| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 spreesmom |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3235 (06/23/2009 07:09 PM) Lady Honourable
|
apparently a lot of people were concerned about the 'cruelty' of 'whack-a-kitty', so the creators made this one in response.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_bzB0qctnE&annotation_id=annotation_177070&feature=iv 
|
||
|
Chattles |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 373 (06/27/2009 03:39 PM) |
Hello everyone. I know it's been awhile. I just checked back and see my last post was in the afternoon of May 17th, and that actually explains my long
absence. That evening we had to take my Mom to hospital. She was a long time smoker, she finally quit in 2000, but the damage had already been done. About 5
years ago she was diagnosed with emphysema. She was admitted to the hospital with a "touch" of pneumonia--of course in her condition pneumonia is
never a "touch" and the doctors didn't treat it that way. They used the term simply to say it wasn't as bad a case as she had a couple of
years ago. She was in the hospital just short of two weeks when on a Friday they decided to start her on physical therapy on Monday in preparation to send her
to rehab and then home. But Sunday afternoon she took a very bad turn, all the steroids used to treat the emphysema were finally taking their toll on her
body. On Tuesday they had to put in a breathing tube and on Thursday did a tracheotomy, to get the tube out from down her throat and make her more comfortable.
The hope was that by letting the ventilator breathe for her for a while her body would get a chance to rest and heal and they would work on weening her off
the vent. After a while it became apparent that wasn't going to happen. On Sunday June 14th, when Dad and I went to visit, all Mom mouthed to us was
"Please let me go, no more." On Monday June 15th we (Mom, Dad, my 2 sisters and I) met with the doctors and other necessary hospital personnel and
as per Mom's wishes (she has a living will) she was removed from the ventilator. She was gone in less than 3 hours.
Obviously, with her disease we knew this day would come, but at the same time it came out of no where. We're all adjusting, Dad & I especially (I've lived with Mom and Dad, first while they helped me recover from the death of my boyfriend, and then to help care for them both as they've gotten older). On top of that, I can't believe how much other stuff gets in the way of grieving (banking repercussions, etc...) But as this is a pet thread, I have to say that Max has been such an incredible comfort. He just wants to snuggle all the time, and sometimes I think it's part comfort to me, but part to comfort him as well. When I was at work he was Mom's constant companion. I only hope that now he becomes just as close with Dad. I also stopped in to report that Max's friend Cocoa's owners welcomed a new puppy into their home just this past Monday. She's a Boston Terrier (which is what Cocoa was)/French Bulldog mix and her name is Karma. Much to my relief, she and Max seem to have picked up just where Cocoa left off. I haven't seen Max that animated with another dog since Cocoa and it just made my heart swell. I don't have a picture of the two of them together yet, as Karma's dog park time is still limited until she's had a bit more training, but here is Karma... 
|
||
|
kaspimus |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3170 (06/27/2009 05:10 PM) Keeper of the Kilted |
Chattles, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. No matter how much you expect and prepare, it still hits you hard. I'm glad that Max is there for you
and hope that you and your family are healing. You are in my thoughts.
She's a Boston Terrier (which is what Cocoa was)/French Bulldog mix and her name is Karma.Karma looks like she got an equal mix of both breeds. The Boston Terrier's tuxedo with the French Bulldog's wrinkles and ears. What an expressive face!
I dont pretend to know what you want
But I offer love ~Neil Finn The purpose that you wish to find in life, like a cure you seek, is not going to fall from the sky. It requires faith to take risks and a rejection of the bonds of fear. ~Michael J. Fox |
||
|
spreesmom |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3260 (06/27/2009 05:58 PM) Lady Honourable
|
chattles - my very sincere condolences to you at this difficult time. i'm glad you were strong enough to honor your mother's wishes; even though she
had a living will, people sometimes try to second-guess what a person truly wants, and it took a special kind of courage to accept your mother's decision.
thanks for letting us know where you've been.
i love karma's ears! becks dog is my co-pilot
|
||
|
Likameow |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 107 (06/30/2009 08:38 PM) |
spreesmom wrote:I totally agree with her. What a brave woman you are. Working in a hospital, I see too many people afraid to let go. I'm very proud of you. And God bless Max for his comfort. Pets are so good at knowing what we need. When I got divorced my dog would curl up next to me when I cried. And my cat would bite me as if to say "get over it. he was a loser anyway." Cats are always the realists. Take care of yourself and your dad. My prayers are with you all. John Biebe--A sheriff who became a hockey player. A hockey player who became a Saturday hero. A Saturday hero who defied the NHL! (Savannah--Movie Gods) Why do I think you are going to be the death of me? --Obi-Wan to Anikan, AOTC |
||
 CatherineYVR |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 4033 (07/02/2009 06:01 PM) Cort's Cat |
Chattles - my sympathies to you and your dad, and my admiration for doing what needed to be done.
And give Max an ear-ruffle from me. Animal's are indeed amazingly intuitive. Years ago, our cat Button would always station herself bedside when any
of us was sick...we called it Nurse Button On Duty.
CortsVelvet
Catherine, Thane of Thighs; Knight of Knees; Baroness of Biceps; Shahrina of Shoulders; Suzeraine of the Sweetest Smile Ever Seen; Bantiarna of the Byronian Waves; Princess of the Pensive Pause; Champion of the Chained Champion; Lady Honourable Philtrette; member of the K&R Gang, Peeled Kiwi Union, the Fallow-ship of Crowe: Biebe's Babes Posse, and CHERISH - Cuddle His Every Russelly Inch Special Helpers; co-founder of the Crazed for Cort Corterie; Cortesan to the Cowboys (Cort), aka one of the Three Amigas; Siren of the Seafarer, and blissful member of ISHITFAIL. If we stay together, we survive. |
||
|
hkdrs |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3793 (07/07/2009 02:18 PM) Lady Giggles |
Chats - my sympathies to you and your family, and I know that you are very grateful for your pets and their support.
I have some bad news today. I had to put my cat, Jamocha, to sleep today. She was nearly 19 years old (on July 15th), and had been failing the last few months, but she kept coming back to her obnoxious self. Between yesterday and today, she barely moved from one spot on the floor and I realized that she couldn't walk anymore (she'd been shaky but fine until Sunday). The vet said that she was otherwise in good shape for a 19-year-old cat, but it was definitely her time to go. I think she knew where we were going and gave me her blessing, because for the first time in her life, she did not yowl in the cat carrier. And when I held her, she put her head on my shoulder instead of trying desparately to get down. I will miss Jamocha , my beautiful cantakerous old girl.. She was the first cat I ever owned, she chose me at the Humane Society, and I had her with me for 13 1/2 years. But, I'm hoping that she's now in a place without pain and without a monster named Calypso attacking her all the time. ;-) RIP Jamocha Almond Fudge Smith 
My little Meatloaf 
Lady Giggles
Mistress of the Bath, Lady of the Dance, Bounteous Countess of Cupid's Bow  , Wet Russelling Watery Wench, Nurturing
Nurse of Neuroses and Phantom Kibbitzer(Swish!!)
Strangth and Honour (Motto of the RHR-MAC)    You is who you is, and if you ain't who you is, who is you? - Martha
Castle
Sweeeeeeeeet! - Vac Pat Don't judge me until you've walked a mile on my medication... |
||
|
spreesmom |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3323 (07/07/2009 03:14 PM) Lady Honourable
|
ahh, gigs, i'm sorry... it's so hard to say goodbye, but you made the right choice, and it definitely sounds like she was ready to go.
she'll always be with you, you know. {{{gigs}}} becks |
||
|
CatherineYVR |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 4034 (07/07/2009 03:53 PM) Cort's Cat |
Gigs.....this is the 2nd condolence for a departed pet I've done today. But as with your Jamocha Almond Fudge Smith aka Meatloaf (what an excellent
name
CortsVelvet
Catherine, Thane of Thighs; Knight of Knees; Baroness of Biceps; Shahrina of Shoulders; Suzeraine of the Sweetest Smile Ever Seen; Bantiarna of the Byronian Waves; Princess of the Pensive Pause; Champion of the Chained Champion; Lady Honourable Philtrette; member of the K&R Gang, Peeled Kiwi Union, the Fallow-ship of Crowe: Biebe's Babes Posse, and CHERISH - Cuddle His Every Russelly Inch Special Helpers; co-founder of the Crazed for Cort Corterie; Cortesan to the Cowboys (Cort), aka one of the Three Amigas; Siren of the Seafarer, and blissful member of ISHITFAIL. If we stay together, we survive. |
||
|
kaspimus |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3174 (07/07/2009 08:00 PM) Keeper of the Kilted |
I'm sorry to hear of Jamocha's passing but I'm glad that I got to meet her and that over the years, she eventually let me rub her ears. Calypso
will be lost without the grand old dame to tease.
I dont pretend to know what you want
But I offer love ~Neil Finn The purpose that you wish to find in life, like a cure you seek, is not going to fall from the sky. It requires faith to take risks and a rejection of the bonds of fear. ~Michael J. Fox |
||
|
hkdrs |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3794 (07/07/2009 08:45 PM) Lady Giggles |
Thanks guys, it really helps to have friends at times like these! btw
Yeah yeah yeah, he's already rejoicing that he has the ENTIRE living room in which to chase the raffia switch! 
But, as my friend told me, he's extra afffectionate now -- which is interesting because he's already a velcro-kitty. Someone said to me that I should get a kitten for him to play with, and honestly, I'm just not ready for that. Jamocha's death wasn't a real surprise, but it still hits really hard. Thank you so much for being my friends and giving me hugs, even if they are virtual. I really appreciate it. The best thought I had today was that Jamocha is sitting on my grandmother's lap, both of them saying "Why do they keep wanting to say how old we were????"  I think they'd both be very happy together...
Lady Giggles
Mistress of the Bath, Lady of the Dance, Bounteous Countess of Cupid's Bow , Wet Russelling Watery Wench, Nurturing
Nurse of Neuroses and Phantom Kibbitzer(Swish!!)
Strangth and Honour (Motto of the RHR-MAC) You is who you is, and if you ain't who you is, who is you? - Martha
Castle
Sweeeeeeeeet! - Vac Pat Don't judge me until you've walked a mile on my medication... |
||
|
spreesmom |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3324 (07/07/2009 09:16 PM) Lady Honourable
|
i hope we've all heard of rainbow bridge...?
|
||
|
Chattles |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 374 (07/08/2009 04:31 AM) |
{{{{{GIGS}}}}} I'm so sorry to hear about Jamocha. It's by far one of the hardest decisions you'll ever make, but like I found
out with Mutton (my dog before Max), they do let you know when they're ready and they do reassure you that you made the right decision.
I love this thought: The best thought I had today was that Jamocha is sitting on my grandmother's lap, both of them saying "Why do they keep wanting to say how old we were????" A favorite of mine:
|
||
|
spreesmom |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3325 (07/08/2009 05:03 AM) Lady Honourable
|
it's not heaven without our beloved pets - if mine aren't waiting for me, i don't want to go there.
dog is my co-pilot
|
||
|
kaspimus |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3175 (07/08/2009 07:11 AM) Keeper of the Kilted |
hkdrs wrote:The lesson I've learned over the last few years is that there are no rules for mourning. Each person and circumstance is unique. When Khaska died, he left such a void in our home that it was only a month later we were talking about getting a kitten. It took two to make up for him 
I dont pretend to know what you want
But I offer love ~Neil Finn The purpose that you wish to find in life, like a cure you seek, is not going to fall from the sky. It requires faith to take risks and a rejection of the bonds of fear. ~Michael J. Fox |
||
|
Likameow |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 109 (07/08/2009 03:11 PM) |
Aw, Gigs. Big hugs from me and the Hudecek housecats. Unlike K, I never had the pleasure of petting Jamocha but I remember being at your house. At night, I
would hear the pitty patter of tiny feet as she came out from under the bed to explore while the interloper (me) was asleep. What a beautiful kitty. She will
be missed.
John Biebe--A sheriff who became a hockey player. A hockey player who became a Saturday hero. A Saturday hero who defied the NHL! (Savannah--Movie Gods) Why do I think you are going to be the death of me? --Obi-Wan to Anikan, AOTC |
||
|
hkdrs |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3829 (07/20/2009 07:25 AM) Lady Giggles |
Thanks Moo! BTW, this is the last week to
cast your vote in The Animal Rescue Site Shelter+ Challenge - together with Petfinder.com! Since the start of the Challenge, 13 participating animal rescue organizations have been awarded a $1,000 grant. That's $13,000 in grants to the organizations that you have voted for. These grants may seem like a drop in a bucket considering the often enormous needs of shelters and rescues, but these gifts (and your votes) are having an impact.Don't forget to support Likamay's shelter and vote for: Pet Paw-see Great Falls, MT (And don't forget that you can vote EVERY DAY! But only once a day...)
Lady Giggles
Mistress of the Bath, Lady of the Dance, Bounteous Countess of Cupid's Bow , Wet Russelling Watery Wench, Nurturing
Nurse of Neuroses and Phantom Kibbitzer(Swish!!)
Strangth and Honour (Motto of the RHR-MAC) You is who you is, and if you ain't who you is, who is you? - Martha
Castle
Sweeeeeeeeet! - Vac Pat Don't judge me until you've walked a mile on my medication... |
||
|
kaspimus |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 3189 (07/26/2009 05:45 PM) Keeper of the Kilted |
Piper-san enjoying the sun
Willow succeeds
I dont pretend to know what you want
But I offer love ~Neil Finn The purpose that you wish to find in life, like a cure you seek, is not going to fall from the sky. It requires faith to take risks and a rejection of the bonds of fear. ~Michael J. Fox |
||
|
Chattles |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 375 (07/27/2009 05:28 PM) |
Great pics!
Had a bit of a scare with Magoo. I thought he had developed a urinary blockage, as I wasn't getting pee every day. Of course, while we were waiting to be seen by the vet he peed all over the carrier! LOL His urine test came back totally fine...no crystals, no infection or bacteria. The vet said he may just be changing his potty patterns. His other behavior is all normal (appetite, playfulness, etc...) so I'm just watching him a bit more closely and will bring him back in if I think it's necessary. While we were there, the vet also discovered a heart murmur. At this point there is not much to do--as it may turn out to be nothing. For now, we're just going to monitor the murmur yearly to see if it worsens. The vet gave me a list of symptoms to watch for (panting, wheezing, etc...) that would indicate trouble and I'd need to bring him right in.
|
||
|
CatherineYVR |
|||
|
Crowe Crossing Member
Posts: 4060 (07/28/2009 08:11 PM) Cort's Cat |
kaspi - your cats are just so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your pics with those of us whose hands are fur-stroking-starved!
I wonder if my neighbour's cat will be out tonight......
CortsVelvet
Catherine, Thane of Thighs; Knight of Knees; Baroness of Biceps; Shahrina of Shoulders; Suzeraine of the Sweetest Smile Ever Seen; Bantiarna of the Byronian Waves; Princess of the Pensive Pause; Champion of the Chained Champion; Lady Honourable Philtrette; member of the K&R Gang, Peeled Kiwi Union, the Fallow-ship of Crowe: Biebe's Babes Posse, and CHERISH - Cuddle His Every Russelly Inch Special Helpers; co-founder of the Crazed for Cort Corterie; Cortesan to the Cowboys (Cort), aka one of the Three Amigas; Siren of the Seafarer, and blissful member of ISHITFAIL. If we stay together, we survive. |
||
Perver
