Shelby was a one of a kind cat, like I've never had seen before. He was so good natured. I could pick him up any time and he would never complain. You know when you would pick up a cat and they get all squirmy and try to get away? Shelby would never do that. He was like a little doll. So beautiful and perfect- both inside and out. And the way he would walk! Like he was a model going down the cat walk! It's like he knew that he was beautiful! So many times the vets would mistakenly think he was a girl. I guess because he had that cute little face. On several occasions when he would came back from the vet and they groomed him, the attendant had put a pink bandana around his neck and sprayed perfume on him!
He also had these beautiful vibrant green eyes that I would never get tired of looking at. It's as if he knew what I was thinking.
If there was one thing that Shelby loved, it was to play! He was so easily distracted. To say that Shelby was a picky eater is an understatement. I had to open so many cans before I found one that he would like. He could be in the midde of eating and the slightest sound would distract him. This extra food that Shelby wouldn't eat often was happily eaten by his slightly plump big brother (older by 10 months) Monte. Monte is a big black and white cat who misses his little brother very much.
On July 1, 2014 Shelby had passed out and collapsed on the stairs. We had no idea what was wrong. Thankfully my husband gave Shelby mouth to mouth and he came to. He let out a loud cry and he seemed to come around. We took him to the emergency vet and they told us that he had HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Which means that the walls of his heart were very thick. He had a slight heart murmur when he was younger. After he came home from the emergency vet, Shelby started taking heart medication. Atenol and plavix. He was doing very well on the medication and he seemed like himself again.
We tried not to let Shelby overexert himself, but it was a very difficult thing to do. Try as we might, but Shelby loved to play and chase his older brother Monte!
The day that Shelby passed away on June 26, 2015 was just like any other day. In fact, Shelby was the picture of health that morning. I was still in bed that early morning at 6:30 and Shelby came up to me and started snuggling with me. He had this thing he did where he would pat me with his paws across my nose. And he did it that morning. It's as if he was saying goodbye. He stayed with me snuggled in between the pillows for about 40 mins. And then he got off the bed and seconds later I heard a bang like something fell down the stairs. I saw Shelby collapsed again but this time he was gone. He never regained consciousneas. I cradled him in my arms and I held him so tight. I didn't want to let him go. I still can't let him go. I even went so far as to have one of those cuddle clone toys made in his image so that I could feel like I'm hugging Shelby again. But of course, it's not the same as the real thing.
I have my one remaining cat left, his name his Monte. But Monte is not a big cuddler like Shelby was. Monte doesn't like to be picked up or fussed with. But he's affectionate in his own way. I feel so sorry for Monte because he's alone now without his best friend. And I don't think that Monte would accept a new cat at his age (he'll be 12 in May)
My regret is that we didn't insist on Shelby getting a heart scan when his heart murmur was first detected. I wish that the vets would have told us that we should have been concerned about his heart murmur instead of telling us that it was nothing to worry about. Perhaps if Shelby was diagnosed earlier and given medication he may have lived longer. But I am thankful for the 10 beautiful happy years that I had with Shelby. After doing my research on this dreadful disease, I found out that some cats aren't so lucky to even live that long. Some only live 3 or 4 years. And Shelby lived a happy life and he did not suffer at all. He went so quickly and I was with him. Luckily I happened to be home that day. He was also lucky that he did not have a blood clot that often happens to cats with HCM where they're back legs become paralysed. The vet said that Shelby most likely had a heart attack and that he went quickly and painlessly.
I'll never ever forget my little guy and not a day goes by where I don't think of him.
I'm sure that Shelby was lovingly welcomed to the Rainbow Bridge by Ari, Oscar, Arianna and Luckie. These are dear cats whom we loved that passed on years ago. I'm sure that they are all happily playing together now.
March 13, 2005 - June 26, 2015
He also had these beautiful vibrant green eyes that I would never get tired of looking at. It's as if he knew what I was thinking.
If there was one thing that Shelby loved, it was to play! He was so easily distracted. To say that Shelby was a picky eater is an understatement. I had to open so many cans before I found one that he would like. He could be in the midde of eating and the slightest sound would distract him. This extra food that Shelby wouldn't eat often was happily eaten by his slightly plump big brother (older by 10 months) Monte. Monte is a big black and white cat who misses his little brother very much.
On July 1, 2014 Shelby had passed out and collapsed on the stairs. We had no idea what was wrong. Thankfully my husband gave Shelby mouth to mouth and he came to. He let out a loud cry and he seemed to come around. We took him to the emergency vet and they told us that he had HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Which means that the walls of his heart were very thick. He had a slight heart murmur when he was younger. After he came home from the emergency vet, Shelby started taking heart medication. Atenol and plavix. He was doing very well on the medication and he seemed like himself again.
We tried not to let Shelby overexert himself, but it was a very difficult thing to do. Try as we might, but Shelby loved to play and chase his older brother Monte!
The day that Shelby passed away on June 26, 2015 was just like any other day. In fact, Shelby was the picture of health that morning. I was still in bed that early morning at 6:30 and Shelby came up to me and started snuggling with me. He had this thing he did where he would pat me with his paws across my nose. And he did it that morning. It's as if he was saying goodbye. He stayed with me snuggled in between the pillows for about 40 mins. And then he got off the bed and seconds later I heard a bang like something fell down the stairs. I saw Shelby collapsed again but this time he was gone. He never regained consciousneas. I cradled him in my arms and I held him so tight. I didn't want to let him go. I still can't let him go. I even went so far as to have one of those cuddle clone toys made in his image so that I could feel like I'm hugging Shelby again. But of course, it's not the same as the real thing.
I have my one remaining cat left, his name his Monte. But Monte is not a big cuddler like Shelby was. Monte doesn't like to be picked up or fussed with. But he's affectionate in his own way. I feel so sorry for Monte because he's alone now without his best friend. And I don't think that Monte would accept a new cat at his age (he'll be 12 in May)
My regret is that we didn't insist on Shelby getting a heart scan when his heart murmur was first detected. I wish that the vets would have told us that we should have been concerned about his heart murmur instead of telling us that it was nothing to worry about. Perhaps if Shelby was diagnosed earlier and given medication he may have lived longer. But I am thankful for the 10 beautiful happy years that I had with Shelby. After doing my research on this dreadful disease, I found out that some cats aren't so lucky to even live that long. Some only live 3 or 4 years. And Shelby lived a happy life and he did not suffer at all. He went so quickly and I was with him. Luckily I happened to be home that day. He was also lucky that he did not have a blood clot that often happens to cats with HCM where they're back legs become paralysed. The vet said that Shelby most likely had a heart attack and that he went quickly and painlessly.
I'll never ever forget my little guy and not a day goes by where I don't think of him.
I'm sure that Shelby was lovingly welcomed to the Rainbow Bridge by Ari, Oscar, Arianna and Luckie. These are dear cats whom we loved that passed on years ago. I'm sure that they are all happily playing together now.
March 13, 2005 - June 26, 2015
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