You can't save them all

This morning, I got a call I was kind of expecting.  It was Erin at Best Friends.  She has been keeping me updated on my Valentine, Little Miss Sophie.  Sophie went back to the nursery for more intense care.  They were still force feeding her with little to no progress.  She continued to lose weight.  Although she rallied last Friday and ate a little food on her own, she quit eating again.  So sweet Erin called me today to say that they made the decision that her quality of life was poor and she was not thriving so they had to put her to sleep.  They never could find anything medically wrong with her.  Was she depressed?  Traumatized?  We don't know.  I am so sad for Miss Sophie.

What I do know is Best Friends did more for Miss Sophie than many owners would do.  They did lab work, urinalysis, special diet, countless medications, and several Xrays.  They couldn't find a thing wrong and nothing was helping.  It is important to remember that she came from a  shelter so we don't know her history or background.  We don't know if she was sick before and that is how she landed in a shelter.  I do know we tried.  We really really tried to figure out the mystery of a cat that won't eat.

While she was with me, I could tell she just didn't feel good.  She also had a pretty funky smell.  She was only with me a few days but it was part of the journey to figure out what will help her.  I did everything I could think of to help her.  I've never seen a kitty that won't eat or potty for a week or more.  I've never hoped for a poop on the floor more in my  life.  It is the right, and most humane, thing for Miss Sophie.  I am so impressed with Best Friends and their care for the animals and for compassionately keep me updated on her progress.  Full transparency is what it is all about.

As I foster, I realize part of the process is we really can't save them all. It is inevitable that I would eventually get a kitty that didn't make it.  But we will do everything possible to give the pets the best opportunity to thrive.  And that is what it is all about.