Fred is Home

Clarissa has graciously allowed me to take over her blog for the day.  I (and Clarissa & Co.) want to thank all of our friends in the blogosphere for your kind words regarding Fred's passing. If you've ever loved an animal, you know how hard it is when they are no long with you. Your words meant so much to us.

I pick up Fred's ashes late yesterday. Quite frankly, I was surprised that they were returned so quickly. Fred has taken his place of honor along side his siblings who went before him. The vet's office include a heart shape cast of Fred's paw print. This is the first time I've receive a paw print of one of my fur babies.

There are things I miss about Fred. He was always on the breakfast bar or the kitchen counter when I would get up in the morning. He would "yell" at me, demanding to be fed. When I would watch t.v. in the evening, Fred's spot would be on my right. He would curl up around my hand while I rubbed his belly. Soon he would be asleep. Those are the things I will miss about him.

Fred's physical presence will be missed in our house, but his spirit and his memory will live on in my heart.

Clarissa's mom,
Malinda

And then there were 14...

Our hearts are heavy with the news we must bring. We said goodbye to Fred today. As you know, he had kidney disease and has been on sub-q fluids for a little over a month. He rallied when he first started on them, and the B-12 shot probably helped, too. But that was not to last. Fred practically stopped eating. All he wanted was mom's almond milk.

On top of the kidney issues, Fred developed a very bad respiratory infection. Mom took him to see the vet this morning. She dropped him off and had planned to pick him up when she left work later today. She even took his bag of fluid so he could get it while he was there.

The vet called mom later in the morning and she said Fred's prognosis was not good. His kidneys were small and had shrank. His chest was congested as was his sinuses. She told mom she could prescribe an antibiotic for Fred, but his immune system was so compromised that even if it cleared up, something else would make him sick. Mom said she didn't want to put Fred through more knowing he really wasn't going to get any better. Mom left work and went to the vet's office so she could be with him when he crossed the Bridge.

Clarissa's mom here:  Frederick Jerome DeWinter was one of the gentlest, sweetest cats I've known. He didn't have a mean bone in his body. He loved everyone. He got along with all of the other cats in my household. It broke my heart to let him go today, but I don't regret the decision. His passing was very peaceful. I chose to have his body cremated and will pick up his ashes when they are returned to the vet's office.

It has been a very hard and difficult day for me. I also lost a friend who I only knew through a cat message board and then Facebook. Sue's health had been declining over the past years and she had moved into an assisted living facility earlier this year. She entered the hospital late last week and went into "comfort care" on Sunday. She passed during the night. I found out this morning.

Life is fragile. Cuddle your fur family. Tell your friends and family that you love them.

On behalf of Clarissa & Co. and me:  We love you and appreciate all you do.

Fred in his prime.

2006 - August 16, 2016.

Happy Friday

We don't know who is happier about it being Friday: we cats or our mom.  Mom is happy because she doesn't have to get up at 6:30am (although Sable will attempt to get her up that earlier). We are happy because she will be home for a couple of days.

Fred is doing well. He isn't the most cooperative when it comes to getting his fluids. He may only weigh 5 lbs., but it takes mom and her brother to hold him. He has gotten free a couple of times and pulled the sub-q needle out. He was fine, but the solution was spraying all over until mom could clamp it off.

Lily gets eyedrops every morning, Fred gets fluids every other day, and I get a prednisone pill every other day. It's like an infirmary around here sometimes. But mom said she doesn't mind doing it. If she ever takes a trip she will have to board Fred. She can get one of her friends to take care of me and Lily, but she wouldn't ask anyone to "stick" Fred. Her best friend couldn't give fluids to her own kitty, so mom knows she won't be able to give them to Fred. But as mom says, she'll cross that bridge when she gets to it.

It's been so hot in Louisville. The daily high temperature has been in the 90s, and the humidity has been high. It makes the air feel heavy and sticky. And the "heat index" has been over 100. The weather pundits said that tomorrow, although the temperature should be about 96, the heat index will make it feel like it is 106! That is too hot for anyone!!! We are glad we are indoor cats. Mom said she may put out some water for the squirrels and bunnies that come in our yard.

Stay cool my friends and enjoy your weekend!!!

Nicknames: Do you have any?

One of our friends on a cat message board was asking if other cats there had nicknames. That got us thinking about the nicknames our mom has given us.  We've decided to share them with you.

Batman = Batman actually doesn't have any nicknames. I mean, come on, he is freaking BATMAN!

Cash = Mom said his nicknames are "Stop that"  and "Don't bite my nose."

Clarissa = Rissa Roo the Kitty Poo, Rissa, Baby Girl

Daisy = Daisy Doodle, Daisy Mae

Fiona = Fi-Fi or Fee

Fred = Freddy Fred, Freddy J, "Stinky"

Ginger = Ginger Pie

Jazzpurr = Jazzy Girl, Jazz, Pot Roast

Johnny = see Cash's nicknames. They are like two peas in a pod.

Lily = Lily Lou, Lily Rose, Lily Mae, Pretty Girl

Memphis = Memph Man

Puff = Puffypants, Handsome

Sable = Booman, Boo

Serendipity = Dippity Doo, Seren

Spunky = Spunkmeister

What are your nicknames?

A note from my brother, "Stinky" Fred

My sweet brother Fred has asked me if he could share his letter to our friends. Of course I said yes.


Dear Friends,

I have always been a thin guy, but I have been losing weight. Mom guessed my weight to be about 5 lbs. and she was right. I went to the vet on Friday morning and I weighed 5.2 lbs. The last time I was weighed was 3 years ago and I was around 8 lbs.

"Stinky Fred" is mom's nickname for me. I've always had really bad breath, but I've always had chronic gingivitis. Due to my kidney disease the vet said he doesn't think having my teeth cleaned is a good idea. The anesthesia isn't good for my system and he is afraid that I wouldn't come out of it. 

The vet didn't feel anything unusual in my belly area. He and mom agreed that I should have a full blood panel ran. Dr. R. also suggested sub-q fluids and a B-12 shot. He took me in the back and they shaved my neck, stole my blood, etc. The whole time I was back there I was singing the song of my people: "Help! Help! The vet is a stabby person!" Mom could hear me and she said it was a totally different type of meow than what I make a home. Dr. R. told mom that I should have fluids administer two more days and then every other day for the foreseeable future.
 
Mom got the lab results from my blood workup and it is as mom feared. My weight loss is due to the progression of my kidney disease. It makes mom furry sad. I wasn't surprised to get the official diagnoses, nor was mom. I've had problems with my kidneys since I was about 4 years old (I'm about 10 years old now). Mom said she will do everything she can to slow the progression, but she is aware that it will eventually take me away from her. With the proper diet, and sub-q fluids every other day, I'm hoping I will have a few good years left with her. But I have promised her that when I am ready to go to my mansion, I will let her know. And she has promised me that, although it will hurt her heart, she will help me cross the Bridge with dignity and comfort. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Purrs and head bonks!
"Stinky" Fred

p.s.

Since getting the fluids and the B-12 shot, my appetite has improved and I'm eating my prescription kibble (I don't like the canned prescription food). I don't look as thin, but that is from the fluids.

 

Throwback Thursday...sort of

Kitties! Do you remember baby Poe? He was the little black kitten mom found at work. He had been dumped in the parking lot. She took him home and then to the vet for an exam, then he took a long car ride to North Carolina, and then he took another car ride to South Carolina with his forever mom and dad. Here are a few pictures to refresh your memory:

Who are you?

Where is my dinner?!!!

Are you my new mom?

When mom found Poe the vet estimated his age to be around 8 weeks. That meant that Poe was probably born in June. So without further adieu, here are a couple of pictures of  1 year old Poe:

 

As you can see, Poe has grown up to be a very handsome mancat and house panther! Nancy said he is still a mama's boy and loves to be in her lap or next to her. Mom said that Poe reminds her very much of Sable. Not so much in looks (although Sable is also a house panther) but in personality and behavior. Sable is mom's personal "lap fungus"

Thank you, Nancy, for sharing pictures of cousin Poe with us!

Almost June Already?

I have been remiss in posting and keeping everyone up-to-date at my house. The good news is there really isn't anything new to report. Spring arrived and soon it will be summer. It is starting to feel like summer here. After rain, rain, and more rain and chilly temperatures we are finally getting some much needed sunshine. And the hots are on their way. It's going to be in the 80s all week. Although mom isn't a fan of super hot weather, she is happy to have this for now.

I have pictures to share with you. Babies! Baby Cats! Yes, kitten pictures. Now before you all get excited none of these bobbleheads are living with us.

These cuties are with a friend of our mom's. Her daughter's cat had these four babies. Of course the little tortie is a girl, but I don't know about the rest of them. Mom said she would love to take the little orange one once he/she is old enough, but with having 15 adult senior cats in one house she doesn't think bringing home a kitten is a good idea. These babies were about 2-3 weeks old when this picture was taken. They are about 5 weeks now.

This next group were living next door to mom's best friend's house. The mom cat (a little black cat) was showing up in her yard. Aunty Jen started putting food out for her. A few days later the little ones showed up with her. The workers next door (a private swim club bought the house to use for office space) managed to rescue the kittens. Mom is still on the loose. Aunty Jen has been trying to befriend her but so far mom cat is still illusive.

For your viewing pleasure, here are 3 little tabby babies and one little black kitty baby. They were all adopted by people working in the offices!