plumtreeblossom: (WTF?)
plumtreeblossom ([personal profile] plumtreeblossom) wrote2009-07-09 05:33 pm

Rowley Update

I've been scared to post this for fear I'll jinx it, but Rowley has made an unexpected and remarkable comeback from the sickness that I thought was going to end his life.

When I left the house Tuesday for, he was still heart-breakingly weak and lethargic and would eat. It had been about 5 days since he'd eaten, maybe 6. Walking home that evening, my heart was heavy and I was emotionally prepared to find him dead. Sad as I was, I needed food myself, and I stopped at White Hen and got a ham sandwich. I figured I'd be too busy crying to eat it, though.

When I got to the door, I was greeted by both cats. Rowley was up and walking, looking lucid for the first time in days. I ushered them both into the kitchen, and through the bag he smelled my sandwich and began caterwauling for it! He wanted food! I literally leapt for joy. He was pawing at the sandwich, demanding some as I ripped off the wrapper and pulled most of the meat out of the sandwich and tore it up for him. He dove in! He was eating so voraciously that he was sort of purr-grunting as he scarfed. BenBen joined the feast.

It's been like that yesterday and today. He wants food, food, food, and he's drinking water again. He's his old vocal self, and though it seems he now has trouble staying focused on whatever he's doing and is skinny as a rail, that's part of being elderly. He can have all the ham and tuna he can gobble down, and I'm so happy that it looks like I'm not going to loose him quite yet.

My [livejournal.com profile] beowabbit has been so incredibly helpful and supportive, helping me give Rowley sub-cutaneous fluids (nay, doing it for me, basically), picking up supplies at Angell Memorial, loving the cats and being my heart's comfort. Not a day goes by that I don't feel immeasurable gratitude to him.

[identity profile] koshmom.livejournal.com 2009-07-09 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay! I've got my fingers crossed that the improvement continues.

[identity profile] weegoddess.livejournal.com 2009-07-09 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay! Go Rowley go!!!

[identity profile] daisytells.livejournal.com 2009-07-09 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
It is never easy to lose a fur-friend, especially a beloved cat who has lived with you for several years. It is sad that they do not live as long as we do. They bring us so much affection, and provide such an opportunity for us to show all our affection without pretense that when they leave us they leave a big hole in our lives.
Yes, I have lost pets to old age, sickness and death. And no, it does not get easier at all.
I am so happy that Rowley has re-animated!

[identity profile] joyeous.livejournal.com 2009-07-09 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Awww, Rowley! I'm so happy for him. Don't let him eat too much that he makes himself sick though. His stomach probably can't handle it after all those days of not eating.

[identity profile] heatherp8.livejournal.com 2009-07-09 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
so glad to hear your furboy is doing better.
our feline companions bring us such joy and it's always so sad when they're hurting.
Yay Rowley

[identity profile] hermitgeecko.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad to hear it! Rowley is an absolute sweetie and I would be heartbroken to hear he had gone.

[identity profile] kencf0618.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
Good to hear. Merlot has an overactive thyroid, but he's maintaining and as demanding as ever, as befits an elder cat.

[identity profile] majes.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
I think I got some cat fur in my eye...

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! This morning he ate a huge breakfast and was enjoying time on his heated mat.

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
He sends fuzzy rubs. :-)

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It really was like he returned from the dead. My heart had already said it's goodbyes to him. Having him spring back was like.... he'd used up his 9 lives but got a bonus 10th life!

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Come over and see him and BenBen soon! They love company. :-)

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! Your kitty in the icon has such beautiful blue eyes! Is s/he part Siamese?

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
He loves people so much. I could tell he didn't want to go yet, which made it even harder.

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Good to hear Merlot is hanging in there and demanding his due place as head of household. :-)

[identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
You and your userpic make my heart explode! I want to hug you both!

[identity profile] heatherp8.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
We're not really sure exactly what Savannah is. She came to us as a stray back in 1999 when we still lived in Georgia.