Sunday, July 28, 2013

Amber, Over the Rainbow Bridge

Amber went to the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday.  I know her dad is very sad.  I'm very sad for them, too.  I've cried for our beautiful friend.  She was loved very much and will be missed a lot.

May you rest in peace, beautiful, sweet Amber.


Thank you, Ann, for making this beautiful badge.

You are free to leave condolences for her dad here.  I'm sure he would appreciate any words of comfort.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Amber Update: Purrs and Prayers Needed

Do you remember precious Amber?

Lately, she hasn't been feeling so well.  Her daddy (one of my close friends) took her to the vet this week, and the news is not good.  Amber's cancer has spread throughout her body to her lungs, abdomen, and possibly her brain.  The vet gave Amber a steroid injection to see if it would help shrink the tumors some and make her more comfortable.

Things are not looking so good.  Could everyone please send their very best purrs and prayers?

I am very sad for Amber and her daddy.  I really hope the medication can give them more time together and make Amber feel more comfortable.


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Almost Wordless Wednesday with Jewel


Jewel: If I lay here on your clothes, you can't pack them. And we'll all stay here.

We can't wait to catch up with everyone next week!!!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere

It seems like forever since we've had the chance to catch up with everyone!  We miss you all, dear friends.

We're moving in six days, and there is still so much to do!!

How are the kitties holding up?

Carmine's taken to chomping plastic bags, which he does when he's anxious.  So every time I get a bag ready for donations, I have to douse it in Bitter Apple.  This does deter him, thankfully. :)  Of course, I also offer him something that's good to chomp on, like one of his many, many catnip toys.

Milita seems to care less what's going on.  She's just her happy-go-lucky-self.  She's been offering me hug time lately, which is nice.  What better way to spend a break than to hug your fur baby? :)

Jewel has been very clingy lately.  Anyone who knows Jewel, knows that she's not a very clingy cat.  I've also noticed she gets very upset if her water isn't fresh enough.  Her dad ordered her a fountain so she'll have a constant source of fresh water.  I think she'll like that!

I also wanted to take a moment to welcome our new VSquillions!!  I adopted a Summer and an Angel VSquillion to honor my first cat, Kitty.


My sister and I got Kitty when she about 8 years old from the Humane Society.  She was a beautiful calico baby.  She was very cuddly and sweet.  There were many occasions over the years that Kitty would snuggle up to me when I cried.  She would roam around at night and take turns sleeping on my bed, my sister's bed, and my stepsister's bed.

I loved Kitty so very much, and it broke my heart when she went to the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 18.  We lost our dear, sweet Kitty to kidney disease.  She fought a long, hard battle.

I ran across a picture of Kitty when I was going through some old cards and letters.  Once I get settled in my new place and figure out how to scan it in, I'll share it with you.  I even had my senior pictures taken with Kitty in high school.  I'll see if I have any of those around, too.


Welcome home, Kitty.  I love you so very much!


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Jewel's Vet Visit

I'm very overwhelmed with everything I need to do, and don't know how to avoid the kind of pain flare-up I had the last time I moved.  It's hard for me to pace myself with the pain and exhaustion I'm constantly experiencing (my chronic pain condition causes extreme exhaustion as well as pain).  

But enough about me!  I wanted to give you all an update about Jewel.

I took Jewel to the vet on Tuesday to learn how to give her fluids with the IV line instead of the syringes.  They thought it would be more comfortable for her with the line.  

The vet showed me how to do it.  She's great. :)  She said they would get the line all ready for me each time, letting the fluid drip down into the line because I can't see it to tell where it is in the line.  I so appreciate that they are willing to work with me and my limitations.  

It turns out, the line really is better.  Jewel didn't cry nearly as much with her treatment at the vet.  Her next treatment will be Friday.  I think it will go better than the syringe method and she'll get all the fluids she needs.  


Jewel: I was very upset when the woman tried to put me in the carrier, so I tried to bite her.  I missed her hand, though, so I fought hard and squirmed and scratched.  I almost got away, but she managed to get me in the carrier.  

While at the vet, I bought a Yeoww banana for Jewel and a couple of catnip pillows.  I put one of the pillows in her carrier for the way home as I thought it might calm her a little, but she decided to pee in the carrier on the way home.  I'll have to get her another pillow when I go back in a week or two (without cats this time).

The vet and I discussed Jewel's medications.  The vet pilled her with the Mirtazepine for me since I can't pill her myself.  We decided to compound her medications.  

Jewel will be getting Benazepril (blood pressure med) and Mirtazepine (appetite stimulant) in liquid form.  I'm hoping if Jewel is hungrier, I can give her a snack with her slippery elm bark, but if that doesn't work, we will compound Reglan for her nausea.  

We wish all of our fellow Americans a happy Independence Day!!!