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Tubby & Peanut's Mom
08-23-2012, 10:06 AM
Hello all, long time no see!

Just wanted to give an update on CJ and Robin....and ourselves too. ;)

CJ - known as Jackie these days - is doing really well. He has gradually gone blind over the past 2 or 3 years, but that hasn't slowed him down a bit! He still begs incessantly to go outside (on his rope) and we indulge him as often as possible. He loves when we pull into a new place and before we've even got the engine shut off he's begging at the door to go explore the new digs. He recently had a visit with the white coats and the vet said she has never seen such good blood work in a 14 year old cat. She didn't have an explanation for his blindness, but said he's not in pain because of it and if he continues to act normally, there's no real concern. We got a new motorhome last March and the first few days he was a little hesitant to move around because things weren't where they were supposed to be, but he quickly got over that in his search for the front door. :rolleyes: He'll sometimes bump into Robin because he doesn't know she's sitting there, but other than that he knows his way around pretty well. He loves snuggling with his meowmy and wants under the covers every night, which I'm happy to oblige him with a lift of the covers to help him find his way. :love:

Robin is doing well......considering. She has appeared "yellow" lately, so after the most recent white coat visit - and another several hundred dollars :eek: it was revealed she has a tumor in her liver, one kidney is non-functioning and the other is failing and she has tri-something or other affecting her large intestines and two other organs. Several years ago after her diagnosis of crystals in her ureters (sp?), I determined I would not put her through surgery, so the decision that was made with the latest diagnosis is we will keep her comfortable as long as possible - and love her to pieces in the meantime. :love: However, with all the health issues going on - along with some weird skin thing too - she is doing well. She begs for her milkies every morning and gobbles up chicken and hamburgers like you wouldn't believe. Getting her to eat her own food, however, is rather a chore and I've practically gone broke trying to find a food she'll continue to eat. I now just buy small bags because she'll gobble it up when I first introduce it, but after 3 or 4 days doesn't want anything to do with it. The vet said it will eventually get to the point where she'll be put on steroids to get her to eat and to help with the tumor, but seeing as she already has liver and kidney issues, the vet wanted to delay that as long as possible. She adores laying on her daddy's tummy and practically won't leave his side as long as he's home. She also has a favorite mousie and catnip ball that she will bat around, and she's so funny because she slips and slides on the tile floor to go after it. :D She soon poops out though, and is back to her daddy's tummy for smoochies and lovin's. :love:

So all in all life is good these days. The last few years we've been spending our summers in Grand Teton National Park working at the Colter Bay Marina, and we spend our winters basking in the Southern California sunshine. We head back to the midwest every spring to visit family and friends and like I mentioned, we got a new motorhome last March - still 45' long, but with 4 slides now instead of 2, so we have a bit more room. No plans yet to give up our vagabond lifestyle, so like I say, life is good.:D

It's nice to be back at PT and to see there are still so many "old-timers" still here. It's always sad to hear of all the beloved PT kitties that have gone to the bridge, but it's always exciting to hear about the new adoptees who have gotten a new lease on life too.

Nice to "see" you all again!

PS - pics are Robin sniffing the breezes at the front door and Jackie napping on his new favorite bankie.

Freckles
08-23-2012, 10:16 AM
Welcome back, oldtimers! :D

Catty1
08-23-2012, 10:41 AM
Hello, stranger! :)

Glad Jackie is doing well! Still such a handsome boy.:love:

Poor Robin - how old is she? She has had the best years of her life with you, for sure! Give her hugs and a forehead kissie for me. She still looks dainty and beautiful!:love:

Karen
08-23-2012, 10:42 AM
Hey, good to hear from our wandering Pet Talk family! Glad the kitties are relatively well, all things considered! :)

Randi
08-23-2012, 11:04 AM
Hi Debbie and Terry! How nice to hear from you! :) I'm sorry that CJ has gone blind, but you know cats... as long as they are in familiar surroundings, they'll be fine. It sounds like CJ has already got used to your new MH, too. :) In spite of Robin's tumor and other health issues, I'm glad she is doing fairly well. Yes, keep her comfortable and pain free as long as possible, that seems to be the best you can do. Please give them both some kisses from me! :love:

Do we get to see nay pics of your new MH? Preferably with you in it. It must be nice to have the freedom of living wherever you want, and be able to find work. Of course, I don't the places you go to, but I know for a fact that CA is a great place to be, both in winter and summer. :D

Fister is now 16 years old and doing fairly well. At he last vet visit his numbers were within normal. :) However, he is slowing down a bit and can't jump on the kitchen counter anymore, but he can jump on my bed. He even still goes down in the yard, in fact he was just down there for 15 min. but has come up and is meowing his head off to get attention - or to send you a greeting. :D

Keep the updates coming and have a great time!

krazyaboutkatz
08-23-2012, 11:19 AM
Hi Debbie, It's great to see you posting here again.:) I'm sorry to hear about both CJ and Robin:( but I'm glad that they're still able to enjoy the motorhome life with you.:) My Storm had to be put to sleep on Aug. 2nd.:( He was about 16 1/2 years old but may have been a bit older since I never knew his exact birthdate. He was doing great in April but slowly started going down hill. Then he became very wobbly and he could barely get around because his back legs would go out on him.:( I just couldn't continue to watch this so I had to say my final goodbye. As you can see in my siggie, I've adopted quite a few more cats and kittens. I ended up adding 5 new additions this year. Yes, I'm crazy but I'm enjoying my large cat family. Everyone gets along very well except for Ziggy and Pearl. They still don't like Alani & Blaze and they don't like the latest new 5 additions either.

katladyd
08-23-2012, 12:39 PM
It was so nice meeting your two furbabies. CJ is so handsome and I love his spirit! Blind or not, he's got living to do! Robin seems like a real love bug and those kitties are always very special. I hope you have her with for a good while yet.
I don't know about Cali being nice in the summer. I live inland a little bit, about 35 miles or so, and summers are very hot and smoggy! I try to escape to the beach almost every weekend. But winters here can't be beat!:D

moosmom
08-23-2012, 12:56 PM
:eek::eek:

WELCOME BACK STRANGER!! I was just thinking about you the other day wondering how you guys were doing!!!

Thanks for popping in to say hi!

Donna and the crew at Ploss's Halfway House for Homeless cats
xoxoxox

momoffuzzyfaces
08-23-2012, 01:37 PM
Gosh, it's good to hear from you all!!!

Poor Jackie! I totally understand. My Grandma cat has gone blind too. But she, like Jackie, doesn't let it bother her. She still even jumps up on my bed by herself.

Hope Robin continues to feel well and you all have lots more cuddle and love time with them both!!! :love:

Edwina's Secretary
08-23-2012, 06:30 PM
Hello, hello, hello! You'll have to let me know when you get back here. Not just yet I suppose as it is soooooo hot.

The Es are still the Es. Edwina has a thyroid problem that makes her so hungry she will snatch the food right out of your mouth. She gets twice daily treatments but still DEMANDS food at 6:00am. Eddie is the same sweet, not too bright fellow.

Hope we can get together when you get back...

Felicia's Mom
08-23-2012, 08:06 PM
It's good to hear from you again!:D

Bengalz
08-23-2012, 08:59 PM
Hi Debbie - it is great to hear from you. CJ and Robin are adorable as always despite the ills of old age approaching. They are so fortunate to have loving purrents to take care of and love them. Please give them both a big hug for me. Eve is sweet as ever and a complete princess:D - sometimes she reminds me of your dear Peanut:love:.

I love that you and Terry are living your dream - how sweet and in a new motorhome!! Well done. Enjoy your travels and visit soon.

sasvermont
08-24-2012, 07:33 AM
So glad you are doing nicely and live is fine for you all. Stop in again some time to let us know how you are doing!

Hugs to you all.

Sas and her campers

:love::love::love::love:

phesina
08-24-2012, 08:18 AM
Welcome back to you all! Good to hear of how Jackie and Robin are doing and the wonderful care they are getting from you. God bless you all.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

Barbara
08-24-2012, 01:04 PM
Debbie I am so glad to hear of you. When we were in Grand Teton 2 years ago you were not there (Sara knew ;)) but we are jealous to hear you can go there every year.
I am so sorry to hear about Cracker jack and Robin. Jackie will be ok for a long time because blindness is nothing that gets a kitty out of his comfort zone - I am more worried about little Robin girl. I feel it is too short after your last generation to be with senior kitties again. I think you are taking the completely right decision to let her have a happy and spoiled life as long as it lasts.
One of the food things Filou loved when he ate little else was egg yolk. It is full of healthy fats so maybe you can get the girl to lick one once in a while.

Scooter's Mom
08-25-2012, 12:21 AM
It's nice to see an update on CJ & Robin. You probably don't remember me all that well, but I remember when you got Robin.
Thanks for the photos of your furry two-some!

catmandu
08-25-2012, 09:25 AM
Welcome back, we have missed you.
We are sorry to hera that Robin has medical issues, and that Jackie has lost his sight, but they seem to have adapted well, and that you are still trekking across America , showing them new places and adventuring in a way that most Cats would adore.:love::love:
We are al well at The Found Cat Hotel with Five New Cats , all maes including Ebony Beau Tubster Two, like Tubster Panther and Ebony Beau Tubster Angel and Tubby Two named after your Great Black Cat Tubby!!
Have a Great time on the Road.:love::love:

Laura's Babies
08-25-2012, 08:15 PM
HI DEBBIEEEEEE!! How are you?!! Glad you dropped in and gave us a update on everyone. CJ and Robin are as pretty as ever! Hate hearing the problems Robin is having and can't believe CJ has lost his sight but as Old Magoo showed us all, being blind is nothing for a feline. I LOVED that sign about not letting the cat out no matter what it tells you... That made me laugh! Hearing from you made my day!!!

Tubby & Peanut's Mom
08-26-2012, 07:49 PM
I am more worried about little Robin girl. I feel it is too short after your last generation to be with senior kitties again.

I guess that's what happens when one adopts older cats. :( Jackie was a little over 7 when we adopted him 7 1/2 years ago, and Robin was almost 9 1/2 when we adopted her 5 1/2 years ago, making Robin almost 15 and Jackie 15 on 1/1/13. She is showing her age big time, him, not so much.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back.

ES- Robin does the same thing as Edwina with food. Everytime I describe it to a vet, they suggest thyroid issues and test for it, but her thyroid is fine, so they have no explanation for her ravenous -ness. I think she's just hungry because she won't eat her regular food. I cooked some chicken breasts yesterday and she has already eaten an entire breast already, and would probably be half way through the second one if I lest her, but I feel she needs to eat more than chicken......:confused:

Randi, I'm on my iPad right now and don't have a picture of the motorhome on it, but I'll try to get one to you guys soon. It is rather pretty if I do say so myself. ;)

Thanks again everyone. I've really missed you guys! :love:

Vio&Juni
08-27-2012, 10:00 PM
It's always nice to hear back from old time friends. With the cats, we take what we get and enjoy every minute we get with them.

catnapper
08-28-2012, 06:31 AM
Hey there!!! Great to hear from you. Can it really be that long since you adopted those two? Time sure flies!

Vermontcat
08-28-2012, 08:13 PM
Debbie it's good to hear from you again and get an update on CJ & Robin. I'm sorry to hear that they are both having issues as they age.
Remember my Samantha was both deaf and blind in her last few months but she still managed to find her way around the house mostly by feel and smell.
My two Meezers Milly & Izzy are doing great, they enjoy going outside on their leashes & harnesses. They both got to be Cat of the Day this spring, you can find Milly's day in April and Izzy's day in May.:)