Ariel Update

Thanks to everyone for their words of comfort. Ariel is still at the hospital. Her fever was down last night, but back up this morning. They are saying it is a viral upper respitory infection. She is still receiving an IV for fluids and an antibiotic as a preventative measure. The vet said her tummy felt better today. After a 2 hour wait I finally got to see her. She seems much better than yesterday, but still a little wobbly. I tried to get her to eat, at the vet's suggestion, but it was a no go. I was not surprised. There were too many strange sounds and smells. She is not the best eater under ideal circumstances.

They wanted to keep her at least another night, so I agreed. I don't have the same peace of mind as I would with our regular vet, but if she is sick, I guess she is better off there until the ER closes and the vet opens Tuesday morning.

Thank you also for the invitation to tonight's party. It has been an emotionally exhausting weekend so far, so I am hoping for a good night of sleep tonight. Please enjoy the celebration, and I will post an update tomorrow. Happy [and healthy and safe] New Year to all!!

Ann

FIP

I only spent about 5 minutes researching FIP, just enought to overstimulate my overactive imagination. My daughter lost a precious baby after maybe a month or two. What puzzles me is this, : she thinks that her remaining cat has to be an 'only child' for the rest of his life. She is not the type to overreact, so I thik she might be misled on this one. I volunteer with an orginization at Petsmart; Idon't think they routinely test for this. What I've read is so confusing; however, I think there are meds in Europe and Asia that may not be available in the US. I will look in to this.

Thanks again.

Ann

Update - we're hopeful!!

We visited Ariel at the vet a little while ago. She looked more alert. They said the pain meds made her feel better. At @6:30 I called, they had finished the blood work and X-rays. They said she was so good. I was not at all surprised. The Vet called as I was typing. They are still not sure what the problem is, but Ariel is improving. Her temp is down to 103.2, so she is responding to the fluids. Her blood work looks 'really good', and, not being a science person, I'll take that as a 'YES' for now. There is the possibility of pancreatitis, a viral or respitory infection, or a blood infection. For now they are going to monitor her ovenight. The doctor seemed optimistic. She said to call at 10 AM tomorrow and maybe I could bring her home.Ariel and Lemieux have always been indoor kittys. I take them out in the yard, but since daylight savings time ended, they don't get out much at all. I dealt with the abcesses with my first cat, Bullitt, and with Tocchet when he was younger. Even though I didn't think it was possible with Ariel, I checked her pretty thoroughly today.My biggest fear is FIP. My daughter Cassie lost a kitten a few months ago to this horrible didease. I had brought two kittens in on a short term basis recently, and feared the worst. I don't know too much about it, but I think I am going to learn more quite soon. My imagination got quite active and scary on the way home from the vet this afternoon. Now I don't think that is what's got Ariel, but I learned some interesting things in a few short minutes this afternoon. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and compassion. I wiil let you all know when I have more information.Ann

Please pray for Ariel

I just got back from the Animal ER, where I had to leave Ariel. She has a 104.5 fever and is not eating, drinking or going to the bathroom. They are starting her on an IV to get her hydrated and get the fever down, then they will do bloodwork and an X-ray. I am terrified of what it could be. She was fine yesterday, but would not move at all today. Please pray for her. She is only 2 years old, and such a good little girl.

--Ann

Waiting for Santa

Ariel was such a good girl all year, so I'm sure Santa will bring her lots of presents!

Our Woofie, Captain

Here is our woofie, Captain. He is getting pretty old now, but he used to give Tocchet a bath when they were young. Now he mostly sleeps, but he will let Ariel rub up on him once in a while.

Happy Birthday Ariel!!!

Hurray!! Ariel is 2 years old. She celebrated her birthday yesterday. Daddy [her favorite bean] stayed home with her all afternoon and treated her to some whipped cream. Mommy gave her a little more after dinner.

Lizzard watching

In a rare moment of togetherness, Ariel & Lemiux watch the lizzards in the bushes, while Tocchet does his best 'ho-hum'.

Mr. T

Isn't Mr T a Cutie? He wandered in to a friend's garage, then came to stay with us until we found his forever home. He now lives with Bonnie's friend Jessica.

Lemieux and Baby James

Who is this new 2 legged member of the clan? He is just my size!

---Lemieux

Dinner Time

Ariel and Lemieux sharing a sisterly dinner.

Baby Boy

Here is another cousin, Baby Boy. He comes to visit when his Mom, Cassie, needs a kitty-sitter. He loves to play and cuddle.

Baby Lemieux

Mom had to show everyone my first baby picture. Didn't I look silly before my body grew into my head?

---Lemieux

Cousin Toby

This is our cousin, Toby. Bonnie is his Mom. He lived with us when he was little, until he became a world traveler and moved to Germany for a while. Now he lives in his own house near us with his mom and dad and Brandon, and his furry brother Montagno.

Tocchet

Here is Tocchet. I have had him since the day he was born, March 17, 1992. Cheyenne was his Momma, and she was pregnant when I got her. She had 4 kittens and sadly, 3 died. I just had to keep him. He is a big, sweet ball of fur. He is also called the bionic kitty because of a steel plate in his leg from a broken leg when he was little.

The rest of the 4 legged family

This is Ariel. She will be 2 in December. My daughter Cassie adopted her to keep Jasmine company in Gainesville. Jasmine did not like her, so Cassie adopted Baby Boy to keep Ariel company. When Cassie was going on vacation, we kitty-sat for Ariel, and she decided to stay [Cassie said it was OK]. Ariel and Lemieux are perfect playmates - same age and size. Ariel is the good girl - never an ounce of trouble. Every everning she gets her 'Mommy time'. She jumps up on my lap to watch tv and keep me sitting still.

Here we are, Lemieux and Me, in our backyard jungle.

Yes, her name is pronounced La-mew. It means 'the best'. I adopted her from an organization at our local Petsmart. I have volunteered with them ever since, because I know I can never completely repay them for her.

She is the softest cat I have ever touched, different completely than any other, like running your hand across a piec of satin.