We lost our 10 year old Tabby cat, Christopher, to FIP when we had to have him put to sleep on Wednesday, June 23rd. We miss him terribly, and it has all been really hard on our little family. Unfortunately, he left also behind a lifelong companion and friend, Meric, our other cat. It is finally hitting Meric that Christopher is not here. We have been showering him and our two dogs with affection, but he can't seem to get enough. We also have a 6 month old son who, needless to say, requires attention 24/7. On top of all this, we are watching my in-law's two 16 year old Bishon Frises. Of course, one of them got sick and is now in the hospital and we don't know if she will make it through the weekend. My husband works at night and this tends to be the craziest time of the day for everyone in the house. I am juggling my own sorrow, as well as that of our cat and two dogs, my 6 month old son, and now a 16 year old dog. I am about to just lose it. I am doing my best to hold it together, but it gets harder as the days pass. I don't expect any answers to my problem, but I needed to get it out. I appreciate the opportunity to get this written down...it seems to ease the burden a little. Thanks for the support.
Lisa (Christopher's Mom)

Hi Christopher's Mom,

Gosh, you certainly have been through and are still going through so much. I can't begin to imagine how overwhelmed you are feeling. I am so sorry. I hope the little one in the hospital will be just fine. Is there anyone who can give you a break for an hour or two so you can get out by yourself for awhile?

Please keep coming to this site and reading and posting. It does help. Bless you and I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Marcia

Wow, that sure is a lot to be coping with.

I'm glad you shared the latest with us. You have lots of support here.

Sending prayers for you and your family in getting through this sad time and for the 16-year-old in the hospital. Good luck. Love,

Kathy

Thanks Marcia and Kathy. Unfortunately, the little one at the vet (Opal) had to be put to sleep this morning. Really pretty sad all around. Actually, I talked to my husband this morning about getting a little time for myself. I think I need the chance to finally come to terms with what has happened. I have been so busy spreading my energy around that I haven't had a chance to mourn for my sweet Christopher. I appreciate your kind words...Thank you.
Lisa

Dear Lisa:

I am terribly sorry.......You have really been through A LOT RECENTLY!!!!
God Bless You!!!!

First, your beloved Christopher, and now, your little Opal...
You are in my prayers, Lisa!!!!

There is no question, YOU NEED SOME SPECIAL TIME FOR YOURSELF, JUST TO "BE"......
Meditate & reflect.....
Everything has happened very, very quickly, and it's hard to process it when you have
so much else to deal with!!!!!

Whenever you are able, please, just keep on this site and type away.
All of your feelings, of which I am sure THERE ARE MANY.......
Just "get them out".....

We all understand, and we are all here for you!!!
Always!!!

God Bless you & your family, Lisa!!!!

Love, Denise

Hi Lisa!
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you have gotten a bit of rest.
Jackie

Lisa,
I'm so, so sorry to hear about Opal now too. Please, please do find a way to get some time to yourself and take care of YOU. My thoughts are prayers are certainly with you.
Marcia

Lisa,
I'm so sorry for all of the harships you have been facing lately - way, way too much at once.
Yes, definitely try and find some alone time. You have been taking care of everyone else,
now it's time for you to take care of YOU....we are all here for you, please take care....

Love,
Karen

I am sorry that you have so much on your plate. Please take care of yourself. You are going through so much now.

Christophers Mom,
I am so sorry to hear about you darling furbaby. Please take the time for yourself to mourn . . . sit here and type or something that you can let your grief out. My furbaby passed away about a month ago and I still miss him but I think the hardest thing was being strong for my family. Yes, he was the family pet but my baby (even my husband wasn't fond of him). One thing I do know from surfing the web is the lighting of a candle on monday nights for your lost furbaby that is at Rainbow Bridge waiting for his family. Maybe to let some of the grief out sit with your little one and light the candle for your lost furbabies and m aybe tell a story about them . . . it will keep your little one occupied for awhile as well as letting you remember the good times you spent with your furbabies. I know it is a lot but the human being is an amazing thing. We can do so much, help and deal with things. Tell your little one about your special babies that were there when you brought your baby home. Maybe talking about it with your little one will help aliveate your grieve for a short time. Keep writing here when it gets hard. You have a lot of support here.
I'll be thinking of you and your family during this hard time, ChrissyW

c's mom---so sorry for all your troubles one heaped onto another--I can relate because my significant other ran over my "kid" (alright--my cat but to me he was a kid)--thousands of dollars in vet bills and Ginger still died---and then not a few weeks later my Mother died. (June 23rd) when I came in the door from being away for two weeks my senior citizen cat Ruggles was limping!!! limping!!!
anyway--please let us know how you are doing and what is new--we are here!

Is Ruggle's alright?!!! Is he still limping?!

karen--thanks for asking--he is better now but first Ginger, then my mother, then than limping--I was ready to go hang myself--lol--it SEEMS to have resolved itself for right now.

I'm so sorry that you lost two of your babies. How very, very devastating. Please take good are of yourself.

Hi
My name is Ariel and my precious boy, Solas, was taken by FIP. When you feel up to it I'd like to share and compare what we went through. I still have so many "Why's" Everything happened so fast. I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
Thanks,
Ariel

I want to thank you all for your support. I have made a point of getting out of the house the last couple of days, and it has really helped to relieve some of the pressure. My husband has also been tremendously helpful (he took our son and let me sleep for three extra hours this morning!). I still feel like a tidal wave is going to hit me when I am least expecting it, but that is ok...I am almost looking forward to the release. The rest of our "kids" seem to be doing fairly well considering the shake up in the house, which is a relief. Anyway, I am feeling a little better and I appreciate everyone's support. Thank you.
Lisa

Lisa glad you got out of the house! I constantly have to make myself MOVE!!
ruggles limping went away so I am feeling great about that--!
keep posting if you need to and keep active if you can--sounds like you have plenty to do but try to take that time for yourself--that was great of your h to provide it!
Patti

Dear Lisa:

I was very happy to read that you were able to get out of the house the past couple of days.....Good for you; it really does help to lessen all that pent up pressure!!

And, thank you daddy, for taking care of your lil' boy so that you could catch a few extra hours of sleep..... I don't have any "human" children; but, I worked in Pediatrics, so I can understand just how precious a few extra hours of sleep can make; and that's when you aren't dealing with "anything extra".....

Those "tidal waves" you talk about.......yes, they come & go.......... And, please, "just let them....." Don't hold them in, it's not good for you; (of course, I'm not advising anything you already don't know)....but, it feels good to release the tears.

Are you & your family doing anything special for the holiday, or are you going to stay home & just take it easy??

Please, always remember that "we are all here for you"...... read everyone's posts, write in if you feel like it...
Honestly, it's the only way I got "through it"..... (I guess, if that's what I can call it.....)
But, just knowing that I could come here and write out my feelings, vent what I needed to....
And also, read everyone's posts....

Write & read whenever you need too.... You are among lots of friends here!!

That's what helped me sooooo much, and I will ever be so grateful!!!!

Know that we are all here for you Lisa and, plenty of kisses to your little boy

God Bless you all!!

Love, Denise