OT - Tribute to a buddy - updated - RIP my little buddy
zep33
Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
Tribute to a buddy
A week ago, my 17 year old Maine Coon / Manx cat was diagnosed with liver failure and given a short time to live. This past week has had me reflecting on the life of this wonderful friend of mine that has had me wrapped around her paws for the better part of two decades.
Her name is Turbo and we first met in the fall of 1994. At the time she was my roommates kitten and I had a cat of my own. Turbo basically kicked my cat of my room and moved herself into my life the day I moved into that house. When I would go to work, I was told she would sit in my room and cry for 30 minutes each day hoping that I would return soon. When I would get home from work, she would be waiting in my room wanting my attention.
I moved out about 6 months or so later and brought my original cat with me. I visited Turbo a few times and she always seemed to know that one day I would be hers. She wasn’t a heavy cat in those days and her name came from how quick she was. Built low to the ground for speed, she was a hunter outside and a warm fluffy ball of purring love indoors.
One day, my cat, Randy viciously attacked me after hearing a catfight outside the window. This was the second time she tried to make mince meat out of me and although I loved her very much, I was forced to make the decision that there could not be a third time. Randy was put down a week later.
Fast forward a month and a phone call came from my ex-roommate asking me if I would like to take Turbo home with me as she had never been the same since I had moved out. I went back to her house to take my little buddy to her new palace. Turbo was out in the woods and when I called her, she came running out of those woods and into my arms like she was a child who’s father just returned from war. It was a fabulous reunion and the last time that she was allowed outdoors. She became a pampered, spoiled indoor kitty that evening.
Turbo always wanted to eat. Every trip I made to the kitchen, in her mind, meant it was time for her to eat. She may have eaten 10 minutes before but that meant nothing. I was going to the kitchen so it was time to eat. I started to give in and would feed her again. And again, and again, and again. She started to gain weight. I believe she weighed 18 pounds at one time or another. Then she decided she could become finicky and I’d have to try a different flavor to satisfy her. She may have loved Ocean Whitefish the day before but hated it the following day. When she wanted chicken or turkey, nothing else would suffice. I gave in and would end up opening can after can until she was happy. This went on for 15 years and I never minded catering to her every need. We then took in a roommate for her. An older gentleman cat named Beezwax and they became close friends. Beezwax stayed for about a year until his original owners settled into their new home in Florida and old Beez was sent to live out his final years with them. I missed him but it was the right thing to do.
I moved across the country to Arizona in 1998 and Turbo rode comfortably the entire way, as long as she wasn’t in that damn cage she hated so much. Fair enough, I wouldn’t want to be in a cage either. One day my neighbor told me that every day, about five to ten minutes before I was due to arrive home from work, Turbo would stick her head out of the front blinds and wait there until I pulled in. Then I would be greeted at the front door. Was she happy to see me? Or was she anxiously waiting for me to go to the kitchen? I think it was a little of both.
A year later, we rescued a feral kitten and brought her home. Her mother abandoned her when a big pile of sheet metal and wood at my workplace was cleaned up and the little family was discovered underneath. The kitten had climbed up inside the bumper of a parked vehicle to hide and the bumper actually had to be removed from the car to get her out of there. I aptly named her Bumper and a new love story was about to be written. After a day of hiding, when Bumper met Turbo, those two became inseparable for the next 11 years. They became the best of friends in an instant. It was meant to be.
In 2003, I took a job back at my old workplace on the other side of the country. Back in the car for another 3000 mile hike. As long as they weren’t forced to sit in a cage, they enjoyed every minute of that trip. Turbo on my lap most of the time and Bumper right by her side.
It’s now 2010 and we are all still here but Turbo will be leaving us all too soon. I can’t express in words what this little friend of mine has meant to me. The quirky habits she had and the endless out pouring of love that she has shown. If it was time to sit on the couch or go to bed, within seconds, Turbo is waiting to be picked up and placed next to me for a much-needed rest. Her arthritis has kept her from jumping up on things for the last few years but she’s learned the secret call that always gets my attention.
Turbo is now resting comfortably on my lap, where she has spent a very high percentage of her life. She’s eating very little but does not seem to be in any pain. Just a bit “out of it” Unsure of what to expect each time I awake or return home from work, this past week has been miserable for me but a blessing all the same as I’m able to spend this time saying goodbye to my dear little friend.
Turbo, I am going to miss you so much. I can’t imagine you not being here forever but you will be in my heart forever. May God bless you and let you chase rabbits again for eternity.
A week ago, my 17 year old Maine Coon / Manx cat was diagnosed with liver failure and given a short time to live. This past week has had me reflecting on the life of this wonderful friend of mine that has had me wrapped around her paws for the better part of two decades.
Her name is Turbo and we first met in the fall of 1994. At the time she was my roommates kitten and I had a cat of my own. Turbo basically kicked my cat of my room and moved herself into my life the day I moved into that house. When I would go to work, I was told she would sit in my room and cry for 30 minutes each day hoping that I would return soon. When I would get home from work, she would be waiting in my room wanting my attention.
I moved out about 6 months or so later and brought my original cat with me. I visited Turbo a few times and she always seemed to know that one day I would be hers. She wasn’t a heavy cat in those days and her name came from how quick she was. Built low to the ground for speed, she was a hunter outside and a warm fluffy ball of purring love indoors.
One day, my cat, Randy viciously attacked me after hearing a catfight outside the window. This was the second time she tried to make mince meat out of me and although I loved her very much, I was forced to make the decision that there could not be a third time. Randy was put down a week later.
Fast forward a month and a phone call came from my ex-roommate asking me if I would like to take Turbo home with me as she had never been the same since I had moved out. I went back to her house to take my little buddy to her new palace. Turbo was out in the woods and when I called her, she came running out of those woods and into my arms like she was a child who’s father just returned from war. It was a fabulous reunion and the last time that she was allowed outdoors. She became a pampered, spoiled indoor kitty that evening.
Turbo always wanted to eat. Every trip I made to the kitchen, in her mind, meant it was time for her to eat. She may have eaten 10 minutes before but that meant nothing. I was going to the kitchen so it was time to eat. I started to give in and would feed her again. And again, and again, and again. She started to gain weight. I believe she weighed 18 pounds at one time or another. Then she decided she could become finicky and I’d have to try a different flavor to satisfy her. She may have loved Ocean Whitefish the day before but hated it the following day. When she wanted chicken or turkey, nothing else would suffice. I gave in and would end up opening can after can until she was happy. This went on for 15 years and I never minded catering to her every need. We then took in a roommate for her. An older gentleman cat named Beezwax and they became close friends. Beezwax stayed for about a year until his original owners settled into their new home in Florida and old Beez was sent to live out his final years with them. I missed him but it was the right thing to do.
I moved across the country to Arizona in 1998 and Turbo rode comfortably the entire way, as long as she wasn’t in that damn cage she hated so much. Fair enough, I wouldn’t want to be in a cage either. One day my neighbor told me that every day, about five to ten minutes before I was due to arrive home from work, Turbo would stick her head out of the front blinds and wait there until I pulled in. Then I would be greeted at the front door. Was she happy to see me? Or was she anxiously waiting for me to go to the kitchen? I think it was a little of both.
A year later, we rescued a feral kitten and brought her home. Her mother abandoned her when a big pile of sheet metal and wood at my workplace was cleaned up and the little family was discovered underneath. The kitten had climbed up inside the bumper of a parked vehicle to hide and the bumper actually had to be removed from the car to get her out of there. I aptly named her Bumper and a new love story was about to be written. After a day of hiding, when Bumper met Turbo, those two became inseparable for the next 11 years. They became the best of friends in an instant. It was meant to be.
In 2003, I took a job back at my old workplace on the other side of the country. Back in the car for another 3000 mile hike. As long as they weren’t forced to sit in a cage, they enjoyed every minute of that trip. Turbo on my lap most of the time and Bumper right by her side.
It’s now 2010 and we are all still here but Turbo will be leaving us all too soon. I can’t express in words what this little friend of mine has meant to me. The quirky habits she had and the endless out pouring of love that she has shown. If it was time to sit on the couch or go to bed, within seconds, Turbo is waiting to be picked up and placed next to me for a much-needed rest. Her arthritis has kept her from jumping up on things for the last few years but she’s learned the secret call that always gets my attention.
Turbo is now resting comfortably on my lap, where she has spent a very high percentage of her life. She’s eating very little but does not seem to be in any pain. Just a bit “out of it” Unsure of what to expect each time I awake or return home from work, this past week has been miserable for me but a blessing all the same as I’m able to spend this time saying goodbye to my dear little friend.
Turbo, I am going to miss you so much. I can’t imagine you not being here forever but you will be in my heart forever. May God bless you and let you chase rabbits again for eternity.
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Comments
Horses are fun, but cats are the best !
My heart goes out to you.
I know how you're feelin right now - my cat is the 'child' in the house - a friendly, playful and affectionate member of the family - she's a rescue cat named Tabitha - nicknamed 'Baboo.'
Whether someone likes cats or not - everyone can 'feel' the [pending] loss experienced by a pet owner.
All my best
mike
<< <i>I'm more of a "dog guy" myself, but I wish the best for Turbo..sounds like she has been a great companion for years! >>
What he said----- sorry for the loss.---- Sonny
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I've lost many pets ( members of my family, that's what they are ) and the loss is always painful.
Just think of the times you had and the joy they brought you.
Time will ease the pain, and the memories will remain.
These last 2 weeks have really been tough. Still not knowing what I would wake up to or return from work to. Last weekend was real bad and I didn't think she would make it through Sunday. I don't think she ate anything all weekend.
However yesterday morning, she ate breakfast and went back to bed. I came home at lunch to check on her and she ate lunch. I came home after work and she ate dinner. She ate again late last night. She ate breakfast this morning. I came home at lunch today and she got out of bed when she saw me come in and greeted me by yelling at me in the middle of the living room. She then proceeded to eat an entire can of food, came over to my desk chair and wanted to be picked up and put on my lap. I had my work pants on and since she's been leaking a lot, I just petted her down there. She then stood on her hind legs and tried to climb the chair to get up there. At that point, I couldn't say no and held her for a few minutes on my lap. She purred and purred, rubbed her face against mine. I had to go back to work so I dumped another can in her bowl and she started eating that as I left.
I called my vet when I got back to work. She was amazed and wants to see her again (We have an appointment Monday now) She also stated that she didn't think Turbo would have lasted this long, never mind regaining her "eat like a damn pig" appetite.
The shots that she had given her 2 weeks ago I thought were to stimulate her appetite but she told me today that they were penicillin type shots and the pill she gave her was for the appetite and that was only a 12 hour pill.
I didn't want to get any false hopes but at this point, it's too difficult to not get them. This has been a night and day turnaround over the last 48 hours. The jaundice is still present but the constant nutrition she is now giving herself could possibly help that out.
I can tell she is so much more comfortable than just a couple days ago and she's sound a sleep and purring on my lap right now. I am truly amazed.
Thanx for the update - I sure hope Turbo will be with you for a long time.
mike
Take care
We got Pumpkin in the fall of 2000. We got him from a shelter at the age of "8 months" (more like 4) and he has been "my" cat ever since. I've never had a pet that was "mine". Even as a child, the pets always liked someone else better or treated everyone equally. Pumpkin? He's mine
In short, he's my buddy.
About a year ago, he got out of our house through a window that had been left open (he's an indoor cat). We walked the neighborhood and called him and no luck. I was absolutely devastated. Losing Tugger, our middle kitty, a year earlier had been awful. This was way, way worse. I had to leave for work the next morning fearing the absolute worst. On my way to work, I got a call from my wife. Our neighbor's daughter had somehow recognized a cat in their yard as ours - we'd only lived in the area for a couple months and he is, after all, an indoor cat. Pumpkin was perched on their fence, looking dead, but hanging on for dear life. He'd tried to jump their fence but had stopped when he saw a pair of enormous dogs. And there he remained, unable or unwilling to go back where he'd come from. He was dehydrated but otherwise fine. Me? I was ecstatic. When I came home from work, I picked him up and he just melted against me and purred as loud as I've ever heard him.
The day he's gone for good is going to be really tough. He's been a huge part of my life for 9-1/2 years.
It's wonderful that you've had a similar friend in Turbo. Cats are weird, peculiar and wonderful animals and a true blessing when you get matched with the "right" one.
Tabe
Thanks for the well wishes guys.
<< <i>I am very definitely a cat person. Growing up, we had cats and I adored them but they didn't always particularly care for me. After we got married, we got first one, then another, then another. We lost one two years ago and that was devastating. I want to tell you about our youngest.
We got Pumpkin in the fall of 2000. We got him from a shelter at the age of "8 months" (more like 4) and he has been "my" cat ever since. I've never had a pet that was "mine". Even as a child, the pets always liked someone else better or treated everyone equally. Pumpkin? He's mine
In short, he's my buddy.
About a year ago, he got out of our house through a window that had been left open (he's an indoor cat). We walked the neighborhood and called him and no luck. I was absolutely devastated. Losing Tugger, our middle kitty, a year earlier had been awful. This was way, way worse. I had to leave for work the next morning fearing the absolute worst. On my way to work, I got a call from my wife. Our neighbor's daughter had somehow recognized a cat in their yard as ours - we'd only lived in the area for a couple months and he is, after all, an indoor cat. Pumpkin was perched on their fence, looking dead, but hanging on for dear life. He'd tried to jump their fence but had stopped when he saw a pair of enormous dogs. And there he remained, unable or unwilling to go back where he'd come from. He was dehydrated but otherwise fine. Me? I was ecstatic. When I came home from work, I picked him up and he just melted against me and purred as loud as I've ever heard him.
The day he's gone for good is going to be really tough. He's been a huge part of my life for 9-1/2 years.
It's wonderful that you've had a similar friend in Turbo. Cats are weird, peculiar and wonderful animals and a true blessing when you get matched with the "right" one.
Tabe >>
Great story Tabe. Thanks for sharing that. My friend's mom once told me "cats know cat people" I've found that to be so true over the years.
As I opened this thread, Pumpkin came by and jumped on my desk to tell me to go to bed. He's a bit early tonight, LOL.
Here's a picture of me & him taken right after I got home the day of his "escapade":
Tabe
Well, right on schedule this morning, Turbo woke me up to eat about an hour ago. She used the litter box to pee again. My lap is dry. She is spread out and purring like a kitten right now on it.
I don't know what to compare my feelings right now to except to just say how overjoyed I am at this 180 degree turnaround. I have never seen or had anything like this happen before.
If you had seen her this past Sunday and Monday, you'd think some kind of a miracle took place here.
I really wish I didn't have to work today.
Turbo had her appt with the vet yesterday and there was all good news from the today. I had to wait for the blood and pee test results before I knew for sure. Her jaundice is improving. We didn't test that 2 1/2 weeks ago cause it seemed like it was hopeless but the vet said her level is now at 2.6 where a normal, healthy cat is 0 - 0.9. The best part of that number is she said she's seen cats as yellow as Turbo was back then to be at a 14-15 level and had we tested her, she probably would have been at least 10. We'll test her again in a couple weeks to be sure it's still dropping.
Ironically today, SAAB, who I work for and posted a RIP thread a month or so ago, was also resurrected from the dead with an agreement by GM to sell them to Spyker.
All in all, a great day!!
Bet you've appreciated Turbo a little bit more, huh? Those little things that use to annoy you, all of the sudden become cute..
The first maybe five years of owning her, she never left my side. Listen to every command and obayed in a split second. Acted like a little princess or something. Didn't wan't to get dirty or wet. Almost the perfect dog. I have a had a dozen people tell me they wanted her.
I could write story after story about her, how she changed in different time periods, such as moving into my current house, getting another dog, et al. I got the new dog last year as I don't imagine Lea La will be around long. I can't pick her up without her arthritus hurting her, even though I as gentle as could be. She use to jump in my arms on command. In fact, your story saddens me a little, because it reminds me Lea La won't be around long. I guess that is selfish.
Thanks again Zep....
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Jan 21st:
Today:
Turbo is doing great
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I had a really cool cat 15 years ago that got cancer in his mouth. It was gut-wrenching when I had to take him in to be put down. I chose to hold him as he went, and I was a wreck afterward. When I was leaving, I was listening to a Rush song that will forever be associated with Sam's passing. Not a bad thing now, but it was a long time before I could listen to that song without choking up.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
I too am a dog guy but had a cat once, I also have 2 ferals that are living in my garage.
They keep to themselves I think one of the neighbors supplement their food needs.
I've just left out water from time to time and if we have any left over fish I'll toss it where they will find it.
They sure keep the vermin at bay!
Steve
Tabe
Turbo and Bumper are even back to being buddies again
mike
I started seeing signs a few days ago that she could hear stuff again. I tested her yesterday morning by jiggling my keys while she was sleeping, facing the opposite direction about 10 feet away. As soon as I made the noise, her head came up and faced me. She then stood up and walked over to me.
Had to go off to work right after that so I couldn't look further into it.
Last night while she slept on my lap right here at my desk, every few minutes I would drop my lighter on the desk and her ears twitched every time.
Just now, on my lap again, she keeps falling asleep and I keep waking her up by just saying her name.
Seems like this whole ordeal has now gone full circle. Either that or I entered the twilight zone and none of this stuff ever happened.
Yay for kitty cat!!
Just kidding of course, glad all is well with kitty! Pets are cool!
Zep, I felt your pain in your original post. Losing a part of your family, two or four legs, is never easy. But I kept reading, I had to see how this ended. I was prepared to read
that you had lost your buddy, but like a Hollywood story, this has a happy ending. I am thrilled for you and Turbo, what an amazing turnaround.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
I am very happy to hear Turbo is better. I have seven cats myself (all rescued) with four of them (kittens, 3girls/1 boy) being rescued by my wife and several helpers at a construction site next to where she works. It took them about fifteen minutes to get them out as they were buried under wood/garbage etc. Now we had three cats at the time and my wife, of course, had to care of the kittens until she found homes for them. When I asked her a couple weeks later who the lucky people that were going to get the kittens, she told me nobody wanted them and began to cry.
My wife is a devoted cat lover, and I knew how my wifes crying was going to mean that we would now have a family of seven cats. Being "The Man" I didn't tell her how I had fallen for the kittens anyway, and that I would have told her that we were going to keep the kittens even if somebody else wanted them. Now unfortunatly there were some medical issues with with the male kitten who I named Jack, and one female, Jewel. One of Jack's eyes was ruptured and causing him great pain, and Jewel had got something in her left eye while buried which made her blind in that eye.
Now we all know that taking your animals to the Vet isn't cheap, but seeing Jack in pain was killing me. So we took him to our Vet and surgery was scheduled the next day to remove the eye. Of course my wife and I were very nervous as the Vet told us that Jack might not survive surgery as he was only weeks old. My Vet actually let my wife and I watch some of the surgery up close. It was quite an experience. Listening to his little heartbeat through a speaker while he was hooked up to a heart monitor was pretty tough.
Thank God he made it through and all four kittens, now a little over a year old each are enjoying spoiled, healthy lives! And all are giving us love and happiness every day!!
Mike please keep us posted on Turbo's health, God bless.
Matt
<< <i>I have a Maine Coon that I took in as a stray about 4 years ago that has now taken over the house. >>
That's what they do best
Tabe