Conference misery::feline_v1

    Dear Jo:
    
    I've not participated in this file for a while - lot's of personal
    stuff going on - but today I decided to get back into it and yours was
    the first note I got to.
    
    I sit here with tears in my eyes feeling your pain, sorrow and loss and
    my thoughts and prayers are with you.  Be strong Jo and know that you
    have the love and support of all those you love and have loved behind
    you.
    
    Giudi, Pippin, Gino & STITCH

    Jo,
    
    My thoughts and prayers are with you, as they have been since you first
    told me about Moody.  I was totally shocked when I heard about Kalliste
    last Wednesday.  Kalliste will pull through, he just has to.  You are
    such a strong, gutsy lady, but if you need to talk or just a shoulder,
    I'm here for you.  I read your note with tears in my eyes and feeling
    such sorrow for you and Ken.  You have had more than your share of bad 
    things happen to last for decades.  I am so very sorry about Moody
    Blue, he was so very special.
    
    Steffi, Bob and the kids (especially Kalliste's son, Misha)
      

    Jo,
    
    I cried all the way through your note.  I am at a loss for words; I
    never would have been able to read between the lines of your mail
    messages over the last few weeks and realize that something was wrong. 
    Please know that your are in my thoughts and prayers.
    
    I am so glad that Kalliste pulled through; you are so lucky to still
    have him with you.  Don't give up, he just might surprise you and live
    another 10 years.
    
    You of all people cannot stop breeding cats -- just look at how much
    love and appreciation you show your animals.  Look at all you have
    learned from your experiences.  Despite the losses and illnesses, those
    cats couldn't have lived with more loving and caring people than you
    and Ken.  Hang in there because things will get better.
    
    I wish I could say something that will completely wash away the pain
    and sorrow but only time can do that.  For now, take comfort in all of
    your other kitties and make Kalliste's life as comfortable and happy as
    possible.  It probably won't hurt to increase his taurine intake and
    decrease the amount of salt in his diet, though I'm sure the vets have
    already informed you of what to do.  Cardiomyopathy can be controlled
    with diet and medication so believe in Kalliste and your abilities to
    help him.
    
    Take care and know you are thought of during this difficult time.
    
    --Roberta
    
    
    

    Jo,
    
    I am so sorry to hear about Moody. I hope Kalliste gets better soon.
    
    Take care,
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.
    

    Jo,
    
         I too am so sorry to hear about Moody and Kalliste.  I wish I had
    a magic wand to make you feel better and to make Kalliste all better.
    
         If you need to talk, please feel free.  You've been so helpful to
    me with my kitties, I hope I can be helpful to you now.
    
    					Gentle hugs,
    
    					Andrea

    I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, Jo.
    
    I hope Kalliste pulls through for you.
    
    Best wishes,
    
    Karen (and Georgie)

    I am really sorry to hear about Moody and Kalliste.  It's very tragic.
    
    Please hang in there with your breeding program, from reading your
    notes and listening to others discuss your animals, I know you have
    a lot to offer the Feline world.
    
    I hope Kalliste pulls through.....you are in my thoughts and prayers
    
    Michele (& Nippa)

    
    
    	Jo,
    
    	I can only resound on what's already been said.  
    
    	Best wishes for you and Kalliste.
    
    	JJ, Brandi, Sasha, Chloe and Audrey
    

	Oh, Jo - I'm so sorry to hear about Moody!  With all you've been
	through with Laci, it just doesn't seem fair that you have to lose
	one of your special boys.

	Best wishes to Kalliste, too - if anyone can pull a cat through
	something like this, it's you.

	Hugs and purrs,

	Sandy, Smudge, Tas, Jenny, C.C. & Beau

	I have never 'replied' to a note where somebody's cat has passed on. 
I've never knew what to say. I've only been a cat owner for ten months and 
could not relate to losing a cat. But this one hit home. We have two males who 
are very much a part of our lives. Very special as you'd say. And the thought 
of losing them, especially at the same time, would be very painful. For a brief 
moment I had put myself in your shoes and was sharing your anguish. I think 
I will go home tonight and give them an extra hug.
	Diane and I send our deepest sympathies. 
	But, if it were not for you breeders, I would not have been able to 
buy these beautiful animals! Please, don't stop. You have brought a lot of love 
into many lives. 

Mike and Diane Dillon

    Jo,
    
    You've given me help in the past. I wish there was something I could
    do to help you. But, all I can do is tell you that I'm so very sorry
    about Moody and Kalliste. 
    
    I know you will get Kalliste through this. I know you will get through 
    this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    
    Debbie

    Oh Jo,
    
    I am SO sorry to hear about your precious moody!  Reading your note
    brought tears to my eyes as I thought about Michaela.  Her passing was
    such a short time ago.  I know how much Moody meant to you.
    
    Kalliste is in our kitty prayers .  I can just imagine what you're 
    going through right now.  
    
    
    Very sorry,
    
    Holly, Pita, Tabitha, Silver and Sweetie
    

    Jo, I am so very sorry to hear about Moody and Kalliste.. I can only
    echo what has been said in this file..!!!! Please take care..
    Happy , Preschie and I said send hugs and kisses..
    Kate

    Take a deep breath and go on Jo.  It is very hard, but they love us
    just as much as we love them.  They (you) all told me how hard it is to
    be a breeder of cats,  this is just another one of those awfull things
    that can happen to us and tests us.  My thoughts are with you and all
    my kitties are reaching their paws out for face pats.  Don't give up!
    Love
    Karen, Ruby,Stinky, Wing, Arthur, and Goldie

    Jo,
    
    I'm sitting here trying to find the words to tell you how
    very, very sorry I am about Moody and Kalliste.  There is a huge
    lump in my throat and tears in my eyes for the pain you are all
    going through.  Please know that our love and prayers are with
    you.
    
    Through the years, you've given so much support, good advice
    and encouragement to all in this file.  Now, it is our turn
    to return it to you.
    
    Take care of yourself and enjoy the time with Kalliste.  Your 
    kitties are so lucky to have such a good home and so much love!
    You always do your best for them--they know that, Jo.  And, you
    should remember it too, when the hard times come, and feel proud
    and good for being the loving person you are.
    
    Barbara (Melody, Missy and Brittany)

    Jo,
    
    I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say.
    
    Deb
    

    
           I'm so sorry,  I sure know how you feel.  When I go home
    tonight, I'll tell my gang and we'll all say a little kitty prayer.
    I hope Kalliste will be ok.
    
                            Denise and the gang of 9

    Jo,
    
    You have been there so many times for me.......
    
    I just wish I could do something to take away your pain.....
    
    Please don't give up on Kalliste or on breeding.  
    
    Sandi, mom to White Lightning, Black Thunder, DejaVu, Patches,
    		  Storm the dog, and Grey the Stray
    
    

    I'm terribly sorry about Moody.  I have Kalliste in my prayers.
    
    Just as a side note, since you are semi-nearby, I believe there
    is an after hours emergency vet clinic in San Jose if
    you should be unable to locate your own vet after office hours.
    The one in Palo Alto is listed in the yellow pages under veterinary
    emergency of something like that. A bunch of local vets banded together
    and set this up.
    

    oh jo...!
    
    i am so sorry to hear what you have been going through!  after your
    ordeal with laci, you were due for some *good* things to happen.  but 
    now to lose moody!  what a shock.  he was always such a spunky little 
    guy--i remember your stories of his...err..."early maturation".  how 
    sad to lose one so young, with so much promise.
    
    i am glad that kalliste is hanging in there, so you can focus energy on
    him.  if anyone can bring a cat through the roughest times, it is you!
    good luck and take care...
    
    diane, stella & stanley  (sending good vibes to kalliste)
    

Jo,

Hey, what happened to the rest of my note?
I'll try again...

Jo,
I'm so sorry.
I usually don't reply when people have lost their friends,  I don't know
what to say.  I usually send a non-verbal blessing, but your dedication,
kindness, and helpfulness has been an inspiration to me.  Please don't stop
breeding.

I know it's hard, but I can tell from your notes that you get so much
enjoyment from your babies. It would break my heart to see you stop.
I WISH CATS AND DOGS LIVED AS LONG AS HUMANS!!!!!	
(But then we wouldn't get to share so many wonderful lives)

Becky

    Jo,
    
    How is Kalliste doing today?  I wanted to send our deepest sympathy to
    you.  Keep us updated.
    
    Lisa and Flirtaysha

    Kalliste is holding his own.  He finally started eating on his own.
    He won't eat for me, but he will for Ken.  I am the one that has to 
    give him his shots, pills, fluids, and force feedings.
    
    He gets around okay on his own.  He can get in and out of the litter
    box when he needs too.  He has some control over his upper thighs on
    his back legs, but cannot manuever his hocks or feet.  It is sad to see
    him try to walk.  I set him up with a heating pad, lots of towels and
    a cat bed.  He spends most of his time there.  His food and water is
    right beside that, and the litter box is on the other side.  That was
    he doesn't have to drag himself around very much.  
    
    We do our physical therapy twice a day.  This includes me moving his
    legs and feet and working them a bit.  I rub his toes and stuff too.
    And, I also stimulate him by combing him twice a day too.  With him 
    dragging his legs around, he is knotting up his coat quite a bit.
    He enjoys this time much more than the time that I spend giving him 
    medications.
    
    Tomorrow marks his last injection of anti-coagulant medication.  I am
    very worried about him having another clot once the anti-coagulants
    are stopped.  The specialist at Davis has assured Doc Rue and I that
    the Cardizem (heart medication) should control that problem and that
    there will be no need for anti-coagulants.
    
    Thank you to all of you for being so supportive, both in here and in
    mail.  This has truly been a test of my emotional strength and I don't
    think I would have been able to get through it without your support.
    
    Jo 

    Jo,
    
    Glad to hear that Kalliste is getting a bit better. I've got everything
    crossed for him - sending gentle hugs...
    
    Lisa plus PR&F.
    

    Wow Jo...how can all this happen to one person.  So sorry to
    hear about Moody Blue.... he is at peace now in Kitty Heaven.
    
    Me and my gang will pray for Kalliste.   Please try and stay
    strong for him...you gave Laci the miracle of life and hopefully
    you will do the same for Kalliste. 
    
    Don't even think of giving up breeding.  You are a special person
    that has helped so many noters in this conference.
    
    Hang tough and we'll pray for you.  Gee no wonder you decided on
    the Bruce Springstein song "No Surrender".  I love that song...and
    will think of you ever time I hear it.
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, Barkley, Agnes, Chloe, and Dewey)
                                          

    
    Jo,
    
    I am so sad to hear of Moody Blue.  You and Ken have my heartfelt
    condolences.  We will all send prayers and good wishes for Kalliste. 
    Hang in there.  We are all pulling for you.
    
    Feline So Sad and So Hopeful,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
     

    Jo,
      I have added "Mysihns Moody Blue" to the Silver Lining Memorial list.
    Please let me know if I've made a mistake in his name.
    
    I'm so very sorry about Moody.  I also was thinking about his early
    "maturation".  Animals seem to be so much better at dealing with the
    end of their time on earth than humans are.  They can teach us alot.
    
    PLEASE don't give up breeding.  You are one of the most responsible,
    caring, intelligent breeders I know.  We need MORE folks like you.
    
    And keep a good thought for Kalliste.  You pulled Laci through, you 
    can do it for Kalliste.
      The Putiput kitties, Jack and myself will all be praying for you,
    Moody & Kalliste.
      Nancy DC

    My goodness!  I just read about Laci this morning.  You are such a
    Sweetie that I can't imagine you having all this bad luck.  At least
    Kalliste is getting better.  I know it is awful hard to put your trust
    in someone else when it comes to the babies.  I know deep inside that
    Kalliste will be ok. 
    Lisa and Flirtaysha
    

    Any news???????

    The news is about the same.  I am still force feeding him twice a day,
    and giving him fluids and the heart meds.  He is in the vet today for
    a check on his back legs.  I haven't heard from them yet, they will
    probably call after lunch.  Anyway, he has regained some use of his
    left back leg, and I noticed the other day that that leg is much
    "thicker" than the other.
    
    I am not sure if the thickness is swelling, water retention, or normal
    muscle development that would come from one leg having to make up for
    the loss of the other.  The paw pads are still pink on both back feet,
    and they are still warm to the touch.  I wasn't sure about it, so I
    took him in this morning to have it checked out.  I am a bit worried.
    
    It is hard to say if that leg is really thickened or if it just seems
    to be since the other leg is very thin and rather atrophied.
    
    Anyway, we are hanging in there.  Neither of us likes the present
    situation much, but we also aren't ready to give up ye either.  For
    those of you that watch Soaps, All My Children in particular, I have
    nicknamed Kalliste Derek Fry.  :^)
    
    Jo

    Jo,
    
    I just read this note and wanted to say how sorry I am about Moody. He
    is at peace now.
    
    How is Kalliste doing?  Is he back from the vets?
    
    Hang in there -- he needs all your love now.
    
    Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery...
    Judie

    Kalliste is doing well.  The problem with his back legs seems to be one
    of unhealthy tissue.  The vet drew off some cells from the legs and 
    sent them to the pathologist to check.  He said that they are not
    infectious, not cancerous, just unhealthy.  They are the result of his
    legs being without blood flow from the clot.  The vet said that his
    body should be able to repair this tissue on it's own.  We are putting
    him on antibiotics to prevent infection from occuring in that tissue,
    and have been hot packing and hot soaking his back legs.  He loves the
    hot compresses and just lays there and makes bread in his cat bed and 
    purrs when we we wrap his back legs in the hot wash cloths.
    
    The really good news is that he started eating a bit on his own last
    night.  He ate about an ounce and a half of Fresh Catch, then finished
    of the rest of it during the night.  For the first time in weeks I came
    into his room and found an empty food plate waiting for me.  I was
    ecstatic!  He also nuzzled my face and rubbed his head against my arm
    while I was combing him this morning.  I am very encouraged for the
    first time in weeks.
    
    Jo

Jo -

if anyone can make the big boy healthy, you can.  We're all pulling for him
around my place...lots of crossed paws around my place, that's for sure.

				Hang in there.

	Best wishes from D, Hannah, Nicholas, Sam, Tabby, and Mandy (aka Flash)

    HI Jo,
    
    Sorry about Moody Blues, and the stress you've been under.
    
    I've really admired the way you devote yourself to your cats.
    
    Benjamin and I are very glad to hear the Kalliste is doing better.
    
    dm & Benjamin

    
    
    	Jo,
    
    	Very happy to hear that Kalliste is progressing positively.
    
    	Keep up the good work....with your love, he can't help
    	but pull through!
    
    	JJ and the monsters
    

    Jo,
    
    That's great news about Kalliste!!  I'm glad to hear he is
    doing so much better.  Thank goodness he's got such a great Mom!
    
    Keep up the good work,
    Judie

    
    Let's hope things will progress forward from here.
    
    Jo, I am sure you must be exhausted from all this stress.
    
    Take care of yourself, and soft pats for Kalliste and
    one more for Laci.
    
    Barbara & her 3M's

    Jo, please give  Kalliste a hug from all of us.. take care..
    Kate

    I want to thank you all for your support.  This really has been tough
    on me and having you all be so nice and supportive really helps. 
    Things look like they are taking a turn for the better now so I can
    relax a little bit.  Kalliste is still eating a little bit each time I
    offer him food.  I am still supplementing what he eats on his own with
    some force feeding since I don't want him losing anymore weight.  He
    went from 13 pounds to 9.5 pounds in a matter of a week or so right
    after the "accident" (or whatever you call it).  Anyway, his attitude
    has come around a hundred percent in the last couple of days.  He is
    finally back to being my boy.  He moves all around the room now, gets
    into the closet (which always bothered me in the past), hangs out in
    the cat bed, and he gets up and comes to greet me when I come in the
    room to see him.  
    
    The stress was starting to get to me so I am glad that things turned
    around when they did.  Of course, this whole thing had given me so much
    new gray hair that I had to go out and do something about it.  I
    colored my hair!!  I am now a brunette with auburn highlights.  Anyway,
    maybe that is part of why my spirits are so up these days.  I feel like
    a new person (and I look like one too!). :^)
    
    Jo

         Hooray for Kalliste!!  Sounds like he's doing a-okay under your
    excellent care!!  Please give him a hug for me and, while you're at it,
    give yourself a hug from me too.  You both deserve it!
    
    					- Andrea
    

    Good for you Jo!
    
    dm & Benjamin (who is extremely fond of brunettes)

	That's great news, Jo!  Keep up the good work.  I know what you 
	mean about the closet.  C.C. drives me nuts by running in every
	single time I open any closet in the house.  While she was in
	the hospital, I missed that more than anything :^}

	Sandy et al.

    Jo, that is good news...!!! Hugs to both of you..
    Kate

Well, being a blond who also decided life was easier as a "brunette with
auburn hi-lites" (I call myself a redhead to save time), I can attest that
we take care of life better this way...8^}

Sounds like the big boy has turned the corner -- now, lets all have a
quiet, healthy holiday!

				D

    
    
    	Yay!  I love good news!
    
    	JJ (also a brunette)
    

    jo...
    
    you never cease to amaze me.  you truly have a gift with the animals
    (and the willingness to do whatever it takes).  many good wishes to
    kalliste.  i am glad he has something he enjoys (the hot compresses on
    the back legs).  having something to look forward to can only help
    improve his situation.
    
    and i'm glad you did something for yourself, too, cuz you deserve it.
    
    love from atlanta,
    diane, stella & stanley
    

    Oh this is great news!!  I am SO glad that Kalliste is doing better.
    
    
    Any updates Jo???
    
    Holly
    

    Kalliste is doing well.  He has edema in his right back leg.  Edema is
    where the leg swells up from excess blood.  He had this problem in the
    left leg first, and then when it cleared up he regained the use of that
    leg.  Let's hope that once it clears in the right leg he will regain
    it's use.
    
    He has also become much more active and that is creating a problem of
    it's own.  The leg that he drags, the right one, has a rug burn on it
    from being dragged across the carpet so much.  The fur is worn off and
    there is an open wound.  I have him on oral antibiotics and topical
    antibiotics.  The vet has suggested bandaging the wound, but due to the
    edema I can't tighten the bandage very much.  We can't restrict that 
    blood flow at all.  So, either the bandage falls off, or if it doesn't
    fall off Kalliste chews it off.  
    
    The next step will probably be caging him until it heals.  :^(  I hate
    to do that but I am not sure what else to do.
    
    His attitude is great, and he is eating like a pig.  He is such a love
    and loves to be held upside down like a baby for hours at a time.  I
    think that is the most comfortable position for his back legs.  He
    sleeps on his back with his back legs in the air.  It is a funny sight.
    
    Jo

    JO,
    
    I'm glad to hear that Kalliste is doing better. Panther sleeps in his
    cat bed on his back with his feet over the edge and up in the air, so I
    know what you mean about it looking cute but funny.
    
    Have you thot of putting something like Bitter Apple on the bandage so
    that he won't chew it off?
    
    Deb 

    Sleeping on his back with his legs elevated is probably the best
    position for reducing that edema.  Glad he's doing well.
      Nancy

    jo
    
    My vet suggested applying vanilla extract with a Q-tip, to 
    nippa's bandage.  she had pratically chewed the bandage
    off, but after applying the vanilla, she wouldn't even touch
    it.  I didn't soak the bandage, just poured some on a q-tip
    and touched the bandage w/ the vanilla.  the bandage didn't
    really get soaked with it, but it did pick up the scent.  I
    reapplied it every few days.
    
    michele & nippa

    I got some vet wrap from the vet and have been using it to bandage
    the leg.  Works like a charm!!  Came home from work to find the leg
    still bandaged from the morning.  
    
    Also, the edema is almost gone in the right back leg.  :^)  That cat
    must know what he is doing.  
    
    Thanks for all the support and well wishes.
    
    Jo

    
    jo...
    
    glad to hear the latest good news about kalliste.  here's hoping that
    1991 is a much better cat-year for you than 1990...
    
    diane, stella & stanley
    

    Well guys, I am afraid that we lost the battle.  Kalliste left this
    earth very peacefully and gently on January 4th, 1991.  He had thrown 
    another clot, and that was complicated by a broken right back hock.
    There was nothing that Doc Rue or I could do for him except ease him
    out of this world and into the next.
    
    I am so grateful for the additional 6 weeks that I had with him.  The
    night before he died, I spent several hours with him, hugging, petting,
    and holding him.  We had a nice time together that night.  I didn't
    know at the time that I was saying goodbye to him, he was doing so well
    that night.  In fact, he was doing so well that when Mirabel ran into
    the room he tried to mount and breed her.  Always a stud cat.  I put
    her out of the room and they played footsie under the door for a few
    minutes.  At one point, he wiggled his bum and pounced on her toes. 
    When he came down from the pounce, I heard the bone in his right hock
    crack and knew that he had broken it.  It was nearly 2:00am, so I
    wrapped it up with the vet wrap so that he couldn't move it or injure
    himself further.  We had already planned a vet appt. for the morning so 
    there was no point in waking up poor Doc Rue at 2:00am.
    
    When I went to get him Friday morning, I discovered that he had thrown
    another clot, this one much worse than the first.  I knew that this
    would happen eventually, but I had hoped that it wouldn't happen so
    soon.
    
    So, Kalliste is now in Kitty Heaven with all the other beloved cats.  I
    am certain of a couple of things, namely, he will seek out HRH Pookie
    and that the two of them will have a wonderful time together,
    redecorating,  and reorganizing Heaven.  
    
    Kalliste will always be in my heart.  He was my first whole male cat, my
    first grand champion, and the most beautiful Birman I have ever had the
    pleasure of living with.  In his short time with me he sired some
    gorgeous kittens, many who went on to follow in his footsteps by
    granding easily and picking up some regional awards along the way. 
    
    Right now I am happy remembering how it was that he came to live with
    me, Julie offering him to me at Medina that year, and he had only just
    been born.  She knew that he was something special when he was just a
    few weeks old.  I trusted her judgement and she was right.  Then there 
    was the excitement of picking him up at the airport, his first
    introduction to Joui and Kyrielle, who immediately loved him.  Joui and
    Kalliste have been lovers ever since.  There was his first show as a
    champion where he picked up 75 points in a class of 12 Birmans, one of 
    them a grand.  There was the excited phone call to Julie telling her he
    had granded.  His first two litters, one with Joui producing two grand
    champions, and the one with Kyrielle that produced Lady, my favorite
    blue point Birman.  There have been so many happy times with him.  He
    and I had a truly special relationship.  I have learned so much from him, 
    by watching him develop over the years.
    
    About a week before Kalliste threw his first clot, he bred Joui for the
    last time.  She conceived, and we are hoping she can carry this litter
    to term.  We have been monitoring her pregnancy very closely and so far
    everything is going well.  She is due is just a few days, so please pray 
    with me that she has a happy, healthy litter.
    
    Jo  

    Jo-
    
    I am so sorry to hear about Kalliste.  It was nice you were able to
    spend the time you did together.
    
    I will cross my fingers and say a prayer for his last litter and that
    you get the results you desire.
    
    Michele

    oh Jo, he's watching you and loving you and always will!
    
    e.t.

    Jo,  you are in my thoughts and prayers.. Kalliste was indeed
    a very special boy... He will live in your heart forever..
    and I am sure that him and HRH are indeed sitting
    side by side in their respective "thrones" in their royal
    robes in peace.(Although I am sure that HRH put Laura Ashley
    thru some serious "stuff" to make sure Kalliste Royal Robes
    were done correctly.!!!!
    Kate

    
    	Jo,
    
    	Best wishes from myself and my gang of furfaces.
    
    	And we wish for you that Kalliste's last chance and 
    	fatherhood works out for the best.
    
    	JJ, Brandi, Sasha, Chloe and Audrey
    

    Our goodbyes and see you again in heaven to Kalliste.
    
    Karen, Sweetie, Holly, and Little Bit
    

I have a feeling that the final gift that Kalliste left you will be a healthy,
beautiful litter of kittens....The gang of five in San Jose are waiting with
anticipation for good news..

sorry that you lost your boy, but I know that he had the very best possible
life with you and Ken.

		D and Hannah, Nick, Samson, Tabitha, and Amanda (aka Flash)

    jo...
    
    so sorry to hear that kalliste has passed on.  he fought a noble fight,
    that's for sure.  i am hoping the best for joui and her babies--maybe a
    mini-kalliste is on the way?  it would be fitting.
    
    best of luck to you and the birmans...
    
    diane, stanley & stella
    

    Jo,
    
    
    I am so sorry to hear about Kalliste. Good luck with Joui - everything
    is crossed for her and her babies.
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.
    

    I'm also saying my prayers for you, Kalliste and Joui.  
      Nancy DC

    
    
    
    	Jo, we were all pulling for you and Kalliste, I am so 
    	sorry that he had to leave you. I've been thinking of you
    	for the last two or three days, and now I know why....
    
    	Sherry
    

         I'm so sorry to read about Kalliste.  Sounds like his last day was
    filled with love and fun.
    
         Here's hoping for the best for Kalliste's and Joui's litter!
    
    					- Andrea
    

    So sorry about Kalliste....Hope Joui presents you with
    a Kalliste Jr., as a lasting tribute.....
    
    
    Lynne & Casey, B.K., Rusty, Pepper & the orange visitor.

    Jo, we are so sorry about Kalliste.  We have our fingers (and paws)
    crossed for a healthy litter from Joui.  I'm here if you need to talk
    or just need some comfort.
    
    Steffi & Bob and Lizette (Joui's daughter), Misha, (Kalliste's
    beautiful son), Misty, & Marnie

	Jo, we're also sorry to hear about Kalliste.  He certainly had the
	best nursing available.  I hope you can come east to a cat show 
	sometime, as I'd definitely love to meet you.  You seem to be a very
	special person.  Good luck with Joui and her babies-to-be.

	Sandy

    Jo,
      Please also accept my sympathies over Kalliste's passing.  I will
    pray for Joui to have a healthy litter for you to remember him by.
    He certainly was a brave boy!  Take care.
    
    Heather + Muff, Oscar, Pandora + Cocoa

    Jo,
    
    	I feel so sad.  I'm writing this with tears in my eyes trying to
    figure out why.  I guess there are no answers only the knowing that
    Kalliste won't be suffering anymore.  I just know that Joui will give
    you a litter of happy healthy kittens and one is going to look like
    Kalliste(just like in the movies).  Hang in there and remember that we
    are all here for you if you ever need to talk.  
    Big Hugs and Kitten nips,
    
    Lisa and Flirtaysha

    Jo,
    
    I was so sorry to hear about Kalliste - try to take comfort in knowing
    that you gave him the very best of everything - 
    
    Just maybe Joui's and Kalliste's litter will hold that speical miracle
    for you - that special healing kitty that we all find and need.
    
    Love and prayers,
    
    Giudi, Pippin, Gino, Stitch and Annabelle & Cuervo the gold fish

    Jo,
    
    I'm sorry sorry, but I'm glad that you at least had time to say
    goodbye. 
    
    Deb and the firm

I am also very sorry to hear of Kalliste's passing. 

I have a picture of Kalliste, a reprint of what Cindy Fischer took when 
she visited you. But even without pictures, Kalliste's memory will live
on for those of us who have read your funny and sad stories about him 
in Feline.

Linda

    Jo,
    
    I too want to add my sympathies... how sad for you to lose
    Kalliste.  He certainly seemed to be a very, very special
    kitty.
    
    Here's hoping for a beautiful litter from Joui!!!!!
    
    Take care,
    Judie

    Today is day 63, so she made it to term!!  Now we just have to pray
    that she delivers live kittens with no complications.
    
    I had a dream last night that she had 11 kittens!  There were 6 boys
    and 5 girls, and they looked like they were 6 weeks old when they were
    born.  They had fluffy coats, their eyes were already open, and of
    course their gloving was all perfect. :^)
    
    She woke me up three times last night for false alarms.  Hope tonight
    it is for the real thing.  I am anxious to have this part over with. It
    has been so stressful, all this waiting.
    
    Jo

jo,

I've been afraid to ask....we all have our paws and fingers and toes crossed
for luck.

	D and gang of 5

    re: 76
    
    Boy, Jo, can I relate - Mardi Gras just had a boy that weighed 5,
    that's FIVE ounces and a girl that weighed a little over 4, that's
    FOUR ounces!  I thought they were puppies - the boy was a back
    presentation, and the girl was backwards!  ugh, not a fun delivery!
    
    GOOD LUCK!!!!
    
    e.t.

    Day 64 and still no kittens.  Mom is getting nervous (that is me, not
    Joui--she has nerves of steel).
    
    Jo

    Finally we have kittens!!  Joui had a difficult delivery, lasting from
    about 7:00am to almost 3:00pm.  But, all kittens were born alive and
    all are doing great.  There are four babies, 2 males and 2 females.
    
    I am so relieved that it is over.  (But not nearly as relieved as Joui
    is!) ;^)
    
    Jo

    
    
    	YAY!!!!  Hooray for Joui!!  Hooray for Jo!!
    
    	Lotsa hugs and purrs coming your way....
    
    	JJ
    

    Wonderful news!!  Joui had the purrfect midwife, Jo.  She couldn't have
    done it without you.  Here's to 4 beautiful, and healthy babies.  
    
    Purrs from Joui's 3 year old daughter, Lizette and her 1 1/2 year old
    grandson, Misha, as well as Misty and Marnie.  
    
    Hugs from me...
    
    Steffi

    Jo. that is wonderful news...!!!
    Hugs 
    Kate, Happy,(hmm an other kittyshower.), Preschie( hey I want to come
    to the kittyshower too..)

    Jo...what great news...best I heard all day.  Congratulations and
    I hope Joui is a healthy, happy mom.
    
    Sandy

    Jo.....That's great news.....I'm glad everything worked out.
    
    Michele

    YAHOO! That's *GREAT*!!!
    
    Congrats!!!!
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.
    

    I bet they'll all be CFA Master grands too!!!!!!!
    
    Best wishes to you and the new mom.
      Nancy DC and the Putiput cats.
    

    jo, joui and young'uns...
    
    we are so pleased to hear the news!  glad joui made it through without
    serious problems.  a bit of kalliste is still with us...
    
    diane, stanley & stella
    

	Yay!  Congratulations from all of us in Manchester, NH!  Hope the
	kittens are healthy and happy :^}

	Sandy + 5

    Yeah!  Good news!!!  Give Joui hugs from all of us!
    
    Lynne, Casey, B.K., Rusty, Pepper & the orange visitor
    

    So far so good.  All babes are gaining weight.  One started purring
    just a few hours after birth, and today they were all hissing at me
    when I went in to greet them. :^)
    
    Now, of course, I can start thinking of O names.  I hadn't wanted to
    let myself do that until I had live kittens to name.
    
    Thanks for all the well wishes.  Joui is doing great.  No signs of a
    recurring pyometra yet either.  We are monitoring her temp carefully.
    
    Jo

         O names?  I can't remember offhand your cattery name (sorry), but
    I can supply the following if you can modify them correctly:
    
         Odysseus
         Odin (okay, so I'm half Norwegian ;-) )
         Oscar or Oskar (yep, more Scandinavian influence ;-) )
         Olive Oyl (now we're drifting into comics)
         Oscar Wilde (now literature)
         Oddball (for the comical cat)
    
         What do you want?  It's past my 3:00 bedtime ;-) ;-) ;-) !!
    
    					- Andrea  

I know you try to keep to musical themes, but the first 4 O things that came to
mind were:

	Occupational Hazzard (for the one that's always underfoot)
	Outa Sight (for the shy one)
	Outa Mind (for the one whose name you can't remember)
	Oughta be a Law (for the one who's gonna straighten things out in 
		San Mateo County)

	
Then there's all the Out <something> names
	Out and About
	Out on the Town
	Out to Lunch (this is what *my* Hannah should have been named)

	Overachiever
	Once in a Blue Moon
	Over There
	Over Here

	

    Wasn't there a James Bond book called Octupussy?
    I don't remember what that stood for....
    
    Ohyoukitty
    Ohyoubeautifuldoll (Dolly, for short, after Dolly Madison, who
    appreciated the good things in life.)
    

    How about "Oh what a night"
      Nancy

    
    	I'm not very good at this but...
    
    	Othello
    	Oedipus (has that been mentioned)
    	Over the Rainbow
    	
    
    	JJ
    

    Or:
    
    Out of the Blue
    
    For that bluepoint that pops up in a litter where you didn't know if
    one of the parents is carrying blue!
    
    Obsession (for the perfectly lovely Birman)
    Oeuvre (means a work of art)
    
    Can't think of anything more offhand (hey, now there's another O
    word!! :^)
    

    Off the Wall
    One Night Stand
    Optical Illusion
    Oversexed [ :^) ]
    Ornery (for that stubborn kitty)
    Outstanding (now there's a good one for you, Jo.  Joui does make
                 outstanding babies!!)
    Overture
    
    
    --Roberta
    
    

    Jo:
    
    Congratulation and I'm so glad that everything went well.
    
    O names -  well:
    
    	* OZONE
    	* OUTRAGEOUS
    	* ORPHEUS
    	* OPHELIA
    	* ODYSSEY
    	* ODYSSEUS (HERO OF ODYSSEY)
    	* ORION
    	* ORISON (A PRAYER)
    	* OUTLANDISH
    	AND
    	* ORGY
    
    Giudi

    I like the last one ;-)

	Couple of musical "O" terms that came to me:

	Orbison
	Opus
	OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark)
	Oklahoma!
	Oboe
	Ovation

	Friday brain strikes again! :^}

    Thanks for all the name suggestions, I am loving them.  My mind was a
    complete blank when it came to O names.  We do try to keep to a musical
    theme, and I was afraid I was going to have to go ahead and let Ken
    name these guys.  You can be certain we would have ended up with an
    Oh-bla-dee and an Oh-bla-da! :^)
    
    Jo

>>>    Oh-bla-dee and an Oh-bla-da

And you SHOULD!!!  I love these names.....You could call them Dee and Da
for short.....great minds run in the same channel, eh??

    

    
    I agree!  I think those names are great!  A heck of alot better than
    a name like Stripetease, that someone we know came up with.... ;')
    
    

    Jo,
    
    I've not had a chance to get into Feline for the past several weeks,
    taking on a new job and was so saddened to hear of your recent
    problems.  Your contributions to this notesfile have been invaluable
    to all readers. Like others, we hope Kalliste pulls thru.
    
    Our hopes and prayers are with you.
    
    Chuck, Jane, Peaches, Cassandra and Purrkins
    

    My kitten's sister is Porteous O-bla-de.  It's quite a mouthful
    
    

    Hi Jo,
    
    How are the babies?
    
    dm & Benjamin (who was VERY excited to hear about Joui's new litter!)

    The new babies are doing great.  They are about 2 weeks old now, and
    all have their eyes open.  Their ears are starting to open too.  They
    reacted to my voice this morning.  It won't be long before they are
    running to great me when I pop my head in and check on them.  That is
    my favorite stage, when they finally start to recognize you as a friend
    and not as a threat.
    
    The most amazing thing seems to be happening.  Their colors are
    starting to come in.  Joui is a seal point carrying blue, and so was
    Kalliste.  Generally, you have a chance of having 25% of the litter
    turn out to be blue.  Well, it looks like we have two blues out of the
    four.  And, the really amazing part is the split between colors and sexes.
    It seems that Kalliste outdid himself this time, he gave me one of
    everything to choose from.  As far as I can tell, I have a seal girl, a
    blue girl, a seal boy, and a blue boy!  The odds are truly against that
    happening.  What a wonderful last gift.  
    
    I thought of a nice O name for someone with a black cat...Obsidian.
    
    Jo

    
    	They sound so cute Jo!  And we all had confidence that 
    	Kalliste was going to give you a wonderful gift before
    	his passing.  And I see that he did!
    
    	JJ
    

    Jo, they sound adorable...
    Kate, Happy, Preschie..

although we ordinarily prefer flame points around our house, the gang in
San Jose is SURE the babies are perfectly beautiful....and beautifully
perfect in health.

			so glad to hear they are healthy!

					D

    I LOVE blue!  Glad to hear the babies are doing so well.  Kalliste
    lives on :-)

    What a wonderful gift Kalliste left you.   I bet the babies are
    beautiful......three cheers to Kalliste and Joui!
    
    Sandy

    I just reread this note and had myself a good cry.
    
    Now for an update. Joui and Kalliste's babies are about 12 weeks old
    now and as cute as can be.  The blue boy is Mysinhs Outrageous Fortune
    unless Pasty can talk me out of it.  Patsy and I will co-own him and he
    will live with her in Utah.  I still haven't named the other three
    kittens yet!  I just can't come up with anything I like.  The seal boy
    is very cute and affectionate, but he doesn't look like his dad. :^(
    He will be probably be sold as a pet.  I am not sure about the two
    girls yet.  They are both adorable.  They will probably end up being
    named Oh-bla-dee and Oh-bla-da. :^)
    
    I have made arrangements to get myself a new kitten or two, and an
    adult male cat to use for stud.  The adult male is a boy that I have
    admired for a long time, and his owner has offered me a co-ownership on
    him.  I feel very proud that she is willing to send him out to me.  I
    also have a seal point male kitten coming from her.  She is the breeder
    that I got Kalliste from and she has a wonderful baby for me.  I have
    named him Nepenthe--a potion used by the ancients to induce
    forgetfulness of pain or sorrow, something capable of causing oblivion
    of grief or suffering.  I think that the name is appropriate even
    though it doesn't follow my musical theme. :^)  Let's just hope that he
    can help fill this void in my heart.
    
    When I get my boys, I will give another update.  Maybe even introduce
    them. :^)
    
    BTW, Joui came through the pregnancy and birth with flying colors.  The
    doc pronounced her normal and healthy once again.  No more worrying
    about breeding her on every season, no more worrying about having to
    spay her to prevent uterine infections.  She is still young and with
    any luck she and Mush (my new blue adult) will make just as nice babies
    as she and Kalliste did.  Hopefully she will love Mush as much as she
    did Kalliste.
    
    Jo

    JO.. Enjoy them.... I just love those names.. remember our
    conversation..
    Kate
    

    So happy to hear the good news.  Keep it coming.
      Nancy