Failure to Thrive

It is with a heavy heart, I bring sad news.

One of the foster kittens in our program passed away yesterday. He was one of five kittens born to GiGi just four weeks ago. Although things seemed all right in the first weeks, over time, the little fellow didn't grow the way his siblings did. He remained quite small and before we could intervene, he slipped away into the ether during the night.

I realize that this is part of doing animal rescue. Not every single cat who comes to us will have a happy ending with a perfect family. There have been plenty of sleepless nights, over many different health crises. Luckily, many times things go well, but the times when it does not, those are the ones that stick with you.

I had to leave work early, I was so upset. Maybe I'm a big baby, but it really hit me to find out he died. I realized I took the only photos of him, when I saw them a few weeks ago. I wondered which kitten had died, but I was too scared to know. I just saw them about two weeks ago.

Once I got home and had a good cry, I went up to see my own foster kittens. One of them blew a bubble out of his nostril! They're all sneezing, but they all have good weight, are starting to play, and seem to be all right. I called our Vet and got some suggestions, but for now I have to watch them and wait. I'm on pins and needles with worry. They're going to be three weeks old tomorrow, no where near out-of-the-woods.

I think it's going to be a long few weeks of worrying.

Let's take a moment to think kind thoughts for a little black kitten whose life was cut cruelly short and who, I hope, will be reborn and come back to us again soon.

Rest in Peace, dear one. Rest in Peace.