posted on July 24, 2004 03:11:32 PM new
Ziggy is a cat, he was one of four orphaned kittens that were brought to me 7 years ago.
I placed two in good homes & kept Ziggy & his sister Sheeba, both were so irristable, impossible to part with, specially Ziggy.
Ziggy is a guy best discribed as a cat who could make you laugh. He did funny things, he played a lot, loved toys,ate his food with his paw, drank his milk the same way, pestered the other cats & loved a good roll in catnip. He insisted on held & petted & you could not ignore him, he wouldn't allow it. He spent a lot of time lying next to the computer while I was on line often reaching over to touch the keys or the screen specially if you were scrolling. He was always in the way & no matter how many times you chased him he would come right back
& do it again, it was a game to him & it was to me too. I loved having him do this.
Last night I noticed he was coughing & was breathing faster than normal, he seemed fine though, ate when fed & as usual he was right beside me at the computer. He didn't want to play this time he wanted me to pet him & he fell asleep.
He looked fine this morning, but about one o'clock he started coughing again, not much, just a little even so I was concerned so I called the vet & she said to bring him in.
He got upset when I put him in the carrier & as I was driving there he became very upset thrashing around, started drooling & was having great difficulty breathing. It took me 15 minutes to get there & I was stunned at how fast his condition changed. How I wish I had never put him in that carrier, but he's a big boy, 17 pounds & not easy to hold if he wants to get away. When I took him there to have his teeth cleaned I had no trouble with him in the carrier.
At the vets they said his lungs were filling with fluid & he was turning blue, they rushed him into an oxygen tank turned it on to 100% & gave him a large dose of Lasix & said it it works things will turn around within the hour. They came back later & said he was calm & when he stabilized I could take him to the University Of Penn vet hospital where he could be diagnosed, but more important monitored around the clock.
THey then told me I could go home & they would call me & I said I would prefer to stay & wait.
Out back they have a garden so I sat there at a table & waited. I cried too, but I knew my Ziggy would be alright there was no way he would leave me. Ten minutes later Dr Tracy came out & told me that Ziggy had died.
This is not eBay related why is this here,
well, it's here because I feel comfort coming here & I really have to talk to someone. I want everyone to know what a wonderful cat Ziggy is...was. I feel so bad & yet better talking about him & I can't call anyone because I can't stop crying. I can't believe he's gone forever.
I hope you understand.
Here is Ziggy, the cat behind him is his sister Sheeba.
posted on July 24, 2004 03:18:59 PM new
omg mcjane ! I'm so sorry for your loss. Pets are just like family and in my mind a terrible loss when one dies. I fully understand your grief. I know it doesn't help ease your pain but at least he's not suffering anymore. He's in a better place when he can play all the time and will never be hungry or tired or sick again.
posted on July 24, 2004 03:23:23 PM new
I am so sorry about Ziggy. It is heartbreaking to lose one. My cats are like children so I understand how you feel.
posted on July 24, 2004 03:24:37 PM new
ADD:
You know today I went to a gar.sale and this family had a cat that had kittens. They were so adorable. But the mother cat...my god, she looked malnutritioned. I was kind of mad...I thought why do people have animals and dont take care of them? I felt like telling her to take that cat to the vet, or go buy her some vitamins at the pet store. But I kept my mouth shut. The only thing I did say was she looks awfully skinny (and that was an understatement!) to be feeding those kittens. I'm so sorry about your ziggy,McJane!
posted on July 24, 2004 03:40:01 PM new
I put my 16 yr old cat, Cashmere, to sleep in Feb. and I'm still crying. He was my first baby. I'm sorry for you. I know it hurts.
Teri
posted on July 24, 2004 03:56:46 PM new
oh McJane you have us all crying now....
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
posted on July 24, 2004 04:20:08 PM new
I know I have everyone crying because I do when I read posts like this.
I'm so sorry for that because I know I have brought back memories that are very painful.
I feel overwhelming empathy for anyone who has lost a pet.
I wish I were at the Rainbow Bridge right now. I hurt so bad I can't stand it, but I am comforted by everyone's words.
Ziggy is right here beside me & we are going to bury him soon & it's so hard to let him go.
posted on July 24, 2004 04:22:06 PM new
Probably heart failure, probably congenital.
Which means there was nothing you could have done to save him.
You gave him a wonderful life, free from fear and well-cared for.
When you are feeling a little more centered and can talk about it without crying, ask the vet if Ziggy's sister should be tested for any congenital diseases. It would be good to know what to expect.
I'm sooooo very sorry to hear about your loss! How terribly awful for you. There really isn't anything I can say to make you feel better, I know that. So, I'll pray that you find comfort in his sister Sheeba.
Cheryl
. . .if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist- I really believe he is Antichrist- I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend.. . - War and Peace, Tolstoy
posted on July 24, 2004 05:31:02 PM new
teacher, I will do that, soon too.
The list of what Ziggy may have died from is:
Congestive Heart Failure
Ashma
Allergies
Heartworm
And
Something congenital, as you mentioned.
They just don't know. I do know that if I hadn't of taken him to the vets he would be here now. He was so stressed out being in that carrier oh how I wish I would have just carried him, but I was afraid he would get away from me & I never expected that reaction, he's been in a carrier before. He was eating, walking around & even wanted to go out before I left, it's not as if I had to rush to get there. If I had the slightest idea he would react the way he did I wouldn't have done it. I was just about a third of the way there when he really started to fight to get out & his condition changed in minutes. Because his lungs filled up so fast I'm leaning towards CHF. I am in a daze over this, how could it have happened so fast. Sudden unexpected loss is so hard to cope with so I'm still thinking this didn't really happen & Ziggy will come through the cat door any minute now.
This past year, between losing my house to a hurricane, losing another cat to oral cancer because it was mistakenly diagnosed as an absessed tooth & now Ziggy It will probably be a long time before I am centered again.
All I wanted was to be back home again with all my cats.
I am greateful for Vendio & to be able to come here & talk. I can't thank you all enough for being here. I don't know what I would have done if I just had to sit here alone & think about this.
posted on July 24, 2004 06:34:00 PM new
Oh Jane I am so sorry, Your ziggy resembles my cat I use to have Ms. Needlefeet what fond memories. Please don't beat yourself up on the decision of taking Ziggy to the vet in the carrier, you mentioned how quickly he was taking a turn for the worse. If you decided not to go and stayed home and nursed him at home I am sure it would have been the same end result, and you would be beating yourself up for not going to the Vet. You did the very best only you can do and Ziggy had assistance to the end. Isn't it wonderful we all can come here get comfort and express our feelings.
reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
posted on July 24, 2004 07:28:06 PM new
oh mcjane - my heart breaks for you! I know how much it does hurt. But you did everything you thought you should do - if you had waited and he had passed away at home, you would've been even more upset. You did everything right - don't be upset at that!
My baby was Mathew. We were together for 16 years and he was my best friend. He knew when I was sad and would comfort me, he knew when I was happy and would rejoice with me.
A year ago this coming August I had to have him put to sleep - he had kidney disease and one morning he was too weak to walk or eat. I just held him the entire day and night and took him into the vet the next morning. It was so hard - harder than anything I've ever had to do.
He was quite a presence in our family. I have friends come over and still tell me that they miss him being there - as I do, too of course.
I am hoping this will show up - he was my eBay buddy, too! We all have our stories, thanks for letting me tell mine -
and mcjane - please know we are thinking of you!
edited to try to fix the pic - went way back on this board to find how and thanks tomwiii!
^..^ meow ^..^ meow ^..^
Time Spent With Cats Is Never Wasted
[ edited by rosycat on Jul 24, 2004 07:33 PM ]
posted on July 24, 2004 07:32:23 PM new
I am so sorry for your loss Jane. I love my cats so much, and last year my special cat Amber got very sick one morning. Before I could find someone to take me to the vet, she was having seizures. I stayed with her, and petted her, and it seemed to comfort her until she died, but it was very hard. I still miss her very much, but I can remember her now for all the joy and pleasure she gave me, and I am so thankful for all the years of her special friendship. I know that in time you will reach that point also.
posted on July 24, 2004 07:43:06 PM new
McJane...I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear about Ziggy. It's true, they become a member of the family and the pain of losing them is very real. You made the correct decision in taking him to the vet in a carrier. He was likely experiencing late stage panic, and it was the strange surroundings away from home that affected him. The carrier probably was not a factor. He could have escaped from you otherwise. And keeping him at home was not an option either, as the eventual outcome would have been the same. Don't blame yourself. You did the right thing. I thing any of us who is close to our pets would have done exactly as you did.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on July 24, 2004 07:45:27 PM new
Thank you lattefor2 - very well said! I was thinking the same thing. McJane is beating herself up for doing all that she could of done.
Jack, yes we remember. You lost one of yours not so long ago, so I know the pain is fresh for you also.
The first person who says it was "just a cat" will be taken out and .....
They are all our family as we are all Ebay Family.
posted on July 24, 2004 07:48:24 PM new
roseycat,,,,,I swear that is kitty!,,,,one of Tweedies off springs right here, right now! Looks,,,,,just,,,like him! Unreal! same eyes,,,,,,
posted on July 24, 2004 07:57:06 PM new
McJane, you have my deepest sympathy. I still occasionally cry over my "Mr. Harry" who had to be put to sleep 5 years ago. He had become diabetic and after 6 months of insulin, he had a stroke one evening. My husband and I sat up all night with him until we could have him put down in the morning.
I saw my husband cry one of the two times I have ever seen him cry.
Cats ARE people too. They are family. We know every time that when we take one on as part of the family that we will outlive them.
The best that we can do is to make them as as comfortable and happy as we can. I know you did. Take comfort in that, and the fact that he did not suffer for hours or days.
I am sorry to hear about your kitty. You loved him, and I am sure that he loved you back, too! I have a kitty (I call them kittys because they are more than cats) and I can't imagine what will happen to me if anything ever happens to her (her name is White Kitty).
Pets are a member of the family, and your grief is very understandable. Please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences.
God Bless you in your time of grief. I promise to pray for you.
posted on July 24, 2004 08:10:25 PM new
jane, I am so very sorry for your loss. How terrible. It seemed to happen so fast! On my goodness, what you went through! Atleast Ziggy didn't have much suffering. It sounds like he went pretty quickly and in comfort.
It sounds like congestive heart failue to me too. Molly now has a bad heart among her other troubles. when she has an "episode" she coughs like crazy too.
YOu have been there for all I have been through with Molly. I think I am right behind you.
posted on July 24, 2004 11:43:55 PM new
I know your heartache, having lost a loved pet. I think I'll go give Fallon the boneless cat a big hug. Five years ago, my daughter found him as an abused kitten and she nursed him back to health. He claimed me and likes to sleep on my chest. That really irritates the rat dog, but Fallon is bigger. Sure, wish he wouldn't lick my eyelids to get let out, though!
posted on July 25, 2004 12:09:44 AM new
reenie
I know I keep beating myself up & I can't stop because there is always something I could have done differently. Ziggy was so young, only seven, he didn't even live half his life.
I knew this thread would bring back sad memories for any of you who have lost a pet because when I read a post like this I hurt badly for the person going through it.
I am touched by your stories & understand just how much pets mean to us. They are like children & unlike children they never grow up they are always our babies & that makes them very special. We all need to be needed.
Jack, I had no idea you had a cat & you are right, the pain never really leaves. I am still suffering over a cat named Susy, she died 20 years ago & I can still cry for her.
Linda, I can't tell you how often I wanted to email you about Molly, but was afraid,
I was so relieved to hear she is still with you. Everyday you can keep her with you is worth all your going through.
Yes, I think it was CHF too & mainly because of the moist cough & he was overweight so if any of you have an overweight cat do something about it.
Will you post Molly's picture here.
Speaking of pictures I love to see them so keep posting them so we all can remember along with you.
I have yet to tell any family members what happened today so pouring my heart out to all of you has been a comforting to me.
Thank you again & again, everyone. You cannot imagine what hearing from all of you means to me.
posted on July 25, 2004 02:03:35 AM new
McJane: I am so sorry to hear about Ziggy! I know just how you are feeling, having recently lost one of my dogs suddenly. Pets are a part of your family and it is natural to grieve. And you are right, talking about Ziggy will be a big help to you. Sounds like he was a real "personality" cat! My heart is with you.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
WED & THURS, ole Fat-Boy scared the heck out of me with getting sick. Started shaking his head all the time, & then, while in the taxi to the vet, he was shaking & breathing wierd
Turned out only to be a clump of hair against his eardrum + allergies, but, for a while there, I was a basket case!
BTs are susposed to be long-lived dogs (15yrs not uncommon), so I hope Ralphie outlives me!
FRIDAY, I get the newest issue of the SYRACUSE U alumni mag & in the obits is one of my best friends...
What a lousey week!
BUT...
Ralphie does send a great big slobbery BOSTON TERRIER KISS to you
posted on July 25, 2004 03:46:12 AM new
I am so sorry to hear about your loss, Mcjane. Several years ago our Springer Spaniel acted very similiarly to what you describe Ziggy as doing. There were several emergency trips to the vet and each time the vet and each time he seemed to recover. However the vet always warned us that one day it would not happen that way, but as long as he was not in pain we should enjoy him during the time that was left to us. One day I let him out to "take care of business" he found a way out of our yard and was gone. He probably knew the time had come and he went to find a quiet spot to die. I grieved doubly hard because he was gone and because he was *gone*. Every now and again a pet is that "special" pet that touches your soul in ways transcend explanation. Losing them is so very hard. My thoughts are with you today.
posted on July 25, 2004 03:59:57 AM new
There is an old Indian legend that says when a person dies they must cross over a bridge to get into heaven. At the head of the bridge are all the animals that person encountered in their lifetime. The animals decide whether the person deserves to enter.
Ziggy will be waiting to greet you and lead you into heaven with him.
posted on July 25, 2004 03:27:26 PM new
Hi McJane, I am saddened to hear of your loss. I always get misty when I remember a dog of mine that pass away. I feel for ya.
Warm Regards,
Adrian
