Yesterday was 4 months to the day Sir Thomas went to the Rainbow Bridge. I was going to write about it yesterday, but was just so drained from the week. I had been thinking about the odd coincidences in life. Tom died on the 8th and it was a Wednesday (December 2010) The young woman who helped me move into where I am now and was very special to me (Another story entirely) left me on an 8th and it was a Wednesday (September 2004) It also made me think that if the former had not happened, neither would have the latter. Meaning, I never would have met and got Tom. Given that is former "owner" was not that up on keeping up his health, I imagine he would not have lived nearly as long. I tell myself that in my loss, came Tom's salvation of a longer, happier (I hope) life. Still, it's all so bitter sweet at best. To this day, any month where the 8th falls on a Wednesday, I am filled with a sense of dread and foreboding. Thinking "What horrible loss will I suffer today?" I have rambled long enough.

RIP, my dear Thomas. You were and are loved and missed.

Dear Tom's Dad,

Anniversaries are difficult. My heart feels your pain. Please try to take it one day at a time. Projecting future 8ths may not be helpful. And little Tom would not want that for you.

Please remember that you are not alone here.
With peace and healing thoughts,
Juturna

Hi, Tom, just stopping by to let you know you and your precious Theresa are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Juturna has so compassionately shared with you what are in my thoughts as well. Sounds like the 8th of Wednesdays is similar to the annual "Ides of March" when the 13th falls on a Friday. Try to follow Juturna's sound advice about not aniticipating "what may come" on Wednesdays the 8th. At this point you may need to really try to focus on this day being "any other day" and sort of "brainwashing" yourself into this. It was a very GOOD thing that happened when you obtained sole custody of Sir Thomas. Try to focus on that POSITIVE, and CELEBRATE the POSITIVE. Tom wants you to remember the POSITIVE earthly journey you shared with him, and he wants you to embrace his sweet Living Spirit now, and to enjoy your precious Theresa's physical company as well.

Tom, please know you and your precious Theresa are in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

I am so sorry about Tom, I know anniversaries and certain days of the month will forever have a new meaning. 4 months is one of the TOUGHEST times-others here may agree-- because it hits you it's real, not a dream, not temporary.

I feel your pain--glad you found this board for support---Hang in there and let us know how you are doing this week........


Radgirl

Thanks everybody. One day at a time I guess. This has all made me more aware the plight of cats not so fortunate as Theresa and Tom. Just this morning (early about 4:00) I was carting my clothes down to the laundry room and heard a terrifying meow/howl. There was a white cat just terrified out of his/her head. She apparently came from the apartment next to the one she was standing by (just shaking) eventually, an orange cat came out of the partly open door of said same apartment to see what was wrong. I thought about knocking or calling at the door. But, I have been threatened by too many neighbors (some of them of them I'm almost positive are drug dealers) to "mind my own business" I just called the police and the dispatcher was fairly rude and did not seem to think it was important. Two cars did come though as I was going back down to the laundry room to change over my loads. By the time I got back the cat was no longer in the hallway, and the door was closed. Did I do the right thing, or should I have tried to rescue that poor soul? God knows what the owners may have done to him/her in retaliation.

I don't know if I talked about this here before. But here goes. About a year ago or so, I took Tom in for a routine teeth cleaning. Dr. Mills was not there, and I did not know the vet who was. But I got bad vibe from him. I thought about rescheduling, but relented. Long story short, I get a call from this vet that Tom's glucose was low (dangerously low, as it turned out) But "Mr. Expert on feline diabetes" (as he was later dubbed by higher ups) decided to put him under anyway to do the procedure WITHOUT calling for my pwermission as it's clearly noted in Tom's file. Dr. Mills always said we should never put him under if too high, and definately not if too low as it could prove fatal. Bottom line is that not long after that is when Tom really started his downward slope. To this day I beleive that man (I WILL NOT call him a vet) ultimately killed my boy to satisfy his "curiousity" You see, when I complained, that's where I got all this rubbish about him being an "expert" - He also said that Tom was a good clinical candidate for remission and not to give him insulin for a week! I didn't trust him and brought Tom back the next day. Sure enough his glucose was almost 400 again ( the worst since he was DX with diabetes) They still tried to defend this man. As if it was more important to cover their behinds than Tom's (or other fur babies) safety. I guess I'm just having a hard time letting go of the anger of this and the fact that he's still out there "practicing"

Hi, Tom, thank you for letting us know how you're doing. When our furkids are badly mistreated - - medically-wise or through mistreatment - - this is truly upsetting - - particularly by professionals we entrust the care of our furkids. I can relate to your anger, as I had to change vet practitioners due to what was becoming, in my opinion, veterinary malpractice and abuse. If I cannot trust someone, then to me there's no reason to have a relationship with that person -- be it on a personal or professional basis.

Like your situation, the vet continues to have his own practice and apparently the practice is doing well. However, I know he lost many customers in addition to me because of his arrogance. The satisfaction I received came from writing him a letter letting him know exactly what was on my mind and why I was changing veterinary practitioners. Perhaps you may consider doing the same thing - - when the circumstances really matter it's always helpful to give the person who has truly overstepped their bounds a "piece of your mind." I presume, of course, that you have changed veterinary practitioners?

And have you thought about placing an inquiry with your State veterinary association? You may want to check into the statute of limitations. At the very least this vet may think twice before he is so cavalier with another patient's beloved companion.

Tom, I know this can't bring your precious Sir Thomas back or change the circumstances of what happened with him. But if this is weighing heavily on your heart then you are entitled to let the vet know how deeply hurt and burdened you are with his actions. Will it make a difference to him? Perhaps not - - but the important thing here is for you to let this vet know "bygones are not bygones" because of how his actions adversely affected your precious Sir Thomas.

Tom, how is your precious Theresa doing? I hope life is treating you both kindly. Thank you again so much for letting us know how you're doing. Please know you and your precious Theresa are in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how things are going whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you moon_beam. I have made it clear that THAT particular "vet" not come near Tom (when he was with me still) I go to Banfield and they have many vets. Dr. Mills (the principle) I trust very much as he was the one who made the reccomendation NEVER to put Tom under when glucose is not right (that's how he was diagnosed to start with) I always sensed Dr. Mills agreed with me but was afraid to speak up as the vet that is part owner of the 2 franchises here in Louisville may have threatened him (I just got that "vibe" from her when making my complaint) I tried filing a complaint with the state vet board, but animal rights laws in Kentucky are a joke, to say the least. So much so that animal "gamers" thrive here, if you know what I mean. I got nowhere. I still let Dr. Mills treat Theresa as I still trust him. He was very sympathetic about Tom and waived her registration fee. He even examined her before reccomending what plan to put her on. But, if I ever see that "vet" again? Well, the phrase "God help him" comes to mind, because only She could.

Hi, Tom, I'm glad to know you still have a vet at the practice you can trust with your precious Theresa. Yes, I understand the part about the "partners" thing. It's a sad situation when someone is threatened by another individual who has a financial investment in your livelihood. I truly am very sorry that you and your precious Sir Thomas had this horrible experience, but it sounds like you have let your opinion be known, and that counts for a whole lot. You should be very proud of yourself, as I know your precious Sir Thomas is nodding his head in approval as well.

Rest assured, Tom, the vet who is responsible for your precious Sir Thomas' decline will have his day of reckoning - - it's just a matter of time.

But please know that your precious Sir Thomas wants you to focus on the HAPPY memories you have of your earthly journey together, and to focus on the joy of having your precious Theresa with you.

Tom, thank you so much for sharing with us what you tried to do on Sir Thomas' behalf. Your efforts have not been vain, I assure you. Please know you and your precious Theresa are in my thoughts and prayers, Tom, and look forward to knowing how you're doing whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thanks moon_beam. I know the anger won't bring back my boy, but it's hard to get past just the same. I feel responsible for allowing him to be vulnerable to a butcher I'm glad I can still trust Dr. Mills for Theresa. I will only allow him and nobody else treat her unless it's an emergency and I have no choice. Luckily, that nasty inner ear / upper resperatory infection she had when I got her is all that's she's really had to deal with. She's right as rain these days. And now I can give her the vet attention she deserves and is up to date on all her shots.