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Denyce
08-26-2007, 09:47 AM
I am so sad to report the passing of our beautiful girl Kaliban. She came into our lives in May of 1998 as a very spirited kitten. My husband (at the time we were just dating) and I brought her home from a mall pet store in Burnaby BC. I only was able to spend 2 days with her before I had to go home to PA but she stole my heart.

She became my hubby's heart cat. The two of them bonded deeply and for Kaliban the rest of us were just tolerated. It was only her daddy in her heart. While her daddy and I were doing the long distance thing she managed to wrap the apartment manager around her paw and get him to WAY overfeed her. Because next to daddy she loved food. Not people food..no..for her the best people food was iceburg lettuce and dried spaghetti noodles.

She flew here to PA in 2001 and joined with her sisters in our blended family. She quickly adapted from apartment city living to 11 acres in the mountains of central PA. She even found the Mighty Huntress inside and was able to catch a few mice. She absolutely perfected the art of placing herself in the right place with her mouth open just waiting for an unsuspecting mouse to venture in. Once the mouse was in there however she had no idea what to do with it so she usually gave them over to her sister Deirdre who would quickly dispatch them as cats do.

When Trouble joined our family in 2004 she finally found a kindred cat spirit that had no fear of her. At times Kali wasn't sure she was happy about that but she and Trouble certainly entertained one another.

Kaliban was a bratty, happy, playful, mischevious cat throughout her entire life. She would love to lie on her back and look so sweet and innocent at you until you were fooled into placing your hand into the trap of her belly. Her favorite place to lay was always on her daddy's tummy or between us on the bed.

A couple of weeks ago she had a bout of diarherria. We quickly got it under control with medication but we could tell she wasn't feeling as good as we would like. Her breathing was a bit heavier and she wasn't playing much or wanting to leave the bedroom. She would often just lie near the water bowl but we didn't really see her drinking more than usual. A week ago today she spent several hours lying on her daddy's tummy and fluffing him with her big paddle toes and purring. We didn't know that would be the last time. On Wednesday night we treated her to a couple of bites of chicken breast. She didn't often eat chicken but that night she seemed to want it. She ate her dinner as usual that night and fell asleep near the AC vent.

Thursday morning she refused to eat her breakfast. This is the first time Kali Ali has ever refused a meal. Her breathing was becoming more laboured and it sounded a little "wet". I made a vet appt for her that evening for 5:45. By the time I got her to the vet she was sounding so much worse. Dr. Metrey diagnosed pancreatitis. From what we don't know. From cancer I am suspecting. We took her home that night armed with fluids and injectable pain meds and antibiotics. We wanted a bit more time with her. It just didn't seem right that less than 24 hours ago she seemed fine and that Thursday night we should euthanize? No. We were hoping for a bit more time. Hubby is working 10 to 12 hour days every day for the rest of this month. Last Sunday was his last day off for the month and we were hoping we could make her feel better until after Labor Day and he could spend some more quality time with her.

But it wasn't meant to be. We gave her the fluids Thursday night and Friday morning along with her pain meds and antibiotic. I came home early Friday to give her more pain meds and get her to eat some food. I lifted her onto the bed and spent some time cleaning her up and stroking her. I tried to get her to eat some baby food mixed with nutri-cal but she cried out in pain. Her whole body started to convulse and I knew it was the end. I phoned the vet and arranged for her to come out to our home at 8 that evening. Brian had to be at work until at least 7 and he needed time to say good bye.

Our beautiful big girl went to the Bridge that night. She was lying in her daddy's arms and he let her know how much he loved her. Less than 48 hours after we knew she was ill she was out of pain forever.

Trouble misses her so much. He is staying very close to both my husband and myself and is sleeping in Kaliban's favorite spot on the bed...at my husbands feet.

Play hard Kaliban...our Kalibanowski...my beautiful Kali Ali Baby. We miss you.

(pictures to follow)

Denyce
08-26-2007, 10:01 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/TheMightyHuntress/037.jpg

Kaliban absolutely adored the Christmas Tree and would spend the whole day lying under it watching the lights and playing gently with the ornaments.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/TheMightyHuntress/164.jpg
On her daddy's tummy

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/TheMightyHuntress/166.jpg

One of her paddle toes...she had really big paws... :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/TheMightyHuntress/165.jpg

The girls lounging on the bed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/TheMightyHuntress/157.jpg

Trouble and Kaliban at Christmas last year
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/TheMightyHuntress/046.jpg

Donnaj4962
08-26-2007, 10:30 AM
Oh my... LES here from your beustiful remembrance of your baby, and the heartwrenching ending.

Your Kaliban knew love, and knew she was loved to the very end. May she play hard and painfree at the RB. RIP sweet one, RIP.

Cinder & Smoke
08-26-2007, 11:28 AM
:(
:(

So Sorry, Guys! :(

Sounds like Kaliban and the Bridge Mice will get along just fine!
(Nobody gets hurt.) ;)

Rest In Peace, Kaliban - you're going to be sadly missed.

/s/ :( Phred

Felicia's Mom
08-26-2007, 01:19 PM
Have fun at Rainbow Bridge beautiful Kaliban.

kb2yjx
08-26-2007, 06:29 PM
A lovely tribute to a dear friend. Sleep softly, sweet Kaliban...

rg_girlca
08-26-2007, 09:23 PM
I couldn't post earlier because of major LES.
What a lovely tribute and gorgeous pictures of your beautiful Kaliban.

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that daddy was able to be with his girl for her journey to the RB.

Our pets are our teachers, both in life and in death. The memories and love will always be with us and their paw prints will remain forever in our hearts.

May you find comfort in the treasured memories of good times spent together.

Rest in Peace sweet girl and have fun on the RB.

Karen
08-26-2007, 11:20 PM
Rest in peace, Kaliban
Heart kitty so dear
Daddy's girl extraordinaire
And gentle huntress of opportunity
Play free at the Rainbow Bridge
Free now from the pains of age and infirmnity
And rest, too, curled up in the corner of your Daddy's heart
Where I know you'll always be, forever.

gini
08-26-2007, 11:39 PM
What a loving tribute to a very special girl. It is so very hard - I know............but she will ALWAYS be with you..........there is no doubt.

I offer you my heartfelt condolences on your huge loss.

krazyaboutkatz
08-26-2007, 11:42 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about her passing.:( RIP sweet Kaliban.:(

CultureJunky
08-27-2007, 06:21 AM
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Kaliban. She sounds like such a wonderful girl that stole your heart. You were both so lucky to have eachother for so long and enjoy eachother. I hope she's playing hard at the rainbow bridge with all the other PT cats.

rosethecopycat
08-27-2007, 08:44 AM
What a gentle soul she was, she found a rich life with her family and her daddy.
You will be greatly missed, Kali

Gentle crossing to the Bridge.

Medusa
08-27-2007, 09:07 AM
A wonderful tribute to a very special girl. Sad that you didn't have more time together but glad that you had enough love and selflessness for Kaliban to end her suffering. She deserved that and you had the wisdom to know when to let go. She's free now at the RB, waiting for her heart daddy and you, where you'll be together again.

catlover4ever
08-27-2007, 02:24 PM
I am so sorry to hear about Kali. It's even harder to handle when it is so sudden. I'm glad that your hubby got to say his special good byes.

RIP Sweet Kaliban

Freedom
08-27-2007, 04:24 PM
Such a wonderful tribute to a beauty! So sorry that Kaliban headed to the Bridge so quickly after showing signs of being ill.

moosmom
08-27-2007, 05:17 PM
RIP Sweet Kaliban. Play hard at the Rainbow Bridge.

catmandu
08-27-2007, 06:02 PM
Kaliban is so touched by your tribute to her and she misses you as much as you miss her. She wants to Thank You for all the love that you showed her and all the many kindnesses.
Shes having Prime Roast Beef at the Historic Kings Arms in Willaimsburg Virinia and that where she hoping that you will all meet agin to share in one of Americas oldest inns.
When you are reunited in love.
One Fine Day.

loveallfurryfriends
08-29-2007, 03:54 PM
RIP Kali--Remember that you will see her again one day. Now you have a guardian angel watching over you and your husband. She is playing hard @ the RB. Hugs to you and your husband.

catloverforever
08-29-2007, 07:11 PM
I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Kaliban. One day you two will meet again. You did all you could to help her, and I am sure she appreciated it. I am sure she appreciated the lovely tribute you wrote about her, too. RIP, sweet, beautiful Kaliban. You will always be remembered and missed by your kind human owners who love you very, very much.