I'm so sorry, Kim. I know it's not a lot of consolation that you had him with you for 6-1/2 years when a healthy cat can live 3 times that long, but it *is* an extraordinary age for a FeLV+ kitty and both of you fought the good fight and loved each other fiercely for all that time. Don't try to second-guess yourself about whether it was the exact time to help him end it -- I think one of the other members of this list would say "better a day too early than a second too late."
When you are talking to him, as Marylyn has suggested, invite him to visit you. So many people have experienced what they feel is a visit from their departed pets -- maybe you're in bed and it feels like somekitty is walking on the bed, but when you look nobody's there, that kind of thing. And if you ever move, specifically invite Cole to the new place too. And finally, once it stops hurting quite so badly, be open to the idea of finding another kitty, not to "take his place" but to fill the void. He won't want you to be lonely, and so many times people have said they felt that their departed kitty has led them right to a new one to love. Hugs to you and to Cole in his new home, where he is undoubtedly swapping "great mommy" stories with our kitties there. Diane R. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kim Thomas Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 12:00 AM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Cole's last fight It is with great sadness that I have to say that my Cole has lost his fight. The last 2 weeks he has been recieving epogen shots two times a week and we found out today that the shots have not improved his anemia. He in fact got worse and his hemoglobin went down to 9% from 11% 2 weeks ago. He has also lost an addition 1lb in 3 days because he would not eat. It was the hardest thing ever to have to make the call in putting him to sleep or not, but he has been so lethargic and down the last couple days, I had no choice. He was not in good enough shape to even attempt any other treatment at this point. I wish I would have caught this earlier and maybe treatment would have been better. He had been living with Feline Leukemia since birth and he lived to be almost 7, so at least I was blessed with that time with him. Right now the hardest thing is to come home and not have him waiting at the door for me. I am praying that I made the right decision and didnt jump the gun on putting him to sleep, but I just could not take it if I knew that I was prolonging his suffering. I am having him cremated and we are having a special urn made for him with his picture. All I can say is that having Cole for a short 6 1/2 years was worth the heartache I have now, he was my rock and was there for me when I needed him and now it is my turn to be there for him. Thank you all for your support and words of advice, it helped me make it through the 2 toughest weeks of my life. I love you Cole. Kim _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org This electronic mail transmission and any attachments are confidential and may be privileged. They should be read or retained only by the intended recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the transmission from your system. In addition, in order to comply with Treasury Circular 230, we are required to inform you that unless we have specifically stated to the contrary in writing, any advice we provide in this email or any attachment concerning federal tax issues or submissions is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, to avoid federal tax penalties. _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
