9/19 Bailey RIP July 1 1999,Sept 19, 2015

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I can't believe it. Yesterday I was just crying since I miss Tiggy so much. And now Bailey too.

Since the start of the year he had been showing signs of arthritis. Initially not jumping on and off the counter. Which progressed to not coming upstairs as much.

But just a month ago he had started to lose weight plus he had started to show signs of worse arthritis. We noticed he wouldn't jump on or off the sofa. He had a limp. We went to the vet then and he put him on Onsior and Gabapentin and increased the thyroid med and continued Sub Q 3* a week. Otherwise his kidneys, EPI, and diabetes were all well controlled (kidneys were high normal, liver enzymes normal).

After two weeks we saw a slight improvement in the arthritis in that he seemed more comfortable and less restless but not much else. He started sleeping on a rug near the kitchen and we put a litter box there so everything he needed was close at hand. But he continued to purr and get up to get treats etc. so he seemed happy.

We went back to the vet two weeks ago to check his kidneys (Onsior is like metacam but not as harsh on the kidneys) and it looked like his kidneys had improved a bit - were now normal instead of high normal. Had to increase thyroid med again. Diabetes was still well controlled. Live enzymes still normal. At this point with the arthritis, he would struggle to get up and lie down and sometimes cry if we didn't pick him up carefully. The vet tech noted "he seems weak" but we knew she had no history with him just being the tech so we didn't think much at the time.

But he continued to lose weight and started to get picky about eating. We thought likely part of the weight loss was he didn't want to get up to go eat cos of the arthritis. He was spending his whole day going from rug, to litter box to food in a small area. We started to wonder about quality of life. But when Phil would pick him up and put him beside him on the sofa, he would stretch and purr and love his cuddles, so we kept going.

Given he was picky, yesterday morning when he wouldn't eat I didn't think much of it until I did a midday test and saw red which hadn't seen for a long time. And he wouldn't eat the rest of the day. Last night he perked up a bit and ate a couple of treats and we thought we were coming out of the woods.

Then this morning when I got up I found he hadn't touched his food all night. When I picked him up he was wet from peeing where he lay and when I put him by his food he couldn't stand up. I put him back on his rug and grabbed my hand and laid his head on it. Something he doesn't normally do but gave me a bad feeling.

My normal vet was closed so we took him to emergency clinic right then and there. They said his body temp was cold and he was dehydrated. They said his body just couldn't handle all his issues any more - the kidney failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, arthritis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency were too much for his old body to handle. They said we could rehydrate but prognosis was guarded at best.

But we knew at this point, with all his issues, and quality of life deteriorating, that is was time.

Phil held him for a while and he purred and we said good bye.

I am crying for both my boys now

Wendy

 

Requiem aeternum, Bailey.

{{hugs}}

 

Oh Wendy....it's just not fair!! So sorry that Bailey had to leave, especially so soon after Tiggy

Wishing there was something we could say or do to help take away even a little of your pain and heartache

Fly Free sweet Bailey and land softly....there are many friends at the Bridge to welcome you and keep you company until the one you love most comes to be with you forever

 

I'm so sorry ((((Wendy)))) he clearly couldn't have been more loved. RIP Bailey

 

I'm so sorry.
I know how hard it is to let them go. Shadow will be there to greet him too.
He is now free of pain and waiting until the day he sees you again.
Fly Free Bailey


Many many hugs.....
and another....

 

Oh Wendy, I'm SO SO sorry. Oh I'm sharing tears...Bailey was a part of my heart too. BIG HUGE LOOOOOOOOONG HUG....and more. Keep reminding yourself; he's not gone, you just have to hug him differently.

Soar high sweet boy, soar high...

More hugs,

 

I'm so sorry. Sending prayers. Fly free Bailey.

 

{{{Wendy}}}

I am so sad to read this. My heart breaks for you. You and your DH did everything possible to give him the best life, and then you gave him the most precious, selfless gift of all. He's with Tiggy now, and they'll be waiting at the Bridge and watching over you.

Fly free, sweet Bailey, and land softly.

 

Wendy I am so very sorry. Reading your post so reminded me of when I said good bye to Mannie, as he too had so many health issues. We simply do the best we can for them, we hold them and pet them, and listen to them purr when we do. Bailey knew you loved him, hugged you good bye in his own special way. I know he is grateful to be free of illness, and thanks you for letting him go. Always remember he will always be with you, tucked away in that corner of your heart. Fly free little one, land softly at the Bridge. Mannie is there waiting to help you find your way.

 

I'm sorry Wendy (((Big Hugs)))).

Fly Free Beautiful Bailey. You are much loved. Go find Tiggy now.

 

((((Wendy)))))

I am so sorry for your loss. Fly free Bailey and land softly. Ziggy and many who we love will be at the Bridge to greet you and keep you safe until you are reunited with the ones you love best.

 

Wendy, I'm so sorry. R.I.P. Bailey.
He will send you a sign from the Rainbow bridge.
Fly free little one

 

So sorry for your loss. Hugs and Prayers for you and DH. R.I.P. Sweet Bailey

 

(((((Wendy)))))
I am so very sorry. My heart breaks for you tonight. Bailey knew how much he was loved and cared for. Your boys will always be a part of you.


Fly free, Sweet Bailey, and land softy.

 

Dear ((((Wendy)))),
Bailey is flying free and beginning his new journey. He'll be with Tiggy and all of our GAs at the Bridge, and they will care for him and give him a fine welcome. We know how much you miss him, but he knew his time had come. What a wonderful kitty he was! He'll always be with you.

Fly free, sweet Bailey, on your beautiful new golden wings. You are much loved.

In deepest sympathy,
Ella & Edward, Rusty, and Stu (GA)

 

So sorry Wendy to learn of your loss, sending hugs and prayers for you and your DH. Fly free sweet BaIley and land softly, Tiggy will be waiting for you

 

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

Thanks everyone for the support - here are some photos of my beautiful boys

 

What lucky boys to have had you. I am sorry for your loss of Bailey too. Its so unfair when we fight so hard for them. Fly free Bailey, land softly back in your mommy's heart and help it heal.

 

Beautiful boys. So sorry for your loss. He told you it was his time. They are now together again healthy and free.

 

I'm so very sorry it was time for Bailey to cross...you were an awesome MamaBean and he knows that. He will always be a part of your heart and who you are....

 

oh wendy, I'm so sorry to see this. I was hoping Bailey would turn around and be ok. You have my deepest sympathy - it's hard losing any cat but these sweet kitties are the hardest of all. Big hugs from me.

Fly free little one and land softly.

 

Wendy, I am so sorry to see that Bailey has gone to join Tiggy. You did all you could for him and finally gave him the gift of freedom from all that ailed him.

Fly Free, sweet Bailey.

 

(((Wendy))) I am so sorry it was Bailey's turn to go. Your boys are now reunited together, but leave such a big hole in your heart.
Fly free Bailey - give your momma a sign you've made it to the Bridge.

 

We are so very sorry, (((Wendy))). It's achingly hard to let them go. Thinking of you and DH. Lucky Bailey and Tiggy to have lived with you.
Liz

 

(((((((Wendy Phil and Cookie))))) Please know you are all in my heart and thoughts, I'm crying for you too, that's why I had to wait to write this post...I am so sorry it was Bailey's time. I know you have said you don't believe in the Rainbow Bridge, but I am positive both Tiggy and Bailey knew how lucky they were to have you and loved you for it. That look of love that we get from our furbabies, that is real and that is forever. In exchange for that love, we know that one day we will be asked to make a painful decision to release them from pain and suffering. It's horrible but it is the right thing to do. I felt like i might die when I lost my precious Tiger. Two things may have helped, one was working on clearing the space for her Memorial Garden. For me, it felt good to do the physical work, it helps clear my head. I am still drawing out the plans and probalby won't get it planted until next spring. The other thing was I got re-acquainted with an author I read when I was in college, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. This quote from "On Grief and Grieving" summed it up for me,

"The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal, and you will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor shold you be the same, nor would you want to. The time we take following a loss is important in grief and grieving as well in healing. this gift of grief represents a completion of a connection we will never forget. A time of reflection, pain, despair, tragedy, hope, readjustment, reinvolvement, and healing."

I wish I could jump through the computer screen and hug you, but please know you are not alone. Together we work on grieving and healing but it will take time.

 

Oh Wendy I'm so sorry! Bailey had a wonderful loving home and family and that's the best thing we can ever do for our babies. Hugs to both you and Phil

 

Wendy,
Beautiful pics of your boys! Sooo loved. May they Rest in Peace.

 

Wendy..Im so sorry for the loss of your Bailey.. r.i.p. little one..

 

I am so very sorry for your loss

 

More hugs and comfort.

It's inspiring all you were able to do for Bailey. And Tiggy, Cookie and the bunnies. They're all so lucky to have found their way to you.

But ultimately you (and all of us too) are blessed to know and love them.

 

((Wendy))((Wendy)), I just checked in for a minutes after a week and did find your post. I am so sorry for the loss of Bailey too. Honestly I don't know what to say, I know your pain and I know nothing on this world can ease that. You guys gave over and above everything what was possible for your 3 kitties an bunny. They are beautiful on the picture, in your heart and at the rainbow bridge and when you look up to the sky you will find a new shining star /looking down to you. ((Hugs))( Tell me - Why I can't stop crying)

 

Thanks everyone - they were such lovely boys and the house is so empty without them. I had always thought having three cats at different ages would mean the pain wouldn't come at once. But not to be -Tiggy was only 10. Bailey was 16. You never know.

And Cookie is 14 yet I know she is on borrowed time with the oral cancer. Really she should have passed months ago but with the bupe and appetite stimulants she continues on fairly happily. But I can't barely look at her - she is so dirty as she can't eat properly with the lump in her mouth and she is half bald as she is pulling her fur out when she "cleans". We give her a sponge bath every couple of days but she hates it so walks around grubby all the time. Doesn't seem to care much but we clean her so she doesn't get acne or irritated from the mess.

I judge her QOL every day but as long as she purrs and plays with her toys (favourite game is grab toy and howl with it in her mouth at 4am which is amazing given she has half a tongue now) I have to think she is ok. But for how long.... Oral SCC has a 2-3 month lifespan and she is approaching 5 months. I just can't face going through this again. We went from 3 cats and 2 rabbits and by the end of the year will have none. I thought she would be gone first.

What did we do to deserve this? Bailey was old and thats ok but the other two.. and so close together....

 

Wendy, just HUGS and HUGS and HUGS....I have no answers, just more hugs....

 

((Wendy)) I am so very sorry it was Bailey's time to cross. I know how deep that hurts, but hope you have comfort knowing he and Tiggy have each other and are watching over their sweetest mama.
Sending scritches to Cookie, and hugs to you.

 

So sorry to read this Wendy

 

So sorry that it was his time but you did the right thing in releasing him from his broken body. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

Fly free and land softly, Bailey

 

How truly awful for you.....there are no words to comfort, it just hurts too much..very sorry for your losses

 

{{{Wendy}}},

I can relate to how you feel. All four of my kitties were diagnosed with cancer within a 10 month span last year. They're all still here right now, but I know we're on borrowed time. We just treasure each day and do what we have to to keep them comfortable and happy. I try not to think about when they are ready to cross - I'll deal with it when it happens, because I don't want to miss a minute being happy with them here. There will be plenty of time to be sad when they're gone.

Just keep loving Cookie and doing your best for her, and she'll let you know when she's ready. You will never be ready, but I know you will do what's best for her when the time comes. Meanwhile, you have the support and prayers of all your FDMB friends to give you strength and comfort. Hang in there.

 

Tricia is very wise.

We had 12 pets at once at one point - 1 dog, 2 cats, 3 rabbits and 6 guinea pigs. We lost 5 of them within 6 months and it was so sad and difficult. They'd all lived to the end of their lifespan - even the guinea pigs were 7 years old, which is stunningly old for guinea pigs. But we never thought they would all pass at once like that. You have my deepest sympathy as you go through this, wendy.

Just take it a day at at time and enjoy Cookie for as long as you've got - with her cute little toy-screaming hobby! She sounds like a sweetheart.

 

Oh Wendy,

I have not been on the board for months. I am just seeing this and I am so sorry for the loss of Bailey and Tiggy. Sending many prayers your way for you and your husband as well as Cookie.

Terri