IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Meet Eli, New cat in the house.
Sidney's Buddy
post May 17 2006, 09:43 AM
Post #1





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



I am now ready to get a new friend for my cat Nelson. Despite still missing Sidney so incredibly much I have decided recently that it is time to help another poor animal in need as well as giving Nelson, who frankly looks bored out of his brains, a new cat friend to spend time with.

I went to a cat sanctuary near my this weekend and decided that it would be a fitting tribute to Sidney to help a cat that so many others have passed over. Though Eli is only nine months old his life has not been an easy one. He was hit by a car a few months back and his back left leg was badly broken. It has not set perfectly and though he can walk fairly well he will never be one hundred percent normal. The staff was jumping for joy, literally, when I said that I wanted him. I could not say no to him and I think that one of the reasons he is so incredibly sweet is due to his limitations. He seems to be the ultimate lap cat and absolutely adores human companionship.

He is scheduled to get his final x-rays this week and we can probably bring him home this weekend. I can't wait for him to come home and also for him to meet Nelson. Despite Nelson"s large Maine Coon size he is the most gentle cat that I have ever known, so I have little fear in regards to their future introduction. I'm sure that in a very short time Nelson will adore Eli.

I'm sure that all of the pain and longing I feel for Sidney will last for a very long time. It's very hard to say goodbye. It's much easier to say hello. Hello Eli.
Attached image(s)
Attached Image
 


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kurbysma
post May 21 2006, 09:12 AM
Post #2





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 86
Joined: 2-February 06
From: Huddleston, VA
Member No.: 1,395



Your baby is precious....

Congrats!
Attached image(s)
Attached Image
 


--------------------
"Beginnings are scary and endings are usually sad but it's the middle that counts the most....." Hope Floats.

Loyal Companion
Kurby
8/23/01-1/31/06

http://community.webshots.com/user/ernursin
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sidney's Buddy
post May 22 2006, 05:48 AM
Post #3





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



The saga continues.....

Eli went for his checkup to clear him for adoption and it seems that his leg bones have not healed well enough for him to be stable. It seems as if the staff at the shelter was a little optimistic (if I am to give them a little leeway) in our iniitial conversation. His vet thought that amputation was the way to proceed with his leg. I picked up his x-ray and rushed it to a specialist at the fancy veterinary hospital near me. He thinks that there is a good chance that he can save Eli's leg. He may have to cut out a small piece of bone and fuse the two end together, making his left rear leg a little shorter than his right rear leg.

My family and friends think that I'm crazy for getting so emotionally and financially involved with a shelter cat. He is so sweet, though. I am going to take him even if amputation is the only option. I've been doing research on three-legged cats. They seem to be capable of having nice lives.

I could never reject him at this point for a problem that is not of his doing. We will work it out.
Attached image(s)
Attached Image
 


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kim R.
post May 22 2006, 12:13 PM
Post #4





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 463
Joined: 19-May 05
Member No.: 892



Sidney's buddy,
You are my hero laugh.gif ! Little Eli is so very blessed to have found his way into your heart...I wish they could all be so lucky. He is an absolute doll baby...I can see how you couldn't resist! If Eli does lose his leg, I think you will be shocked at just how UN effected he will be by it! The 'stump' will heal very quickly, and believe it or not, the pain level is usually much less than the other surgeries to try to save it! If his leg can be saved and it will give him a useable, troublefree leg, than by all means give it a try, obviously the best situation for him would to be to have all of his limbs, but if his chances aren't so good even with surgery to try to save it, I wouldn't put him through more than he needs to just so he can 'have a leg'. If it won't be fully functional, then he would be better off without it, even if it isn't as 'pretty' (which is a matter of opinion to me wub.gif )! Either way, I'm sure the vet will guide you through what is in his best interest. I guess the point I am trying to make is that I have seen so many people put their cats through grueling surgeries just so their cat can have a leg and in the long run, the cat was much happier without the leg...it makes no difference to them...we are the ones that are bothered by it!! Much luck, and please give Eli a big hug and tell Sidney I said thank you for guiding you to this precious kitty soul in need...he knew his daddy well wink.gif !
Love,
Kim


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sidney's Buddy
post May 23 2006, 05:28 AM
Post #5





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



Thanks a lot Kim.

The tough thing about this situation is that I am still trying to get over the trauma of losing Sidney and now my wife and I are involved in another feline drama. We will get through it though.

If Eli has to lose his leg I'm sure that it will be hard watching him learn to walk on three legs. I'm more afraid of that now than actually having a three legged cat. We are stuck with him at this point, which is fine because as I stated before he is such a sweetheart. But, watching him stumble around will be really tough on us, I'm sure.

I don't know what it is now. Before I always wanted the "perfect cat" as Sidney was to me, but at the shelter this time the ones that I seems to gravitate to were the ones that were truly in need. I guess not that many people want to adopt a super sweet three legger.

We'll see on thursday. The specialist will give him an examination and we will know the possibilities then. We are not going through with any procedure that will not result in a very usable, relatively painless leg. It's about the cat, not our aesthetic preferences.


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
SJ J & S
post May 23 2006, 07:27 AM
Post #6





Group: Moderators
Posts: 661
Joined: 27-June 03
Member No.: 4



Its seems the only thing you have missing are your wings.

You are true Angels.

God Bless you.

Love Sue


--------------------
Jude & Sadie, too well loved to be forgotten
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kim R.
post May 23 2006, 09:43 AM
Post #7





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 463
Joined: 19-May 05
Member No.: 892



QUOTE
If Eli has to lose his leg I'm sure that it will be hard watching him learn to walk on three legs

QUOTE
watching him stumble around will be really tough on us, I'm sure.

The beauty of it is that he won't! That's what is such a shock to people! Once his little stump is healed and he feels well again, he will walk on 3 legs like he never knew any different! They don't learn it...they just do it! It is really amazing how well, and almost instantly, they adapt to it! The only thing that they sometimes have to figure out is the litter box, but only because they have to build the strength in the remaining leg to be able to 'squat' with all their weight on the one leg, but even that isn't an issue, just requires them to be a little more creative!.
QUOTE
The tough thing about this situation is that I am still trying to get over the trauma of losing Sidney and now my wife and I are involved in another feline drama. We will get through it though.

I know this must be hard, but I can't imagine how Proud your Sid must be. There is no greater tribute to your Sidney than to help another furbaby in need, and when it is all said and done and you look at your loving little Eli and know that his situation would have been much different if it weren't for you, you won't be able to help feeling good about what you have done for him...it is a beautiful thing, and I hope you can truly see what an absolutely wonderful thing you are doing....
Love,
Kim


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Forever Jake
post May 23 2006, 08:43 PM
Post #8





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 122
Joined: 10-January 06
From: USA
Member No.: 1,328



Eli is gorgeous!! wub.gif Please keep us posted!

Sandi


--------------------
Sandi, Jake and Bailey's Mommy
I love you boys, and always will. Until we meet again, I will hold you in my heart..
Jake 11/22/05, and Bailey 8/15/07
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sidney's Buddy
post May 24 2006, 05:37 AM
Post #9





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



He's a lover.

Having had many cats I consider myself quite good at picking them on that crucial and stressful first day. The shelter he is at has about 200 cats in it. He struck me, out of all of them, as the love-muffin of the lot. Even the staff there say that they see an incredible number of cats, but every once in a while they see one that they consider really special. Eli is one of them. There's just this little leg problem...

Tomorrow is his big day. Either way he's coming home, but it would be nice if he could keep his leg and it could be a semi-normal one. You can see it in the photo of him standing. The rear leg in view. It always sits a little strangely.

A quick note to everyone who is still in an incredible amount of pain due to losing their special pet. I have truly not felt nearly as normal as since we became involved in this new cat drama. I still miss my Sid dearly, but helping out an animal that obviously needs major help has really made me realize that things will be okay. My spoiled rotten, worshipped, pampered Sidney must be approving of what he sees. I will always miss him. We were ALWAYS together. A team. For well over a decade I had a feline shadow, and a really smart, sometimes bratty one at that. But, of course, he IS gone. I will never dishonor his memory by allowing the little bit of negative (his traumatic sickness and death) to outweigh all of the positive. I have stopped telling Sidney stories here because I feel as if I had told my share, but boy could I fill up this entire web site with them. He was a truly incredible cat.


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Phinny1
post May 24 2006, 03:00 PM
Post #10





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 108
Joined: 25-January 06
Member No.: 1,372



Hi Sidney's Buddy,

Don't let the loss of a leg scare you. My best friend had a cat who lost both of her rear legs to a combine accident (she lives in Kentucky). The vet wanted to put the cat down but my friend wanted nothing to do with it so she kept the cat and nursed her to health. The cat healed and got around fine (had two stumps), went outside and went around the yard and basically lived a full life (she's at the bridge now). Animals are very resilient and seeing that cat showed me they can get through most anything.
You did a wonderful thing even though you miss your Sid so. Consider bringing Eli home a gift to Sid. Eli will never take Sid's place, but to open your heart to another cat is the first step to healing.
Please keep us posted on Eli. He's so handsome!

Chris


--------------------
Moo - I miss your walrus kisses.
Rocky - What a gift it was to have you in in our lives. My heart aches daily for you and I can't wait to see you again.
...love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."- Kahlil Gibran
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sidney's Buddy
post May 26 2006, 06:01 AM
Post #11





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



Eli is home with us.

Yesterday we went to see the surgeon. He examined the little guy thoroughly and came to the conclusion that, at least for now, the best course of action is to do nothing. Eli's femur (thigh bone) is broken into three pieces and is forming a H-pattern, but has calcified enough to be fairly strong. Working in conjunction with all of the muscles that he has in his leg it seems as if his leg is stable enough to be quite functional. The doctor even squeezed where the bones are broken to see if there would be a reaction to pain, but there was none. Of course, I had been afraid to even touch the leg until that point. If problems with his leg appear sometime in the future we may have to operate to rejoin the bone or even amputate. For now, though, everything is fine.

The doctor who said to amputate his leg did not see Eli in person and made his diagnosis only from the x-ray. Eli is extremely mobile. His gait is a little strange, but he moves very well and uses the hurt leg quite a bit. Today, much to my initial horror, he ran down and back up our stairs without any problem. It truly is amazing how quick the little bugger is. I do not think that there is one bit of pain in his leg at all. He seems only interested in playing, as he is still quite a kitten at nine months, to really care about much. This is the first time in four months that he has been out of a cage as well, so there is a mixture of fear and excitement from that.

Our big Maine Coon, Nelson, is not too happy right now with Eli's appearance. Hopefully this will end soon. Nelson's size is quite intimidating to Eli who has been scurrying under the couch quite a bit. I would usually let them duke it out but the leg changes the situation a little bit. In a week or so I think that everything will be fine.

Welcome home Eli. Welcome to the family.
Attached image(s)
Attached Image
 


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kim R.
post May 26 2006, 09:21 PM
Post #12





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 463
Joined: 19-May 05
Member No.: 892



QUOTE
Welcome home Eli. Welcome to the family.

Welcome indeed laugh.gif !!
Poor Nelson dry.gif ...he just doesn't understand right now, but with Eli being so young, I have no doubt that Nelson will accept him and they are sure to be best buddies soon tongue.gif !
Ya know....I wonder if little Eli really knows just what a lucky happy.gif little kitty he is to have been blessed with one of the best 'daddies' in the whole wide world wub.gif!


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sidney's Buddy
post Jun 1 2006, 07:38 AM
Post #13





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



It has been less than a week since we brought Eli home and Nelson and he are already good friends. This has happened so quickly that I am truly amazed. The only slight problem is that they chase each other all night long, trilling up a storm. Eli is a very vocal cat. They wake us up five times a night, minimum. But still, it's nice to see, and a little goofy when a little limping cat chases a big behemoth around the house.

Strange, though, how it has made me miss Sidney more, not less as I thought it might. I sometimes think, although I am really happy to provide a good home for Eli, that it may have been a little soon to adopt. He deserves a good home and that is what I keep telling myself.
Attached image(s)
Attached Image
 


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ken Albin
post Jun 1 2006, 11:38 PM
Post #14





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 504
Joined: 30-April 05
From: St. Augustine, Florida
Member No.: 854



The most important thing is that you gave Eli a good home. He looks like a real sweetheart and surely deserves a wonderful home after what he has been through. I'm sure the running all night will lessen after Eli calms down more and gets used to everyone.

No, the new ones can't replace a lost furkid. As time goes on though you will see more and more about Eli that makes him uniquely special and to be treasured.

Keep us posted on how the leg is doing and give some head scratches to Eli from the menagerie and me.

Ken Albin


--------------------

Daddy Cat left this world at the age of 17. His tribute page is at Daddy Cat's Tribute Page
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
deedee
post Jun 3 2006, 11:28 AM
Post #15





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 234
Joined: 23-June 04
Member No.: 379



Eli looks like a real sweetie. I am glad that you have opened your heart (and doors) to another animal who needs you. May you have many, many happy years together.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sidney's Buddy
post Jun 8 2006, 07:53 AM
Post #16





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 91
Joined: 21-March 06
From: Westchester County, New York
Member No.: 1,481



Eli has been with us two weeks today and he has already crowned himself King Of The House. He has learned to sleep in the bed at night with us and generally is quite the lover. The crazy little guy is doing really well and his leg seems to be giving him little to no problems. He is really fast and keeps poor Nelson on his toes.

Other than a slightly funny gait you really only notice his problem when he sits. His broken leg juts out to the side. It looks a little strange but seems to be completely painless.

Here is a photo of it.
Attached image(s)
Attached Image
 


--------------------
Sidney, Bergie you know that you are the light of my life. We will miss and love you forever.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
petArtist
post Jun 8 2006, 09:07 AM
Post #17





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 3
Joined: 7-June 06
From: new england
Member No.: 1,702



You guys are saints to take in Eli, he is one lucky kitty and I feel sure everything will work out well for all of you. He sounds like he is adapting fine, better off without surgery anyway. wub.gif


--------------------
If I may offer a source of possible comfort... please visit my website for memorial Portraits With Pets at
http://www.portraitswithpets.com -- built it myself and I'm also th artist-- connie

P.S. all comments and suggestions are very welcome.
In loving memory of Zeus, Zoey, Sweet Petite, Tammy, Shadow, Spooky, Sassafras, and Pumpkin
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Phinny1
post Jun 8 2006, 11:44 AM
Post #18





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 108
Joined: 25-January 06
Member No.: 1,372



What a cutie. So glad to see he's doing well and getting along so fine with everyone.
This post reminds me of the joy animals brings into our lives and that even though you lose them, there's always another out there that may need your help or loving home.


Thanks,

Chris


--------------------
Moo - I miss your walrus kisses.
Rocky - What a gift it was to have you in in our lives. My heart aches daily for you and I can't wait to see you again.
...love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."- Kahlil Gibran
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
JD1
post Jun 13 2006, 10:50 PM
Post #19





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 15
Joined: 4-June 06
Member No.: 1,679



Encouraging story. My mother-in-law just adopted the runt from the same litter we got our new baby from. His foot just formed wrong, looks a lot like Eli's. We were happy that she took him because no-one else was remotely interested and if she didn't we would have brought him home as well. I hope you guys are very happy with eachother. Good luck! biggrin.gif
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic

 



Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 07:31 PM