Waterdragon has asked us to send some positive energy to Ziggy and his family in the comments of the last post and I asked her if it was OK to bring this to the front so we'd all have a chance to do that...
"I'm sorry to have to "borrow" someone else's blog for this, but I thought that if anyone in the world would understand, it would be the folks who hang out here. I had an email waiting in my inbox this morning from my SIL--she and my brother spent a good share of the night at the emergency vet's with one of their cats, and she was asking for prayers on my furry nephew's behalf. He's apparently been having trouble breathing for the last few days, and when the clinic staff examined him, he had a lot of fluid built up in his chest cavity, which is apparently an indicator of some sort of heart trouble. They drained the fluid (which took the pressure off his lungs) and have sent it off for lab analysis, but in her words, "It's not looking good." Which is utterly heartbreaking, because Ziggy (my kitty-nephew) is only about 3, and my brother and SIL adopted him from a local no-kill shelter just a year ago. So if y'all here could say a prayer to your deity of choice or send some good thoughts and healing vibes for Ziggy, it would be MOST appreciated. (Here is a photo of Ziggy, taken the day they brought him home last year, if anyone would like to see. Such a handsome boy, and so sweet-natured--I've never met a more laid-back cat.)"
And she she said, yes to including this in a post...
"Any and all good vibes would be appreciated right now, as the news from their vet seems to be getting worse instead of better. They ran an FIV test on Ziggy which came back positive, and the x-rays they took show a mass in his chest, so now they're afraid it's cancer of some kind. They're also checking him for feline lukemia, which is doubly scary because they have two other cats who might be at risk if THAT comes back positive. SIL says they're trying to think positive, but until the rest of tests come back, we're all just holding our collective breaths, I think. And on top of everything else, they just bought a house and are trying to get packed up to move at the same time, so it's just a horrible situation all around."
Waterdragon, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ziggy and his family!
Prayers and good thoughts to sweet Ziggy and his family. I'm so grateful that no matter what, he's had a year of such love in a stable home. His life is good because of his adoptive family.
ReplyDeletePrayer and good vibes to Ziggy and his family.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, everyone--unfortunately, I just got off the phone with my brother, and the news has gotten even worse. They did an ultrasound on Ziggy, and he has not one but multiple tumors all through his chest and abdomen, so there's not much that the vets can do for him, poor baby. :-( My brother and sis-in-law are bringing him home from the vet's tonight, and will be spending as much of the next week or so as possible with him--the vet seemed to think he would have that much time, but probably not a great deal more. And after that... well, like any good pet-parents, they don't want their fur-baby to suffer.
ReplyDeleteSo, long story short, I don't think all the prayers in the world are going to save Ziggy now, but positive energy is still much appreciated on behalf of the human members of the family, and for their other cats--losing Ziggy is a blow all on its own, but they're going to be absolutely devastated if they end up going through this with their whole fur-family. (The vet seemed to think that there was a good chance the others wouldn't have been infected, and I very much hope he's right; appointments have already been made to get the necessary bloodwork done this coming week, so I'll try to post an update when we get some news on that score.)
What a beautiful cat he is. I am so sorry that they are having to go through this with their little loved one. And at such a stressful time.
ReplyDeleteDucky is absolutely right that we should focus on the life he has had since he was adopted. Sometimes our loved ones aren't meant to be with us for very long. We can't know why. We can only make what time there is the best possible and filled with love.
My heart goes out to you and I will be focusing on sending positive energy for the rest of the kitties.
Heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with Ziggy and his family.
ReplyDeletesmiles and tears. that's about all i can muster right now.
ReplyDeleteOh, waterdragon, I'm so sorry! My prayers will be that this is a wonderful week for Ziggy and your sil's family. And, as Ducky said, I hope your family is able to take comfort in the wonderful year they had together! I know it's hard now and I'll also pray they find a measure of peace & that all tests come back with good results.
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers,
Lisa
My heart goes out to this wonderful family. We never know who much time we have, so please take great comfort in knowing that this handome boy was so loved and giving the best care. May others be so fortunate! Sending out positive wishes. sonia
ReplyDeleteOh we are sending out purrs and prayers and good thoughts to Ziggy and his whole family! I hope that some good news comes through and just know that we are all thinking of you all!
ReplyDeleteXena, Loki, Boshi, Munchkin, Andy and Gracie Marie send purrs and hugs to Ziggy and his whole family . We are soooo sorry to hear this, words do fail..we have paws, toes, fingers and hearts crossed..chanting good Kharma...chanting...chanting....
ReplyDeleteMy Poppy, Bino, and Mishka would like to join in and send loving purrs and hugs to Ziggy and his family...we know how terrible this feels and are all sending our best prayers and most positive wishes to the whole family!
ReplyDeleteHugs from all of us!
I'm so sorry to hear about Ziggy. You look like such a loving cat. You know your family loves you very much and will be with you until the end.
ReplyDeleteWe're sending our positive energy your way and hopes that no one else was infected so what happened to Ziggy won't happen to anyone else in your fur family.
To All:
ReplyDeleteI am waterdragon’s brother, and Ziggy’s dad. I just had a chance to read all the kind things that have been posted here, and wanted to reach out to all of you and say thank you. Reading all the notes of support gave both my wife and I a little peace and serenity in our topsy-turvy existance right now. I am planning to post a memorial to my “Little Buddy” on my blog afterwards, for anyone who would like to read it. I admit it is mostly for me, as I’m sure it will help with my healing.
That picture of him brings back so many memories. Soon after his arrival, we awoke many a morning to all the cupboard doors in the kitchen standing wide open. It took us a bit to figure it out, but we knew it had to be him. After a couple of tries, we finally caught him in the act, red-handed. He was always so curious about what was in there. He never really went in, but would just paw them open and look in.
Ziggy is one of those spirits that can just fill up a whole house with his mere presence. Even when he had to stay at the clinic Saturday night, the house seemed very empty with just the four of us. Our other cats, Hubbard and Treelo, have been a great comfort…but they cannot take his place in our hearts. They have their own place, and we will certainly grieve for them when it is their time, just as we grieve even now for our beloved Ziggy.
Everyone is right, we got to have a wonderful year with him, and he has had his forever home for as long as forever is going to be for him in this world. And, we got to bring him home, to have these last few precious hours for all of us to be together and then say our last good-byes here where he will be comfortable. Many people do not get that luxury, and for them I am truly sorry.
So, for now, we will bask in his company and his love and tell him that we will always love and miss him. And when it is time, I will be sad and I will weep. But not for him, as he will be going to a place where he will no longer be bound by the disease he suffers here. He will be able to once again run and jump and play with his string, with all the fervor and zest of kittenhood. He will get to meet all the others who have come before him in our lives. And all of Heaven’s cupboard doors will be standing open.
Thank you all so very much.
TD
(http://sundownslittlecorner.blogspot.com)
Sundown,
ReplyDeleteHugs coming to you and your family from all of us. As you may know, Space Paws is a new kid on the block, as far as adoption blogs go, and we are constantly heartened by the encouragment of the community who stops here (like waterdragon!). We are so glad to have been able to be here for you.
Please do stop in again and bring us news of Ziggy and your family. You will stay in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time!
Lisa (on behalf of everyone at Space Paws)
Sundown, Waterdragon, and Ziggy - you will all be in my thoughts. Ziggy looks very much like my Delilah, and we almost lost her last September, and did lose a kitten. Your story hits so close to home, and it's bringing tears to my eyes. I'll be hoping and praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteAnd all of Heaven’s cupboard doors will be standing open.
ReplyDeleteand that's where i burst into tears at work...
dear sweet ziggy, purrs to you. goodnight, handsome young man.