The Bear
. . . and now The Balance to all the good news and joy that I’ve been floating in for the last few months:
My cat, Felix, who showed up in our garage about three years ago and never left, has kidney disease. We discovered it about a year ago, and he was in the very early stages of kidney failure. Our vet told us that it would significantly shorten his life, but if we gave him low-protein food and a subcutaneous IV every other day, we could slow the spread of the disease, and he’d probably be with us for another six years or so.
About a two weeks ago, Felix started acting strangely. He was more lethargic than normal, and he just didn’t want to eat (he hates the low-protein food), so we took him to the vet. She did blood work on him, and the lab said that his kidney failure is advancing much more rapidly than we thought. He could be in as much as 85% failure, and he’s in danger of developing anemia or a whole bunch of other scary diseases.
I took him back this morning, because the vet wants to keep him there with an IV for a few days, to flush out his little body. On Wednesday, we’re going to take him off the IV, and see if it’s flushed his body enough to toughen him up. Felix is a tough little guy, there’s no doubt about that. He’s so tough, we call him The Bear, because he’s feisty and affectionate . . . but if he can give you a chomp at any time, if you piss him off. You know how they say dogs have masters, but cats have staff? We are totally The Bear’s staff. He sticks around because he approves of us . . . and I like to think he loves us as much as we love him.
When I left the vet this morning, I was sobbing so violently, I had to pull over so I wasn’t a danger to myself and other drivers. I love my Felix bear so much, and I don’t want him to die. I’m not going to keep him alive with treatments if he’s suffering, just so I don’t have to say goodbye, but our vet told us that there’s a very good chance that he could bounce back after he gets out of the hospital, so I am doing my very best to focus on the positive chance for improvement, and remain hopeful.
It would mean a lot to me and my family if WWdN readers could spare a few moments and send some healing energy, or prayers, or magic monkey voodoo or whatever to The Bear while he’s trying to get better over the next few days.
Thanks. Hopefully, I’ll get back to normal blogging soon.
UPDATE: I just got back from the vet’s, where I was able to visit with The Bear for a few minutes.
He’s doing so much better, it’s a miracle. His eyes are bright, he purred like a Harley Davidson, and he had many things to say. most of them, I think, had to do with how much he doesn’t like the IV in his little paw.
I took his little fleece bed over to the vet, and she said that he can sleep in it, which is cool, because when he saw it, he jumped out of the tech’s arms and right into it. I could tell that he was happy to have something that smells like home, and his mom and dad.
Thank you, so much, to everyone who is keeping Felix in your thoughts and hearts. I know that the miracles of modern medicine have a lot to do with the improvement in his condition . . . but I also know that your thoughts are bending the space/time continuum to give him as good a chance as possible.
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I hope everything works out for Felix. Our cat just curled up and died one day, of cancer. No signs or anything that anything was wrong before. I hope that everything works out.
Re the porn spammers : A pox on all of them. I missed the entire porn display, but I hope that avenging angels will come down hard on them so that they get what’s due them for spamming a perfectly peaceable online journal!
Re Felix aka Bear : I hope he recovers soon! As one who has loved and mourned over many a pet — canine and feline — I know how awful it is to watch them suffering. The worst cases are the ones who are cheerful in the face of discomfort, who’ll cuddle up to you while you’re crying over them as if to say they’ll be just fine. **sniffle** May good angels guard all of you!
I wanted to send some mojo for you, The Bear, and Co. I love animals and I know how rough it is when they get sick. You have lots of mojo, etc. coming your way.
I hope you don’t have to take commenting off again. I hear MT is going to implement a “registered commenters only” feature in
their new version. You might try that.
So glad to hear Felix is doing better, and I’ll be sending along as much magic monkey voodoo as I can spare…
And I’ll be wishing a raging case of mutant carnivorous crabs on the crapflooders.
Wil,
I hope your cat gets better. I was about 17 when my cat (who had been in the family as long as I could remember) died. Miss Priss. A siamese. Beautiful cat. She had cancer. I remember her sitting on my bed with me being miserable, there was nothing I could do but pet her occasionally as I played Phantasy Star 2 on the Genesis. I still miss her from time to time, but she lived a full live.
I think that seeing how much you love your cat, that no matter how short it was. Your cat had a full life.
I am however glad to see that it’s condition has improved. I hope it remains so.
But as with any pet. Treasure the time you have as long as you have it. Sometimes I think us people just live too long. We have to see so many pets come and go in out 80 or so alotted years.
Best wishes,
Stak
As the owner of two 8, nearly 9 year old cats and a 13 year old Beagle/Bassett I feel for you.
We all send our warm and fuzzy healing energies to Felix..and general warm fuzzies to you and your family.
Hey Wil! I’m not a big cat person, in fact I don’t much like cats at all, but I’m sending out huge mojo to Felix right now. Glad to hear he’s feeling better!
Hey, Wil-
Just saw this this morning, but I hope I’m not too late to send some prayers up for Felix. I’m glad he’s doing better, and I hope he continues to do well. Keep us updated on his condition!
-Alicia
http://www.thewagband.com
Wil and family, although im not much of a cat lover my family had a cat named buttertwo (better known as kibby) for 16 years. we had to put him to sleep about 6 months ago because of age related health problems. Neither myself, my sister or my parents were able to take him to the vet to be put to sleep. my moms best friend had to do it. we were all profoundly upset by the loss of our kibby. he is know sleeping peacefully in a corner of my parents backyard where he can watch birds everyday like he used to do from the window in the living room. now my parents have two cats (well one of them is my families but lives with my parents long story) and sitting here thinking about kibby has tears rolling down my face. we also lost a dog in september who ran away from home. my kids were devestated and still ask where she is. i completly understand what you are going through and am so sorry!! but felix is tuff and he WILL pull through!!!! happy kitty mojo to you and the family and most of all felix. remember your other pets are pulling for him too!!!!
Hi Wil,
Non-pet people just don’t understand the loving bond we have with our pets. The only time I wept more than when my cats passed away, was when my dad passed away. One was 13 (Georgie Girl) and the other was almost 19 (Mitzi). They can have long, happy lives. A dear friend’s cat made it to 24 years! So hang in there… and keep the faith.
Hugs, JoycieQ.
Dear Wil,
I hope you read this: I think the awful stuff that creeped into your site also got into some of the e-mails sent to you. I had a very suspicious post in my e-mail. The filtering software here at work caught it. Did you notice the phrase “at work?” So, since my computer at home is busted and my computer guy is gone, I will have to cease being a part of your wonderful site. My workplace would take a dim view of non-work related use of the hospital equipment. Hope to “see” you soon.
Oh, am so glad to hear about Felix.
Post script to previous note: My current cats Bandit (9) and her daughter Scooter(7)want to send meow wishes, and purr thoughts to Bear: This is a formal invitation for Bear to come over to share some yummy Cat treats, and get really, really happy sharing our catnip – when he’s all better… Cuz Canadian cats really know how to party! Celebrate. Celebrate. Dance to the Music!
Sending silly, happy, good-kitty-vibes to our new pal Bear.
Hugs, once again, from JoycieQ, who wanted to send a cheerier message than her first more serious note. (Hope it helps!)
I don’t know if you’ll see this comment, being it’s so far down, but…
Having had many pets pass over the years, I know that one of the greatest responsibilities we have as pet-owners is making the big decisions when they’re so ill. It’s never easy, since they can’t tell us how they’re feeling, but I do think it’s better for them to have someone they love and trust when they’re in such a confusing situation. Anyway, best wishes to you and Felix. You’ll be in my prayers.
I am so sorry to hear about Felix. I have two cats, and every trip to the vet brings on a serious case of nerves. I’ll keep the little fella in my thoughts today, and hope that he continues to do better. Here’s some mojo for The Bear!
I am so glad to hear that Felix/bear is doing better. Its funny what a large chunk of our hearts belongs to our pets. 🙂
I will send out more healing energy/mojo to be sure that he has the most time possible to spend with your family.
Wil:
Sorry to hear it. Having to watch your cat go down hill is hard. Making the decision to put him to sleep is Hell. I had to do that last year and it was surreal and like a kick in the stomach. Enjoy and chearish every second that you have with him. Of course, you said he is in EARLY stages. A lot can happen. Maybe even something that will make him better! You never know. So much is happening in veterinary medicine. Anyway, we’re all here for you. Cat lovers unite!!!
Scott
Wil:
Sorry to hear it. Having to watch your cat go down hill is hard. Making the decision to put him to sleep is Hell. I had to do that last year and it was surreal and like a kick in the stomach. Enjoy and chearish every second that you have with him. Of course, you said he is in EARLY stages. A lot can happen. Maybe even something that will make him better! You never know. So much is happening in veterinary medicine. Anyway, we’re all here for you. Cat lovers unite!!!
Scott
Wil:
Sorry to hear it. Having to watch your cat go down hill is hard. Making the decision to put him to sleep is Hell. I had to do that last year and it was surreal and like a kick in the stomach. Enjoy and chearish every second that you have with him. Of course, you said he is in EARLY stages. A lot can happen. Maybe even something that will make him better! You never know. So much is happening in veterinary medicine. Anyway, we’re all here for you. Cat lovers unite!!!
Scott
This is the 1st time I have left a comment but a sick cat pulls at my heart strings. I have three cats that I do not know what I would do without. I used to make fun of people who “love” their pets until I got one and realzied the unconditonal love. Prayers for Bear.
Shadow, Tasselhoff, and Cheapshot all send their love and kitty mojo to the Bear *hugs*
Me and my Hare Krishna buddies are chanting a few rounds on your behalf. I hope it helps.
~Thomas
Sorry to hear about Felix, we’re just getting over spinal trauma with our youngest clawed and furry hotwater bottle. We all hope that Felix bounces back like our little girl Ishka has.
So here’s sending you an oversized bag of mixed people and moggy mojo for Felix and family.
Best wishes,
Brian, Stacye, Babyss, Missy and Ishka.
Sorry to hear about your cat. I’m sending lots of mojo (mojo mojo mojo) to keep him going for a few more years. (unlimited free refills available)
Maybe you can enlist ex-hacker Kevin Mitnick to track down the script kiddies. He just tracked down a bomb hoaxer in River Rouge, Michigan.
-Roger
Me, my Chuck-Bear and Little Jerry send our best to you and Felix, Wil.
At the beginning of last year my 14 year old best-friend-ever Jake was diagnosed with the beginning stages of renal failure and borderline hyperthyroid. I had to give him special old-man cat food and was told to keep an eye on him. He had been losing weight steadily and it was my hope that with the special food he would stablize.
He continued to loose weight.
Then one day in early November I came home for lunch and found that he was hiding in a corner (something he NEVER did) and was too weak to walk. When I got him to the vet they did the usual blood work and then took an ex-ray. Something they hadn’t done before. In the ex-ray they found he had a tumor in his liver. It was a larg one, and he was so anemic at that point that the vet said he wasn’t strong enough for surgery.
That was the hardest day of my life, and I still think about him on a daily basis. Sometimes I stll cry myself to sleep.
I’ll be sending you and the Bear the best monkey mojo I can muster.
Best wishes to you, your family and Felix.
Special healthy-kitty magic brain vibes coming your way!!
Wil,
I hope your cat gets better. Best to you and your family.
Geoff
I’ve never had a cat–Mom’s allergic, Dad and my brothers hate them–but I have two dogs who are both getting quite old. Randy gave us a scare a year or so ago when he suddenly couldn’t stand up on his own anymore. Sometimes he could walk if we actually picked him up and put him on his feet, but mostly we had to carry him. Last summer, Sammy developed an auto-immune disease that nearly killed her. (In fact, her treatment was getting so expensive that my parents had to seriously consider putting her down for financial reasons, for which I could never have forgiven them.) It was agony to watch them go through that, and worse to have to go back to college while Sam was still in danger of dying any day. Both of them have pulled through, though, and though they’re still showing their age, they’re going strong. I’ll send as much mojo as I have left over to Felix in hopes that you’ll both get through this intact.
Hey Wil,
I went through a really difficult time with my cat, Buster…. Almost the same story, actually. Buster is doing well now, but I’m always worried about the other shoe dropping. Felix is in my thoughts…. Try to stay calm. Felix knows you’re doing everything you can. I know it’s difficult to see them in the cage with the IV, but they know you care, even if you have to make the most difficult decision ever…they’ll understand.
My best thoughts,
AT
I am offering $1000 for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of anyone involved in the crapflooding of this website.
Wil,
Put me down for 20 bucks cuz that is some bullshit!
I also have a cat, Buster, who has lived with us since we lived in California. He is the only CA native in the family!
Just a month ago he was diagnosed with early kidney failure, and put on the high protien food. Luckily he likes it, unlike Felix. He’s sitting with me right now trying to hit the keyboard on my laptop…He’s survived a move from CA to GA, lived there for a few years, moved to MI and survived a house fire in 17 degree temps in the basement (nearly died from hypothermia and a serious lung infection) and moved again with us back to GA and now in Illinois.
Hang in there Wil, cats are amazingly resilient.
And; I hope and pray you catch the low-life who posted such material on your website. Yuck!
Jen C.
Amen on the bounty on hackers and script kiddies. Nice terms for people with no life other than to cause others unhappiness or pain.
Hang in there Felix! We have 6 cats one of whom is named “Felix” too. Pet him for our family. TLC and good care is the best any of us can hope for.
Huge good thoughts to your Felix — my own feline of my heart (dumb term, but hell, he was like a kid to me, and I can’t bring myself to use furrbaby… some can, I cannot) Merlyn passed away to the same thing. I know how you feel, and hope in Felix’s case, it works out to him being happy and healthy again soon!
About 4 years ago, my cat, Sequel (long story), started acting funny. She was lethargic and not acting normal. I checked around, did the normal stuff (did she eat something odd, injury, etc) and couldn’t figure out anything. Then I noticed her urine wasn’t causing the litter to clump up properly. We took her to the vet and he told us that she was in almost total kidney failure. No warning signs, just failure.
They put an IV in her neck (too many smaller blood vessels had collapsed) and tried real hard. We brought her home for one day before we realized how bad it was for her. I still think having her put to sleep was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life. I was sobbing like a baby, and tearing up now just thinking about it.
I feel so bad for you Wil, and know what you are going through. It sounds like you were lucky enough to have had warning signs, and that you got to spend a while longer with your Staff Lead.
I still miss how she used to run to the door when I got home (just to sniff dissaprovingly when I didn’t have/do whatever it was she expected me to do).
You have as much mojo as I can muster for the lil Bear.
And F’Crapflooders.
I am offering $1000 for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of anyone involved in the crapflooding of this website.
Wil,
I wonder what is wrong with people that they need to post crap on your site. You are one of the swellest guys I think I have ever had the privilege of hoping good things for, and it is so not fair to you that they jerk around on your site. I am sorry Wil, that there are a bunch of mindless twits CRAPFLOODING your site. Again I wish Bear and you, Ferris, Anne, Nolan, and Ryan, all the best.
Artemis
P.S. I would be more than happy to keep an eye out for these morons. Can’t you trace them back to their IP address?
Solid Seattle cat-lover mojo heading your way Wil.
I know there is nothing that anyone can say, but we wish you nothing but the best from Seattle.
Hey, been there, done that. I know it’s hard.
Ray Smith
Hooray for the Felix feeling better! I have been thinking positive thoughts!!!1
Hi Wil! I just wanted to say that I am sending loads of positive vibes Felix’s way. I too am a cat person and I have loads of compassion for what you must being going through. Sound like he’s a a pretty tough dude though! Good luck and keep us posted!!! hugs- Tracy
Wil,
Good luck to little Felix Bear! We lost our Bob many years ago to that horrid disease! Let him tell you when it’s time. And LISTEN to him when he tells you. It was the hardest thing, yet looking back I think I wasn’t listening when I should have been. Bob was only 5 lbs when we finally listened and had him pts and at his prime was 15lbs. Don’t let human selfishness keep him around just so you don’t have to say goodbye. Listen to his cues. I am glad that he is feeling better right now. Love the hell out of him while you can!!! And when his time comes, he will lead someone else to you so that they may get the love that he once experienced.
Good luck to The Bear. Hope he feels much better soon.
And nuts to the crapflooders. Stupid people suck…
I hope Bear pulls through!
Kudos to Bear for pullin through – and kudos to the VET for ‘giving their life’ to the service of animals. Thank God for those people. Being a veterinarian is one of the most difficult professions!!!
Prayers for Felix Bear are on the way! *hugs* to you and your family, Wil!
Oh, Wil, I hope Felix continues to thrive. I am sending mucho mojo from myself and on behalf of Calvin, Maya, Loki, Annie and Scribbles.
Wil-
Sending puppy mojo for your Beast from Seattle. We lost our old man to cancer almost five years ago, and it still hurts. Glad to hear that Felix is doing better, and hope and pray that you have lots of quality time with him in that future.
Your Felix story broke my heart and re-opened fresh wounds. Last month, I had to put down my tortoiseshell kitty Pepper (aka Hemi, because she was fat and had the loudest purr in the tri-county area) due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She was only a year old, and deteriorated rapidly, despite a couple thousand dollars worth of vet’s visits and treatments. I fully understand what you’re going through right now, Wil…anyone who has a pet will understand that they are your children, and you would do anything you could to save them, and it breaks your heart when you can’t make them feel better. I’ll send some corny ((hugs)) your way…you, your family and especially Felix are in my thoughts.
Having recently lost a pet that was with me for over 11 years, I can understand the attachment, as can everyone who has ever loved a pet.
I am happy to hear that he is doing better. Hopefully it will mean many more years of bringing joy to your family.
Oh, man. I’m sorry to hear about your Bear.
One of our 5 (yes FIVE) aging felines, Cindy, was diagnosed with kidney failure a couple of years ago. We think in her case it was something she got into, though, not a disease process. We gave her subcute fluid twice a day for several months, until the scruff of her neck got so tender from it that we couldn’t stand to poke her any more. Turned out we didn’t need to; she’d stabilized, kicked her remaining kidney cells into high gear, and is still doing fine. She loves her “IVD modified” food, but hated the science diet low-protein; you might try bear on other brands if you haven’t already – there are several out there.
Best of luck, and I hope your sick baby continues to do well!