My Wise Little Lion is Gone

-- Hooman Momma

Sábio Leãozinho is the literal translation of wise little lion in Portuguese. Our vet wanted him to be an action star if he grew up, but Saab always preferred to be a ninja.

ONE MONTH. 

It's been a month since the biggest battle of Saab's short life has been lost. I never updated this blog, because it was very painful for me to accept that Saab is no longer around to bring joy and mischief to our humble home.

Tiny Saab. What a cutiepie!

Saab was a handsome boy. No doubt about that.

When Saab was still confined at The Pet Project Vet Clinic and people asked me how he was, I always choked on my reply -- HE'S DYING. For how else can you describe the quick deterioration of Saab's health? That after only 3 weeks of discovering the first symptom, he was gone? That his vibrant, conversational meow when he was still well was reduced to a mere cry of pain as the days went on? That each day he spent at the hospital was a day closer to his death sentence? It was truly a very tough journey that no loving pet parent and furbaby deserve to go through.

Saab was scared of dogs before, but he shared a short friendship with Buster at the clinic, a black Labrador. Maybe because they're both black?

The first symptom that appeared was his unevenly dilated eyes, and his left iris developed a red-orange tint. Later on, his right pupil became irregularly shaped, as seen in these photos.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a heartless, evil disease that steals the life of beautiful angels, whose only fault was acquiring corona virus that mutated in their genetically predisposed DNA. One trigger is all it takes to activate its fury -- sickness, stress, or anything that would compromise his immune system. In Saab's case, it was his neutering. There's really nothing we could have done about it -- not neutering was not an option. FIP is like a thief in the night that waits patiently for an opportunity to attack and take over.

Saab being prepped for neutering by Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay on August 18, 2013.

Saab recovering at home after surgery.

What's even more depressing is that there is no cure for FIP. There are experimental drugs such as Interferon Omega and Polyprenyl Immunostimulant, but before we could even get our hands on these options, Saab's FIP already progressed to the point of no return. Using these drugs would be futile, because Saab was already beyond repair. Logistically, it would have not been possible for the medicines to arrive on time because it had to be ordered from the US, and while it can be sent via FedEx, customs in Manila (knowing how corrupt they are) may intercept an experimental drug and not release it on time. It is an expensive drug, but I know in my heart that I would never hesitate to try it if we only had the means.

On October 12, Saturday, I knew it was almost time. Our amazing vets, Dr. Riza Zunio and Dr. Melay Pelayo, already talked to me about putting Saab to sleep. But I chose to hold on. I just couldn't let go. I spent several nights sleeping beside Saab at the clinic, and on that last night, we slept together peacefully with him using my arm as his pillow. 

In the morning of October 13, Sunday, at exactly 9:00 am, Saab marched weakly to his favorite sun spot at the balcony of his suite. For the last two weeks, he goes there everyday, to lounge around the fake grass under the sun. Oh, how he loved that spot. It was so heartwarming that despite his condition, he still chose to enjoy what little life is left in him. He grew even weaker in the afternoon, and Dr. Riza decided to put him on IV drip. He seemed stable, and I decided to leave him at 4:30 pm to freshen up at home.

Saab's beautiful suite, his home for 3 weeks. He had supervised access to the balcony where he spent his morning lounging on his sun spot.

A peaceful photo of Saab on his last day, sleeping on the fake grass.

At 6:15 pm on October 13, I received a call from Dr. Riza, telling me that Saab had a seizure. It was almost time. My mom and I hurriedly left home. While on the road, at 6:38 pm, I received a text message that he's gone. We arrived at the clinic at 6:45 pm, and we were 15 minutes late. He finally gave up at 6:30 pm, in the arms of our loving vets. They tried to revive him, but he was already too tired. He didn't want to fight anymore. 

Saab had the sad look of death on his last day. He was too tired to fight a battle bigger and tougher than him.

I prayed hard that if Saab couldn't be cured anymore, then just please let him rest. But even if Saab prepared me for 3 weeks for the inevitable, it was still very tragic. It was even more painful that he decided to leave without me by his side, but what comforted me was the thought that he probably loved me so much he didn't want me to see him die. 

I realized that putting an animal companion to sleep is a very personal decision that should only be discussed by people directly involved in the care of the sick animal. At the onset of his illness, I received several messages from people telling me to relieve him of the pain and just put him to sleep. But those 3 weeks were too precious to give away. He was even still very playful in the first week. I would never have it any other way. When I got that crucial call from Dr. Riza, I was ready to let him rest, because I knew that was it.. But I am still glad he didn't let me make that choice. It would have broken me even more.

The last best thing I could give to Saab is a private cremation and beautiful memorabilia, to honor all the beautiful memories he left us with. I am thankful I found Pet Valley Park and Crematory for the quick and efficient service.

This cross stich craftwork was given to us by our vets. What a great way to capture the blessed life of Saab at the Rainbow Bridge!

Time heals all wounds. While it got easier as days passed by, I still miss him. Everyday. I light a candle for him every morning, just to relish in the warm and sweet personality of Saab. It gets me going each day.

I would like to thank my mom, our vets, friends, PAWsome Cats followers, and the Facebook groups FIP Fighters and Cat Care Philippines, for holding my hand (physically and virtually) in this difficult journey. I am truly grateful for all the heartfelt support that you have given me, and for all the love that you showered Saab with.

I hope you are not getting into too much trouble at the Rainbow Bridge, Saab. You must be giving St. Francis a lot of headache. I love you, Sábio Leãozinho. Goodbye, little one...

We Are Still Fighting...

-- Hooman Momma

Saab's eyes on Sept. 22, 2013. His left eye is smaller than his right, and the iris has a red-orange tint.

It's been three weeks since we saw the first symptom of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) on Saab. In the past three weeks, everyday is a celebration of life. I feel blessed for being able to spend great time with him despite the death sentence on a short notice. His health is failing each day. But if love can move mountains, then it can also heal. Saab may eventually lose the battle, but we know that in the end it will be a fight well fought because we are with him every step of the way.  I won't give up this fight as long as his body is still fighting.

Saab's eyes on Oct. 6, 2013. His right eye's shape is now irregular, and his bloodshot left eye is cloudy.

Meet Saab's crew at The Pet Project Vet Clinic! They all make sure his stay there is warm and fuzzy :)

Prayers for the PAWsome Cats Family

-- Hooman Momma

I am sorry we haven't been posting lately. We have been going through terrible times.

QISH

Qish was confined on September 8 (Sun) for kidney flushing. His creatinine was a bit elevated at 2.3, and was discharged on September 11 (Wed) with his creatinine back to normal at 1.9.

SAAB

Sept. 20 (Fri) - I noticed that Saab's eyes are not evenly dilated. His left eye seems smaller.

Sept. 21 (Sat) - We went to The Pet Project, our vets' new clinic. His blood was drawn, did some tests, and found out that his WBC (sign of infection) is high and his platelet is 0 (zero!!!). He was given Vibravet (doxycycline) and Tobrex eye drops. He tested negative for FIV/FeLV, which is good news!

Sept. 22 (Sun) - Saab seems lethargic, which is how he is in the past week. He just sleeps all day.

Sept. 23 (Mon) - Saab's eyes look worse. By now it seems that the small veins in his left iris have ruptured, giving a red-orange tint to it.

Sept. 24 (Tue) - I was advised by our vets to bring Saab back to the clinic. Then they told me Saab could have dry FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), with 80% chance of being positive. I was devastated. I know it is a killer disease, and that there is no cure. And that everything happens fast from the date it's diagnosed. What will happen to Saab? How about Qish and Rue? Do they have it, too? I left Saab at the clinic for observation. I walked for 40 minutes from the clinic to our home in my office attire, because if I could walk to the end of the earth and back, I would. Just so everything will fall into place again.

Sept. 25 (Wed) - I was crying all night and I couldn't bring myself to work. I cried some more, and disinfected our home. I replaced their litterboxes and beddings. I visited Saab, and because he had his first dose of steroids, he seemed like he was back to his mischievous self again.

Sept. 26 (Thu) - He gained some weight, which gave us a little hope.

Sept. 27 (Fri) - Saab wouldn't touch his food, and just slept all day. 

Sept. 28 (Sat) - We celebrated Christmas early with Saab, in case he doesn't make it to his first Christmas. It was a little gathering with friends who understand. Saab loves being the center of attention and he enjoyed greeting guests and making sure their plates are full.

Sept. 29 (Sun) - Saab enjoyed going out to the balcony and rolling around under the sun. We visited him twice. I noticed some gray opaque spots on his left eye. It looks like it is getting worse. We've sent his blood sample to the lab to repeat the tests.

Sept. 30 (Mon) - We got the test results. It gave us a little hope, because his lymphocytes went up (in FIP, it should go down) and his globulin went down but still elevated. Maybe it's not FIP after all! My heart was full of hope.

Oct. 1 (Tue) - I had to say goodbye to Saab because I won't be able to visit in the next few days. I am attending the Social Business Summit and I'll be away. He seemed fine, although I noticed that his tummy is a little big.

Oct. 2 (Wed) - Dr. Melay reported that Saab was eating well and slept on the laptop.

Oct. 3 (Thu) - The news that I had been dreading to hear...Dr. Melay confirmed that his stomach is getting bigger, a classic sign of wet FIP. The vets are now 95% sure that Saab has FIP. Once it becomes the effusive form (wet FIP), it all goes downhill from there. I am seriously devastated right now. If only I could run back to Manila and hug Saab tight right now...

Sorry if this post is all over the place. My mind is, too. I just can't accept that this is happening to Saab, to us. But I am still praying for a miracle...

I will write about FIP in my next post, just to help people understand about it. I have researched extensively about this since the vets told me about the possibility of Saab having it. I am even getting support from a Facebook group of FIP Fighters.

We need everyone's prayers. If there's really nothing that can be done, then please help me pray that Saab won't suffer anymore, that it will be a peaceful passing.

Rue's PAWsome 4th Rescue-versary!

-- Rue

Can you believe I'm four years old already?! I'm so glad I'm living such a wonderful, fabulous life!

On July 24, I celebrated my rescue-versary with my 2 brothers and 3 hoomans -- my momma and our vets Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay. Momma got me a super cute purr-day paw cake and kitty salmon muffins from Whole Pet Kitchen while she prepared a vegetarian feast for the hooman guests. I wore a beautiful geisha kimono, and I think I'm the prettiest geisha ever! I don't even need to paint my face white to look the part :)

Okay, enough of the blah-blahs, here are the beautiful photos of my rescue-versary celebration! <3

My purr-day paw cake -- too bad the frosting's ruined when we got it, but it's super yummy!

My pink "4" candle! Yay! <3

kitty-shaped salmon muffins

hmnn...

Okay, this makes me look like I'm being naughty, but I'm not! Momma put me on the table for the photo shoot, and I know I'm never allowed on the table. I was skittish, but I also loved the smell of the salmon, so I brought it with me when I jumped down. I am never eating on the hooman's table, I'm a good kitty!

This smells sooooo good!

Ok, momma, take my picture now so I can eat my cake!

nom nom nom nomnom...

 

Can you see the little triangle on my nose? Momma loves it! <3

Sharing my food with Saab...

...and Qish.

Here's one of the vegetarian dishes my momma cooked for the hooman guests. She forgot to take photos of the others! :(

My favorite vet doctors, Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay

Saab loves Dr. Melay!

And here's my very purr-ty geisha dress! Weeee!

Meh -_^

Fallen Angel

How many times can you say that something comes in your life in a poetic fashion?

-- Hooman Momma

On Monday, June 24, my mom and I saw 3 lil super cute white kittens that looked like they were freshly dumped outside Wack Wack Golf Course. They looked healthy and clean, but because I was on my way to work, I had no chance to feed or check on them. I vowed to check them out on my way home, and I was thinking about the tiny furry things all day! Imagine my dismay when I got there, all excited, and they were not there. Not a single one. I had a heavy heart, but I just hoped that someone with a golden heart decided to give them a good home.

On Thursday, June 27, As I was walking to get to work, I was startled by a white shining thing falling off the roof just as I was passing by. When I looked down, it's one of the kittens I saw on Monday! What a perfect timing! What are the odds of that happening?! I mean, this is meant to happen, right? I then looked up and saw the 2 siblings, calling for the fallen angel. They were even attempting to jump off themselves! I coordinated a rescue effort with my mom while I went to work. She managed to get them off the roof with the help of the street sweeper.

But, what was I thinking! I live in a condo apartment where only one pet is allowed, and I already have 3 PAWsome Cats! *sigh* With quick thinking, my mom and I figured out the we can try to smuggle bring them to the countryside where my parents live. Which means that we have to secure some papers, because they will have to ride a ferry and cross the sea. Our great vets Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay will be visiting them tonight to check on them, but me thinks they are super healthy and frisky! They are already wrestling with each other!

I think they're as big as Rue when I got her. I'm super excited for their new life. I'm sure I would hate to see them go, but they'll be better off growing up in a bigger space where they can climb and destroy more things (teehee!)

For comparison, this is how tiny Rue was when I rescued her!

And now look at these cotton balls -- they will totally melt your heart and turn it into a gooey puddle!

Hey lady! Let me out!