Fly Free Sweet Buffy

Buffy

I recently did a Former Foster Friday about Buffy and her brothers and I told you that there were some digestive issues going on. Well apparently it was more than that. Buffy has been dealing with some pretty severe IBD and has gone to several specialists and had biopsies and tried many different things, but after so many years things have progressed to the point where the vet has told her there is no going back and Buffy is simply suffering.  The decision has been made and the appointment has been set for today.

Buffy has always been near and dear to my heart. She and her two brothers came to me in 2010 and I was then asked to take another set of kittens. I am not a fan of mixing litters because you do not know what anyone has been exposed to prior to showing up at the shelter, but sometimes I take the chance because the shelter is scrambling to find a place to put them. I put the kittens all together and it was absolute mayhem but it was so much fun. I thought I saw the original three hanging out together despite having four more kittens to play with but it was hard to tell.

Shortly after the two families combined, Buffy became very ill. She was very distressed, and almost flat out. I snuggled her close and ran to call the shelter to find out what we could do for her. It was suggested that we euthanize her but I thought she would have a chance if we could just get her some oxygen. I'm not quite sure why I felt this way, but I did. I got the okay and I ran her up to the emergency clinic half an hour away. They gave her an exam and decided to put her into an oxygen chamber and start her on antibiotics. They sent me home with instructions to call in the AM.  I did and was given the run around. I couldn't even get information if she was alive. I hung up and waited for the vet to call and talk to me. After a short time I couldn't handle not knowing so I called back. I still couldn't get any information how she was doing but I was told that the doctor hasn't decided if she can go home, so at least I knew she was alive. I was told the vet would need to talk to me and he would call me. I waited what seemed like an eternity and then came to the conclusion that the shelter wouldn't be okay with her staying at the emergency clinic all day when regular vets were open so I just hopped in the car and went up and to get her. When I saw her she was so dramatically improved from the night before that I nearly cried right then and there. The vet sent her home with antibiotics and she slowly recovered.

the morning after we almost lost her

I kept her separated in my office for a couple of days to give her time to regain her strength. I could tell she was lonely, so I brought her down for visitation rights long before I thought she was ready to rejoin the group. Her brothers ran over to her and sniffed her all over and were very very careful with her and so very sweet, that it kind of hurt to take her away that first time; because of their love of her I left her in the room after the second visit. It was funny because none of the other kittens in the room seemed to care.

It was then I decided we had to try to get them adopted together.. it is so rare to get siblings adopted in pairs, that getting triplets seemed unsurmountable. Interestingly though I've actually had three sets of three siblings go home together.. but their home was waiting for them to go up for adoption and everything fell in place. I hated to let them go - as I hate letting go of any kitten that I have 'saved', but I knew I could not keep them all and I could not separate them.

and now her time here on Earth has come to an end. We have chosen to love creatures who have a short lifespan and who are so fragile.  We have chosen tears.