Mancat Monday: Love Is All There Is Week
Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts for all your purrs, prayers and kind words for Merlin. Our good friends on Facebook spread the word yesterday. If you haven’t heard, our dear old boy Merlin was rushed to the vet on Saturday with a bloody UTI. Our vet wasn’t around, our usual alternative vet clinic was closed so we ended up going to a recommended holistic vet. It felt like a deja vu. Just over a month ago we rushed Gris Gris to the vet only for him to die the next day. All the horrible feelings came back. The panic. The rushing about finding a carrier, The white knuckle driving. I even wore the same sweater. Before we left l found Odin, wide-eyed with fear lying on a favorite old spot of Gris Gris’s. A place he never goes to. I told him we’d be back and not to worry. In the car we discussed what we were prepared to do or not do. Anything needed to keep Merlin alive and well. Prayers went out to every god and higher power. Not now, please not now, I’m not ready for another death so soon.
At the clinic we were whisked in quickly and felt immediately in good hands. Merlin is always a good patient and accepted a shot of antibiotics and subcutaneous fluids easily. Getting urine and blood samples proved more difficult and we’ll know the results in a few days. The vet’s brusque but “can do” manner inspired optimism. There would be no dying, at least not on that day. We bundled our frail, old man back into the carrier and home. I spend all day in bed with him yesterday rearranging pee pads grateful for incremental progress. We gave him another sub q and by evening Merlin felt ready for the furry ministrations of his buddy Domino. There nothing else to do now but wait and love him. It is after all Valentine’s Day Week.
The image above was from a series I’d taken last summer knowing full well how unlikely a repeat performance would be.
Domino does not have a special someone for Valentine’s Day. Do you know anyone suitable?
Odin is exploring his Valentine options. He has several offers from older felines on Facebook and some lovely ladies here.
One boy won’t be needing a date. Yesterday I dug a hole in Gris Gris’s snow covered burial mound. It’s about the same size as the one in my heart. He is sorely missed.
Huge thanks to all those who have participated in my pet loss survey. The research material so far is extraordinarily insightful and generous. Research for my pet loss book will be ongoing for the next few months. If you have lost any species of pet in the past year and would like to participate, I’d love to hear from you. Email Layla at [email protected]
59 Comments
krista
loosing a pet is so hard 🙁 Prayers for your Merlin!
Oui Oui
We mentioned you at our blog today, if you are interested. http://twinkletoetails.blogspot.com/2014/02/mmm-and-psychic.html
Keeping you in our purrs and prayers.
Denise DiBetta
Oh Layla, I am so sorry to hear that Merlin is not well. God, just reading this post, I could feel the panic and stress that you endured this past weekend. I know that feeling all too well myself, and my heart is with you and your household. I am so glad that you are home spending quality time with Merlin, I’m sure he is deeply comforted by your love and presence. Purrs and love to you my friend.
Coccolino
Oh Layla, I wish I could give you a BIG hug right now. We are so sorry for all this heart-tearing difficulty. Poor Merlin. We are thinking of you all, your family has a lot of support and love all over the world and we hope that helps heal Merlin. xoxoxoxo
Marty the Manx
Sending you purrs and lot of positive kitty karma to Merlin and you. We were on Sammy’s page today and saw that Merlin was ill now too. So very sorry. Will keep praying and purring for you guys
Marty the Manx and Mom
Everycat
Merlin, I am sending you my best, most rumbly purrs to help you get through this rough old do you are having.
Hang in there fella
Luff
Mungo xx
Clooney
Sending huge healing purrs and prayers Merlin’s way and purrs and good thoughts to you, too. That first photo in your post is absolutely beautiful.
Oui Oui
We are still purring for Merlin. At least he was well enough to go home. They always do better there and he is in the best of hands. Our girls are available here (though Julie does have a boyfriend), but the mom doesn’t know how to merge photos of kitties together (her program doesn’t do this), so we haven’t been actively looking for partners.
Skeeter and Izzy
We are still sending Purrs by the truckload to our dear friend Merlin. We are glad that he is feeling a bit better. We know that dear sweet Angel Gris Gris is by his side giving him comfort and strength. We will continue to purr and pray for our boy and for you.
You know that we have 4 lovely eliigible bachlorettes here that think ALL of your boys are the bomb! Izzy, Sunny, Twig and Peanut are all lovely ladies.
Loves Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig and Peanut and Romeo >^..^<
Layla Morgan Wilde
I didn’t realize they were all ladies! Group date?
Skeeter and Izzy
Yep we are a household of 4 girls and 5 boys so a group date would probably be best since they have to get past their “brothers” first. MOL!!!
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig and Peanut and Romeo >^..^<
Sue Brandes
Sending healing thoughts, purrs, and hugs.
Charlie, Cashew, Garfield, Tubby
Carolyn
Austin and I send so much love to you. He is purring up a storm for Merlin! The sweet boy is in very good hands xox
Alice Towrery
Sweet sweet Merlin~ I don’t know him but love him. Prayers for him and you.
The Swiss Cats
We’re all still purring for Merlin here. Purrs
Caren Gittleman
Keeping all of you close to our hearts….purrs and prayers for sweet Merlin
Flynn
Oh no, I am so sorry. I hadn’t heard about Merlin until now. I send love and hugs that he will get through this, and Flynn sends his purrs. <3
nadbugs
Oh goodness, Layla. Hair-raising. Please keep us informed. First I’ve heard of this one, here. Take good care. The hole in the snow for Gris-Gris is so poignant. Pawpats. (And I did send a request for your grief survey — but didn’t see an answer. Could you try me again? anitafayATgmailDOTcom
Cathy Keisha
Sending a million healing purrz for Merlin. This is so sad. It reminds TW of losing Autumn and Nicky within 10 days of one another. Purrrrr!
Katnip Lounge
If I could purr for your old guy, I’d be revving my motor to the skies! One day at a time, and each minute filled with prayer for Merlin. xx Trish
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
I had not heard the news until now and I do pray that Merlin is okay… bless the darling boy and yes, the power of love can be extraordinary.
Penelope
Oh Dear!
Me is purraying so furry hard for Merlin!
Me has a date to the ball or mes would goes with Domino! Me loves all the wonderful Man Cats at your house! Mes is also purraying for strength for your Mommy and Daddy as me knows that the humans needs it when their furry babies is ill. Mommy is sending her love, purrayers and strength your way too! Wes is burning incense and sweet grass too!
Kisses
Nellie
maggie
Oh, my heart goes out to you all. Purrs and prayers for Merlin.
We lost Gracie last June, so email me if I can help with your project.
Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal
Keep sending (((purrs))) to Merlin ♡
XOXO
Tamago
We are sending purrs and prayers to Merlin. Glad you found a good vet and he is home. I hope everything will be ok.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks Tamago-san.
Heather and Ellie Mae
Just wanted to say thanks for the update on Merlin. Was unable to check on Facebook yesterday evening. Ellie Mae has been sending him purrs.
On a side note if Ellie is not Odin’s type she would love a chance to be Domino’s Valentine. 🙂 Her photo is under the post on Facebook about Odin needing a Valentine.
You are right about cats healing holes in hearts. My Ellie Mae has tried her best to heal mine after losing my Grandma last May. She gets on my lap and purrs for me. She is the best………
Purrs to Merlin for a speedy recovery—Heather C. and Ellie Mae O’Cat
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks so much! And I’ll look for Ellie Mae’s photo and see who will be the lucky guy.
jansfunnyfarm
What a scary repeat emergency experience. We’re glad Merlin is home and responding to treatment. Hugs.
Chris Davis
Oh no, Layla – I’m SO sorry to hear about Merlin, but heartened to hear he’s doing better. Molly and I are sending lots of love and purrs, and will keep Merlin in our prayers.
By the way, Molly is available!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Chris, thanks I’m cautiously optimistic. I’ll tell D about M.
Alana
Tons and tons of love and prayers to Merlin and to you.
Samantha, Clementine & Maverick
Lots of purrs and prayers for Merlin!! We will keep him in our prayers!!
Hugs from your TX furiends,
Samantha & Clementine
Brian Frum
We are all sending purrs and prayers to dear sweet Merlin. Love is a special gift and I know Merlin feels the love.
Fur Everywhere
I don’t think my comment posted, so I’ll try this again…
I’m glad Merlin seems to be doing a little better. I hope the vet can find out what’s going on with him quickly so he can continue to recover. UTIs are really tough in male cats. Carmine has FLUTD and had a bad UTI when he was first diagnosed. Thankfully, he’s been doing very well with no relapses on his prescription diet. I can relate to what you’re going through, so if you ever need a friend, just drop me a line.
I had a kitty pass away, but it was more than a year ago. If my experience would be helpful to you at all for your research, just drop me an e-mail. I’m more than happy to help.
::hugs:: and purrs to you all from us!
Kitties Blue
Our heart goes out to you. We cannot believe that you are going through such a heart-wrenching time so soon after losing GrisGris. The same has happened to our mom in the past and she knows how helpless and lost you feel. She has done that staying in bed with a sick kitty as well and just cuddling and cradling them. We will, of course, be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Layla Morgan Wilde
Much appreciated.
da tabbies o trout towne
dood merlin….even MOR blessings frum R pal St Francis for ya buddy….him haz plentee ta spare N then sum…hope two day iz mega better N hope ewe iz on de road ta ree coveree sew fast de law iz handin ewe a speedin ticket…N doodz…R valentinez thiz yeer bee pork chopz, butter, skipjjack toona, and donuts if we can get a way with it !!~ya oughta try that two 🙂
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Layla Morgan Wilde
Mega better is the best prayer, thanks!
Fur Everywhere
I’m glad Merlin is doing okay now. I hope the vet figures out what’s going on quickly so he can get even better! UTIs are incredibly scary in male cats; I’ve been there. Carmine has FLUTD and had a horrible UTI when he was first diagnosed. Please hang in there and know that so many of us care about you and Merlin.
I lost a kitty, but it was more than a year ago. I’d be happy to talk about it if it’s useful for your research. Just send me an e-mail if you want to chat about it.
::hugs:: and purrs from us!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks, it’s always good to hear from those who have been down this road.
Fuzzy Tales
Purrs and purrayers from us as well. Our human can well imagine the panic and fear as you rushed Merlin to the vet, that sense of deja vu. We’re crossing our paws for healing. (((Hugs)))
The Island Cats
We’re purring mega-purrs for Merlin and hope he is feeling better soon.
Betty Smith
Praying for Merlin and the whole family. Merlin may look frail but he has a strong spirit. Lots of loving, healing energy being sent your way.
Marg
We sure do send tons of purrs and prayers to Merlin. We so hope he will feel better in a day or two. You both are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sammy
Oh Layla, Sammy and I are sending lots of love, purrs, and hugs for Merlin. Hopefully he’ll be just fine. I know it must be particularly scary since it was really not long ago Gris Gris passed…..Merlin is one strong boy and I do believe he will do anything to stay with you and his family. All that love is very hard to give up. Will be thinking of you…..hoping the report is quick in coming from the vet.
Hugs, Pam and Sam
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks Pam and Sammy 🙂
Jobi and Fisher
Be well, Merlin. Stay strong. Love, purrs and hugs to you all – Jobi and Fisher
Sparkle
I am sending lots of purrs to Merlin – and to you, too.
Georgia and Julie
We are purring so hard for dear Merlin.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure,JJ
and Angels Tiger and Tillie
The Creative Cat
Our man’s not going down easily. So glad you could get him a no-nonsense holistic vet on the spot! Hope to hear he’s recovering.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Let’s hope so. He’s a feisty one with a strong will to live.
Cynthia Southern
I am keeping Merlin in my thought and purrayers. I hope all turns out well.
Glogirly and Katie
We’re sending you and Merlin lots and lots of our very best purrs.
(((hugs and headbonks))) from Glogirly, Katie & Waffles
xo
Cheysuli
We are thinking of you and Merlin and are so glad he got to come home and is comfortable there! We are purring for continued good news. Purrs to darling Odin as well-
Connie Marie
Prayers,sending LOVE PRAYERS AND MANY MORE PURRS for dear Merlin. He just HAS to pull thru!!
I have a young sweetheart named Sasha who would love to be Domino’s valentine. It would be a May-December romance as she will be a year April 20th.
Very mature for her age, loves bling, is properly spayed and vaccinated and is a rescue also. Found under a car tire!!! Beautiful Golden tabby. She is bossy though, but very playful.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Sasha sounds lovely!
Kathryn
OMG OMG OMG
this brought tears to my eyes.
I will pray for Merlin. He is in good hands. So far, things seem to be….. well..
Do I know someone? Only Ched, who is girlie/girlish, a girlie boy with a sweet, high voice. But that’s not good enough. Merlin needs a real girl. Wait! He has a real girl. You!! You’re his forever sweetheart!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Yup, he’s in good hands and I am his forever gal 🙂