December 26, 2011

Well, I finally finished the video, I feel better now, it's been my therapy.
I tried to finish this a couple of weeks ago but it was too difficult trying to get through the song without losing it.
Today felt right, I spent much time yesterday, on Christmas, soul searching, coming to terms with life. Haley and I hung Roo's stocking on the tree next to his grave which somehow made us both feel better, Roo liked Christmas, more than the other cats and so we knew Christmas day would feel a bit sad without him here. To our surprise, it felt much different than sad, we talked about him openly and smiled a lot remembering him, we will never forget.

So today I decided to finish his video....

My 6 year old Haley says that Roo is singing this song to us from Rainbow Bridge...







December 5, 2011


It's been a week since Roo died and it's been a long week but we are ok.
I wanted to do more of a tribute to Roo since the last time I posted was an hour after his death.
The words below are from a song by Joe Cocker and my daughter Haley says that Roo is singing this song to us from heaven. I had to share it with you as it touched my heart. Thank you for all  of your kind comments, I love you all so much for being so kind to us.

You touched my life
And turned my heart around


Seems when I found you
It was me
I really found


You opened my eyes
And now my soul can see
Our moment may be over
But you're still here with me


There was so much I didn't understand
And then you brought me here
Far from where It all began


The change you made
In my life will never end
I look across the distance
I'll know I have a friend


I was travellin' in the dark
Never sure of what to do
I didn't know that I was lost I found myself in you


'Cause love lives on
Beyond goodbye


The truth of us
Will never die


Our spirits will shine
Long after we're gone



And so our love....lives on....



Rest in Peace Roo....goodbye.

Mon Nov 28, 2011  1:50 PM

Roo was put to rest this morning, he died in my arms.

Thank you so much for all of your donations to help Roo, your kindness will never be forgotten.

We are getting ready to bury Roo now in our garden under the oak and pine trees, I have had him here with me waiting for my daughter to return from school so she could say goodbye to him, she made me promise to wait and so we have.
All of my other cats (five of them) have come to say goodbye to Roo, Mikey gave him a bath.
Roo is wrapped up in his favorite blue blanket which will be buried with him. It's time for that final farewell which I am just terrible at.

I really tried to do all I could do to save him, I have been syringe feeding him now for a week and giving him water this way as well. I kept hoping he would bounce back but it wasn't meant to be and so now I am left with a heart that is just broken right in two but he is resting and that is what matters the most.

It's finally over and I will never be sorry.

Rescuing Roo was one of my better decisions in this life, he has brought such joy to my world and I have cherished every single day that he has been here with me.

Roo had a hard life before he came here but never a day after he arrived. He has been loved and kissed and spoiled every single day since he came through our front door.

I didn't know there was any room left in my heart when Roo first arrived here but he made room, he claimed his spot and now he takes it with him today because it truly belongs to him.

I will miss his sweet face for the rest of my life.






Goodbye my sweet Roo, for while I live, you shall not die.







Last night was just awful, Roo has taken a turn for the worst, I need to put him to sleep. Your donations will be going towards doing this as soon as possible.








Roo needs to see an Ophthalmologist, an MRI is just too expensive but these are our only two options at this point.  I have been spending all the money I can get towards Roo's after care but I am really falling short and right now I don't have enough to get him seen by an eye doctor. You guys have already helped so much and I hate to ask for any more but I need to know if I am putting him through this for nothing. If an eye doctor says I need to put him to sleep I will do that but his current veterinarian (bless her heart) just doesn't have the equipment needed to make such a diagnoses and really thinks he should be seen by someone who specializes in this area. She is NOT recommending euthanasia at this point at all, she thinks we need to wait it out but it's so difficult to do.

So, if you can help, here is the [link] to Roo's new chipin account. If not, maybe just your happy thoughts and prayers would work just as well.
Thank you.






You have been through so much my little Roo, it hasn't been an easy life for you until you arrived here but you act as if it has been wonderful all along.

Since the day you walked into my world you have shown nothing but gratitude for all that you have here but the one who should be the most grateful…. is me.

Your determination and your loving spirit came with you when you moved here, watching you transform from a 6lb very ill stray to 12lb happy cat has been a pleasure.

You and I share a special bond despite my friendship with Mikey. You are the only cat he has ever willingly shared me with in his presence, your sweet soul has captured Mikey too.

Your little ways have made me smile so much.


I didn't know you were going blind Roo.

I never even suspected such a thing, though looking back the signs were there.

Seeing you now, trying to navigate a dark existence is heart breaking, I know you must be scared but you hide it so well, like you have hidden it all along.  

But you still act grateful to just be here.

Watching you yesterday was inspirational, you are so brave and so determined and you never waste a moment feeling sorry for yourself.  
The look on your face when you successfully jumped onto my bed is a look I want to keep in my mind forever, you were so proud of yourself and I was proud of you too.
It has been one week since your sight has left you, just a week and you already get around like you can see. I am amazed by you once again.
Your love of just being alive really puts things into perspective for me and you never complain, or hide, you are present in your life engaged with the people and other animals in your world, you won't let it get you down because there is just no time for that, you have stuff to do and so much love to still spread around.

I hope that if anything ever disables me in any way that I will have half the courage you have and that my spirit stays as kind as yours.

I'm right here my little boy, I'm right here.





Yes, you read it right, Roo is blind. I feel like  have been on an emotional roller coaster for weeks now, it's been crazy.

The day after we received the biopsy results from Roo's mouth, I noticed that he was acting strange, was walking wobbly, unsure, he looked disoriented to me. I emailed Dr. Peggy and sent her a photo of his eye that is still showing the third lid, she told me she needed to see him right away. At his appointment, Dr. Peggy knew he was blind right away, I should have known too, I feel like an idiot, this just got passed me, I was looking in a completely different direction. I am so happy he has such a wonderful Veterinarian, so grateful for the time she took with him and with me. At this point, she is not sure why he is blind or if he will stay that way. with the information she has she is thinking it is the inflammation on/around the optic nerve so she has prescribed a steroid to see if it will help. She doesn't have the means to diagnose him absolutely, he would need to see an ophthalmologist and/or have an MRI, it's too much and not just financially but emotionally for us both. If it is in fact inflammation then the steroid will work. An MRI would be useful in diagnosing a tumor but it wouldn't change the outcome because I won't put him through it all. So we wait.

His mouth looks wonderful, I can tell it feels so much better to him, he is eating so much and drinking well, I believe he feels pretty good, the improvement is obvious.

As for being blind...he can already jump onto my bed and when he wants down he either puts a paw on my leg if I am there or he goes to the side of the bed where I have placed a step for him and I only had to show him twice where it was. Today, I took him downstairs because I have had him confined in my room with baby gates to protect him from falling down the stairs. After he explored for about a half an hour, he made his way to the bottom of the stairs and then went right up them, then down the hall and back into my room as I stood there in awe. I feel so very grateful to know this inspirational little animal that we named Roo, he is teaching me so much about life, the stuff that matters most.

Roo's Chipin will remain open as all donations are now going to his after care and meds. The vet has him on a steroid at the moment to help with inflammation. So far he has been on two separate antibiotics. All of these meds have been paid for through your donations and my heart is just grateful. Thank you for your kindness, it really has meant so much.

Love and appreciation,

Jen




I am so flippin happy right now. The vet called a little while ago and said the biopsy showed no signs of cancer at all. She says it may take a little time but the swelling will go down. She prescribed a new antibiotic that will help with the inflammation. He has just had bad teeth for so long but now they are gone and my Roo is going to get better.

First thing I did when I got back from getting his new meds was kiss him all over his little face...gently.

Thank you so much for your awesome support through all of this, it really helped having you guys to lean on.

Now I am going to go back  to jumping up and down k?





This is Roo back in 2008 when I rescued him. I'm sure you can see here why it was so easy to fall for him. As cute as it was with his little tongue sticking out, it was actually quite sad because the reason it was sticking out was do to all of the swelling in his mouth from severe pharyngitis.
Roo had a great life until his owner/Mommy passed away, the elderly lady fell down outside while feeding Roo one evening an later died due to complications from her injuries. Roo was blamed by a family member who would was then responsible for caring for Roo. Well, she didn't care for him at all, instead, she banned him from the house, left him outside to fend for himself…for over a year. By the time I was alerted to his situation he was very ill, severely malnourished, Severe pharyngitis, an enlarged kidney and he was matted from head to toe. Recommendation from the veterinarian in 2008 was euthanasia.Well that didn't happen. I decided that Roo at least need a chance...he was so loving and was so happy when I brought him to my house and fed him, cleaned him up and gave him some loves. There was just so much life left in his eyes, I couldn't take it away without trying.
Here is Roo at six pounds the day I brought him home...





And here is Roo now at 12 pounds....





Roo has been pretty healthy these last few years. I changed vets after that last one told me to put him down, I found a veterinarian that thought Roo deserved a chance too. Roo suffers from severe feline periodontal disease and Stomatitis. The vet said that he should have all teeth extracted which he only has a few but she said back then that we could try to manage this with antibiotics due to the fact that I couldn't afford the surgery. Until now, he has done fairly well but last week I noticed one of his eyes looked watery, I thought it was a cold until a few days after that when I noticed the swelling and the dilation of just that one eye.

Well, turns out Roo has a Tooth Root Abscess and the Abscess is up under his eye. We have tried antibiotics but the tooth needs to be extracted the cost will be at least $500.00 and I don't have it.

I don't like asking people for anything so this is difficult but Roo needs help and so here I am asking for help.

It is breaking my heart to see him this way, his face is all puffy and it hurts. He has been through so much already, he doesn't deserve this to happen to him. He is suppose to be one of the lucky one's, he found a forever home and people who love him sooo much. I just don't want it to end this way, it's not fair.

I know times are tough for all of us now and I understand if you cannot help but if you can we would be so grateful.

I am going to try and sell my camera and put the money towards Roo's care.


If you can help with the cost of Roo's Surgery please follow the link below.






Thank you.


PS- I will provide accounting for funds donated.




All I know... is that you people are flippin AMAZING!

I cannot believe we have reached the $500.00 goal already, I am just blown out here. Really.

I came on here a couple of days ago with not much hope....Wow!

I have spent this day  between tears of joy and jumping up and down, seriously.

Roo had an appointment today with the vet at noon. The swelling of his eye had gone down a bit due to the antibiotics I have been giving him but his pupil was still dilated. Dr. Peggy gave Roo a shot in his booty of a long lasting antibiotic and his surgery is schedule for Thursday October 27th  at 11:30 am but he has to be there by 9:30am for his full blood work up  which we now have enough money for (squealing), it's the safest way before surgery to have this done. I never thought we would have enough for surgery let alone a FULL blood workup.
I am so happy you guys, how in the hell do I say THANK YOU enough.  

Thank you for helping my Roo, I am forever grateful.

And then there is John ...I know he sent a lot of you here. How lucky am I to have a friend like him?
This isn't the first time he has went out of his way to help me, nope, John has helped me with everything it seems.

So John, you know I love you but I like you too....thanks for being there......again.
Seems you are always saving my ass. LOL

You know how much Roo means to me, you have been there from the day he came home with me, thanks for caring John, you are the best.

So, I promise, promise, promise to update you again as soon as Roo is through his surgery.

You people really are amazing. Thank you so much.

PS- And so you know, anything donated over the $500.00 is going into Roo's after care fund with the vet, not that I am asking for more though, my goal was to get this surgery done and that is happening now thanks to you but for those who may still want to help him, you can and I will make sure it goes to the vet as a credit for Roo.

And again, I will be providing all of you that have donated with an accounting of the services your donations were spent on.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

You people ROCK!




Well we reached the goal for Roo's Surgery and he goes in at 9:30 am tomorrow, October 26th. His surgery will not be until 11:30 am but he is getting a full blood work up, again, because of you all. YEAH! Blood work is expensive and many people opt out because of the expense and in turn put their animals at great risk. I have been there myself, with my fingers crossed as my animal is in surgery, hoping there will be no problems, knowing that if there is a problem, it could have been prevented by having the blood work done ahead of time.

Well I don't have to cross my fingers with Roo, He is getting everything done that should be done.
(you guys so rock)
And I have such confidence in his veterinarian Dr. Peggy form Sierra Animal Wellness Center she is just a really neat lady and I love how the animals respond to her, she just has a way with them.

I am nervous though, so don't let me kid you for a moment. I know the risks going into this with Roo, he is no spring chicken though we really don't know for positive exactly how old he is we are guessing about 7 years old or more. At his time of rescue he had an enlarged kidney, though it seems normal now, I have seen things go from normal to not so normal in an instant so I am preparing myself. Or trying to.

I have only had him for three years and I say ONLY like that matters...it doesn't.

This little turkey butt captured my heart the moment I looked at him all neglected but still happy. Roo has the best attitude, he enjoys each minute for what it's worth. Even in pain he is just the most pleasant little guy and that has broken my heart more than once.

From the moment Roo's feet touched down on our carpet he has been home, he never had one moment of hiding under the bed or in the closet. I took the photograph above within an hour after he arrived, all sprawled out on the couch just purring away.
He knew this was his home and it is. Roo is very much a part of what makes this place home to us as well.

So I am nervous because three years has just begun, I want more years with this incredible being we share a life with. He means so much to me and what I want more than anything is to see him pain free and even more able to enjoy this good life he has now. I want more Roo kisses, more Roo cuddles.

I know things will be ok, they have to be ok. because God blessed the Broken road that led him to us, I don't think he wants to take him right yet.

Yes, some of those words are from a song that my Daughter says is Roo's song about when he found us.

Here are the lyrics to that song by Rascal Flatts


I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

Thank you so much for all of your help, please keep Roo in your thoughts tomorrow. I will update you when he gets out of surgery. You guys really are the best.




Roo had his surgery and had all three of his teeth pulled, he is still in a lot of pain as they had to look for fragments of all the teeth he had lost already and remove the roots.  He is on pain meds and that helps but he is out of it.
It turns out there is no abscess causing his facial swelling and his one eye to be dilated, the vet said that it isn't a tumor but maybe cancer but she said she is not sure of that either because it doesn't look like any cancer she has seen. She did a biopsy and we will have the results in a couple of days, I will let you know when I find out. Sorry I am not updating until now, I have been doing the soul searching thing and trying to spend as much time with Roo as I can.  I feel guilty for putting him through this painful process because if it turns out to be cancer then all of this pain is for nothing.
This is it though, no more pain for Roo, he has dealt with pain his entire life and if he is not going to get better on his own without all the bullshit treatments that he would hate then I will have to let him go. Of course, I am going to wait until we know for sure what is going on but I won't put him through hell to keep him alive another year if that's the kind of deal we are looking at.

It hurts to see him hurting like this and it hurts to think that these days are going to our last days together. I really tried so hard to give him a better life, it's sad that it could end this way.

Thank you for all of your help and thoughts and prayers, I love you guys.