Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thank You

My heart goes out to all of you! Thank you so much for everything you said about my sweet Lady Patches. I had no idea there would be such an outpouring of love for her, even from strangers. Also, thanks to those of you who posted on your blog about her and sent others by.

Maybe you wonder why I don't have any recent photos up of my girl. I chose not to take any. I debated, believe me, but I decided it would be too heartbreaking to look at them, I prefer to remember her the way she was before she got sick. I can still see her that way, and hope that time will erase that memory, it wasn't good and weighs on me heavily.

If tears could be measured I think I have cried an ocean.

I am hoping that someday she will return to me, in a dream maybe, on the breeze, or in a shadow. Maybe a soft "mack mack", a touch of whiskers on my face, a paw on my arm; something to signal "all is well."

Again, thank you, everyone!!

CalicoMom Toni

Saturday, November 20, 2010

A Tribute To Patches

Miss Patches Lady
1997 - Nov. 19, 2010
Oh, dear Patches, where do I begin? I guess it was when you came walking up our driveway after being abandoned by your previous owners. You were an "in charge" cat, even then. You told me, "I am here to stay, like it or not." And.......we loved it. You always were a Daddy's girl and preferred his lap. Funny how, when he was holding you and I came in the door, you would get down, really quick, like I would be jealous.

You were finally diagnosed with Auto Immune Deficiency (Lupus) right before your final breaths. Three different vets and tons of blood work, all of them thought it was thyroid. It was the AID attacking your thyroid, like it was attacking the rest of your body. I am not going into the ravages this thing took on your little emancipated body and I don't blame anyone; AID is very rare in felines, leave it to you to get something rare, you were a rare find! You fought such a valiant fight, such a brave little calico girl.

We will miss you signature "mack mack" and your soothing purr. We had eleven wonderful years with you. Many memories, but one that stands out is when I was diagnosed with an eye condition (macular hole) that finally warranted surgery. I cam home crying, you were in the gold chair, and I saw a big tear in your eye! You were a compassionate soul, a well seasoned traveler (going to Laughlin Nv. with Mittens for three years and staying in condos) and went camping in the Idaho woods. The first time I put your leash on, you fell over and couldn't get up. So funny. You loved it outdoors so I would put you out on our upstairs deck; you never tried to climb down, which would have been easy for you. You would scare me when you jumped on the railing in our bedroom, it was a long way down. You knew when I accidentally left the closet door open that houses the pump (someplace you were forbidden to go) and I could here you opening the door. You tolerated Mittens and Precious and actually got to love them, in your own cat way. They miss you, too, you know.

Three nights ago you slept between us all night. Now, this was unheard of as you never did that. If you stayed on the bed it was at the foot, or next to Dad, and only stayed a short time. We know you were saying goodbye. I touched you many times that night, always received a soft chirp. I could go on forever........

This morning we took your little body, wrapped in a blue towel with two of your favorite toys, and we laid you to rest in the kitty cemetery in the Big Piney Woods. You join Itsy Bitsy, a two day old kitten I fostered but was taken from me in a few hours; his momma refused to nurse him. There is a tile with a butterfly on it, on your grave and a candle is burning.

This closes another chapter in our life. I hope someday,the pain won't be so raw, the hurt so deep, and I can remember you with a smile, not with all these tears. Thank goodness for all the photos I have, The Big Piney Woods blog, and the website I made called "The Calico Girls" that I kept a copy of. (no longer online) You will always be a part of our lives, in our hearts you reside. Your pain is over and ours has just begun.

Love and kisses to you, lovely girl, RIP.
Momma Toni, Daddy, Ron, Mittens, Mistrie, Precious Flower

Friday, November 19, 2010

Patches is an angel kitty

My sweet little girl was helped to the bridge at 4:15 today. RIP doll girl. We love and miss you so!

Calico Mom, Calico Dad, Mittens, Mistrie, and Precious Flower

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Patches Update

I took Patches to the vet thinking probably I would be saying goodbye. The vet said she was "on the fence with this one." Her ears, from the horrible thyroid meds she was so allergic to, are healing and her temp was down. These are both good signs. However, she is one sick kitty still. The vet also said it is possible all the meds aren't out of her system yet, her system has been through a lot and may take sometime to come back. This is only a MAYBE, but it was enough for me. She gave her fluids, B Vitamins and Steroids. I think all those kitty purrs worked. Thank you all!

Calicomom Toni

Monday, November 15, 2010

Patches


My poor little Patches...she is loosing her brave battle. Please purr for her. My heart is breaking for this dear sweet little girl who ruled the Big Piney Woods. Patches, I love you so, you are going to be so very missed.
All my love,
CalicoMom Toni

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Update

It has been such a long time since I have brought you up to date on the BPW Cats.

Mittens is still real good, her weight is stable and she is happy and content. She was given a few months, over a year ago! I feel so blessed to still have her.

Patches started loosing weight. I took her to two different vets numerous times, all for blood work, as her thyroid is overactive. She gets the meds in her ear as the oral meds made her very ill. She is only 7 lbs now, down from 11, yet they say nothing is wrong. She spends most of her time in front of the fire, warming her frail little body. She seems so tiny now.

Precious needs to loose a few pounds, but she is part Maine Coon and they are a big cat. She loves to have me pick her up and toss her over my shoulder, her favorite place. She sleeps with us every night and follows me around, discussing "things." She likes to pick on Patches and I am constantly after her; she thinks it is playing but Patches sees it differently.

Mistrie is fat and sassy as ever. I made her a new bed in the woodshed, like I do every year. She still is shy and reserved, guess she will always be that way. She is a great mouser and never wanders beyond her self imposed boundries.

Well, that is pretty much it. I am still spending my three days at the shelter and am doing fostering of kittens now, as well.

Mom to the girls

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Latest News

Hi all:

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Here is an update from the BPW.

Mittens is fine. She was given two months in Nov. and, while she sleeps most of the time, is great healthwise.

I have been working 3 days at the animal shelter, taking care of the cats and taking photos for Petfinder. I love the work and photography is my latest passion!

I won't be blogging on here, will update you on Mittens and any of the other BPW cats. Mistrie is great and had a great winter. Patches and Precious are doing great, as well.

Hope everyone has a great spring.

Hugs, Toni