[MEG33]

I really know how hard it is.I lost my kitty to cancer last year and feel I did not take her soon enough.She was the sweetest most personable cat I've ever had..she was once an orphan,too.

Several weeks ago a skin and bones,very fightened ,fluffy ,cat appeared in the back yard.With much quiet feeding,she finally allowed herself to be petted and finally caught and taken to the vet last week.

She had mites,worms,a damaged larynx and part of her ear missing.She is in the house now and has dared to come out from under the table skirt ,sleep in the open,and be petted a lot.It's still a scary world to her.She purrs very loudly because of the larynx,the vet says.My daughter is certain she was sent to help ease the loss.

[mean lunch lady]

It's funny how that happens, when a cat turns up like that. My husband and I had decided after the loss of our 18 year old cat, that we were not going to get another cat. Then a few weeks later, one came to our front porch and would not leave. He said, dont anybody feed him or he'll never go away. Guess who was the one who finally broke down and fed him? That cat was with us for 16 years. He just decided to be our cat and that was it.

[Lady Jag]

I've had similar things happen; they adamantly refuse to tell you when they don't feel well. You can't blame yourself (but believe me, I have blamed myself).

My cats came as strays, too, and they all have baggage. One like your skin & bones baby has turned from a people hater into the smartest most affectionate female I've seen.

They never cease to amaze me how adaptable they are and how they are able to reason.

[radu]

Sorry to hear about the kitty you lost to cancer, MEG. We're going through a similar situation now. Tinuviel was diagnosed last summer with an incurable form of cancer and underwent three operations to remove tumors from her back. Doc said the cancer had invaded her muscle tissue the last time he operated and said he could do no more for her.

She still seems to feel fine right now but the tumors are growing pretty quickly. It's only a matter of time.

I've had her for almost 13 years and know she's had a good life and that will help a little with the pain of losing her. I'll miss her, no matter what.

We'll still have the other 38 to keep me busy. LOL! One is a cancer survivor that is my "miracle boy". His cancer was a different form and was contained and easily removed.

It sounds like there have been two needs met, MEG. An empty spot has been filled in your life, and a sweet kitty was in need of a loving home and now has one. It appears both orders have been filled. :-)

[Lady Jag]

Radu said it perfectly. We've lost pets to cancer and because we love them so much, blame ourselves for not getting to the vet sooner, but in fact we are not psychic and the cat won't admit illness.

But another little furry healer did came to you (amazingly, they always do for me) with needs of her own.

She sounds like she's a gritty little thing. How are her ear and larynx now? What does she look like? Got any pix yet?