Missing Her

I really miss my Puff. I am especially sad she did not get to move into my new apartment with me. She's been with me through so many moves and so many important things in my life. But at her age and with her ailmets the move would have been hard on her.

Often, I see a bit of a white pillow or a white t-shirt tossed on the bed, out of the corner of my eye and I think it is her. I have her picture in my wallet and lots up on the walls, and even one on my desk at work.

She will never be forgotten.

In memory of dear Princess Puff - 29-01-1988 to 05-04-2005

My beautiful, sweet Puff passed away peacefully this morning.

In the last week she became very ill and weak. She ate her last meal Saturday morning, which she actually seemed to enjoy. She began to loose bladder control Saturday, as well. She drank water right up to last night, though. Given her health issues, none of this came as a surprise and I knew there was nothing I could do for her except to love her and make sure she happy and comfortable. I even slept on the floor with her, so she would stop trying to jump up on the bed. I was afraid she'd break a leg.

I knew when I left for work this morning that she would not make it through the day. Even if by some chance she had, I knew I had to let her suffering end. I don't think she suffered much, she just slept mostly. She still purred when I petted her or lay next to her until this morning. I spent every last minute I could squeeze out before I really had to leave, and lay with her. She looked comfortable sleeping on her fleece bed, and make a few little chirps at me to let me know she was saying HI, or maye it was BYE. :(

As soon as I was called to the phone at work today, I knew why. When I got home I went to see her, she looks like she's sleeping, still in the same position she was this morning, but wrapped in a nice fuzzy blanket.

She will buried in the county in the family's pet cemetary.

She'll be chasing birds, squirrels, moles, mice, and moths in heaven now. :)

Oh dear

My dear, dear Puff has been hanging on despite her ailments, but she took a turn for the worst the night before last. She had grown very thin (hyperthyroidism, old age, oxylate stones) and frail. She was eating quite well until about 2 weeks ago, but loosing weight none the less. 2 nights ago I mixed in a different kind of food with her usual urinary canned food, and she loved it! But it did not love her.

She had diarhea from it and is weakened. She ate and drank yesterday and seemed to perk up my last night, but still a big change from just a few days ago. She hasn't eaten much today, but a think she has drank a little.

I am a part-time student and work 3 jobs, and I feel so terrible that I couldn't just spend the last 2 days tending to her 24/7. She mostly is just sleeping and there's almost always someone home, anyway, if there was a real emergency. I had a huge term paper due today and now that it is over and handed in, I have to really think about whether I am keeping Puff alive for me, or whether she is really OK.

I love her so much. I have had her since I was 12 years old, all my teenage years and virtually all of my twenties. I am 29 and I really don't think she'll make it to my 30th. My poor dear Puff. I love her so, I just wish I could make her better, but there's really nothing that can be done.

Photos

Primary: Beautiful Puff - taken about 2 years ago.

2. An attempt at a group Christmas pic. Puff & Eric. 2003.
3. Puffy - Jan 2005
4. Jan 2005
5. YAY! It only took a year, but a successful group pic. Oct 2004.
6. Santa Puff 2004
7. Elf Puff, 2004
8. Everyone gets their treats for being great models
9. Somewhere in the southern US, 2002
10. Asleep in a hotel room in Oklahoma, 2002

Bladder Blues

I have not been feeling so good since before that time of year when the humans give each other gifts and bring a tree in from outside. Usuallt it's a nice time for me as there's lots of paper to play with and some presents for me, too. This year just 2 days before, I was put in a travel bag and taken to that scary place with other cats and dogs, and a human in a white coat that pokes at you. My human, Angie, started giving me pills that night. She would force them in my mouth - yuck! They don't taste good, but she always gave me a treat right after. Then I had to go back to the scary place again and then to a different one, but the same idea and I had to stay there over night! They gave me some yummy food that I really liked, and you know, I have noticed Angie has been giving me the same food ever since. Maybe the overnight stay was a good thing. I was still pretty happy to see her when she came to get me though.

I am still not feeling well. My pee is red (according to what I hear Angie say, that's not good). And although I eat lots of that good food, I feel thinner. The boys (Tigger and Eric) and pretty good to me, but they get annoying sometimes, always wanting to play or snuggle up. And noisy! I think Angie knows they are bothering me because I am getting lots of time away from them, alone with her and it's great. She pets me and kisses me and sometimes she brushes me. That makes me feel good.

NOTE from Angie: Puff has been diagnosed with oxylate bladder stones. They cannot be dissolved with food and medication. They require surgery. Puff is also suspected to be hyperthyroid. At 17 years old, with a heart murmur and potentially hyperthyroid, the surgery is not recommended. She probably wouldn't survive. So she is on treatment to prevent any secondary infections and I am giving her urinary food, which she loves, because, well she likes it and it can't hurt. The new pills can be crushed and mixed with food, so no more forced pilling. YAY. She travels with me if I am away more than one night. She's always been a good traveler, so it's no problem, although she usually can't hold her pee the whole trip, but she's good and always goes back in her bag to do it. I know the end is near, but I am enjoying all the wonderful moments we spend together.