Adopt Leslie Hope
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A Difficult Time
Leslie’s health took an unexpected nosedive on Saturday. Vet consultation Saturday, one on Monday, and then an emotional one over the phone last night.
On Monday, we were so optimistic.
But her kidneys are shutting down. Last night, with the vet’s help, we were trying to figure out the best and kindest thing to do for her and whether that meant “really aggressive treatment mode” or “kitty hospice” mode. His gentle advice was tending towards the latter. It’s what we already felt intuitively in our hearts.
This is a sad time. I’ve spent the night staying up with and monitoring her twice since Saturday, but mainly just being with her. Having her sleep on my lap. Getting her more water, colder water every few hours. Gently wiping her face and paws since she has essentially given up grooming.
When I was 18 years old, my childhood dog (a big shaggy blonde sheepdog mutt) died in my and my brother’s arms. He collapsed as we tried to help him stand up and go outside. As we realized what was happening and saw his breaths slow until they just didn’t come again, I remember that mixed in the deep sadness was guilt and anger that we hadn’t taken him to be euthanized a week earlier. Sure, he did die with us right there for him, but that last week was so hard, and it didn’t feel very humane.
Right now we’re torn for Leslie. I feel like she’s counting on us to help her “go” peacefully and humanely, but I’m not sure if that means waiting it out at home a few more days or taking her to the vet. We’ll see how things are tonight and tomorrow.
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Snuggling in my lap (that is draped with Andy’s fleece jacket).
- 4 months ago
- 2 notes
- #cats
- #clotu
- #stray cats
- #adopt
- #foster
- #adoptlesliehope
- #Baltimore
- #federal hill
- #riverside
- #fiv
2 Comments -
Totally frowning because a pillow is not an acceptable surrogate for a lap.
Getting ready to blanket Baltimore with Leslie flyers in the new year…send me an email at adoptlesliehope@gmail or drop a hint in my askbox if you’ve got a suggestion for prime posting locations in your hood/at your college/places of business you frequent. I’m ready to kick it into high gear!
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Leslie cuddled in a raft of blankets with me this morning (after eating second breakfast) so we could watch A Christmas Story.
Hope it was merry, everyone!
- 5 months ago
- 2 notes
- #cats
- #stray cats
- #clotu
- #fiv
- #adopt
- #foster
- #Baltimore
- #Federal Hill
- #Riverside
- #adoptlesliehope
- #christmas
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Christmas kitty Les is wondering who is going to adopt her… waiting for that one lap out there with a Leslie Hope sized spot to fill…
- 5 months ago
- 2 notes
- #cats
- #stray cats
- #clotu
- #fiv
- #Baltimore
- #adopt
- #foster
- #federal hill
- #riverside
- #adoptlesliehope
2 Comments -
“Okay. You can pet me, IF YOU MUST, before I get on your lap.”
- 5 months ago
- 3 notes
- #cats
- #clotu
- #stray cats
- #Baltimore
- #adopt
- #foster
- #adoptlesliehope
- #federal hill
- #riverside
- #fiv
3 Comments -
Trying to keep one eye on me while napping…probably hoping I’d quit taking pictures and make my lap available. (Don’t worry, I did, and she’s been snuggling for almost two hours).
She is recovered from her spay, has her rabies vaccine, and will be done with antibiotics for UTI in just a few days. Almost ready for a home!
- 5 months ago
- 3 notes
- #cats
- #stray cat
- #Baltimore
- #fiv
- #adopt
- #foster
- #clotu
- #federal hill
- #riverside
- #adoptlesliehope
3 Comments -
Ben is going to be fine! No trauma to the eye, just an infection that should clear up with eye drops. Vet guessed his age to be the same as Leslie’s—they might be from the same litter.
He was sooooo good at the vet. Like, curled up in a happy, warm ball in the carrier on the exam table and purring and just letting me pet and scrub his head kind of good. Really good.
He’s going to be a great kitty for someone someday. I hope he keeps staying in our back yard and doesn’t run off now that we’re supposed to be giving him eye drops.
But now back to Leslie! She got antibiotics last night for her UTI and though she doesn’t like being dosed at all with this big oral syringe, she’s being a trouper about it.
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So stray kitty Ben, who hangs out and has a safe shelter in our back yard with Beezus (but who we’re not working actively on homing right now because our hands are full with Leslie)…he did something to his right eye.
Saturday, he was squinching it closed, but acting normal otherwise. Sunday, he was still keeping it closed. This morning, still closed. So Andy made a vet appointment for him tonight.
Apologies if you wanted Xmas presents people, we’ve decided to spend all our disposable income on medical care for the three stray cats plaguing our lives right now! (Beezus, you do not dare get sick or injured now, or so help me….).
Because guess what? Leslie’s developed a UTI that we’re picking up meds for this evening too! This is my life now!
Hahahahaha! (Oh dear).
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Les wonders what all the Christmas hubbub is about.
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