Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Wishnwhiskers Sir Spoticus got his wings today...


Most of you have only recently met the cat called Spot, but he had been on earth for almost 15 years, and never met a person he didn't like!

Turkish Van cats can sometimes be tempermental, and Spot was no exception...but he only showed that side of him at the vets, or when having his belly furs combed.

The rest of the time he was a purrmachine extraordinare and the king of head bunts, often sending eyeglasses askew or making the recipient of his bunts bite their tongue!

He was born on June 27, 1994 and was a celebrated show cat in his day~~ by the time he met Teri, through Mike--Spotty's breeder and Teri's new husband, he was 6 years old and semi-retired from his show career, only coming out once in a while for the "Veteran's" rings.

Teri found him rather lumbering and placid compared to her greyhound Cornish Rex. But she grew to love his sweet, quiet demeanor and while he never reciprocated the affection the CRex showered on him, he made for a nice snuggle companion for all of them.

He never spent the night under the bedcovers like the heat seeking Rex, but had his place of honor on the bookshelf headboard of Mike and Teri's bed and sometimes even managed to steal a pillow sometime during the night, allowing the humans to have just a corner for their head...

After Mike died in 2007, Teri knew how special Spot had become to her and she showered him with love and affection because she knew, he too missed his man! The about a year ago, Spot became very ill and was eventually diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease which had led to pancreatic abscesses. The vets were sure he had a pancreatic tumor and that the exploratory would end with him having to be euthanized, but no...his problems were treatable and so Teri and the vets went to work.

Spot bloomed and thrived and gained back the 5 pounds he had lost, grew all his fur back and was doing very very well. He got his fluids sub q every 3 days, his b12 shots once a month, his Adequan for his spondylosis and cortisone for the IBD. Teri knew he was on borrowed time, but still...the end came quickly and took us all by surprise.

He went in for his yearly exam and labwork and the vet could hear a very loud Grade 4 murmur and his blood pressure was very high! All his labs came back quite good, except he was a little anemic. Because we didn't know the reason for the murmur, we took him off all meds as that could be dangerous and we made a cardiologist appointment.

Off he went to the cardiologists, and his exam and ultrasound showed nothing very serious, and the medicine for the high blood pressure was working, so we started him back on the prednisolone. But he started to fail, losing weight quickly, having trouble walking and so Teri made him a soft bed in the bathroom in her bedroom, with a heating pad and food and water close by so he didn't have to go far to eat and she made him a special litter tray so he could get into it easily and he was having trouble balancing.

He was getting worse and life was not good for him. Even a strong dose of pain medicine last night did not make him feel better and Teri was up with him numerous times during the night to check on him. Today she took him into work with her today and knew in her heart something serious was happening.

We repeated the lab work and he was more anemic than a week ago, and had lost almost 2# in less than 2 weeks. After a heartfelt talk with her vet, and learning that what was most likely happening to Spot, was that his IBD had turned in to Lymphoma (cancer) and that the therapy that he had been on for the past year had held it at bay...until we had to take him off his meds for a week. What he had was most aggressive and further treatment would not have bought Spot and Teri much more time together.

So with everyone's help and support, she made that difficult decision to let Spot go with grace and dignity, which he did right up to the last kisses that she and the vet (yes, the vet too) gave him on his broad and majestic forehead. With Spot's passing, as Teri has learned with the passing of Mike and Bo and the cats that came before...life is precious and we who are left behind have soft and sweet memories to cushion the sadness...

Grieve not, nor think of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you.
I loved you so, t'was heaven here with you.

Sweet Spotikins, we say farewell, but not goodbye...








36 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about Spot. He was very lucky to have such love in his life. He will always hold a special spot in your heart, just as my cats from my past do.

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  2. This sure has been a tumultulous year for our kitty friends. I hope that things settle down for you and all of our bloggie friends.

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  3. That was a lovely tribute to spot. He was lucky to be so loved.

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  4. He was a beautiful boy & lucky to have you with him during his transition. My thoughts, love & purrs are with you.

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  5. I know your heart hurts today. Spot was such a cool cat! Please know I am thinking of you.

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  6. What a sad story for such a sweet kitty.I have 2 cats, one is 12 the other not yet 2 and Im dreading the day.I remember back when my daughter had a part siamese and he died in her arms.Sad memories but the cat was lovely and a great friend.

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  7. hahhha, I just saw your profile pic, so adorable, and cute.LOL

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  8. I'm really sorry to hear about Spot's passing. He was such a beautiful cat - and you wrote a wonderful tribute to him.

    Sending you many purrs - I know you will miss him.

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  9. Such sad news. We are very sorry to hear about Spot. Our thoughts and purrayers are with you during this very sad time.

    The same thing happened to our Cal who left for the bridge in last month. His IBD has most likely turned into lymphoma.

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  10. Spot we are so sorry to see you go but it is obvious you lead a very special life and were there for your humans at all times. Teri gave you the best gift possible, to go with dignity. Hugs to all!

    Chase

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  11. We are sorry to hear about Spot. Having lost my precious Ninja last fall to lung-digit sarcoma, I understand that they were well loved and cared for, but I also understand the pain of the loss of a beloved companion.

    Our heartfeld condolences and purrs and prayers for your comfort during this sad time.

    Brenda, Boots & Ozzie

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  12. Oh my, what a sweet and tender post. Please know that I am sending you healing hugs for what has to be a terrible time.

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  13. Teri,

    I know you said to not cry, but I can't help it. I am so glad I was able to meet Spot. He was a sweet sweet boy. You and Mike gave him a really good life, and I saw how you took care of him after Mike's passing. My thoughts are with you. I am sending you peace and hugs. -Tracy, Billy Idol, and Marilyn

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  14. We share your pain at the passing of such a good friend. Each loss brings a special sadness, just like each soul brings its own joy. Your tribute to Spot is beautiful. There will be many friends to meet him at the Bridge.

    Purrs and Woofs,
    Tama-Chan, Sei-Chan, Tommy and #1

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  15. Oh no, I am very sorry to hear of Spot's passing. He was lucky to have you guys. I'm sure he appreciated everything you did for him in his later years. He will be missed.

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  16. My sincerest condolences on the loss of Spot. I can tell he was a very special kitty. {{{hugs}}}

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  17. Purrs and prayers to you on your lost.

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  18. So sorry to hear about Spot. He sounds like he was a special fellow he found a wonderful place to live out his life.

    R.I.P.

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  19. I just know that Caesar was there at the bridge to welcome him. I loved reading this today and I know it was a very hard decision.
    I am purrring for all of you.
    and ((((bigsqueezyhugs))))

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  20. I'm so sorry to hear about Spot. This must be a very difficult time for you. You're in my thoughts, and Amber sends her love and purrs, too.

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  21. I'm so very sorry for your loss! He sounds like the best cat ever.

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  22. We are so sad to learn about Spot's passing. He was very handsome and a wonderful boy! He will be with you always. Sending you lots of purrs today!

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  23. So sorry to hear of your loss of Spot. I know it is like tearing a small hole open again and reminds you of Mike. Maybe they are together again now? =) Sweet thoughts, hugs and SUPPORT being sent to you during this time.

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  24. wow, what a handsome kitteh. I hope to grow up as handsome as him -hansel.


    We are glad you told us this wonderful story, its amazing how these little creatures can wrench your heart so much. We're leaky after reading it.

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  25. We are so sorry to hear about Spot. He sounds like a great cat who offered you comfort during a hard time in your life. I'm sure he appreciated the comfort you in turn gave him at the end of his. Spot is running free now and is sending his love from the Bridge.

    Purrs and Prayers for you.
    Tuck & Jen

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  26. What a beautiful boy. Although we haven't met before we want to express our sorrow for your loss. It was the best decision Teri could have made for him. There are lots of furriends welcoming him at the bridge.
    Gentlest purrs, Siena & Chilli

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  27. We are so sorry to hear about Spot!! That is a lovely post! We can tell he was much loved by all of you! ((((((Hugs to you all!!)))))
    Your FL furiends,

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  28. I am so sorry for your loss. Spot was well loved and no cat can ask for more. Big hugs.

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  29. We're sorry for your loss. That was a lovely tribute to Spot. He looks like a great cat in those photos.

    Purrs

    Gypsy & Tasha

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  30. There is never a good time, even after 100 years, to say good-bye to someone we love. I am so sorry for your loss. I know the heartache and know that time will heal but there will still be a wound.

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  31. I'm so sorry you've lost your dear Spoticus. I know you are counting the joys, but still feeling the sorrow. There is nothing like a cat's love, is there? I'm thinking of you.

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  32. We're very sorry to hear the sad news about Spot. That is a lovely tribute. We are so sorry for your loss.

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  33. I stumbled upon your blog today, and I must send a hello and a warm hug and a nice cup of tea to you today. I was sorry to hear about your loss, I am feeling the loss of my beloved bandleader from the big band orchestra I play in, who passed a couple of weeks ago. It has made me appreciate all those I love, and even those whom I do not know but share in those same feeling of loss and precious time passing as we all make our way down the garden path. Thank you for presenting such a touching and loving picture of your little soft fuzzy friend. I am certain he is purring at you from heaven. Love from Mrs. Slug in Oregon

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  34. What a beyootiful sweet boy...

    Fanks fur sharin bout Spot. He will be sorely missed, but always loved.

    Katie's Mom

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  35. teri, I thought for sure I had left a comment a while ago. Maybe I was too choked up at the time or got called away. Anyway, I'm back to give my condolences and to tell you I'm sure Mike would have been so pleased that Spot did as well as he did for as long as he did because of your care.
    Maybe they're together again. That's a nice thought.

    Thank goodness kitties have you!
    XX

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