WIL WHEATON dot NET: 1.5

damn dude. that little guy's got all the mojo my mojo machine can muster.

Sorry to hear about your cat, i really hope he gets better. I can relate to your pain since my dog of less than 2 years died suddenly this month of a collapsed lung, it all happened in a matter of hours so they couldn't do anything. These things are rough, but i'm sure your cat will be fine since the vets have had an opportunity to care for the cat. I know they are doing their best.
Cheers
Danno

Your kitty is in my prayers. I have a bunch myself, and two of them (both 10 and brothers) are experiencing liver failure/pancreatic failure. Like you, I'm not ready to give them up yet, but I do not want them to suffer either. So far, with the help of many prayers and good thoughts from friends, they're surviving okay.

I hope your Tubby gets better.

kbj

Poor little Sketch. Much mojo to your kitty and the rest of your family.

I sincerely hope you don't have to make THE choice. I can't imagine the emotion involved in making that choice...

Just a few weeks ago my dog got what amounted to a stomach flu- and before we knew what it was i could barely hold it together.

Here's to Sketch pulling through!!!

Sorry to hear about Sketch. My cat, Kitty, (yes I know not very original), is about the same age. I sure hope that he is not in pain and will be OK.
---M and Kitty

Consider healthy-kitty mojo sent in droves.

I'm not sure what a drove really is, but I'm assuming it's alot. If it's NOT alot, then assume the mojo was sent in giga-droves.

Aww, hell, make it giga-droves anyway. :)

Mucho mojo to Sketch. I have an 11 year old Russian Blue. The vet hasn't decided yet if the attacks he has had (3) are asthma or seizures. He had pneumonia and severe bronchitis. But thankfully the meds he takes control the attacks. It is very scary, so I know how you feel. We love our pets like they are our children. Keep us posted on his progress.

I know how tough this can be, Wil. I sent some positive thoughts Sketch's way, thoughts about strong hearts and clear lungs. I sincerely hope it does some good and that your kitty will be with you for many more years.

mojo mojo mojo mojo mojo mojo MUSHROOM MUSHROOM

That sounds amazingly like FIP. Have they run that test?
Best wishes to the little guy, and thoughts of climbers and sunbeams for him.

I've never commented here (in fact, I just signed up for TypeKey to post this), but I just finished reading Just A Geek, which I really enjoyed. And then I saw this post, and I thought that this would be a fine time to unlurk and offer my best wishes to your cat. I have a half-dozen of my own (literally), and I know how hard it is when one of them isn't well. I hope the universe cuts you a break this time.

Hmm. It sounds like congestive heart failure.
Here are a couple of links for you to check out:
http://www.healthypet.com/faq_view.aspx?ID=186&sid=2
http://www.fabcats.org/cardiomyopathy.html
Much mojo for the ultrasound results to show something treatable, and mojo for the family, too.

Our cat Sparky had congestive heart disease. In his case it was caused by a birth defect, though he was probably 5 years old before we found out about it. He had a hole in his heart causing blood to swish back and forth in the chambers along with getting pumped through his body. This caused a "murmur" in his heartbeat and his heart grew very large in his chest.

After being diagnosed, he was put on Lasix which I believe is a diuretic (reduces extra fluid and makes him pee).

He went on to live 3.5 more years. I think he had a good life, and he was certainly not in any pain. We kept him on a strict diet (and actually made his food for him out of chicken livers and rice.) and because of the strict diet we also kept him indoors, to keep him from eating the food other folks around us left outside.

His illness really wasn't a quality-of-life issue for him. It took extra effort on our part, but other than the initial trip to the emergency vet, there were no huge vet bills either.

In the end it was the heart disease that killed him... his lungs just filled up with fluid once during the night and he couldn't breathe. We still do not know if he ate something he shouldn't (anything with extra salt) or if he managed to ditch his pill that day, or what. It was sad and a shock for us, but I am still thankful for the extra time that he did hang around.

I wish you all the best with Sketch.

Hi Wil,

I've been reading your blog for a couple of months (since I moved to LA, incidentally); my boyfriend has been a reader for much longer. We were at Acme on Friday and loved the show. I'd been thinking about signing up for TypeKey just so I could tell you this, but hadn't gotten around to it, and now this. I'm sorry to hear Friday evening ended less happily for you than it did for us.

I send to Sketch all the happiness and laughter (kitty-laughter!) you and the other Acme folks brought us over the weekend. And the brightest rays of kitty power I can summon. I hope he'll be okay.

My best to you all.

lisa

psst...Tubby, sending you mojo all the way from japan.

It's not your time. :)

Reading this made me cry, thinking of my two fuzzies who are slowly but surely getting on in years. Sending all the mojo I have to send your way, along with some slightly damp and salty well wishes and kitty scritches.

Supportive Mojo to you, your family and Sketch.

I lost 2 kitties with in the same year, so I know how tough this is for you and your's.

Hi Wil~

My kitty, Billie, and I said a prayer together tonight for your little tubby guy. We send our love to you two, and to your family.

Oh and Billie says she really, really wants him to be ok, because she's lookin' for a hot Valentine's date and she's into the older cats!

Sending lots of mojo for Sketch. I had to make that tough decision for my little black cat just this past november. She was only ten, but a tumor had started growing around her throat and she got to the point where she couldn't swallow, and started having trouble breathing. I still miss her so much.

I hope that the medications can help Sketch and that he still has many long years to spend with you and your family. Get well, Sketch!

I'll put in a word with The Boss, and see if my Jedi abilities work long-distance to make that 20-sided die land just right. Major mojo to the ailing feline.

Three cats own me, and I know what it feels like when one of the "kids" isn't quite their usual psycho self. If only they could talk. (Oh, wait. That's probably a Really Bad Idea(tm). I'd be coughing up hush money like they cough up hairballs.)

At least the dog (whom my three bully mercilessly though he outweights them by 45 pounds; pussy. (That was bad, I know, but I'm trying hard to get you to laugh here. You could use it.)) has the decency to ask to be let out before he barfs on the carpet. Cats just let you find it with your bare feet in the morning.

Sketch, it's not nice to worry Daddy. Hang in there, both of you. We're all pulling for you here!

Hoping she still has a few charges left on the Ol' Scepter of Justice for the Fat Boy,

Aylaleia, Goddess of Justice and Vengeance

(I've been using the Ol' Scepter a lot lately. Where's my charger??)

Much love and happy thoughts to Sketch from Hawaii... My boss' cat had the same problem - suddenly got fluid in his lungs. Turned out to be a heart problem, and he would have his lungs drained at the Vet twice a week. He didn't seem to be in pain, but it looked uncomfortable. With every draining, he looked better but the cat was FIV so there was only so much we could do before it got too complicated. I'm hoping Sketch's results will be free and clear!! Lots of hugs and Aloha to kitty =(^_^)=

If I had a +20 ring of wishing, you could borrow it for a day. Hope your little friend gets better soon, and you can enjoy him for a good while longer.

Hey, where is my kitty? Scrappy, c'mere so I can give you a pet.

Sketch:
Hope you feel better soon. Don't worry, the ultrasound won't hurt a bit, the doctors just put this thing over your chest and see your heart in 2 dimensions so they can figure out what's the matter with it. I'm glad you have such a caring family who obviously loves you so much.

I'm sending you lots of mojo all the way from Puerto Rico, so feel better soon, ok?

Ana Marylee =)

Mucho kittymojo for Sketch.

Our "baby girl" kitty Star is approaching her 13th birthday, and we had a scare with her earlier this month...she was throwing up and wouldn't keep food down. She might have an ulcer, but, fortunately, we can give her Pepcid to keep it under control.

I know my wife would just be devastated if we were to lose Star. (Yes, even though we also have Maui, our little 3-year-old boy that still thinks he's a kitten. He's sweet, but he's not the same as Star.) So we'll be happy to send kittymojo...and I'm sure the cats will send Starmojo and Mauimojo as well.

You hear that, Sketch? Get better, OK? I don't want to have to post my prayer for a departed cat if I don't have to...

*hugs* to all, sending lots of mojo...

oh wil, so hard! lost my kitty only two weeks ago due to kidney stones complicated by some other kidney issues. such tiny things, those kidney stones, but they killed her nonetheless. it's such agony when our friends are sick. i'm sending you and sketch good mojo with all my heart.

It sounds like congestive heart failure. If the echo reveals that, a diuretic like Lasix will probably help. My great aunt lived 40 years with congestive heart failure and it rarely gave her any problems once she was on medication. She didn't ultimately die from it, she had a stroke. In other words if that's what it is, it's manageable and if he responds to treatment he's live to be old and cranky like my girls.

To Tubby,

Your Daddy Wil and Mommy Anne really love you and want you to get well so be strong OK? You may be aging but you still have alot to do and they want you around a bit longer.

Be well Tubby, stay comfortable, and here is some major mojo for you! :)

-Q

I've got to add to the love and mojo. I just recently lost a cat that was so much a part of me that I'll never not get teary eyed when someone else loses, or is close to losing a pet. My boy was only three years old, but that little fella and I went through so much in such a short amount of time.

*sends more mojo* *offers Chunk some obligatory Rocky Road and/or Babe Ruth*

Got the mojo working for the Sketch-cat, Wil.
Hope you and the hep feline will be fine.
Lost my Butterscotch just after Thanksgiving, 1998... I know how tough it can be.
-Fyre

*kitty mojo*

As a "mom" to 5 cats and 4 dogs (who, by the way, live in harmony together!) I understand how you feel. Sending positive energy to your baby Sketch! and strength to you and Ann the "human" parents.
[mojobeam] Sketch [/mojobeam]

I feel for you, Wil. I lost my childhood companion to congestive heart failure. She was such a good dog.

Sending the mojo along for Sketch, and for you and Anne, too.

an outpouring of mojo for sketch, from strangers and from you guys, it's bound to help. if you do end up having to make the dreaded decision then you will have no doubt it is done with lots of love.

when we had to put down jingles (i was 11 when we named her, gimme a break) we had the vet come to our place so that we could bawl in private, and so that the other cats could see what was going on and she didn't just 'disappear'.

Mojo for Sketch!!

my cat is 11 and a half and I constantly fear of her getting sick, so I'm on her case every time she sneezes. I'm sure that your love and care will help Sketch, and for what it's worth I'll be thinking and praying for both of you, and your family. all my mojo I'm sending to Sketch.

Kitty mojo from Charlie_the_cat and his mommy! My cat Charlie is gonna be 15 years old on March 2nd. I got him when he was a year old. Charlie is the best thing that has happened to me. I don't know what I'd do without him. We are sending sketch tons of mojo!!!
This is my cat after he had catnip.

*kitty mojo*

Oh, here's best wishes for Sketch.
My terrier, Shannon, who isn't yet 8 years old, has to go in for an ultrasound today, as well. In her case, she mostly feels fine, but her tests show that her urine isn't concentrating and she's getting dehydrated - the vet can't figure out what it might be since all other tests are normal - so she wants to take a look inside.
I'm going to be a mess all day.

Simon and Savannah and their dad send tons on mojo your way, Sketch. Get better.

Not only am I sending Sketch mojo, but I'll track down my weighted dice for him. Natural 20. Natural 20!

-kittymojo!-

Ok, so I know this isn't original, but I think it would be extra appropriate

cat /home/alan/mojo > sketch

***kitty mojo*** ***kitty mojo*** ***kitty mojo*** ***kitty mojo*** ***kitty mojo***

Good luck Sketch. Hey, natural 20 happens more often than you think - ask the Universe to get that guy from your group who's always rolling them to make this one. Surely you have that guy? If not, I'll lend you mine.

Lots of healing mojo coming your way for Sketch, and for the rest of your family too.

All the best,

Aw, its so hard when a pet is sick. Mine are like my children, so I really identify.

Kitty mojo coming your way Sketch...

And the regular kind for you, Wil and your family, because its hard on everyone.

Hi Wil,

Sorry to hear about Sketch.

There's a great big heap of mojo from myself, and my cats Rambo & Dusty, winging its way to you and Sketch.

all the best

Cats are like babies. For 12 years my cat Samantha has been my baby and still is, even though I now have a non-furry (human) one as well. I've been where you are, to some extent--Sam was diagnosed with a lifelong condition at age 10 (much traumatic and expensive testing, specialists, etc) and it was very difficult to function while my thoughts were running around screaming "Is it cancer? Will I have to put her to sleep??" She is now able to live a relatively normal life with daily meds, thankfully. But I still worry about her and I understand that horrible feeling in your gut one gets when you are helpless to do more. You are doing everything you can to give your kitty the best life and care possible, and that's what counts! Best mojo wishes to Sketch and to you. You're doing your best, and that's all any cat can ask.

Hi Wil,

Sorry to hear about Sketch.

There's a great big heap of mojo from myself, and my cats Rambo & Dusty, winging its way to you and Sketch.

all the best

Cats are like babies. For 12 years my cat Samantha has been my baby and still is, even though I now have a non-furry (human) one as well. I've been where you are, to some extent--Sam was diagnosed with a lifelong condition at age 10 (much traumatic and expensive testing, specialists, etc) and it was very difficult to function while my thoughts were running around screaming "Is it cancer? Will I have to put her to sleep??" She is now able to live a relatively normal life with daily meds, thankfully. But I still worry about her and I understand that horrible feeling in your gut one gets when you are helpless to do more. You are doing everything you can to give your kitty the best life and care possible, and that's what counts! Best mojo wishes to Sketch and to you. You're doing your best, and that's all any cat can ask.

My Cat, Pippa, had what sounds like a similar condition for the last couple of years of her life (15 -17), with medication she was able to lead a happy and comfortable life until one day after my Mum gave her a saucer of milk before bed she just fell asleep and passed away sometime during the night. We still miss her now, but we know that she was happy and comfortable and her condition wasn't affecting her day to day life - we had to feed her richer food to get the nutrients she needed from a smaller quantity, but as far as she was concerned this was a GOOD thing. She was our wee cat with the great big heart and we loved her and she was content.

I hope that Sketch responds just as well to his meds - Cats are fairly resilient and we've had very good experiences with our two responding like magic to meds for really serious conditions - Love him and spoil him and enjoy him and know that we are thinking of you all and hoping that he gets better very soon.

Much mojo coming from my direction dude! :)

I'm so sorry about your cat. My own cat, Fred, died a month ago from kidney failure, so I know the pain you are going through. I hope he gets better!

Wil,

On hearing the "tubby" comments, my cat (Hummer, short for Humbucker, also known as Booty Girl) immediately asked if we could send some valuable kitty mojo Sketch's way. Moe, my witchy girlfriend's black cat familiar, also lends his magickal talents. Sophia (a.k.a. Little Butt), being a kitten, was running around too fast for us to get her attention, but I'm sure she will contribute as well as soon as she slows down to rest.

And for you, good vibes from a fellow pseudo-blogger, musician, and writer. Know that whatever decision you make, you are doing so in the best interests of your beloved furry friend.

all the mojo i can muster headed toward Sketch. our cats have corona, which we found out b/c one of their siblings (in another house) came down with FIP. i know how messed up i was over that, and my little cat was perfectly healthy at the time. best wishes to Chunk.

Cats are like babies. For 12 years my cat Samantha has been my baby and still is, even though I now have a non-furry (human) one as well. I've been where you are, to some extent--Sam was diagnosed with a lifelong condition at age 10 (much traumatic and expensive testing, specialists, etc) and it was very difficult to function while my thoughts were running around screaming "Is it cancer? Will I have to put her to sleep??" She is now able to live a relatively normal life with daily meds, thankfully. But I still worry about her and I understand that horrible feeling in your gut one gets when you are helpless to do more. You are doing everything you can to give your kitty the best life and care possible, and that's what counts! Best mojo wishes to Sketch and to you. You're doing your best, and that's all any cat can ask.

A kitten that's a member of our family (named Azrael) may have a life-threatening disease, so I (sort of) know what your going through. Copious quality mojo to you and Sketch.

I'm sending out lots of mojo to Sketch. I hope he's back on his feet soon. My cats, Trixie and Bailey, both send their love to him.

Tons of mojo to Sketch. I can't know how tough it must be for you right now but I don't know what I would do if my cat (Monkey) would get sick.

I'll make sure to have Monkey give some long distance mojo to a fellow cat when I get home tonight.

Cardiomyopathy, more than likely, is what they're concerned about. It's an enlargement of the heart, which the heart is not designed for. It can cause congestive heart failure, which is what the fluid sounds like. (I'm a survivor of the human version of it.)

Good luck to you guys. All the mojo I have to spare is his.

You got it, bro. Mojo is flowing...

I really understand how you are feeling atm. I really do. My kitty who I have had since I was eleven (I am now 30) is failing.

She has seen me through so much I just cannot imagine life without her. And I always promised myself if she was ever in pain or did not have a quality of life that was decent I wouldn't make her live with it just to make me feel better. So everyday I send a little kitty mojo myself to her and thank the Universe everyday when I come home from work to find I have been given one more day with her.

So today, I will double the dose and include Sketch in my thoughts for you and your family so maybe you can thank the Universe for that one more day.

I really understand how you are feeling atm. I really do. My kitty who I have had since I was eleven (I am now 30) is failing.

She has seen me through so much I just cannot imagine life without her. And I always promised myself if she was ever in pain or did not have a quality of life that was decent I wouldn't make her live with it just to make me feel better. So everyday I send a little kitty mojo myself to her and thank the Universe everyday when I come home from work to find I have been given one more day with her.

So today, I will double the dose and include Sketch in my thoughts for you and your family so maybe you can thank the Universe for that one more day.

Your little furry guy will be getting all the mojo I can gather up. Hope all goes well.

That sucks... I hope for the best for Sketch. I will *try* to hug my cat for you :D

Wil,
My heart goes out to you and Sketch and the family. As it happens, we are going through the same thing right now with our cat Tide, who is 10. Unfortunately, Tide has cancer, so the prognosis is not so good. But I know what you mean about being so surprised when he got sick! Tide has never been sick either, and now this! We're not ready to let him go, but, like you, we don't want him to suffer. It's heartbreaking.

Good luck with Sketch. It sounds like there's a good chance that he'll be OK soon!!

Lots of hugs to Sketch and you. I had to put my 15 year old "old man" (cat) down about this time last year and it was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I really hope you don't have to make that decision this week and that there is medicine to fix Sketch. It is the worst feeling in the world to be unable to help your beloved pet. (By the way, my 2 year old daughter was standing next to me as I was reading your entry and she saw the "Fear" level with Bert and got all excited. Just thought that might make you smile.) Waiting on pins and needles to hear how he is.

Hi wil, I sure hope Mojo doesn't get weaker over distance, seeing as this is coming all the way from the UK! Much much much mojo for Sketch! i'll be thinking of him...miao.

take care, love rach

All the mojo I have is going to Sketch right now. I grew around pets and I know how it feels to be worried and scared from them. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.

All my spare mojo is heading your way. Keep on keepin on, Sketch!

Wil -

I've never posted before but this grabbed my attention because I went through something similar with one of my little ones several years ago.

Please ask your Vet to investigate FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), Sketch's symptoms sound very much like it. It often goes undiagnosed for a long time and unfortunately it has no cure. But they can do things that can make him more comfortable. The biggest problem could be if you have other cats. It is infectious and can spread to them so you'll need to have them checked out as well to make sure it hasn't spread.

Good luck and I hope all turns out well for all of you.

-K

Thank you, everyone. We're about to take Sketch to get the ultrasound. I'm trying to remain optimistic, but he had a rough night. When he purrs, it sounds really rough and squeeky in his neck and he refuses to eat.

I hope that we can get him on medication right away that will help him out, but since he won't eat, I can't get him to take the pills they gave Anne at the vet yesterday.

We all appreciate your thoughts, prayers, mojo, and other stuff. Thank you.

Wil, please know that Sketch and you, and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers! I so understand what you are going through. It is very difficult to see him suffer, yet you hate to just give up on him. I agree that you must do all you can. Then, if the vet can not make him better, then it's time to consider the options. Not easy, I know. We had to make that decision for our Sheba last year. We got her when she was only 3 months old, and she was a big part of our family for twelve years. This is our heart-wrenching tribute to Sheba: http://mycatranch.textamerica.com/?r=1302798 I pray that Sketch will recover and you won't have to make that decision. I also pray that if it is his time, that you and your family will be comforted and at peace about it. Big hugs to you all! *Wil* *Anne* *Sketch* *Felix* *Biko*

The name Sketch reminds me of a 3-foot high cow with one eyebrow, so I'll have to send the mojo straight to you lest it get misdirected. Hope you don't mind, Wil. *~*~* *~*~* *~*~* *~*~* *~*~* *~*~*

Wil, Please check your e-mail for the phone number of someone who can help you with this most painful situation. Also sending kitty mojo.

All right, I just turned into a weepy little chimp now... Even though I'm deathly allergic to cats, and my house is in desperate need of a good mouser right now, super mojonation towards Sketch and his extended family.

that really bites....my cat had that same thing and we couldnt do anything for him and had to put him to sleep and the sad part is he was only 4 when it happened.....hope your cat gets better wil i really do

Dear Sketch,

Here's sending you mucho mojo for you to feel better really soon. My cats Attitude ("Tudie" or "Tude Monster") and Ace ("Acey") Ventura are sending the extra-special-feel-better *KITTY MOJO*, so you'll be feeling the love before too long.

XOXOXOXOXO
Goddyss

My heart is aching for you guys-since I went through this with Trooper just last year...
Kitty mojo really does help make you feel better-I hope Anne, you and Tubby feel it too.
I hope everything works out for the best, but I am so glad you got a great cat and he has terrific owners that care so much.

Sketch - Much much much mojo to you and your family (staff) from Ping, Copper, Mr. Bojangles, Domino, Tim & Diane (the staff) from Nor Cal.

Nothing but good mojo here. Really hope sketch pulls though.

All our good mojo coming Sketch's way, get well soon Sketch!

Signed up for TypeKey just to send good vibes your way. I won't send Mojo (though I'm sure you'd love having a pudgy black cat with a pin head and a cool name ;-), but I will send good vibes. We faced the decision of having to put our oooold cat down on 12/30/2003. My wife had him when I met her in 1989, and he had been a fixture of the household since. It was not an easy decision, and it was painful. Unfortunately, as the vet told us, old cats have a way of not dying on their own, at least without a lot of suffering along the way, as one by one their systems start failing them. I hope things go well for you and that you don't have to face that decision...

*heart pangs* I just experienced the loss of my cat Pandora recently. I totally feel your pain.

I hope that Sketch gets better, here's some *mojo*. And if the worst does happen, I give you and your family *mojo* too.

Hey Wil. So sorry about Sketch. I'm sending Mojo your way. I'm also going to "talk" to my youngest daughter's angels and see if one can go down and visit your cat. She had lots of lung and heart problems, too, due to her extreme prematurity, but now only a year later she's almost the picture of perfect health. As a tiny baby, she laughed and cooed at a space in the distance for no reason at all. We said it was her angels come to play with her. Perhaps they will help cats, too.

And mojo for your family, too.

Sending some serious mojo to your kitty. Sending more to you and your family. My dogs are both getting very old and sick, so I know how hard it is & I signed up for Typekey just so I could do this.

*hugs and mojo* to all of you.

(And some extra for all the commenters also going through this with their pets. There've been a few of you, I noticed. Good luck.)

massive kitty mojo to sketch, and to you and your family too!

Eeep! Major mojo from Molly, Muggles, Pixel, Nellie and the two humans in this house. Oh, throw in the fish too, any little drop of mojo may help! How ever the die lands we're thinking of you - and hopefully Sketch has some modifiers to add to the roll!
--kriss in Seattle

Much kitty mojo to Fat Boy Sketch.

Hey Wil:

Before you make any decision go check out the collective wisdom to be found online. There are many Yahoo Groups for people who have cats with various health ailments.

Here's one specifically about cats with heart ailments:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/feline-heart/

I have used these groups for my cat that had lymphoma and now for my cat with kidney disease.

They are a great resource and may give you some good treatment ideas and info to ask your vet about.

Hey Wil, Sending some serious mojo to Sketch...prayers that everything works out and he is back to his happy and healthy self soon.
Best wishes :)

Hey Dude!
MAJOR MOJO!!
MOJO!MOJO!
Give the little Guy a squcih for me- that's a hugandkiss all in one!

Hope that he feels better soon,I know what it feels like to have a pet who like a part of the family-- I have a cat who has been with me for over 8 yrs now--thats a record---and a big dog who is 7 yrs old this year.

Sketch is in my prayers and your family
About 4 years ago when I joined the Air Force I knew my dog Molly was sick. I had her since I was in the second grade. Molly had tumors all over her body. I came home on leave at Christmas time to see all of my family. I went back to Mississippi and back to training. About a month later I got a call from my mom saying that they had put Molly down. She had a tumor growing in the back of her head into her brain. I cried so much and I loved her so deeply.
What has stuck with me ever since that phone call was what my mom said. The day after I left Molly was sitting on the back porch looking like she was stairing off to nothing. I have always thought that moment was the straw that broke the camels back. She got really depressed after I left and I think she just gave up on life.
To this day its a thought that has haunted me and at times I blame myself even thought I know that there was nothing I could do and and nothing I did.
What I am trying to get at is, I know we all love out animals. Everyone says love like you have never loved before and that feeling should go twards are animals to. My 3 cats are a big part of my life and I cant imagin anything happening to them, but I know one day I will have to face that fact. It scares me that something will happen to them while I am deployed and I dont think I could ever handel that.
My love and my prayers go out to you and your familiy. I will be thinking about ya'll and checking up on your web sight to keep up dated. I wish only the best

Much love

Sketch mojo on da way! I've had my first cat since June 1995 and can't imagine life without her.

Damn...this sounds almost exactly like what we went through with our last cat, Dusty. The breathing odd, the wheezing, lungs half filled with fluid. A chest x-ray revealed an enlarged heart and a following cardiac ultrasound showed the left atrium 5 times normal size.

But the good news...they immediately got her on heart medication to improve its function, put her on lasix to push the fluid out, and she did very well for another year. Her quality of life for that year was *very* good, right up until the last day. She was more quiet than she had been in the past and we couldn't let intentionally get her running or chasing things, but she was happy enough and still had all the other things she enjoyed.

I'll keep a couple of fingers crossed that your kitty does as well as (or even better than) Dusty did.

I have no mojo to give (mine typically debilitates things), but I wish your cat the best. I lost two cats within a year, and it was quite painful. I'm glad you've decided to not have your cat suffer if there is no treatment for him. In addition to your saving throw, I give your cat the old Final Fantasy Strong-Against-[insert aliment here].

Concentrating... Concentrating... Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch, Kitty Mojo for Sketch...

*sends kitty mojo for sketch*

I'm so sorry Wil.
I put down my 19-year-old cat and haven't been the same since. Seriously.
Do everything you can, of course, but then also consider what you've given him in his life so far. He's already lucky.

Sending him good and peaceful thoughts, whichever way this goes....

Dear Wil,

I am so sorry to hear Sketch is ailing right now. I hope the meds will help and he will be better very very soon. I am a cat and dog lover both, and have had cats of my own, so I know what you are going through. I am sending a TON of mojo for Sketch, for you, and for your family.

Please keep us all posted on how Sketch is doing. I have your site linked to my LiveJournal and I read it a lot, so I will be on the lookout for news. You have made the right decision though, if Sketch does not recover from this. I know how hard it is to let a pet go...I lost my dog Sunshine to arthritis and cataracts and it was very hard for my dad to take her and have her put to sleep.

Hang in there...we're all thinking of you.

April (ArizonaGeekette/BullpenBrat22)
Chandler, AZ

Mojo from me, my wife Nicki, our twins Blake & Grace, and the 5 cats (Oliver, Max, Lucy, BoJangles, and S.O.S.). The dogs would've sent some mojo, but they have this thing about cats. But at least they send some woof-woof love.

I've conferred with my cat Squeak and he's agreed to send out the cat mojo as well. I've dealt with mysterious cat illnesses before and I know how incredibly difficult it is. I sure hope it turns out okay for you and Sketch!

((((((((((((( Sketch ))))))))))))))))

Mojo from me and the misses (Syl) as well as from our kitty horde... (Wooley, Max and Ripley).
Best wishes and good fuzzy vibes.

-Gregory

My cats Murphy, Quimby & Little Butt send lots of mojo from the Garden State.

Hang in there.

-Kate

i sent a prayer and some mojo for sketch to get well...and also for sketch's friend wil.

Does he have paracarditis? I know that humans get that.

Much mojo for Sketch and the family (including Felix and Ferris, of course).

I just went through something similar Wil. Hoping it all ends well.

Wil: I have had trouble getting cats to swallow pills. My vet gave me some advice that works wonders ... if you put the pill in his mouth and then stroke his chin, he'll usually swallow. I don't know why this works, but it seems to.

I am sending mojo towards you and sketch, (pointing fingers westward), there ya go. I hope my mojo is strong enough to make a difference.

Kitty companion mojo from Craig, Becky, Jasper, Pangur, and Ripley.

[FX: THX logo sound here]

(from the land of HAL)

Sending out mojo waves! Pill popping is hard if the cat is resistant. A friend of mine's cat has a tumor and we had to give her steroids twice a day while they were away.

We have to give pills to our cats at home, but fortunately, they eat it in food. For another one, we were dissolving it in water and syringing it into their mouth which, in this case, was slightly easier than pill popping. I hope your kitty recovers.

Good luck Sketch, I'm pulling for you!

*kittymojo*

My clan sends all our positive mojo your way. I hope all turns out well for tubby.

--Alex Camacho
www.littleboxofbones.com

I'm adding my "get well, Sketch" mojo to everyone else's because a sick little kitty can never have too much mojo.

I have four cats and I'd hate to think about any of them getting that sick, but I know someday it'll happen. My oldest, Noel, is 11 years old now - a healthy, grumpy old man. I can't bear to think of him not feeling well. I imagine you feel the same.

I had a white chin chile cat that lasted for a massive 16 years of age, called snowy and a west highland dog that was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12. We kept the dog alive by checking his sugar levels everyday (dont ask how you do that, its gross..) injecting him daily with insulin and buying him expensive non sugar dog food. I know yuor probably thinking that he suffered cos of it but he didnt in the slighest, he just got his injection in the morning the sameway a human would. one vet we went too wanted to put our dog down, when all that was needed was someone to take care of him the way he needed. He lasted till he was 15. What Im trying to say is make sur u get second opinion first before doin anything cos vets differ. Hope he get better bud. Dont suppose you could put a pic of him when he was healty up in buzznet just for us to see him?

Lots of love and mojo of the entire Hindu pantheon for Sketch. I have never owned a pet but have lots of friends and family who have and I know the pain that they have to endure when the little ones are sick. My family's and my prayers are with Sketch and your family.

My housemate, Nusch, is also 11 years old and is also called "big fat kitty" and "little guy" - it sounds like Sketch and Nusch have much in common. Nusch and I both send Sketch lots of kitty mojo.

- Fluffy Kitty

As someone who has lost to beloved pets in the last two years my heart goes out to you. Toot was my partners cat for 13 years (I only knew her for 2) She had kidney disease for like 4 years, we treated her at home with a special diet and iv fluids. We both knew her time was near, but it still seemed sudden and tragic. Last fall, my dear Ozark, my constant pooch companion of almost 11 years, passed away in her sleep. I still can't believe she is actually gone.

Wil, I don't wish the pain of losing a dear friend and family memeber on anyone, especially not someone who has had a rough time in life. I'm sending you and Sketch both all the good Mojo in the world. But, in case things don't turn out well, make peace with Sketch, tell him how much you love him (although I'm sure he knows) and let him know that it is okay to leave.

I hope that doesn't sound heartless or make you think that I don't want things to turn out well for Sketch and for you. I'm such a huge animal lover, I have 3 dogs and 2 cats, I've worked as a dog bather and am starting a new position as a vet tech next Tuesday, so I'm not cold and heartless.

All the best to you, Sketch, and your entire family, I know this is hard on all of you.

Wil, my 11 year old fat cat Buster (all 18.5 pounds of him) and I are sending our mojo your way for Sketch. Best of luck for both of you. California cat to California cat, though he's moved to Illinois now.

Major mojo for you too; it's been far too long since you got a good acting break. I'd like to see you now; I've been a huge fan since the days of Stand by Me, through Next Gen, and think the thick heads who can't get beyond the anti-Wesley thing are nuts!

Jen C.

Having put down BOTH my kiddies in the last three weeks (Cancer in one, kidney failure in the other) I can tell you it's a VERY humane process, but dammit if I don't keep seeing and hearing the cats all over the house. :(

One cat had hyperthyroidism a couple years ago and I feel the $2000 spent in making him better was worth it for the two additional years we gave him.

* Healing Kitty MOJO *

I was thinking about your furbabies the other day, I guess I know why now.

You and your entire family are in my thoughts, sweetie. I know it's heartbreakingly hard, but I know you will do what is best for Sketch because you are a good and thoughtful man. Remember that those furry little bodies are often stronger than we can ever know.

Good luck for Sketch!

Wil, I think I know how you're feeling like. I have quinea pigs. One of them got two babies. One baby was sick since it was born. I looked after it every day and every hour I could. The first night I stood up at midnight to look whether it is still alive or not. I took it to the vet very often. I bought special food for it. But at the beginning of january I had to let it go. It was two and a half month old. I loved it like a own baby.

Sketch, get well soon!

((SketchKitty)) ((Wil)) Strong, healing kitty-vibes being sent your way. Four legged furry family members mean a lot. I'll be thinking of you all.

*sending lots of kitty mojo to Sketch*
Hope your kitty gets well soon, Wil! *kitty mojo kitty mojo* He'll be in my thoughts! *kitty mojo*

Much mojo to Sketch and to everyone else in the family (none of whom are having fun with this, I'm sure). Of my two furfaces, Nemo has soaked up a generous amount of "please, please get better!" mojo in his day (plus big $$$ to the vet, as well). I'll go give him a cuddle and have him send some of the mojo along southward...

Hey Wil... im sendin loads of kitty mojo to "Tubby".... im praying for sketch...

Some say animals cannot be best friends. I think otherwise. Animals can be just as affectionate as people (they just dont talk as much). Though my first dog Misty is up there in doggy heavon, my second dog dusty is as happy as can be. He was not always like that though, one night his pancreas shut down and we had to bring him to the animal hospital. For a while it did not look like he was going to make it. But I sat next to him and petted his little head and talked to him. Make sure to show TUBBY just as much affection as you would a person and everything sould turn out ok. OH yeah and Fat Boy, its up to you to be there for your master.

I have a cat too and I couldn't stand to lose him. I hope the docs can fix him up. i wish i knew what more to say.....

--Lori

Sketch (CA)

Go get'em, Chunk

Ahhh, crap. It commented the rest of that line out. My bad.

Sketch, much Kitty Mojo coming your way. Get well soon...

Wil, much continued mojo your way. I have a little guy whose name is Charlie, and right after adopting him, I had to hospitalize him back at the shelter because he had an upper respiratory thing going where he refused to eat because his nose was so stopped up he couldn't smell his food. I visited the poor l'il guy a couple times a week for a month. Anyway, both Charlie and I will send kitty mojo towards you and Sketch!

Awwww...
Much love to Sketch!
Get better soon buddy!

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat, I really do hope sketch gets better.

Keep your furry chin up Sketch, you too Wil. Me and the fuzz buddies are thinking good thoughts about you.

Piper and Hobbes, who will be 11 in April also, send their kitty mojo along with mine for Sketch. Hobbes just came back from the vet with a clean bill of health, and he says he can spare a little of it for Sketch.

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