Monday, February 12, 2007

Tummy Tuesday


This is Baby. He was Mom's kitty before she got me, so I guess you could say he was the big brother I never knew. Abby's Debra's post on Sunday about Sharky made Mom think of Baby. Her eyes used to water a lot when she thought of him, but not so much any more. He was a young male who strolled through her backyard one day a few years back, and adopted her. He was always an outside kitty, though Mom and Dad let him in every night for a few hours. He was Dad's couch buddy, he would sleep with Dad on the couch for hours, especially weekend afternoons. Mom said Baby was a mellow fellow, and never bothered the other ferals outside (some bean had already taken care of his goody bag before he adopted Mom).

But one day he got bit, and a month or so later started losing weight and his coat looked awful, and he itched all the time. The vet thought it was just an allergy, and gave him a cortisone shot and some antibiotic pills. Mom and Dad would cut the pill in half and Dad would hold him while Mom shoved a pill down his throat. He was actually very tolerant of this. He seemed to get better, and Mom was pleased. But then he started to lose weight again. As you see in the picture, when he adopted Mom, he was a big heathy boy kitty of about 15 pounds of all muscle. But when Mom took him to the vet a second time, he was down to 9 pounds. After some tests, the vet told Mom he had FIV and lymphoma in his tummy. But he wasn't in pain, and was still eating. So she took him home. But it was hard, and she watched him slowly waste away.

Mom and Dad had a Siamese years ago, and made a decision that when it was Baby's time to go to rainbow bridge, they would get a Siamese. Thats how they got me. Mom tells more of the story on my catster page, so some of you may already know it. Mom tells me he was a great kitty, and we would have gotten along great. Too bad I never got to know him.

12 comments:

Kimo and Sabi said...

Awww - that is a furry lovely story. Our Mommakitty had a kitty, Geno, that gotted lymphoma - it made her eyes water to read this story. You can read more about that kitty, and the other meezer she used to have, by clicking on the "Food Lady of the Yeer Finalist" badge linky (in the sidebar).
Happy Almost Valentine's Day!
Yer Dude,
Kimo

Tara said...

I did read the story right after your Mommakitty made finalist. Such a sweet story you wrote her, it made my Mom's eye's water. Tara

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Baby sounds like he was a great cat. It's always sad for our humans when they lose one of us. My mom's eyes still water sometimes when she thinks of her Meezer Whiskers, who lived to be 19. My dad is allergic to most cats (but not Sphynx) so my mom couldn't have another Siamese. But both my mom and dad love me very much and they are very happy to have me as part of their family.

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

That is a very sweet (and sad) story. He was a beautiful cat and very special.

And I well remember the story of Geno, another sweet and sad tale.

How these cats touch us and become such a major part of our lives.

Karen Jo said...

That is a lovely and sad story. I am so glad that your Mom and Dad could give Baby such a good home. He sounds like he was a very special cat.

Daisy said...

Oh, Baby was very cute. That is a very sad story. But I am glad he found a happy home with your Mommie and Daddie for the time he did have.

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

I'm furry glad dat Baby had love fur da end of hiz life. Dad sez dat sumtimes he thinks dat maybe we shoodent have kitties cuz dey alwayz brake da beans harts, den he brings home more! Mom sez he'z just a big ole softy - we know, we'z laid on him and he iz kinda skwishy.

LZ said...

That is a very sweet story. Its so sad when the people miss kitties from the past. He certainly had quite a cute belly! It was very wise of you to post about Baby.

Latte

Forty Paws said...

That's a very nice story Tara. Thank you for telling us about Baby. We're so sorry that he contracted FIV and got lymphoma too. Thank goodness your momma and papa took good care of him in his last years.

Luf, Us

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

I am glad that Baby had a loving home with your Mom and Dad before he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It is hard on our beans when they lose other furbabies!

Jake and Bathsheba said...

Tara, thanks for sharing that story even if it was sad. Baby left a lasting impression on your mom, and she and your dad gave him a happy life.

~J&B

Anonymous said...

such a gorgeous house panther! we're glad he had a good life with your family.