Pebbles, a cat adopted from AniMeals shelter’s Gaia’s Landing program, had been constipated for a few days and was struggling to defecate. Concerned, I texted Diane, the Director of AniMeals, to ask if I could bring Pebbles to the vet that day along with my two other cats, who were scheduled for their annual checkups. I was surprised to learn that Diane was no longer working at the shelter and that she had forwarded my text to a staff member.

The veterinarian was able to remove the stool that was stuck, but she also noted that Pebbles’ heart rate was rapid. This is a sign that Pebbles is not doing well and that her time is near. Pebbles is now 17 years old, which is a very old age for a cat. She has lost a bit of weight and her appetite is changing, which are also signs that she is not doing well. It is important to make sure that Pebbles is comfortable and loved during this time.

It’s a good thing that Pebbles, who I normally call Missy, likes my chick pudding. She is eating more of that and less on canned food. She is also eating deli turkey meat, ham, or plain cooked chicken. I give her at least a few tubes of Churu or Delectibles. They’re a great appetite booster. Missy’s microchip is connected to an automatic feeder that dispenses kibble whenever she wants.

Her appetite will soon disappear. She will join the spirits when the time is right.

I had known the Director since I first started fostering cats six years ago. I appreciated Diane’s tips on how to care for them. I started out doing hospice care, which is caring for cats who are nearing the end of their lives. Then I started Gaia’s Landing program, which is a program that cares for older cats and cats with medical issues. Oxford was the first cat I brought home through this program. He had stomatitis, which is an inflammation of the mouth, and was previously called Sneezy because he often sneezed and his boogers would fly on the walls. Other than his medical issues, he was a great cat. He loved scrambled eggs and running on the wheel. Soon after Oxford was adopted, I brought home The Flintstones, a sibling pair of cats. I was overjoyed to have two cats at once, especially since they were already bonded.

The Flintstones were a bonded pair of cats who had previously lived in a home with other cats. They quickly adapted to their new home and got along well with the Herd. Bam Bam was a healthy cat who loved to cuddle and would come to my lap when called. However, his health soon took a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I noticed that he was breathing erratically prior to the diagnosis and  had sent a video clip to the Director. Diane once had a cat with the same condition and had lived for a year after being diagnosed. I learned that there is no known cause or cure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in male cats. I wished there was more funding for research into the condition so that a treatment plan could be developed.  Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a serious disease that can cause cats to drop dead at any time.

We started Bam Bam on medication, but his condition continued to deteriorate. His gums turned white and he stopped wanting to be around us. I believed that Bam Bam was concerned for his sister, Pebbles, and wanted to protect her from his illness. I reassured him that he need not worry about his sister and that I would take good care of her. However, my words were short-lived. He only lived for about three months after that conversation. I was heartbroken when he passed away, but I knew that I had to be strong for his sister. I did my best to take care of her and make sure that she was okay. It was a difficult time, but I am grateful that I was able to be there for her.

Missy Pebbles also loves to be on my lap. Missy was born with her hips fused together, which made it difficult for her to walk. Her previous owner had her daughter, a local vet, perform surgery to separate her hips when she was a kitten. The surgery was a success, and Missy is now able to walk and run normally. She is even an amazing jumper, and can jump higher than most other cats. She must have bionic hips! Despite this, Missy still takes medication for megacolon. Her stool often becomes too large and sometimes falls out when she walks. The tip of her paralyzed tail drags on the floor.

I remember five years ago when I first saw Pebbles. She was a small cat with a yellow sticky mess on her chest. I learned that the sticky mess was a medication that she needed to take for her megacolon. She hated the medication and would spit it out every time I tried to give it to her. It took me a long time to master the technique of getting the medication into her mouth without her spitting it out. Even now, sometimes it doesn’t work and she manages to spit it out. But I love her anyway, even though she’s a stubborn little fellow. Missy is a friendly and outgoing cat who loves to socialize with people and is especially fond of the old mutt. Missy is also very expressive, and she often makes strong eye contact with me when she wants something. I think she is trying to communicate with me, and I enjoy trying to figure out what she is saying.

To ending a chapter and opening a new one!

To the past, and all the lessons it has taught us.

To the present, and all the possibilities it holds.

To the future, and all the dreams it will bring.

Cheers!

This Black and White Silent Slideshow is dedicated to Missy Pebbles, Bam Bam, Oxford, and Angel. They were all adopted from AniMeals.