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Siwsan

(27,286 posts)
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 06:44 AM Aug 2023

It's been rough but I've taken a break to grieve, and now to pick up where I left off

Of course, the grief continues but there are other little ones depending on me. Yesterday I spent a lot of time taking care of these precious babies. Dylan and Merlin, especially, made sure to give me lots of snuggles.

It goes without saying that the support and care I received from my friends on Democratic Underground definitely gave me immense comfort. I admit I continue to second, third and fourth guess myself, but that's the nature of this beast (me). I can't explain the pain of being able to bring Tudor back from death, once, and the fail the second time. It just makes me feel like such a failure.

He is buried in the shade of the Maple Tree, which is where I sit and read, so he will have company. It's also right by the deck where his siblings and friends gather to eat and play.

And they were all waiting for me, this morning.



24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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It's been rough but I've taken a break to grieve, and now to pick up where I left off (Original Post) Siwsan Aug 2023 OP
Good for you, Siwsan. Little Tudor's spirit will be happily running around in your yard. Biophilic Aug 2023 #1
Sounds like... 2naSalit Aug 2023 #2
Sweet Siwsan, you are anything but a failure. Tudor was gifted you for his short, but very loved Goddessartist Aug 2023 #3
Good to hear from you, I was worried. Losing the kitten must be such a blow Walleye Aug 2023 #4
Yes, I was getting worried, too. ShazzieB Aug 2023 #22
I had a similar experience with our little Felix nuxvomica Aug 2023 #5
Your loving efforts to save Tudor were so pure that you added a week to Tudor's Magical Life! keopeli Aug 2023 #6
I second your eloquence. scarletlib Aug 2023 #8
Perfectly put! You expressed it so beautifully. niyad Aug 2023 #9
I thought that you would find comfort in those still yearning for your attention and love. hlthe2b Aug 2023 #7
Tudor was blessed with your care and love. Seems it was ALBliberal Aug 2023 #10
I am glad you are back. I checked each day Polly Hennessey Aug 2023 #11
Questions about the photo AverageOldGuy Aug 2023 #12
My dear Siwsan, I know that your grieving is deep, that your heart is crushed. niyad Aug 2023 #13
Don't ever feel like you're a failure, you've succeeded with so many kittens... CaptainTruth Aug 2023 #14
You are not a failure! His short life was full of love and care and warmth CousinIT Aug 2023 #15
Oh no! MuseRider Aug 2023 #16
Thanks for letting us know you are ok. Raven123 Aug 2023 #17
All the best to you Siwsan. Very sorry to hear of your loss. ED Evolve Dammit Aug 2023 #18
Death is inevitable. So please don't blame yourself. vlyons Aug 2023 #19
Siwsan, you are not a failure... virgdem Aug 2023 #20
Aside from all the good things you do Mr.Bill Aug 2023 #21
Welcome back. I am not surprised to find wnylib Aug 2023 #23
It was something you couldn't really do much about, Siswan. Archae Aug 2023 #24

Biophilic

(4,738 posts)
1. Good for you, Siwsan. Little Tudor's spirit will be happily running around in your yard.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 06:50 AM
Aug 2023

Thank you for taking such good care of him and the others.

2naSalit

(92,684 posts)
2. Sounds like...
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 07:07 AM
Aug 2023

You are handling it as well as can be expected. You did your best for the little one. The others are there, and my what a gang, and they love you too.

The outside group is quite large, I hope your efforts to find them homes find quick success.

Goddessartist

(2,067 posts)
3. Sweet Siwsan, you are anything but a failure. Tudor was gifted you for his short, but very loved
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 07:17 AM
Aug 2023

Life. I am s grateful for you.

ShazzieB

(18,656 posts)
22. Yes, I was getting worried, too.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 12:51 PM
Aug 2023

Glad to hear DU support has been helpful, and that these other little guys are bringing comfort!

nuxvomica

(12,878 posts)
5. I had a similar experience with our little Felix
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 07:50 AM
Aug 2023

Last edited Mon Aug 28, 2023, 09:37 AM - Edit history (1)

He continued to go downhill with his neurological condition (flopping walk, dilated pupil on one side, apparent blindness) and the vets were pretty sure he wasn't even very aware of anything. He'd stopped eating and pooping for a day and as we prepared for his next neurologist visit, I was pretty sure we would be getting "the quality-of-life talk." I broke down crying that morning but as a "hail mary", I gave him a homeopathic remedy (I know, I know) after which he went to sleep. When I went to get him ready for his appointment, he pooped and urinated all over the hallway and was walking around normally, which he hadn't done in months. I had never been so happy cleaning up poop! We had him for a few more months, walking okay and interacting, even playing again, eating and doing his business just fine till the morning I found him totally paralyzed. It's heart-wrenching to get these "extensions" but I don't think the little fellows mind getting a little more joy out of life. It's a gift you gave, hard-won and precious despite its cruel brevity. Peace to you.

keopeli

(3,579 posts)
6. Your loving efforts to save Tudor were so pure that you added a week to Tudor's Magical Life!
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 07:57 AM
Aug 2023

I believe that his mom did indeed sense something was wrong, which is why she abandoned him initially. This is common in nature. Whether it was an infection or a genetic defect, Mom knew what was up. So, God gave him a new mom for a time and you showered him with love and affection. Who could ask for anything more?

Now you are processing grief as any mother would. When the pain subsides, and it will, Tudor will occupy a permanent home in a chamber of your heart (and ours, too!). That brief flash of bright light and life has immortalized Tudor! Your love is now perpetuated in the lives of ALL of us (hundreds of friends), all because of your heroic effort and Tudor's magical life! What a gift! What a legacy! What a blessing!

I can not take away your pain unfortunately. But this grief is a byproduct of your love and Tudor's spirit. The grief will pass, but the mark you left on my heart and many others will remain and remind all of us of your boundless love and of Tudor's magical life for a long time to come.

Take heart, Siwsan. What is trauma today will soon become a lasting legacy of love and a priceless and living memento for Tudor's Magical Life!

Many, many blessings to you!

scarletlib

(3,485 posts)
8. I second your eloquence.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:02 AM
Aug 2023

You speak for me.

Siswan keep doing what you do and thank you for sharing their lives and yours with us.

hlthe2b

(106,340 posts)
7. I thought that you would find comfort in those still yearning for your attention and love.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 07:59 AM
Aug 2023

They need and depend on you and show daily how very effective you have been and will continue to be in giving them the opportunity to live and flourish. Even Tudor received a miraculous week of love that he would never have had otherwise. I consider that quite a success, even if not the full life we all would have wanted for him. Fate stepped in, but you still gave him those precious, wonderful moments.

Focus on those warm little beings around you jostling for your attention and by doing so, forego any second-guessing. They are daily reminders that you have and will continue to succeed with them.

I'm glad that Tudor is at rest nearby. A sweet little guardian angel overseeing all around.

ALBliberal

(2,843 posts)
10. Tudor was blessed with your care and love. Seems it was
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:36 AM
Aug 2023

a two way street. Take care and bask in the love of the kitties.

Polly Hennessey

(7,453 posts)
11. I am glad you are back. I checked each day
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:42 AM
Aug 2023

to see if there was a Siwsan message. You and your kittens give such joy to all of us. Tiny Tudor is resting nearby and his short life was full of cuddles, play, good food, and love 💕. I will miss him but am happy you are once again with us and the kitten “tales” will continue.

AverageOldGuy

(2,056 posts)
12. Questions about the photo
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:42 AM
Aug 2023

The little tabby at the top of the photo seems to be much smaller than the others??

At the upper right is a grey kitty eating from a bowl. Is that a black kitty sharing the bowl, or just a shadow?

Are these one litter, or, more than one?

Nice shoes!!!

niyad

(119,909 posts)
13. My dear Siwsan, I know that your grieving is deep, that your heart is crushed.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:43 AM
Aug 2023

But please know that your grief and sorrow are shared by all here. And, know also, how much joy and love and laughter and delight you share wuth us as we join you in your amazng journey. Tiny, magnificent little Tudor, and all your little ones,, are in our hearts as well.

Do not be surprised if you find Tudor nestled on your neck, or see him romping. Huggggggs to you, and skritches for all your babies.

CaptainTruth

(7,216 posts)
14. Don't ever feel like you're a failure, you've succeeded with so many kittens...
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:44 AM
Aug 2023

...& you did everything you could for Tudor. You gave him the best chance at life, far more than he would have had all alone, you were there for him & gave him love & care, but as I learned fostering kittens, sometimes that's not enough.

You, & Tudor, & all the other kittens who depend on you, are in our thoughts.

CousinIT

(10,193 posts)
15. You are not a failure! His short life was full of love and care and warmth
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:50 AM
Aug 2023

because of you. And because of you, his little spirit stays right there with his hoomom and siblings forever. That's not a failure. Poor little baby's body wasn't meant for this life. Most likely, nothing you could have done would have changed that. But you did all you could to make his short visit the best it could be.

MuseRider

(34,368 posts)
16. Oh no!
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 08:51 AM
Aug 2023

I am so very sorry. I missed this yesterday. I am positive there was nothing you could do without even knowing what happened yet. I wish there was some way to help you get over this. Your constant care of these kitties is so impressive and so respected that I am completely comfortable knowing the little guy went knowing he was totally loved and was important.

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
19. Death is inevitable. So please don't blame yourself.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 09:39 AM
Aug 2023

We all got to go eventually. He had a good life while he was with you.

virgdem

(2,206 posts)
20. Siwsan, you are not a failure...
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 11:39 AM
Aug 2023

You are a loving, empathetic and compassionate caregiver. You gave Tudor a little more time to be the kitten you had hoped would grow into a healthy adult cat. You gave him that joy.

We are all grieving with you and understand the pain of loss. Take care of the rest of the clowder- they need your loving care.

Mr.Bill

(24,790 posts)
21. Aside from all the good things you do
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 12:30 PM
Aug 2023

for the kittens, never forget you bring a lot of joy into our lives, too. We share your grief, but we also await the joy your future posts will bring.

wnylib

(24,391 posts)
23. Welcome back. I am not surprised to find
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 01:23 PM
Aug 2023

that you are second guessing everything that you did. I would be the same way. It's a way of wishing that we could change the outcome after the fact, even though we know that it's not possible. That's part of grieving, of dealing with the acceptance of something that we don't want to accept. Been there, with people and with pets. A grief counselor helped me to see that it's a normal stage in grieving.

You not only give love and care to the ferals, but also have the gift of sharing them with us in ways that make us love them, too. And that is why we share in your grief. We love them, too, and love what you do for them.

Wishing you the peace that comes with knowing that he was loved.

Archae

(46,801 posts)
24. It was something you couldn't really do much about, Siswan.
Mon Aug 28, 2023, 09:37 PM
Aug 2023

A good friend of mine had a kitten "fail to thrive" like that too, and the kitten died on his lap.
That really hurt him and me, a lot.

There are times kittens just don't quite make it, and it's so sad.

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