Conference misery::feline_v1

1499.0. "MY CATS" by UBOHUB::ROCK_C (Claire Rock) Tue Jun 28 1988 13:17

    I thought I would add to the hundreds of entries by telling you
    about my cats.  I live in Basingstoke in England (I see a lot of
    correspondence comes from the USA).  I recently lost my baby.  I
    had his mother who gave birth to six charming babies.  I kept one
    and called him Kipling.  He loved water and at any given opportunity
    would sit in a bowl of water, get in the shower or bath and his
    favourite hobby was to sit and gaze avidly at the washing up water
    whilst I was washing up.  His favourite trick was to suckle.  It
    first started off by suckling your ear then progressed to fingers
    and toes.  Everyone adored him and I even converted non-cat lovers
    to ardent cat lovers just because of Kipling.  My husband (although
    not admitting it) treated him like a baby aswell.
    
    Kipling should have been two years old on the 1 May 1988 but very
    sadly died 5 hours before his second birthday.  He had been quiet
    for a couple of days and on this particular Saturday he seemed to
    just remain on the bed, not moving around very much.  I had gone
    to hang the washing out that day and as usual he followed me out to
    the garden and rolled over for the "Tummy Tickle".  So I thought
    he was feeling a little better.  I went to bed that night rather
    disturbed by his "Live me alone" attitude.  I mentioned it to my
    husband who said we would take him to the Vets the following morning.
    Before I went to bed I looked in my book that said about the symptoms
    of Gastroenteritis.  Although some of his symptoms were similar,
    I thought I was over reacting.  I went to bed and about half an
    hour later my husband called me out of bed and said to call the
    Vet (It was about midnight at this stage).  Kipling was deteriorating
    rapidly and was having difficulty in walking and he was panting.
    I finally got hold of a vet who was very reluctant to get out of
    bed.  We rushed him up there and he had to put him down there and
    then as Kipling was fading rapidly.  He said he was very pale but
    his temperature was normal.  His stomach was full of blood and he
    had haemmoraged (sorry not sure of correct spelling).
    
    Any way he put Kipling down there and then as he was in a great
    deal of pain.  Needless to say Steve (my husband) and I were very
    upset.
    
    Kipling it appears was a very amourous cat and had fathered some
    kittens down the end of my road.  I did not want one at first as
    I knew he wouldn't be the same and I was scared of trying to mould
    the kitten around Kipling.
    
    I was eventually persuaded to have one and we have called him Tolkein.
    
    He is a dear little fellow who is ten weeks old and gets up to all
    sorts.
    
    The nice ending to this rather long story is that it was our wedding
    anniversary last week and Steve had secretly arranged for an artist
    to paint a portrait (copied from a 'photo) of Kipling onto a Duck
    Egg.  This is not only an original idea for a gift but very touching
    and a lovely reminder of my beautiful cat.
    
    Just a note to add to the hundreds of names I have seen - 
    
    I have had a cat called Conan (as in the Destroyer, Barbarian etc)
    and one called Tomasina.
    
    Bye
    
    
    Claire	

    I am so glad I quickly read to the end of your note and it had a
    happy ending. Kipling sounded like a wonderful cat, but I know you
    must have many happy memories of him.  I have never heard of the
    egg idea and found it fascinating. Is this something done often
    in the UK?
    
    I know you will enjoy your new little arrival.
    
    Thanks for sharing your story with us.
    
    Barbara

    I was entering my note about Deja when you were entering this one.
    
    What a shame you lost such a loving cat.  I know how hard it is
    to lose a loved one and don't ever want to do it again even thou
    I know I will someday.
    
    I'm glad you were able to get one of his children.  Now he will
    truly be able to `live on' in your family.
    
    Sandi (Lightning's, DejaVu's & Thunder's mom)
    
    

    I'm so sorry to hear that you lost such an adorable, loveable cat.
    I have 3 of my own, two males Snookie, and Mittens, and a female
    Goldie.  To me they are like my children, since I don't have any
    of my own.  I'm glad to hear that you were able to get one of his
    babies, his memory will live on...
    
    Thanks for sharing your story with us.
    
    Best wishes to all
    
    Gloria (Snookie, Goldie and Mittens Mom)
    

    I'm so sorry to hear about Kipling - he must have been a lovely
    cat.
    
    As I'm sure you know now, there is a vaccine for enteritis - you
    give it to kittens at twelve weeks (or later), with a booster every year.
    I believe it's very effective.
    
    Helen (also in the UK)                                            
    

    Thank you all for replying to my story.  I only discovered "NOTES"
    yesterday and was amazed at the topics covered.  It has opened up
    a whole new world to me.  Thank you helen for the note about the
    vaccines.  I understand from the vet that kittens can be done from
    over 8 weeks old with a booster 4 weeks later.  Tolkein is just
    about to have his.  I really don't want all the heartache again
    especially when I know it needn't have happened.
    
    Thanks again
    
    
    Claire
    

    
    Hi Claire
    
    I'm so sorry to here about Kipling, I didn't know.  I am glad though
    that you have got another cat - although he will not replace Kipling
    I know it will make your getting over him a little easier.
    
    I'm glad you have found notes as we haven't really been able to
    talk since I left Wimgrove.
    
    Keep in touch
    
    Sharon
    

    A vaccine against enteritis?  I don't think I've ever heard of this,
    and I thought my guys got everything....  We are very sorry about
    Kipling, too.