Tag Archives: #calico

Lucy’s Adventures, Uncategorized

Kitty Love, Saying Goodbye

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How We Met

July 2002 was extra special. That was the year my kitty love Lucy was born. And, the month we met. My in-laws had a pay lake out in Waddy, Kentucky. My father-in-law called me a few days after my birthday. He asked if I wanted a kitten that had been orphaned. She was feral and living in the chicken coop on the feed. He caught her in a box trap. I sent my husband to get her. She arrived in a small dog crate. She was very tiny and fit in the palm of my hand. I grabbed her by her scruff and gave her a bath. I removed the fleas I could find and then wrapped her in a towel. She was mine ever since. I named her Lucy. Not for any particular reason other than she just looked like a Lucy.

There was nothing special about this little calico kitten. She was every color a cat could come. Lucy had one leg that was tiger striped. Some gray and black striping, and some white as well. I remember all I wanted was for her to sit with me but all Lucy wanted to do was run and be a kitten. She was curious about everything. Sun loving, always finding the warm spot in the house to catch a nap.

kitty love. lucy looking laying on bed looking at camera

The Early Years

Somewhere around the middle of her life, she calmed down a bit. She was showing that she wanted to be next to me. Her gestures to “pet me, pet me” were heard loud and clear. From 2007-2009 I earned an online degree from home and she was my constant companion every single day. We spent many days together as she laid next to me while I would read, write, and learn. Then Lucy started sleeping with me. The favorite snuggle spots would change now and then, and for a while it was on my head, then on my waist. Sometimes she would tuck herself up against me. Other times she would sleep between the pillows.

Lucy loved to go outside and lay in the sun. She loved to eat grass. She talked, a lot. Not only to me but to others she liked. We developed our own language. Her intentions were clear when she wanted to convey love. There were moments we would just look at each other in acknowledgment of our existence and our connection. She was a soul mate. Not everyone can have a bond with an animal.

To look into another animal’s eyes and feel a connection, we understood each other. She would show me she loves me back by laying her head on me. She showed me by laying her paws on me. By wanting to be with me, by wanting to touch me and be touched. By constantly talking to me. In the end, she was very clear about her wants and needs both physical and emotional.

my kitty love lucy laying on bed with my hand on her belly

Defying The Odds

Then in 2016 she lost a lot of weight. In her glory days when she was healthy, she topped out at 13.5 lbs. She was now down to 9 lbs. Lucy had hyperthyroidism and was put on medication. After starting medication she gained some weight back. Finally in 2017 we received another diagnosis, this time it was lymphoma. The vet gave her 90 days to live. She defied that like she did with so many other things.

Lucy maintained well on her own until the end of last year. Mobility became a struggle. As her medication increased and her physical limitations grew, I decided she needed constant care. I started taking her on my journeys, under vet supervision of course. She seemed happier and we spent a lot of time together. But I knew our time was limited and I could be saying goodbye to her on the road somewhere.

kitty love lucy looking into camera

Goodbye My Love

On August 8 at around 12:15pm, Lucy took her last breathes here on this earth. Her body had been failing her for some time. The whole transition was quick. She let me know that morning there was something wrong and it was time. Although I somehow knew this as she hadn’t eaten since the day before. I held her until she left and then a little longer. Before she left me though, I told her everything I always repeated to her and everything I had been preparing to say up until then.

“I love you. You are my soul mate. If you can come back, please find me. I’ll love you until the day I die and beyond. You were the best kitty in the whole wide world. No one will ever love you as much as I do. I love you most of all and you have been a huge comfort and a loving companion. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for loving me back. I’ll miss you but I know you must go. Don’t be afraid. It’s ok to go. Go to Papa. I’ll be ok. I’m here until the end. I love you.”

And with that, the animal love of my life passed to meet her Papa waiting for her on the other side.

Thank you all for accompanying us on this final journey. I love you all. xxooC

kitty love Lucy sitting on a box
lucy laying on my arm looking at me
lucy laying her head down looking at camera
Lucy’s Adventures, Uncategorized

Lucy is Back

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Lucy is Back To Feeling Better

A new Lucy Update! Lucy is back to her old self. We’ve been back in Kentucky exactly 10 days. The first days were sketchy at first yes. I try to keep a routine but it isn’t always easy. She’s been back into a solid routine and now we are seeing the results. All meds she takes are given orally now. She’s still a picky eater. I’m not quite sure what changed with her, but she’s more than happy to take meds with a bit of tuna fish. There once was a time where oral meds slipped into food were a hard no.

Her spirits are good. She wakes me up around 7:15 am. on time, every morning. Waiting for her first meal of tuna.

lucy's back looking bright eyed
chin scrub lucy's back to her old self
lucy's back and looking at me

Meds and Other Stuff

Lucy loves a good chin scratch as you can see from the photo. Lucy’s back to demanding attention every morning. In a previous Lucy update, I believe I mention we are trying to ween her off the alprazolam but she is much better tempered on it. It also stimulates appetite which I think I’ve mentioned before. I now add the alprazolam into the cocktail in the morning tuna fish.

I think from all of the attention that she has actually gained some weight. Lucy has not been on a scale since the vet came, so we aren’t sure what her weight is yet. I will update you when we know more. She definitely looks plumper, if that’s a thing then yeah, she looks healthier all around. I am offering food constantly and she is more than happy to eat it. She is on the diet we started before we left.

Her day now consists of a solid routine. She has become very vocal and social again. She wakes me up between 7 am and 7:30 am for her first meal like an alarm clock.

Here’s a little video of bath time today. Enjoy! Thanks for reading.

Lucy’s Adventures, Trip Prep, Uncategorized

Another Lucy Update- Travel Cat

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Pre-Travel Cat Prep

Hi there! Lucy (my travel cat companion) is doing as well as to be expected with all things considering. The new vet is working out great. All meds are filled easily now. I visited the pet store and stocked up on her favorites before heading out. Leaving was pretty straight forward.

Lucy pre trip
Lucy pre trip prep
Lucy eating in Kansas City, MO

Before traveling, Lucy had never been on a trip except to the vet. She did not like traveling at all. So before her first trip out, I went to the (old) vet and asked how to make her a travel cat. I needed a way to calm her anxiety and relieve her motion sickness. The vet prescribed alprazolam. It’s worked really well. I give it about an hour before we leave. Lucy’s reaction has become predictable which helped me. I have to restrict food and water or I am constantly pulling over to clean her up.

Lucy sleeping pre trip

Pre trip prep also included lots of rest, a good ear cleaning and fresh bandana. Bandanas are staying. It keeps her from scratching and licking the area of her neck which has become itchy. A bandana is not only stylish, it also keeps the area dry. She doesn’t try to get it off. The new vet agreed that because of her age and we can’t determine the cause of her itchy spot, a bandana works.

On The Road

As I said, she’s become predictable. She lets me know when she’s ready for a fresh pee pad which may or may not require pulling over, depending on the severity. The link is to the ones I love the most. I’ve tried several brands and keep coming back to these made by Glad. #ad

She tells me when she’s thirsty and hungry and gets a small snack and water during gas fill ups. Which is usually around every 3 hours. As I said before, restricting keeps us both calm and clean.

Lucy in her carrier in the front seat of my truck

This carrier continues to amaze me. I got it on Amazon. Here’s the Link if you want to check it out. #ad

It’s by Siivton and airline approved! All sides fold out to become this large tent like thing. It doubles as a carrier and a litter box. I put a pee pad inside and she goes in and does her business. It’s so easy and convenient. It unzips all the way around so when we get to where we are going. I can unzip it, spray it down and keep using it. This carrier is completely soft sided but it’s maintained it’s structure for now.

Easy carry on straps. If I’m going somewhere I don’t want to advertise I have an animal, I throw a blanket over the carrier and it looks like luggage. Whoever designed this was a genius.

Staying In Kansas City

Lucy is becoming an old pro at being a travel cat. We have developed a routine when we get to where we are going. I get her set up and leave her alone. She needs time to herself. Then when Lucy is ready, she interacts and acclimates to her new surroundings.

One trip to the pet store while in Kansas City was required to stock up on food and more treats!

Lucy in Kansas City, MO
Lucy in Kansas City, MO
Lucy eating in Kansas City, MO

Travel Cat Leaving KC

The road trip back to Kentucky was uneventful. We talked for about 4 hours. Then she decided to nap the rest of the way. When we got back, she was tired so she slept some more. She was her usual self the following morning. She purred, ate, and did all of her kitty things. Until our next adventure!!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask any questions or leave any tips. We are still learning on this new adventure of ours.

Lucy’s Adventures, Trip Prep, Uncategorized

Lucy Update- Look At Meow

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How She’s Doing

Just wanted to post a couple of pics and give you a Lucy update. She’s been doing much better after switching to a urinary support diet. She seems to be doing well on Pro Plan Urinary Tract wet food. Everything is day by day of course, I have no illusions this is all palliative. As far as food goes, the only other thing I really changed is the dry food I put down at night. I switched her to Royal Canin urinary support, and one can of the urinary Pro Plan food a day. I also added some CBD twice a day. Other than that she gets everything else the same. #ad

We did get a new, but not so new vet. In the midst of the chaos after we arrived back to Kentucky, her vet practice decided they were closing. This has been her doctor’s office since she was born BUT, one of the older doctor’s spun off a mobile vet clinic years back, so I hit her up. She gladly accepted Lucy as a new patient.

Lucy the calico staring into the camera with bandana on

Lucy Update- Weight Check

Lucy has lost about 4 lbs. during our trip out west which I’m trying to get back on her. She is currently weighing in at around 8lbs.

Lucy looking in the camera with bandana on
Lucy the calico cat asleep
The dragon sleeps

Thanks for reading and I’ll keep you posted when things change! xxooC

Lucy’s Adventures, Trip Prep

Just a quick note..

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I have a new travel companion. Well, not exactly new but new to the traveling part. My 20 year old calico cat Lucy. She’s had lymphoma since 2018 and she’s become too needy to leave behind. I’m also not sure how much time she has left so from now on she will be coming with.

Preferred sleeping position in the truck

We are making vet visits before and after big trips. She just got checked out today by a new vet at our regular practice. We changed some meds and are taking care of a new problem. Seems she lost all of the fur on her chest due to a bacterial infection. Quick antibiotic shot and she has to wear a bandana instead of this blue inflatable thing until it heals. So now she’s fashionable too!

I’m pulling out some great ones to take with us because we are off to Colorado next Wednesday by way of Kansas City, Missouri. Stay tuned!

She’s not a fan