Dear Marylyn, Leah, Michelle, Tonya, Diane R., Phaewryn, Barb, Elizabeth and
Gloria,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your responses. Jimi came in at
the crack of dawn and disappeared somewhere but when I woke up a few hours
later, he was in bed with me, sleeping. That was nice to see as he has shun my
bed recently for my isolated areas. He is gone again now but at least I know
he is OK and not frozen solid.
Marylyn, your post helped a lot. I am glad to read that maybe they like the
coolness. He does have some areas he could curl up in, an old dog house with
fleece covers in it and I just put a carpet sample under the deck, too, thanks
for the suggestion. In case he gets out again.
Leah, I'm so sorry to read about your loss of Bubba. I try to keep up with
the posts but am so far behind right now. I like how you described your last
times with Bubba. That is how I hope it will be for Jimi, too.
Michelle, your post made a lot of sense to me and I felt great comfort from
it.
Diane, I think you are right about the talking to him. He does seem to
appreciate it and will slowly close his eyes in acknowledgement. I do think he
really hates the coercion more than anything right now (with trying to get meds
and fluids and some A/D).
Phaewryn, I appreciate your post. He won't eat at all, though, so trying to
tempt him with food will not work, I'm afraid. He had severe stomatitis for
years but now I think it has progressed down his esophagus or lower because his
mouth looks good but it is painful for him to eat.
Barb, thanks for sharing your own perspective and experience. I'm sorry
that you lost Ninja. It is so hard to be an animal lover at times.
Tonya, Elizabeth and Gloria, thank you so much for your caring messages and
your prayers.
Many thanks and hugs,
Anne and Jimi Too Cool, Simms and Sophie
Frequently they want to be alone when they leave this world. Perhaps it is
easier for them to leave without their people around willing them to stay or
perhaps they think it will be easier on their human friends if they do not have
to watch. Also, some like to feel the cool ground during their last
while---some just want to be cool. The Royal Princess Kitty Katt and Ebony
Thomas Katt both sought out cold tiles over blankets and warm places. I took
Ebony outside to let him enjoy the earth while waiting for his vet on New
Year's Eve night.
Know that you are letting him do as he needs to even if it breaking your heart
and frightening you. He loves you for that. Keep the cat door available to
him and consider putting a blanket or something warm under the deck for him
(this is more for you than for him).
**********************************************************************************************************************************************
Dear Anne,
My heart goes out to you, since it was just 8 days ago since I lost my Bubba.
He, too, sought out hiding places shortly before he died. I think that Jimi is
trying to find a place to be alone more than anything else. When Bubba finally
became too weak to move around the apartment, I kept him right next to me so I
could hold him and stroke him and talk to him. That meant a lot to me and I
think that it meant a lot to him, too, because even though I think he was in a
coma at the end, his tail would switch and he would purr when I talked to him
and stroked him.
Leah
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
What's happened since then?
I know it is distressing, and I would be trying to get him in too. But it is
true they want to do this, often, to die, and it is also true that
hypothermia is supposed to be one of the most painless ways to die, and to help
with
other kinds of pain, I think. If he passes, or passed, outside, it really may
be the best thing. Though I completely understand your distress.
Michelle
****************************************************************************************************************************************
I'm sorry Anne. Maybe he does want to be private. I don't know. You are both
in my prayers.
tonya
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
Anne, I'm so sorry you have this added worry at a time like this. But yes,
you're giving him a choice, and if he wants to come back in he will. If you
know he's still alive, you could go out from time to time and just sit and
talk to him -- tell him his story, tell him what he means to you. Do this
even if you can't see him just then. This will help both of you. He'll
know you're caring for him without trying to coerce him, and you will be
together in every way except physically. Hugs to you both.
Diane R.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
Well, he's his own man, at least if that is the way he chooses to go, he had
the free will and peace of choosing it. Really, I know it hurts, but you
couldn't possibly give him anything more than the freedom to choose. Animals
DO go off to die, but on the other hand, another member here (I think it was
this group) had the same thing happen a couple of months ago, and her cat
was found and didn't die (he just wanted some outside time really bad). The
only other alternative is to start digging out the deck, and that will be
stressful and scary for him. I would try enticing him out with tuna and
other tasty cat treats, if you haven't tried it already.
Phaewryn
*******************************************************************************************************************************
GLOW to you and Jimi. I think what others have said about seeking solitude and
cool is pertinent. My Ninja chose several "sick" places where she didn't stay
when feeling well, they were dark places I couldn't get to. She sought them
out while we were waiting for the time the vet could come over to help her to
the Bridge.
Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito
******************************************************************************************************************************
I just want to add my voice to Diane R.'s. My heart is with you Anne.
elizabeth
********************************************************************************************************************************
Same here - sending prayers for Jimi Too Cool...
Gloria B. Lane
