Dear Fred.

I can't even tell you how much of a pleasure it was to meet you and Barney last Thanksgiving, and how much you did to heal my broken heart. Fly free, sweet Fred, and come back to us sometime if it's meant to be.

Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi soha.

Oh Robin, you have done so much for Fred, you should be very proud of yourself. I am so glad that he knew all that love that you gave him and are giving him. Thanks for adopting him. You were so right about the tissues. Thanks for taking such good care of Fred \.

Thank you for giving Fred the diginity and opportunity to leave this world as and official part of a loving family. My heart is heavy and my eyes are teary, but somehow I feel at peace with all of it. Thanks to you and Sam for everything you've done for sweet Fred. You are angels.

He knew you'd give him the best life and the best care in the short time he had, so he made sure he came to you, and stayed there. Sometimes that's all we get to do for the kitties who come into our lives, and he made the best of every moment he had. My Lucy was another little dancer who came with a litter but stayed when the last thing I needed was a kitten, and though I lost her at 15 months to FIP she packed a whole lifetime into that time, and when she left she sent me her mama Mimi and Mimi's wonderful children. You gave Fred the gift of a lifetime commitment, and I'm sure he'll return with a gift of a lifetime for you and Sam.

what a beautiful post Robin. Fred is a very lucky kitty to have you and Sam. He is having the best life he could have. And just remember, he is one of the lucky ones. He knows your love and the love of other kitties. I'm seriously crying at work damn you!

So sorry Robin. I know this was an especially difficult loss.  He was so young, and his illness is a mystery. Maybe someday you'll find out what it was. But you did everything you could, and he had some quality months with you. That's more than he would have gotten elsewhere...

Dear Robin and Sam,

Take comfort in knowing you left no stone unturned for Fred. I feel your pain and wish I could take it away.

Fred touched so many lives. He will continue to inspire all who come to know this special purrball. 

Officially adopting Fred is the most wonderful tribute you can give him. If not for you, Fred would never have lasted, never been a mascot for Kitties for Kids, never touched the people his story has reached, never made a difference. You made that happen for Fred. You gave us Fred and the gifts he gave back to us. Thank you.

Dear Robin,

My heart was breaking as I read your post, tears streaming down my face. I know how very hard you have worked to save Fred, giving him unconditional love and the best medical care. But sometimes that just isn't enough, and we need to let go. Please, please, please do not beat yourself up with the "woulda, coulda, shouldas." None of us is omnipotent - we just do the best we can. Bless you for caring so very much for this little guy, and all of the cats you have touched. Hugs and prayers to you, Sam, and Fred.

lovely sweet fred
and all the kittens you have saved
and shared
and sent out into the world
are love.
through them imagine
all the love you have given to the world
even beyond rainbow bridge
that love is still felt
still shared.
thank you
thank you and sam
for all the love you have sent
to the world
to all of us.

I am so, so sorry, Robin.  I wish I could be there with you right now to offer hugs and comfort in person.  You have kept your promise and vow to save lives by doing everything you possibly could, seeking out every veterinary recourse and test and treatment, for Fred.  Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is give our furbabies a release from their pain and suffering.  Fred has had months of love and fun and cuddles and playtime and silliness and napping in sunbeams because of you.  What time he's had, it's been as full of everything a cat should be enjoying because of you and Sam.  You've made his short life full.  Anytime you find yourself thinking you didn't do enough or wondering if you could have done more, stop immediately and remind yourself that you busted your butt and spent thousands to try and save Fred's life and he got to spend his short life napping in sunbeams and cuddling with his brother and being loved by you, and then tell yourself you are an AWESOME CAT MOM, and keep telling yourself that until the thoughts that you failed him go away, you hear me?!?! Seriously, you're awesome and you work incredibly hard for the furbabies in your care.  I'm so, so sorry about Fred.

Dear Robin & Sam -  my heart breaks for you.  There is nothing sadder than watching a beloved pet suffer.  Maybe Fred's time with you was to bring comfort to those in Newtown who needed comforting and he certainly met that obligation with flying colors.   My thoughts and prayers are with you all.  I'm so glad Fred has been adopted into your loving home.   Ellen

Thank you, Robin, for sharing Fred with us. And thank you Fred for blessing us with your sweetness. I am so glad that you have a furever family as you cross the Bridge.

I've been checking in to see if there was any news of Fred - and now I know.

You have given this sweet kitten so much love and care. Sometimes things just happen - I don't know why, but I know that we all do the best we can with what we are given. Fred has known love, care and now he has an "official" family. He will go to the Rainbow Bridge with those gifts. And one day you will join him.

In the meantime, knowing how very hard this is, quality of life has to be the biggest concern. You know him best and will know when he no longer has that quality that he deserves. And then you will do what you must FOR him because you love him. And you will grieve his passing, then one day you will smile and the memory will outweigh the sadness, and you'll be on your way to healing.

Godspeed, Fred. I wish you a gentle and peaceful passing with those who love you - when it's your time.

Sad hugs,

catmom5

I just finished your post, Robin, and now I am sitting here at 3:30 in the morning with tears blurring my vision, feeling a crak inmy heart for an adorable little guy named Fred, whom I have never even met. You are beyond eloquent; your letter was more moving than I can even begin to express. Thank you for sharing that with your page followers-I know you are in pain and all we can do is let you know that you and wonderful Fred have touched so many people. Please do not blame yourself in any way; you are an amazing pet parent, and Fred has had the best of care. He has been genuinely loved, as every fur ball deserves; it just seems so unfair, after the circumstances of his birth, that his little life should be over so quickly. I am so profoundly sorry for your beautiful boy, and for the heartbreak we all know you are suffering. You are just the best, Robin; may Fred find rest and the peace he so deserves. Much love from a friend in California

I'm just so happy that Fred got the best gift of all, an official forever home. Even if his forever wasn't that long -- what a gift. I love it and can't think more peaceful, fulfilled way to complete life.

{{hugs}}

This is exactly what rescue is all about. I had a tear trying to escape the corner of my eye in the first part of your story, then about halfway through, I had sprung a leak, but at the end, it was full on water works.  It's a beautiful story about an ugly disease that robs this world someof our most beautiful little lives.   I've always said that staying with and holding them through their final journey from this world is the greatest gift wecan give them when thweir is no alternative,but this is absolutely beautifulk, your gift of a home.  

I guess I also felt that way, but didn'tquite put a name on it,becausemy little foster, Awesome PAwsome,who was one of 4 feral kittens I tamed at 5 weeks old, tested positive for FeLV, as did 2 of her siblings.  In 60 days time, the other two positives had managed to "turn" and test negative,but PAwsome kitty remained positive.  60 days later, no change.  All the others had gotten adopted out (with the understanding of the risk) but the rescue I was fostering for had no idea what to do with my little Pawsome kitty and decided to put her up for adoption, free, on CL.  I knew this cat would not live a full life, and in fact would not live long at all, most likely, and I knew she was highly contagious and I have other cats and fosters, but I could not have that be her fate, so I fixed up my bedroom into a little wonderland for a lone kitty, and since then she has not left that space.  I was preparing myself to give her the best short little life possible, within my power; also for the heartache of losing her quite young.  It's been 3 years so far.  She is healthiest cat I have, seemingly, except for her FeLV+ .  And, I guess I am still preparing myself, though I cannot imagine life without her, now.  I have fallen head over heels.  (and apologize for hijacking a piece of your blog)                                   

Thank you for giving your Fred this wonderful gift of a home and family, and so much love.  (My nose is still running, thank you very much. haha)

Robin,

Thank you for putting Fred's story here. My story with my kitty Yoda Monkey is almost exactly the same. Yoda lived 18 month and when could no longer walk and he developed a mega colon, it was time. This little kitty that became my best buddy that I bottle fed was now going to cross the rainbow bridge. Yoda like Fred had FIP too. I understand and know your heartbreak and I thank you for sharing.

I just came across this page. I do rescue in GA, and lost my precious foster baby Tugboat at 10 months to a sudden, explosively-fast wet FIP. It was my 4th foster baby in 3 years to lose to this insidious disease. I'm devastated for you, and am crying right now as I remember how my healthy little boy turned on a dime because of FIP. I'm changing the way I have my foster situation set up, to decrease the kittens' exposure to the coronavirus from my other, older foster babies. But I know that only does so much. 

I'm devastated for you and Fred, and can only reassure you that, in his soul, he never knew anything but love his entire life. All due to you. It doesn't make it easier for us, but try to find relief that he had a perfectly loved life. And you will see him again.

I always imagine that FIP babies are have this beautiful little alcove in heaven, where they are even more crazy and playful than before FIP, with tons of tree branches to swing from, and soft cotton clouds to land on. Fred is up there with Tug, Percy, Peggy, and Duck, having a ball, stopping every now and then to nosh on some delish wet food. When they see me upset, they send me a sunbeam, the kind that they used to lie in. I so want to see them again. My heart goes out to you - 

So sorry to hear of Fred's passing, he looked such a lovely cat :(