Oh Phil....I'm so sorry....

All I could say when I saw the title of your post was nononononononono. I'm
so very sorry he is so sick. I'm just in tears for you. I am still touchy I
guess because of Grant. It's never ever the right time. I'm so glad though
that he can be at home with you a while. I would have given a lot to spend
some quality time with Grant knowing how short the time was left, but that
was not possible. Give Scooter scritches and kisses from me. Just so hard.
((((((((hugs))))))))). Karen

<snip>

So sorry to hear it Phil.  Losing them is so hard.

hugs,
-L.

Purrs that Scooter is happy all of his days.   MLB

Lots of purrs for your family and for Scooter. May he happily his last
days with the family that loves him.

I am so sorry--  you are never ready for that knowledge, no matter how
or when it comes.  Purring for Scooter and your family.

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com

So very sorry to read your news. It is so hard to lose them, especially
after such a long time together. Purrs to you all. He looks like a very
sweet cat.

Oh, no. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy that you and your
family and beautiful Scooter find yourselves in this situation.

Awww, he's gorgeous!  I'm so sorry to hear this, Phil, my heart goes out to
you.  Try and focus on all the good years he had that most kitties don't get
the chance to enjoy.  You gave him the most precious gift a cat can have, a
good safe home and lots of love.

Hugs,

CatNipped

Being at home with loved ones is by far the best way to go. My crew and I
sending purrs of comfort for all of you.

<SNIP>

My sympathies, that must be hard!  I'm Happy for both of you that Scooter
can spend his remaining time with you.  I'm sure Scooter is happy to be at
home too...  All my best.

Mathew
Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat
En Vino Veritas

I'm so sorry for your impending loss.  My daughter lost a cat to what sounds
like the very same thing two days ago.  Hers was 13.

I love the Scooter pictures.  And I love the quilt.

May you and Scooter enjoy the special time you have left.

Jo

It's always "too soon" to lose our beloved companions, Phil.  I'm so
sorry to hear how sick Scooter is. I just passed the first anniversary
of Isadora's passage over the Rainbow Bridge, and I still miss her very
much. The absence of a beloved animal cannot help but leave a void when
we have to say goodbye.  Scooter is a very distinguished fellow, and he
has lovely green eyes. I'm sure his eventual absence will be keenly
felt. Give him all the love you can in the meantime.

Melissa

I'm so sorry to hear this :(  Scooter is a beautiful cat.  Purrs for you and
your family and for an easy passage for Scooter when the time comes.

Jill

{{{{{Phil}}}}}}}}

I am so sorry.  Purrs to you and your family and Scooter.  Treasure
each day you have left with him, and take plenty of photos/video.  My
thoughts are with you.

Blessings,

Ginger-lyn

Home Pages:
 http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/
 http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats)
 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy)
 http://www.i-love-cats.com/meow/glsummer/ (The Violence Against
                        Animals in Movies Website)

I'm very sorry to hear about the poor prognosis. Sending purrs that
his last days will be happy with those he loves, and that he'll have
many more of those days than the vet thinks.

Just one bit of advice - which may totally out of line as you may have
complete confidence in your vet, or have only done so. Perhaps a
second opinion would produce a more promising diagnosis/prognosis. It
wouldn't be the first time a vet gave up on a patient who ended up
beating the prognosis - BlueBird's Little Bit is always the first I
think of who did, since I have my own Little Bit. IIRC, BB's LB was
supposed to to the RB within a week, and instead lived a good life for
another year.

I'm NOT saying it's time to give up, now, by tacking on the poem
below. Only you and Scooter can know when that time comes. Give him
the best love you can for as long as possible.

Back when Rocky (RB) was hurt, someone sent me this from poem
http://www.homeranimals.com/rainbow.htm

IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
for this - the last battle - can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must now be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close - we two - these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Hopefully, it will be a LONG time before you're faced with making THAT
decision. I never made that decision with Rocky, as Dr Haney felt
there was a chance he could pull through, and d@mn-it he WAS
improving. My only regret is that he passed away alone at the hated
TED, without me there telling him he was loved.

I am *so* sorry to hear this! We'll be sending our best comfort purrs
for Scooter and for you folks.

I"m so sorry, watching yoru cat fade in front of your eyes is a tough thing
to have to witness.

At least he's happy and will remained loved long after he takes his last
breath.

Purrs that his passing will be easy and painless, for both his and for his
family.

Yowie

Phil,
I'm sorry to hear about what has happened. I would ask that you please
don't wait for Scooter to die at home. Fluid on the chest and the
collapsed lung are already obviously making his breathing difficult,
and, having had a cat in the same siutation myself, I can tell you that
waiting for him to die at home naturally would case prolonged pain and
great suffering. I'm not trying to be insensitive to what will obviously
be a great loss to you. I'm just asking that you consider giving your
cat a kind and gentle exit and don't allow him to suffer and die in
respiratory failure. I unexpectedly lost my cat Omar to this last year
(he died in my car on the way to the ER) and I can honestly say it is a
horrible, horrible way to go. That's why I felt compelled to post to
you. I just couldn't fathom allowing a cat to die this way if it's
avoidable. Please consider giving him the gift of rest.

Megan

                                   

Thanks so much everyone for your kind thoughts and words.
Scooter is still hanging in there. As I mentioned earlier it's almost like
he doesn't know he is this sick. You might think that at this point he would
be laying under a bed barely able to lift his head. But he has been actually
trying his best to go about his regular routine. He seems to sleep
peacefully for a while, then gets up and starts to follow me around as he
normally would. I kind of wish he wouldn't do that since I don't want him
over exerting himself. I guess this could be his wild instincts kicking in
where he feels it's in his best interest to mask any weakness.
The most important thing is that he does not appear to be suffering in any
kind of painfully significant way. Should it come to that we will certainly
take the next step as hard as that will be.
But for right now at least we feel he is truly feeling better being in his
home and around us.

However, I still feel like someone has hit me in the stomach with a baseball
bat.

Phil

so sorry and sad to hear this. But Scooter will have the best days of his
life with you in his own home. God bless.
Jazz & his mama

And when he does cross over, he will break into a run and fill healthy
little kitty lungs with fresh heavenly air. a thousand purrs and prayers for
you, your family, and your little Scooter. He'll be all the happier for the
love you'll give him on his way to the place of eternal summer.

Blessed be,
Baha

So sorry to hear that. May you and Scooter enjoy as many more days
together as you can. He will let you know if and when he's had enough.
He's a beauful fellow.

So sorry to hear this news. Purrs that his days may be comfortable and full
of love.

Kathryn and Sesame

...................

I hope you  are able to spend some quality time with him.  I loved the
pics -- what a handsome little man he is.  Purrs for the whole family.

Regards and Purrs,
O J

I'm so very sorry to hear this.
Lots of hugs and purrs,

I'm so very sorry to read this, Phil. Purrs for you and your family. :-(

Phil, this is really sad and I'm so sorry.  I'm glad Scooter is enjoying
what time he has left with you and your family.
hugs and purrs for all of you
Christine

What a handsome boy!

I am so sorry that the vet gave you such sad news. :o(

At least you have some advance warning, so you'll be able to spoil him
like crazy for his remaining time. Send him some skritches and purrs for
me, may his remaining time be happy and comfortable, and when his time
comes, may it be peaceful.

Donna

AWww, Scooter is such a pretty cat

I know what it's like to have to give horrible news to an owner.  Give
him lots of love and scritches for me.

Kristi

Phil, I'm so sorry. Enjoy the time you have. That goes for everyone,
sick or not. Hugs and purrs.

I'm sorry that Scooter is so sick Phil.  I hope you have some good time
together and we're thinking of you.

Susan M
Otis and Chester

Phil

I am so sorry to hear about Scooter, thinking of all of you

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

Many purrs and prayers for Scooters time left to be comfortable, and
that when he goes his passing is gentle.

Helen M

Oh Phil, I'm so sorry to hear about Scooter's
condition. He's a beautiful boy, and must be a treasured part of your
family.
He'll let you know when he's ready; I'm sure that you and your wife
will be watching with love to see his signs.
Marion

Purrs to ease Scooters passage and for your grief.
Suz &Spicey

God Phil I feel so sorry, I'vebeen there SOoooo many times
in my life,one of my babies we got when my Daughter was 3
and she was 19 when we lost Panther, she was 16and 1/2
Henri was 13and the others between 7 and 11, my two labs
were 101/2 and 11.1/2 you lose part of your family with each
one,but you have a good perspective.   Jean.P.Purrs for you all.