Ode to Gingersnap...

Ann McRae · December 19, 2007

The saddest time in the relationship between pet and person has come to my home. We have made the decision to say farewell to one of our cats, Gingersnap.

Ginger had a tonne of personality, was inquisitive and loving and a good companion.

Unfortunately, we have been struggling with behavior problems with him for the last 4 years - he started by preferrentially peeing on boys sports equipment. We worked at retraining, he would get better, and then regress. No floor mat or clothes inadvertently (yah, right) left on a kids bedroom floor was safe. This was a nuiscance, and caused lots of extra laundry, but I put up with it.

Recently, he became insatiably hungry, thirsty and started losing weight - diabetes I suspect. With this came a huge increase in the peeing. And a lot more inappropriate objects for it - the basement carpet for one. Last night, he peed on my sons bed.

As I write this, he is at the vets (with my husband) and the decision is being made. I suppose part of me is thinking that he may come home, as I know diabetes gets treated in pets. I am quite sure though, that that is not the right decision for us.

We have had Ginger in the family longer than I've had digital cameras. Longer than my son has been diabetic. He came from the SPCA as a kitten, along with an unrelated kitten that we named Mr. Spot.

They have been best of friends ever since.

I do not know how Mr. Spot will do without his buddy; Mr. Spot has been alot more selective in who he likes, and Ginger was one of the few!

Farewell, Ginger, Rest in peace.

EDIT:Well, wouldn't you know it - the cat came back!
My husband took him so that we wouldn't change our decision - I knew I would wimp out! Well, so did hubby - he is waiting on blood tests. Renal failure is one outcome that and is not treatable, diabetes is another and is treatable if we choose, the third is hyperthyroidism and that is appparently much easier to treat. I don't know what to think, but I'll get the title of this thread changed pronto......

ann

Tango · December 19, 2007

sorry sorry sorry to hear, very nice pictures

Frog Lady · December 19, 2007

I'm sorry Ann. I know it's a tough decision to make. He looked like a beautiful cat.

C.

Skippy · December 19, 2007

Ann McRae wrote:

The saddest time in the relationship between pet and person has come to my home. We have made the decision to say farewell to one of our cats, Gingersnap.

I do not know how Mr. Spot will do without his buddy; Mr. Spot has been alot more selective in who he likes, and Ginger was one of the few!

Farewell, Ginger, Rest in peace.

ann

Ohhhhhhh dear, this is an awful decision to have to make,
but having met this Ginger Cat myself I know exactly what your talking about Ann.

Unfortunately cats do what they want to do,
they can be very destructive inside a house.

When my two died (Bigcat was 20years old, Kate was 16)
I vowed and declared I would never ever, ever have another cat

Yep and no way was I going to have to have kitty litter again.

Then Miss Kitty decided she liked my house, she liked me,
and by gosh she just moved right on in

But you know what, this cat as young as she is, has never in the
months she has slept in this house ever tried to pee or poop inside.

I do not have a kitty litter box, because she doesn't require one.

She runs and sits in front of any of the three doors I have,
if that doesn't work she litterally comes and bites my foot or ankle,
to say NOW!!! I want out NOW!!!

I like this arrangement very much, we have a mutural understanding,
in February if her owners decided to give her up, she will be mine.

As much as we love our pets, when we get one who is beyond controlling,
with behavior problems there's not a lot of choices.

I know you rescued Gingersnaps Ann, and he has been a part of your family for many years,
as painful as your decision has been, I can understand why it's happening.

Wish things were different for you and your family,
hurts like heck ......... thinking of you ....... Skippy
.

JenGrace · December 19, 2007

I'm so sorry you've had to make a decision that I myself wouldn't be able to make. I have a diabetic cat and he is tough to take care of...insulin is sooo expensive and it costs us extra money whenever we want to leave for a few days because I have to pay someone who knows how to give shots to come to my house (boarding would not be a good option). It's definitely changed our lifestyle quite a bit. I can understand why you've made this decision and I'm so sorry you have to go through this heartache.

edit: Oh thank God!!!

!!!! I'm so happy Ginger got to come home!

Hopefully it's something easily treatable. Don't let my talk of my diabetic cat talk you out of keeping him if this is the case though. As a member of the family, they're worth it (as I'm sure you know).

Ann McRae · December 19, 2007

Skippy, Colleen, Aaron, Jen

Thank you all for your sympathy - check the edit I just made. Skippy, wouldn't you know that my big softie hubby couldn't go through with it!!!Not yet, anyway. Relief, dismay, not sure where I am.

skip - can you change the thread title - maybe to Ode to ginger or something?

Thanks guys, your support is really appreciated

ann

JenGrace · December 19, 2007

Ann, check my edit above, too. lol

If it is diabetes (which I found out is actually quite common in cats

), there's TONS of info about it on the internet. This is a really good website.

I'm trying not to jump the gun here...hopefully it's that easily treatable hyperthyroid issue. Good luck!

aktse · December 19, 2007

Ann McRae wrote:

Skippy, Colleen, Aaron, Jen

Thank you all for your sympathy - check the edit I just made. Skippy, wouldn't you know that my big softie hubby couldn't go through with it!!!Not yet, anyway. Relief, dismay, not sure where I am.

skip - can you change the thread title - maybe to Ode to ginger or something?

Thanks guys, your support is really appreciated

ann

So happy to hear this!

Ann McRae · December 19, 2007

Well, believe it or not, the vet has already phoned back.

Diabetes. No other health problems detected.

Diabetes treatment, one injection per day, $1K per year (what is that in glass?)

Time to think about this some, but we will likely try the treatment and reassess. If the treatment is too difficult (I already fight with a teenage diabetic daily about managing diabetes), I won't be able to carry through. But, for now, the cat has another life!

ann

Maestro · December 19, 2007

Truly cats have nine lives! I am sorry for the emotional rollercoaster you must be on. We treated a belgian malinois for different ailments until my wife and I both realized we were keeping her alive for us, but she was in constant pain, had loss control of her bowls and not happy. That was one of the most painful days in my life.

I hope that Gingersnap responds quickly to the treatment if you decide to treat. Tough decision either way. I know you will make the right one for your family and Gingersnap.

P.S. That is a precious photo of Mr. Spot and Gingersnap!

Phyxius · December 19, 2007

Ann,
My thoughts are with you and your family. We have an older cat thought I adopted from our local cat rescue years ago. She was one of the first things I ever spent my own hard earned money on. About a year ago she started using the basement at large as a litter box and if left upstairs and carpeted area would suffice. She would also beg to be let outside where she would stay for only a few minutes before she'd run to the back deck and climb up the screen to be let in. Ten minutes later she'd be back, clawing on the basement door to be let up and out again.

Finally our options were to make her a permanant outdoor cat, give her away to some who'd keep her outside, or have her put down. So after buying her an igloo, a cat cradle sheepskin bed, and her own food and water bowls she's adapted to 24/7 outdoor living rather well.

We worried about our other rescued stray, Mickey, and how he'd handle not have his buddy anymore but he's been fine. He's slightly more dependant on human contact, but there has been no other alter of his personality or disposition. Also, as a side note Mickey (male cat) thinks that laundry, plastic bags, and magazines are great things to pee on so we're sure not to leave anything on the ground.

Ann McRae · December 19, 2007

april, stephen, Christina

Thanks!

Hopefully treating will not be too traumatic on any of us. Then we will see where the nuisance peeing gets to. Unfortunately, we really do not have the option of making him a full time outdoor cat, when we have -30C weather. He can (and does) spend much time outdoors, but any length of time at -30C is just cruel.

It has been a roller coaster day, for sure. I think I'll have a glass of wine (okay, another!) As Christina can attest, I don't drink much, I just drink often!

Phyxius · December 20, 2007

Ann McRae wrote:

april, stephen, Christina

Thanks!

Hopefully treating will not be too traumatic on any of us. Then we will see where the nuisance peeing gets to. Unfortunately, we really do not have the option of making him a full time outdoor cat, when we have -30C weather. He can (and does) spend much time outdoors, but any length of time at -30C is just cruel.

It has been a roller coaster day, for sure. I think I'll have a glass of wine (okay, another!) As Christina can attest, I don't drink much, I just drink often!

While I'm sure you remember that I like making noises I also tend to come up with songs from words in conversations...it's a constant thing and even drives me crazy upon occasion...right now I have "Cruel To Be Kind" stuck in my head beause of the mention of -30C being cruel.

I can't say that I have ever been in weather that cold, no thank you! My new horse came from Canada and she wintered outside and I suppose she's anticipating a similar winter here as she's quite furry! We get plenty of freezing temps with quite a few days with windchills sub-zero F, but rarely true temps subzero.

I thought of you last night. We had our company Christmas cocktail "party" last night, it's funny when co-workers drink and they obviously can't hold their liquor.

And when my boss stated that she doesn't drink often it reminded me of you saying "I don't drink much, but I do drink often." No martinis though, I had to make do with a screwdriver instead.

I hope the treatment works for Mr. Gingersnap!

raptorcaptor · December 21, 2007

Phyxius wrote:

While I'm sure you remember that I like making noises I also tend to come up with songs from words in conversations...it's a constant thing and even drives me crazy upon occasion...right now I have "Cruel To Be Kind" stuck in my head beause of the mention of -30C being cruel.

I can't say that I have ever been in weather that cold, no thank you! My new horse came from Canada and she wintered outside and I suppose she's anticipating a similar winter here as she's quite furry! We get plenty of freezing temps with quite a few days with windchills sub-zero F, but rarely true temps subzero.

I thought of you last night. We had our company Christmas cocktail "party" last night, it's funny when co-workers drink and they obviously can't hold their liquor. And when my boss stated that she doesn't drink often it reminded me of you saying "I don't drink much, but I do drink often." No martinis though, I had to make do with a screwdriver instead.

I hope the treatment works for Mr. Gingersnap!

Hope everything works out well!

Ann McRae · December 23, 2007

Thanks, Glenn.

Update - Ginger spent Friday at the vets office, on IV to bring his blood sugars down. It worked quite well, he went from 24 mmol/L to 14. Now he gets two insulin injections a day. Remarkably, heisn't bothered by this at all. He holds still and purrs. Today, hubby gave him his injection while he was lying down, and the silly cat just purred! So, it truely looks like he has a new lease on life. And he has gotten more alert and healthier looking too.

ann

JenGrace · December 23, 2007

My cat does really well with his shots...he gets them while he's eating and doesn't even realize it. Just out of curiosity, do you have to test his blood-glucose every day?

Ann McRae · December 23, 2007

JenW wrote:

My cat does really well with his shots...he gets them while he's eating and doesn't even realize it. Just out of curiosity, do you have to test his blood-glucose every day?

No - I asked about that. This vet seems quite down to earth and realistic and will measure blood sugar averages on a 3 or 6 month basis.

Do you do blood sugar readings with yours? Can't imagine

it's a PITA with my kid, just can't imagine doing so with a cat.

ann

JenGrace · December 23, 2007

Ann McRae wrote:

No - I asked about that. This vet seems quite down to earth and realistic and will measure blood sugar averages on a 3 or 6 month basis.

Do you do blood sugar readings with yours? Can't imagine it's a PITA with my kid, just can't imagine doing so with a cat.

ann

I always do a reading before I give him a shot, and I'm glad I do. There have been times where his reading was so low that if I had given him a shot he might have gone into a diabetic coma. He's pretty much trained now to the point where I get the monitor and lancet ready and pat the couch. He jumps up and lays right next my leg while I prick his ear and get a drop of blood. He knows he's getting fed right after, so he bears it pretty well.

Maestro · December 23, 2007

Glad to hear everything is turning out well. We had a to give allergy shots to a bloodhound years ago. That actually ended up cutting his life short with all those steroid shots but without them his quality of life would have been horrible. He ended up dying young, but he enjoyed his short time. His brother went on to live to a ripe old age.

Ann McRae · June 26, 2009

Well, Ginger has had an additional 18 months, but sadly today is his last.

Farewell, and RIP.

ann

jwear · June 27, 2009

Ann very sorry for your loss, I have felt that pain

Ode to Gingersnap...

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