I think a lot of people on TCS will know Happy's story already. She was a kitten I found in a car park. She was dirty and skinny, but so friendly. I managed to pick her up and take her to my vet, then brought her home later that day.
Sick, possibly FIV+ Feral Kitten
I think someone must have been feeding her, but sadly she tested positive for FIV. Our vet warned us that she might not live very long.
Happy just seemed delighted to have a home though.
In her first year here she was spayed and then had surgery to remove almost all of her teeth. The FIV had led to gum disease, but once her teeth were gone she was much more comfortable. She started to put on weight and her dirty, grey fur grew soft and white.
I made a little outdoor enclosure for her at first. I have a lot of other cats so wanted to give them time to get used to each other, but Happy soon won them all over and moved indoors.
The other cats soon realised that she was queen. Even though she was tiny she could be a holy terror and none of the others dared to step out of line..
And don't even think about taking her favourite spot in the sun.
She made some very good friends though. She loved to snuggle with Albert.
And Little Boy.
And her very best friend, Sophie.
In spite of the FIV she was fairly healthy. She would sometimes get gloopy eyes, but we kept this under control with medicated eye drops and cream. Then this spring she started to have more serious problems with her left eye.
FIV+ Cat Bleeding From Her Eye
We tried various antibiotics, interferon and steroids, but nothing seemed to help. Eventually we decided to have her eye removed. Tests showed that there had been a cancerous growth in her eye but the surrounding tissue was cancer free, so we hoped that would be the end of her problems. Sadly, just a few weeks later she developed another growth under her left ear. Because of her pre-existing condition the vet advised against any further treatment or surgery. The best we could do was to make sure she was pain-free and comfortable for as long as we could. We syringe fed her and gave her sub-q fluids and even though she grew thin and frail she seemed to still get some enjoyment out of life. A few days ago she even wanted to go outside and sit in the sun.
At the end of November she suddenly became very lethargic and our vet told us there was nothing more we could do. She was given fluids and pain medication to keep her comfortable. On December 1st she slipped away. She died at home, in her favourite cat bed with Little Boy and Sophie sleeping either side of her.
It was a good life. It was a good death
She's buried outside in our cat enclosure. Soon the ground will be covered with snow, but I've planted bulbs so there will be new flowers in the spring.
When I first found Happy the vet said she's probably only live for another 1 to 3 years, but she proved him wrong. Happy was with us for six years, five months and 21 days and every single moment of that was precious.
Happy, my sweet, funny, feisty little girl. How did so much spirit fit inside one tiny cat? I feel blessed to have enjoyed so many days in your company and, even though I'm heart broken that you are gone, I don't regret a single thing.
Sick, possibly FIV+ Feral Kitten
I think someone must have been feeding her, but sadly she tested positive for FIV. Our vet warned us that she might not live very long.
Happy just seemed delighted to have a home though.
In her first year here she was spayed and then had surgery to remove almost all of her teeth. The FIV had led to gum disease, but once her teeth were gone she was much more comfortable. She started to put on weight and her dirty, grey fur grew soft and white.
I made a little outdoor enclosure for her at first. I have a lot of other cats so wanted to give them time to get used to each other, but Happy soon won them all over and moved indoors.
The other cats soon realised that she was queen. Even though she was tiny she could be a holy terror and none of the others dared to step out of line..
And don't even think about taking her favourite spot in the sun.
She made some very good friends though. She loved to snuggle with Albert.
And Little Boy.
And her very best friend, Sophie.
In spite of the FIV she was fairly healthy. She would sometimes get gloopy eyes, but we kept this under control with medicated eye drops and cream. Then this spring she started to have more serious problems with her left eye.
FIV+ Cat Bleeding From Her Eye
We tried various antibiotics, interferon and steroids, but nothing seemed to help. Eventually we decided to have her eye removed. Tests showed that there had been a cancerous growth in her eye but the surrounding tissue was cancer free, so we hoped that would be the end of her problems. Sadly, just a few weeks later she developed another growth under her left ear. Because of her pre-existing condition the vet advised against any further treatment or surgery. The best we could do was to make sure she was pain-free and comfortable for as long as we could. We syringe fed her and gave her sub-q fluids and even though she grew thin and frail she seemed to still get some enjoyment out of life. A few days ago she even wanted to go outside and sit in the sun.
At the end of November she suddenly became very lethargic and our vet told us there was nothing more we could do. She was given fluids and pain medication to keep her comfortable. On December 1st she slipped away. She died at home, in her favourite cat bed with Little Boy and Sophie sleeping either side of her.
It was a good life. It was a good death
She's buried outside in our cat enclosure. Soon the ground will be covered with snow, but I've planted bulbs so there will be new flowers in the spring.
When I first found Happy the vet said she's probably only live for another 1 to 3 years, but she proved him wrong. Happy was with us for six years, five months and 21 days and every single moment of that was precious.
Happy, my sweet, funny, feisty little girl. How did so much spirit fit inside one tiny cat? I feel blessed to have enjoyed so many days in your company and, even though I'm heart broken that you are gone, I don't regret a single thing.
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