Goodbye for now, Sweet Maggie

Thank you all for your love, support, purrs and prayers, which have meant so much to us.

After this week's cancer diagnosis, two very rough nights, and episodes that were becoming all-too-common, we made the agonizing decision to have our beautiful Maggie gently helped to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. We knew it was time -- and the look in Maggie's eyes told us she was exhausted and tired from her constant and ongoing battle. Tracey and I were with her as she passed into eternal slumber.

Maggie's absence in our house is palpable, and we are all absolutely devastated. Although we adopted our girl just a year and a half ago, we loved her so much that we can hardly remember a time when she was not here with us.

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Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...
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Fly free, angel Maggie. We miss and love you, sweet girl, and look forward to seeing you when we get to the Bridge.

Hugs, kisses and snuggles,

Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey, and brofurs Sammy and Moosey

Not the news we wanted :(

We heard from the vet this afternoon, and sadly, our sweet Maggie's tumor is malignant. This kind of cancer -- called a mast cell tumor -- is apparently not commonly found internally in cats (it is actually most often found in the skin of dogs). In the coming days, we'll be consulting with an oncologist and our wonderful vet about possible options. As we've said all along, any decisions we make will be based on what is best for Maggie, her comfort, and her overall quality of life. In the meantime, we'll all just keep loving her as always. Thank you all, and please keep those purrs, prayers and good thoughts coming.

Quick Maggie Update

We spoke with the vet's office this afternoon, only to learn that Maggie's biopsy results have still not come back from the lab. Hopefully we'll have some more answers tomorrow. In the meantime, our Maggie seems to be comfortable. She's eating (and thankfully, keeping it down), and generally being her normal, loving self.

Thank you all for your continued purrs, prayers and friendship, which are a source of great strength and encouragement. We appreciate you all, and promise to keep you posted as we learn more.

Sunday Six, PBU and Maggie Update

Some of the rooms at the shelter are "open" ones, wherein the cats share one common space. It's great to see them all living in harmony, and sometimes we're even lucky enough to catch a bunch of them in one picture (like this one of the gang in Room 8)! Note: if there were any birds at that window-mounted feeder, you can bet not all the kitties would be sleeping. :)


We also wanted to share that we've been selected to be the "Featured Blog of the Week" at Pet Blogs United (PBU), a really cool blog about, by and for pets and animals, and the people who love them. Please be sure to check them out. And while you're there, you can also read their post about us, especially if you ever wanted to know a little more about us and/or about PAWS, the animal shelter at which we volunteer.

And finally, a quick interim update on Maggie. Thank you all so very much for your friendship, love, purrs and prayers. They (and all of you!) mean so much to us. We are still waiting for the biopsy results, which should come back tomorrow. In the meantime, our Maggie is home and comfortable. She is on an anti-nausea medication, and is eating well and being her normal, sweet self. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, PLEASE keep those purrs and prayers coming...

Maggie Needs Purrs and Prayers

Please purr and pray for Maggie, one of the three kitties who own the people at Animal Shelter Volunteer Life (i.e. she is NOT a PAWS shelter cat).

After a visit to the V-E-T today (she has been throwing up lately, and last night/this morning was particularly bad), it was determined that our sweet and sassy girl has a tumor in her belly. Her doctors should have the biopsy results on Monday, at which time we'll know what our treatment options are. No matter what happens, we will make our decisions based on what is best for Maggie, and with concern for her comfort and quality of life.

We (Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey, and brofurs Sammy and Moosey) love Maggie so much, and are hoping, purring and praying for the best.

(As you can see, we've resurrected the wonderful badge KC and ML made for us the last time Maggie was sick...)

Easy Like Sunday, Coast to Coast

The cats in our family know that Sundays are for taking it easy. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! To celebrate, we're re-posting a short video of Garth and Valerie. These two cats met at PAWS, fell in love (don't just take our word for it ... check out the video), and were adopted together in January 2010. They are now living happily ever after in their forever home. :)