O.Js Final Day's
by Mary
(North Carolina)
O.J in his better day's
O.J was a feral who would let no one close to him when I first spotted him in the woods on my property in 2009.
I set up a Feral Feeding Station for him and for almost one entire year, I fed him and sat out on my back porch and talked to him "from a distance" when he would come to eat.
One day to my surprise, he walked right up to my leg while I was filling his feeding bowls and rubbed against my leg. That was in November of 2009.
I then took my chance and captured him, had him fixed and took him inside to live forever away from the outside elements and the bitter cold.
He swiftly became a precious part of my feline fold. I have grown to love him as much as any child.
Several months ago I noticed O.J had a bad case of "sniffles" so we went to the vet.
He then was diagnosed with "FIV" the equivalent to Human AIDS.
I was DEVASTATED. But I know that with proper diet and medical care FIV cats can live long, healthy lives. This was my dream for my sweet O.J.
A few weeks ago, it became apparent that O.J was losing weight.
He was about 14 pounds when I first found him in 2009.
I took him to the vet who placed him on a special diet and vitamins and antibiotics to HOPEFULLY fight off whatever infection was brewing within him causing him to lose weight.
We watched him a couple weeks and the weight continued to fall off so last week we was back to the vet for a Thyroid Panel but it came back negative.
The vet told me to PREPARE for the worst because it was obvious that O.J was declining and the FIV was taking it's toll on him.
My poor O.J is now down to a bony 5 pounds and very weak.
He does not appear to be in pain but is obviously not feeling good at all.
The only positive side is he LOVES to eat, even still.
Today he had some bloodwork results to come back and the news is even worse.
My O.J apparently has Lymphoma (Cancer) which is generally affecting his digestive track. The vet told me "His day's are numbered". Unfortunately.
This is the part of Cat Rescue that I can't seem to handle.
You find them in need. You rescue them and give them a good home and provide all their needs as well as LOVE. You bond with them and they with you.
Time passes and you are happy to have helped this precious animal who has stolen your heart. Then when you least expect it, comes the hard part.
They get sick or have an accident and They Leave you!!!!
This pain is something I am no stranger to because in rescue also comes loss at times. But for me, I NEVER adjust to the pain and letting go never gets easier.
The last 14 months have been a TERROR for me.
I have lost 6 of my precious babies (several to the dreaded CANCER).
Callie left us at age 14 with breast cancer
Salem left us in Jan. this year with Kidney failure. (She was 12 yrs old)
Snickers left us in Feb. this year from Kidney Failure (she had thyroid disease)
(she was 13 years old.
Rocky left me in June from intestinal cancer (He was 16 yrs old)
Lola also left me in June from Spinal cancer (She was only 3 years old)
Ozzy left me two weeks ago from Intestinal cancer. (He was 10 yrs old)
Now they tell me my O.J will be leaving me soon and I am having GREAT difficulty coping with so much loss in so little time. I know cats get old and they get ill and pass on but so many in a short time is terribly devastating.
I am spending every moment with O.J that I can to make sure he KNOWS he is LOVED and to make his final day's as comfortable as possible.
I do have other cat's and they will comfort me after he is gone to a degree but he as well as all the others that have come through my life will always be remembered and missed greatly.
Please pray for my O.J and let's hope for some kind of miracle that this sweet boy will remain with us awhile longer and not suffering (Which I will not allow).
Thank you for reading
Mary in NC
 |
