Zeus-cat
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- Mar 14, 2009
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We just lost one of ours on Monday. We had taken in mommy and her 6 kittens from a firefighter neighbor when mommy had snuck into his garage one day. As he worked weird hours he couldn't take care of them, so they ended up in our garage until we could adopt them out. Got various people to take mommy and 5 of the kittens. We ended up stuck with one of the orange boys - Plato.
Three years go by and we get a call from a guy who adopted one of the other orange cats. He got orders from the Air Force and was only taking his original cat on the move and didn't want to take the one he got from us. Did we want him back or should he take him to the pound? Well, we knew how that would end, so Plato got his brother back; now named Jax.
Plato and Jax hated each other. They mostly got along with the other cats; lots of growling at times, but no serious fights. After a while they just ignored each other.
After a few years we realize Jax has trouble breathing. A chest X-Ray reveals he has asthma. Steroids have too many side effects, so we switch to an inhaler. (look up Aerokat inhalers (they also make them for dogs, horses, etc.)). Big improvement in his quality of life. He was treated twice a day and really didn't fight it. Then we noticed his brother, Plato, had breathing issues. Yup, asthma. He gets treated once a day.
Then maybe a year ago Jax starts having other problems. Turns out he has kidney stones, liver problems, high blood pressure and heart issues. Medication deals with some of it, but the vet says the liver issue is serious and he won't make it another year.
Then 4 or 5 months ago he essentially goes blind. Completely loses sight in one eye and the other is pretty bad. He could see light, but nothing clearly. He got around pretty well but would run into doors once in a while.
He was a daddy's boy and liked to sit on my lap for brief periods.
Then about 5 days ago he quit eating, and we knew it was time to say goodbye.
He is buried on the edge of our prairie. My wife has a bird call ap on her phone and she has detected over 45 species in the last couple of months. The deer and raccoons stop by every night for corn. The wildflowers have started to bloom, and the prairie will really start to pop soon.
Three years go by and we get a call from a guy who adopted one of the other orange cats. He got orders from the Air Force and was only taking his original cat on the move and didn't want to take the one he got from us. Did we want him back or should he take him to the pound? Well, we knew how that would end, so Plato got his brother back; now named Jax.
Plato and Jax hated each other. They mostly got along with the other cats; lots of growling at times, but no serious fights. After a while they just ignored each other.
After a few years we realize Jax has trouble breathing. A chest X-Ray reveals he has asthma. Steroids have too many side effects, so we switch to an inhaler. (look up Aerokat inhalers (they also make them for dogs, horses, etc.)). Big improvement in his quality of life. He was treated twice a day and really didn't fight it. Then we noticed his brother, Plato, had breathing issues. Yup, asthma. He gets treated once a day.
Then maybe a year ago Jax starts having other problems. Turns out he has kidney stones, liver problems, high blood pressure and heart issues. Medication deals with some of it, but the vet says the liver issue is serious and he won't make it another year.
Then 4 or 5 months ago he essentially goes blind. Completely loses sight in one eye and the other is pretty bad. He could see light, but nothing clearly. He got around pretty well but would run into doors once in a while.
He was a daddy's boy and liked to sit on my lap for brief periods.
Then about 5 days ago he quit eating, and we knew it was time to say goodbye.
He is buried on the edge of our prairie. My wife has a bird call ap on her phone and she has detected over 45 species in the last couple of months. The deer and raccoons stop by every night for corn. The wildflowers have started to bloom, and the prairie will really start to pop soon.