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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2660.0. "Goodbye Frito, we're all going to miss you!" by 4GL::CJOHNSON (Calgon... Take Me Away!!) Mon Jul 10 1989 13:24

    
    
    
    
     Hi everyone,
    
     When I got home this past Friday nite from work, my mother came to
     me and she had been crying.  She said she had some bad news for me
    and I first thought it was my grandmother.  She said that she came
    home from work and went to see where the cat was.  She found Frito
    laying on the rug and thought he might be sleeping.  She went over
    to him and saw that he was dead and his eyes (which were Copper) had
    turned gray.  My father came home and felt his heart and everything
    and he was definately dead.  Since Frito had been sick more than he
    had been well, I thought that it may have been for the best.  The
    thing that really bothered me most was that Frito had suffered before
    he died.  From the color of his eyes, I assumed that he couldn't breath
    and struggled for air for a while and then died.  My dad said that
    he had a terrible expression on his face like he was in pain.  We
    decided to bury Frito in the backyard and we started digging the hole
    in the pouring rain, the whole family was out there.  At least now,
    Frito isn not in any pain anymore.  A month from this past Saturday,
    Frito would be celebrating his 1st birthday.  
    
    We had called the breeder and she kept wanting to talk me into getting
    another kitten from her and she'd give it to me for free.  I would have
    to be out of my mind to take another cat from her.  So, she's going
    to sell the kitten to someone from between $200-300. and give me the
    money.  The way the breeder has been treating us the past months,
    I doubt that i'll ever see a penny.  The money doesn't really matter
    to me, it's the point that this kitten suffered so much and died.
    I would be happier if she'd be put out of business because I know
    someone who has some of her Persians and they were very sick also.
    
    
    I miss Frito so much.  No cat could ever take his place.  At least
    now, he can finally rest in peace with no pain.
    
    
    Thanks for listening,
    Chris
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2660.1He's finally able to restCLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitMon Jul 10 1989 13:379
    Poor little Frito...he's finally at peace.  Chris, you did everything
    you could for the little guy and he loved you for it.  No other cat can
    be a Frito for you, but when you're ready, some little furball will be
    ready for you, too.
    
    My thoughts and tears are with you...
    
    Mary
    
2660.2CRUISE::NDCMon Jul 10 1989 13:5211
    Oh Chris, I'm so sorry about Frito.  I'm sure he's at peace now.
    He knew you loved him and did everything you possibly could have
    for him.  He's watching you from kitty heaven, I'm sure.  
      If you don't sue the breeder, at least write an editorial in
    a newpaper local to her area.  I really believe that she deserves
    some bad publicity.  Perhaps she'll clean up her act.
    
    I've added little Frito to the Silver Lining memorial list for
    FY90 Q1.  I hope that a donation made in his memory will help
    you feel a little better.
      Nancy DC
2660.3FSHQA1::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendMon Jul 10 1989 14:2422
    Chris, I am so, so sorry to hear about Frito.  If anybody in this
    notesfile knows how you feel, it's me.  I just lost my 10 month
    old Ragdoll kitten to cardiomyopathy.  His death was sudden and
    tragic and I don't think I will ever get over the awful way he had
    to die.  I was very lucky in that the breeder I purchased him from
    was just as devastated and offered a new kitten or a refund of the
    purchase price of Shelby.  We will try again with a new kitten but
    never again will I purchase a purebred animal.  I know that sounds
    cynical but it is the way I feel.
    
    Chris, you gave Frito a wonderful, quality life.  Cats have no concept
    of time but they do know when they are loved and well cared for.
    Frito knew that.  Take comfort from that.  And if you need someone
    to talk to, please write or call.  I received a lot of support when
    Shelby died.  It was comforting to know that so many people cared.
    I cannot thank them enough for helping me to cope.
    
    Rest in peace Frito.  Maybe you'll see my Shelby there too.
    
    
    /Roberta
     
2660.4SAGE::ZAMZOWMon Jul 10 1989 14:4313
                        Our sympathies too...
    
    Chris,  I feel so sorry for your loss, but firto is in kitty heaven
    with Shelby and Gretsky and a host of old and new friends.  He'll
    keep an eye on you and be sure that he will have a hand (paw) in
    helping to find a new furface when the time is right.
    
    Bless you for being his friend.
    
    Feline so sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    
2660.5More tears...MEMIT::MISSELHORNMon Jul 10 1989 17:3319
    
    Chris,
    
    Our tears and prayers are with you also.
    
    Feel good about the love that you gave him--he surely knew it and
    loved you back.
    
    In time, I hope that the joy and the memories he gave you will
    ease the hurt that you are feeling now.
    
    He can never be replaced, however, there's another little furface
    out there just waiting to find it's own place in your heart when you
    are ready.
    
    With tears,
    
    Barbara (Melody, Melissa and Brittany)
    
2660.6Our sympathyUSEM::MCQUEENEYBob McQueeneyMon Jul 10 1989 18:205
    	Many condolences on your sudden and tragic loss of Frito.  Our
    heartfelt sympathy for you and yours,
    
    Bob, Smoke, Ruffles, Nightmare & (now) Sneakers
    
2660.7WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOMon Jul 10 1989 18:277
    Chris,
    
    My sympathies to you and your family over the loss of Frito.  He
    was a special little guy, and he knew how much you and your family
    loved him.
    
    Jo
2660.8CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Mon Jul 10 1989 18:559
    Dear Chris, please don't think that Frito necessarily suffered when
    he died.  he could easily have just lost consciousness, which
    often happens during a seizure.  The expression on his face is
    most likely due to natural physiological changes which take
    place in bodies after death;  we normally don't encounter this in 
    humans because of cosmetic things undertakers do.
    
    Karen
    
2660.9So sorryNZOV01::PARKINSONReunite Gondwannaland!Tue Jul 11 1989 06:0219
    Chris,
    
    I'm so sorry to hear you lost Frito. You did so much for him, and
    no cat could have had a happier home than you gave him. I think
    what Karen said in the last reply is right, Frito was probably
    unconscious. You have been so good about hsaring all your problems
    and discoveries with us, I think we've all learnt a lot through
    your experiences.
    
    Hold on to the good memories of the love you and Frito had for each
    other.
    
    When you are ready to think about another kitten (you'll know when
    you are), perhaps one of the very-experienced noters could go with
    you to choose a kitten (if they live close enough), or at least
    give you some detailed advice about what to look for, so you don't
    need to go through all the pain you have had over the last months.
    
    Shayne (NZ)
2660.10CRUISE::NDCTue Jul 11 1989 11:314
    re: .9  I know I'd be willing to help you Chris.  Perhaps
    even one of the breeders would help.
      Nancy DC
    
2660.11HDLITE::FEASEAndrea Midtmoen FeaseTue Jul 11 1989 12:115
    Chris,
    
         Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
    
                                    - Andrea (& Loki, Bigfoot & Fluffy)
2660.12Our sincere condolencesGENRAL::BALDRIDGENow it's Summer!!!Tue Jul 11 1989 14:125
    Nearly all has already been said.  We can only offer our condolences
    as well.
    
    Chuck, Jane, Doobie & Peaches
    
2660.13So sorry...WR2FOR::HARPHAM_LYTue Jul 11 1989 18:339
    
    Many sympathies to you right now...  Get out your pictures of Frito
    and have a good cry..... and just remember what a wonderful kitty
    he was, and that he's in peace now...
    
    Lynn, Molly and Iago
    
    
    
2660.14so sadPARITY::DENISEAnd may the traffic be with youWed Jul 12 1989 02:236
    
      All has been said, and beautifully,
    
            condolences, 
                         Denise, Max, Silvy, Pepper, Chief kitty
    
2660.15Support is much appreciated!4GL::CJOHNSONCalgon... Take Me Away!!Wed Jul 12 1989 13:4537
    
    
    Thanks so much everyone for your support.  It has helped me out a 
    great deal.  I've had dogs all my life and this was my first cat.
    We're on our 3rd dog right now (Dusty) and the last two we had to
    give away.  The first one was a Pit Bull and he was a little on
    the violent side so we gave him to a farmer and it was love at
    first sight.  The second dog was sickly and was running away all
    the time and my parent gave him away. Dusty is now 5 years old
    and doing great.  So as you can see, i've never had to experience
    an animal dying or a person for that matter (my grandmother died
    when I was 7 so it didn't bother me too much).  This was hard
    to accept and I still think that when i'm in the kitchen, I turn
    around and see Frito curled up in a ball sleeping like he use too.
    But i'm handling it real well and it's all thanks to everyone in
    FELINErs!  I can talk about Frito w/ no problem but when i'm alone
    I think about him and great really bummed out.  I'm sure, with
    time that will pass and I feel that it's getting better every day.
    
    I still had some extra cat food so I told my parents that I was
    going to head down to the Nashua Humane Society and give them all
    the cat food.  My dad told me to save it because he wants to take
    me down to the humane society and get another kitten.  I'm a little
    paranoid about getting a kitten and something bad happening to it.
    But I would love another cat.  No other animal can take the place
    of Frito (I still have his pictures in my office) but I also can't
    hep but think of these poor animals that are in cages in the pound
    that need a home and love so badly and my family can give that to
    a kitty in the pound.  So i've decided to do it.  Now,  what I
    need is some advice on the things to look for when deciding on picking
    out my kitty at the pound.  We are going this Sat..  This time, I want
    to walk in with my eyes opened.
    
    
    Thanks so much everyone!
    Chris 
                
2660.16Love heals all woundsCRUISE::NDCWed Jul 12 1989 15:2610
    I'm glad to hear that you're getting another cat!  I got
    Bumpytail only 2 days after I lost Kathryn.  I just couldn't
    stand coming home to an empty house. (you have Dusty and that
    helps, I'm sure)  True, it will never be the same, but just the
    presence of another cat is so comforting and they need your love
    so much, you just find yourself loving the new kitty and as they
    say "Love heals all wounds".  Well it sure helps!
      Let us know how you make out.
       Nancy DC
    
2660.17WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOWed Jul 12 1989 15:4622
    As far as what to look for, check to see that the kitten's eyes
    are clear and bright.  If there is a discharge from the eyes, or
    mucus stuck around the eyes or nose, then the kitten may have a
    cold or maybe is just getting over one.  Also, check inside the
    ears to see if they are clean and pink.  If you see black dirt or
    crust, the kitten may have ear mites.  Also, check under the tail
    for little white, rice-like pieces, these could indicate that the
    kitten has tapeworm.  Also, take a quick peak in the litter box
    in his cage.  Diarrhea could be an indicator of worms, or tummy
    upsets.
    
    Most humane societies will give you a coupon for a discount on an
    initial vet visit.  This must be done within the first 72 hours.
    I would definitely take them up on this.  I would take the kitten
    straight from the pound to the vet.  Have it checked thoroughly,
    and have a felv test done.  Get all this done in the beginning before
    you get too attached to the kitten, just in case it is not healthy
    and must be returned to the pound.
    
    Good luck to you, I hope you find a wonderful feline friend.
    
    Jo
2660.18FSHQA2::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendWed Jul 12 1989 16:2114
    Chris, I'm glad to hear you are considering another kitten, and
    a homeless one at that!  I still cry whenever I think of Shelby
    but it does get easier as each day passes.  Both Frito and Shelby's
    destinys had been planned since birth... but we are very lucky and
    special to have had them share our lives, if only for a short time.
    A new kitten will be just the right medicine to help cure the awful,
    aching hurt you are feeling now.
    
    I'm sure there will be lots of kittens at the humane society to
    choose from.  Good luck and let us know of your choice!
    
    
    /Roberta
    
2660.19HDLITE::FEASEAndrea Midtmoen FeaseWed Jul 12 1989 16:3220
    Hi Chris,
    
         You will probably also want to look for a kitten that's active,
    one that comes up to you when you're looking.  I did the opposite ;-) ;
    I went for the little orange tabby shivering in the corner.  It took
    almost 5 years to get little Loki from the point of running whenever
    anyone came near (especially men, or anyone with *shoes* on; I got him
    in NYC and perhaps he and his family were kicked by little boys??) to
    staying in the same room with and even allowing a stranger to pet him.
    If I had to do it all over again, I'd still pick the little shiverer;
    guess I can't resist the little underdog ;-) .  Plus I figured if I
    didn't take him that he'd either grow up at the shelter (it was
    no-kill) or be taken by someone who would give up on him and put him
    back on the streets.  It took a *lot* of hard work and understanding
    though; I think you may want a kitty that's a little easier handling. 
    
         But you never know ... go with what your heart tells you ...
    
                                        - Andrea
    
2660.20VIDEO::MORRISSEYFirst class ticket to ecstasyWed Jul 12 1989 17:2013
    
    
    	Great to hear!!
    
    	I will be shortly volunteering at the Nashua Humane
    	Society (just waiting for the schedule) and I can
    	tell you that when I was in there about 3-4 weeks ago,
    	there were LOTS of kittens looking for a new loving
    	home...and if you're anything like me, you'll fall
    	in love with each and every one of them.!!
    
    	Good luck!
    
2660.21CRUISE::NDCWed Jul 12 1989 18:4410
    There are also many many deserving cats in this file.  The
    older ones are especially in need of good homes.  Its so hard
    to place an adult cat.  If you got a cat through feline you'd
    have an excellent chance of getting a cat in good physical
    condition.  I seem to recall a note about a double pawed tiger
    who's 10 mons old, already neutered and looking for a home.
    And there's Michele's little medium-haired sisters.  You have
    such a selection to chose from.  
      Enjoy
       Nancy
2660.22New Kitty?WR2FOR::HARPHAM_LYWed Jul 12 1989 20:276
    
    
    Did you get a new kitty yet?!?!?
    
    Lynn, Molly, and Iago
    
2660.23CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Wed Jul 12 1989 22:2810
    The warning about looking for an outgoing cat
    reminds me of the last time I was at a local shelter.  Someone had
    just turned in a pet cat, and the poor baby was shivering in terror
    in the back of the cage, obviously with no idea of what had happened
    to it or why there were so many other cats and people around.
    So, I don't think looking specifically for an outgoing cat is
    going to tell you much.  Unless the cat is very self-possessed or
    has been at the shelter for awhile, it could just be temporarily 
    frightened or disoriented.
    
2660.24Follow your heartCRUISE::NDCThu Jul 13 1989 11:5312
    I remember when I got Bumpytail - 2 days after losing Kathryn.
    She also huddled in the back of the cage.  She wasn't even
    crazy about me when the shelter worker took her out of the cage.
    But something told me this was the cat so we took her home.  She
    eventually turned into one of the sweetest, most loving little
    lap cats in the world.  She was EXACTLY what I needed to ease my
    pain.  My boyfriend said several months later "I don't know how
    you ever knew that she had that kind of personality.  She was
    exactly the right cat for you."
      So I guess the moral is "follow your heart"
      Nancy DC
    
2660.25New addition to our familyKOBAL::CJOHNSONCalgon... Take Me Away!!Wed Jul 19 1989 00:5024
    
    
    This past Sat. I went to the Nashua Humane Society.  There were
    plenty of cats there.  There were some 8 week olds and some 12
    week olds and adult cats.  Of course, I wanted all of them
    but I knew that I could only have one.  My biggest mistake
    was taking a lot of them out of their cages and holding them.
    After holding them it was very hard to let them go and put them
    back in their cages.  They would cry and hold out their little
    paws and try to grab me.  I knew that the 8 wk. old kittys would
    find a home much faster than the older ones.  So, I took an 11 week
    old tiger kitty.  We named him "Tigger".  He seems to be a very
    healthy, friendly, and hyper kitty!  I looked in his ears for mites,
    his eyes for any buildup and let him run around a bit.  It made my
    heart brake walking out of there and all the cats are looking at me
    meowing wanting me to take them home.  At least one cat got to get
    out of the cage and into a home.  I must say though, that the
    humane society was very clean and the staff was very nice.  Their
    cages were clean and so were the cats.  I'm taking Tigger to the
    vets this Thursday for a check up.  It's taken my mind off of Frito,
    not totally of course, but it's made it much easier for me.
    
    
    Chris and Tigger too!
2660.26CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Wed Jul 19 1989 04:148
    happy day for Tigger!  I wish I could take them all home too.  This
    reminds me of the Kathy cartoon:  "Some day I will have a bigger
    house so I can have more pets.  Some day I will have a HUGE house, so I
    can take 200 pets home from the humane society.  Some day I will
    buy an ENTIRE CITY for the pets at the humane society....."
    
    I'm sure Frito is happy about Tigger too.
    
2660.27CRUISE::NDCWed Jul 19 1989 11:445
    I'm glad to hear you have a new kitty, Chris.  I look forward
    to hearing lots of stories about his antics.
      It really does help, doesn't it :-)
       Nancy DC
    
2660.28WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOWed Jul 19 1989 16:034
    Chris, that is great news, both for you and for Tigger.  I am sure
    that you will make each other very happy.
    
    Jo
2660.29AIMHI::OFFENFri Aug 04 1989 20:4112
    Chris,
    
    Just read reply .25 and was so happy for you.  I know Tigger is going
    to be a much loved kitty.
    
    Congratulations on your new baby.
    
    Sandi  (mom to Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder too)
    
    P.S.  I would love to take them all but...........