Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    Hi,
    
    
    Sorry about Willie and I cant answer why he would have died like
    that but one thing I will add from personnal experience is get another
    cat or kitten as soon as possible. It may not sound like the sort
    of thing you want right now, I didnt but somehow did and I can tell
    you it really helps. Not as a replacement but as a fresh start with
    another,new personality furball.
    
    ( Oh,I went from one new hairbrain to 3 in as mant weeks!)
    
    Again,sorry.
    
    Phil{}

    Janet, I'm sorry to hear about Willie.  When you are ready to get
    another cat you will.  If you are never ready, that's what is right
    for you.  
    
    I think that one cat can ever replace another in spirit or
    in your heart.  Each has their very own place.  I think if I ever
    have a loss like yours, the baby that passes would expect me to
    bring in another to have a good home and keep me company.
    
    Thanks for entering your note.  I"m sure it was hard for you to
    write.  We are very glad to have you in Feline, and we would love
    to hear as many stories as you care to write.
    
    Elaine + 18 ?

    So Sorry, Janet, to hear about Willie.  I can tell by the tone of your
    message that he meant so much to you.  It's the little things, like the
    cat dish in the way, that make it so hard. 
    
    How old was he?  That's so strange that he was fine one minute, and
    then gone the next.  Maybe some of the other cat pro's in this file
    will be able to comment.
    
    Hope your happy memories will see you through.  And we all know in this
    file that he was not "just another cat" - he was special, and yours.
    
    Deb (and Benj)

    Perhaps it might help you to tell us a little bit about him, a funny
    story that you remember or his colors -- the proudest posession of some
    cats sometimes second only to their tails or whiskers.
    
    Our Condolences for you and your husband.  Our prayers for Willie.
    
    ed, Calvin and Hobbes

    Janet, welcome to Feline.
    
    I, too, am very sorry to hear about Willee.  Please enter his age,
    and any other information you can tell us about his past medical
    history.  To lose a pet suddenly, and without forewarning, is the
    most painful loss one can experience.  Take comfort in the fact
    that Willee knew he was loved, and had a wonderful home with people
    who cared.
    
    My condolensces,
    
    --Roberta
      

    
    So sorry to hear about your Willee, he knew that you loved him, and
    that he had a great home.  More than many cats ever have.  Big hugs
    from New Hampshire.
    
    Feline Sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    Thanks for writing.  Willie was only 7 years old (isn't that young for a
    cat ?).  He had his shots on a regular basis, the only sickness he ever
    had was an eye infection.  He did not have the leukemia shots...I keep
    thinking maybe he had leukemia...does anyone know what the symptoms 
    would be ?  If he had been poisoned would he have acted differently ?
    
    

    Janet, if Willie had leukemia, you would have known it.  Lots of
    cats test positive for it but never show symptoms; however, I don't
    think that those cats in particular die from it.  Usually, felv
    positive cats that are sick with the disease have obvious symptoms,
    though I'm not sure exactly what they are.  Probably lethargy, loss
    of appetite, weight loss, depression, and a proness to viruses and
    infections.
    
    Was Willee an indoor/outdoor cat?  Poisoning is a possibility but
    again, you most likely would have noticed something wrong prior
    to his passing.  My guess would be that Willee had an undetected
    heart defect, which manifested with age and eventually claimed him.
    Cardiomyopathy, which means failure of the heart muscle, is the
    most common feline heart disease, and affects cats of all ages,
    not just older cats.  An autopsy would have revealed the cause of
    Willee's death, and eased your peace of mind.  Unfortunately, when
    grief and sorrow overcome us, it is sometimes difficult to consider
    that option.
    
    The more information you can provide, the better we will be able
    to help you sort out your thoughts.  This file has been a lifesaver
    for me in the past, and I'm glad we are able to be there for you
    now.
    
    --Roberta
    

    I lost a cat once, just that suddenly. She was walking from the
    kitchen to living room, and just "dropped in her tracks". 
    
    We think it was an aneurysm (sp?) in the brain -- a blood vessel
    just burst, and she died immediately.
    
    We buried her in the back yard.
    
    She, also, was the last of a litter -- the kitty that no one wanted.
    I like to think that we gave that "unwanted" kitty a really good
    life, as short as it was . . .

    Marleen (Sly, Paws, Adrienne, Midway, Springer)

    I'm very sorry about Willie.  I think it's extremely unlikely that he
    had leukemia or had eaten a poison, because symptoms would have
    been apparent earlier.  The only things I can think of that would happen
    so suddenly would be, as has already been suggested, a heart attack
    or a brain aneurysm.  I would even guess that it was the latter, given
    your description.  At least he didn't suffer, and he had 7 wonderful
    years with you.                                                    
    

    Losing Willie so suddenly must be extremely hard for you and your
    husband.  Willie sounds like he was a much loved cat and he was
    lucky to have had you for his family.
    
    My beloved Aime died suddenly on Halloween but she exhibited some
    symptoms several hours before she died.  One of the hardest parts
    about losing someone unexpectedly is that you never had a chance
    to say good-bye.  That still bothers me.
    
    You'll know when you are ready for another furry person in your
    heart.  
    
    My thoughts are with you.
    
    Nancy, Snuggles, and Orphan Annie
    
    

    
    janet...
    
    our condolences, too, on the loss of willie.
    
    i agree with the others; willie was a lucky cat to have such a good
    home with people who loved him so.
    
    allow yourself the proper amount of time to grieve.  you will know when
    the time is right to open your heart to another furry critter.
    
    diane, stella & stanley
    

    
    	Our sympathy, also.  At least, Willie didn't suffer.  He had
    a good home and life while with you.
    
    Bob, Smoke, Nightmare, Sneakers & Nova.
    

    Willie died as a cat should albeit too early.  Loved, warm and with his
    owner.  Not like many strays that die outside, unloved and starving.
    
    I agree with the anuerism or heart.  It was too sudden to be anything
    else.
    
    No cat will ever replace Willie, just fill the void that he has left.  
    When your'e ready, a furry feline will *walk* into your life.
    
    DejaVu is also the runt of the litter, but she is one fantastic cat.  I
    am so glad I was the last person to the box.
    
    Sandi, mom to 3 cats and 1 dog
    
    

    	So sorry to hear of your sudden loss. At least Willie went
    quickly without having to endure a long illness.
    
    Kirk

    I also think it may have been a stroke.  If that's the case, then
    Willie died quickly and painlessly.  I also agree with Roberta
    that losing a cat suddenly with no warning is one of the most
    heartbreaking experiences.  Especially because you can't say
    good-bye.  I say this from my own experiences.
    
    No cat can ever replace another, but they all bring their own
    unique gifts to you.  I would never be without a cat now.
    
    Willie's name has been added to the Silver Lining Memorial list for
    Q3 and he will be comemmorated with our gift next quarter.  I hope
    that offers some consolation to you.
    
    And when, and if, you're ready for another cat I hope you'll be able
    to offer a home to one of the deserving kitties in this file.
      Love,
      Nancy + 11

    What is the Silver Lining Memorial ?  We miss Willie very much, every
    now and then I get a real deep feeling of sorrow or loss when I think
    of Willie.  I miss him most when I get home from work and he's not
    there to greet me.  My husband and I have decided to adopt Snorkel in
    note 3243.  We have a 5 month old daughter and feel that we will be
    better of with a cat rather than a kitten since we both work and right
    now there is not quite enough time to train a kitten.  Snorkel sounds
    like shes a real cute cat, only 3 -5 pounds, declawed, etc.  She will
    certainly be coming to a good home.  Once you have a cat around it's
    very lonely when they are gone.  By adopting Snorkel I feel like there
    is more of a meaning to Willie's death.  Sometimes I feel kind of
    foolish talking about Willie as though he were a person...I guess only
    cat lover's would understand...they really are like people.  Thanks
    again for all your replies.  I'll write again to let you know more
    about Snorkel.
    

    Don't ever feel silly,,,,,,,untill you've chit-chated more in this
    FELINE NOTE, you'll never feel silly again.
    
    Scruffy and my strays sends their sympathy, warm and fuzzy hugs.
    It is wonderful to adopt Snorkel.  I'm sure Willie would of love to
    have nothing better happen.
    
    One of my girlfriends, in a previous note of S.O.S. (read back). Has a
    smiliar story of yours. It will help to associate with someone. 
    S.O.S., her baby died very suddenly too about a month ago.  He was
    given an optopsy and it was, as Roberta stated, an anerisum.  Stroke. 
    Which is very quick and quite and peaceful.
    
    We send our tears and a warm hug, but we smile knowing a new warm and
    fuzzy, will brighten your days ahead.
    
    Carol Weston
    		Scruffy's mom
    
    

    Snorkel...has been living with us since Saturday.  It feels great to
    have a cat back in our home.  She is the smallest cat that I have ever
    seen, she is light as a feather and can't weigh much more than 1
    pound.  She is a calico with green eyes.  Snorkel also has been
    declawed, she tries to scratch the furniture but nothing happens. 
    Also, I have never owned a cat that did not care to go outside. 
    Sometimes it almost seems like she is some kind of house decoration.
    She has really adjusted quickly, where she use to live there were no
    stairs for her to climb, she spends a lot of time scooting all over the
    house and up and down the stairs.  She loves to sit on the VCR and on 
    my husbands legs.  Adopting Snorkel was one of the best things that I
    have done.  Snorkel is not a replacement for Willie since both of them
    are so unique and special in their own way.  But I do believe that
    getting a new pet soon after the death of your pet is the best way to 
    to get over the loneliness.  It sure is great to have a new pet to take
    care of.