and then there were 4... make that 3

I found Runt lying dead in the yard this morning, he was cold and stiff so he had been there for a little while. He had a URI but had seemed fine the last time I had seen him.

While I was picking him up I saw Half-tail, her little cold had exploded into a nghtmare. I took her to the vet and she was just too far gone. She died in my arms after I made the decision to end it.

Putting her to sleep was a nightmare, she just wouldn't give up. The vet gave her more than enough 1 cc for her size 3 lbs 14 oz. It took over 30 mins for her to pass, she just wouldn't give up. This was a low cost vet so he didn't knock her out first like they did with the others I've had put to sleep. The vet thought she'd be gone in 5 mins with how bad she was but she held on. I finally gave her permission to die and once she lost consciouness the vet gave her a shot to the heart which ended it for her. She also smelled so bad, I think she had climbed through a stagnant puddle, I mean she stunk so badly but I couldn't let her die laying on a cold metal table, I had to hold her.

2 in one day This makes 4 I've lost to URIs. Out of 15 kittens there is only 1 I know of that is still alive, Nuts. I hate FeLV, it is such a horrid brutal disease.

RIP Runt and Half-Tail.

Taryn

i dont often post here but i was drawn to here tonight

i am so sorry you lost two today

RIP Runt and Half Tail

I'm so sorry Runt and Half-tail got so sick and died.

It was so wierd, they had colds they were not that sick and then boom I lose them both on the same day. I was waiting for Runt to shed some mats he had on his back(he let me use scissors once over the summer and then decided never again) and for him to recover frm his cold so I could get him neutered. No one thinks about neutering a sick cat.

There was no way I could have caught Runt even if he was really sick, but I swear he wasn't. He wouldn't go into a carrier(I got mauled the last ime I had tried to get him neutered, he escaped and refused to be caught again)and he was trap smart so he knew to keep away from it.

I just don't get it. They were fine and then they just weren't.

I worry they suffered, especially Runt since he wasn't put to sleep. Half-Tail is also bothering me, she fought so hard not to die, even with enough in her that she should have been gone in less than 5 mins with how sick she was it took her over 30 mins and I had to give her specific permission to die before she let herself go. The vet said that it can sometimes take 5 mins, but it could also take 90 minutes, you just never know. I don't think I can go through that with any of the others, I prefer them to be given a sedative after witnessing that. She also started crying while I was holding her waiting for her to cross and telling her all about the rainbow bridge. The vet said it was harder on me than it was on her and I know it's the truth and now I know why some vets sedate pets before euthanasia, it's easier on the owner. Attitude's euthanasia was a breeze compared to Half-Tail and I was really really attached to Attitude, she was a once in a lifetime cat.

15 kittens and I know of only 1 that is still here and it's less than 2 years later. 2 were adopted out before we found out they were positive, and the neighbor who didn't care just gave her 3 away without even caring to mention that they might be ill. I don't know if any of them are still living. I hate FeLV and I hate people because people are why this happened, someone dumped a cat they didn't want and then another person refused to take care their cat and it infected everyone else. 15 kittens are then born with a death sentence.

Mama and Biter are the only ones left, other than Nuts from my original group. Blue is also still around. Blue, Mama and Biter are all very healthy, I made sure to check Biter and Mama to make sure they didn't so much as have the sniffles. Mama is grandma to Runt, Half-Tail, Attitude and Nuts, she is the oldest but she is still here and healthy as ever. Biter is their mom and she too is healthy. Neither of them are URI prone, Half-Tail was(never serious, she'd recover in a couple days) but Runt wasn't. So the 2 oldest out of the colony are still here, plus Blue, who just showed up one day and decided to stick around.

Taryn

I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for your loss of Runt and Half Tail. I can only imagine what a nightmare this has been for you!! They've gone to the Bridge together,paw in paw. RIP Runt and Half Tail. You are still loved.

We're going to bury them together later today. This is just bothering me. I failed them as well.

Great now the dog has started puking, just perfect. Wonder what he ate this time.

Taryn

I am so sorry. Two in a day. Two in a lifetime is awful.

Their suffereing is over now. I will keep them in my prayers. Sweet little things.

God bless them.

Taryn, I am so incredibly sorry for this tragic loss sweetheart. I just wanted to give you a ... Rest in peace precious babies.

I am deeply sorry for your loss of two cats in the same day. I do hope your dog will be okay. Rest in peace, Runt and Half Tail.

Taryn, I'm so sorry about Runt and Half-tail. RIP little cats. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job caring for all the cats in your area - they're lucky to have someone who cares about them living close!

Losing two in just one day must be so rough. I'm really sorry for your loss. , Runt and Half-tail.

I am so sorry, you are in my prayers.

I hope your dog is ok too.

What a sad tale - 15 kittens, all sick. At least they had you to look after them, those you could.

I'm so sorry. It must be very hard on you. You are so brave!




Robin