Orion Memorial Page 23

CH, GP Truebrit Positively Paisley, “Paisley” was born April 24, 2002. On December 5, 2004 she became the first Silver-patched Mackerel Tabby British Shorthair to have attained a Grand Premier Championship in the history of the CFA.

Paisley came to live with me on January 2, 2005 and graced my life with her beauty, her intelligence, and her liveliness. She left me on December 8, 2005 after a short but severe bout with FIP. The chance for a long and loving relationship I had hoped for was gone.

Paisley’s strength, yet her frailty reminded me of a cherry blossom in Spring and inspired me to write this poem. I will always remember her spirit and how she loved life. She truly will be missed and will always be loved.

Bailey was our lovely, handsome, friendly Maine Coon. We loved very much and we will sadly miss him. xx

You were with us for such a short time, but gave us so much love. You helped us through a difficult time, it is almost as if that was your purpose. We will always love you!

I volunteered for a rescue and I was one of the bottle feeder houses. There was this little boy that had to bottle feed and because he was so young he had panalukopenia and was the only one of the litter that survived. I had to fight the fight with him (I even had to give subcutaneous fluids) and we won...or so I thought. I decided to adopt him as my own and got his shots and neutered him. Shortly after, he began to stagger. He went through tests and he was diagnosed with CH (cerebral hyperplasia). "Okay...Ri...we've got this (I said to him). After all you are a fighter." He adapted well to his partial paralysis and we went on for a few months. Riot was my baby. He always gave me kitty kisses over and over again. He slept with me. I fed him special. He followed me all over. He was my heart. Riot became ill and became incontenent and was losing control of his right side. The vet was worried and ran more tests. She said now something else was after him and she was pretty sure that now (on top of the CH) he may have FIP. The tests came back negative and we kept an eye on him (because tests are non conclusive). He did not get better but, he did not get any worse. The vet said keep him on the meds and we will wait and see. We got closer and closer. On 6/14/06 daddy was holding Riot when he had a seizure. He was barely there and I begged him not to go. Riot put his paw on my lips as if to say, shhh mommy, I'm done. My son in law dropped him off for me at the vet. (he always did and I would pick him up when I got off about an hour later) The vet called me and said it was time for Riot to go. I asked if she can not put him to sleep until I got there. I wanted to be with him when my angel went home. She had him ready and I sent my angel home.

My baby was attacked 3 times in his short life. Once as an infant kitten (panaleukopenia), as a toddler (CH) and the devil disease (FIP). Not once did he cry, he fought all the way. All he could do when he was too tired to fight anymore was put his paw on my lips to stop my tears.

He is still with us, we see him in our dreams (awake/asleep) I looked down from the dinner table and saw my RiRi looking up at me. He was perfect and wagging his tail at me. As if to say, It's okay mommy, I'm fine...look at me now.

The necropsy came back. He was confirmed with CH and he did have FIP. This demon took my baby, there needs to be a way to stop it.

RiRi, my precious baby, you are mommy's heart, you are my joy. I saw you wagging your tail. Very good...mommy is proud. I will see you later. Be a good boy for God.