Josh is dying

[doolittleky]

For the past year Josh has had alot of medical problems. He is diabetic and has an enlarged heart as well as a heart murmur. The last time he went to the vet about two weeks ago, my vet did an xray and found a spot on his lungs that she says is probably a mass and if so there is nothing they can do for him. The last two days he has had bouts of coughing and is not eating so good and is losing weight. It is jsut a matter of time before I will have to make that final agonizing decision. I am especailly dreading it because he is the last of the originals that I have. Jim has my cat Willow who is one of the six but Josh is the last one I have at home. The orirginals are very very special to me and that is the end kinda of an era with him leaving. It is going to be extremely hard on me. I really need your prayers and support.

Josh in cat bed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshinfishbed.jpg?t=1191706371
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/closeupJoshinfleecebag.jpg?t=1191706878

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshhidingfaceincattree.jpg?t=1191706453


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshpeekingoutofwaterbedrails.jpg?t=1191706498

He likes to look at himself in the mirror

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshlookingin3waymirror.jpg?t=1191706530




This is young Josh
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/BabyJoshstandingonchairwithnewspapers.jpg?t=119170 6730



Baby Josh

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/BabyJoshsittingwithcockedhead.jpg?t=1191706699




Josh and Jade
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/JadehangingoverchairwithJosh.jpg?t=1191706807

[moosmom]

Doolittlekitty,

You and Josh will be in my thoughts and prayers.

(((((HUGS))))))))

Donna

[Medusa]

What a beautiful boy and such a sweet couple. I'm so sorry about dear Josh and am sending out positive prayers for him and you right now......

[doolittleky]

Some of my favorite memories are of Josh playing peek a boo with me under the sheets!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/JoshunderTweetysheet.jpg?t=1191707178

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/joshpeekingoutofsheet.jpg?t=1191707230

Josh playing with toy


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshplayingwithtoy.jpg?t=1191707261

Josh saying Talk to the paw

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshsfootstickingoutofcatbed.jpg?t=1191707296


Josh ready to attack the leafhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/Joshlookingatleafonpilllow.jpg?t=1191707337

I took him to the vet yesterday to have the second xray done and the mass was still there on his lung. The vet says he lost more weight but is stable at the moment but says it depends on how well Josh eats and keeps his weight to how long he has. She says maybe jsut a few weeks.

[kimlovescats]

I'm so sorry to hear this! I hope your last days together are special!

Kim

[Miss Z]

It breaks my heart to hear this. I understand completely; just over a week ago I lost my little rat, Tia Maria, to a tumour, and she was the last remaining pet of my 'originals' (that is, the original pets I had when I joined Pet Talk). I miss her immensely, yet am grateful that Flossie has now been brought into my life to comfort me.

The best you can do is make Josh's final days as comfortable for him as possible, just as I did with Tia. Making the decision is awful, but you really do know when the time comes, and you will know deep down that you did everything you could, and Josh had the best life he could have had with you.

My thoughts are with you and Josh over these next few weeks. I hope he hangs onto life for a little while yet.

((hugs))

[Freedom]

Such difficult news. None of us wants to hear those words from our vet.

Did the vet advise an appetite stimulant? Ruffles was on that for 4 months and it really did help to "slow" the process. She felt fine until those last 72 hours. Something to consider.

Josh is So handsome! Take lots of photos, give him treats and make a huge fuss of him any time, day or night! And give him some chin scritchies from RI, please.

[Laura's Babies]

I am so heartbroken to hear this. He is such a cute boy and this picture of him made me laugh and cry at the same time..http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Doolittleky/joshpeekingoutofsheet.jpg?t=1191707230

(((((HUGS))))) and I will be thinking about you during this hard time. Just hug him and tell him all the things you want him to know before he leaves, especially what he means to you.

[catmandu]

We Are So Sorry That Your Vet Has Given Josh Such A Sad Prognosis.
I Know That You Will Do Your Best To Give That Handsome Young Cat The Most Quality Time That You Can , And He If He Has To Be A Pet Angel Will Be A Much Loved Pet Angel. We Are Praying That The News Is Not Accurate And Josh Will Have More Time With You.
We Are Adding Josh To Our Prayers Tonight.

[Catty1]

Melissa - what a stunningly beautiful and handsome boy you have in Josh!

You might want to ask your vet about prednisone...it can keep inflammation down and perk up Josh's appetite. Certainly not a cure - but may keep Josh more comfy.

Give him a hug and kiss for me. He still looks like a kitten! :)

PY Prayers for you and Josh.

[doolittleky]

Catty, she just put him on pred the other day. Hopefully it will make him more comfortable.

[Hellow]

OMG i am sooo sad and sorry to hear this. I know that josh is your last original and it makes it harder to lose him. Sending lost of prayers.

P.S: It would seem like that the vet would be able to perform surgery on him to remove the mass. Did they describe why not?

P.S.S: Love the pictures!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Josh.:( He sure is adorable.:) I sure hope that you'll be able to make him more comfortable.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sorry. Those pictures are great. He is such a cutie.
You and Josh will be in my thoughts. I hope he will be comfortable and maybe around longer than just a few weeks.

[G535]

Positive thoughts for Josh and you. :)

[AbbyMom]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope he's comfortable. Give him a kiss and ear scritchies for me. Hugs for you.

[jenluckenbach]

I am so sorry to hear about Josh. :(

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Awwwwww, he is such a cute cat!! This must be so hard for you... ; Josh is,'t looking sick at all... :(

[RedHedd]

What a cutie and I know the pain of getting news like that. As others have said, spoil him rotten, take lots of pictures and enjoy what time you have left with him.

Appetite stimulants did nothing for Mishi or Goldie during their final weeks. All you can do is make sure he's comfortable. Gentle hugs to both of you.

[kb2yjx]

I am so sorry to read about your Josh. Whatever you do for will be done with love for him. Prayers for you both...

[orangemm]

Reading this with LES; I am so sorry to hear about Josh. What a special little fella he is to you. Lots of prayers going up for both of you.

((hugs))

[doolittleky]

Reggie, the vet can't perform surgery because it wouldn't do any good removing the mass because she said that with that it is in more than one place beside what shows up on the x ray.

Those picture are a few years old. I will have to take a more recent one. Thanks so much for all of the support and prayers, they are much appreciated.

Melissa

[Ihave2cats]

Your Josh is just precious and much loved - - take care - I know what you are going through.

A friend ...

[ChrisH]

I am so sorry. :( Prayers on the way for you both.

[Killearn Kitties]

I am so sorry to hear that the news is not good for Josh. My girls have all their paws crossed that he will be comfortable during this time. They know he will be loved.

[catmandu]

Bcause Josh Could Not Make Our Party The Pet Angels Will Bring Thier Dear Friend A Marvellous Kitty Bag Of Turkey, Duck And Cheese So He Can Celebrate Too.
We Are Doubling Our Hopes And Prayers For Dear Josh, That Some How He Can Get Better.

[phesina]

Prayers and good wishes and healing, calming, loving energies are being sent for you and Josh both, Melissa. What a beautiful, loving boy he looks, and what wonderful pictures you have of him!

Love, hugs, and purrs,
Pat, Peony, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, and Priscilla Angel

[jazzcat]

I'm so sorry to hear about Josh. He's such an adorable boy.

[Sonia59]

I am so sorry to hear this. Josh is lucky to have such a good mom; he will receive all the love he needs and this is the most important.

[Pawla]

I'm so very sorry. The two of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.

[Randi]

I'm so sorry to hear this. :( Josh looks like such a sweet and special boy - and he seems so playful.

I know you will do what you can to make him comfortable, and I think he'll let you know when it's time.

I'm sending lots positive thoughts and hugs to you. Give Josh some scritchies from me - and headbumpies from Fister.

[Donnaj4962]

I am so sorry to hear such sad news about Josh! He is such a cutie patootie! Hug him lots and cuddle with him as much as you can! You both will be in our prayers tonight.

[rosethecopycat]

Thinking of you and your Josh.

Cherish every moment.

Hugs.

[Reachoutrescue]

Melissa, I am so sorry to hear about Josh. You both will be in our prayers.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

You know that I pray for Josh and the rest of the kitties and pup and bunny.

Josh is handsome, and has a wonderful meowmie that caters to his every need.

When his time comes, I will be here to cry with you....

I pray that he has longer. *HUGS* Katie and kits ;)

[Anikaca77]

Melissa-

My prayers are with you and Josh. Please let us know if you need anything.

Take care,

Melissa

[Rie Rie]

I will pray for both of you. I had to make that hard decision a few years ago and it's very difficult to do, but I felt like my Sasha was ready, she was 15. She too had diabetes, along with kidney failure and a tumor in her mouth. I made the decision that she had lived a long happy healthy life and she was ready. I think I cried for weeks after, but knew in my heart it was the right decsion for her, couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer.
God Bless you and Josh.