Missing Scooby

Well when it rains, it pours, I guess.  Our 10 year old Rat-Cha mix started having some medical problems a few weeks ago. I thought it was just an eye infection and it turned out he had a detached retina. It had also caused blindness. While he was being treated for his eye, I had hoped the blindness would improve. He was actually getting pretty good at listening to my verbal cues of "up!" and "down," when approaching the steps.




After a week he went for a follow up and the doctor decided to treat him for high blood pressure since a detached retina and blindness is caused by high blood pressure. However, he had not improved over the next week. He had gotten slower and groaned often. If he had to go more than a half a block, he would need to be carried. He also lost interest in his food (including snacks! Our Scooby never, ever misses a snack)

I had a feeling this next visit to the vet would be a difficult one. The one thing I wasn't expecting was a diagnosis of Lymphoma. Every single lymph node on his body had become enlarged. We were told he could see an oncologist or get steroid treatments there, however these were not cures.

After discussing all the options, we opted for Euthanasia. It was very hard to do and there really are no words for the torment we went through that evening.

The vet was extremely caring and supportive. They made the process easier for Scooby and were always displaying respect and courtesy.

They sedated him first and placed him in a soft, fluffy, comfortable doggy bed. We laid his favorite stuffed toy (the purple platypus) under his paw as he was often found snuggling with this toy when he thought we weren't watching.

He passed calmly and without incident on November 2. Though it has been just about a week later, it is still difficult to come to terms with. He has been an intregal part of the family since my current senior in highschool was in second grade. In fact I wasn't even ready to blog about this until this evening.  I know he is in a better place now and no longer suffering. However, I will still miss him terribly until that day we meet again over the "Rainbow Bridge".

Farewell Simba

Just days after I started this blog, our cat Simba crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. It came as a surprise to us because he had seemed fine up until a day or so before his crossing over.

This cat did not have an easy life. He was found on the streets close to where I teach. A coworker started caring for him but knew her dog would not accept the cat. So I offered to take him in. I knew he was a nervous cat and had a tail injury, but also that we could give him a home.

When I first met him at my coworker's friend's house,  he hid and we had to lure him out. As soon as I saw him, I saw his injured tail. There was a bald spot about 3/4 down his tail. It never grew back and became a character trait of our Simba.  We immediately took him to the vet, who wasn't too concerned about his tail. We got him his shots, chipped, neutered and took him home.

During the last year and a half he had his ups and downs with our crazy pet family.  Peanut, who thinks he's king of the house, capitalized on Simba's fears to "keep him in his place".  If Simba felt brave enough, he would try to stand his ground.

And as nervous as he was, Simba would still socialize at times and always ate with the rest of the cats.

He was a loving cat. As soon as you would pet him he would purr a very loud pur. Sometimes he was able to hiss at another cat and go right back to purring and being pet. Often times we could redirect him and his fears by giving him some petting time.

We take comfort in knowing that as rough as his life was, he got to enjoy a happy home for his remaining time here.  We are confident that since his crossing over the Rainbow Bridge on October 17th, that he is in a happier place and never has to hide again.  Till we meet again, dear Simba!