Thanks for your kind words, Brenda. I agree with you.
I think I've learned a lot from my experience with Caramel.
Next time around, I will be acting earlier...I feel Caramel was suffering in silence (the unfocused eyes, turning his back on room, poor appetite) for too long.
And so I hope I will be able to arrange for the housecall vet to come. Also, I would want kitty wrapped in his own blanket. Caramel was lying on an unfamiliar sheet that the vet provided. (Though I should say that I'm extremely grateful there was an emergency clinic I could take him to on the evening of Thanksgiving Day. It would have been horrendous if he had had to suffer through the night.)
If I had to take a kiity to a clinic, I would want to keep the environment as familiar to him/her as possible. With his stuff around him.
I was really not prepared last Thursday evening. I take comfort from the fact that at least I was there, all day, and evening, for him. I could so easily have been in Britain, thousands of miles away (if I hadn't had to have my pasport renewed in London in September, and thus blew my travel budget on that...I might easily have been gone for T'giving.)
take care, Kerry
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Brenda Lyons
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 7:09 PM
To: Feline Leukemia talk
Subject: Caramel, Ezra & euthanasia at home
Kerry & Anne,
I just wanted to add my condolences to you both for your losses. Everything that has been said about the FeLV+ kitties being special & so loving I've found to be true in my limited experience with these kitties. We lost 4 kitties in 6 months to the FeLV & it's very hard to deal with. God bless you both for taking care of Caramel & Ezra. I know they are smiling down on you from above now & are happy & carefree.
On the subject of euthanasia at home, I'd like to add my 2 cents worth. We opted for this with our last FeLV kitten, Lisa. The vet came to the house & Lisa was given a series of tranquilizers to calm her down. By the time the vet gave her the final shot putting her into eternal sleep, she was very calm & went peacefully. She was laying in the carrier in our garage which had been her home for all of her 14 months of life. It was still hard, but much easier than taking her to the vet's office. I will do this exclusively from now on.
Again, please know that you did your best to make Caramel & Ezra happy during their lives. It's never an easy decision to let them go.
Sleep softly, sweet angels.
Best,
Brenda
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