on Saturday morning and brought them home. I wanted to to do something special for her, so I set up an altar to honor her spirit and her memory. I thought it turned out well and I hope she would be pleased.

The black iron pentacle is a candle holder. There is a little bowl in the center of it which I put some treats in. The "good cat" bowl has a little water in it. A toy mouse is on top of her oak urn, and a green cat collar with tags is beside the urn. Panda wore a collar at home for a short time, but like most of my cats, she found a way to take it off. I don't even know if this was her collar, but it represents her freedom from her earthly body. The azaleas are from my yard. The candles are battery operated and they are entirely glass. I rarely burn candles at home because I don't trust my cats. I've seen a friend's cats singe whiskers and tails because they've gotten too close to a flame.

I was going to buy some flowers, but the azaleas are beautiful this year. It's a bit difficult to distinguish the color differences in the pinks and reds. The white blooms are the largest. The red blooms are directly below that. Light pink blooms are to the left and deeper pink blooms are to the right.

I'll leave this up for a week or so, then I will move it to a bookshelf that I'm clearing off.  She will join Angel Colin Feral's cremains on the shelf. 

One more Thank You

Jan, from Jan's Funny Farm, made this lovely graphic and posted it on The Cat's Blogosphere. Thank you so much, Jan.

Another big THANK YOU

We wanted to share a wonderful graphic that Alasandra, The Cats & Dogs made for Panda. It is beautiful. Thank you so much for doing this!

2004-April 20, 2013

Thank you all so much for your kind words

We want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the kind words and comments that you have left regarding Panda's passing. It means more to us than you'll ever know. Mom has made arrangements for her cremation. She will be home with us soon.

We have made some wonderful friends here in the blogosphere. Between caring for Panda and work, mom hasn't had as much time to help us visit our friends, but with think about you often. We hope to do more visiting soon.

Thank you again. We will leave you with some pictures of our Panda.

 On the stairs at her first meowmie's home - May 2007.

 Showing off her belly!

 At her fighting weight of 16 lbs.

 Getting annoyed with the flashy box.

 March 28, 2013

 Sunday, April 7, 2013 (above & below - the last two picture I took of her)

Panda's Numbers Are Down!!!

The vet called mom this morning with good news. Panda's numbers were down!  This is what she was told:

Weight = 12.4 lbs. That's 3 oz less but the vet said that could have been the difference between a full/empty bladder or bowels.

BUN = 70 (was 154). Still needs to be lower but that's over a 50% drop.

Creatin = 6.2 (was 9.5). Should be no higher than a 2.

Phosphorus = 10.4

And the vet wants Panda to have sub-q fluids every other day. Mom said she was confident enough to do it, but the question was would Panda cooperate. So guess what! Mom gave Panda her sub-q fluid at home!!! The full 200ml! She was such a good girl. Our uncle couldn't get Panda to eat or take her meds in the pill pockets today. She stuck her nose up at the pill pockets for mom too. Mom did get her to eat a little bit by opening her canned food in the bathroom. Of course, about 5 of the other cats came in too. Mom had to shoo them out and then Panda came in on her own. Mom shut the door and stayed with her. Serendipity was in there too, but she didn't bother Panda.

When Panda finished eating mom held her while our uncle brought in her carrier. Mom placed her in that and closed the top while she got the needle uncapped (she had already hung the fluid bag on a hanger on the shower rod). She was able to slide the needle in w/o any problem and start the flow. The only thing she said she would do different is have a place to sit. Mom can't sit on the side of the tub because she can't see the measurements on the fluid bag.

Of course, when mom put the carrier on the floor and opened the door, Panda bolted out and under the bed.

The vet has added Benazepril. Panda will get one 5mg pill daily

Panda has started to get picky about eating the pill pockets. Mom hates to have to use the pill shooter, but she may have to. She is going to get some cream cheese at the store and try that.

Dr. Green wants to recheck Panda in three weeks (unless there are any problems before then, of course). 

Easy Like Sunday

 Fiona laying on one windowsill...

 Capt. Puff "Puffpants" McPufferson enjoying window whiffies...

 Panda just woke up from a nap...

...and now she is enjoying window whiffies.

I makes out hearts happy to see Panda out and being social again. Her back legs aren't 100% better, and we don't know if they every will be. But she is out and about and had been enjoying lap time with mom, growling at most of us if we get too close, and pretty much acting like her normal self.

Mom had been bragging about how well Panda had been about eating and taking her antibiotic (in a Pill Pocket treat) for her UTI. We say had because this morning she decided she wasn't having much to do with the Pill Pockets. Mom splits the pill in half since it is too large to fit in one treat. This morning she ate one treat and got one half of her pill. She totally ignored the second one. She is also starting to stick her nose up at the Renal-LP canned food. We think she may be sneaking our regular kibble.

Panda saw Dr. Green on Friday for a recheck. She stole some of Panda's blood and some of her pee again kitties!!! Keep your paws crossed that her high numbers will be lower and that her UTI is gone! Mom should hear from the vet either tomorrow or Tuesday. Panda also was given another dose of sub-q fluids while she was at the vet's on Friday.

Our big girl is holding her own and we just know the purrs and prayers she has received from our blogosphere friends has helped!

Vet visits for Clarissa & Panda today!

Me (Clarissa) and Panda went to the v*t this morning. Mom is behind on some of our vaccines. Panda had to get her rabies vaccine and that other one that covers a bunch of stuff. It's a good thing she went today too! The vet noticed that Panda's right eye was inflamed. Looks like she may have conjunctivitis now. Mom has to put a drop of medicine in her eye 3x daily. The v*t did the first dose. Mom just did the 2nd one a little while ago...and now Panda is hiding. She is afraid this may be an issue. Please purr that it isn't. Panda weighs 16 lbs and is very very strong. Please purr that she will cooperate!

I had to have my ears cleaned. They were so DIRTY!!!! I get that yeasty build-up that has something to do with allergies. I also got my Depomedrol injection so I'll stop chewing on my belly and making it raw.

We both got claw trims too! Panda was so good and didn't complain one bit - except on the ride to and from the office while she was in the carrier. I was quiet in the carrier but I complained loudly at the office! I growled and hissed at the vet a lot!

Purrs,
Clarissa & Panda