Daffy

Thank you for all of the kind and supportive comments on last week’s post about Daffy.   We lost her on Thursday.  I posted on Tuesday, and on Wednesday I knew she was worse.  We were down to only one of the anti-vomiting medications; the other one had stopped working altogether.   Unfortunately, Daffy vomited three times in a two-hour period on Wednesday and that was WITH the anti-vomiting medication that had been continuing to work.    I could also hear her breathing – just a small sound that you had to listen closely for.  I decided I would take her in on Thursday to see if maybe she was developing a mild case of pneumonia.  Sometimes even a small amount of aspiration during syringe feeding can cause pneumonia.  I hated to try to add an antibiotic since Daffy couldn’t hold anything down without strong medication.  And honestly, in the back of my mind I was afraid that we might have entered a new stage in her disease.  The diagnosis was histoplasmosis which settles in an area of the body.  In Daffy’s case, it was her gastrointestinal system.  But it can spread to be in multiple systems of the body.  All day Wednesday I kept thinking about the possibility that the disease had now taken her lungs.  She already felt so bad.  It was extremely hard to watch her wasting away.  Even though I was force-feeding her four to five times a day, she was losing weight.  She was lethargic.  And constantly nauseated.  On Wednesday she was vomiting even with the anti-vomiting medication on board.  And now her breathing had changed.  During one of the times we sat together, I asked her if she could show me when it was time to let her go.  I told her that I would keep fighting for as long as I needed to, but that I didn’t want to keep her alive for me.  I asked her to please let me know when she’d had enough.

I got up on Thursday morning and went into her room.  At first I didn’t see her.  Then I found her hiding.  When I talked to her, she got up and tried to walk to me and stumbled.  I noticed her breathing immediately.  She could barely get a breath.  She struggled to breathe, struggled to stay upright, then collapsed onto her side.   The tears started pouring down my face.  As soon as I could, I contacted my vet.  We’d reached the end.

Daffy was an extremely sweet, feral-start, half-grown kitten when she came here.  Her sister Daisy was more outgoing, less feral, and she was adopted.  Daffy’s mother, Fannie, is a Wisher.  Though feral, she is happy living at Winnie’s Wish where she has shelter, food, and water.  Her only request is that I not touch her.   When Daffy’s sister got adopted, I hoped the same for her.  It never happened and eventually she became one of our own.  She was shy and would only come for attention occasionally.  She loved one of the heated beds in our family room.  She loved her supper time.  She was part of our family.  It was hard to lose her because it’s ALWAYS hard.  But it was especially difficult after having spent countless hours with her since the end of February when she became ill.

I had desperately wished for a different outcome.  But I know Daffy is no longer suffering. 

 

when she first came here

 

 

about a year ago (happier times)

 

Daffy – Farewell.

 

Comments

[John Bellen]

It's always difficult, but it's more difficult when we try with such determination to save them. But sometimes we try so hard because the odds are so heavily against them. The greater the odds, the more we try. You fought, and did all you could for Daffy. She knew that if anyone could save her, it would be you. And she knew that if anyone could let her go, it would be you. Godsped, Daffy.

[Cynthia]

So very sorry to hear about Daffy. You did all you for her & that's what counts. She was well loved & cared for because of you.
Cynthia xoxo

[Elizabeth Garcia]

I'm so sorry. You have done so much for these beautiful cats and she was happy with you for so long. You did what you could until it was time for her to go.

[Pam Tyson]

Oh Chrystal, I know it breaks our hearts when we have to say goodbye. But she had a wonderful life with you and she knew you loved her.

[The Poupounette Gang]

I am so sorry that you lost Daffy, Chrystal. Each loss is so great, however small the cat. I hope that Daffy will meet up with my little Genji at the Bridge and there will share some wonderful meals - all teh food they could not at here - together.

[Ginny& the Fur Family]

So sorry about your Daffy. It is so hard to let go. Love is forever. Your love will follow him into the beyond over the Rainbow bridge into the land of No pain. Daffy knew how much he was loved. You knew when it was time to release him from his pain. Prayers for the soul of Daffy.

[Maria in FL]

Oh, poor, sweet Daffy! She was a beauty! It is always hard to say goodbye, but something you said, Chrystal, really resonated with me. When they are suffering and we keep them alive, it is for US, not THEM. I believe that this is our final gift to our beloved fur babies...to let them go and ease their suffering. Safe travels to the Bridge, Sweet Daffy!

[Ellen Pilch]

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl. XO

[Goldie Goodwin]

As always, you love your babies so much. You did everything right. She was loved and cared for. Clearly a happy girl during her lifetime, and that's the best outcome. I'm sorry for your loss.

[Timmy Tomcat]

We are so sorry to hear about sweet Daffy. She was such a good little girl. You gave her a lot of good time with great care and love. That is all any of us can aspire too and if we find it, that is true cat heaven on earth. Fly free Daffy and watch over us who will carry on with you in our hearts

[Prudi]

Chrystal, I’m so sorry that you lost another friend. It’s always so hard. May the Spring bring you some solace.

[Mary McNeil]

We are so sorry this was the outcome for sweet Daffy. We lost four kitties in the past year, three of whom we spent trying to nurse back to health (the other one was sudden onset of a condition she'd evidently hidden.) It is even more heart breaking when you hope for every small rally and wish you could explain to them why you are trying so hard with them.
They are all pain free now, and will never be forgotten. Purrayers.

[meowmeowmans]

We're so sorry, Chrystal. Thank you for loving Daffy so much, and for doing all you could for her. Purrs and prayers to you, dear friend.

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

She was a real beauty, what a little doll. My heart breaks for you. Sending hugs and love and prayers.

Friends, you can send donations and wish list items in Daffy's name and help the Wishers who she started out with. Even though she was Chrystal's personal kitty, she started as a Wisher. If you can, donate please. Thank you

[Karen Lucas]

Oh Chrystal. So heartbroken 💔 for Daffy. I’m so so sorry.

[Grr, Midnight & Cocoa's Family]

I'm so sorry for your loss of this beautiful sweetheart. She found so much love with you. We were away from blogging for years but I remember Winnie's Wish and it makes me smile to see so many rescued kitties on your sidebar.

[Patchycat]

So sorry to hear about the loss of Daffy. I'm certain she knew you loved her very much & that you did all you possibly could to secure her health. It's always hard when they leave. Take care.