A Tribute to Mommie

'This beautiful creature is Mommie.  Sweet, unassuming, shy Mommie.  Unless you were familiar with the furry inhabitants of Tate Street, you never knew she existed.  During the day she would hide out behind the couch or under the bed.  She would only come out at night to eat. 

After Dolly and I had been here for a couple of months, Mommie started venturing out during the day.  She would lay on the coffee table and socialize (to an extent).  Mommie had problems with her fur, she had patches of coarse fur that tangled (best description I can give).  She would lose some hair and we would groom her as best we could because she wouldn't do it herself. 

We noticed that she started drinking a great deal of water, we didn't know if maybe she had a hyperthryoid problem or what.  We took her to the vet, he tested for the usual suspects, feline leukemia, etc.  She was also very skinny.  Finally, the diagnosis came back, it was diabetes. 

They started her on a very small dose of insulin, twice a day.  I was terrified when we gave her that first shot, but she knew we were only trying to help, and she never flinched.  After each injection, we would monitor her for insulin shock.  At times we would have to give her a mixture of water and syrup.  As with humans, we would note how much she ate, how often she ate, etc.  She went back to the doctor for her two week follow-up, and she had continued to lose weight.  He increased her dosage.  However, she didn't handle the larger dose very well.  He instructed us to pull her back.  She wouldn't eat very much and we started supplementing her food with cat milk.  She loved it and we thought it helped her.  We checked her everyday and I guess, wishful thinking made us see weight gain when there wasn't any.

One day, she sprang to life, so to speak.  She was active, ate everything in sight and was very loving.  We couldn't believe it, we thought she had turned the corner.  The next morning, she was extremely lethargic and felt cold to the touch.  She hunkered down in the bathroom and we covered her with a thick, warm towel.  Dr. Hurst scheduled us in an appointment for that afternoon.  Ceji went to work and I stayed with Mommie.  I sat on the floor with her, helped her walk to the kitchen to eat, and then back to the bathroom.  I knew she wasn't getting any better, I just hoped it was merely insulin shock. 

When we got her to the vet, she had lost even more weight and her body temperature was dropping.  Dr. Hurst informed us she wasn't going to improve, no matter what we did.  We couldn't stand to let her suffer and we couldn't stand to watch her leave us.  To say there were tears would be an understatement.  Bubbie came up to the doctors office and we all said our goodbyes. 

My heart was broken, I kept whispering to Mommie that I was sorry.  I felt that I had failed her, that I could have done something more.  But, deep down inside, we knew we had done everything we could do.    

A special sidenote:  Mommie and Dolly had a special relationship.  Dolly knew she was sick, even before we did.  Dolly was very protective of Mommie.  If Dolly happened to be eating and Mommie would walk in, Dolly would step back from the food and allow Mommie to eat.  If one of the other cats came into the kitchen, Dolly would bark them off and then stay by Mommie's side until she had finished eating.  Dolly loved Mommie and Mommie knew Dolly would protect her at all costs.

I miss that black beauty everyday.  She was so precious.  Diabetes is just as harmful to cats as it is with people.  The treatment is the same, food intake is the same, etc.  I urge you, cat owners, if your cat is overweight or if you notice increase in water consumption or their behavior changes, get to your vet.  It could be nothing or it could be a life-altering illness. 

We now know that last day, when she was so full of life, that she knew it was the end.  She wanted to spend it happy and with the ones she loved.  And she did it...I guess that's really all we can hope for, to be with the ones we love when we leave.

Love you Mommie.

                                        Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.  When a pet dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bidge. 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 time gone by.  The animals are happy and content, exact 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 in the distance.  His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. 
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the 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.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
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