My Little Fleetwood Options

[myhrtisbrkn]

I'm so sorry you had a scare. but I'm glad to hear Corina is going to be OK. Keep us posted.


Thoughts and prayers,
Dayna

[goliath]

Hi Mark,

I just read Hal's thread and was saddened to hear that you had to take Corrina into the vet with such urgency. Hopefully by now she has returned to your loving arms and home.

Is it possible that the flower Corrina got into is the same toxin Chili encountered?

Sending you many loving hugs and wishes for Corrina's complete recovery.

Beth

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Well Corrina is home and doing well. Thanks to everyone for thinking good thoughts. The big question all along was whether she actually ate the flower or not because we never really saw her eat anything, just saw all the pollen all over her face. The thing was at the time I was more concerned over her constipation but when we got her to the vet that’s when the whole flower thing started. If you have cat's keep the lily's away!!!

It was terrible having her away from the house for two whole nights. While we have gone away many times and had to leave the kids at home, this was the first time ever that we were home and she was gone. We were both lost without her there!

On Tuesday evening Michael and I discussed bring her home because when we talked with the doctor on the phone he had indicated that her blood work was OK and she was doing well. He did state that he recommended she stay a full 48 hours to make sure everything was OK, but Michael and really wanted her home with us and felt that we could take her to her vet and have blood work done to make sure everything was working as it should. But when we got to the hospital they wouldn’t let us take her, instead we sat in a room and the brought her to us for a visit. That’s when the doctor came and told us that lily toxicity was almost 100% fatal! This scared me so bad that I almost lost it right there in the room (OK so I did lose it a little). I told Michael that I did not want to take any chances especially after losing Fleetwood just one year ago. I couldn’t handle loosing another.

Long story short, we went ahead and left her there for one more night just to be on the safe side and to make sure everything was going to be OK. Wednesday I could not wait to get out of work to get out to Culver City to pick her up. I have about an hours drive to my house and then it is another hour’s drive to the hospital. Michael decided to stay home since our good friend and neighbor, Hal (Candy’s Dad) said he would go with me to get her. It’s always in a time of crisis that you see who your real friends are, and Hal went with us every trip to the hospital. From the first one to take to the last night to bring her home this meant so much to me and Michael to have his support! He is more than a friend, he's family!!!

Corrina was happy to be back home, the first thing she wanted to do was eat so I fed her and she ate that right up and looked at me asking for more so I had to give her a little more. The rest of the evening she sat on her Uncle Hal’s lap, then in the office on her chair and then finally in bed. I woke up this morning with her lying on top of me like she always does. I almost called in sick this morning just because I wanted to be with her, but I have to work in order to make sure she can still eat.

Thank you all for your prayers, hugs and concern it means a lot to Michael and myself.

[LoveThem]

Oh, Mark..what an experience for all of you to go through but I love happy endings and I am just positive everything you and Michael and Hal did was what made the difference. I always feel when they are meant to stay longer....we will be able to help them and so you know...it was a terrible scare but Corrina is back to her precious self.

I have heard about certain plants, etc. being toxic to cats..just like liquids like antifreeze. I always read about that about Christmas time because people sometimes bring new plants, etc., into their homes for the Holidays. I didn't know about Lilys.

You did absolutely the best and right thing getting her to the vet so fast. Before I read about the flower part, it reminded me of my Little Guy's sister, Little Girl (I know....sometimes my names just aren't very original ). One time I saw her squatting outside the litter box but nothing was happening. But she couldn't stay still. Then after following her around and her doing it 3 or 4 times it looked like a tiny spot of blood on the carpet. I called the vet and they said to bring her in cause she could have a urinary blockage. Well, I did, and she did..have cystitis..they said. She was put on antibiotics and came out fine (just like I know Corrina will). So that's my female cat story. My Little Guy did have a blockage 2x in his life...his symptoms were going from litter box to box and squatting but nothing happening and he kept moving around so I called the vet to report the behavior and they said to bring him in which I did and he got flushed out. Later I found out dry food can cause crystals in male cats and their urinary tube is much smaller and thinner than a female's so it can get blocked easier and it is important to get them to the vet quickly too. Like your girl....my "kids" had good endings and I am sure Corrina is just as happy being home as you and Michael are to have her there (and, I'll bet....Hal is relieved too).

Thanks for the wonderful update. Give that girl a hug and kiss from her aunts and uncles here.
Judy

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Hello everyone, I know it has been awhile since I was last out here and my thoughts and prayers go out to everybody that has lost a beloved fur baby recently. I know the pain all to well as you can see by my earlier posts of my dear little Fleetwood.

I wish I was posting with happier news but if you followed my posts you know we had a scare with our older kitty Corrina last year when we thought she had ingested a flower she shouldn’t have. Well all of her tests for kidney disease have shown normal and the disease itself has not progressed much.

A couple of weeks ago we noticed Corrina was not eating her food and was leaving little black runny droppings around the house. My partner Michael took her to the vet and had x-rays and ultra-sounds done and my worst fear came true, CANCER!

This sweet wonderful little creature came into Michael’s life about 16 years ago. He had recently lost his partner after a long battle with AIDS and someone had suggested he get a pet to keep him company. So one day while visiting his mother in Orange County, Mike’s best friend Arthur talked him into going to a pet store. Michael began looking at the kittens and none of them seemed to be interested in him, except for one little Calico that came right up to him. He looked at her and knew she was the one!

A couple of months later Michael and I meet and we started seeing each other. I lived in Ontario, California and he lived in San Diego so I would drive down on the weekends to see him. I remember the first time I went to San Diego to see Michael I was tired after driving so we laid down on the bed to take a nap. About an hour later I woke up to find Corrina sitting on Michael’s back just staring at me.

So her and I became like one. The minute I would arrive to his apartment, she would jump on my lap and would not leave until I packed my bags to go home on Sunday night. Michael would tell me he knew about what time I was due to arrive because she would start sitting at the door waiting for me. And if she was in another part of the apartment and heard my car alarm set, she would run to the door and wait for me to come in. We were both hooked. Michael later would confess that it was Corrina that picked me as he was seeing other people at the same time, but I was the only one she would go to.

For the next 16 years she was always on our laps when we watched TV. She came to bed with us every night, and made sure we were awake by 5:00 AM every morning to feed her. She greeted at the door when we came home and would always sit with me in my office when I was working on my computer. She laid at my feet when I was studying for school and would lay with me when ever I did not feel good.

Now we are faced with the decision of putting her to rest after all these years. This is unbearable and I don’t know if I can handle this. I am still hurting from the loss of Fleetwood two years ago and now I am faced with losing one of the most precious animals I have ever known. Seeing her this morning as her breathing was a bit more labored than it has been in past days tore my heart out. I know I don’t want her to suffer but I guess foolishly I thought we would have more time with her.

The pain is more than I think I can handle and the decision to help her cross the rainbow bridge is so much harder than I thought it would be. This morning we were talking and decided we would do it this Friday. But at the last minute Michael changed his mind and said we will give her one more week. My life will forever be empty without her and I don’t know how I will be able to go on.

Mark

[Candy's Dad]

Hello everyone, I know it has been awhile since I was last out here and my thoughts and prayers go out to everybody that has lost a beloved fur baby recently. I know the pain all to well as you can see by my earlier posts of my dear little Fleetwood.

I wish I was posting with happier news but if you followed my posts you know we had a scare with our older kitty Corrina last year when we thought she had ingested a flower she shouldn’t have. Well all of her tests for kidney disease have shown normal and the disease itself has not progressed much.

A couple of weeks ago we noticed Corrina was not eating her food and was leaving little black runny droppings around the house. My partner Michael took her to the vet and had x-rays and ultra-sounds done and my worst fear came true, CANCER!

This sweet wonderful little creature came into Michael’s life about 16 years ago. He had recently lost his partner after a long battle with AIDS and someone had suggested he get a pet to keep him company. So one day while visiting his mother in Orange County, Mike’s best friend Arthur talked him into going to a pet store. Michael began looking at the kittens and none of them seemed to be interested in him, except for one little Calico that came right up to him. He looked at her and knew she was the one!

A couple of months later Michael and I meet and we started seeing each other. I lived in Ontario, California and he lived in San Diego so I would drive down on the weekends to see him. I remember the first time I went to San Diego to see Michael I was tired after driving so we laid down on the bed to take a nap. About an hour later I woke up to find Corrina sitting on Michael’s back just staring at me.

So her and I became like one. The minute I would arrive to his apartment, she would jump on my lap and would not leave until I packed my bags to go home on Sunday night. Michael would tell me he knew about what time I was due to arrive because she would start sitting at the door waiting for me. And if she was in another part of the apartment and heard my car alarm set, she would run to the door and wait for me to come in. We were both hooked. Michael later would confess that it was Corrina that picked me as he was seeing other people at the same time, but I was the only one she would go to.

For the next 16 years she was always on our laps when we watched TV. She came to bed with us every night, and made sure we were awake by 5:00 AM every morning to feed her. She greeted at the door when we came home and would always sit with me in my office when I was working on my computer. She laid at my feet when I was studying for school and would lay with me when ever I did not feel good.

Now we are faced with the decision of putting her to rest after all these years. This is unbearable and I don’t know if I can handle this. I am still hurting from the loss of Fleetwood two years ago and now I am faced with losing one of the most precious animals I have ever known. Seeing her this morning as her breathing was a bit more labored than it has been in past days tore my heart out. I know I don’t want her to suffer but I guess foolishly I thought we would have more time with her.

The pain is more than I think I can handle and the decision to help her cross the rainbow bridge is so much harder than I thought it would be. This morning we were talking and decided we would do it this Friday. But at the last minute Michael changed his mind and said we will give her one more week. My life will forever be empty without her and I don’t know how I will be able to go on.

Mark

Hi Mark,

I was sadden to hear the news when you told me. I got immediate flash backs about Candy. Now, 3 weeks after diagnosis and seeing her weight loss, brings it even closer to home.

Know that Chuck and I will be there for you, just as you have been there for me. It's not easy, I know, but know you will not be alone.

All my hugs to you and Mike and especially Corina as she lives her final days with daddy.

[Candy's Dad]

UPDATE ON CORINNA

I just wanted to update you folks for Mark and Mike as they will be out of pocket the next day or so. Last night I spent time with them and Corinna, thier 16 year old Calico Kitty is starting to labor in her breathing as well as her hind legs are weakening. The cancer is progressing alot quicker than we anticipated so this afternoon they will be making their appointment to assist Corinna over the rainbow bridge.

Please keep Mark, Mike and especially Corinna in your thoughts and prayers today.


Hal
Candy's Dad

[Candy's Dad]

Just spoke with Mark. He made arrangements for the Vet to come to their home at 4:30 this afternoon. I will be there.
Mark sent me this this morning. This is Corinna this morning.




Please pray for them.

Hal
Corinna's Uncle

[CharliesMom]

Mark & Michael, you gave Corinna a long, happy life and now you're giving her one final gift: the gift of peace.

Blessings to both of you,

Barbara

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Good Morning Everyone!

Thanks to my wonderful neighbor and best friend Hal (Candy's Dad) for keeping everybody up to date yesterday about Corinna.

Yesterday was probably the hardest day of my life. I had to go into work yesterday morning, but the good thing was it was only for testing and I did not have to drive into the office, we test our systems offsite and the location was only 10 minutes from our house so I was there and back home b y 11:00 AM. Michael when ahead and called in for the day, which I am really glad he did for both Corinna and himself. He was able to spend the entire morning with her and I know that helped he a great deal.

When I got home Corinna was lying on the bed just "chillin" and Michael was watching TV. I laid down with Corinna and just let her know how much I loved her and thanked her for all the years of love she gave us! In some cases it almost seemed like a bad dream and that any minute I would wake up and life would be normal again. But I knew that soon this precious little creature would be gone from our lives.

What really hurt the most was that other than her breathing a little harder than normal and her weight loss, she was still acting normal. After awhile she got up and went into the kitchen and asked to be fed. Michael gave her some of her "Fancy Feast" which he had bought for her the other night. We figured at this point she could have anything she wanted.

After she ate we took her outside for a little while so she could see the birds and feel the ocean breeze one more time. Our condo is on the fourth floor with an unobstructed view of downtown Long Beach. There were some birds playing on the roof of the building next door and she watched them intently.

After that we just let he relax, she laid down in front of the patio door in the sunlight and dozed off for a while. Shortly after that Hal got here to be with us as we help her over the rainbow bridge. A great friend and a great support I was so glad he was there because Corinna loved him very much and shortly after he got here, true to form as soon as he sat down she had to get up and lay in his lap. It was perfect.

We had made arrangements for the vet to come to the house and even though it was expensive to me that was the best possible thing to do. She hated going into her cage and she really hated going to the vet's office. Around 4:40 PM the vet arrived. Michael had made a little area on the foot of our bed and that was where Corinna was sitting. The vet explained the procedure to us and then started the process. Michael, Hal and I all stood and watch while holding each other. As they started to give the first part of the injection we went around to hold her. Soon I could feel her little body relax and I knew soon she would be gone. I whispered one more time to her how much I loved her and thanked her again for the sweet love she had given us for so many years. I told her to tell my little Fleetwood we miss him very much and that soon she would be running and playing with him like before. Then the vet administered the second part of the injection and after a couple of seconds told us she was gone.

The three of us all started crying. After a couple of minutes Hal left so Michael and I could be alone with her. I never cried so hard, except when I got the call about Fleetwood. I felt like someone reached into my chest with very sharp figure nails and ripped my heart out.

What seemed like a few short seconds but I'm sure was about 10 minutes of crying Michael said we had to let them take her. I couldn't handle that and didn't want to let go. But I knew I had to for her sake. They went in and wrapped her in a nice warm towel and we said one last good-bye to our little angel and she was gone.

A few minutes later Hal wanted to take us for a drink but neither one of us were up to leaving the house. So he went down to the market and bought us a big bottle of tequila and something for dinner. He came back and immediately started making dinner for us. Again I don't know what we would have done without him here. He was a great support.

Today I am alone in the house. Michael had to go to work, but I told my boss yesterday I could not go in today. I woke up at 6:00 AM this morning and when my baby wasn't at my feet on the bed I started crying again. This pain I feel hurts more than any other I have ever felt. While Fleetwood's sudden death hurt and I still have pain and guilt from that, losing my little girl, the baby that has been a integrate part of my life for 16 years is devastating. I already feel so lost and alone without her sitting in the chair here in my office while I work on the computer. And even though she was a quiet kitty, there is a strange silence in the house today.

Good-bye my precious little baby! I will miss you for the rest of my life.

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Just spoke with Mark. He made arrangements for the Vet to come to their home at 4:30 this afternoon. I will be there.
Mark sent me this this morning. This is Corinna this morning.




Please pray for them.

Hal
Corinna's Uncle

Thank you so much for being here with us yesterday. You will never know just how much that meant to us!

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Mark & Michael, you gave Corinna a long, happy life and now you're giving her one final gift: the gift of peace.

Blessings to both of you,

Barbara

Thank you Barbara. She is at peace and comfort now and with her little brother.

[Flossie's Mom]

You were wonderful parents and Corrina was lucky to have you both. What a wonderful friend you have in Hal to be with all of you during such a difficult time.

People who have never experienced the love of a precious pet like your Corrina have no idea what they have missed. I know you will recover in time but you will remember her love and companionship forever.

I seem to remember a song Corrina, Corrina from years & years ago. Doubt you are old enough to remember that but it just came to my mind.

Thinking of you today as you reflect on her wonderful life.

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

You were wonderful parents and Corrina was lucky to have you both. What a wonderful friend you have in Hal to be with all of you during such a difficult time.

People who have never experienced the love of a precious pet like your Corrina have no idea what they have missed. I know you will recover in time but you will remember her love and companionship forever.

I seem to remember a song Corrina, Corrina from years & years ago. Doubt you are old enough to remember that but it just came to my mind.

Thinking of you today as you reflect on her wonderful life.

Thank you so much, Flossie's Mom. It's the memories of those wonderful 16 years that are keeping me going right now. I've walking around the condo all morning looking for her and it has been killing me.

Thank you for your thoughts.

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Brought Corinna home today, it was a major cry fest. I couldn't let go of the little box because I just wanted to hold her as tight as I could. She's now sitting in the window like always did on sunny days. Watching the birds as they build their nests outside. She is home with us again.

[Flossie's Mom]

Welcome home Corrina!

I put my girl in a window also when I got her back. She spent a lot of time alone as she was a partially ferral kitty. I put Flossie in the car with us when we go on a trip because she always went along.

Hugs to all of you today..................

Ginger

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

Welcome home Corrina!

I put my girl in a window also when I got her back. She spent a lot of time alone as she was a partially ferral kitty. I put Flossie in the car with us when we go on a trip because she always went along.

Hugs to all of you today..................

Ginger

Thanks Ginger! The window was always her favorite place to spend the day, so it only seems fitting that she still sits there.


Warm thoughts to everyone.

[Candy's Dad]

I hope your doing better Mark. I was hoping for a bit more responses but I guess traffic is slow this year compared to a few years ago I suppose. I noticed low responses on my thread as well.

Know you'll get through this. All my hugs to you and Mike and you'll know when you are ready to get that kitten.
Take care

Candy's Dad

Hal

[Missing Fleetwoo...]

I hope your doing better Mark. I was hoping for a bit more responses but I guess traffic is slow this year compared to a few years ago I suppose. I noticed low responses on my thread as well.

Know you'll get through this. All my hugs to you and Mike and you'll know when you are ready to get that kitten.
Take care

Candy's Dad

Hal

Thank you my sweet friend. Your love and support through out this whole time has been wonderful and I cannot thank you enough. You being there that day meant so much to Michael and myself and we cannot thank you enough.

Our little girl loved you very much as well which was evident when you got there that day and she immediately climbed onto you lap and laid down. The pain is still with me and some days (like this morning) I really don't think I can go on without her. I have felt lost ever that day and I really don't know if I will ever feel the same again. The emptieness is over whelming at times as is the loneliness. Maybe some day I will feel normal again.

Thank you again, Hal, for all your support.

[Flossie's Mom]

Corrina will always be in your heart. Hopefully the good days will become more frequent than the bad days.

The cat I have now did not replace my Flossie but he really does help a lot. He is independant but also very loving. Gets under the covers & puts his head on my pillow & throws his leg around my neck. Purrs & gives me kisses on my nose. Now how could I resist that? I can't stay sad for long with him around. I really do miss my Flossie girl but I didn't want her to struggle any longer.

We know when we get them that they can't stay forever but it sure is hard to remember that when they have to go don't we? Our time with them is a treasure to be thankful for.

Thinking of you and your angel Corrina and hoping for good memories & thoughts to get you through the days ahead.