It started out a great day!! And now my name is MUD!!

Yes Kell, Bleu did it! I forgot all about that!

LOL @ Susie!!!

Hi. I'm new to Dave's gardens and this is my first message. I am very interested in Angel's trumpets and I've never had them. I am a cat lover as well, as Mistydawn is my cat's name. She is 15 and has a hyper thyroid and I have to give her a pill every day. I'm a little afraid to ask you but you could help my cat a lot as well as me. I read that angel trumpets are highly poisoness when eaten. Did Nick happen to eat any part of the plant? I was talking with a friend and she said that animals seem to know what is poisoness but I really don't think so.
I went on the ASPCA web site for their list of poisoness plants and it didn't mention angle trumpets but I'm still afraid to buy one. What do you think?

The only thing my two cats do to my brugs is scratch the trunks and drink the water where I have cuttings rooting. They dont' eat the leaves or stems. I've had brugs and cats for a number of years.

Kell, I really hope Nick is OK! He is beautiful.
I know how hard it is to say no to one when he cries so, lol.

I agree with Susie, Misty. I have many cats, and they co-exist peacefully with my brugs. They like to chew on the new growth of anything grasslike, however, like my palms.
I have one, Kit Kat, who does like to rub her face on brug stems, and she likes to smell the foliage too. Sometimes she even sleeps in the pots.
Try one and see how your Mistydawn reacts.
I know there are a few other kitty parents here, Kin and Sherry pop up in my mind, and they do very well with brugs + cats.
Welcome!

Jackie

This message was edited Feb 13, 2006 8:37 PM

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Nick. I know it's hard not to worry.

Jackie, cute picture!

:) Donna

Kell, hope your kitty is ok. What a day you had! So I see the cordyline, but where's the begonia? Funny, I saw that cordyline at Sloats too!

Oh Lali, I am going to email you later a HUGE APOLOGY!! I totally spaced on our tentative date.

Gloria, looks like I am senile, too! So is Susie, forgeting all the damage Bleu did to her pool wiring when he was digging his dog holes!


WELCOME to Dave's and to the Brug Forum MISTYDAWN!!
Misty dawn, I have had brugs for probably 15 years and cats for longer. Right now I have 4 cats. They are around a couple hundred brugs daily. They show no interest in them. So I am not worried about them. I really think Nick was caught in someones garage and got into something bad.

Nick came home this morning and ate a little chicken breast. I gave him his medicine then put him to bed. He is not himself that is for sure. His little mouth looks terrible. He doesn't have much fight in him so he is not even demanding to got out now. I just hope he is disoriented from being stuck inside with no food or water for 3 days and will make a come back. My son is so upset. He is all the way in NY.

Jackie, your kittie is so adorable! Such big eyes. My Molly Mouse looks a bit like yours and Molly sleeps in the pots too! She also claws the trunks!

Kell, I hope Nick just needs some good rest and a few days to get whatever is in his system out. It really does sound like he fell into something bad. He is such a handsome boy. Keep us posted.

Mistydawn, we have three kitties here. So long as the brugs or seeds don't get in the way of the play routes they do fine. They've knocked over rooting cuttings and flats of seeds, but other than my brugs getting in THEIR way, they could care less about them. Our family's dogs that come to visit also stay away from them.

so sorry about Nick Kell. Do you think he may be sympathizing with your son over his illness when he was home or just really missing him again???

also maybe you should let son talk to Nick on the phone. My girls always talk to their daddy when he is away...well he talks to them lol

This message was edited Feb 14, 2006 12:31 AM

Kell,
I'm so sorry about Nick. When my two cats had to become indoor cats only, I wore ear plugs for a while. What does the vet think Nick got into? When Winston go histoplasmosis last February, he dehydrated enough that the vet had to inject water subcutaneously. I hope Nick gets well.

Thanks to all of you for helping me. I think I will try one and see how it works. Since many of you have cats and have had no problems with them around Brugs I will plant my first this spring.

Thanks Donna, and thanks Kell. I love my kitties.
Mistydawn, great decision. Good luck with your first!

I want to know how many brugs you will have come August, lol.

Misty,
I have two cats who are notorious about chewing on airplane plants and philodendrons and getting sick, but they have not even looked at the brug cuttings I have started that have leaves. They also ignore the orchids. I'd say go for it ... and if you really think you'll hang around here and get away with only one brug, you're in for a surprise :-) This is the absolute greatest bunch of people who share I have ever seen!!!
Sharon

Thanks you guys for your concern. I really do not know what is really wrong with Nick, Donna. He is going down hill fast. We think we got him when our son was 6 and T is now 23. So Nick is really old.

Tom let Nick out and he has not been seen since. It was a hard to let him leave. We decided if he wants to spend his last days outside, it is his decision. That being said, Tom and I have been out searching for him periodically all day. Our neighbors must be so sick of hearing us yell for him all over the streets. I hate him being out there all alone sick. Tom will go back out at 11 before he goes to bed, and I will check out there before I go.

Here Nick is at Christmas with my son when he was home for vacation and was so sick.. Nick stayed with him practically 24 hours a day. They really love each other.

Kell,

I think that is one of the sweetest pictures I have ever seen!

My thoughts are with you and your family and Nick.

mg

Have found through the years of having cats, when they think the end is near, they want to disappear and be left alone to pass away quietly.
A Vet will give them anything to try and keep them alive, hard on everyone involved. My one baby was 17 and it was hard on everyone when kidneys blocked from cortizone shot. I let her lie on towel in livingroom until she died, very hard on me, especially, but she was inside and safe from all other animals.

Such a beautiful cat Kell, hope you can find him and keep him safe. They are like one of your own kids!.

Hi Kell,

I'm so sorry to hear that Nick hasn't returned but cats do like to die in peace. I know I am going to have to face it with Misty Dawn and I know it's hard as I've had cats in the past who died of old age. My Misty Dawn is 15 & 1/2 and I sure hope she can live until at least 17 but God only knows.

Do you have a picture of Misty Dawn? I hope she lives a long time.

I am so sorry Gloria. I can tell you still feel such pain. They are real family, no doubt.

That picture of Nick with Tom (my son) is a favorite of mine, too. I was so worried about Tom over Christmas, I was happy he had Nick to cuddle up to. He was so good to Tom then even though Tom had lived away from home for over 5 years going to college and now law school. Nick always was thrilled when Tom would come home for a visit.

It is odd when you do not see them dead. A cat we had for many years, Doberman, left home to die too, probably 20 years ago. I still sometimes think he is alive even though I know he can't be.

Tom (my DH) got up at the crack of dawn to go out looking again. I still am not hysterical. I still have hope.

I sure hope you can have him home with you, inside, safe. He's probably under someones' porch, or sometimes they go inside an open garage, then the door goes down later.

You seem to know how we feel about our pets, give them as much love and care as our kids.

Much luck finding Nick!

Kel, I am praying for you and for Nick. I know how much it hurts and there will be a hole that will always be empty but there is a very bright and warm spot that he has filled in all of your family and you will draw peace from that. Love and Peace, Joan

Kel,
Just checking in to see if there is word of Nick. I loved the picture of him with your son. I have a gray cat who looks a lot like Nick who loves my son! Kyle was out of the country for three years, but as soon as he came home, Poopsie jumped up and was laying across Kyle's shoulders just like he always had. It is so hard when they get old....
Hugs,
Sharon

Bless your heart, Kell.. know I'm thinking of you. Your son looks so much like mine. Bill is 26 now and 6'5". My Buffy is 17. We both send our love.

Barb

so sorry to hear that nick is MIA again, kell. i hope he returns.

I think he must be dead. No sign of him. Tom is so upset. I have cooked 2 good meals which is unlike me, and he has hardly touched them. We haven't told our son, Tom yet. I hate for him to hear it when he is so far from home.

I looked and looked today, no sign of him. I even followed one of our other cats around thinking she was leading me to him. I thought she knew what I was talking about to her when I was calling out to him. She looked back at me as if to say "come follow me" but she ended up just fooling around.

I am trying to not think about him and be busy with other things. It has been such a sad year for us. I still have a hard time with death being so final. The concept is hard for me to grasp.

Oh Sharon, it must have been so hard to have your son out of the country for so long. I would go nuts. Poopsie sounds like Nick!


Oh Barb, Buffy is a doll and looks so young. Your boy is 26 and mine is 23. They grow up so fast. Thanks!

Oh Annapet, thank you too. I already miss you!!

Kell I am so sorry. My son was the total opposite end of Lawyer when our smurf of 17 took sick. He was a grey tabby. Due to all the stress over our DS I had failed to notice how skinny smurf had gotten. He had weighed 22 lbs and with all the skin and hair you could not tell.

I picked him up to love him and immediately rushed him to the vet. I can't even remember what was wrong. It was not luekemia it seems like it was a respiratory infection. We had some where we had to go so we put him in the bathroom to make him comfy and not wonder about worrying over us. When we got home he had passed away.

Here I sit crying I miss him so much and this was10 years ago. With my asthma, I have never gotten another cat. The dr tried to get me to part with my smurf and we fought over that.

My son 29 today still, up till 2 years ago, asked why I couldn't help his kitty. It was the first time he was away for long and smurf sure missed him.

There is nothing like our babies, the ones we give birth to or adopt.

I pray a heart resolution for you and your Toms.

Blessings,
Sandy ^8^

Kell I am so sorry. Yes it has been a bad year for you and me too. (((HUGS)))

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

(((((Hugs, my friend)))))

Barb

Sandy, I am so sorry! It sounds like your Smurf was well loved.

Barb, what a nice thought! And thanks so much Donna!

But guess what...........after being gone 4 days........... about 30 minutes ago there was a banging of the screen door. Tom thought it was Maxey and went to open it,. And there stood Nick. Looking at him would make you cry. All his fur is off the inside of his legs, all off. His skin is very pink. The top of his paws are losing the fur too. He has lost even more weight. His fur is so matted it is terrible all over his chest and stomach.

We immediately gave him food and water and he had some of both, not a lot but some. Then Tom held him on his lap and he sat there on all fours very stffly. I wonder if it hurts to be on his paws. He wanted to get down and he walked down the hall to the bedrooms. He went under my bed.

Tom wants to wash him, just in case he has some caustic or toxic stuff on him. His fur feels so dirty, oily.

I said no, too much stress. Let him eat a few meals and sleep for a day then we can wash him.

Has anyone heard of a cat suddenly losing his hair like this??

One thing is for sure, I do not care how much he cries, he is not going out again. We searched and searched for him every day. I had trouble sleeping thinking of him out in the cold all alone. I just do not know what to do.

What great news, Kell! I'm so happy for you!!!
Hugs, Donna

Outstanding!!! That is wonderful, Kell. Even if the worst happens and he doesn't get better, at least you will have this time with him. I am so glad for you.

Barb

PS... address....

this is heart-wrenching.

kell, I read thru this thread and can't find anywhere where vet says what is wrong. Undertand the decline due to such old age, but the hair falling suggests toxic reaction? Some animals no matter how old get over that albeit slowly.

what is vet saying? What an ordeal to the creature as well to any pet owner.

Hi Kell,
I'm so glad that Nick returned. I'm hoping that it is an allergic reaction and that Nick will get over it. It probably is a good idea to keep him in because it looks like he keeps going to whatever is bothering him. I agree that the vet should have an idea of what is going on. I have so many pictures of Misty Dawn but I'm not sure how to put them into this message. I see the word Image at the bottom but don't know how to use it. I have a friend who knows computers and we are getting together this Sunday so I'm hoping he will show me how to do it.

Hi bjf826,
I've heard of the Rainbow Bridge before and everytime I hear or read the message, I can't help but dissolve into tears. It is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

Kell,
I'm so glad Nick showed up. If he is having an allergic reaction, seems like the vet could give him something to help.

Rainbow Bridge always brings tears to my eyes, but it is beautiful. Thanks, Barb.

Sharon

Kell I am so glad your precious Nick has returned. I agree that you should not let him go outside again. At least until he gets better.


Marilyn

Thank you all for your kind concern. It helps.

He really looks bad. But does purr when I pet him. He was next to my head when I fell sleep last night and this morning he was under the bed. He just came out and ate a little and drank some water. A friend told me to go get condensed milk, so that is what I am going to do.

The vet said she thinks he is having a severe allegic reation to what ever he got into. She said she should give him cortisone except he is so old it could kill him by putting him into renal failure.

We may go that route anyway at this point. We will give him another day to improve to decide. My husband thinks we maybe should put him to sleep. I do not know if I can do that. But if that is the case we should try the coritsone.

I think he may be uncomfortable. He has a little cry now. Or maybe he wants to go back out. Do they give pain pills to cats?

Oh this is terrible.

Kell, I'm so sorry.

{{{{{Nick}}}}}

mg

edited because we cross posted.

This message was edited Feb 17, 2006 11:58 AM

Yes, Vet should be abl to give pain pills. So glad he came home Kell. You know what a cortizone shot will do at his age...........

If you are thinking of putting him down, I'd go for the cortizone shot, at least he could die at home in a loving place. It's hard, but they seem to be "out of it" and suffering no pain, just waiting until the end.

Hoping for the best, but we can't keep them alive forever, even if we'd like to.

Thanks Gloria and Gayle!

I am going to bring him to the vet tomorrow. I had hoped not to put him thru such stress but he needs help.

I want to give you all a helpful hint I just learned.

My friend Zuzu over on Roses told me to try evaporated milk for Nick!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Zuzu. He is lapping it up!!! I never would have thought to give him that.