I know I just posted about Barney but wanted to respond to the previous posts too.

Quote Originally Posted by critters View Post
pee pads--Human pee pads are bigger & are usually cheaper if you still want to use them.
I never thought of that. It would have been the perfect solution and I could've put one under the litterbox so it caught all the pee that spilled over. As it is, I use about 1 roll of papertowel every 2 days to clean up after him.
If I make his appointment for Friday instead of Tues or wed, I might pick some up.

Scooter's Mom wrote:
Happy new year hugs and kisses to our Barney.
Lara, you have done so much for this sweet boy. Most people would have seen his pitiful shape at the beginning and just put him down then. You're an angel for him.
Give Barney a gentle hug and kiss from me, would you?
Crystal
Thanks Crystal. Hugs have been given to Barney for you.

Barbara wrote:
Thinking of you and Barney today.
Thank you.

Randi wrote:
Lara, it was good to see Barney exploring, it must have felt good getting around a bit, and it's so sweet the way he follows you. He is such a trooper!
I know, he is so funny how he does that. I'm the food lady though so he keeps a close eye on where I'm going and what I'm doing. I 'could' be getting something yummy so he doesn't want to miss it.

MBones wrote:
Lara and all the other PT'ers,

I mostly just lurk and don't ususally comment all that much, but I wanted to let you know that I have also been following the saga of our dear Barney; the first thread that I always check is this one. I've never been one to easily convey my feelings, so I don't say much. But, this little boy has touched my heart like no other. Like you all, I am a certified "crazy cat lady" and have a real soft spot in my heart for those dear animals who need our intervention in order to see that they have the life that all God's creatures deserve.

My DH and I visit the pet stores and shelters to spend time with the animals and it is always heartbreaking to hear their sad stories, and hope that someone like us comes to rescue them. I cry pretty easily when I hear these stories, but rarely have I been so affected as I have by Barney's tale. My heart breaks for this poor boy who spent so much time in the wild trying to survive as ill as he is.

Lara, I cannot thank you enough for taking Barney in and caring for him as you have as well as sharing his story with us. There is a special place in heaven for you, where Barney will be waiting for you one fine day. (To quote Gary.) He is such a special little boy who has been most fortunate to have been able to share the joy and love of being in a warm home, with food, comfort, and most importantly, love. He now knows what love is. This is reflected in how patient that he has been with you throughout all of your care; removing the mats in his fur, the repeated baths, clippings, trips to the vet, ear cleanings, etc. He knows you were trying to help him and ease the hurt. He knows without a doubt that you love him, as do we all.

Bless you and Scott, too, for the affect that you've had on him. I wish Barney could know the effect that he's had in others as well. I can't tell you enough how he's impacted me, and in the best way, too. Times are tough and the news everywhere is so gloom and doom, and yet, here's our Angel, Barney, showing the best in all of us. Look at how he has united all of us, and impacted your husband. I just love this little guy, I feel like I know him. I wish I could just take him in my arms and hold him close, as we all do.

My heart breaks for you as Barney's condition deteriorates. Remember the love that he has shown you as you wrestle with the upcoming days ahead. I will be thinking of you and Barney in the days to come. Remember this final act of love for Barney as it is all he asks of you. Thank you again for all you have done for this lucky guy; I wish all other needy animals were as lucky to have found someone like you.
Peace in the days ahead for you and for Barney.
Now, I've got to go and clean this darn blurry monitor. Funny, it blurs up every time that I'm in this thread; why is that?
Love and Peace to you and the Barnster.
Mary
Thank you Mary (Barney has so many angels named Mary! ). I think you conveyed your message so well and I'm glad you did. I'm also happy to hear that he has impacted your life too. He's got a way about him.
The other day a man who rents the other little cottage on the property where my coworker lives came into where I work. I decided to ask him if he had ever seen Barney around the property, thinking maybe he once belonged to this guy at some point. But he has only lived there for just under a year. But after I described Barney, he said "ya, I have seen that cat. He used to sneak into my house and steal my cat's dry food. Everytime he saw me though, he'd bolt."
When I thought of poor Barney having to steal another cat's food, it made me sad but so thankful that he didn't have to do that anymore. He's got his own bowl of kibble and it's always full.

kb2yjx wrote:
Lara, thanks for the latest video!! Barney actually LISTENS to you!!! I have mentioned this to the Clan!!! Please give Barney a kiss from all of us!!
It does seem like he can hear me but when I'm filming him, I wiggle my fingers to get him to come to me. And, sometimes he just chooses to follow with the hope of treats.

Catty1 wrote:
He is so much a part of everything - your house, PT - it seems impossible he could be 'gone'.
I suppose vet Trudy will agree with letting Barney go. I have these ridiculous thoughts like "she'll say, 'oh we can aspirate this and he'll have a few more good months' and stupid things like that.
Like with my mom's Pyka - and my sister - we had to put our own feelings out of the way and put what was best for Pyka and Darcia first.
Please, kisses to Barney for me! *les*
I feel the same way. It's going to be kind of lonely when he's gone. But I will hope that he will be with us in spirit. I'm kind of thinking about getting a reading done after he is gone. I've used Monica Diedrich a few times, including for Tiger and would like to know what she could tell me. Might be silly and useless but would provide some comfort I think.
I don't think the vet would advise anything regarding the tumor though. Of course I will ask though, I promise. But he is also having just as much trouble with his other ear and that tumor is deep inside his ear and is the one that bleeds when he scratches it.

Weluvcats wrote:
I am heartened to see that Barney has had such a good Christmas and New Years...Although it can confuse and complicate the issue of "when." It's strange that sometimes when you feel that you've made the decision, the little sweethearts seem to perk up. I know...we've been through that more than once. Whatever (and whenever) you decide, blessed Barney will go to the Rainbow Bridge knowing love, warmth and kindness, and that you were the source of all of those, and he will take that with him. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you and Barney.
Judy
Thank you so much Judy.

Purr_Tender wrote:
Lara, we've been gone since Wednesday. My husband and I rented a cottage with a huge stone fireplace and took my parents with us for New Years. I have been going crazy not knowing how Barney was and if Friday was still the day. What a relief to see the wonderfull video of him enjoying a stroll through your house with you. My goodness, how I love that boy!! I felt like I was there. I kept saying "come on Barney, come on Barney" since we don't actually see you it could be any of us that he was following like a little puppy. So sweet. It's good to know that he does still have an appetite. Like Catty said, I too have those thoughts that when Barney's vet sees him she will be able to buy him some more quality time. But, you are there with him, you see his decline. When the time comes you will do what is best for him, no doubt.
Love to both
The cottage you rented sounds lovely. I'm glad to say that Barney is still with us. I'm just trying to figure out which day to bring him in. Sometime this week.
It's true, it could be any of us that he is following around because everyone has been so caring about Barney and checking in to see how he is doing. He belongs to all of us, or perhaps I should say we all belong to him.

Edwina's Secretary wrote:
Lara,

I often see the expression "Let me be the person my dog thinks I am..."

As I watched the video of Barney I thought...'You are the wonderful person Barney thinks you are!
I have always loved that expression about the dogs! Thank you so much for what you wrote. I really appreciate it.

E.T.A. Mary and I posted at the same time. Just wanted to respond to her post too!

Purr_Tender wrote:
Oh Lara, I am so terribly sorry that you have this awful, painful task. My heart is breaking, just as yours is. You have been blessed with a loving heart, which in a time like this, seems like a curse. We are all very much feeling your pain but I know that really isn't much consolation.
With a very heavy heart,
Mary
Thanks Mary, it is very consoling.