Alexander the Great
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Alexander the Great is an extremely curious kitten! In this picture I was packing my stuff in my bathroom and he came in and wanted me to hold him. I picked him up, he crawled onto my shoulder and into the drawer. He is such a fun little guy. He weighs one pound eight ounces but he tries to pick fights with the dogs who are at least ten times his size. When he is awake he is so playful but once he gets tired he comes looking for me and cries until I pick him up and cuddle with him. I can’t imagine a better (or cuter) little kitty.
What a babydoll!
ohh what a cutie!!! And such a sweet story about him - I just want to cuddle him too!
Alexander is Great. So cute and sounds like he has the perfect orangie personality.
Hope everyone has a good weekend whether at work or at play.
AWWWWWWWWWWW I want one *looks around quickly to make sure Molly doesn’t hear* after all she is the sweet baby in this house.
They’re all so precious at Alexander’s age
Looks like his make-up is just right,too
Susie, how are you doing today? How is little Julie? I have been lurking, hurt my wrist and couldn’t type but have been worried about you.
–Thanks for asking Elene–
I’ve been crying off & on most of the time. I’ve done all I can to help her & it’s just not enuf. When she woke this morning,she looked at me & both her eyes were welled up as if she were crying. I can’t get enuf food or fluids in her to do any good. She’s just withering away & I can’t help her. I’m going to give her some of the pain meds my neighbor gave me & dilute them alittle so they go down her throat easier & just sit w/her. Her medical problems added to her age(she’s almost 13) are too advanced. I’m not going to try to prolong her health because it wouldn’t do me or her any good. I’m just going to try to make her as comfortable as possible & hope she’s in no pain.
My problem is my ol’man. I feel I need his emotional support right now & he’s off camping one town over,thinking only of himself having a good time. This adds to my feeling so fightened of the inevitable ending of Julie’s life on this earth. I know that alot of TDKers have been thru this themselves. I know you’ve all felt this at one time or another. My problem is,even tho I’ve had to have a couple of animals euthanised in my past,this is the first time I’ve experienced a beloved animal dieing at home. It’s painful to run out of options. I’ve got to go Elene. I’m crying so hard right now that I can’t see to type.
I want to thank all of my extended family of TDKers for your show of support for myself & my precious Julie, & to give Hugs & Prayers to all those who are having their lives turned upside down for one reason or another & hope their lives improve.
*Thank you Kittenmaster for making it possible to experience that show of support*
Peace
Susie
You are not alone in this. We are with you. Just look around. That warm feeling around your shoulders — those are our arms, and our spirits.
I’m crying with you, Susie.
Susie, you know that if you want to help Julie go to the bridge, there are several of us who will chip in — no strings attached — just loving support. I know it’s hard to think about and make that decision. I respect your love for Julie and whichever way you chose to share your last moments with her.
Absolutely, hon. If you feel it will prevent her suffering further, find an emergency vet nearby and give us his/her number. You know we’ll help you. We hurt with you.
Susie, that was from me..hubby was still logged in. Actually, it’s from both of us.
I’m in too. Things are turning in a positive direction in my personal life, so I can finally help, may not be much but in this situation, I know anything helps. I was in your shoes Susie not to long ago.
Oh, Susie..we’re with you now…
Dear susie it isn’t like having a shoulder right there to cry on, but please know you are not alone and you have support from friends. You have my prayers for peace for Julie’s illness. You are so kind being there for her and realizing the importance of being with her now to ease any pain and fear she may have. You are as much a blessing to her as she has been to you. Warm thoughts and healing love for you as you go through this very difficult time.
Susie, I understand what you are going through what with my having to go through it with my first cat Whiskers. Know that you had 13 years of loving and caring for her and she knows that. We are all here for you and send you healing love and prayers that your Julie passes peacefully if it is her time to go.
Susie, just let her go, honey. You’ve given Julie and she’s given you 13 years of abiding affection. Smile at her and stroke her sweet face and ears and tell her how much you love her, and that there is this fellow named Chester who will play with her until you come to the Bridge. And Daisy and Shelby and Roo and Black Jack and all the others — they are waiting for her.
Just let her go, Susie, and when she does go, she will be with you forever.
More beautiful words were never spoken.
Susie, I am so very very sorry that your life is so hard right now. I am crying with you and sending you all my love and cyber hugs. You are an amazing, loving woman and I am so proud to know you. What you do for your kitties and the lost and abandoned outside cats is truly monumental. I so wish I could be there to sit with you and Julie. Just remember that all of us here on TDK are living this moment in time with you.
You are loved.
Dear Susie,
Your tender touch is all that Julie needs at this moment. You are right, we who love animals have all been through this very same tough time you are going through. Just loving our precious animals and bonding with there spirit as they are passing is all we can do. My thoughts are with you…
As my own recent loss still weighs heavy today, I know how you are feeling, but as all these wonderful people here said, Julie knows you love her…….and it is so hard to see your loving furr so sick..cry all you want to and when you have done all that you can………come here and we will all cry with you, and send you love and hugs.
I know dear one this hurts, I even think about Emma and my heart starts aching………We are here!!!!
Hi Brandi Lee, I’ve been thinking of you and little Emma. She’s having a grand time chasing the butterflies with her new friends at the rainbow bridge, I know. Hope you’re hanging in there.
Susie, Emma in PA said it so wonderfully above: just be there with Julie and try to make her as comfortable as possible. I’m glad you have the painmeds for her to ease her pain. I’m thinking of you, and like Jo and others have said, if you should need money for the vet or if there is anything else you need, please let us know - I, too, would love to be able to help you. We’re here for you and Julie!
Hey, Susie, your ol’ man’s a turd for not supporting you emotionally as Julie’s life wraps up and she goes to meet Jesus. If it’s any consolation, my dog Shadow and my cat Kitty Kat will show Julie around Heaven once she gets there.
Group Hug!
{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}
Mercedes, I love it when you do that. Very nicely put.
Susie dear! Please, accept the help offered to you. Let the vet examine Julie. If she is as ill as you fear the humane act would be to give her a peaceful painless death. And there is always the chance of her condition being curable.
{hugs}
Please accept Jo’s help to pay for the vet–you will then know you did everything you could for her, but time is of the essence now.
Susie,
Hugs and prayers to you …
You know some Buddhists believe that domestic pets are preparing to be human in their next incarnation.
That is why when my cats bring in lizards that I have to rescue and return to nature, I sometimes remind them of the bad Karma they are accumulating! But whether Julie comes back in another form or stays happily across the bridge, be sure she knows you love her, and that is what matters right now & forever.
Hi all, I’ve not been paying attention for a couple of days, and have just been catching up. I’m so sorry, there seems to be a lot of bad news out there right now - my thoughts are with Brandi Lee, and my heart just goes out to Susi, who’s going through almost exactly what I went through when I lost my beloved Titch to kidney failure nearly two years ago. In the small hours of his last night, having nursed him straight for 48 hours, I wrote the following - I hope it helps :
Night night furball
Close your eyes
Dream of chasing butterflies
Basking in the sunshine
Jumping up trees
Exciting smells in a gentle breeze
Sleep tight furball
Love you little friend
I’m so sorry this is the end
Thanks for the laughter
Thanks for the tears
Thanks for all the loving years
God bless furball
Don’t be afraid
I know that you can be brave
Be peaceful in passing
Enjoy what’s in store
In furball heaven
It won’t hurt anymore
He’ll be there with all the others on Rainbow Bridge Susi - it’s OK to let go xx
This poem really tugs at my heart strings. Such a beautiful person you are, Madcatwoman, to put your love for Titch into such meaningful words. How lovely to have you here at TDK. I’m going to keep a permament copy of your poem, because I will need it several times over in the balance of my life.
Suzie, I’m still overcome with sadness for you. Yet I know Julie is in God’s hands now. Soon she will be free.
Such beautiful words–I will save it too. ***wipes away tears***
Beautiful poem Madcatwoman. I am going to save it as well. Typing this through my tears. Such beautiful words for a very loved cat. It is exactly what I was feeling when Whiskers was dying from kidney failure. She was diagnosed on a Tues and gone by Friday. I gave her intravenious fluids and a shot of pain meds till the day before she died. She died at 10:30am on my chest. She weighed less then 4 lbs and I was just singing to her, stroking her fur and telling it was okay to let go. She went peacefully after one last breath.
I’m so touched by your story, Karin.
That is beautiful! )”wiping tears away”(
Susie you are in my prayers and here’s a big {{{{HUG}}}} from Chucky and I.
Peace my friend
Dorie
Madcatwoman - your words are beautiful and come from a loving heart. Thank you for sharing. I would like to ask your permission to share your poem when friends lose a loved pet. I would also like to name the author.
Hi Elene -thank you and everybody else who commented so kindly on my poem. Please, please feel free to use it, print it, save it and pass it on to anyone any of you think it might help. My real name is Jennifer Berezai (the screen name comes from my friends who think the amount of cat orientated stuff in my house is hilarious) - and I also blog under the pen name Sybil Baggins - worth a google if you’re bored anytime!
These little (and not so little - even though he was called Titch!) - bundles of fluff claw their way into our hearts and if, like me, you can’t bear the idea of not havng a cat in your life, we all have to go through this again and again - but it ain’t easy.
I loved the poem too, Madcatwoman. I felt similar to that when my sweet kitty named Bunny died. She passed away with me lying next to her, wrapped in a soft towel.
I also have an enormous amount of cat stuff in my house. I have clocks, figurines and a kitty tea set( tea pot is shaped like a cat), even includes a tuxedo cat angel. I even have a cat bird bath and a planter.
Figurines : check (well over 100 at the last count), clock : check, oven gloves, tea towels & aprons ; check, placemats & coasters : check, pictures, cuddly toys, and even slippers : check. And of course, four real ones, including Pickle, who is sat on my lap as I type and miaows a big hello to everyone!
Madcatwoman, I’m sitting here crying over your poem! It is so beautifu, I, too, will save it. Tonight I’m do-sitting and little Bob is home alone (with the light on, TV, toys all over the place and lots of food and water), but now I just want to go home and hug him. I’m still so thankful he recovered from his kidney problems after eating the contaminated catfood and is still brightening up my life!
Hard to type with tears in your eyes! I meant to say that I’m dog-sitting. (Bob puts up with being home alone because I promised him we’ll spend the dog-sitting money on a kitty tree/condo-thing!)
What a beautiful poem, MCW! You have brought comfort to many by sharing it!
Darling MCW, your poem is lovely!
MCW: Thanks for a beautiful poem!
If you need help gtting Julie to a vet, I’ll pitch in as well. If she is as ill as you think, then let her go and send her to the Bridge to wait for you. She’ll thank you for it.
I will also help, Susie, if you let us know how to send our contributions. My email address is mquirind@hotmail.com
I am so sorry about your Julie’s illness. While no words can ease your pain, please know that your friends here will keep Julie and you in our prayers.
Dear Susie,
I don’t know what to say. I feel so sad for you. You never know what could be wrong with Julie unless you take her to the vet. When mine run a fever, they will not eat or drink much until the fever breaks after giving some antibiotics. Warm thoughts and Purrs are sent your way and a BIG HUG to you and gentle head scratches to Julie.
Cry all you need, Susie. Loving thoughts are sent to you and Julie. She will be carried over the bridge by all the love you’ve given her. What a wonderful woman you are for all you have done to give Julie a beautiful life and gentle permission to move on if she must. {{{Hugs}}}
Suzie,
Your post echoes almost exactly what I went through with my baby C.C.
I am so sorry for what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Awww. Certainly the conqueror of the world around him! I love the silly white stripe down his nose.
Hi, KM! Hi, Alex!
G’morning everyone, greetings & salutations to all….Alexander the Great will live up to his name, I am sure….besides he is another orangie, how could he not….woo hoo….Everyone have a great day, getting ready to leave work and hoping to actually catch some zzzz’s today….ciao all and remember to keep it fluffy
Awww! Such a cutie! Orangies are great!
WHAT A SWEET BABY!!
If there are any TDKers near Las Vegas who have some spare time, there are kitties who need some help and loving. Best Friends is rescuing about 400 cats from a “sanctuary” where the conditions were terrible. The stories are heartbreaking and the photos could make a lump of granite cry, but it looks like many of the cats are playing and grooming again. Many of them act like they’re former pets and they’re starved for attention and love.
The wish list includes volunteers, supplies, and people to adopt. There’ll be a lot of special needs kitties, especially FIV positive ones, it looks like.
http://network.bestfriends.org/News/Default.aspx?g=68d1ed2beabd415dbf0dc137a5ec1224
I don’t have any official connection to Best Friends other than appreciating their work for animals and donating when I can, so I don’t have any info other than what’s on their website.
400… This is awful. I (and many more I’m sure) would like to know what went wrong. I value and respect the work of private sanctuaries but tragedies of vast proportions may ensue because of sickness, loss of funding, poor management or other human causes.
It’s been two weeks since local authorities took control of the cats at FLOCK – a non-profit organization in Pahrump, Nev.
County animal control officers knew there was no way they could care for and find homes for the almost 400 sick, starving and traumatized cats on the 2½-acre property, so they turned to Best Friends for help.
Best Friends staff and volunteers hit the ground running, and here is a brief recap of the last two weeks.
The cats: When Best Friends arrived, many of the cats were starving and in terrible shape. Some fresh food and water did wonders. It didn’t take long for the cats to realize they were safe and that someone was watching over them again.
As of Thursday evening, 133 cats had been given a head-to-toe checkup, including a screening for communicable diseases like FIV and feline leukemia. Cats who test positive are kept separate from the other cats to stop the spread of disease. Other ailments seen in the cats include skin conditions, ringworm, dental disease, fighting wounds, abscesses, eye injuries, ulcers and even sunburn.
Sadly, a few of the cats were too painfully and irretrievably sick to be treated, and had to be euthanized. We’re holding a special memorial service for them.
During the medical assessment, each cat gets vaccinations, microchipping and photographs. Some of the cats already had microchips and every attempt is being made to find their families. Although some of the cats are feral, we believe that many others were indoor-outdoor cats who were trapped in Las Vegas and taken out to the site. Best Friends is encouraging people in Las Vegas who are missing cats to come out to the site and see if their cat might be there.
Many of the cats have come out of their shells and are playing and grooming again. Staff and volunteers have given them new names to match their unique personalities. Some of these are now featured in a special blog on the Best Friends Nye County Cat Rescue Web site.
The goal now is to get all the cats assessed and to get them into loving, permanent homes.
Volunteers: Volunteers are a vital part of the Best Friends team. They have come from near and far, rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to help – everything from building enclosures to doing laundry to feeding cats to running into town for supplies. They’ve cooked dinner for weary staffers and they’ve even spent the night sleeping on the ground with the cats, who like to snuggle up with them. They include:
Matt Schneider, an attorney and a Best Friends member, decided to volunteer as soon as he got the Best Friends e-mail about the cats in crisis. He helped come up with an ingenious idea to create better shade for the cats. The old tarps we were using rattled in the wind and frightened the cats. Matt replaced this with shade cloth secured with zip ties.
Donnie Akins of Las Vegas showed up one day and began working to create a cool-misting system on the property while his wife, Jeannie Akins, the zookeeper at the Las Vegas Zoo, showed the Best Friends staff other ways of keeping the grounds cool and comfortable for the cats.
And on Wednesday, some volunteers from the acrobatic group Cirque du Soleil stopped by to help groom the cats and do some maintenance on the property. Those are just a few of the many volunteers who’ve lent a hand in the last two weeks.
Adoptions: We’re just beginning to release some of the cats for adoption, and there have been three official adoptions so far.
The first was Kevin Lytle of Las Vegas, who had seen news reports last week about the cats in crisis in Pahrump, he jumped in his car and drove out to the site to see how he could help out. Check out his story here.
Contributions and donations: Best Friends couldn’t succeed in this mission without all of your generous contributions. Costs of medical care, food and the whole operation are mounting. All of your donations, large and small, are deeply appreciated.
Also needed: More volunteers, particularly veterinarians and skilled vet technicians. There’s also a need for volunteer cat trappers who can bring their own traps. There were about 50 cats who were hanging around outside the fence before Best Friends arrived and they need to be caught so they can be given food, water and medical care.
Thank God that these animals are finally being cared for in a proper fashion. God bless the many volunteers that have given their time and are doing all they can for these precious pets that did nothing to deserve any of this cruel treatment.
I have friends in Las Vegas. Please post contact info and where to go.
Here’s the contact info.
No previous cat handling experience is needed but you do need to be able to work outside in extreme heat doing physical labor and lifting. If you have availability to volunteer, please contact Tiffani Hill at tiffanih@bestfriends.org or 805-698-5959.
CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION HELP THESE CATS?
Best Friends is looking for organizations that can offer permanent placement. If your organization would like to help please email nmhp@bestfriends.org or call 435-644-3965 ext 4254
Thanks.
http://network.bestfriends.org/nyecounty/news/17265.html
I could squish the stuffing out of Alexander! He’s asking for trouble, being that cute! And those squishable paws…
Don’t “squish” too hard, Dee, he’s just a little fellow!!!! But what a darling. Don’t you wish you could keep them small? But I love them whatever the age.
Well there are 100 less pets that will have babies. That many in 3 days was a bit rough. Worse part is the condition of some of these pets. One person brought in 6 animals–not all that she has–and one was so flea infested that the eyes and ears had bites that were bleeding. One cat had its eye swollen shut, and it had been like that for weeks they said. It ended up being sand that was flushed out. The cat was given antibiotics and then sent home with antibiotic drops. Seems like there was a sad story everyday, but the real story was on vet that cared enough to spay and neuter 100 pets at no cost. They were all vaccinated and anyone that needed medical attention received it free. 15 animal loving volunteers and 2 vet techs rounded out the crew. For me, it was a rewarding experience.
Wonderful! It’s good to be able to concentrate on the good that was done.
Blessings on everybody who helps these innocent beings!
God bless them-every one!!! All those people volunteering their time and effort are definitely going to be blessed in their lives.
You are my heroine!
Amazing work. You must be exhausted. The vet that donated his time and energy to help 100 cats in three days deserves a medal and has my sincere admiration. Truly a wonderful event that will do so much to ease the suffering.
Very few cats. We only did 19 cats. Almost all of the cats on the schedule had to be canceled because they are ferel and the owner or caretaker couldn’t catch them. I was able to fill 2 cat slots with other cats but normally dogs were brought in. It was difficult with over 100 pets on a waiting list. They will be back at the end of August and we will do it all over again. I just won’t be able to help during the day. By then school will start!!!
Sorry, 19 cats and 81 dogs is still amazing work. Maybe more amazing because dogs come in so many sizes and can be harder to handle. Dog’s needs aren’t really much different, they too suffer abandonment and homelessness. When thought through they, more than likely, suffer more on the streets because they don’t have the abilities to hide and catch food in urban situations.
Funny you say something about size. A dobie/rottie mix weighed an easy 130 lbs., and when they are still out they are just dead weight. My arms are still screaming over that one. I am with you on that thought, I was just praying for more cats. We have a horrible overpopulation of ferels that are now near major streets. I am working on a TNR program here, but most people say let them be they aren’t hurting anyone. Many are sick and spreading diseases like FIP and FeLV. I won’t stop because you have paved the way for me so to speak. Elene I see all you have gone through for the sake of making life better for ferels and I am inspired. If they can’t all have a home, I would like to see them healthy and stop reproducing.
God Bless you and the vet for your good work.
YEAH for Sox’s mom! You did a good thing and I am proud of you. That was alot of hard work but it helped alot of sweet critters.
Sox’s mom, you rock! You walk your talk and 100 more furry folk are in much better health because of you. I can’t imagine the number of unwanted cats and dogs have been prevented because of your team’s work. My hat is off to you. You are a TDK heroine!
I fullheartedly echo this. Thank you so much for the work you did for these poor furries.
Just caught up with where I left off on Thursday. Brandi Lee I am so very sorry. I would give about anything to help ease the pain you are feeling right now. You have my prayers for peace and grace to see you through your grief. Remember that she is happy and healthy now at the Bridge and she is loving you so much for always being with her.
thank you
This little fellow reminds me of a kitty from many years ago, his name was Samson. I loved him very much. There is just something about that face. Happy cuddling!
JCL
All hail Alexander the Great!
He looks like he would be a blast to have around the house. Curious — and brave, too!
“Y’all take care — and Alexander the Great — don’t fur-git to clean your paws before — and after dinner.”
– The CatWrangler from Louisiana (I’m going HOME!)
Where have you been?! We’ve missed you!
JCL
I apologize — I was taking a nap!
Nope, seriously I’ve been a very busy papa cat with a project we’re just finishing in post now. In fact, this reply is about seven hours after my initial one.
Also, to all who have been going through the pain of losing a loved one — I offer my prayers — and a big virtual hug.
Like it said on that poster showing a kitten hanging onto a limb from years ago — “Hang in there, baby!”
GOD Bless all of You!
– The CatWrangler from Louisiana
A very warm welcome to you!
This kitten is sooooooooo adorable! An orange tabby!
He looks so CUTE! I bet is middle name can be George! ( Curious George! )