Thursday, March 1, 2018

Spud

9/12/08 to 2/26/18

For those unfamiliar with his back story, we got a call from one a neighbor of mom's parents that she had found a kitten in a box and was unable to care for it. Mom had Ivy and her sister and mom cat at the time for the local humane society, so she took the kitten right away to be tested (negative - YAY) and when they asked for a name, she looked at the tiny ball of long brown fuzz and said Spud - which stuck. He was raised with Ivy and her sisters and the original plan was for him to go back to the humane society with them, but that didn't end up happening and he stayed.

He was sort of friendly as a kitten, but still fearful. His fear level only increased when Junior was added to the family. And it got worse over the last years to the point where mom was unable to catch him to do anything.

Over the last several months, his health has declined. He was losing weight and having other issues. Since he can't be caught to be medicated, mom knew something had to be done but put it off know that things probably weren't good medically and she would have to make some tough decisions.

He got gradually worse over the last 2 weeks and it became apparent to mom that she needed to "adult" up and make some decisions. She gave him some meds to help calm him (and help her catch him) and then dropped him off at the vet. While the vet couldn't give her any definitive answers, she did say that while they could treats symptoms, it may not be a fix. Mom has struggled with this for a while and knew that bringing him home and trying to treat him would just be more stressful for him.

With many tears and a broken heart and wishes that things could have somehow been different, she decided to let him go peacefully.

Love you Spud - may you find peace

39 comments:

  1. Oh, I'm so sorry. It's horrible to have to "adult" up, it truly is. You made the best and most merciful decision for him, Jeanne, but oh, I'm so sorry it had to be this. Sending you hugs; Nicki and Derry send purrs. Godspeed to Spud, who, I hope, is happy and healthy now in spirit. Peace.

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  2. Oh that is so sad. Just so you know, Spud had a great home and tried to know love. It is so hard when they are scared. I have one cat in the house and she is very feral. She came in the door all my herself. But if she gets sick, I don't know what I will do. I can't even touch her. Sending big hugs to you.

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  3. Oh, I'm so sorry. It is the hardest -- kindest -- thing we have to do for them. Spud was safe and warm and cared for; so much more than many of them get. Thank you for keeping him and giving him an understanding home.

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  4. We're so sorry to hear of this. Sometimes it just doesn't go the way we think it should, but he knew love.

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  5. We are so sorry! Thank you for giving S-ud such a love-filled, wonderful life.
    Cam, Mags, and our mom

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  6. I'm sorry for your loss. Sending comforting thoughts.

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  7. The poor fellow. He had a life that may not have been perfect, but it was better than any other he could have had. He had good food, security - even if he didn't always know it - warmth and affection. He had everything a loving human could provide, including an easy passing. Godspeed, Spud.

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  8. My heart hurts for you. Loving a fearful cat is tough becasue it takes away a lot of your options. But Spud had a great home with you, a full tummy and never had to face the winter elements unless it was through a window. He was loved so much you made the tough decision about him. Every at deserves to be loved that much. Sending purrs and hugs from all of us.

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  9. We're sad to hear about Spud and know how hard that decision was. We're sending hugs and purrs your way.

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  10. It is so hard when there is so much fear. Run free, little Spud. There is no fear anymore.

    Purrs,
    The Chans

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  11. Ohh, so very sorry to hear about Angel Spud. Sending hugs and purrs, too sad.

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  12. I'm so very sorry to hear about this. I know it's heartbreaking. Thank you for giving Spud such a loving home. Rest in peace, sweet kitty.

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  13. Poor little thing, it's so hard. Thank you for having taken such good care of Spud. Purrs

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  14. Spud; Godspeed your journey to heaven. We know, that you know, that you had friends and a home and love, and in the end compassion. Quality of life is far more important than quantity of days, and mom did her very very best for you...always....

    we are truly sorry and send hugs and loves ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥

    dai$y, tuna, dude, sauce and boomer ~~

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  15. We are so sorry to read of Spud's passing...Run free handsome green eyed mancat
    Madi and mom

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  16. We’re so sorry for your loss. Sending you hugs and purrs.

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  17. I'm so very sorry. Spud was lucky to have you all these years.

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  18. So sorry for the loss of Spud. Sending hugs to you.

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  19. I am so sorry. It is a hard decision to have to make, but as Spud was so fearful it was the kindest one for him.

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  20. What a wonderful name, and I do think he knew he was loved, even if he had a hard time showing it. You made a tough but kind decision and we know he is free from pain and fear.

    Abby T. Lab and the Johnson Family

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  21. That "decision" has to be the most painful thing a pet parent ever has to make but we have to try and remember it's a decision made only because of a deep love. I'm so sorry you had to make it for Spud.

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  22. We are so sorry to hear about Spud. We know this wasn’t an easy decision. Sending you comforting purrs.

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  23. big purrs. we're so sorry.

    pip, minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto, TL

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  24. It's often not easy to do the right thing, but you did. Gentle hugs and soft purrs to you, Spud, and the rest of the family.

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  25. Oh Jeanne, I’m so sorry. Spud had the best home with you for all those years. Not many people would know what to do with a fearful cat like that. You did everything you could and made a decision that would be best for Spud. We are so sorry for your loss and send lots of hugs and love

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  26. So sorry about Spud. He had a safe loving home during his life. It may not have been his fate to be with your Mom long. Hugs to all.

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  27. So glad Spud had a home and humans to care for him

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  28. You gave Spud a home and forever love - there's no greater gift. Sure, every cat deserves as much, but so few get it. We're sorry for your loss ... it's so unfair that we don't get our furbabies for a lifetime. I'm reminded of Kitty ... toward the end, the vet told me I could treat her aggressively by leaving her at a vet hospital ... but she wasn't the type of cat to be okay with that. When I struggle with my decision, I often forget that fact.

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  29. We're so sorry for your loss. Spud had a loving home with you, and we know he was grateful for that.

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  30. So sorry for the loss of Spud ! I have had such "spooky" cats and know how difficult treating them can be. No matter how he acted, he knew he was loved,and in his own way loved you too.

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  31. Oh we is so sorry to hear about Spud. We are thankful that he had 10 years of living with you and his fursibs. Purrs to all.

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  32. I am so sorry for your loss. Spud was a handsome boy. XO

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  33. I'm so sorry. It's so hard to make those decisions, but we have to at times. I'm sorry you had to make it, but I'm glad you saved him the stress of stretching it out. Thank you for loving a scardy cat. Hugs and purrs from all of us.

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  34. Oh goodness, I was not expecting this.. I am so incredibly sorry. Eli was that cat not that long ago and I feared this exact senario.

    You did what was right..you gave him all he would allow.

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  35. Come to bring Soft Pawkisses to comfort you in this difficult time of loss <3 Fly Free beautiful Soul <3 <3 <3

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  36. So sorry. I had a similar cat. He hid the first 2 years I had him. He didn't get much better, but I could pet him with my feet. I always worried what to do when the time came and he needed medical assistance. Luckily, he was 16 years old before I had to make the decision. In the end, I let him go until his life was no longer good, and I let him go. It was his heart. He went purring in my arms.

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  37. Oh, Jeanne. We're so sorry to hear of Spud's passing. Thank you so much for giving him such a safe and loving home. Hugs and purrs to you.

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  38. We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
    Have a peaceful Sunday...

    Noodle and crew

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