Poppy: Adopted by Lucy
On the 31st January 1991, we acquired 2 black kittens from the Well Cat Centre whom we named Poppy (girl) and Pepsi (boy). They were from the same litter, thus brother and sister. Well, these two were so frightened at first and hid under our pine dresser unit, only coming out at nights for food, water and to use the litter tray.
It took time and patience but we showed them love and gave them time to trust us...and they turned out to be the most wonderful cats you could ever ask for. Poppy became my little sweetheart. When she heard the cat flap, she would dart behind the living room door and pounce on Pepsi as he walked in the room! Each time we ate a kit-kat, she would wait for the paper with which to play and could jump several feet in the air to catch it! When we had a meal, I would place bits of fish etc. on my tray for Poppy to eat.
She loved her food. Prawns were her favourite. In the mornings, Poppy would often scratch at my door and meow to be let in - she loved the warmth of under my duvet! In the living room at night I would say 'bed time', only for her to respond by jumping down from wherever she was to follow me up the stairs. In December 2000, the time came for me to leave home.
I decided to put Poppy's needs before my own and leave her in the home she had known for almost 10 years (although believe me I would have loved her to move with me). I work full time and thought she would be lonely and miss her brother Pepsi. At the home she had known, there were 3 people working different hours so always someone popping in and out and she was the kind of cat who adored company. I visited her most days and on some occasions when it was time for me to leave she would sit at the bottom of the stairs and I would say 'OK honey' and I would walk upstairs, only for her to follow.
She would overtake me and she would always enter my old room for a cuddle. In March 2006 when Poppy was 15, we became concerned about her vomiting and diarrhea. She was subsequently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I was offered 3 choices; medication for life, surgery or radioactive iodine treatment.
She was initially placed on tablets but something told me that I had to do more - she was still vomiting and I was concerned. I was too scared to put her through surgery so after thorough research I got her booked in to the University of Bristol, Feline Centre (the nearest place to the Midlands which offer this treatment) for the radioactive iodine treatment. Poppy was so good on the way to Bristol in the car. She hated being in her cat carrier, so I let her have my lap and she settled so well.
She was fascinated at watching all the lorries on the motorway!! As soon as I explained Poppy's symptoms to the consultant at Bristol, he at this point, even without examining Poppy, suspected there was something other than hyperthyroidism wrong with her. She was given an ultrasound which revealed abnormal liver, kidneys, enlarged lymph gland and fluid on the stomach. Biopsies were taken of all except the lymph, which the needle kept bouncing off as it was too hard. I was advised to have the lymph removed as if I did not, I was informed Poppy would never get any better and would start to deteriorate within 4 weeks.
It was the worst day of my life but on the 25th May 2006, Poppy underwent surgery to remove her enlarged lymph gland which was 10 times its normal size. They also removed a piece of intestine to test. Thankfully my brave little soldier came through this operation and visiting her after her surgery was one of the best days of my life. Unfortunately, the tests revealed that my gorgeous girl had lymphoma (cancer). We were told that it is the most treatable form of cancer in cats and she was placed on steroids daily for 14 days and then every other day and also chemotherapy tablets which were administered fortnightly.
I should mention that Poppy did not have hyperthyroidism - this was a misdiagnosis - so cat lovers please be aware. A scan on a cats belly can reveal more truth. Unfortunately, my beautiful Poppy only got 2 sessions of chemo before she lost her battle. She passed away snuggled up in her bed on my lap at 4am on Friday 7th July 2006. I spent years asking God not to take her from me, but at the end I could see her pain and I asked him 'if you're going to take her, just take her, don't let her suffer'. Within 20 minutes, she had passed. It's kind of amazing how I got some of the things I asked for. I NEVER EVER wanted to lose her but I was supposed to be on holiday abroad when this happened, and in the end I never went. I was also on holiday from work which meant I had had more time with her towards the end of her life.
She had not died away from home on an operating table, nor had I had to make the agonising decision whether to put her to sleep. She had also died naturally with me with her - which again I had always wanted to be there for her - even at the end...Precious, precious Poppy, I miss you so much. You made my life complete and my favourite thing in the world was a snuggle with you - which I told you many a time. Honey, thank you for the last 15 years, I enjoyed every single moment. I know that your spirit is all around me and you are now in a place without cancer. I will try to be strong without you but life will just never be the same again. I love you Poppy, Lucy xxx. 16.07.2006.
There are no new mature cats available for the moment, although we have plenty of feral cats that need a good home.
Everything you never wanted to know about this fiery feline! Read more…
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