I look at kittens all of the time and of course I want to take them all home with me, but I've never been instantly and deeply in love with a little one in cage as I was with Tyler. 13 years ago I was still married to my ex and when I met Tyler I was told no...we can't have another cat, but I knew Tyler and I were meant to be together. Tyler was the last of his litter. He was black and white and the rest of his litter mates were orange tabbies who happened to be more desirable at the time. He was so sweet, had an amazing little voice and lots of stories to tell me. I cried non-stop until my ex gave in and the next day as soon as they allowed I was there to adopt my boy.
He was such a tiny little guy and Bettie even put up with him, though neither of these things remained that way for long.
Tyler was truly my best friend. He and I played together and napped together and he was my shoulder to cry on through all of my life changes.
Nine years went by and I adopted Jello and Tyler, being the amazing guy he is, immediately took him in. He and Jello became inseparable. They played together and ate together and slept together. Ty even carried Jello around like he was his kitten.
I became a foster mom for special needs kitties and Tyler was always patient and loving with the new kitties that passed through our home. Eventually we added one of the foster boys to our home and Tyler loved him as he loved Jello. The 3 boys were always together and the best of friends.
Then, in 2008, Tyler lost the use of his back legs. He was diagnosed with saddle thrombosis. A blood clot that is very painful and usually results in death. Nearly $4K, a team of neurologists and internal medicine specialist later he survived.
His recovery was hard, but he never showed any sign of pain. He was strong and a fighter and within weeks was back to his normal self again. He had some residual neurological damage that resulted is some urination accidents, but overall he was back.
He had lots of great days where he was his same self and some days where he was a little more tired or sore than normal but he was a survivor who wanted to keep on keeping on. We had another 3 years of joy together. 3 years of playing and naps and treats and toys. 3 years of loving his brothers and having them love him. 3 years of normal vet visits and overall healthiness.
This past month was especially great for him. He was in a wonderful mood, playing and even losing weight. But, late Tuesday night he became a bit lethargic. He was still eating and would walk, but only a few feet before lying down. So the vet trips began, first the regular vet, then home, the the ER, then the specialist. Thursday he was jaundiced and anemic and in extremely critical condition. After blood transfusion #1 though, he perked back up. Started moving around and talking and we really thought he had a chance. The 1st goal was to get him stable so we could figure out what was causing his illness. It could've been cancer or lupus or any other numbers of auto-immune diseases. After x-rays and ultra-sounds and various blood tests we still had no answers. His heart and lungs looked fine and his abdomen had a small pocket of fluid, but too small to even get a sample. He seemed stable though and testing was continuing. Then on Friday morning I got the worst call ever. He was crashing again...time for blood transfusion #3 and they suggested I come be with him asap. I immediately headed out and when I got there it was obvious that he was tired and sick and it was dire. He did try to get out and move around a bit. He rolled over for a tummy rub and held my hand. It just felt different this time, like he was holding on for my sake. I sat with him, petting and singing to and loving him while the transfusion was done. Unfortunately, this one wasn't like the others. He didn't immediately perk up. He was panting and his breathing was heavy and forced. It was time to let my baby, my best friend, my Ty rest. We were taken to a small waiting type room with benches and chairs and lots of tissues. I held him cuddled in a blanket for what seemed like forever and like no time at all at the same time. I talked to him and told him it was okay and that I would be okay and that he could finally relax. I thanked him for his strength and for fighting a good fight and for being the best kitty in the entire world. After 30 minutes or so the doctor came in and explained how euthanasia worked, about how it didn't hurt at all, about how we'd use the same line as the transfusion so he wouldn't even feel a needle prick, about how it was the right thing to do for him. The doctors cried, the nurses cried and I cried. They gave me a few more minutes alone with Ty and then the doctor came in and gave him a sedative. He immediately relaxed. I kissed him and held him close and then it was time for the last shot. Almost instantly he went limp and my baby was gone.
I still can't stop crying and my other boys miss him too so I'm trying to be an extra good mommy right now for them. I miss him so much, but he is finally at peace. He is being cremated and I'll be able to pick him up along with a paw print in a few days. It will be all I have left of my best friend, well that and the memories which are plentiful and beautiful and happy.
At least we tried our best, I got him the best care money could buy and he fought hard, but everything must come to an end eventually and I'm just so lucky that I could be with him, holding him in my arms when his time came.
He was such a tiny little guy and Bettie even put up with him, though neither of these things remained that way for long.
Tyler was truly my best friend. He and I played together and napped together and he was my shoulder to cry on through all of my life changes.
Nine years went by and I adopted Jello and Tyler, being the amazing guy he is, immediately took him in. He and Jello became inseparable. They played together and ate together and slept together. Ty even carried Jello around like he was his kitten.
I became a foster mom for special needs kitties and Tyler was always patient and loving with the new kitties that passed through our home. Eventually we added one of the foster boys to our home and Tyler loved him as he loved Jello. The 3 boys were always together and the best of friends.
Then, in 2008, Tyler lost the use of his back legs. He was diagnosed with saddle thrombosis. A blood clot that is very painful and usually results in death. Nearly $4K, a team of neurologists and internal medicine specialist later he survived.
His recovery was hard, but he never showed any sign of pain. He was strong and a fighter and within weeks was back to his normal self again. He had some residual neurological damage that resulted is some urination accidents, but overall he was back.
He had lots of great days where he was his same self and some days where he was a little more tired or sore than normal but he was a survivor who wanted to keep on keeping on. We had another 3 years of joy together. 3 years of playing and naps and treats and toys. 3 years of loving his brothers and having them love him. 3 years of normal vet visits and overall healthiness.
This past month was especially great for him. He was in a wonderful mood, playing and even losing weight. But, late Tuesday night he became a bit lethargic. He was still eating and would walk, but only a few feet before lying down. So the vet trips began, first the regular vet, then home, the the ER, then the specialist. Thursday he was jaundiced and anemic and in extremely critical condition. After blood transfusion #1 though, he perked back up. Started moving around and talking and we really thought he had a chance. The 1st goal was to get him stable so we could figure out what was causing his illness. It could've been cancer or lupus or any other numbers of auto-immune diseases. After x-rays and ultra-sounds and various blood tests we still had no answers. His heart and lungs looked fine and his abdomen had a small pocket of fluid, but too small to even get a sample. He seemed stable though and testing was continuing. Then on Friday morning I got the worst call ever. He was crashing again...time for blood transfusion #3 and they suggested I come be with him asap. I immediately headed out and when I got there it was obvious that he was tired and sick and it was dire. He did try to get out and move around a bit. He rolled over for a tummy rub and held my hand. It just felt different this time, like he was holding on for my sake. I sat with him, petting and singing to and loving him while the transfusion was done. Unfortunately, this one wasn't like the others. He didn't immediately perk up. He was panting and his breathing was heavy and forced. It was time to let my baby, my best friend, my Ty rest. We were taken to a small waiting type room with benches and chairs and lots of tissues. I held him cuddled in a blanket for what seemed like forever and like no time at all at the same time. I talked to him and told him it was okay and that I would be okay and that he could finally relax. I thanked him for his strength and for fighting a good fight and for being the best kitty in the entire world. After 30 minutes or so the doctor came in and explained how euthanasia worked, about how it didn't hurt at all, about how we'd use the same line as the transfusion so he wouldn't even feel a needle prick, about how it was the right thing to do for him. The doctors cried, the nurses cried and I cried. They gave me a few more minutes alone with Ty and then the doctor came in and gave him a sedative. He immediately relaxed. I kissed him and held him close and then it was time for the last shot. Almost instantly he went limp and my baby was gone.
I still can't stop crying and my other boys miss him too so I'm trying to be an extra good mommy right now for them. I miss him so much, but he is finally at peace. He is being cremated and I'll be able to pick him up along with a paw print in a few days. It will be all I have left of my best friend, well that and the memories which are plentiful and beautiful and happy.
At least we tried our best, I got him the best care money could buy and he fought hard, but everything must come to an end eventually and I'm just so lucky that I could be with him, holding him in my arms when his time came.
VIEW 12 of 12 COMMENTS
mildots:
How's jello doing?
paulnikon:
I don't think the title is correct. Looks like the cat just haz a dumb.