~*~Shadow~*~
1996-2011
Shadow joined our family several years ago, thanks to a rescue group that probably saved his life. He was declawed and his owner kept putting him outside, where he had no means of defending himself. The rescue group finally got her to turn him over to them.
We learned very quickly that Shadow had problems with his teeth. He suffered from feline stomatitis and chronic gingivitis. We had his teeth cleaned several times during the years that we had him, and when I took him in for his annual check up this past February, they had gotten really bad. He had lost 3 pounds since his last check up. The vet cleaned his teeth, removed a few of them, and gave him a laser treatment to reduce the inflammation in his gums. We were hoping this would relieve the pain in his mouth and he would start eating more. We started feeding him exclusively wet cat food, but he never really regained his appetite.
A few weeks ago we noticed that his eye was swollen and his third eyelid was covering it. The vet believed that he had an abscess from his top teeth that had gone up behind his eye. He then removed all but two of his molars and gave him another laser treatment. He was never the same after that. His eye was permanently damaged because of the abscess and he could no longer see out of it. He barely opened it, and when he did, that third eyelid was covering it.
Last week we noticed that he pretty much stopped eating. He would eat food if we brought it to him, but only like a thumb-full at a time. By the end of he week he looked emaciated and we knew that it was time to end his suffering. We took him to the vet on Friday and said goodbye to him.
I miss my sweet boy. He was always such a great cat. He got along with all of our other animals, and even with my mom's dogs who think tormenting my cats is a fun game. He never once got mad at the kids for "playing" with him. I am so glad we were able to give Shadow a loving home for the second half of his life. We will always love Shadow, and we will never forget him. May he rest in peace.
24 comments:
Sorry for the loss of Shadow, its always hard when a beloved family pet dies. Sounds like you did the right thing, both taking him in to your home and knowing when it was time to say goodbye, hugs.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
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So sorry for your loss, Shadow seemed like a wonderful cat! Hope he's enjoying kitty heaven with sharp claws and healthy teeth :)
My sympathies on the loss of Shadow. We just lost one of our cats, too. It's hard to say goodbye, isn't it?
We are so sorry for your loss, LeAnne! We're happy you were able to give him several years of joy with your family. Shadow was a beautiful cat. Goodbyes are hard.
Hugs
Ramona, Legend, & Tsunami
http://create-with-joy.com
Oh sweetie, you've had enough loss, grief and stress this year! Enough for a lifetime actually. I'm so sorry. Hugs to you and your family! XO
Sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for your loss, keeping you and your family in prayer. Sending hugs from Midnight are cat who just turn 14 last month. Looks like Shadow.
Sorry to hear about your kitty. It's hard to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
Oh, I'm so sorry for all of the losses your family has suffered this year - you have been through so much! Mommy and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers...
I'm so so sorry LeeAnn. I'm thinking of you all.
Sorry for your loss. Our furbabies become very special to us, and it hurts to lose one. At least you can draw comfort knowing he had a happy life with you.
I can feel for you. He looks so much like our black cat. Thoughts are with you.
So sorry for your loss :( Shadow seems like he was VERY loved. HUGS.
So sorry for
Your loss
http://www.petloss.com/
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Oh LeeAnn, I'm so so sorry. I saw the picture of Shadow in his bandana and burst into tears. It's never ever easy in any sense of the word but you guys have just had TOOOO much to grieve for lately. You're in my thoughts, as always :o(
Hugs to you all. I hope the rest of your year starts to look up. I'm sure that was a hard thing to do. It is stories like this that I'm glad I don't have pets. However that does mean I miss out on the love and the good stuff as well.
Hugs. PS hope you feel better
I'm so sorry about this LeeAnn, it just seems to be one thing after another. Hopefully, sunny skies are ahead for the 2nd half of 2011.
Im so sorry LeeAnn, oh my gosh this touched my heart so deep, I cried... I love my pets(my babies) so much! I would be crushed if I lost one. This made me stop and think, it could happen. I just am not sure if I would be able to take it.
Shadow sure was beautiful and im sure he left you with lots of good memories, and those memories will live forever in your heart.
Again im sorry for your loss. DD
I can empathize so much with you. I have had 4 fur babies (all cats) and one non-fur babie (a newt) move onto their next life phase (I hate the word die as I don't really believe in death) in the past 6 years and its so very very hard. I currently have 8 fur babies left (all cats) and 4 of them are 14 years or older. I know more loss is in my near future and I guess that is why your post hit me hard too. I cried. You are not alone. Know that! Sending you all the good energy I can spare!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
oh no! i'm soo sorry for your loss! it's just too dadgum much! bless your heart!
what an adorable cat he was. You should be proud you were able to provide a happy, healthy home for Shadow. And that goes both ways. Pets give SO much back to people. I have two dogs and cant imagine what my life the past years would have been without them. Sorry...
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