Sparkler's appetite is off

[Grace]

Thank you, Gretchen and Ellie. I have to say I agree with you both.


Mary said she has thought this through and gone over it with her vets and decided to go ahead with her trip, which is to some remote forest in California where she can be alone to commune with nature and meditate for a few days. She feels that her and Bear's long and good times doing so much together are more significant than a possible brief end-time apart. I guess she feels she really needs the time away and the solitude right now.

Baloney!! I'm sorry, Pat, but you don't want to know what I am thinking of this woman right now. She should be there for Bear, and commune with nature later. What a load of crock!!

[pomtzu]

Baloney!! I'm sorry, Pat, but you don't want to know what I am thinking of this woman right now. She should be there for Bear, and commune with nature later. What a load of crock!!

Well Gretchen - I guess people handle issues such as this, differently. I know I could never do what she is going to do, but that's just me. Last summer I elected not to go away anywhere because of Sparky's declining health. He was not in any absolute danger of passing within a specified time, but at the same time, he could have gone at any time. If I had gone away and he passed when I was gone, it would have devastated me and left me with guilt till the day I died. He (and Myndi) have always been there for me thru good and bad, and I needed to do the same for him - and will for Myndi when her time comes too.

[Grace]

Pat - just a thought or two.

You need to get it in writing, that she will not blame you if Bear should pass while in your care. Also, she needs to let the Vet know, in writing, that you have her permission to make end-of-life decisions for Bear.

[Grace]

Well Gretchen - I guess people handle issues such as this, differently. I know I could never do what she is going to do, but that's just me. Last summer I elected not to go away anywhere because of Sparky's declining health. He was not in any absolute danger of passing within a specified time, but at the same time, he could have gone at any time. If I had gone away and he passed when I was gone, it would have devastated me and left me with guilt till the day I died. He (and Myndi) have always been there for me thru good and bad, and I needed to do the same for him - and will for Myndi when her time comes too.

Like you, Ellie, I would never go away, knowing that one of my cats was seriously ill. For one, I would feel so guilty I wouldn't enjoy myself - even if communing with nature. It would be like leaving a sick child

[phesina]

Oh, I'm with you there, Gretchen and Ellie. I could never just go away when any one of my babies was seriously ill. If I was off "meditating" or "communing with nature," that's all I'd be thinking about including how guilty I'd feel if anything final did happen.

If Bear should need a vet trip (for any reason), I will get Mary on the phone before any decisions are made.. and if it looks like end-time, I'll call FROM the vet's so she can tell them herself what to do. Before she leaves I am going to find out from her just what instructions she is leaving with the vet in the event that I (or Amy, the person doing some of the morning visits) bring him in.

I thought it was interesting that she's going to have her cell phone with her during this deep retreat.. and now that I think of it, I'm going to ask her if it's going to be on all the time or if she's only going to check it from time to time and if so how often.

Bear is NOT going to be put down before Mary tells the vet to do so.

[slick]

My dearest Sparkler: You know how much I love you and I'll always be here for you. Send me a msg on my catberry if you want to talk. I would love to hear your sweet purr again.
Much love always
Merlin

[krazyaboutkatz]

I would never be able to leave any of my animals if they were very sick or going to die soon. Since she'll be in a remote area, I wonder if her cell phone will even be able to work. I would also get everything in writing just in case you can't get a hold of her. Hopefully everything will go smoothly with this pet sitting job while she's away.

[phesina]

I started the petsitting job today. Bear so far has not wanted to go for walks. He's gone outside when I've arrived, presumably pees and I hope poops, but does NOT want to walk. I got him to come very short distances by kneeling on the grass maybe 10 feet away and calling him. He comes over and leans against me for me to pet him, but then when I stand up he just wants to head back to the house. He's eaten small amounts.

Tomorrow morning Amy will be there. I sent her an e-mail detailing what's happened so far. She does a lot of home maintenance and repair work for Mary regularly, so she knows the general lay of the land much better than I do at this point. I plan to talk with her tomorrow morning to see what she thinks, maybe even stop out there. And if we think Bear should see the vet, even if just to be checked out again, I want to get Mary in on this too and in on any decisions that might have to be made.

Mary took not just her cell phone but also her laptop (some withdrawal from the world!..). You're right, though.. depending on how remote the place is, will either of these even come in?

Pat

[phesina]

My dearest Sparkler: You know how much I love you and I'll always be here for you. Send me a msg on my catberry if you want to talk. I would love to hear your sweet purr again.
Much love always
Merlin

Oh, my dearest Merlin!!!!!! It makes me so happy to read your message and imagine your sweet little pawsies tapping out the words! I'll be on the catberry right away, can't wait to exchange more purrs and lovies with you!!!!!

Your always-adoring sweet lady Sparkler

[phesina]

Bear went to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday morning.

Rest in peace, darling Bear.