A Eulogy For My Beautiful Cat Morgan

Most of the many wonderful cats I have rescued over the years survived trauma before finding a peaceful home, whether forced to live on the streets, dumped at a shelter, left behind in an owner’s move, or was feral with kittens, all had traumatic experiences. But my beloved Morgan had to deal with more than most, because she was abandoned twice.

My role in her story began 17 years ago. At the time, all of my Saturday mornings were spent setting up and staffing a cat rescue adoption site at the Pet Food Express in Pleasant Hill. Before the cats were brought in by their foster parents, I would spend a couple of hours setting up tables, disinfecting cages, and putting up signage, adoption information and marketing materials. One unusual Saturday morning as I was in the midst of getting the site ready, a stranger walked up with a cat carrier. I was thinking, “boy this foster parent is showing up really early!” but this man didn’t act like a foster parent. He was instead agitated, aggressive and belligerent, and as soon as he saw me, he blurted out that his family no longer wanted “this cat” they had adopted from us two years ago. He complained she was shy, scared and terrified of his kids.

It turned out that his family had adopted two kittens from our non-profit organization Community Concern for Cats (CC4C), and they liked one but not the other (Morgan). I started to say we have a process for returning a cat, but he was in no mood to listen and loudly continued, “either take her now or she’ll go to the county shelter,” and that was that. 

A Eulogy For My Beautiful Cat Morgan

In her carrier Morgan acted extremely fearful—not the same cat that had been lovingly fostered and cared for until they were ready for adoption. Sadly, it became apparent that this man’s children had taunted and teased Morgan to catch her to such a degree that she was now deathly frightened of all humans, footsteps, noise, voices, and terrified by anybody approaching her. 

With no other safe options, of course I took Morgan back to our house where she quickly learned we had no expectations or demands of her to behave or be a certain way, but that we would accept her exactly as she was, who she was, and how she was. As humans we all crave being accepted, wherever we are in our life journey, and it’s no different for a cat or dog. Having rescued many other traumatized cats before Morgan, all we wanted for each one was to feel safe, loved, happy and healthy. Morgan’s fear after being forced into the carrier, and having to go to unfamiliar and unknown places, was palpable. She had even soiled her own carrier, so I gently cleaned her up, and prepared a new “safe” room for her. It would take her some time to befriend the other cats in our home, who all had their own stories to tell her in time. 

It took Morgan many years to come to trust us, let alone any other people visiting. Fortunately, in that time she could always count on two healthy meals a day, a peaceful and safe home, good feline friends, occasional treats, lots of love and pets, an annual checkup, and all of her medical and healthcare needs taken care of by the best team of veterinarians at Four Corners Veterinary Hospital in Concord. Life was good—a huge improvement from her first adopted home!

A Eulogy For My Beautiful Cat Morgan

Morgan came to us at two years old and is leaving me at 19 years old. Over those incredible 17 years so much happened in life— career and job changes, remodeling a house, graduate school, years of cat rescue and fostering cats, running a demanding business, eventually a divorce, selling our beloved house, moving to a new condo, then moving again hours away to a strange new place where I started a whole new life. All the time I was re-inventing and transforming myself, just like Morgan had done. We were kindred spirits. Eventually, Morgan came to sleep with me every night, patiently waiting until the moment I finally rested my head on the pillow, and in that moment, she would gently curl herself around my head and begin to purr. Her contented purr would comfort me all night long. 

I can’t imagine that one fateful day working out any differently, where destiny united Morgan and me in a unique and unbreakable bond. I can’t imagine a past not knowing Morgan or not having Morgan in my life. She has been my little rock, always there to provide her warmth and support through all of life’s challenges and changes, showing me that fear can be overcome with love. When we face our deepest fears and do what we are afraid of, we transform ourselves. We become what we didn’t think was possible. 

Morgan’s chronic diseases are overcoming her now. She is losing the battle with her chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that have been present for the past 3-4 years. For the past two years, I have routinely given Morgan sub-Q fluids every week, B12 injections bi-weekly, Purina Hydra packets daily increasing her hydration levels, a special novel protein diet daily, and blood tests every six months to keep track of her blood chemistry panel. But now, the time has come—her body is feeble, fragile and frail. Age and disease have taken their toll. Solace lies in the fact that my care has kept her comfortable, pain-free, and living a long, good quality life without suffering. 

A Eulogy For My Beautiful Cat Morgan

Grieving can happen long before death, when you know that your pet or person is dying. You grieve for them along the way, knowing the inevitable is fast approaching. I have been grieving Morgan’s eventual death this past year, knowing the time was close. I feel she has lived well this past year of her life. I wouldn’t change a thing, except to have her with me longer. 

Morgan, I have been blessed to have you in my life. You have been a wonderful, loving friend for so many years. Thank you for sharing your beautiful soul and life with me for so many years. I’m forever grateful for knowing you and loving you. However, it’s time to bid adieu for now, until we reunite on the other side of the rainbow bridge for a joyous homecoming. Yours forever Morgan ~ Jennie

A Eulogy For My Beautiful Cat Morgan

How to Provide the Best Care for Your Senior Cat

Getting older is a normal, natural part of life for all of us. Today domestic cats are living longer than they ever did in the past—thanks to improved nutrition and better food, improved medical care, and more people keeping their cats indoors. But advancing age does not necessarily mean automatic degeneration. And aging does not necessarily mean inevitable disease. Many cats do grow old remaining relatively healthy into their geriatric years, while other cats in their senior years develop chronic or degenerative diseases. And know that even cats that do develop chronic diseases can live well into their late geriatric years—or 20+ years old—given excellent care and attention.

Never assume that changes in your older cat are simply due to “old age,” then write it off as normal aging for them. Most likely there is an underlying medical condition that is causing the changes you are observing in your cat’s behavior or physical appearance. That should always be the first consideration. The main thing is to give your cat the healthiest and best quality of life possible—by watching them closely, noticing any changes that take place, then getting them to a veterinarian to get the medical help they need.

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Preventing and Treating Fleas in Cats – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Summer is a favorite season for picnics in the park, enjoying the seashore, and dining al fresco—but with warm summer temperatures also come the fleas! Fleas can wreak havoc on cats causing discomfort, severe skin conditions, allergic reactions, parasites (tape worms), anemia and even death in the worst cases, if left untreated. So it’s important to protect your cat from fleas, but it’s also important to know the dangers of some flea control products on the market today. In this article, you’ll become knowledgeable about the different flea treatment options, some of the health consequences associated with them, and you’ll learn ways to provide your cat with the safest possible flea treatments and precautions available. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly on preventing and treating fleas in cats.

Does Your Cat Have Fleas?

To check whether your cat has fleas, you can run a flea comb through your cat’s fur pressing along the skin to check for adult fleas or flea feces and eggs. These will look like little specks of salt and pepper or tiny black and white grains in the fur. The white grains are flea eggs, and the black grains are flea feces. If you have found and removed some grains on your flea comb, rub the grains onto a piece of white paper and if the grains turn a reddish-brown color, you know you have a flea problem.

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Tips for Buying a Pet Health Insurance Plan

Planning ahead for your cat’s health care is no different than planning for our own health care. We never know if or when we’ll get sick and need insurance, but having it gives us peace of mind. Knowing your cat will need medical help at some point is inevitable, so it’s good to plan ahead and be able to provide the care your cat will need. Here are some tips for buying a pet health insurance plan that will meet your needs.

Pet health insurance is just one of the many options available to help pay for emergency or unexpected veterinary bills. If you’re worried about being able to pay for your cat’s chronic illness or life-saving care, an accident, or an emergency—it may be good to know there’s a safety net under you. As with any insurance, you may never need it, but if you worry about affording those one-time emergencies or unexpected expenses that you feel could cripple your finances—having pet insurance may be a good option.

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Having A Cat Improves Your Life, Health, and Well Being

Having A Cat Improves Your Life, Health, and Well Being
Photo by Benita on Pixabay

Everyone is in love with cats today. Afterall, what’s not to love? For thousands of years, people have enjoyed the company and companionship of cats. But did you know that having a cat or two can benefit your life, health, and longevity? Cats not only improve our health, but also increase our happiness and well-being, prevent heart disease, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce feelings of loneliness. Multiple scientific studies show how cats boost our physical, emotional and mental health, enrich our lives, and help us live happier and longer lives.

Here are the many ways having a cat can help you:

1. Lower anxiety and stress

People who spend time with cats or kittens report feeling less stressed and calmer. Research conducted in the United Kingdom by the Mental Health Foundation and Cat Protection, found that 87 percent of people who owned a cat felt they had a positive impact on their well-being, and 76 percent said they could cope with everyday life much better thanks to the company of their cat. Over 50 percent of the cat owners felt that their cat’s presence and companionship was the most helpful, followed by 33 percent that described stroking and petting a cat was calming to them. Playing with or petting your cat can release all the good chemicals in your brain and relax your central nervous system. 

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Preventing Lower Urinary Tract Problems in Cats

Lower urinary tract problems in cats can be life threatening, are extremely painful, and need immediate attention and treatment by a veterinarian. Preventing lower urinary tract problems in cats is critical for your cat’s health.

Urinary crystals can quickly turn into kidney stones, and kidney stones are deadly in a short period of time, so never wait or postpone seeing your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Your vet will determine if there are underlying medical conditions causing the symptoms through conducting a urinalysis, culture and cystoscopy and a complete medical review. If your cat is visiting the litter box repeatedly in a short period of time, straining in the box and sitting in the box trying to urinate, or urinating outside the litter box, it’s time to visit your vet.

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Treating Your Cat’s Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – A Helpful Guide

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is relatively common in mature, senior and geriatric cats. This year, my 17-year-old cat Marcel was diagnosed with advanced, late-stage chronic kidney disease. In a short period of time, I scrambled to learn everything possible about the disease and how to treat it. Had I known before what I quickly learned, about providing the best possible treatment options and support for early and late-stage CKD, I could have possibly prolonged Marcel’s life and quality of life significantly. But the motto, too little too late, applied in my personal journey. The application of my new valuable knowledge came just too late to save him. But it’s not too late to help your cat and provide you with what I wish I had known months earlier. This guide is an effort to give owners of CKD cats the best, most valuable resources possible, in the shortest time possible. CKD is a very manageable disease in cats, but it’s critical to catch it early in order to manage it and prolong your cat’s life. Getting a diagnosis as soon as possible, as early in the disease, will give you more time to apply all the best treatments available to help your cat. Here is the most valuable and useful information and guidance I can provide you and your CKD cat, all in one page with links to some of the best resources and support available today. May your cat live a long, healthy, and comfortable life with CKD with much more quality time spent with you! 

Chronic kidney disease in cats is not a life sentence, but if it is properly treated, your cat can live a long and happy life. So let’s begin. 

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Treating My Cat’s Severe IBD and Gastrointestinal Inflammation

In July 2017, my then 17-year-old cat Romeo started presenting with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, mild weight loss, and lethargy. Up to this point, Romeo had been a very healthy male cat with no medical issues other than a low-grade heart murmur, one eye infection, periodic dental cleanings, and routine annual checkups to maintain his health. But things were about to change for Romeo and his cat parents.

Concerned that Romeo’s diarrhea and vomiting had become more than just an isolated event, we scheduled an appointment at Four Corners Veterinary Hospital in Concord, our trusted vet who has been highly supportive and a critical partner in managing all of our cat’s health over the years. Romeo’s doctor did a full physical exam—palpating his abdomen—finding some thickening of his intestines. He took Romeo’s blood and ran a blood chemistry profile and urinalysis. Then recommended diagnostic tests—specifically an ultrasound that would rule out things like a GI tract obstruction or abdominal mass, but would provide a detailed examination of Romeo’s internal organs from all different angles, the sizes of the organs, as well as their functioning. An ultrasound evaluates the cat’s liver, spleen, kidneys, gallbladder, lymph nodes, small and large bowels, bladder and pancreas and is able to determine the size, shape and texture of each—revealing any abnormalities, enlargements, masses, fluids, stones, thickening, dilation or if any lesions are present. So we ponied up the $450 dollars (at the time) to get to the bottom of what was going on with Romeo’s gut. 

TREATING MY CAT’S SEVERE IBD AND GASTROINTESTINAL INFLAMMATION
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What Are the Warning Signs Your Cat is Sick?

Don’t miss the warning signs your cat is sick and may be in pain. Research shows that cats feel pain just like we do. But they tend to hide their pain—so just because they don’t show you obvious signs of pain, doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering or in distress. It’s up to you to know the signs that something is wrong and advocate for them by getting them the help they need.

When cats aren’t feeling well they give us clues. The clues may be physical or behavioral, or both. Some signs require immediate veterinary attention like respiratory problems or changes in breathing; straining to urinate, defecate or crying in the litter box; dilated pupils, or having any dramatic changes in behavior from normal. Some signs may increase over time with illness and won’t go away until your cat is diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian.

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What are the Safest Cat Food Bowls?

Believe it or not, shopping for a safe cat food bowl is an important decision, and one that can make a huge difference to the health of your cat, especially over time. Here I will share my research on the safest cat food bowls to use.

Decisions about bowl size and shape are less important than the material of the bowl. Material really does matter and there are real reasons why to avoid certain materials like plastic, and very good reasons why to choose safe materials like glass and stainless steel.

The safest materials for cat food bowls are glass, stainless steel, and some ceramics. Avoid plastic altogether. And here’s why.

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Stories and tips about providing the best possible cat care—from 20 years experience rescuing, fostering, and caring for my many rescue cats.

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