Saying Good-bye to Tammy

While the news was good for a while and we had high hopes for a full recovery, the final outcome for Tammy was not good. Her tumors returned and a second surgery showed some promise, but that didn't last, either. When the tumors again returned, they were somehow "angry" and we knew there was nothing left to try. An x-ray showed extensive metastases throughout her body, including her lungs. An x-ray just one month earlier showed none of this. It was an extremely rapid change.

Amazingly, though, she was still active, eating well, never missed the litter box in her life, and she even still enjoyed playing with the "red dot."  But now she was breathing rapidly, just to get enough oxygen, and she needed to rest often. It was her breathing difficulty that led us to take her to the vet for her final visit two days ago.

She was only 12. It just doesn't seem fair. She was one of the nicest cats we've ever known...always cooperative with whatever was required of her - vet visits, accepting new food when we needed to change everyone's diet, cuddling often, and never starting any fights. She even knew her name and usually came when called.

Her rabies tag will now be added to the Memorial Wreath I hang every year for the holidays. If it seems there are too many, I agree. I miss them all and wish they didn't have to go. But after 13 years rescuing more than 1,000 cats (and several hundred dogs), losing some is inevitable. Most rescued animals come from difficult situations, and we were happy to have been able to find them new homes, or to love them to the end at our home.

RIP, Tammy.....