Long day for my GSD/Kitty

[pupresq]

Okay, so Sylvie is not a GSD. But don't tell her that. She doesn't like cats and she spent her kittenhood hanging out of the mouth of our GSD/Husky mix, having a blast. Apparently the indoctrination took and aside from her commitment to litterbox usage, and exclusively indoor lifestyle, a “dog” she has remained.

I adopted Sylvie in 1991 when I was working at a shelter in NC. She, her mom, and her litter were all surrendered together, left in our night drop box. The shelter manager decided not to offer Sylvie and one of her sisters for adoption because they had deformed front feet. I disagreed with this because it was January and kittens were in high demand, but I was 17 years old and had no authority. I was so smitten by the little grey and apricot muted tortie's huge purr that I decided to adopt her myself, even though I had never had a cat. The manager, I think wanting to save me from my tendency to want to take home all the broken animals, decided to euthanize the kitten on my day off which was the last day of her shelter hold. Her intentions were good but thankfully one of my co-workers called me to alert me of what was going on and I zoomed over to get my kitten. I took Sylvie to my vet and she echoed my manager's sentiments, saying that the kitten’s quality of life would be poor because of her deformity and the kindest thing would be to put her down. I sat in the office and cried but Sylvie looked up at me and hummed her motorboat purr, and together we decided to ignore them all. Neither she nor I have ever been very respectful of authority or good at following directions.

For the past 17 years Sylvie (or Magic Sylvie Airplane, to give her her full name) has been my paperweight, laptop guard, and reigning queen of the sunny spot on the bed. She has cat-tested probably nearly 100 dogs, startling some with her tendency to head butt their chins looking for affection. Sylvie has never understood the dogs-don't-have-hands thing. She just thinks they're being aloof.

Her front feet, which turn in and have no wrist joint, have never really held her back. She has patrolled every house I've ever lived in, thwapped deserving dogs on the top of the head, and even killed a mouse once. She learned to sit up on her haunches like a meerkat to get a better view. This so fascinated my roommates in college that they became determined to teach her to walk on her hind legs. They were unsuccessful but Sylvie and I were amused by their efforts.

She’s slowed down a lot in the past couple years, and over the last 4 months has had trouble keeping on weight in spite of normal blood work a good appetite. Last night while I was brushing her, she started gasping for air. At the vet clinic, her X-rays showed a huge amount of fluid around her lungs, compressing them so much that the slight exertion made it impossible for her to breath. I never knew. We spent the day the clinic together with her in an oxygen tent. Periodically they tapped her chest and drew off the fluid. I think they removed something like 180ccs. Sylvie only weighs about 4lbs, so that’s a lot. She’s on oxygen now and seems to be breathing easier, but it doesn’t look like there’s much hope for a happy outcome.

I am much more of a dog person than a cat person, but Sylvie has been a constant in my life since I was in high school, and, as I said, she’s not really a cat anyway. Sylvie has lived in 8 different houses and three different states. She still doesn’t like car rides, but she’s adjusted to everything else life has thrown at her. She has known every other pet we have ever had, save my very first dog, she has known every foster animal, been there for every milestone. She has always come when I called her, giving her distinctive “merrowww” as she lopes along like a camel. She used to annoy me the way she would walk across my papers or sling drool everywhere when she purred too much while being petted. Now I’d give anything for her to march across my desk and do her worst. It’s so hard to see her lying here so still. I am hopeful that she will rally tonight with some of the fluid gone and on the new meds, but I suspect our time together is limited.

Please say a little prayer for Sylvie the Silver cat, honorary dog, and very sweet girl.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Oh no, poor Sylvie! Hoping for the best for both of you.

[WiscTiger]

Oh prayers for Sylvie. I hope you can have some time together.

Val

[k9sarneko]

Oh poor baby, what a wonderful blessing of a life you have given this sweet girl. Thank you for not believing those in control and giving her a chance. She sure proved them wrong didn't she. Hugs to you and to Sylvie.

[moei]

and a little prayer

[shilohsmom]

Oh my, what a special kitty and a lovely story of your life together. I can't imagine your pain but pray she improves. I wish her and you the very best on what has to be one of the longest nights of your life.
Take care

[BowWowMeow]

Oh no! Cleo sends kitty-dog strength to you and your kitty-dog!

We will keep her in our thoughts around here!

[marksmom3]

We're thinking of you and Sylvie and sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

[Remo]

There will be 24 paws crossed here hoping that Sylvie pulls through this crisis. She sounds like a wonderful little cat that really lucked out when you came into her life.

Good vibes being sent!

Lea

[pupresq]

Thanks everybody! You guys are great!

We passed what was indeed a long long long night but Sylvie is still alive and kickin'. I've got our guest room set up as a kitty hospital - and we'll be rooming in together until something changes. Thanks for all the well wishes. Apparently there's something in the power of kitty prayer!

And thanks Cleo - Old lady Kitty-Dogs unite!