Friday, April 19, 2019

Fletcher 4/10/19-4/19/19


Last night, the littlest kitten slipped quietly away while I was warming up a face cloth to try to clean off his face and attempt to alleviate some of his congestion.

(a photo from a few days ago)

While this little kitten started off being feisty and a bit of a mischief maker, sadly his exposure to April's cold and the lack of care from her at the very beginning was too much for him to overcome.


He was a climber, he was not content to stay where I put him even though there was a source of heat there while he waited for his siblings to be fed. He would only stop climbing once they were all in that basket with him. He was not a fan of either collar he had. The eclinic gave him a yellow collar made of vet wrap initially and he got that off pretty quick. I had paper collars that I was afraid to close too tightly for fear of growth. While his siblings were just fine with theirs, This little boy got his foot caught in his so many times that I finally took it off altogether. I laughed at his determination, I admired his spirit. I thought if any of them had a chance to overcome what life had thrown at him, it was this little boy.

Life became harder and harder for this one. I reviewed all of my data, everything I knew. I used every trick at my disposal. I had to hand feed him from almost the beginning and when he could no longer do that I tube fed him. Each feeding, no matter how warm I made the milk, led to him being chilled and he would take longer and longer to warm up. His mouth was gummy so I gave him fluids to combat dehydration, and it made little difference. Two days ago I wondered if it wouldn't be kinder to let him go instead of putting him through this. That morning he made a nice turnaround, put on weight, was looking plumper and was more responsive, didn't chill as easily.. I thought that the antibiotics were making a difference and that with time he had hope. Last night changed that. Despite being full of belly and warm of body, and loved fiercely by myself and April.

***
Before April, actually, even before Hedy, I was feeling a little underused. I have had a lot of experience with bottle babies and sick babies and I wondered if I was ever going to use that experience again. Being in New England, there isn't the overwhelming crush of homeless cats that there used to be so a lot of my fosters over the past few years have been healthy. I couldn't tell you the last time I bottle fed a litter of kittens (although I'm sure I could search the blog to find it - which is one reason I'm keeping this blog). I wasn't really complaining. I knew full well the pain both of those conditions brings to kittens and to the soul who only wants to save them all. But that thought was fresh in my mind a few days ago when this little one took a turn for the worse. I remembered that day back in 1988 when I was watching the soap opera I became hooked on because my mother watched it: "Guiding Light"  One of my favorite characters "Fletcher" was finally happy. He had a wife he loved, she loved him, there was no one trying to break them up.. things were going well. Mauve, his wife, came to him in one scene and talked about flying off for work for a few days and gushed at him how happy she was and how wonderful life was. My response to this outpouring of affection in my adolescent mind was "well, she is going to die" and low and behold she did. Ever since I have jokingly referred to too much of a good thing as "Soap Opera Syndrome" where if everything is going all too well, you just start expecting things to go bad. I don't do it as a pessimistic thing, only as a "well, you should probably keep an eye out for trouble" sort of thing. No wearing rose-colored glasses if you will.

And this is why I have chosen to name this little one Fletcher.

***
The other three were doing pretty well until last night. The one that was originally sporting the blue-collar needed a little extra help nursing (supplement feeding) and was sneezing regularly. His eyes opened .. um.. a while ago? (I have so lost track of time) (heck, I am missing a lot of milestones here being so involved with keeping them alive) which seems like a good thing. The one in the red collar, the strongest, has also started sneezing.. I am hoping this is the last of the bad news.. 

28 comments:

  1. Farewell, lil Fletcher. We are so sad that you had to leave us; we can only hope that your siblings stay strong, to live for you.

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  2. Poor little boy. Sometimes not even a herculean effort can help. Please take care of yourself while you nurse the rest of these kidlets.

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  3. Oh, no. You did everything you could (and more) for this little guy. Rest in peace, Fletcher.

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  4. Poor little sweetheart. My heart breaks that he just couldn't hang on, but I know it's just the harsh reality of life. Lots of purrs and purrayers to the others (and to you!) that they're able to survive and then thrive.

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  5. Oh! Thanks for all your care. If you couldn't pull him through, it couldn't be done. You were between a rock and hard place; mama was sick but her babies needed her. Here's hoping the rest are big enough and strong enough to get over the hump. I hope you have some time to get some well-deserved rest.

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  6. He knew love - you gave him everything!

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  7. oh no....we are so very sorry. those are certainly the days you wish for better - even though you know you did what you could. hopefully with April feeling better the kittens will turn the corner too. stay strong - you got this and we've got you

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  8. I'm so sorry! :( Rest in peace, sweet little boy!

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  9. Fly high baby Fletcher, wrap those angel wings of yours around your mummy & siblings, help them fight this bug & grow up strong with you by their side guiding them.... Your human mummy did a great job with you but sadly you were needed elsewhere. <3

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  10. My heart goes out to you Connie. Thank you for all you did to help sweet Fletcher. <3

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  11. Oh I'm so sorry to hear this sweet soul has crossed. Love and prayers for the entire litter. Fly free sweet Fletcher, fly free xoxo

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  12. So sorry to hear about Fletcher.

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  13. I'm so sorry to hear Fletcher passed away. I know you're doing everything you can to give these little ones a chance. Purrs from the kitties that your efforts are rewarded.

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  14. Aww I thought he was going to be ok. Poor little dude. At least he knew love- you gave him everything and every chance. Fly on little Fletcher the rainbow bridge awaits

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  15. Anonymous12:24 PM

    Oh, my heart hurts. You gave it your all. So so very sorry from Karen and Jane and Henry too.

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  16. :-( I am so very sorry about little Fletcher. I was also wondering yesterday when the last time you had sick babies was... and couldn't remember. I remember you helping me with sick babies and know how hard it is to loose them regardless of how hard you fight. Sending purrs to April and the others <3

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  17. Farewell, little Fletcher. You made everything you could with Connie's help, but it looks like Mother Nature had other plans for you. Purrs and hugs to you all, and paws up to you, Connie : you're an amazing foster mom ! Purrs

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  18. Poor little guy fought the good fight. So did you, Connie. April's cooties were so hard on her, I can't imagine how tough it must be on a newborn kitten. Sending our love. <3

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  19. One of the heartbreaks of fostering. RIP, sweet Fletcher...you were loved for the short time you were here.

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  20. Seems so unfair to the little guy - but you gave him the best chance at survival - way more than most people could do. I hate that it's part of the job you do so well, but also the sad reality. Thank you for giving Fletcher a fighting chance!

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  21. Fletcher was loved and cared for, a very big deal. Thank you for nursing this little soul.

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  22. It's really hard to lose one with that amount of determination and fun. Fletcher made most of the time he had, with your loving help.

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  23. I had tears streaming down my eyes as I read about little Fletcher and how hard you tried to save him. I'm so sorry we lost him. I am praying the other three will make it and I know you are doing everything in your power to help them. Please take care of yourself, too, Connie.

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  24. Poor little guy. Sometimes kittens that young just can't make it - there is too much going on with them. But you know that. Paws crossed for the rest of the babies.

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  25. You were loved, Fletcher. Come back soon.

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  26. We're so sorry, Connie. Thank you for loving Fletcher so much.

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  27. Godspeed your journey to heaven Fletcher; we've just read about your siblings and we are beyond sorry. we send hugs and loves from all of us in trout towne; words are escaping us right now ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥

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  28. I am very sorry. XO

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