Cats

[Michael Scally MD]

Sam - He entered our lives a bit more than 5 years ago. Sam was the name I gave to him since he looked like your "everyday" cat. He was an extremely ill rescue. He was so malnourished that clumps of fur would fall off while being petted. The balls of his paws were the palest white I had ever seen.

My wife and I took turns attending to him. He had to be hand fed. At first, he was even too weak to stand for an extended period. Walking was not even an afterthought. I recall the first time I went to groom him and his fur just fell off revealing bald spots. I was worried he might not make it.

Well, Sam did make it and more. We have a number of cats, but Sam immediately became the statesman. His calm demeanor, friendliness, and confidence was a site to see. And, boy was he affectionate. One of his habits was to crawl up on my back and kneed. He did the same at night to the top of my wife's head. He was always willing to sit on a lap. Purring was as constant as his presence.

This past week, tragedy struck. His appetite almost disappeared overnite. What we thought was Sam trying to expel a hairball turned out to be worse, far worse. A visit to the vet showed Sam to be in heart failure with severe pulmonary edema. While the vet is unsure for the cause, he thinks cancer is the best guess. We took him home hoping he might improve, but his condition has worsened. He is losing weight daily. He will not take any food except for liquids sparingly. He lies in one place.

I do not make a habit of posting personal events as most will know. Sam will be leaving us this coming Monday at 5 PM. He has been a gift. This hurts. Thanks for reading/listening.

Thanks, Sam.

Here is one of Sam's vintage back rubs.

 

[fit2beking]

Thank you for this Dr. Scally. I am sorry for your lost. Anyone who has pets for an extended period of time know that they are family and it is never easy losing one. At least he had a better life because of what you did for him. Hopefully that can ease the pain of losing him.

 

[pittbox]

So sorry. Ive had to make this decision more than one time before and it sucks every time.

 

[stomps]

Sorry for your loss

 

[MythotiK]

Sorry to hear, animals become part of the family and their loss is always hard to take....

Godspeed, Sam....

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Sam has passed. He was a very special cat. Of the 6 cats we have, Sam was the only one that came when called by his name. In fact, he was the first cat that responded to his name of those I have had.

Sam had a special habit of standing on his back paws and stretching his body and paws as to climb up my torso. It was his way of saying he wished to be held.

He slept with us every night. If he wanted attention, Sam would lie at your side and look up at you while using one or both paws to grab your hand or arm.

I often thought he was part dog. I miss him.

Thanks to everyone for your kind posts. They were much appreciated. And, help with the sorrow. I wish all good health. Thanks, again.

 

[Candyskull]

Sam has passed. He was a very special cat. Of the 6 cats we have, Sam was the only one that came when called by his name. In fact, he was the first cat that responded to his name of those I have had.

Sam had a special habit of standing on his back paws and stretching his body and paws as to climb up my torso. It was his way of saying he wished to be held.

He slept with us every night. If he wanted attention, Sam would lie at your side and look up at you while using one or both paws to grab your hand or arm.

I often thought he was part dog. I miss him.

Thanks to everyone for your kind posts. They were much appreciated. And, help with the sorrow. I wish all good health. Thanks, again.

May he be in heaven a full hour before the devil knows he's dead.

Very sorry for your loss.

 

[CensoredBoardsSuck]

Sam has passed. He was a very special cat. Of the 6 cats we have, Sam was the only one that came when called by his name. In fact, he was the first cat that responded to his name of those I have had.

Sam had a special habit of standing on his back paws and stretching his body and paws as to climb up my torso. It was his way of saying he wished to be held.

He slept with us every night. If he wanted attention, Sam would lie at your side and look up at you while using one or both paws to grab your hand or arm.

I often thought he was part dog. I miss him.

Thanks to everyone for your kind posts. They were much appreciated. And, help with the sorrow. I wish all good health. Thanks, again.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I know pets are part of the family and their loss is painful. Hopefully, you can find comfort in the fact that you gave him a great life while he was with you.

Years ago when the kids were young, they decided they just had to have a cat. I never liked cats and against my objections, their mother got them a little white kitten which they named Oliver. Since I wasn't happy about this new addition, I tried to ignore him. The problem was, he wouldn't ignore me. From the day they brought him home, despite all the attention from the kids, he followed me everywhere. It was like he felt he would never truly be a member of the family until he won my acceptance.

As the weeks went on, I found myself becoming attached to the little guy. Like Sam, Oliver would come when he heard his name. When I would come home, he was always there to greet me at the door. He had no idea he was a cat. I always said he was really a dog that thought he was a person. He couldn't meow like a cat, he tried to speak. He had as much personality as most people.

Sadly, when he was only about a year old, my oldest daughter came home from school and found him dead. What an awful day that was. His vet suspected it was heart related.

Even though we only had him for a short time, I'll always be grateful for the joy he brought us. He won my acceptance, and so much more. Most days, I still think of him. And he forever changed the way I feel about cats.


"Grant but memory to us, and we lose nothing by death." - John Greenleaf Whittier, My Summer with Dr. Singleton

My heart felt condolences to you and your family.
CBS

 

[boomer411]

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. He is an adorable cat. I have always been a cat fan, especially compared to dogs. I like dogs, don't get me wrong, but cats are typically so much easier to take care of. They don't typically pee or poop all over the place like dogs. They don't chew my clothing, shoes, books, or anything else they can get their mouths on. With a dog you can walk out the door, instantly turn around and walk back into the house, and the dog will behave as if you had been gone forever. Some people love this attention, but I personally can't stand it. Shut up and leave me alone. You could leave for a week, and as long as the cat has food and water he will be like, "oh, you are back. Barely noticed you were even gone."

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Thank you Sammy for being a great companion. You added much to my life. I will keep you close to my heart for the remainder of my life. I will miss you.

 

[puff_daddy]

I really feel for you Dr. It's amazing how an animal can have such a profound effect on you. I don't know what I would do without my dog. You know before I had him, I never understood how people could become so attached to an animal, but now I know. Your cat had an amazing life and you did a great thing by saving him from the shelter.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

The Healing Power of Cat Purrs [infographic]
The Healing Power of Cat Purrs [infographic]

Those crazy cat ladies might be onto something. According to today’s infographic, our feline friends provide us with more than just emotional support. House cats may actually be contributing to our physical well-being. When a cat purrs within a range of 20-140 Hertz, nearby humans may be therapeutically benefiting from these vibrations. Purring has been linked to lowering stress, decreasing symptoms of Dyspnoea, lessening the chances of having a heart attack, and even strengthening bones.

Pet therapy is apparently gaining momentum in many medical communities, and according to Animal Planet’s website, there is scientific research that suggests pet owners live longer than those without pets.

It seems that our own animals have the ability to relieve us of our troubles, or at least make our worries seem less important. The bond between pets and their owners may never be fully understood (cats in particular have always struck me as magical and mysterious–and now they have healing powers?!) but it’s nice to know having a furry confidant around can add years to our lives.

So, if you’re trying to convince Mom and Dad to let you get a kitty, go show them this infographic, and stop by your local animal shelter! [Via]

 

[nuncaquite]

Ive got an old barn cat. He gets the usual I give animals. Fresh food, water, vaccines, and a pet on the head everyday. He is 15 and in absolutely incredible shape for his age. I dont know what he's taking, maybe he's into my stash, but what an athlete still. Always climbing tree's, killing mice/rats and jumping out of nowhere to try and scar me.
Someday soon probably, age will hit him like a brick. But for now he still thinks he is a lion. The cat and I have this in common.

 

[CensoredBoardsSuck]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiGKWoJi5qM]Christian The Lion - Reunited - From "The View" - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Michael Scally MD]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ-7YSF-_Eo]Mailman Battles Angry Cat While Attempting to Deliver Mail - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Big_paul]

ive got a 5yo black cat cant imagine losing him. my ex wife was going to take him back to the pound after we had him for a couple months. i gabbed the cat and left.
sorry for your loss.

 

[AG434]

Sam - He entered our lives a bit more than 5 years ago. Sam was the name I gave to him since he looked like your "everyday" cat. He was an extremely ill rescue. He was so malnourished that clumps of fur would fall off while being petted. The balls of his paws were the palest white I had ever seen.

My wife and I took turns attending to him. He had to be hand fed. At first, he was even too weak to stand for an extended period. Walking was not even an afterthought. I recall the first time I went to groom him and his fur just fell off revealing bald spots. I was worried he might not make it.

Well, Sam did make it and more. We have a number of cats, but Sam immediately became the statesman. His calm demeanor, friendliness, and confidence was a site to see. And, boy was he affectionate. One of his habits was to crawl up on my back and kneed. He did the same at night to the top of my wife's head. He was always willing to sit on a lap. Purring was as constant as his presence.

This past week, tragedy struck. His appetite almost disappeared overnite. What we thought was Sam trying to expel a hairball turned out to be worse, far worse. A visit to the vet showed Sam to be in heart failure with severe pulmonary edema. While the vet is unsure for the cause, he thinks cancer is the best guess. We took him home hoping he might improve, but his condition has worsened. He is losing weight daily. He will not take any food except for liquids sparingly. He lies in one place.

I do not make a habit of posting personal events as most will know. Sam will be leaving us this coming Monday at 5 PM. He has been a gift. This hurts. Thanks for reading/listening.

Thanks, Sam.

Here is one of Sam's vintage back rubs.

Animal lover here myself after reading that story i think i got something in my eyes

 

[Big_paul]

im most likely going to prison for a few years.but i dont give a crap about prison. i miss my cat the most. its physically painful. i was invincible before i brought him home from the pound. he turned me freaking marshmellow. they become such a huge part in our lives i know what you are going through bro.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRCEcS_BT0U]BUB JUMPS - YouTube[/ame]

One year ago, BUB was barely able to walk due to the effects of a very rare bone disease called osteopetrosis. Since she was a kitten, her mobility continually declined. We were told it would only get worse, and there wasn't much that could be done.

But BUB didn't give up. Thanks to her determination, a lot of love and attention, exercise, glucosamine supplements, and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (using the Assisi Loop), she soon began to stand upright again. Then she started walking, and a few months later she was running for the first time since she was a kitten.

Now SHE JUMPS.

GOOD JOB BUB.

 

[Mike Oxbig]