Conference misery::feline_v1

    Boy that's a real toughie, JJ.  Poor little Dukie and  I've never
    seen such a shiney cat!  He's such a beauty.
    
    I hope he's able to fight this thing off by himself. You can
    always change your mind about the specialist if his status
    changes.
      Good luck.
       Nancy DC
    

    
    
    	Thanks Nancy...
    
    	We think so too... :-)
    
    	I hope he will at least get bigger...if he starts to get bigger
    	and maybe gain some weight that will be a good sign....
    
    

    JJ,
    
    Remember Black Thunder the Wonder Cat??  She weighed in at 5 1/2 lbs
    from 6 months to 1 year of age.
    
    She is now a whopping 8 1/2 lbs of pure love and dynamite.  I really
    thought I would only have her for a very short time.  I am so happy to
    say it looks like she will be around for a long time.
    
    I just hope your kitty does the same as Thun-Thun.  I know how
    frustrating it can be to not be able to pin-point what is causing the
    problems our babies have.
    
    3 1/2 lbs at 9 months is a very small kitty.  Were his parents small
    also??  Has he already been neutered??  What else can you tell us about
    this * little * baby??  I have gotten so much hope, help, and
    encouragement from the people here that I know you will definitely get
    the same.
    
    Please, please keep us informed.
    
    Sandi mom to BLACK THUNDER the WONDER KITTY, WHITE LIGHTNING, STORM and
                 DEJAVU too.
    
    

    How about one trip to a specialist just in case they could 
    produce some results?  
    

    
    	No he hasn't been neutered yet.  I think maybe because his
    	growth has been stunted, it isn't worth it yet.  He shows
    	no signs of being "ready". No spraying etc.  Even when Chloe
    	goes into heat he ignores her.
    
    	Cary and I will have some time to discuss exactly what we want
    	to do and then talk to Dr. Clough. BTW- those of you who
    	recommended him-- he's wonderful!! As is the rest of the staff
    	there.
    
    	I'm going to see how the cortisone shot works and we'll go
    	from there.
    
    	No one that I have talked to (even vets) hasn't seen anything
    	like Dukie's paws.
    
    	As for his parents..the woman had eleven cats..I have no clue
    	as to which ones were his parents.  But there were three
    	little tykes and he was just a teeny bit smaller than the others.
    	So we thought maybe he was just the runt of the litter and I had
    	my heart set on a solid white or black kitty....he's very small
    	but is such a beautie!
    
    	THanks for the thoughts....
    
    	JJ
    
    	

    sounds like the old adage - "nice things come in small packages"
    eh JJ?

    couple of thoughts:
    
    Rhinotracheitis is a viral infection, and can cause mouth ulcers.
    Most cats are vaccinated against it at 6, 9, and 12 weeks.  If your
    kitten wasn't vaccinated against it, he could have picked it up.
    
    While I was researching one of my cats illnesses, I came across
    a bit of information that might prove useful.  "If the paw pads
    and/or nails are affected, suspect an autoimmune disorder..."
    
    Is your kitten all white or all black??
    
    Jo

    re: .7 - Jo Dukie is all black - and VERY shiney, I might ad.
    

    
    
    	Thanks Jo!!  I printed that up and will mention it
    	to the vet.
    
    	And Dukie is all black.  Does that have something to do
    	with it?
    
    	Thanks for the help everyone..
    
    	JJ
    

    When we got our third Saint Bernard puppy, after we got him home
    we noticed he had terrible ulcers in his mouth, our friends took
    one of this brothers and their pup had it also. The vet said he
    had eaten something VERY toxic. She worked on him for over an hour
    washing out the inside of this mouth with all kinds of junk that
    made poor Sebastian foam, drool, (we all know how Saints drool so
    magnify this by 100) and swabbed his throat and all the time this
    sweet little doll was wagging his tail and his eyes were just beaming
    with happiness from all the attention. (If you can imagine.) The
    vet gave us come more medicine to swab his mouth and throat with
    and after about 3 weeks it cleared up. He ate and drank with no
    problems. The vet said what ever it was it was toxic enought to
    have eatten his tongue, inside of his whole mouth and all the pipes
    going down his throat and what ever comes after that.
    
    Both brothers survived. Ours to the ripe old age of 12.
    
    Never did find out what it was. Those big and little fur faces can
    amaze you what they can get into and how well they survive.
    
    Hope things clear up soon.
    
    Barbara

    I attended a seminar once and the vet was saying that all white
    cats sometimes have more sensitive skin, and can be more prone to
    skin disorders like ulcerations around the eyelids, carcinoma (eye
    related), rodent ulcers, and problems with paw pads and stuff.
    
    That is why I asked if he was white.  But, since he is black, that
    doesn't apply.
    
    Jo

    We were once told that white dogs were prone to skin problems
    too.  We had a collie mix that was mostly white who would
    get allergic eczema.  Laying in the sun would aggravate it, which
    was exactly what she liked to do in the summer  :-)  Silly puppy.
      Nancy DC
    

    re-reading the base note about the paws made me think of something.  It
    almost sounds like he stepped in acid and it is eating away the
    paw-pads.  Is that a possibility???
    
    How is Dukie doing??  Any updates???   Please, please let us know.
    
    Sandi also stymied with DejaVu and her leg-spasms
    
    

    
    	I don't know Sandi.
    
    	He's had these symptoms when we got him.  (we didn't notice
    	them right off though)
    
    	The paws will heel and then start the cycle all over again.
    	I printed up one of the notes Jo put in in regards to
    	Rhinotracheitis and the autoimmune disorder symptoms.  I'll
    	probably be calling Dr. Clough some time this week to see what
    	he thinks.  He may not want to do anything until he's due
    	for the next cortisone shot.
    
    	He's the best behaved out of the four (except when he's hungry!)
    	:-)  and I hate to see it.  He's still very tiny but eats like
    	a horse.
    
    	I'll let everyone know what happens when I talk to the vet.
    
    	Dukie and Mummy thank everyone for the concern!! :-)
    
    	JJ
    

    Poor Dukie!  And what a little fighter.  Give him a pat
    for me.
      Nancy DC

    Poor Dukie.  You mentioned hair loss that was symmetric?  Sweetie
    has that and his vet said it was due to a hormone disorder.  Doesn't
    cortisone, which I think you said Dukie was on, mess up hormones
    or isn't it a hormone, or something?
    
    We four are thinking good thoughts for Dukie,
    
    Karen, Sweetie, Holly, and Little Bit.
    

    Cortisone is a steroid, and will help with itching, inflamation,
    and a number of other symptoms.  I know that in breeding animals,
    it is not safe to have them on steroids for long periods of time,
    but that is due to it's causing sterility.  I think it is also an
    appetite stimulant, and increases water retention too.
    
    Joui is on steroids for a food allergy, and she is also Hypothyroid.
    She did have some hair loss with the hypothyroidism, mostly on the
    abdommen, back legs, and tail area.
    
    Jo

    I just now remembered that I had a friend in college who had to take 
    steroids for a long period of time for some esoteric disease (I've
    forgotten what it was).  She had extremely thin hair, but I don't
    know if it was the result of the steroids or the disease.
    

    
    
    	Hmm... the cortisone may have something to do with it.  But
    	I wonder why it took this long to effect him this way.
    
    	I guess I'll know more after Saturday.  Thanks everyone for
    	the well wishes.
    
    	JJ (and Duke)
    

    
    	One thing I forgot to mention...like I said he's a little
    	trooper.  And none of this has affected his appetite.
    
    	Last night Cary and I ordered out for pizza.  We were eating
    	in the living room on the couch, watching TV.  Before either
    	of us can stop him Duke jumps up, grabs the pizza right off
    	of Cary's plate and runs away with it.  The piece was almost
    	twice the size of his little head!!  He was growling the whole
    	time. (he always growls when he eats)  Cary goes running after
    	him while I'm in hysterics on the couch.  He chases him down
    	cellar (and Cary's laughing too).  The piece of pizza bobbing
    	up and down as he hits each step.  Cary eventually got the
    	pizza away from him.  But not without a protest.  
    
    	It was quite funny.
    

    re: .21 - Did he eat it after all that?!!!  I would have just 
    given it back to Dukie - Don't think I'd want to eat the pizza
    after it bobbed down our cellar stairs  :-)
    

    
    
    	re: Nancy
    
    	hhahahahaha!  No, he threw it out.  :-)
    

    Geez, he threw it out when Dukie wanted it?  Geez.
    

    
    	well if Dukie had been patient, Daddy might have given
    	him some. But he was a naughty (but hysterical) boy and 
    	couldn't wait!!  :-)
    
    	Update from the vets:
    
    	Not good I'm afraid.  He doesn't understand what is holding
    	Duke together, basically.  He eats like a pig but doesn't grow
    	and doesn't gain any weight.  He has no idea why the fur is
    	falling out or what the scabs could be from other that whatever
    	virus is raising hell with his little body.
    	Lately when he meows, he'll meow and then gasp for air.  The
    	vet believes that the ulcers on the roof of his mouth go all
    	the way down his throat and possibly into his lungs and when
    	he meows it hurts or he can't breathe so he gasps.  Asthma 
    	like stuff.  So he is on Amoxicillin with prednisone added.
    	He'll be on that for two weeks and then we have to bring him
    	back.  Dr. Clough said it is not unusual or inhumane for people	
    	to put a cat like this to sleep.  He is not getting better, only
    	worse and it appears he will never gain any weight.
    
    	So Cary and I have decided that unless this medication works 
    	a miracle of some kind and Dukie gets better, we'll have our
    	poor little baby put to rest.  We are not happy about the idea
    	but we can't stand to see all these "new" symptoms popping up
    	and him not getting better.  To make it worse, Sasha (who is
    	like his mom or something) has started to hiss and growl at
    	him and attack him.  Something she's never done until recently.
    	She must know something we don't.
    
    	So that's the verdict.  Not a happy one but the only one we can
    	rest well with.  Dukie is a sick little kitty who is not getting
    	better and we don't want to watch him suffer.
    
    	Thanks for listening.
    
    	JJ 
    

    My vet recently attended a seminar in which they discussed Amoxicillin
    and Hetacin K (both penicillins) and their effect on upper respiratory
    illnesses.  The conclusion was that they are ineffective against
    upper respiratory illnesses.  We have now started using Cefatabs,
    Cefadrops, and other cefadroxil products.  I find that the cats
    do much better on them, and respond faster to the medication.  Perhaps
    you might want to give that a try before making your decision. 
    This must be a very hard time for you and your husband, and little
    Dukie.  I hope that all works out.
    
    Jo

    How is Dukie doing.  I just read the last few replies and feel so bad.
    
    I do know what you are going through.  I went through it with Thunder.
    
    Did your vet contact Tufts Vet Clinic.  They did wonders for my baby.
    
    I guess I feel so bad because of the feelings of helplessness and
    frustration I had with Thunder.
    
    Please, please let us know how he is doing.  I know you have done
    everything in your power to help Dukie.  I guess I was hoping to see a
    change for the better.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    
    
    	Well he does seem to be a little better.  It actually seems
    	like he's gaining a little weight!!  Cary picked him up the other
    	night and said "hon, he's got a belly!!"  Not bloated or anything
    	but not as scrawny as he was.  His paws are ok, the decaying has
    	been gone for about a week and a half to two weeks.  And his 
    	breath doesn't stink as much (it was REALLY bad!!).  So it
    	appears that the Amoxicillin is helping.
    
    	He's due to go back next Saturday I think for a follow-up.  I'll
    	mention Tufts.
    
    	Thanks everyone for the concern. (maybe it's the power of positive
    	energy from here that's helping!!  =)  )
    
    
    	JJ
    

    
    	So much for the little bit better.  If there ever was
    	a day I needed to meet some of the wonderful people
    	here, today is it.
    
    	I thought we were going to lose him last night.  He was fine
    	most of the day.  Drooling a lot though.  More than the usual.
    	And he was very affectionate.  When I was getting ready for
    	bed, he was curled up in a little ball on the bed sleeping.
    	And purring.  I laid down with him and petted  him and he
    	purred and purred.  Cary came to bed and Duke was between
    	us.  All of a sudden he stopped purring and sounded like
    	he was having trouble breathing.  Cary realized he forgot
    	to give him his medication so he picked him up to bring
    	him downstairs.  He was breathing very heavy and raspy and
    	gasping for air.  And he 'squeaked' when Cary picked him up,
    	like it hurt.  Cary called me downstairs.  He had gotten the
    	Amoxicillin into him.  But Duke wouldn't eat the treat that
    	had the pill in it.!!  THat was a clue that something was
    	DEFINITELY wrong.  He ALWAYS eats.  Anything.  Then we noticed
    	both of his front paws were bleeding and he was drooling like
    	crazy.  We called the vet (at 11:00 at night) and got the emergency
    	service.  They called a different vet than Dr. Clough.  We
    	explained to him what was happening and he said he could meet us
    	as the hospital or we could wait till the morning.  By this time
    	Dukie had calmed down a little bit so we decided to wait till this
    	morning when he could see Dr. Clough as he knows everything that
    	has been happening.  Cary brought him in this morning.  We're
    	having them keep him there for the day so they can observe what is
    	happening.
    
    	I'm very tired this morning from crying myself to sleep last	
    	night.  We think that the only solution that we're all going
    	to be able to come to is to put Duke to sleep.  Struggling
    	to do something as natural as breathing is no way to live.
    
    	Thanks for listening.
    
    	JJ
    

    Poor little Dukie...he's so blessed to have parents like you who care
    about not only him, but his quality of life.  My prayers are with
    you...
    
    Mary
    

    
    
    	Thanks Mary....
    
    	I'll have pics of him tonite.  He *looks* pretty healthy
    	except for his tiny size but...alas...he is not.
    
    	Brave little guy though.
    
    	JJ
    

    Little Dukie sounds a little bit like Tiny Tim from A Christmas
    Carol.  My heart really goes out to him and your family.  He seems
    to have a wonderful family to support him.
    
    					Mary

    
    	
    	Yeah I guess he does doesn't he?  
    
    	I just got off the phone with Cary.  Dr. Clough believes
    	that the new medication that he was put on may be causing
    	a clotting of some kind and that's why he can't breathe.
    	He is going to give him a cortisone shot and we are to
    	take him off the medication.
    
    	However Dr. Clough says that Duke is dying.  He is definitely
    	on a downward trend.  It appears that nothing we try is going
    	to help.  His immune system is very weak if he even has one
    	at all.  We've tried three or four different medications
    	and there is either no change or he gets worse.
    
    	So now we have to make a decision......
    
    	Thanks for the support.
    
    	JJ & Cary (and Duke)
    

    I am sorry to hear about little Dukie.  This is a tough time for
    you and Cary.  Together you will get through this tough time.
    
    Jo

    JJ -

    I am so sorry to hear this about Duke.  I will be there tonight, 
    I hope we can all be of help.  I have gone through this too, and 
    it is heart breaking.  It brings tears to my eyes thinking of 
    it...

    My best, 
			    Julie

    JJ -
      I wish I had read your notes yesterday.   I'm sorry you're
    having such a tough time with Dukie.  Hang in there.  Remember
    he was purring so he was happy then.  I think that should be an
    indicator of how he sees he quality of life.  
      You'll know when its time to say goodbye to him.  Hang in there.
      Nancy DC

    	Please don't give up hope yet, things could change.  Remember
    the Christmas season is upon us and this is the time for miracles.
    Hang tough little Dukie.
    
    
    	Paul, Pixie, and Dixie

    Poor Dukie,
    
    He is such a wonderful kitty.  I am sitting here crying as if he is my
    own.  I just wish there was a *miracle* that we could find.  I don't
    know what else to say except - I know whatever decision you make will
    be the right one.  And you also know that Dukie loves you very much and
    *we* know how much you love him.
    
    Please, please let us know how he is doing.  My prayers are definitely
    with him.
    
    Sandi (mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, DEJAVU and Storm too
    
    

    
    	Sandi,
    
    	Thank you very much.
    
    	The steroids that the vet gave him should last about another
    	week and a half.  We'll have to see how he is then.  If he goes
    	back to the rough breathing etc, I don't want him to live like
    	that or have to go to the vets every three weeks for shots.
    	That's not a life as far as I'm concerned.  I couldn't see
    	it for myself, so it isn't fair to him either.
    
    	Maybe we will get a Christmas miracle...but I'm not getting
    	my hopes up.
    
    	Thanks everyone so much for the concern and I promise to keep
    	you posted after the next week or so.
    
    	JJ
    
    	

    JJ.
    
    How is little Dukie doing??  I check this note every day to see if
    there is any news.  
    
    Thunder sends kisses and hugs.  So do I.
    
    Sandi mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, DEJAVU AND STORM
    
    P.S.  could I possibly have a picture of Dukie??????
    
    DTN  264-4040 EXT 5023.
    
    

    
    
    	Sandi,
    
    	Of course you can have a piccie!!  And Dukie is very
    	flattered.
    
    	He seems to be holding his own.  We haven't had to bring
    	him back to the vets for more shots or anything.  It *appears*
    	that he may have lost a little weight, but it fluctuates so
    	easily that it's hard to tell sometimes.  When we think he's
    	gained weight he hasn't so....
    
    	He still gasps every once in awhile when he meows but nothing
    	really nasty sounding.  He still purrs up a storm and eats
    	like a pig!!  We hope he'll get better.  It appears that all
    	the good thought here have helped a great deal!!  We haven't
    	had any emergencies since his last visit to the vet.
    
    	Thanks again!!  ( and to Thunder too!)  =)
    
    	JJ and Duke
    

    JJ - 
    
         Here's pulling for little Dukie.  We've had one miracle with
    Bigfoot (he gets better every day), now I'm hoping for another one with
    Dukie.  He's quite a fighter!
    
         Keep it up, Dukie!!
    
    					- Andrea (& Bigfoot & Loki)

    Way to go Dukie!!!!
    
    Hang in there baby.  Thunder is a *Miracle Kitty*.  It is definitely
    time for another one.  
    
    I'm also glad to hear Bigfoot is doing well.  
    
    I LOVE this kind of news.  Much better to read.  Definitely brings
    tears of gladness to my eyes.
    
    Kisses and hugs from Sandi and Thunder the Wonder Kitty.
    
    M/S  MK01-2-E33  Can't wait to see a picture of him.
    
    

    
    
    	Well sick little Dukie was one bad kitty last night.  He 
    	can tend to be vicious when he eats or when he wants food.  
    	Yesterday after work I was sitting on the couch eating a 
    	piece of cheese.  Duke decided he wanted some and took my
    	finger with it.  So when Cary got home we called the hospital
    	and they suggested that I have it looked at.  Sasha and Brandi
    	had cornered Duke and Cary said that if looks could kill, he'd
    	be dead.  I guess they were mad at him too.  Off to the hospital
    	we go.  Got a tetanus shot and I'm on penicillin for 3 days.
    	And it HURTS!!  He wouldn't let go right away after he got me.
    	I had to grab him around the neck and scream at him to get him	
    	to let go.  Needless to say, Mommy's going to be quite upset with 
    	him for a while.
    
    	On the lighter side...I had mentioned two kitties in our building
    	that we call Fric and Frac.  Neither of them will let you touch
    	them  They're outside ALL the time.  Well the other night I put
    	some food out for Fric (the gold and white one) and he let me
    	pet him! (or her) And this morning I could hear a kitty crying
    	outside our window.  Sure enough there he is.  So I went outside
    	(in my robe) and pet him.  He was soaked, the underside of his
    	belly was all matted and caked with snow.  These cats would be
    	beautiful if they were taken care of.  They're both long haired.
    	I think I know which apartment they belong to.  Once I'm sure
    	I may write an anonymous letter to the owners and tell them that
    	what I think they're doing is cruel and that I'll report them.
    	I hesitate because I'm afraid they'll "dispose" of the cats.
    

    Re: Fric and Frac
    
    How about a tactful chat with the neighbors instead.  Sometimes people
    just don't think.  This would be less likely to result in the cats
    being disposed of also.
    

    
    	We thought of that too.  We're a little leery of that too 
    	because we've lived there for less than a year and don't 
    	want to "be hated" before we get to know all our neighbors.
    	I know that sounds selfish but the last place we lived in,
    	the neighbors were horrible and we felt isolated..  I think
    	we'd have to get to know them first...after we figure out for
    	sure who it is.
    
    	Thanks for the  suggestion.
    

    
    	Well I saw something last night that I *never* would have
    	believed if I didn't see it for myself.  Duke was GENTLE
    	in taking food out of Cary's fingers!!  He was downstairs
    	eating supper and of course Duke was with him.  I could hear
    	Cary yelling "gentle" but I didn't pay much attention to it.
    	A little later I went down and there was Cary with a little
    	piece of chicken in his fingers holding it out for Duke.  He
    	said "gentle" and Duke took it very nicely, without even
    	growling!!  And this is the same cat that exactly a week ago
    	last night put a hole in my finger for a piece of cheese!!
    	I couldn't believe it.  I said to him "You look like my
    	cat but you can't possibly be him"  He just looked at me....
    
    	There may be hope yet  =)
    
    	JJ
    

    JJ
    
    That's fantastic.  I guess Dukie is really sorry for hurting his Mama.
    He is trying his darndest to be a *good boy*.  Also looks like you a
    very trainable kitty.
    
    How is he doing?  Any more news??  I look at his picture every day and
    say a little prayer.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    
    
    	He's doing the same Sandi.  Nothing severe just little gasps
    	now and then.  His latest "thing" to do is sit right next to
    	the heating vents in the floor.  He just sits there with his
    	little eyes closed and lets the warm air blow on him.  It's
    	so cute!  Especially when he wraps his tail around the front
    	of his legs.  =)  He still hasn't gained any weight or gotten
    	any bigger though.  But he's doing ok.  (must be the prayers!)
    
    	=)
    
    	JJ (&Duke)
    

    I'm so glad he is still doing OK.  I don't blame him for *hogging* the
    heat.  It is {{{{so cold}}}} this year.  None of my kittys do that but
    I do notice Lightning in the bathroom (which is the warmest room in the
    house) all the time.   How is your hand doing???  Have you forgiven him
    yet for *biting the hand that feeds him*??
    
    Thunder sends kisses and hugs.   XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
    
    Sandi and Thunder the Wonder Kitty
    
    

    
    
    	My hand is ok.  I think he cut a nerve though.  If I hit that
    	spot it sends this really weird sensation to the tip of my 
    	finger.  But it healed fine.
    
    	Thanks for asking!
    
    	And Duke is still the same.  And says thanx to Thunder.
    
    	JJ
    

    Some nerves regenerate, but it takes a few months.
    

    My thumb was like that for a bit after Jazzie bit it.  It will
    pass.
      Nancy DC

    How's my little Dukie doing??   I keep coming into this note to see if
    there is any more news and so far so good.   Is he doing ok???  Has he
    gotten any bigger???  How are his paws????  I really miss reading about
    him.   Maybe you are still *mad* at him for biting your finger and have
    stopped posting news here.  Maybe your finger *hurts* too much to
    type???
    
    Give Dukie a big kiss and hug from his *auntie*.
    
    Sandi and Black Thunder
    
    

    
    	*auntie* Sandi
    
    	Yes, no news is good news.  He's still hanging in there.  
    	But no, he hasn't gotten any bigger.  His paws seem ok and
    	he's taken to 'pattypawing' a lot lately especially on our
    	blankets from New Mexico.  His breath still stinks and he
    	drools a lot but other than that he's ok.  He's as big a pig
    	as ever and eats anything he can get his little teeth into!
    
    	And mom forgave him that night.!  =)   I'm a sap, what can 
    	I say.  I just got the bill from the hospital and fortunately
    	John Hancock covered it all....if they hadn't then I'd 
    	probably get mad at him again.
    
    	The sensations went away in the tip of my finger and is back to	
    	normal.  Not even a scar!
    
    	He even gave Sasha a piece of his mind the other day.  Sasha is
    	the bully of the four and she loves to beat on Chloe and Dukie.
    	Well Duke had had enough one day and starting hissing and swatting
    	at her....it was quite funny because he's usually very passive...
    
    	JJ
    

    YEAHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    		YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    					YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    	I am so glad to hear this.  I will give Thunder an extra hug and
    kiss for Dukie.
    
    	I just love our *MIRACLE KITTYS*.   
    
    	Is his breath problem caused by gingivitus or something else. 
    Thunder's breath was HORRIBLE until we had the *tumor* removed the
    first time.  When her breath got bad again, we found the *tumor* had
    come back.  She also drooled alot too.
    
    	Did you ever find out what was wrong with his paws??? I am still 
    curious about that.
    
    	Love and kisses and hugs to you and Dukie and the gang
    
    Sandi and Black Thunder and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    Oops.  Forgot to mention this.  Black Thunder's second birthday is a 
    week from today.  To think that I never thought she would be with us
    *this* long.
    
    I don't know what I would do without her *flying leap to hug me* when I
    come through the door.  I love her so much.
    
    Sandi (with tears in her eyes for our wonderful Wonder-kittys).
    
    

    
    
    	Sandi,
    
    	The stinky breath is from the ulcers that are on the roof of
    	his mouth and run down into his throat.  yuck!
    
    	We don't know what caused the paws to decay the way they were.
    
    	The whole is a mystery....
    
    	JJ
    

    Ok, it's been a while.....
    
    How is my sweet, little Dukie doing???  I haven't been into feline
    for a while because of a new job and lots of training, but I still
    have his picture on my wall and still think of him.  Can we have
    an update on him, pretty please?????
    
    Sandi and Thunder and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    
    	Snadi,
    
    	Dukie is holding on fine.  He appears to be fine!  The usual
    	drooling is there and he still has the ulcers on the top of
    	his mouth but he just had a check up with Dr. Clough and he
    	said other than that he's just fine.
    
    	Still driving Mom up the wall because we can't leave *any* food
    	out of any kind with him around....he eats everything.
    
    	JJ (and Dukie says thanks for askin'!  =)  )
    

    Judy,
    
    Your welcome....
    
    I really get nervous when I go in to this note and see nothing new.
    
    I'm so afraid that you're not posting anything because it is only
    bad news.   I'm so glad that Dukie is holding his own.  Has he 
    gained any more weight??  If he is anything like Thunder, he eats
    everyone elses food but never gains.  She is doing fantastic too.
    She had a vet appointment just recently and no new tumors.  
    
    Thank you for posting the reply to my previous question.
    
    Sandi and Thunder and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    
    	Nope, no weight gain.  Still the same size and yes, still
    	eating like a pig.  =)
    
    	We don't give them moist food too often but when we do, we
    	have to Dukie's in the cellar.  Otherwise, he'll go around
    	sampling everyone else's and then go back to eating his. 
    	What really amazes me is the other cats don't mind his eating
    	their food!  They just let him nudge them out of the way.
    
    

    Gee, that sounds like sweetie!  Sweetie will hurry up and finish his
    food and then go around and eat everyone else's food.  He just shoves
    his little nose right in and the girls move!  All except Silver and
    Tabitha.  They give him H*LL for it!  As soon as he is finished he has
    to be put into Heather's room.  He's a riot!  He KNOWS we're trying to
    catch him so he RUNS!!! (-
    
    Holly
    

    Gee, Holly, soon you too will have a king-sized free-fed REX just
    like mine!  Catch him quick, or soon he will weigh as much as Terror!
    
    !!

    Not for quite a while, Elaine.  We're going to keep him NICE and thin
    for the show season.  Hoping to get him into the top five next year.
    
    Holly
    

    
    
    	Well the battle is finally over.  Duke doesn't have to fight
    	any more.  He passed on sometime late last night or early this
    	morning.  He'd been just lying around the past couple of days
    	and Cary and I had decided that if he wasn't better by the time
    	we took the cats to be dipped tomorrow that we were going to
    	have to put him down.  He had lost weight recently and hasn't
    	been quite himself.  We buried him in the woods next to our
    	building.
    
    	I had told him last night before I went to bed that he could
    	go to sleep now and not wake up.  For the first time in his
    	short little life he listened to me.
    
    	Goodbye my brave little one.  I love you.
    
    	JJ
    

    I feel so bad. Duke sure put up a fight for a long time.
    
    You will have fond memories of him.
    
    Barbara

    JJ, I am so sorry to hear about Duke's passing.  He certainly put up a
    good fight, and was a strong little kitty.
    
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Cary.
    
    --Roberta
    

    We are so sorry to hear of little Duke's passing - He went through so 
    much.  He is in a better place now, waiting for you, free from pain.
    Remember him fondly and you will always have him with you.
    
    Heather + Muff,Oscar,Pandora + Cocoa

    	Sorry to hear your little one is gone, he put up a good
    fight, now he can rest.
    
    Kirk+9
    

    Oh JJ, what can I say.  Dukie was SO cute!  I loved him to pieces.  
    
    He was in a lot of pain though, I'm sure.  at least he's not suffering
    anymore.  Remember the good times with him (and the not so good times
    like when he bit your finger).  you'll always have memories of him.
    
    If anyone knows what you're going through, the people in this file do.
    
    Holly, and the six kids.
    
    

    I'm so sorry...From all of the funny stories you put in about Dukie,
    I feel like I knew him.  I still think about him running down the
    basement stairs dragging a whole piece of pizza...He sounded like a
    very special cat.
    
    		Mary, Malcolm and Abbey             

    DUKIE,
    
    Thunder and I say *goodbye* and we love you.  You were such a fighter.
    We're going to miss you.
    
    Love,
    
    Aunti Sandi and Black Thunder
    

Dukie was the luckiest cat to have you two for parents.  He picked you for
Mom and Dad 'cause no one else could have cared for him and loved him like
you did.  It's still hard not to shed some tears over his loss, so
here's a few more but they're in celebration of the wonderful life you
gave him.

Bless you....

Mary & the 5 brats

    Judy, we add our condolences.  Dukie was a real fighter.
    
    Chuck, Jane, Peaches, Cassandra and Purrkins
    

     We are also very sorry to hear about Dukie..
    Kate, Pookie, Happy, Preschie

    Judy,
    
    We are very sorry too....
    
    cin & the cattyshack kids
    

    
    JJ, and Cary,
    
    We add our heartfelt condolances.  You are very special to have loved
    and cared for Dukie so well.  
    
    Feline So Sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot & Jerry (Popcat)
    

    Goodnight litte Dukie,
    
    If you see Max and Riff Raff go over and say hi.
    
    We'll say a prayer for you.
    
    
    Tracy and Spookie

    Dukie was one very special cat.  I'm glad he got to spend his 
    time with folks who understood that.  I'm so sorry to hear he's
    gone.
    
    Would you like him listed as Duke or Dukie on the Silver Lining
    Memorial List?
      Nancy DC and the Putiput kitties

    
    
    	Nancy,
    
    	Duke would be fine.  I'm sure the rest of the kitties in
    	kitty heaven are wondering why such a tiny cat has such
    	a big name..... =)
    
    	thanks.
    
    	JJ and Cary (and the rest of the gang)
    

    
    
    JJ,
    
    We're sorry to hear about Dukie....Michele & Nippa
    

    Judy,
    
    I am so very sorry. I loved all those stories about him.
    
    Percy is up there too - I am sure he will look after the little guy.
    
    Lisa plus Pookie and Rolf.

    We also send you our deepest condolences!  It sounds like Duke had
    a wonderful home with you...and he will be missed. 
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, and Barkley)
    

    
    	Thanks everyone.  It helps.  I printed up all the notes
    	from yesterday so Cary could read them.  He appreciates
    	all the support too.
    
    	JJ
    

    Judy,
    
         My deepest condolences to you and Cary.  Dukie was such a little
    fighter! and the wonderful stories such as the pizza robbery were
    unforgetable!
    
         I'm sure Fluffy is up there waiting to play with him, as are our
    other departed feline family members.
    
         If you accept hugs, here's one of support and sympathy for you and
    Cary.
    
    					*Hug*,
    
    					Andrea

    I was sorry to hear about the loss of Dukie.  He was a heck of a
    cat.  
    
    Jo

    We're sorry, too...
    
    Karen (and Georgie)

    We are all very sorry....
    
    Mary-Michael, Ninaine,Charm,Dream,Boogie,Mips,Belle and Misha

    also very sorry to hear that dukie has fought his last battle.  what a
    spirited little guy he was!  our condolences...
    
    diane, stella & stanley
    

    
    Well I figured I was finally able to write this and thought I'd
    share it with all of you.  Kate, you'll appreciate this too since
    Dr. Clough or Dr. Eric as you call him, was your kitties vet too.
    
    
    I feel enough time has gone by tht I can write this without
    getting too emotional.
    
    We just wanted to thank Dr. Clough and the staff for their care and 
    understanding with our cat Duke.  He was sick from the day we got
    him.  And where our previous vet had given up, Dr. Clough gave us
    numerous choices and was willing to take extra steps to find out what
    was wrong with Duke.  Unfortunately we never did know what was wrong
    with him.
    
    Duke left us on July 29 and when I called to cancel an appointment for 
    him, I was given condolences and the assurance if we needed anything,
    not to hesitate to call.
    
    So from us and our other three cats, Brandi, Sasha and Chloe, thanks
    to all of you for making Duke's life as comfortable as it could be.
    
    Judy and Cary Chaisson