Remembering HeathCliff
My dear sweet baby. When Heathcliff and his littermates first arrived at The Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter, they were in pretty bad shape. Heathcliff was near death and I didn't expect him to live through the night. When I first saw him he captured my heart! I thought even though it probably was too late, I gave him some fluids and antibiotics. I held him for a very long time just talking to him and giving him lots of love. I told him to go in peace; to not be afraid, that he was on a journey to a place of peace and love. I put him back into his cage with his littermates and left for the day.
The next day much to my surprise,Heathcliff was still alive and doing better! I was so happy! Everyday I spent more and more time with him. I would encourage him to eat and made sure he got his meds. After a lot of work and love,Heathcliff seemed to be getting better. I had gotten so attached to him that I took him home with me. I just couldn't bare to leave him there anymore. He was so special. I had never met such a sweet loving kitty. I kept him away from my other cats until after I had him tested to make sure that he didn't have FIV/FELV.When the tests came back neg I was so happy! I thought He is going to make it!! Sad to say, my joy was short lived.
I started to notice that Heathcliff didn't seem right and he wasn't growing. His coat looked scruffy and unkempt took him to my vet and had blood drawn. It turned out that Heathcliff had the dry form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).
FIP is caused by a member of the Corona virus group. The virus is quickly and easily spread among cats. The incubation period is anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. The majority of those exposed experience no apparent infection. It is not entirely understood why some cats develop FIP and others do not. The most common sign of illness is mild URI, eye discharge with perhaps a runny nose. Less then 5% develop the secondary disease known as FIP.
Unfortunately, once a cat develops the secondary disease, he will die within a few weeks. There is no vaccine for FIP.
Words can't say how hard and painful this was for me to except. I would have gone to the ends of the earth to save my Heathcliff but in the end, all I could do was love him more then ever and cherish every moment we had together.
The day finely came when it was time to do the last kind and loving thing I could do for my baby. I gave him a special treat that morning and we both sat outside together in the warm sunshine and watched the birds dancing in the sky and the other cats at play.Heathcliff lay in my lap and purred and purred. He seemed to look at me with those big eyes and say," Thank you for loving me".
I took him to the vet that day and held him in my arms as he made his journey to the Rainbow Bridge
His ashes now sit in his favorite spot in the window seal.
I thank God that Heathcliff was a part of my life even though it was for such a short time. His life meant so much to me and he lived it well. My darling Heathcliff, you will live forever in my heart. Until we meet again.
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