New Normal???

Well it is certainly feels different when I feed my remaining ferals.

Jazz is the only one left of the Logan Gang and he is quite feral.  He has become more feral over the past four or five years to the point he keeps his distance.  I have discovered he only comes out to eat at the end of the afternoon.  I still leave food in the morning, just in case he comes early but it is still there when I return before dusk.  If Jazz is in the shelter eating when I drive up I just keep going.  I learned a while ago that if I stop and just sit in the car Jazz will run and he doesn't return.  I have adjusted my feeding schedule to arrive by 4 pm, leave fresh canned food and fresh water.  Jazz will show up within the hour most of the time.  

Jazz

The East Side Gang has dwindled down to two kitties, Spirit and Ollie.  I am happy they always come out to eat while I'm there.  I can't pet either of them and after 12 years I double I ever will.  I am thankful both appear in good health, have thick furry coats and they use their winter sleeping shelters.  They eat well at both the a.m. and p.m. feeding.

I miss being able to interact with any of the kitties now.  I loved that Doodle would rub against my legs, Valentine (Rainbow Bridge July 2012) would stand between my feet purring, FJ (Rainbow Bridge January 2013) and her brother Jet (Rainbow Bridge June 2011) loved to be groomed.  I loved that these dear kitties learned to trust me and I loved loving them.

FJ

Doodle

Spirit, Jag, FJ, Ollie and Doodle

Spirit, FJ, Jag and Ollie

My mission was always to care for all these kitties until the end of their lives but that always seemed so far in the future.  Guess the future arrived, I just wasn't ready.

Jag my beautiful black kitty

Jag

Today I had to help Jaggy cross the Rainbow Bridge.  She had cancer and was in pain so from that point of view the decision was easy.  What made it difficult is that earlier today she seemed so bright and responsive to me.

Three weeks ago I was able to catch Jaggy so that I could bring her home but not before going to the vet.  I was told that the problem could be an abscess or a tumor.  Of course I hoped it was an abscess.  It made more sense to me that it would be an abscess.

Jag

A week later Jag and I returned to the vet but there really hadn't been any improvement.  Her left eye was still swollen almost shut, she had an abrasion above her eye and there was yucky stuff in her left ear.  A swab was taken to see if we needed to put her on a stronger antibiotic.

This past Sunday I felt she was not doing well.  I called the vet Monday and because I wanted Jag to see the same vet who had been caring for her I had to wait until today.  It was decided to see if the new lump below her ear was an abscess.  I left Jag with the vet to do what he needed to do and returned a few hours later.

I learned that Jag's orbital bone had disintegrated and that her TMJ was fused so that opening her mouth, even under sedation, was not happening.  I asked if this was causing her pain and when the vet said yes I couldn't allow her to suffer further.  The vet was amazed she was able to eat at all but she did.



Jag and Ollie

In the past two weeks Jag's appetite was unbelievable. She ate so much food and as long as she was eating I thought she was doing well.  That she might get better.  She had even gained weight.  Every time I went into my guest room to spend time with Jaggy she purred.  She started purring immediately upon being touched. 

I'm so sorry Jaggy that you had to be so sick but I'm grateful for the past three weeks we got to spend so much time together.  I am also grateful that I got to give you a warm home to spend your last few weeks.  You were so loved for all 12 years that I cared for you.  I miss you very much sweetie.

My Dear Sweet Doodle Noodle

Last week when I renovated Doodle's winter sleeping shelter I had no idea that a few days later it would no longer be needed.

Friday I went to feed the East Side Gang with the intent of trying to get Doodle into the carrier so I could bring him home.  He wasn't eating.  This wasn't unusual because he was often a poor eater during the winter months.

Last night he went into respiratory distress.  The vet examined him and we talked but ultimately I decided to help Doodle over the Rainbow Bridge.  Doodle's future didn't look promising and the vet said he might not survive the night.

Doodle was my favourite "feral". He and FJ (she died in January 2013) were the sweetest little cats and I loved them so much because they let me kiss them and hug them and groom them.  They came to greet me when I arrived with food.  They loved the attention and both were so affectionate.

This morning when I feed the East Side Gang, now consisting of two remaining kitties, I know I am going to break down.  Seeing Doodle's empty shelter is going to be difficult to look at.

I love you so much Doodle Noodle.  You were a very special little cat.



Doodle checking out his new digs last Monday

Enjoying a little summer sun
July 2014

Summer snoose

The new winter sleeping shelter for Doodle, Jag
and Ollie

Doodle and Jag November 2014

Doodle loved to be loved
Note the wee bit of food on lower lip

Enjoying warm Snuggle Safes

Doodle made a bed from the leftover straw
used to the sleeping shelters

A special dinner for my special buddy