Friday, March 20, 2015

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.


23 comments:

  1. Fly free Buffy. Another angel on Rainbow Bridge. Hugs to you.

    Emma and Buster

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  2. I'm so sorry about Buffy, and that she was suffering so. :-(

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  3. I'm so sorry she had to leave so soon, Connie, but at least she had a chance at being here because of you. Sometimes we really can't do anything to ease the pain of their bodies.

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  4. We are so sorry to hear that Buffy has had such a short life, but at least she was able to enjoy it with her loving brothers by her side. You definitely were the reason that Buffy had the years she did. Lily Olivia's three brothers (Winston, Parker & Sebastian) were adopted together by friends of our Mom and Dad. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  5. I am so sorry, Connie. Sometimes they just have to go, despite all our efforts and their strong desire to live. I agree with what the others have said, I think she had a good life because of you and all you did. xx

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  6. I'm so very sorry. Fly free, Buffy. . .

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  7. Sorry to hear about Buffy.

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about Buffy. You do so much good and meet so many kittens and sometimes this will happen, but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. we want them all to live long, happy lives. She got more than many cats, though, and she passed away loved. Hugs. - Alana and Crepes.

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  9. fly free Buffy..... hugs and purrs to you Miss Connie and to her family....the time we have is never long enough

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  10. We are so very sorry to hear that sweet Buffy has spent her time here and has to fly to The Bridge so soon. Bless you for what you did for her and her brothers. Lots of warm, comforting purrs and hugs for you!

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  11. I am so sorry about Buffy. It's so hard when we have to let go. Humans don't do that well. I'm at the first of that line, I still haven't let go of Abby, not after 585 days. So all of us who love and lose understand the ache in your heart. For although we can be grateful for their time here with us, it is also ok to reap the sadness when they leave us far far far too soon. ((Pawhugs))

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  12. I'm so so sorry. This hits close to home for me too, having lost my Tucker to IBD and complications at a relatively young age. It seems like it should be treatable...and sometimes, it's just not. Tears for Buffy. Tears again for Tucker.

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  13. That must be difficult beyond measure. She was obviously a kitten precious to you - and Bernadette's right: you gave her more than a few months of life. You gifted her with years. And you gave her family a beautiful soul to love.

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  14. We so hate that the sweet Angel had to fly away. Hugs and love from all of us.

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  15. I am so very sorry. She was loved and you did so much for her and her brothers.

    Hugs to you...

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  16. We're so sorry that Buffy had issues that just couldn't be overcome. Purrs to her family...and you. Fly free, sweet angel.

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  17. We are so sorry that little Buffy had to go to the Bridge so soon. Hugs, purrs and prayers to her family and to all of you.

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  18. What a lovely cat. I'm so sorry for this loss. Sometimes it is so hard to do the right thing. She was lucky to have your love, and you hers.

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  19. I am so sorry to read about Buffy. It must be so hard to lose those you have worked so hard to save.
    Purrs.

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  20. I am so terribly sorry about Buffy, what a precious cat. I can only imagine the pain you must be feeling, it is so hard to give of yourself as selflessly as you do and then lose one so special. I am so sorry (((hugs))))

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  21. We're sorry to hear of your loss ; we send you tender purrs and gentle headbonks. Fly free, little Buffy. Purrs

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  22. Oh... so, so sad. I am truly sorry, but sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone we love is to let them go with peace and dignity... Purrs from Deb and the Zee and Zoey gang

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  23. So sorry to hear this. Sending our gentlest purrs and lots of love to you Connie and to Buffy's family.

    Be Well Sweet Buffy

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