Puddy Orphaned Cat - Can you Help???

[lynnestankard]

oh eric - i'm so sorry to hear the bad news of sheba! poor furgirl. my heart goes out to you and her.
at least she'll be with you and know no fear.
your mum and freddy will be waiting for her. xx

i'm pleased puddy is beginning to settle in more - good sign eh?

your in my thoughts eric.

lynne

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh, Eric. I'm so, so sorry to hear the bad news about Sheba.

At least she will have one last love filled day before she goes to the RB. And I'm sure she will have lots of fun there with Freddy, Sydney and all the others. Hopefully after this things will turn around and you'll have some good news. You sure do need it after these last few weeks.

We'll be thinking about you and Sheba tonight and especially tomorrow.

[Former User]

Oh, this is so incredibly sad, I am so so sorry Eric, poor Sheba girl

[Eric]

We have gotten some promising Emails for Puddy. I wish they were in Ohio ~ But at least there is hope for her today. There is another great site that "Kitty & Casper from Belgium posted for Puddy. http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...threadid=10495 I am so thankful for all this help.

As for my little Sheba ~~ She had a good night and got special fresh Chicken liver dinner {not caned} and ate well. She is weak, but I just can't bring myself to take her in today... When I called the Vet ~ She is a wonderful, loving, caring, young Vet at the Sharon Center Vet. hospital in Copley Ohio, Dr. Kelly Burt ~~~~ I just wanted more time with Sheba, but was worried that she was suffering. She told me to keep her at home this weekend and I could bring her in Monday at 3pm ~ I have had her 14 years and just wanted more time to say goodbye. I feel a little guilty ~but the vet said she is more weak than in pain at this point. You always hope you are doing the right thing ~ this is my hope now ~~ Blessings to all of you wonderful people for you kindness. It has been a very hard month in my life for allot of reasons ~and all this love you are sending is a blessing for me ~~ Thank You again Eric

[Logan]

Eric, this sounds shallow, based on all you have dealt with for the last month. Please, just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you while you deal with this latest tragedy. Sheba has lived a wonderful life with you, 14 years!! My Mimi is 13, and I dread the day that I lose her, but we know that we have provided them with love, shelter, and comfort, and have done all that we could to keep them happy. That's a lot, and her life has been enriched because of you.

Love on her a lot and try to enjoy your weekend with her. And you and Sheba will be in our prayers on Monday, and throughout the weekend.

Prayer and thoughts for Puddy too.

Logan

[czicat]

Sheba is a fortunate girl to have you for a people daddy. the love she has had throughout her life--from Mum and you--hers has been a well-loved life. You are a good person to care so much for that tiny, giant, life. i hope your weekend together is full of peace and calm and quiet. and when monday comes, Sheba will tell you what is best for her. kiss Sheba for me. both of you are close in my heart.

when the time comes, any chance the doctor could make a house call?

my love to Sheba..... peace to you, Eric..... may we meet the end of our lives with the dignity and peace animals do.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Eric, I don't blame you at all for wanting a little more time. As long as she's not in pain I see no reason to take her in right away. Like Czicat says, Sheba will let you know.

On top of all the hugs and snuggles you will be giving her this weekend, giver her a few from me too.

[Abbie]

Oh Eric, I am so sorry that you're having to deal with losing Sheba so soon after Freddy went off to the Rainbow Bridge. Just isn't fair. Doubly hard for you since Sheba was your mother's cat. I hope you and Sheba have some quality time together this weekend. Perhaps you will get very lucky -- luck I've never had to date -- and Sheba will die in her sleep.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.

on a happy note it is great to hear that Puddy is getting over her shyness. Is she with you, someone else, or still alone in the house?

[Eric]

Puddy is Great ~ Each day she is less shy. I think she misses Freddy her little pal. Without poor Freddy she only has humans to turn to, so she is wanting attention more and more. This sure will help her adapt to a new home. We have a great offer from a very sweet couple in Iowa ~~ They have two cats now ~ one of there sweet Babies is blind. and they want a quite new cat for a companion. I wish I knew how to post a picture of there two snuggled up together. ~ This one is hard because Iowa is a long way from Ohio ~~

My little green eyed Sheba is stronger today ~ she is in the window laying in the sun. This is such a hard call to make. Part of me wants to just let her stay at home til the end. But I worry so much about "quality" of life. I just wish she could talk and tell me how much pain she is in. For a Maine Coon to weigh only 4.7 pounds ~ she has lost so much from these tumors. Yesterday she had trouble standing ~ but today she slowly walks through the house. Your mind tells you one thing and your Heart tells you another. I have never been a indecisive man before. This sucks!!!!!!!!!!

My big Gray feral Tom Cat "Seth" is missing from my yard and I am hopeful he has not been trapped by the City of Akron. I am going to there KILL shelter today to see if I can find him. We just can't stop Akron's madness with this new Law.

http://www.saveourcats.org/ I work with Friends of Pets here in Akron ~and by myself and my girlfriend Mary.

[Bari_d]

Eric, thanks for sharing the photos of Ariel and Topaz - the beautiful kitties belonging to the couple in Iowa who want to adopt Puddy. I will try to post the photo...




Oh, and Eric, about Sheba...she will tell you when to "let her go!" She seems to be enjoying you and her home right now...let her be your guide.

And, I'd like to take a moment again to thank all you Cat of the Day friends who have circulated Puddy's story...we've had replies from around the world, and I feel now Puddy has a real chance for happiness because of you. Eric, my friend, your heart is just the best...your love for these babies is a blessing to us all.

Puddy's web page: http://www.cathappy.com/Rescue1.htm

Bari et al

[czicat]

Eric, i can drive Puddy to IA if need be.

Hopefully, Sheba's tumors are the kind that one just sleeps away with. although, with tumor in her chest, she could develop breathing difficulty. i think, though, before that happens, she will go off her food completely and you will see she is telling you she is ready.

i would be like you--hold out 'til that unmistakeable something happens, when you know that Sheba wants to go. for now, she seems to be comfortable enough and enjoying her time in the sun. let her bask in her time with you, and if she passes in her sleep, so much the better. i'm a great believer in dying at home, surrounded by comfort only home can offer. Animals do not see death the same way we do--they are not afraid of it, and have an uncanny sense of their time.

i am praying that Seth returns unharmed. akron has opened an ugly gash on Ohio's map. how can a few benighted "people" ever believe that destroying life is any kind of answer? we jail people for treating animals the way akron does, yet that city does it with consent of the law. is our society confused or what???!!!

catherine

[Bari_d]

And amen to your thoughts on people and about sweet Sheba.

Love is a wonderful thing...animals (not just people) thrive on it!

God bless...

Bari and the Pride

[Eric]

Thanks for the offer Catherine ~ I need to see Irene the Aunt and run this Idea by her. I would love to have you come along ~we could both go. Puddy is doing great ~ thank god. I have been getting Email each day for her.

"Seth was not at the shelter" ~~ But showed up last night looking for his food ~~~ YESSSSSS I was never so happy to see a stray cat in my life. He got special canned salmon ~ sat licking his chops ~~~ I have to trap him this week and get him fixed.

Sheba is having trouble breathing today ~ This cancer works so fast I can't believe It. just two weeks ago she was a different cat. She has not come down for food at all today. I have had her 14 years ~ I feel selfish trying to keep her here with me any longer. One minute I think she is better then the next minute she is worse. Why do I think "I will wake up in the morning and she will be well" I know better in my heart. I just can't let go ~~~~ I just prayed she would go in her sleep.

[sasvermont]

Eric, what a dreadful decision you must make.

In the past, what I have done with three of my cats was to schedule a day that worked for me, later in the week that I found out about the dire situation each cat was in and also at the advice of my vet, for the final day.

I would celebrate each day before the final day, with the kitty. Giving it my undivided attentions, lots of love, love, love along with tears galore! Dinners were special - and then I said goodbye with the help of the Vet. I held each one as they fell off to sleep. What a lovely way to go.

What my guideline was, was that I did not want to see my pet in any discomfort for my sake. It wasn't as though any of them were going to live much longer. I didn't want to keep them around for me....it was all about them and their comfort.

I am crying as I type this, so the pain of the event never goes away. It is very real and very humane. Bless all of their furry little hearts. Pets are such comforts and I usually try to return the favor.

Love to all those going through this.

[Abbie]

Eric, My method has been pretty much like SASVERMONT. As several have said, animals don't see death as we do, and are not afraid. When we had Teddy euthanized in mid-July my husband really fought me on it. Finally I said, "Teddy does not have to make piece with God or anyone else. He is ready and in pain. We will be with him to the end, and what more can we do?" I was ever so grateful for the 15 years he shared with us, and could not bear to see him in pain. My heart goes out to you. You will know WHEN.

Sounds like Puddy will be fine and will have a new home, and that is just wonderful. What a wonderful and caring man you are nice man you are!