Little Boy 1999 - 2012

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Anyname

Anyname

Member Since 2010
Just unbelievably sad to have to post the candle for LB. He was such an amazing, intelligent, handsome cat, sometimes referred to as the 'gentle giant'.

Little Boy was FD dx in June 2010. He also had an auto immune disorder (eosinophilic granuloma), necessitating cortisone in recent months. Rightly or wrongly I felt let down by my vets who did their best but LB needed more than they could deliver. It happened a week ago today. I chose to go early and fret as to whether I made the right decision. He was dx for kidney disease the day before which I had suspected for quite some time. He was with us for thirteen years from his infancy. He was larger than life in size and personality.

One of the hundreds of story I have to remember him by goes like this; DH and I noticed LB in the garden watching something intently on the neighbours roof. LB's head was poking out from the bushes. He was so transfixed by it that it caused us to go outside to see what he was looking at. As we approached we saw a huge bird of prey (possibly an eagle) on the roof next door. It was eyeing LB in the same way as LB was eyeing it. We must have startled the bird so that it made an instant decision to go in for the kill. It swooped down towards LB with his talons extended. Little Boy was possibly distracted by us and jumped out a moment too soon. The bird saw for the first time the size of his prey. In cartoon fashion it did a double take and aborted the mission trying to gain altitude as quickly as possible. LB Jumped up into the air stretching out to his full length which was about a meter long from tail to front paw and he was at least 18 inches off the ground, giving it all he had to catch the bird. We were 12 feet away. He missed the bird by about 5 inches. It looked like it was happening in slow motion and what a thrill it gave us to see. So glad he missed it of course - for both their sake.

It was a such a privilege to have a cat like Little Boy. His loss from our home and our lives is huge.
Marilyn
 
((((((((((Marilyn)))))))))) I'm so sorry for your loss of Little Boy. What an amazing story of him and that big bird.
I'm sure he is looking down on you, right now. Tears.
You two will be together again, someday.

Fly Free, Happy, and Healthy
Precious Little Boy. wings_cat
 
Oh Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear you have lost your Little Boy. I have watched your progress from the beginning and you clearly gave this fight everything you could. I have loved your stories of Boy out in your Australian garden and know that he had a joy filled life with you and your husband. You have so many memories of him; I hope they will make you smile rather than cry.

Sue
 
Marilyn, this is so sad to read and to know your beautiful LB is gone. I know he had a lot of problems and you did everything you could to help him. Love the story of him and the eagle.....can just picture how shocked that eagle was at his size. My heartfelt and deep sympathy to you and your DH on his passing. Just hard to believe he is gone now........was so praying he would be okay and that sooner or later something would help him. My heart goes out to you.
 
Awww, I am so sorry to read this .. It seems like no matter how long they are with us, it is just never long enough .. The story you shared about him and the eagle brought a smile to my face .. I hope it did yours as well, and I hope all the other memories with him can continue to bring you smiles .. Fly Free LB ...
 
I am so sorry for your loss of Little Boy. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story of Little Boy and the big bird. I hope in time your loving memories will ease your pain.

Fly Free Little Boy. wings_cat
 
Thank you all for your comments . I forgot to mention he was dx for kidney disease last Monday. I had gone to a new vet for the blood tests because my regular vets didn't think he had kidney disease based on 4 month old blood tests and 3 month old ultra sound. We had no rapport with the new vet but my regular vet said little boy was attention seeking by not eating and used the word Munchausen. I felt set adrift. Giving LB cortisone for the granuloma was probably making him sicker and sicker as he struggled with CKF. I had taken him in over and over to regular vets telling them he wasn't well/not eating/peeing, drinking too much. I waited several weeks and then got blood tests done with new vet ($1200 worth of tests and meds).

LB didn't know he was going - it was the perfect ending for him with the wife of regular vet, a feline specialist and very quiet and gentle. LB knew her well. I should have told her what I was feeling but I got overwhelmed by the whole thing - we had been under a lot of stress with family issues which conspired against me maintaing perspective. The bottom line was that he was losing weight and his behaviour was a daily worry to me. I had started doing subq fluids etc.

The night before he died I explained to him (me in tears; him watching me intently) that we are all here for just a short time and how wonderful it was that he and us got to share our time on earth together. I slept with him and cuddled him thru the night and dragged him into bed with me in the early hours. I wasn't sure that I would have it in me to take him in the next day but I thought I needed to be brave. I think it was close to the right time for LB but probably not the right time for me. And then the grieving commenced....
 
Sending many many cyber hugs. I am so very sorry for your loss of Little Boy. He is flying free, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon
wings_cat
 
You ARE very brave. LB...So sorry to see him go but you did right by your dear boy. Sending prayers for comfort and Little Boy? He is already enjoying those beautiful wings of freedom. Free from a failing body he now soars.
My sincere condloences and when you are up to it, would love to read more stories of LB.
He leaves a legacy as large as his stature.
jeanne
 
(((((Marilyn)))))
I'm so sorry to be reading of your loss. Your devotion to Little Boy was amazing. Fly free, Little Boy and land softly.
 
(((((Marilyn)))) Deeply sorry for the loss of your Little Boy!!
You gave him a wonderful life as he gave to you..Hope your memories lessen the pain..Hugs from us!
 
((((((((Marilyn)))))))) I'm so sorry to hear about Little Boy. He is free now and he can fly right along with that eagle. He knows your love and that you did the hardest thing for you and the best things for him.
 
Marilyn - I am so sorry to read about Little Boy. I know how much you will miss him. Their time with us is so short, it never is enough. Your decision was guided by love, understanding, and devotion, LB knew it too. I hope your memories of LB will comfort you. Fly free Little boy, you will be sorely missed.
 
Oh no. Marilyn I'm in tears hearing about Little Boy. I knew he had some health issues that were troubling and I so wished for him to have managed to overcome those difficulties. You took such exceptional care of him and he was a lucky kitty to have your love and care. Thirteen years is a good life but I know you wanted more, like I did with BigMac. Our kitties seemed like they could have been twins. They were born the same year, looked identical, and left us in the same year. I believe I know how heartbroken you are. (((Marilyn)))

I wish I had been able to let BigMac go with the same dignity and love that you were able to offer Little Boy. You were able to avoid prolonged suffering and pain. Our situations were almost opposite. I felt my vets did too much and my kitty suffered for it and you may have thought one of your vets did too little. There is no easy answer and we can only do the best we can. Your last days together were lovely and I hope you took some comfort in that.

What a magnificent boy he was. The story of Little Boy and the Eagle is just wonderful. I will keep that image in my mind of his reaching for that soaring eagle. He truly is flying free now and I hope our big boys are playing together pain free and youthful again.

Many many hugs to you.


This book helped me a little when BigMac died.
  • Wherever You Are
    my love will find you
    by Nancy Tillman
It is a child's book but when I saw it at the bookstore, I needed to have it.

The first page:

  • I wanted you more
    than you ever will know,
    so I sent love to follow
    wherever you go.

Middle of book:

  • In the green of the grass... in the smell of
    the sea... in the clouds floating by...
    at the top of a tree... in the sound
    crickets make at the end of the day...

    "You are loved. You are loved, You are
    loved," they all say.

Last page:

  • You are my angel, my darling, my star...
    and my love will find you,
    wherever you are.

Lovewillfindyou2-1.jpg
 
Dear ((((Marilyn))))
It is so hard to make the decision, but it is the ultimate gift of love: to free our wonderful kitties from pain and suffering. Fly free, LB, on your beautiful golden wings, and watch over your beans until you meet again. You are much loved.

In deepest sympathy,

Ella & Rusty and Stu (GA)
 
Marilyn -

I'm so sorry - Little Boy was such a gift. I truly love the story about the eagle - he had no fear! May the void in your heart fill quickly with loving memories of him.

Lu-Ann
 
oh marilyn, i'm so very sorry to hear this. we all know how devoted you were to him - he had so many things going on and i remember you trying hard to find the right things to feed him. i admire your love and devotion to him . . . he was SO lucky to have you!!

CD's story has made me all weepy. it's beautiful and we do send our love with our little ones wherever they are.

many virtual hugs from me and punkin as you go through the days ahead! :YMHUG:
 
Thank you all for contributing to LBs farewell thread. I feel you have paid him such a compliment in remembering his life with me. When we had visitors to the house he always behaved as if they came to see him. He loved visitors for the praise and attention he received. Even people who didn't much care for cats morphed into giving him attention in spite of themselves. He was very charismatic.

The following was sent by my DD:

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close,we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.


Author Unknown
 
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