Thanks, everyone, for your love and support! I so appreciate it!
Vito has been diagnosed with the dry form of FIP (or as close as one can be to definitively 'diagnosing' this awful disease).
I will need to put him down, but right now he’s OK – probably by next week he’ll need to go, all depends on when he lets me know – he will tell me when his ready…the vet thought we probably have about a week before he begins to feel badly...his skin is turning yellow and his kidneys are enlarged but vet is CERTAIN he is NOT suffering in any way, even with the eyes - which at this point I can hardly look into because they are so NOT his eyes - the Uveitis is horrible to look at - where once were green, pretty eyes are now golden/mud brown where there even is an iris, huge pupils, white dots and most of one pupil has already 'disappeared'. Pretty awful.
They gave me drops for his eyes, he’s still drinking water on his own and this a.m. he was walking around a lot more than he has since this started on the 14th (damn, he went downhill fast!). Went to his scratching post – sat with Grover and Piggy while they ate, sat with Piggy by the radiator, etc. Slept in my arms again last night.
They also gave me an appetite stimulant for him and about 10 different tasty kinds of foods to entice him to eat something, as he will not eat except for a lick of baby food or a lick of milk.
I know I did everything for him that could be done – no cure for the disease and no preventative. Death sentence, end of story. I'm glad we had 3 and a half months with him - he is (was?) so freaking fun and crazy and wise and snuggly and loving, such a gift to us - such a wonderful gift...and Piggy got the BFF he always wanted. Piggy's going to miss Brokeback Mountain...and I am too. Sidenote - the other day we were all on the couch ("all" being me, Grover, Piggy and Vito) and Vito and Piggy were doing Brokeback Mountain and I turned the TV station and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was on TV - I cracked up!
So, we have a little more time with our baby Bobcat and I am thankful for that, though honestly, it's terrible to see him like this...he was so full of life and sass and like a little Buddha until 10 days ago...the moment he seems to be suffering is the moment we...well, you know...
He's so different now (personality and appearance) that it sort of feels like someone kidnapped our little guy and replaced him with a similar looking cat, his personality is completely changed, he's lost 1.5 pounds since the 14th and is so bony...etc...still the cutest thing ever, but...
Just very, very, very sad. Words cannot express...
Not sure of the lesson in this - I always try to find the lesson - but in this case...I can't. It's just awful and so unfair to Vito. He's an old soul and maybe he stopped by as he was passing through to help us all through a difficult time. I was divorced on the 16th (the day before Vito went to hospital) and even though I was the one who initiated the divorce, it was a long, arduous process, so Vito really showed up at a great time when I needed a distraction...and Piggy really needed a BFF...and maybe that is the lesson - that sometimes you get something you really need, but you don't necessarily get to keep it.
Somehow that doesn't seem very comforting right now.
OXO
Allison
31 comments:
FIP is such a terrible, terrible disease. I am glad you have a chance to treasure what time you have left with sweet Vito. My heart is hurting.
"sometimes you get something you really need, but you don't necessarily get to keep it"
Boy, that is the truth, isn't it?
We are all very sad for you and your gang. We were really thinking that a miracle would happen, just like we thought our other friend, Lola, would make it too.
There isn't much to say except we have you in our thoughts and hearts...
Sad purrs
we are so very very sorry. you are right though - Vito came into your life because you/piggy/grover really needed him. his job is almost done and it's almost time for him to move on to something more. I just bet though, that in due time he will send another soul to you that you need and who needs you.
Vito, we are sorry you feel not well and that you will leave us. Wait for us in heaven so that we can all lay out and play in sunshine without pain or fear ... we will always remember you, little bobcat.
we agree, sometimes you are sent someone to help you thru a time or situation and then they have to leave. perhaps that is true with vito coming in and leaving so quickly. we like to think they are special angels sent to help us.
we understand the emotions that you are going thru as we have just experienced them with our loss of kimiko. i thought i would have more time - i didn't. we are still going thru the emotional rollercoaster. if you need someone to just listen please feel free to contact me. momsbusy AT earthlink DOT net
we will be keeping your family in our prayers.
Our hearts are hurting, too.
This is like my beloved little Charlie Taylor who spent only three months with us, yet completely changed our lives.
You might think you wouldn't have the time to built up an "attachment" in only a few months, but you can. Sometimes it is quality over quantity.
Vito did his job, as the Meezers wrote, just as Charlie Taylor did. And we also know he will guide another to you when the time is right.
Love, Hugs and Purrs,
KC, Missy Blue Eyes, Faith Boomerang, Sol, Smokey & BJ and
Mommy ML
Oh we are so sorry to hear about Vito. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this time....
We hate FIP.
So sorry you are going through this.
We are thinking of all of you. Thank you for sharing Vito with us.
We are so very sorry. FIP is a terrible thing. Sending you purrs and soft woofs.
We are so sorry to hear this news. We hope the time you have left with Vito will be filled with love. We are thinking of you and your family and sending comforting purrs.
Boots, Ozzie & Brenda
We are so so sorry that your hearts are hurting. We look for the lessons too and sometimes they take a long time to find. Enjoy the time you still have with Vito but remember all the fun when he was healthy and himself. Those will be with you forever.
Glogirly & Katie
Allison, I'm so sorry about everything. I'm glad you had him in your life but I'm so sorry you have to say goodbye.
My sisters and I are so very sorry to hear this sad news. We are sending loving purrs your way.
We are so very sorry to hear about sweet Vito and send you all lots of purrs and love. Sometimes the only lesson there is is to love unconditionally ...
'Kaika and his mom
Oh my, my heart is breaking for you and Vito. He came into your life to show you what you needed. We will keep you in our thoughts and send our purrs and prayers.
Abby,Boo,Ping,Jinx,Gracie and Mom Debra
Allison, my heart just aches for you. It just does not seem fair all the "lessons" that you have had to learn from Piggy's illnesses and now poor Vito. I know it is so hard and it will become even harder, but maybe it helps just a little bit to know we are all supporting you and thinking of you, Piggy and Grover too. Hang in there mama.
Mom is trying really hard to not have leaky eyes right now. We are holding you in our hearts as you face this difficult time. We will be purring for all of you.
Tavi, Cody, Camie and Gracie
We are so very sorry to hear of Vito's illness. FIP is a horrible disease.
We are so very happy that Vito has had htis time with you, and that he came along when you needed him. We know you will see him again one day.
Sending you tons of purrs.
We are soo sorry for you. Having lost two of our babies this year from Felv we have an idea of how you feel.
Many Purrz
We're so sorry to hear about Vito. Our Mom lost her first Birman, Uriel, to FIP. We'll keep you in our prayers.
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
It is hard to think of you going through all of this. Purrs and tail wags.
We hate FIP in effury form and wish someone would find a way to stop it, cure it or totally remove it from da earth! Mom sez dat Vito is prolly trying to teach yoo to love wif all yoo got because yoo never know when it will be gone. Our hearts are breaking fur yoo, Piggy and Grover too. We're glad yoor going to haf some more time to love Vito, he's furry speshul.
Our mewmie has been very busy the past 2 weeks and has not been able to visit for a while, and today, while she was at work at the cat hospital, she read the sad news about Vito, who everyone at work has been following.
May it be comfort to know that after all Vito had been through before you got him, that you were able to make his life sweet and full of love...that is the best gift and the best way to remember all he gave to you, and to us too...many smiles and with such grace.
Our mewmie said these words at our Daddies celebration of life, and she thinks that they fit Vito purrfectly...
Mark Twain said "The fear of death follows the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."
It seems that (Mike) (Vito) figured that out a long time ago and we could learn, through him, a great deal about living and dying gracefully.
I so envy our cats. They just work with whatever hand life deals them. They don't worry about tomorrow and they don't regret yesterday. They just take things in stride and figure things out as they go, because they put one foot in front of the other and go on.
Sometimes that is what it takes--putting one foot in front of the other, until it gets easier.
Oh my gosh. This is so very sad. We are so sad that Vito has FIP. It is a very bad illness and we are sending you many hugs, purrs and purrayers.
Luf, Us
We are so sorry to hear this. FIP is a terrible disease. We are glad you get to spend a little more time with him. Our eyes and our mommy's eyes are leaking right now but we send you purrs and prayers.
Poor Vito, we are so sorry for him and you all. he's home with you now, for love and goodbyes. relish this time with him, until it's time to help him on his way. Vito's work was to help you all, and he did that beautifully.
Rumbly purrs and love
Whicky Wuudler & Family
It hurts to read about Vito's suffering from this distance, so I can't imagine how hard it is for your guys. Vito deserved a chance at a better life, and it seems like he has had a wonderful time with you guys up until he got sick. I hate FIP too, as some others have said here. I hope that Vito has some wonderful times while he's still with you, and especially enjoys being with his BFF. The cats send purrs and I send positive thoughts and prayers to you all,
{{{hugs}}}
Karen (Mum to Gypsy & Tasha)
I say screw the lesson-sometimes situations just suck and this one does.
love always-
loving you
loving vito
loving grover
loving piggy
xoxoxoxoxoxo
mac
It is always very hard to understand things like this. Sometimes souls just pass thru this life very briefly to bring us a gift..animals too. I am sure Vito has shared wonderful gifts with you and made you smile.
I didn't know about the kitties blog here and I'm so sad to read the pain of the Vito passing. The way you saved him and gave him joy and respected his best interest at every turn, is all so damn admirable about you. And I sure do admire you.
Lucky kitties all.
Post a Comment