Barb and Tori
Member Since 2009
Yesterday marked the 4th year anniversary of the death of my kitty Tiga. He was only 3 years old when he passed. He died a terrible death to a terrible accident- an accident that I never want another kitty and their person to experience. This is his story.
The night that Tiga died my diabetic kitty Tori was in hospital fighting for her life. She had developed a very severe case of gastritis after being given Metacam for her arthritis. It was so severe that she actually vomited up a piece of her stomach lining. This led to pancreatitis and probable hepatic lipidosis. She also became very septic and we really didn't think that she was going to live. I had just gotten home from seeing her and was going to try and get an hour's sleep before I went to to work that night. I was exhausted but I needed to get my uniforms washed before I went to work. Then I got careless.
Tiga was a wonderful little boy. He had the sweetest personality. He was always full of energy and always was getting into things like a little kitten. I called him mischief. That night he was his usual self getting into trouble. I don't remember what he did that night but I remember sweeping him up in my arms twirling him around and telling him how silly he was and how much I loved him. Those were the last words I ever said to him- I love you.
I went downstairs not realizing that he followed me. When I opened the dryer there was some damp clothes in it. I left the door open and went to ask my daughter to put my uniforms in for me after her clothes were dry. I was gone less than a minute. I didn't look in the dryer before I turned it on and ran upstairs to bed. I fell asleep within seconds.
I woke up to my daughter screaming that Tiga was in the dryer. I ran downstairs but he was gone. I remember screaming NO!!! in an agony that I had never experienced before or since. I tried doing CPR on him but it was useless. I only pray that when I turned on the dryer that with the first sudden movement Tiga was knocked out and that he didn't suffer.
I'll never know how I got through that night at work. I think it was the love and prayers of the people on this Board that got me through it. The next morning when I went to see Tori I took Tiga's body with me. My other kitties Malachi and Rocky had taken turns sitting beside the carrier he was in all night long. When I left they each stood at the door and watched me leave. It was like they were an honor guard for their little brother.
After Tiga died the love of this Board and the fact that Tori and my children and grandbaby needed me were what helped me survive the guilt and agony I felt. One member told me that God had a very special mission for Tiga or he wouldn't have left me the way he did. She called him the Guardian Angel of our kitties and that is the way i like to think of him. I guess I need to. Tiga's mission has become my mission. To keep his memory alive and to help save other kitties I retell his story every year and I will continue to do so. I never want another kitty to suffer his fate. I don't want another kitty parent to go through the agony I went through.
So my friends again I am asking for your help. Everyone please tell at least one cat owner Tiga's story. It only takes a few seconds of carelessness for a tragedy to occur. Our kitties are so curious and innocent and they don't realize the dangers around them. Spread the word. Let's keep our kitties safe and help me honor Tiga's memory. I love you my baby and I miss you so much. I'm so sorry.
The night that Tiga died my diabetic kitty Tori was in hospital fighting for her life. She had developed a very severe case of gastritis after being given Metacam for her arthritis. It was so severe that she actually vomited up a piece of her stomach lining. This led to pancreatitis and probable hepatic lipidosis. She also became very septic and we really didn't think that she was going to live. I had just gotten home from seeing her and was going to try and get an hour's sleep before I went to to work that night. I was exhausted but I needed to get my uniforms washed before I went to work. Then I got careless.
Tiga was a wonderful little boy. He had the sweetest personality. He was always full of energy and always was getting into things like a little kitten. I called him mischief. That night he was his usual self getting into trouble. I don't remember what he did that night but I remember sweeping him up in my arms twirling him around and telling him how silly he was and how much I loved him. Those were the last words I ever said to him- I love you.
I went downstairs not realizing that he followed me. When I opened the dryer there was some damp clothes in it. I left the door open and went to ask my daughter to put my uniforms in for me after her clothes were dry. I was gone less than a minute. I didn't look in the dryer before I turned it on and ran upstairs to bed. I fell asleep within seconds.
I woke up to my daughter screaming that Tiga was in the dryer. I ran downstairs but he was gone. I remember screaming NO!!! in an agony that I had never experienced before or since. I tried doing CPR on him but it was useless. I only pray that when I turned on the dryer that with the first sudden movement Tiga was knocked out and that he didn't suffer.
I'll never know how I got through that night at work. I think it was the love and prayers of the people on this Board that got me through it. The next morning when I went to see Tori I took Tiga's body with me. My other kitties Malachi and Rocky had taken turns sitting beside the carrier he was in all night long. When I left they each stood at the door and watched me leave. It was like they were an honor guard for their little brother.
After Tiga died the love of this Board and the fact that Tori and my children and grandbaby needed me were what helped me survive the guilt and agony I felt. One member told me that God had a very special mission for Tiga or he wouldn't have left me the way he did. She called him the Guardian Angel of our kitties and that is the way i like to think of him. I guess I need to. Tiga's mission has become my mission. To keep his memory alive and to help save other kitties I retell his story every year and I will continue to do so. I never want another kitty to suffer his fate. I don't want another kitty parent to go through the agony I went through.
So my friends again I am asking for your help. Everyone please tell at least one cat owner Tiga's story. It only takes a few seconds of carelessness for a tragedy to occur. Our kitties are so curious and innocent and they don't realize the dangers around them. Spread the word. Let's keep our kitties safe and help me honor Tiga's memory. I love you my baby and I miss you so much. I'm so sorry.
