cran·ber·ry
1. A mat-forming, evergreen shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpum) of eastern North America, having pink flowers and tart, red, edible berries.
2. The berries of this plant, used in sauces, jellies, relishes, and beverages.
cot·tage
1. A small, single-storied house, especially in the country.
2. A small vacation house.
cran·ber·ry cot·tage
1. A tiny house in the woods in the north of Holland.
2. Peace, quiet, paradise.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

A sad goodbye all too soon.....


Jos and I have been searching for a new kitten lately. The loss of Dagi was hard for us but we have so much love to share with another kitty. In May, I saw the photo below that a breeder posted online. Meet Elwin...a red oriental short hair. He was adorable and it was love at first sight. We arranged to bring him home the day after we returned from a week's vacation in May.  

Jos en ik hebben lang gezocht naar een nieuwe kitten. Het verlies van Dagi was wel zwaar voor ons maar we kunnen heel veel geven aan een nieuwe kitten. In Mei zag ik de foto hieronder die een fokker op internet gezet had.
Ontmoet Elwin: een roodharige orientaalse kat. Hij was erg leuk en we waren op slag verliefd. We hebben afgesproken om hem direct na onze vakantie naar ons huis te brengen.

The big day arrived and we drove the hour to pick up Elwin. His brother Joep climbed up on my lap and looked at me as if to say "You are not going to take Elwin and leave me here, are you?". So Joep came home to live with us too. 
It quickly became apparent that Joep needed a man's strong guiding hand. I was not able to cope with his and he was constantly playing so hard with Elwin that it left Elwin with scabbed scratches. We made the difficult decision after a vet looked at Joep and said his aggression would probably not deminish as he became an adult cat. He was all personality so this was a hard decision to make but he was returned to the breeder.


Elwin was sad the first 24 hours and would not eat or drink. He was missing the breeder and his partner. But finally he turned around and he ate very well and followed us all over the house talking away wherever we went. He had the funniest meow which sounded like those friction wind up flash lights. He cuddled day and night. His favorite sleeping spot was laid over my should with his little sweet head on my chest. He went happily back and forth between Jos and I.

I am using past tense as this is not a story with a happy ending. Sunday he started to get lethargic and stopped eating.  He did still drink when we took him to his water. Monday morning, when I awoke he was laying between Jos and I and at first I though he had died. He was alive but breathing very badly. Then I saw his little belly looked strange. I knew it was serious and he was very ill. 

We called the vet and she had us bring him in. His breathing was more and more distressed and the assistant let me wait with his in a well cooled room. The vet drew stomach fluid to test and came back with horrible news. Elwin had FIP. It is viral disease and was in his stomach and lungs. Cats cannot survive this illness. We had to make the decision to put down a beautiful kitten that was not even 4 months old yet yesterday. It seems so wrong that this little life has passed too soon. He should have had many years here with us. 

Elwin is buried our under the bench in our garden. He is right next to Dagi where we can go and sit with them. I am totally heartbroken. I miss him so much even though he was such a short time in our home. He fit in! He was instantly part of the family. 
Sweet dreams little Elwin out there with Dagi among the roses.........
 
Elwin was de eerste 24 uren droevig, hij wilde niet eten of drinken, hij was te gehecht aan de fokker en zijn partner. Echter dit veranderde al snel en werd een echt cuddlebeestje.  

Ik gebruik verleden tijd want afgelopen zondag werd hij helemaal lusteloos and stopte met eten. Maandag ochtend dacht ik dat hij dood was, ik wist dat hij erg ziek was.
Op maandag tweede pinksterdag zijn wij naar de dierenarts geweest. Hij kon eigenlijk niet goed meer ademen, wij mochten wachten in een kamer met Airco de hitte kon hij niet meer aan. De dierenarts heeft vloeistof afgetapt uit zijn veel te dikke buik. Daarop heeft ze ons het slechte nieuws gegeven dat Elwin FIP had. Dit is een ongeneeslijke virus infectie. Helaas hebben we op advies van de dierenarts moeten besluiten hem te laten inslapen.
Elwin is begraven onder onze tuinbank. Hij ligt naast Dagi waar ik soms naar ze toe kunnen gaan. Ik ben gebroken... Ik mis hem heel erg ook al was hij maar kort bij ons. Hij past perfect bij ons.

Droom zacht lieve Elwin samen met Dagi en de rozen.

Heidi

11 comments:

  1. Oh Heidi, I am so sorry for your loss. So hard to believe that he became so sick so suddenly. Some things are just impossible to understand.
    May you find comfort in your garden.
    Hugs,
    Kim

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  2. Ooh Heidi, wat erg. Heb hem niet eens kunnen plagen met de stofzuiger.
    Heel veel sterkte!!!!
    Lieve groet,
    Silvia.

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  3. This is just way to hard to comment on. I love you
    Mom

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  4. So so sorry. He brought you love and you gave him love for that too short of time.

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  5. Oh, Heidi, how very sad for you. It is good that this little kitty had you and Jos to love him during his short life. {{{hugs}}}

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  6. I'm so very sorry Heidi! I went through the loss of a pet last week myself and it's only in the past couple of days that I've not cried. I know that it will take time for my heart to heal. I'm so thankful that Elwin had wonderful days with you and Jos - and of course, so much love. Hugs my friend.

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  7. Oh my gosh...Heidi, this is so sad! Made me cry. I am so, so sorry. :-(

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  8. I'm so sorry, Heidi. I'm glad he was able to be part of your family before he died. He got a little bit of Heaven on Earth with you.

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  9. I'm so sorry--how very sad for you. It's obvious from reading your post that you loved him very much and he loved you, too! Pets are our family members. Sometimes life is so unfair. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

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  10. Heidi, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet kitten who was with you for such a short time. Be strengthened to know that he knew you loved him right to the end, and he carried your love with him. It is awful when you lose a pet, I know only too well, but you have your memories. This doesn't take away the hurt you are feeling and my heart goes out to you. Take care and God bless.
    Patricia x

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