My cat Sadie was one of the cats that died from eating the poisoned food. I was feeding her IAMS Select Bites in the pouch because I understood it was a good company who sold healthy food. At the end of January she suddenly would not eat just drink. She would just lay around and stare at me. I didn't know what was wrong, but I took her to the 24 emergency hospital for animals. The Vet said her kidneys were in failure and her liver was also affected. They did a complete blood test and whatever else they do. All I know is she was completely healthy and active one day and dying the next. She had to be put to sleep.

It's hard enough getting over the loss of my best friend and companion, without finding out that she was poisoned. I was finally getting over the hump and feeling alive again and now this! I'm so upset and pissed off at the same time. One thing I know is someone is going to be held accountable for this tragedy. It's not fair! I want rest*itution if only for Sadie.

John B

Hi John B:

Thanks for writing back to me. I moved your post so that you could have your own thread. I felt it was lost up in the "Pinned" areas. Now, you will hear from many wonderful people here at LS who understand what you are going through.

Again, I am very sorry to hear about your girl, Sadie .

Wishing you comfort and peace,

Denise

John B

I'm so sorry you lost your Sadie. It isn't fair, it just sucks she went the way she did. I hope you find some way to get some peace.

It hurts so much to lose them, and to feel so betrayed makes things so much harder.

Thinking of you and your Sadie.

Sending you prayers as you mourn your precious kitty Sadie. I think the companies responsible ought to be reading forums like these to understand the magnitude of grief their actions (or lack thereof) have caused.

We mourn our own Sadie girl, who was not affected by the recall but left us just as suddenly.

I am also sorry to hear of your loss, as i just lost my kitty of two years on Monday. I can also understand your anger at these companies that do not regulary test thier products for contamination as they should. YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE PISSED! Your friend should not have passed like this. And you have my sincerest support and condolesecenses.

Blessings & peace

Dear John,
I am so so sorry to hear about Sadie, especially from such a terrible reason, we all try hard to do what think is best for our loved buddies it could easily happen to any of us...its terrifying and awful...My heart just breaks for you, you and Sadie are in my prayers and thoughts.

Take care and come back here often, it has been so helpful to me, coping with our loss. Take care, Tory, Hrudey's Momma.

John,I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Sadie,especially the way it happened.That should not happen to anyone.You did right by her and it is a tragedy that she had to go so soon.My heart goes out to you and you have every right to be pissed.This whole pet food recall has been a nightmare.......I wish there were words to comfort you but please know that your in our thoughts and we understand the pain you are suffering.Please let us know how your doing.We really do care.I've been where you are as we lost our boy Sox back in Oct.The pain is truly unbearable but at least we have this site to help us thur.Sincerely,Renee (Sox's mom)

Thank you all for your sincere condolences. I really need and appreciate them. Thank you, Muffins for moving my post. It was lonely over there.

Just to let you all know I have reported this to the FDA and have put my name and information on a couple of class action law suits. We'll see what happens. I don't care about the money. No amount of money could replace my Sadie or any of the other cats and dogs that died. I just want those responsible to be held accountable.

John B

Right on John B. I congratulate you for being pro-active about this. I agree it's not for the money but that money will be better used by you than leaving it in their immoral pockets. It must be very hard to do so in the middle of your grief for Sadie. This is truly revolting. I didn't lose my diabetic cat to the tainted food because I had made the decision to euthanize him before this happened. But had I decided to try and save my pet, the vet had prescribed a food that came up on the recall list. I think I would have been unaccountable for my actions if he had died from poisoned food after all the care and expenses he would have received only to be killed by those who are looking out for their own profit gains not for the well being of the pets they feed . Hang in there and may life be good to you.

Dear John, I'm so very very sorry to hear about Sadie. I'm glad your post got moved here, too, so every wonderful person here can lend you their support. You're right about it not being about the money for you, but how unfortunate that you and the rest of us here have to live in the same world with people for whom money truly is at the heart (lessness) of it all. Money and stockholders, that's all these companies have come to care about, and for what? How much money do people truly need?

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn and miss Sadie. May Sadie herself find ways to comfort you! (And I bet she will!)

-- Michelle K.

John

I'm so sorry for your loss of Sadie. I know how devastated you must feel, especially losing her to something that the company should have prevented! Someone definitely should be held accountable for this. I know that Sadie is in a better place now, and healthy and whole across the rainbow bridge, but that doesn't change the fact that she is not there by your side.

I would love to see a picture of your girl.

John,
I know Sadie is truly in bliss right now, beyond any suffering ever again---and you'll be reunited.
I want to add my condolences.
I agree with the $$ thing. This world has gotten to the point where it seems it's all about $$. People like us are trying to do the right thing and we're trying to keep our families safe... and something like this happens to your Sadie!!! It's so scary. My prayers are going out to you.
I really do believe Sadie's soul is fine . She wants you to be able to go on, just as you would want her to be able to, if you physically had passed before she did.
Love,
Kathy

Thanks everyone. Today was a bad day for me. Much weeping and wailing. It's amazing how it can come right out of the blue and leave just as quickly.

Kathy, your little girl looks very much like my Sadie. If I can ever figure out how I will post her picture

John,
I'm so sorry to read about what happened to your Beloved Sadie. Best of your luck in your battle with the company. Corporate America needs to be stood up to as often as possible, especially when their greed rusults in the loss of life. You and Sadie are in my thougfhts and prayers.
Steve

John,

I can't imagine how much it must hurt, to have something special you tried to do for your baby blow up in your face in such a terrible way...I'm so sorry.

I'm even more resolved than ever not to feed my kids commercial pet food anymore, at least until there have been serious reforms ( I hope there will be ? ).

My condolences again,
Dayna

Here is my Sadie baby. I finally figured out how to put it up here. She was always a ham in front of the camera. All I had to do was say her name and she seemed to stop and pose. I gotta stop. I'm gonna make myself cry.

John B

Congrats to you on getting the pic up. Your Sadie was just gorgeous! What a beautiful colors! What a little sweetheart.

John,

Sadie was so beautiful. Its nice to be able to finally see her picture. I know how much you must miss her.

Hang in there...

I dreaded the day when I would have to put Sadie to sleep, I just never dreamed that it would be from something I fed her. I told her every night before bed that I wanted her to live a long time, then I would tell her outragious time spans like 30, 40, 50 years. She usually just stared at me until she got bored.

John,

I am so, so sorry for your loss. Sadie was gorgeous & had such a loving daddy.

I am thinking of you.

Kim

Just wanted to give you an update.

A risk Management service hired by IAMs is calling everyone who put a claim in with them. Apparantly I did... although the last Month and a half seems like a blur.

I just got a call the other day and gave all of my info to a kind lady who among other things asked for my vets phone number so that she could call and request that Sadie's records be faxed to them...invoices and all. She said she needed all of the info before she could go and reimburse me for the vet bills.

It doesn't even come close to making up for what happened to Sadie but at least it is a gesture.

John B.

Oh, John, that's got to bring it all back again. Not that it ever leaves us, but it becomes so RAW again. You're right - it's a gesture - but certainly not one that could ever diminish the tremendous loss you've suffered. I'm thinking of you and of Sadie and I'm so sorry you've had to endure this pain..

Well it been over 3 and a half months since my Sadie was taken from me and I still miss her so much. I know I always will. As I have told other people the worst thing is that I feel like I have nobody who needs me anymore. Nobody who depends on me. Honestly, I'm not feeling sorry for myself, but I know intellectually that is one of the hardest things for me. On the other hand for those of you who just lost a beloved pet, the devastation that you are going through will ease up as you surrender yourself to the grieving process. I miss my baby, but the panic attacks, the uncontrollable weeping, and the depressed state of mind very seldom rears it head anymore. It helps me to tell myself that she is in such a better place right now. I believe that with all my heart. It would be selfish on my part to deny her the bliss she is having now.

I live by myself and it feels so quiet and lifeless in my small apartment sometimes. I still say good bye to her when I leave for work as I did for 15+ years. As much as she annoyed me sometimes when she would meow in my ear, or knock things off of high places at ungodly hours of the morning because she wanted to be fed, I would gladly put up with it all if I could have her back.

I also feel a little guilty because of the freedom I have now. I was always afraid to leave her for any more than a day. I was afraid she would be tramatized, or that something would happen to her while I was gone. So I feel guilty when I feel a little relieved that I can go on a vacation now. Of course I know now I always could. I was the one who couldn't be away from her.

I just felt like sharing.

Thanks
John B

John,

Glad you shared. It's so hard to feel the emptiness. We never really get used to the space that is left behind. I guess we just learn to tolerate it when we realize that we don't have a choice. There's nothing harder. The unconditional love that they give, and that they allow us to give, can't be replaced. Humans don't cut it.

I know that you'd trade that freedom to have Sadie back in a minute. It wasn't your choice to have the freedom, so no guilt is warranted. I think we'd all rather have them than a vacation. But a little break from the emptiness and grief might help you.

You are so right about surrendering to the grief. I believe that it is the only way through it - to let it hit full force. Seems like pushing it away only makes it come back even harder.

Thanks so much for the supportive words for me and Maisie. We are thinking of you and Sadie.

Oh John,

I can relate so much to what you are saying. I put my life on hold while Peaches was sick, I didn't know from one day to the next how she would be feeling, or what she would need. My dad is in a nursing home 450 miles away & I try to visit him 2-3 times a year but I couldn't visit him in Feb. when we originally planned, even though it would have only been for a couple of days, because Peaches needed the special care of being boarded at the vet's. But her shots weren't up to date, & she was too physically fragile to have the shots, so she was denied admittance. So I had to disappoint my dad & tell him I couldn't come. That was awful. After things went bad in late March & we had to end her suffering, I went to see my dad. He was happy to see me, but very sad to hear why I was able to come see him.

I'm dealing with some guilt right now, because I also feel a bit relieved about having my life back. This is very, very hard to accept. Please understand, I miss my baby Peaches more than I can tell you. But the sacrifices we make for them, all the love we give to them, it all comes back to us. We can't forget that we are in the here & now and we need to embrace that, too.

Please know that I am thinking of you.

Kim

As I just told someone today -

No reason to go home ~ No reason to be home

I feel for all of you.

I miss my baby so much today. The picture of her was exactly how she looked at me whenever I spoke to her...and sometimes when I was just sitting there watching TV. Sadie was so attentive. I really got the feeling that she understood what I was saying to her sometimes. I miss you, Sadie.

John, just looking at Sadie's picture, her expression in her eyes, you can see she was a very bright cat. I'm sure that she knew what you were all about, she was yours as you were hers, soulmates, then, now and forever. Four months is not very long, no wonder you miss her so much. I send you a great big hug, but really it's Sadie who sends you all her love, through this forum; know her love for you is still there, happily waiting for the next time. I hope that you will eventually get one (or two )more cats, but for now I think there is still some rain to fall. If you believe in anything at all, you also should believe that Sadie is with you, now and forever. You will have better days, hang in there sweet sweet John.

Thank you, Toonie,
You are the greatest. I am so grateful to have loving and compassionate people like you in my life right now. It means a lot. I really did need that hug too .

Take care
John B

Hey John B,

Mate, we heard about the food scandal over there in US. I've just thought..yep, this is what they've been warning us about using food products from countries that'd rip off their own for a profit.. They don't care about their own people or animals, so why should they be expected to care about anyone else?
I'm not one to really want to go out and sue as,like you say, it doesn't bring them back.. but I agree.. I can't think of any other way that'd get through to the Iams of the world,other than where it would hurt. $.
Otherwise,they'll send out a form letter,which is sports a stamped signature from the CEO (if you're lucky),saying how sorry they are.
This reminded me of that movie based a true story of a tannery dumping waste into the aquifers,somewhere in the Ozarks I think? It got me so mad.

Your time period is about as short as Ellie's. I so understand how you are feeling.
Mate, thoughts and prayers from Oz.

Doggy Daddy.Andrew.

Thanks Doggy Daddy,
I'm still waiting for some kind of compensation...not holding my breath though. Sorry, for some reason I just noticed your post now even though it has been there for 2 weeks.

This is way off topic, but did you know your screenname is the name of a dog cartoon charactor from an old Hanna Barbara cartoon called Augie Doggy and Doggy Daddy. I'm sure you did, but I'm not positive, as I don't know what kind of cartoons you had down under at that time.

I just wanted to give you all another update regarding my case with IAMs. I didn't hear anything for weeks, but Thursday or Friday I finally got a call from IAMs "Risk Management" people". Somebody else took over my case and saw that I still had to have Sadie's last vet bill sent to them before they could expedite her case. I'm not sure why I wasn't told this from the start, but I called the vet had the bill faxed and now I wait. In a way I just want to get it over with.

I also had a copy of the bill sent to me and I cried again as I thought about those tragic wee hours as I had to say goodbye to my precious baby Sadie. I'm crying even as I write this. I do know that it has gotten better for me but I feel as if it will hurt for a long long time. You can't have a special constant companion for 15 years, and get over it in a couple of months. It doesn't work that way and it shouldn't. I will always miss my baby. She was my first baby and I know that I will see her again some day. If there is a God, and I think there is, and if all of His creatures have spirits, which I believe they do, then I know one day we will be reconciled.

Thank you my friends for all your support and love! I love you all!

John B.

Oh John, I had no idea what had caused Sadie's illness. I am so sorry you had to go through all this! My thoughts are with you.
Laney

Hi John.

I've read your posts with sadness. I do not think that this is anyone's fault, including Iam's. Unfortunately, these things happen to many companies, including cars, toys, electronic equipment, and human food. The tainted spinach or salads of recent for example. I understand your grief. This was unforseeable.

I heard on the radio that if you sue a company for the loss of a pet, in the law, the pet is 'only' worth the price of the animal. So unlike a human who dies because of negligence and you can sue for millions, a pet's liability would be in the hundreds or thousands. I am glad that Iam is reimbursing you at least for your bills and that you don't have to fight over this.

I am aching over the loss of my cat, Bennett, and I might be posting to this forum soon.....Sadie indeed had a wonderful life with you.

John B, I hope all those companies go bankrup for taking away so many precious furbabies. I'm so sorry your Sadie was one of those victims. P.S. You are not alone because now you have us. Sincerly K9pal.

Thanks, paris and K9pal. I'm glad I have you guys. I don't know what I would do without you and everybody else here.

Dear John B,

Yes.....I know the pain does eventually subside a bit, and I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better & making progress. I'm so sorry it had to happen to you & your sweet Sadie. She was so very much loved & she knew that!!! And I am totally on board with you on this, I firmly believe that we will be reunited with them someday. And goodness, how nice will that be Something to look forward to......

You have been so strong through this, and have been resolutely getting your message out to others. I pray that this tragedy never happens again to anyone, ever again.

Thanks for everything, John B. You are always in my heart.

Thank you, Kim. As usual your post was full of empathy encouragement and love. We really do all need that here. I'm not sure how strong I am...but I know where my strength comes from.

I'm not sure why I said "one day we will be reconciled" when I meant "reunited" like you said.

Take care
John

I just wanted to give you another update. Maybe the last one on this.

When I got home last night I picked up the mail and there was a letter from IAMs in it. It was a form letter. Basically there was an apology for whatever hardship or "inconvenience" the pet food recall may have caused. It was worded very carefully, but I was promised that my vet bills would be reimbursed to me in the amount of $425.00, which I will receive in the next 6 weeks. I was also assured that cashing the check would not affect my rights in anyway.

I'll take the money but I'd much rather have my Sadie girl back . I have a feeling, though, that she is very content where she is right now and wouldn't want to come back...except to let me know that she is okay.

Take care
John B

John, How are you doing. I'm sure receiving that letter was bitter-sweet. "inconvenience" What a bunch of inconsiderate uncaring morons. I wonder if they truly understand that it wasn't about the money. But because of people like you John, wanted them to pay for their wrong doings. Thank you John for giving all the furbabies of the world a voice that said. I was important and I was loved. Sadie would be proud to know that her daddy fought so hard for her. Take care John and if you need to talk I will be a click away. Your friend k9pal

John,

I am so sorry that you and so many others had to go through this betrayal by the pet food companies. They should have been testing their ingredients all along to prevent something like this from happening. It is horrible that we put our trust in companies like like only to find out that they do not share our caring for our furkids' health and wellbeing. I would love to see companies like that go out of business but I'm sure they will keep going. People will never again have that level of faith in pet food companies again.

Sadie was truly a beautiful cat and she was very fortunate to have such a loving home.

John, I agree that Sadie is likely smiling down at you and at all of us here , thinking how silly and beautiful and innocent we grievers are because she knows that even if we live to be very old men and women, life here is just an instant into eternity. I am sure that in her own way she keeps on lighting your life and saving the best cushions there to share with you when you get there, hopefully in a long and mellow while. Hugs !

John,

I am sorry to hear about your precious Sadie. It is hard enough to have it happen suddenly, but to have it happen that way is horrible. I lost my baby girl, Niko earlier this month and it wasn't expected. Sadie was lucky to have you and I am sure she is in a better place now, safe, and well again.

Lisa
"Niko's Mom"

John,

I have read the heartache that you have endured with the loss of your precious Sadie. I am so sorry for your loss and I wish I could have supported you earlier..but I just recently found this board.

Stay strong and know that Sadie is your precious angel now.

John,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Sadie...It is worsened by the fact that this was completely preventable. My heart goes out to you. Iams needs to step up to all the good people who lost the loves of their lives and make it right. Please accept my prayers for Sadie and you and know that I hold you in my heart...always
Susan

Thanks for your support, guys! It means a lot. I feel much better today because of all of you!

Hi, John...Just want to add my support for you and all you have been through. I am so very sorry to hear about Sadie and what happened. How careless others are with our animals is sometimes more than we can bear. All they have is us to take care of them and we have to rely on others, whether it is pet food or vets' advice, etc. The pet food is unforgivable. From what I read, apparently the bottom line was getting something furnished cheaper to make profits better. They are dealing with lives here. You bought pet food that was not cheap because you wanted her to have the best. You bought a brand name that is advertised as being the better kinds of foods. You could do no more. I have fed animals the same food in my lifetime..before the incidents.

I hope you feel like getting another who needs you, and love, and a home. A home never feels empty when there is love in it. You know what happened was not your fault. Hopefully, this pet food problem is finally all over. I believe what some say to be true..that you don't replace Sadie but that you create new memories with a new bundle of fur who needs to feel important to someone! take a look at the New Beginning Section. AmbersMom pointed me to it to see who she just got and you will see there is hope for the future in the soul of another who needs and wants to love. Take care, I hope you hug another soon. Judy

Thanks you so much for your kind words, Judy! I appreciate what you wrote here:




I do want to make another baby feel important. It is a given that he or she will feel loved...but there is something about making them feel important that really appeals to me.

Thanks
John

John, I LOVE YOUR ANSWER!!! It felt so good to read. If you want to check out my Little Guy, I just posted a bunch of his pictures in the Tribute section. It made me feel good to have him be a part of all of this, just like Sadie is. Your picture of her is so sweet. Just like others say, we seem to always want to see more pictures when we can. And, if you ever decide to join AlleysMama's idea in the New Beginnings Section, let all know so we can share that with you.

I don't know why I say AmbersMom when I mean AlleysMama. Check out her kitty in the New Beginnings Section.

take care, John, and keep in touch.

Judy (Little Guy's Mom..forever)

John, thanks for your words in my Tribute to Little Guy section. I cry too when I go there and look at his pictures and read about each one but it makes me feel good to share with others. By seeing what we lost, I think it helps others truly understand how we can all share the pain and our sharing and caring is real.

I may volunteer at the local SPCA, a no-kill shelter close by. They have open cat condos where people can go it and visit and see who comes up to you. I know they will have a home until adopted but what is also wonderful is when someone does adopt, it leaves an opening and they go to the "other shelter" and rescue a new one. You might consider taking a look around your local one. I find it easy to just Google my area for the local SPCA. It is at www.nevadaspca.org. Then I click on adoptable cats. I also looked at the cat condo section. It was wonderful seeing how well they are taken care of. Since you are on your computer, you might take a trip to the site. I love to look at animals anyway. You can't tell a personality by a picture but it is still nice to look at different pictures.

Yes, I can see where Little Guy's cat traits can remind you of some of Sadie's and, I am sure, vice versa. You can always post a tribute to Sadie with some of the stories of your memories that make you smile. When I look at her picture, I am sure the caption would say "I am in charge here". Just beautiful! Judy