Goodbye My Brave Friend Petey

If you look at my avatar pic next to my name, that's my Petey. Today, on Thanksgiving, Petey finally gave up his struggle to live and is finally at peace. I hope he found comfort and is looking after his baby sisters.who passed away over these last few months. He was the 4th of a litter of 5 beautiful babies born June21st. All 5 were born with Leukemia. He was the 4th to succumb to the sickening ravages of wet FIP. It is a hoorible, unmerciful disease. His momma was a stray who showed up here (as many do) just before I saw her pregnany belly. She ran away when they were about 8 weeks old. If people only spayed and neutered, there wouldn't be needless suffering like this.

   He held on much longer than his sisters, with the FIP fluid showing up at least 2 months ago. He slept on my chest every night and last week, I made the choice to have his fluid drained, trying to give him some relief. I don't think it affected him either way. This morning, he could no longer walk, his muscles completely failing him. He tried to eat but couldn't do that, either. Falling down, breathing heavy, zoned out and being exhausted, he allowed us to take shifts of him lying on our chests for comfort. I debated all morning taking him to be PTS. The emergency vet is more than an hour away, they use gas at first (I hate that) and no local vet is compassionate enough to help off hours ever. Driving my boy so far to have strangers do that had to be weighed against his comfort. It became pretty obvious that he was giving in to his disease. His breathing settled into a slow pattern and although he didn't seem to be in pain, we gave him some pain med to relax. About 430, my little guy took a final breath and passed away. Although it was hard, I am glad we kept him in our arms surrounded by love, instead of a long rush to unfamiliar people and smells. People are right when they tell you that you will know what to do when the time comes.

   Petey was a beautiful soul...a little boy born looking like the Little Rascals dog Petey. He was a lively, prancing fella before the FIP took the joy from his soul. He loved to wrestle with his brother Buddy and spend hours on the hill soaking up the sun on pretty days. As always, he craved human companionship, loved to knead my chin so gently while he layed on his back for his daily belly rubs. That's where he often fell asleep and once the fluid started building, he needed that more than ever. He loved to kiss me and lick my face having the happiest eyes I have ever seen. If I walked, he followed and he sure loved his food. Everyone who met him, loved him.

   My baby boy, my best pal, my little angel...I love you and this has left a gaping hole in my heart. You were never ever just a cat. You were the epitome of love, unconditional love and I miss you. Rest in peace angel and love your sisters. Wait for me at the bridge.

You all are so wonderful and loving and it made me cry all over again today, but in a good way. It feels like extra arms wrapped around my boy and the baby sisters that preceeded him. Thank you so much for the compassion and carrying me through such a sad journey for him. I wish I could move you all to the same street and we could hang out til our kitties have more affection than they knew how to handle. You have been amazing.

Where on earth did this site get such an amazingly kind group of hearts. I thank you sooooo very much for every one of you taking the time that you have to send such compassionate words to me. It has been the back that carried me when I thought I couldn't take much more. Again, thank you for every single word.