Baby to the Bridge

Today is the day Hershey Bear and Frosting will be in their forever home with Mary and her husband. Mary has promised pictures, so I'm sure before this week is out, we will all be able to see these two lucky kitties FINALLY with their new mom and dad. I drove them to Effingham, IL on Saturday and turned them over to Janet. Janet got home (Utah) just a few hours ago. Today DeLynn will meet Trish, and Trish will meet Mary and Husband. By late tonight, Hershey Bear and Frosting will be home.  I'll be sure to update tomorrow.

 

I have a sad story today, but I don't want to linger. I just never feel that it's proper to not acknowledge a crossing to the Bridge. My only solace in this particular loss was that it was quick. For me, it's not the death that is most horrifying; it's any suffering. I don't do well with that.

 This all happened last Tuesday. There was so much good news to share on the blog last week that I chose to keep the good times rolling. Also – I really did want to memorialize this little soul in a moment all his own. It was a baby who left us – one of Glimmer's kittens.

 On Monday night, both of my daughters stopped by at the same time to see the new Kitten Room. I told them they were welcome to get some “kitten therapy” while they were here. We turned loose three litters of kittens and the girls just plopped right down in the middle of them. Kittens raced around, skidded into each other, arched and skipped sideways, batted at toys, and climbed the cat tree (the one that had been in my office). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and then the girls had to get going.

 On Tuesday morning, I did all of my animals, all of the kennel boarders, Isis the office cat, and then went into the new Kitten Room to start the work in there. I started glancing into the three cages, talking and meowing at the kitties. Glimmer's six (the oldest group) always start climbing up to one of the perches in the cage when I step in. They know I will reach in and pick each one off that perch and set him or her in the floor to start the playing and racing. As they started their ascent, my stomach clenched when I noticed one of the stripeys not moving on the blanket in the base of the cage. I ran over and reached in. It was Beau. He was practically unresponsive. It was Older Daughter's day off, but I called her. She would need to make the appointment with the shelter vet. Younger Daughter had already gone to work. Ten minutes later I was on my way to the shelter to deliver Beau into the hands of the vet.

 On the way home I was in a complete panic. One of the reasons I keep kittens here instead of sending them to the shelter is because they are so vulnerable. My daughters and I don't want them to pick up a virus. They need to stay in foster care until they can be vaccinated. But here I was with a deathly sick kitten. WHAT could possibly be wrong? It just couldn't be. Not only were they in the cage they had been living in for weeks, but they were in a brand new, ultra clean room. There COULD NOT BE any viruses in that room or in that cage. The kittens had all been playing together. I looked into my future and saw fifteen more sick kittens. How?

 When I finally got a report later that day, it was very bad news. Beau had a high fever. The vet thought it was unexplainable, so she FF-tested him. And Beau was positive for leukemia. This would mean that it was transferred to him from his mother – Glimmer. My heart sank.

 Each of the moms in that room would be tested. If Glimmer was positive, then all or most of her litter would be. If Beau had “gotten” this from interaction with a kitten from another litter, then it was likely that another mom was positive (meaning those kittens would be).

 Younger Daughter brought home tests, and she and Older Daughter tested the three moms. Whimsy Whiskers and Malta were negative. Glimmer was positive.

 The vet instructed us to keep the litters separated. She said it would be highly unlikely that Glimmer's kittens could expose the other two litters, but we would take the precaution anyway. The other five Glimmer kittens continue to romp and play and show NO signs of illness. Of course, the other two litters are completely healthy and doing great as well.

 Beau died on his own that evening under veterinary care.

 We will now have to find a permanent foster placement for this group – not an easy task. But we will hope. I am grateful that even though Beau was gone by Tuesday evening, he was still romping with his siblings on Monday night. He must just prefer the beauty at the Bridge.

 

 Beau – Farewell.

 

Comments

[Milo and Alfie's mom]

I'm so sorry. Poor little Beau. But however short his sweet little life was, he knew comfort and love and play. And like you, I am so grateful this baby didn't suffer ~ playing one evening, gone the next day ~ a least gentle. He looks so adorable though and it tugs my heart strings for the life he could have had, had he survived. Goodnight sweet Beau, may choirs of angels sing you to your rest.
(((((hugs)))) dear Chrystal ~ you are right to always share a death even though it's sad. No one should die with out others caring. *tears*

Hoping dear little Hershey Bear and Frosting get the loving forever life they deserve. xxx

[Random Felines]

Oh honey - I am so sorry. Having gone through this I know what that means. I will say this - if the kittens are eating on their own, pull them and have them tested. And then insist they retest any positives after 60 days. I was amazed that some of my group tested negative and then some threw it.

Safe journey baby Beau....

[Kathy F]

I told Older Daughter yesterday that if you can find foster or rescue, I will transport.

This just breaks my heart. LC told me last week. I just cried. I can't imagine your heartbreak. But yes, at least it was fast, little or no suffering.

Play at the bridge, sweet Beau.

[Cat's Cats]

Poor wee Beau, I'm so sorry!

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Aw, poor little thing. Sounds like he was happy until just at the end. I'm glad he had a good little life, if unfortunately very short. Praying for the rest of the litter and Glimmer.

It would be hard for many people to take in a group like Glimmer and her kittens. But would it be so hard to take in one kitty from the cathouse? There are so many sweeties who need a home and family of their own. Can you help? Can you take one? Can you see if your friends or family can? Will you help in whatever way you can?

Adopt! Donate! Book! Brick! and Adopt!

[The Island Cats]

We are sorry to hear about Beau. Purrs to you for caring about him so much.

And we are SO happy that Hershey Bear and Frosting are FINALLY on their way to their furever home! YAY!

[The Paw Relations]

We're sorry for your loss

[Cassandra]

Poor little baby. I am sorry for your loss.

I am also very glad that Hershey and Frosting are on their way home.

[McGuffy Ann Morris]

I am so sorry. This is the heartbreak of what we do, that we are limited. I always give each one to God. You always give each one all that you can. Bless you for it. They know love and they take that with them, wherever they go, to the Bridge or their "Furever Home". Peace!

[ginny&the fur family]

Good bye dear Beau-you were happy and playing with your mother and siblings until the end. Glimmer is such a beauty and such a good mother. I always wonder if the mothers miss their kittens gone from adoption or death -I do hope some of the other kittens in her litter are alright. She would make someone a sweet only cat. The little prince did not suffer long - that is Gods blessing on the little one. Trying to make sense of the animal world of strays boggles the mind. All we can do is do all we can.. let us know how all the others test. My Tuxedo cat Sabrina lived 12 years with hidden HIV& fatty liver illness and one day she was just laying around where the day before she showed no signs of any thing.. She died at home and so far none of my other cats have come down with anything but old age. Feline Leukemia is not always a death sentence. Prayers for all the other mothers and kittens and most of all for Glimmer. So happy that Hershey Bear and Frosting got a ride to their new home.... love is forever even after death..... Ginny & The Fur Family