Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Lindsey (thefunkyinuit) on January 15, 2012, 12:03:27 PM
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Hi Everyone, Lacie's health had been very good up until a few weeks ago. Basically she has been sick about 5 or 6 times in the last 2 weeks & has been a bit off her food, I took her to the vets last Monday because of this, I thought maybe that she was feeling unwell because her insulin was old (I was about to run out of the stock of her old insulin & the current bottle had been open nearly 60 days) My vets first thought that it could be her kidney disease making her sick (she has had mild kidney disease for 15 months) but a blood test showed that her kidneys were ok. As we were about to change over to the new human form of her insulin, my vets wanted me to start in straight away incase it was the insulin that was making her feel unwell. She also gave her an anti-sickness injection & appetite stimulant tablet for me to give her every three days for 12 days.
She has suffered from constipation alot but that seemed to have eased off since her eating only the gravy from her food. Friday evening she was struggling to go for a poo and was sick from straining so I gave her a little watered down condensed milk (not great for diabetics, I know but as had already had her insulin and had been sick I thought I would give it a go & a couple of hours later she passed an good amount of soft/liquidy poo. Then last night, she turned her nose up at her regular food & even tuna, I managed to get her to eat just over half of her normal meal so only gave her a low dose of her insulin. She ate some more tuna (I had left it out) at about 10:30 last night but wouldn't touch her biscuits.
This morning she didn't even bother getting up to come and see me/get food like she usually does, even after I went over to stroke her and coax her from her bed, I picked her up and took her to the kitchen, she took one look at her food (her usual food is the gravy from butcher's classic - she won't eat the meat) and walked out of the room and went up into the window, I took her food to her but she wasn't interested, tried warming it up, still not interested, tried a but of tuna, she had the tiniest bit then stopped. She wouldn't even eat dreamies.
About 10 o'clock she got out of the window, threw up the bit of food I managed to get down her and then went to her litterbox for a wee then returned to the window. She seemed to perk up a bit and I gave her a bit of beef, also tried cooking her scrambled egg whites, she had a sniff but wouldn't eat any. At the moment, I think she is uncomfortable and maybe in a bit of pain as she keeps standing up, stretching and then lying back down very slowly (I was thinking she may still be constipated and have stomach ache).
Thats were we are at the moment. I have sent my husband off to Tesco to get her some other foods to try (meat/fish pate type foods, sardines, pichards...anything to get her to eat) I hate seeing her this way and am just playing it by ear as she is not herself and I'm feeling more and more like an out of hours vet trip is required, I don't think its an emergency as such, but she just seemed very uncomfortable - obviously hoping not to have to take her as it £120 as soon as you walk through the door (I have no problem spending the money if I really need to, but I don't want to jump the gun if its not completely necessary)
I'm sorry for such a long post but she is a complicted cat with different health problems, if anyone has any advice on what I should do,I would really appreciate it.
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So is she on the new insulin?
If so that maybe making her feel a bit down, so hard to know.
Could her diabetic levels be down?
It could also be the change in weather, absolutely bitter cold here and Misa is not eating very well and not sure why.
Glad the condensed milk helped and as you say not good for diabetics but a tiny bit will not have mattered.
Hope that something you OH gets will attract her to eat.
Has she got a snuffy nose or anything, maybe she is having problems smelling her food or something is making it not taste nice...................such a problem
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Hi Gill, She is on her new insulin now, has been since Monday evening, it *shouldn't* make her feel ill has it is exactly the same as her old insulin just packaged differently. If it is her diabetes I don't think it is because her glucose levels are too low as she isn't showing any signs of that & as she has not eaten, I gave her no insulin this morning, if anything its more likely the other way around but i'm not sure as she's been there before and she wasn't acting like this.
Since my OH got back we have tried her on ham (usually her fave) & sardines but she wouldn't touch either, she has a sniff, maybe a little lick but then stops. I don't think she has a snuffy nose at all. She has had a bit to drink and has now gone to her bed, I will try some of the other foods later I think. The main thing thats worrying me, apart from turning her nose up at a every food I offer, is that she seems uncomfortable. I'm just hoping its a bad bout of constipation & not something more serious. Still gonna see how she goes throughout the rest of the day, if we don't feel its urgent enough that she goes to the vets tonight she will be definately be going tomorrow.
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I dont know how diabetes in cats works exactly but in humans on insulin they would be badly affected by not eating and the levels do not always go down but can go up!
Every individual is different however and in cats it may work different.
I do hope that she suddenely starts eating again :hug: :hug:
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If she's not eating and is being sick it's very important to keep her hydrated, will she drink some cat milk or tuna water? Hope she gets on OK at the vets tomorrow :hug:
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Shes had some water to drink since she was sick, I've got some cat milk & tuna juice so will give her some in a bit.
I've managed to get a small amount of warmed up pate type cat food down her but its nothing to shout about. I think she has stopped fidgeting so much, seems a little bit more comfortable. I doubt I will be able to get enough food down her for her to have her insulin tonight but will try and get her into the vets as early as possible tomorrow.
Why do they have to get poorly over the weekend when you can't get them to see a vet without having to spend ridiculous amounts of money?! :tired: It is criminal how much out of hours fees are.
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Hope vet visit goes well today, thinking of you both :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Thanks Gill :hug:
Well she was the same this morning, managed to get a little of the pate food down her again but she was clearly not in the mood to eat :(
My OH took her to the vets at 9:30 this morning, they have kept her in for observation and have put her on a drip. They are going to check her glucose levels/kidneys e.t.c and try and get her to eat.
They said that her bladder is enlarged, even though she managed to have a wee yesterday and wee'd on the way to the vets, they can't tell if she's constipated or not because they can't feel her bowls because of her bladder being so large. :'(
I think my hubby is phoning for an update on her at about 2 o'clock, please keep your fingers crossed that its nothing serious & that she will be ok, also some of those all powerful purrs healing vibes would be appreciated. :thanks:
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I hope they help her to flush out her bladder as not good if its enlarged.
Semding loads of get well vibes, Come on Lacie you can do it :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Right, they're now saying its her liver :'( & she has to stay in for a few days.
I will find out more later when I go to visit her before she's transferred to another surgery for overnight care.
They have said that hopefully it is not a long term thing and can be reversed. Keep your fingers crossed please everyone!
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Got 'em all crossed for you Lindsey, :luck:
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Fingers, toes & paws all crossed. Xxx
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Fingers crossed and sending lots of good vibes. xx :hug:
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sending some love for Lacie :hug:
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Lots of good wishes for Lacie :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Have everything crossed for her :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Hope that you get some good news x
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Thanks everyone. Basically the vets have said that its an infection in her liver making it blocked so toxins have built up so she has jaundice. Its serious but if they can get the toxins flushed out quickly she might be ok. Shes on a drip and has had antibiotics but has to stay in til at least wednesday they think. They will update me tomorrow morning, I think its a case of taking each day as it comes. I gave her good cuddles kisses before she was transferred to the other branch. She is going to be looked after by my usual vet, which is good because she is the senior vet/surgeon and really cares about lacie :) so thats a small relief.
The house feels so weird without her, my strict schedules of feeding and meds isn't needed so I feel strange! At least i've got mollie here to keep me company. X
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I hope they can flush out the toxins :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Well the vet called & said that she had a comfortable night and that she seemed brighter in herself, she has had a little bit of tuna to eat but had to be hand fed to coax her to eat, they have taken bloods and will let me know the result this afternoon. Hopefully it will be good news! Fingers crossed.
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Well the vet called & said that she had a comfortable night and that she seemed brighter in herself, she has had a little bit of tuna to eat but had to be hand fed to coax her to eat, they have taken bloods and will let me know the result this afternoon. Hopefully it will be good news! Fingers crossed.
Fingers and toes crossed. :hug:
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Thinking about you x
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hope Lacie is back home with you soon :hug: x
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Her blood results today were mixed, one of the values has improved but the other one has worsened. I went to visit her again tonight, she seemed bright and alert & pleased to see me, she was very fussy and I got her to eat a bit of food.
She is very yellow due to the jaundice though :( vets have said that she needs more meds & time and to take every day as it comes. I'll get another update about lunchtime tomorrow.
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Alert and pleased to see you is good and the reason that cats like to have visits from their human. Pleased you also managed to get her to eat a bit, every bit is good.
I hope they can resolve the jaundice soon and that she is able to come home quickly :hug: :hug: :hug:
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I missed this - I really hope Lacie is stabilised and home soon. :hug:
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More positive vibes heading Lacie's way. :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Just got an update from the vets, they are not going to test her liver again until tomorrow as they want to give the meds chance to work properly.
They really need to get her eating though so this evening I'm going armed with a smorgasbord of her favourite foods to try and tempt her. I know how finicky she is when she's well, never mind when she's feeling under the weather! Also, I sit and hold her plate for every meal usually as she likes her bowl raised and in my company she tends to eat well, if its left down for her (other than her biscuits) she will ignore it.
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I hope this works because not eating can damage their liver beyond repair...........such a worry :hug: :hug: :hug:
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She still won't eat, I tried all sorts of food. The vets are going to retest her liver tomorrow & also do an ultrasound on her abdomen to have a look if its something more sinister than an infection. she can't go on like this much longer & its looking increasingly likely that she won't come back from this. I can't bear the thought of losing her, she has been my best friend for 13 years- since I was 12 years old. My life has revolved around her & I just don't know how I'm going to cope. I can't stop crying.
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I really feel for you and hope that maybe she suddenly will eat but sadly its so hard to get them to eat once they stop :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Try and stay positive, it's very early days for her yet :hug: :hug: :hug:
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so sorry to hear that Lacie still isn't eating. Hope she pulls through :hug: x
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:hug: :hug: :hug: I hope Lacie feels better tomorrow. It's so awful when they're poorly and we can't do anything but wait. She's in capable hands though, so you need to take care of you. Xx
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Its not good news i'm afraid. Her blood result shows that her liver values have come down a bit but not as much as they should have with treatment she has received so they did an ultrasound which showed that her bile ducts are massively swollen, so much so that my vet said she had never seen any that swollen. It points to a more serious reason than an infection causing the blockage, could be bile stones or a mass of some sort. I am going to the vets tonight to discuss our options, but basically they could only open her up to see what the problem is and even then, the prognosis would not be good so I wouldn't want to put her through that.
I am absolutely devastated but it looks like i'll have to make the hardest decision of my life to send her to rainbow bridge. :'( :'( :'(
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Lindsey sending :hug: :hug: :hug: as I am going thorugh this with Riley feral so know how you feel xx
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:( :( :( So sorry Lindsey :hug: :hug: :hug:
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So sorry to read this :( :hug:
I have no idea if this will help or not, but our cat Schmoo has had liver problems for a while now, and almost as soon as it was detected our vet put her on a 1/4 tablet of destolit a day, which they said was specifically to help the flow of bile and stop the duct getting icky. Might be worth asking your vets about it if surgery isnt an option? Obviously wether this will help or not might depend on the severity of the problem, but I wanted to mention it just in case.
Thinking of you..
Helen
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I am so very sorry to read this and sending you all my thoughts :hug: :hug:
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so sorry to hear this Lindsey :hug: x
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Well I'm back from the vets, my vet Debbie who has cared for Lacie for the last 18 months told us that from the ultrasound it is most likely to be a tumour that is causing the blockage. She said that she could refer her for surgery but that she may not survive surgery & if she did her chance of recovery would be slim, she even got a bit upset when she told us & said that if she was her pet she wouldn't put her through it. Lacie has been such a trooper over the last 18mths, I would never put her through any extra stress if the outcome is so bleak. She has come home with us so we can spend some quality time with her & I think she appreciates being home. Debbie will be coming to us late tomorrow morning to make her go to sleep forever. Devastated isn't even close to how i'm feeling right now. :'( :'( :'(
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I'm so sorry to hear this news. :hug: :hug: for you & gentle fussez for Lacie. X
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:hug: :hug: :hug: for you both
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Just so sad and will be thinking of you both tomorrow :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Thinking of you also. :hug:
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Take care of you, tonight. Big hugs and kisses for Lacie. God bless you both.
:hug: :hug:
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Hugs for you both will be thinking of you tomorrow :hug: x
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Sp very sorry to hear this Lindsey :( :hug: :hug: :hug: Will be thinking of you both tomorrow :hug:
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We have been having lovely sleepy cuddles all night, i'm so glad I got to spend this precious time with her. Shes even eaten some ham for me! She's used her litter tray, had a little wander around & had a go on her scratching post. She's now settled down on a blanket on the windowsill. Apart from being yellow & having a catheter poking out her arm, you wouldn't even know she was ill, she's such a brave girl. X :Luv2:
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We have been having lovely sleepy cuddles all night, i'm so glad I got to spend this precious time with her. Shes even eaten some ham for me! She's used her litter tray, had a little wander around & had a go on her scratching post. She's now settled down on a blanket on the windowsill. Apart from being yellow & having a catheter poking out her arm, you wouldn't even know she was ill, she's such a brave girl. X :Luv2:
I know exactly how you are feeling. :'(
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Lindsey we are so glad you have had this special time and will be thinking of you both this morning :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Such a special time to always be remembered :hug: :hug: :hug:
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She went to sleep at 12:25. :( I'm too numb to write much right now but will write a tribute when I feel up to it.
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:hug:
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She went to sleep at 12:25. :( I'm too numb to write much right now but will write a tribute when I feel up to it.
In my mind Ping is still alive I can't believe he is not with us. Every morning and before I go to bed I pick up the urn with his ashes in hold it to my face then kiss it and tell him that he is still mummies boy and that I love him.
Why do we put ourselves through this pain? :hug:
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Goodnight, Lacie. You were so brave. Be happy at the Bridge, little one.
Lindsey I'm crying with you :hug: :hug:
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Me too,sitting here crying. :hug:
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So very very sorry to hear this Lindsey - I remember you helped when I posted about Maxy boy who was diagnosed a diabetic but also went downhill and we lost him :hug:
RIP beautiful beautiful Lacie - run free gorgeous girl :hug:
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:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
RIP Lacie, you have left a purr in your meowmys heart
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Lindsey sending lots of :hug: :hug: :hug: I'm sure my little angel Sassie will be there waiting for her x
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So very sorry to hear the news RIP Lucie Memories last forever It is 2 years since I lost Monty and 9 months since Marmalade went to the Bridge but I am still looking for them to come down the path
Take care of yourself :hug: xxx
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So sorry to hear about lacie :hug:
I will always picture her in her santa hat :hug:
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RIP Lacie, she'll be safe and sound at the Bridge by now :hug: Such a special girl :hug:
The Greatest Gift
I always knew this time would come,
From the very instant our eyes first met.
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then, and I will keep that promise now...
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal;
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.
It is for me alone to make this decision,
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time.
When my hope dies, and my fear rides high,
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.
It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you this last gift, this greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating.
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow.
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken and I have listened,
And unlike other decisions I have made
This one brings no relief...no comfort...no peace.
For if there´s one thing you´ve taught me,
If there´s only one thing I´ve learned...
Unconditional love has a condition after all,
I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me
I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone.
And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find your strength, go find your youth.
Go find the ones who've gone before you.
You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar
Rest easy now, your pain will soon be gone.
I pray I will find comfort in my memories...
In the dark and lonely days ahead.
I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry.
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But, I promise you this; as long as I live,
You will live, alive in my mind, forever in my heart.
So I give you this last gift, all I have left to give,
And this will be my greatest gift...sending you away.
It is the measure of my unconditional love...
For only the greatest love can say,
"Good-bye, go find the bridge, we'll meet again,
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."
Forever and Always... Until Rainbow bridge....
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I am so sorry for your loss , it's been a lousy few months on here for cats going to the bridge.
I still expect Smartie to be in his bed every time i walk past it , he went to the bridge only 6 weeks ago.
RIP Lacie, safe and sound at the bridge with lots of the purrs babies to play with.
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So sorry to hear this, RIP Lacie x
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Why do we put ourselves through this pain? :hug:
Because the sheer joy bought by these gorgeous animals the rest of the time far outweighs the pain; even if it doesn't feel like it at that point in time.
I'm so sorry, Lindsay. Lacie will totally have known how loved she was - it was clear from your posts that you adored her. I'm crying for you because I know how much it hurts. :care: Please, if you need to, message me.
Rest Easy Lacie. A beautiful girl who will always be loved.
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Thankyou all for your lovely messages, it is much appreciated & is really helping me :)
I got her privately cremated & picked her ashes up today. She is in a lovely sleeping cat urn, I have put her on a shelf in my bedroom next to her photo. I still can't believe she has gone, I don't think it has quite sunk in yet. Mollie has been extra fussy, I think she knows how much I need her right now. X
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:hug: :hug: she is watching over you
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Glad Mollie is helping you in a small way, she will have picked up on your grief :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Drove from London To Lancaster yesterday, to celebrate my Mum's 70th birthday. :shy:
Midst of the journey, the whole of the Midlands were positively awash with rainbows - every direction ;D
I thought of you, Lindsey; and you, Cazzer; and you, JS and you, Peardrop and you, Bungly and you, Edd and you, Superkitty and you, Peggy and you, Gill and you, Helen and you, Liz and you CatGirl.
The Rainbows were for you, all of you :hug: :hug:
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Bless you Sheila, its been a dire week and indeed few months.
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Thank you Shelia. :hug:
I still keep thinking he is still in his bed on the landing asleep, but he used to lie on front of the fire at night ,then on top of me and I miss all that and the Smartie cuddles :'(
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Thank you Sheila :) x
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So sorry to hear about Lacie :hug: :hug: I lost my Lacie too a couple of weeks ago :(
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:hug: :hug: :hug: to everyone who's had poorly puds and lost beloved puds lately. It's so hard to deal with even when we know we're doing everything we possibly can to help them. Sheila, its beautiful that you saw the rainbows sent from the bridge. And so lovely that you share them with everyone. Xxxx
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Thank you Sheila for the lovely thought At the end of the rainbow we will find our loved ones again xxx
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Lindsey, I'm so sorry to hear your sad news :hug: :hug: :hug:
RIP Lacie :(