Pat, I'm so sorry the news wasn't the answer we all wanted for Joshua and you. Make the most of these days you have left with him physically with you. He will always be with you in spirit.
Oh no....... I cannot TELL you, how very sad your posts made me. It puts me right back to my little Spikey, when I KNEW he was so, so ill, and we had worked with the Vet so much. I could not stand to see him suffer, and I know this is an issue with you. It is THE hardest thing, to know it is time to let them go on, and my heart is so with you at this very painful time. I wish you strength and comfort for you, and your dear little kitty, Joshua...
Thank you Missy, and all...he is making it "easier" by showing that this tumor is rapidly affecting him, it is a no-brainer decision at this point. We will cherish this upcoming last day with him.
If anyone can learn something from this, it is trust your instincts. I knew something had changed, despite 3 years of up and down weight, bad episodes with his ibd and other health issues, somehow things changed from last week to this.
Oh, Pat, this is not the results we expected at all. You know your little boy better than anyone possibly could, and you are so wise to trust your instincts. You are making such an unselfish decision. My heart is with you during this extremely difficult time, my friend, and both you and Joshua are in my prayers.
If you feel like talking, you know just where I am.
Mihit Pride and Joy has lived up to his name all his life...from kittenhood to a fragile but always good natured senior. My sweet, silly boy, nicknamed Joshua, has been a loving presence in my life. What a gift this time has been.
Josh was born in April of 1988, a lovely Lilac Lynx Point American Curl who I showed as a kitten and young adult in ACFA and TICA - as new breed and color, and briefly in TICA in championship after the breed had advanced. I didn't show him as long as he wished, retiring him relatively young, he'd sit in my open suitcase as I packed to take a younger fellow (my sweet Tyler who I've mentioned here before), and have the most plaintive look on his face.
He used to ask to be picked up by acking at me (he didn't have a "meow") and putting his front legs up, just like a child might do. I even wrote and published a short story about him once, about the time he initiated and played peek-a-boo with a friends toddler. Joshua also taught me to play fetch with him, by bringing a favorite dog sized pink sponge ball over to my feet and looking up at me until I rolled it for him to chase, pick up in his teeth, and bring back. He was a sharp young fellow
in those days.
He had a very appropriate extra nickname as he grew older - bumblecurl - for his long, curling in different direction whiskers, his constant purr, his large, deep blue eyes and soft expression..he simply was one of the most placid and loving cats I've ever lived with.
He passed over to the rainbow bridge this morning, just as he lived, purring, in my arms, no sign of his discomfort except for a tail twitch that told he was in pain, and his open mouthed breathing at times which was now becoming a full open mouthed pant - that told us how quickly this lung tumor was progressing.
He joins his grandmother, his mother, and his very special son, Chris, and I look so forward to seeing him again some day.
Once I have a photo of him sized down enough I"ll post it in the photos section.
Thanks again to everyone for their support, the pm's, the special angel bear note, I appreciate it ever so much.
Oh, sweet friend, what terrible pain you must feel today. If only there was some way to fill the emptiness today. My heart just aches for you. You showed Joshua such amazing love by making this unselfish and difficult decision to allow him to move on to Heaven where he joyfully joins his beloved relatives as they happily wait for the day you are all reunited. You are in my prayers, and my heart is with you during your painful time of grief.
Thank you for sharing with the rest of us a small glimpse of what a special guy Joshua was. It sounds like he was a very precious kitty. You must take comfort in knowing that his passing was not a bad experience for him.
Oh Pat, I'm so sorry. I'm glad he's in a happier place now, with no more pain. That was a sweet tribute and you're such a great person for taking such good care of him, and knowing when to let go.
Pat, I'm so sorry to read this about your sweet Joshua! What a blessing to have had such a special boy in your life, albeit that time was all to short. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Joshua