A Tribute To Nuggi

(1986 to March 20, 1998)

Goodbye my faithful and wonderful friend. Here is my final gift to you.

We had 10 wonderful years together, the good and the bad. You were my ever constant companion when I was home. We did everything together: watching TV, working on the computer designing the other pages of this web site, reading, and sleeping. My lap and arms are empty now and lonely for you. But, I know you are waiting for me so one day we can cross the Rainbow Bridge together, and be together for eternity.

There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

Whenever a beloved pet dies, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There is always food and water and warm spring weather so all our special friends can run and play together. All the animals who had become ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who are hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth and who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears come up, the bright eyes are intent, the body quivers. Then this one suddenly runs from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together... never again to be
separated.

Author unknown

Then came that fateful day when I had to make the hardest decision of my life - to keep you with me for a little while longer while you suffer, or end your suffering and pain. There was only one choice to make. I chose to let you go my friend.

"If It Should Be"

If it should be I grow frail and weak
And pain prevents my peaceful sleep.
Then you must do what must be done
When this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Selfishness might stay your hand.
But on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship take the test.

We've had so many happy years
That what's to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer. So,
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend.
Only -- stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me.
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know, in time, you, too, will see
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Do not grieve it should be you.
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years......
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

You had your problems though. For the last 3-4 years you had to deal with Irratible Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and one of the symptoms that you had to deal with was chronic diarrhea. The only times it seemed to be under control was when you were on medication. But, did it stop you - Oh No! You continued to flourish and thrive with life.

You had your last yearly checkup in October. You were a healthy 12.4 lbs, and had all your shots. Oh Nuggi, I wish you were able to tell me when the trouble started.

In January is when I started to notice the weight loss. It wasn't noticable to others, but to me it was. In three months you had dropped down to 11.7 lbs. The vet said it was probably the IBS causing the weight loss (due to the diarrhea), and that you'll just have to be on medication for the rest of your life.

I watched you constantly, and I could tell you were still losing weight - not gaining. So again I talked to the vet. He prescribed a special food designed to help you put on weight.

I followed you around with your special food, constantly offering it to you to see if you wanted any. But, the weight still dropped and once again you went to the vet. It is now Friday, March 13, and you were down to 10 lbs.

The vet did a Geriatric Profile (blood work for certain problems pertaining to older cats) which came up negative on everything. He gave me a supplementary powder to put on your food. It was designed to help you put on weight and to whet your appetite.

Wednesday, March 18 -- I wasn't sure if you had eaten while I was at work, but you wouldn't eat when I was home. I even bought you your special treat - canned cat food, (something that made your diarrhea worse) anything to make you eat. You did eat this for a couple of days. But, you had finally turned up your nose at it.

Thursday, March 19 -- I was so worried about you at work, that I called home to check on you. I was told you definitly hadn't eaten anything. That was it! I called the vet, and found out that he was out of town until March 23rd. So I called other vets til I found one that could see you that evening. They weighed you, and again you had lost weight. You were down to 9.6 lbs; you had lost 10 oz in a week.

The new vet noticed immediately that you were jaundiced and dehydrated, and explained to me that she was suspecting liver problems. She said that with the liver it could go from being something treatable - all the way to being cancer. All the symptoms that you were portraying were all signs of a liver disease known as Hepatic Lipidosis. But the thing was that was usually a secondary problem to something else. She wanted to do x-rays, blood work, aspiration, ultra sound, and biopsy to determine the problem. My baby, you had to stay the night at a vet's for the first time in our years together. I think I knew then what the outcome was going to be.

Friday, March 20, 11:00 am -- The vet called me at work at to tell me the results of some of your tests. She had done them all by that time except for the aspiration and the biopsy. You had a lump in your liver, and you were anemic. You were also depressed and still hadn't eaten. I asked if I could visit you when I got off work at 4:00 pm. She definitly said yes, and that they encourage it.

Friday, March 20, 1:15 pm -- The vet called me and asked if I could make it before 4:00. She didn't think your were going to last that long. You were going down hill fast.

Friday, March 20, 1:30 pm -- I made my decision and had to say my goodbyes to you. You were in so much pain that I couldn't even hold you in my arms one last time. You used my hand for a pillow, heard my comforting voice, and felt my loving touch and kiss, while you fell asleep for the last time. GOODBYE MY FRIEND!

Saturday, April 17 -- I'm still missing you, and I'll never stop. I'm still shedding tears for you, and I'll never stop. My arms still have a loss for you that will never go away. But I know that you're in Heaven waiting for me, and that helps fill the void in my heart that will always stay.

"Four Feet in Heaven"

Your favorite chair is vacant now,
No eager purrs to greet me,
No softly padded paws to run,
Ecstatically to meet me,

No coaxing rubs, no plaintive cry,
Will say it's time for feeding --
I've put away your bowl,
And all the things you won't be needing,

But I will miss you little friend,
For I could never measure,
The happiness you brought to me,
The comfort and the pleasure,

And since God put you here to share,
In earthly joy and sorrow,
I'm sure there will be a place for you,
In Heaven's bright tomorrow!

by Alice Chase

Thanks to "The Purr-fect Place" for the use of this poem.

Till we meet again my friend! Your adopted brother, Yo, and I are thinking of you, and will always miss you!

Don't Grieve Alone!!!!
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Presented for your warm
& touching tribute to nuggi