Monday, August 17, 2015

R.I.P. KATH 2004 - 17/08/2015

Kath and Kim came into our lives in 2005.  Kath had been found abandoned and was feeding kittens.  She was in a bad way and we had her on antibiotics for some months before she was able to have her "flu shot".  Our previous cat had died and it was the first time we actually went out and chose a cat (or cats in this case).  Previously cats had always just turned up even though we were out in the country

We thought that getting two  they would be company for each other.  We got them from the SPCA in Kaitaia and Max chose Kath.

We had never had a calico cat before and were to discover how feisty they can be.

When Max went into care they were great company especially in the long evenings.

She had her last annual check up in May and appeared fine. Lately she has been losing weight and I have been trying all sorts of different foods to get her to eat.  She would eat chicken one day and then go off it,  the same with beef, tuna etc.  This weekend she went downhill rapidly and last night was really bad - just lying listlessly. It was only Friday or Saturday morning when I called "walkies" and both cats came running.

This morning I took her to the vet who kept her to do some tests and phoned me back with the diagnosis of diabetes with complications because she had got so low.  I could have taken her down to a specialist in Auckland  and then given her injections for the rest of her life.  I  know she would have hated this and she was so low that the only real option was euthanasia.  I doubt whether she would have survived another night.  She was gone after only a very small part of the dose of anaesthetic..

Doug has dug a hole and we buried her with a pohutakawa tree planted next to her in a lovely spot at the bottom of my garden where she used to love to go hunting.





22 comments:

  1. God bless Kath, sorry for your loss

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    1. Thank you, I am just feeling numb at present - it all seemed to happen so quickly.

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  2. Oh Susan, it's hard isn't it. I'm so sorry. It never gets any easier! (Which is how it should be.) RIP Kath.

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    1. when we first got her she was mad - all over everything - we discovered she had been taken back to the SPCA by two other people. She eventually turned into a delightful cat. At least I have wonderful memories.



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  3. Commiserations Susan. We lost our cat less than a year ago, its a sad old time isn't it. So sorry for your loss.

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    1. Pets become such a large part of a family that it is always hard when one goes. Thanks,

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  4. Susan, this is so sad, and what a huge loss for you. No matter if we are prepared, or if their illness is sudden, heartbreak is for sure. Darling girl, you will always be in Susan's heart. and with us too. Hugs and much love.

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    1. she was always such a strong personality but was so miserable last night - at least she is at peace.Thanks for your thoughts

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  5. Very sorry to hear your bad news. Something we animal owners have to face from time to time. Never easy.

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    1. I still would not like to be without a pet though - it is just a shame that their lifespan is so much shorter than ours.

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  6. I am so sorry, Susan. All of us with animals know your pain.

    Our Calico died of diabetes, despite being on insulin shots for a year.

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    1. Even though both my parents had diabetes and now my brother and I I never thought of it. At least she went quickly and did not suffer.

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  7. Sorry to learn that you have lost your lovely calico cat - I am sure that you will feel big loss without her.

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    1. Pets are so much part of the family. I just feel numb at the moment.

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  8. Thanks Molly - I think Kim is trying to work out where she is. Mind you, I keep expecting to see her as well.

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  9. oh ...I'm so sorry Susan ((hugs)) thinking of you xo

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  10. Oh, I'm so sorry you've lost your lovely Kath, Susan. Tortoiseshell cats are beautiful and full of character and you will miss her. Hugs. xxx

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  11. Thank you, I do miss her - she was such good company when Max went into care. I still have Kim though and I think she is wondering where Kath has gone to.

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  12. Oh I am sorry. It is hard when we have to make that decision - but sometimes it is actually kinder. I bet you will miss her ((hugs))

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  13. Thanks Leanne. Yes, it was the only decision for her. She had gone down so quickly in the end. She leaves a big hole.

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