Post 35,000 is all about my sweetheart, Melanie

[joeybee12]

The top is fairly recent (she's in the foreground, her sister Scarlet is behind her), so you can see what a big diva she turned out to be. Unfortunately, she's now down to 5 pounds, has hyperthyroid and kidney failure. I've been giving her fluids since August and it helps, the thyroid medicine would damage the kidneys, so I decided against that. While at times she appears uncomfortable, she isn't in pain so I'll keep doing it until she tells me she's had enough. She still eats a lot, sits with me wherever I go and gets into bed at night, and her energy is good, running from her mortal enemy, my new kitten Ashley. I'll really miss her when she goes. I got her at 6 weeks and she bonded with me right away. She's 16 and half now.

[Condem]

1. Awesome, joey.

We have a few hyperthyroid kits ourselves. Daily medication does wonders. Best wishes for Melanie. Lost my Boo this past summer. 21 years old. Daddy's girl.

[joeybee12]

3. 21? Wow! I've had friends whose cats

made it to 20, but then went downhill quickly. Melanie's sister Scarlet has kidney failure also, not enarly as advanced, no other problems, so I'm giving her fluids occasionally to keep her from getting worse...she was the runt of the litter and looks like she'll outlive Melanie.

[Condem]

4. We've had three make 21. Max actually made 22.

That's the thing. Jennie and Boo we're fine, then within a week were gone. No suffering. Just old age. We were next to Boo when she took her last breath. Very, very peaceful.

[joeybee12]

10. That's the way I hope I go...

I really thought Melanie would live to 20..never any health problems, whereas Scarlet sometimes did...you never know, i guess.

[MaineDem]

2. How adorable! n/t

[joeybee12]

9. Thanks!

[TBF]

5. Aw, sweet! nt

[joeybee12]

8. Thanks!

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Were They Littermates?

Two of our four kitties were from the same litter.

Looks like their markings changed quite a bit from when they were little. Or is that just the lighting in the room where these were taken?

Gotta love the beasties.

[joeybee12]

7. Littermates out of 5...

The lighting shows some difference, but their markings as kittens were definitely darker. Watching my new kitten Ashley change colors is kind of amazing...I think he's finally settled into his final coat.