Jay Dee
Member Since 2021
I have no idea how to even start this post, but I wanted to let folks know that I helped Snuggie cross the rainbow bridge, in my arms, this past Saturday.
He was my soulmate kitty; my rock, my comfort, my companion, my heated blanket, my office assistant, my best friend, my world, for nearly 1/3 of my life. He was "the pet of a lifetime" for me. We had a special bond that i'd only ever dreamed was possible with an animal. I took a moment every day to cuddle him and just appreciate that bond. He let me know many times throughout his life, and especially in his last few days, that he felt the same.
He was doing fairly well up until last month. We noticed he wasn't grooming and had a lot of mats. We had the vet brush/shave them but they just returned. He'd growl at least half the times i picked him up, he'd take several minutes to sit or lie down and he didn't really look happy unless he was eating or sleeping. We noticed a loose tooth and gum inflammation during a bout of super high BGs, he got a shot of convenia and he perked up a bit, even purred a few times, and his BGs tumbled. I had to go on a trip then so we further reduced his insulin for a vacation dose. His numbers went sky high again. It was all I could think about til i was able to be home with him again to get that BG under control.
My husband had made some observations while i was away, since I am usually the primary care taker when i am home. And upon my return, i saw things in a new light. He was walking laps around the living room, seemed unsettled, often would have a thousand-yard stare; was getting lost in the house, having litter box accidents, had mats in his short fur (he was a long haired cat), forgetting that he ate, and was beginning to have a hard time getting food/water in his mouth and keeping it there. We treated for a UTI and that seemed to help his #1 accidents, but he just didn't seem well. I asked him if it was "time," thanked him for making it through my trip until i got home, and told him he didn't need to suffer anymore just for me. He gave me a very clear sign that it was time. We spent the next several days snuggling as much as he'd let me, enjoying shrimp and tuna treats, and gradually backing off his many meds and treatments. We connected in those last few days and i know we eeked out every possible minute together before he lost dignity or suffered any more.
Thank you all for your help with insulin switch, dosing, acro, and other advice since last year when we joined. I absolutely credit this group for the extra time we had with him. His daily routine was a lot of work and kept me busy but i don't regret any of it and would have continued to do it all if i knew he was not suffering. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I may take a break from the board for a little while, but will be back to help other kitties and caregivers based on my experiences. I didn't have time to be there for others when we were in the throes of everything, but once my heart heals a bit, i can think of no better way to honor Snuggie's life than help others.
He was my soulmate kitty; my rock, my comfort, my companion, my heated blanket, my office assistant, my best friend, my world, for nearly 1/3 of my life. He was "the pet of a lifetime" for me. We had a special bond that i'd only ever dreamed was possible with an animal. I took a moment every day to cuddle him and just appreciate that bond. He let me know many times throughout his life, and especially in his last few days, that he felt the same.
He was doing fairly well up until last month. We noticed he wasn't grooming and had a lot of mats. We had the vet brush/shave them but they just returned. He'd growl at least half the times i picked him up, he'd take several minutes to sit or lie down and he didn't really look happy unless he was eating or sleeping. We noticed a loose tooth and gum inflammation during a bout of super high BGs, he got a shot of convenia and he perked up a bit, even purred a few times, and his BGs tumbled. I had to go on a trip then so we further reduced his insulin for a vacation dose. His numbers went sky high again. It was all I could think about til i was able to be home with him again to get that BG under control.
My husband had made some observations while i was away, since I am usually the primary care taker when i am home. And upon my return, i saw things in a new light. He was walking laps around the living room, seemed unsettled, often would have a thousand-yard stare; was getting lost in the house, having litter box accidents, had mats in his short fur (he was a long haired cat), forgetting that he ate, and was beginning to have a hard time getting food/water in his mouth and keeping it there. We treated for a UTI and that seemed to help his #1 accidents, but he just didn't seem well. I asked him if it was "time," thanked him for making it through my trip until i got home, and told him he didn't need to suffer anymore just for me. He gave me a very clear sign that it was time. We spent the next several days snuggling as much as he'd let me, enjoying shrimp and tuna treats, and gradually backing off his many meds and treatments. We connected in those last few days and i know we eeked out every possible minute together before he lost dignity or suffered any more.
Thank you all for your help with insulin switch, dosing, acro, and other advice since last year when we joined. I absolutely credit this group for the extra time we had with him. His daily routine was a lot of work and kept me busy but i don't regret any of it and would have continued to do it all if i knew he was not suffering. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I may take a break from the board for a little while, but will be back to help other kitties and caregivers based on my experiences. I didn't have time to be there for others when we were in the throes of everything, but once my heart heals a bit, i can think of no better way to honor Snuggie's life than help others.
