Alberto Needs our Prayers and Well Wishes

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Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN)

Member Since 2010
Alberto went home to Suzanne (and Nemo) on June 14. (There have been a few Community posts about Albert being fostered by Heather and adopted as Alberto by Suzanne.) This was a huge step for Suzanne because she had just lost her beloved Nemo in May 2012.

In less than two weeks, Alberto has firmly wound his paws around Suzanne's heart. Given how raw Suzanne is feeling right now, she accepted my offer to post the following about Alberto.

Yesterday, Suzanne's vet diagnosed Alberto with pneumonia and he started on antibiotics. Palpation and an X-Ray revealed enlarged kidneys and the image is being sent to a radiologist for evaluation.

However, last night Suzanne had to take Alberto to the ER for very labored breathing. Alberto is in critical condition overall, and it's likely not pneumonia but a large mass in his chest, producing fluids affecting his breathing. The vet removed some fluids, so Alberto started breathing better. He stayed the night at the hospital in an oxygen chamber.

Alberto had to have fluids drained from his chest again this morning. He also will be getting a diagnostic ultrasound and bloodwork. The vet is thinking it could be cancer, perhaps coupled with congestive heart failure.

"I feel that I owe it to him to at least get these tests today. Perhaps with the results I won't have any other choice but to put him to rest, but I'd like to at least give him a fighting chance for the next day or so. I'm a mess. He's not here even two weeks, but I love him dearly all the same."

Please join me in sending prayers and well wishes for Suzanne and Alberto.

Between the hospitalization (which might be a few days) and these tests, the estimate for care is $3,000. DCIN has opened a chip-in on Alberto's blog page. Please help DCIN help Suzanne and Alberto if you can. ~Venita
 
How heartbreaking about Alberto. I do hope and pray that he will be okay, but at least he is being given a lot of love by Suzanne since she has had him for such a short time so far. I know how difficult this is for her.

Many blessings and hugs being sent for them both,
Jean and Charcoal (GA) cat_pet_icon
 
I'm very sorry to report that I had to put Alberto to rest this morning. I was hoping he could hang in there a little longer for the vet to complete an ultrasound, but even after they removed fluids from his chest, he continued to be in severe breathing distress, and I knew that I couldn't delay his suffering. Whatever was causing this distress - probably cancer - didn't need to be diagnosed anymore. I was able to be with him as left for the Bridge.

What to say about a cat that you've only "owned" for 10 days? A week ago, I would have said we were getting to know each other, slowly but surely. He was a bit shy and slow in acclimating to my house and other cats - for instance, he didn't want to jump on the furniture. It was if he was telling me, "Oh, excuse me, ma'am, I'm just a guest here." He was very smart. That made me smile, because my beloved Nemo was the smartest cat, and all along I felt he guided me to Alberto. But perhaps Nemo guided me for reasons I didn't expect.

It's hard to lose a cat you've had for 20 years (Nemo); and yet it's almost equally hard to lost one you've had for 10 days. The loss for Alberto centers around all that couldn't be. That he didn't have a second chance after his original owners dumped him after his diabetes diagnoses. That all the love in the world from both Heather, his foster momma, me, and the DCIN crew/supporters couldn't save him. What I did know - after seeing him in that oxygen tank, his breathing labored and fear in his eyes - is that I loved him so very dearly. And I'll remember him always.

Thanks for listening.
 
Suzanne, I am so sorry for your loss. You gave him a wonderful send off, I'm sure. You were his heroine in his time of need.
 
Suzanne, my heart breaks with yours. You were able to give Alberto a wonderful gift. I know it comes at a huge cost to you, but he knew he was loved, and that is the greatest gift we can give these little guys. The world is a terribly unfair place. I am so sorry. I am praying for your strength and healing.
I pray that Alberto has a peaceful journey to his next adventure, where he is strong, and whole, and free of pain.
 
((((Suzanne)))) My heart is almost as broken as yours.

"The loss for Alberto centers around all that couldn't be." I will never regret a moment of the time, effort, and prayers so many gave to and for Alberto. The enormity of love that surrounded him during the final couple months of his Earthly journey showed him what a precious soul he is. May Alberto and Nemo, forever in your heart, smile on you every day.

Fly free, dearest Alberto. wings_cat

With each DCIN cat, I learn a new lesson. From you, Alberto, I learned that every day is precious, that two and a half months can be a lifetime of love, and that ten days can bind two souls forever.
 
My heart and deepest sympathy goes out to both Suzanne and Heather. Both women loved Alberto and gave him all the love he may never have had before in his life. Sometimes you just want to scream at the unfairness of it all. He may not have been given the years but he was certainly given the love and to him that was the world. So heartbreaking wings_cat
 
I'm so sorry for your loss of Alberto, Suzanne :YMHUG: . In the short time you were together you gave him so much love, that is the most precious gift. Fly free Alberto, blessings on your journey over the rainbow bridge. wings_cat
 
I am so sorry for your loss. sorry for all that couldn't be, but glad for all that was. I think he knew love for the first time in a very long time. Fly free little one, you will be sorely missed.
 
Suzanne - Your post was so touching and full of so much love. How fortunate Alberto was to have someone love him so very much.

Prayers and hugs -

Libby (& Hershey, too!)
 
Suzanne, I am so sorry. My heart is breaking as well. Alberto was so special and I'm glad that I got to be a part of his life for a short time. He wasn't used to getting kisses, but after two months with me he learned that it was a sign of affection and became more accepting of them. I remember thinking at first how sad it was, that he didn't know what kisses were. You and I probably gave him more love than he had ever gotten in his 12 years. May God bless you for being there for him in his last days. I am so so sorry and sad.
 
(((Suzanne))) I am so sorry. Fly free Alberto rb_icon

I was so afraid from the earlier post that he might have mediastinal thymoma cancer - it sounded just like my Charlotte who had that last Sept. It was about 4 days from onset of labored breathing and diagnosis to her passing, but she was over 18-1/2.

I am so sorry that you lost all the possibilities with Alberto. I hate cancer so much.

(((hugs))) for all you did for him in the short time you shared. We never know how long we will have with them, but you can give them a lifetime of love in however long or short a time you have with them.
 
Fly free home Alberto. wings_cat rb_icon
I'm sorry for your loss, Suzanne.
I'm sure he knew for probably the first time in his life that he was safe and loved by you, his foster and the DCIN members that helped make his adoption possible.
Even though your time together was short. it was a precious gift from God for both Alberto and you.
 
There is no time limit on how our kitties weave themselves into our hearts. We are so sorry for the loss of your newly beloved Alberto. And how fortunate for him to be surrounded by love and caring in his life and as he made his journey to the bridge.
 

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I am simply bawling here, I cant stop.. I am so very sorry for your loss 10 days is plenty long to fall in love. I am beyond sad that Alberto had to cross over the Bridge so soon, but I am so glad he knew Heather and your love. ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((SUZANNE)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Alberto is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon
wings_cat
 
(((((((Suzanne)))))))
We are saddened to hear of Alberto's passing. He left for the Bridge with your love surrounding him. I know that he will dwell always in his special place: in your heart. Fly free, sweet Alberto.

In deepest sympathy,

Ella & Rusty and Stu (GA)
 
wings_cat

Godspeed and angelwings sweet Alberto. You were loved by more people than you could ever imagine.

((((Suzanne)))) Gentle hugs to you. I am so sorry for your loss.
 
Suzanne, I am so sorry for your loss. Sweet Alberto is no longer in pain and you (and Heather) showed him so much love in the short time you had. Sending you prayers of peace and comfort.

Fly Free Alberto! wings_cat
 
(((((Suzanne))))) Can't stop the tears ...........

I was so happy to see that he was going to have a chance at having a forever home and all the loving he could stand. It just seems so unfair.......

Fly free dear Albert......we will miss you.
 
Oh, Suzanne, I'm so, so sorry. The first time I saw Alberto on the DCIN site, there was something about him that made me think he has a wise soul.
 
I came here to get an update and cussed when I saw the candle. I am so sorry to hear about Alberto. :cry: He experienced love with Heather and Suzzanne and that was a great gift that you gave him. My sympathies to you both.
 
I'm so terribly sorry for your loss, but so very glad Alberto found his way to you and that you had the time together that you did. You gave him love and safety and those are two very beautiful things.

My heart goes out to you...

Fly free, Alberto.

Kate & Leo
 
Suzanne & Heather, I am so sorry for your loss of Alberto. You both gave so much love to this poor baby who never had it before and showed him how good the world could be. It's so unfair & sad that he didn't get to stay around and enjoy it and you lost the pleasure of seeing him do it. You were wonderful to Alberto. Thank you. My deepest sympathy on your loss.

Melanie & Racci
 
Dear Suzanne & Heather -

Thank you for loving Alberto! I'm so sorry he had to go after such a brief time, but you both truly showed him a life he had no idea even existed. I'm sure he loved you both with all his heart and soul.

It's very difficult when things come up this suddenly. You think you're just going in for something simple, and suddenly you're saying good-bye. It IS different when you've had them for a short time, but it is not any easier. May you find comfort knowing that his spirit is free and his love surrounds you both.

God Bless -

Lu-Ann
 
Dear Suzanne and Heather,

I am so very, very sorry to hear that Alberto had to leave so soon. What a beautiful furbaby he was, and so blessed to have the time he did with love and kisses that he may never have known, if it had not been for both of you, and for DCIN.

Also, I pray for all of those who do so much for these unfortunate little furbabies, and give them time to live a quality life, whether it be for one day, 10 days, or for many years. You all have such wonderful and giving hearts to know that sometimes the tears are never far away, but hopefully the love and smiles and purrs that our furbabies give to us, makes it all worthwhile.

((((HUGS)))),
Jean and Charcoal (GA) wings_cat
 
I'm sorry to hear about Alberto. And yes, 10 days is enough time for a pet to win our hearts, it sounds like he was surrounded by lots of love during those 10 days.
 
Suzanne,
Bless you for accepting Alberto into your home and heart. He needed your help and you helped him. That's a great gift even though it leaves a hole in your heart.

I'm so sorry Alberto had to leave you so soon. Fly free wise Alberto. wings_cat
 
(((((Suzanne)))))

I am so very sorry to read this, but I do understand what a cost this has been to your heart, but I also want to share with you something that I didn't even learn until yesterday from Musette..I too felt like we were robbed of all the what could have been when I lost her after just a year. That I had somehow failed to save her. Well yesterday I had asked Dawn Allen to talk to Autumn about her aggression issues with the other cats, when out of the blue Musette butted in..she had a message for me, she told Dawn to tell me..that Autumn just needed time to know whatever one else here already knew...that she was home and what home meant. That even to them that home isn't just food, water and shelter or living inside with a person...that was house...home is where you are loved, where your person doesn't just toss you aside when you become too much work or they are busy, it is where they really see you and understand you as a "person". Musette and Autumn, like Alberto had known house, but they hadn't known home, we gave them home. At least for Musette it was the one key factor that she had been missing in her life before she felt she could let go of a body that was failing her for a longtime, Muse guided her to me, so she could know home and become ready to move on to the Bridge. I'm almost going to bet that Nemo did the same with Alberto, Alberto knew his body was failing him, but he so wanted to know not just house but home that Nemo did sent him to you, because Nemo like Muse knew what home was, and knew that we as their people would in moments see both Musette and Alberto as a person and love them. That whatever time they had left in their bodies would be filled to overflowing with love and home, so that they could leave this life, and have someone that is so very special to them to wait for, and to hang on to those memories of what it felt like to be home until we all meet again. And that Musette also knew she was going to have to leave me soon, not that she wanted too but that because she couldn't be fixed so she found Autumn for me, because she knew that Autumn had a chance to be fixed, not just her diabetes but her heart..so when we adopted Autumn, Musette could finally let go and go in peace.

As a friend told me when I was crying about unfair life had been for Musette and how this was suppose to be her second chance to really live.

Do not cry because it is over...Rejoice that it happened at all. Because while she was always someone's pet...without you she would not have had a chance at being loved.

Fly Free Alberto, even if it was for a short time...you were loved so very much!

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
So sorry for your loss. Glad alberto got to see all the love he did have in the last couple weeks of his life.
 
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