Jack's not doing so well

He seems to be getting worse, not better.

He's eating, but just little bits of this and that and when I give him
one thing, he takes a bite, then stops.

He's sleeping a LOT, much more than usual. He's very clingy and crying
a lot. (I can handle the cling, and just kind of carry him around with
me)

I had to go to the store for a bit today, which was the first time I've
left home since Dmitri died. (Though we left the house to take Dmitri's
body to the crematory...that morning is all a haze in my mind) Jack was
waiting at the window for me. That's not typical at all. He didn't care
about the bags of stuff (that was one thing they did when I returned
from shopping, rush in to see if there was something for them), just
wanted on my lap.

He got mad and flung litter all over the place, then turned his box
over. (Again, not something he does)

I bought him a new toy and he just wasn't interested, which is okay.
Maybe later, or maybe I'll take it back.

Then he was sleeping in his tower bed, and sometimes he likes to hang
out of the entrance cutout, his head and upper shoulders hanging out in
an odd position. He does that sometimes. But today, he actually let his
body fall out (the top half) onto the top stair of the tower. It didn't
even wake him up. He woke up when I ran over to him and then curled
back up into a ball. But I mean he literally let his top body fall out
of the bed and hit the stair.

And when he's awake, he just goes from one place to another, crying and
whining, and I try to feed him, doesn't want that, play, nope. Usually
just picking him up and holding him tight against my chest will settle
him down.

I know he's mourning, and I know he's really missing his big brother
(we both are), but I'm starting to get worried about him.

Am I doing anything wrong? Is there anything I can do to make this
easier on him? It's really breaking my heart. My poor boy.

Thanks, Juls

p.s. The only time he really seems at peace is in the evening when he
takes over the cat bed and curls up. This is the time he would "steal"
the bed from Dmitri. When I go to bed, he joins me.

And he does purr when I'm loving him.

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"Juls" wrote in message
...
He seems to be getting worse, not better.



I have followed your story and my heart goes out to you. All I can
think to say is that when you're ready, giving another cat a home
might be a great distraction. Maybe a young female adult? Or
whatever cat steals your heart. I know one will when you are
ready.

Surely not right away, but when you're ready. No cat can replace
Dmitri but Jack has to be lonely. Just a thought.

On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 03:37:24 GMT, Juls wrote:

p.s. The only time he really seems at peace is in the evening when he
takes over the cat bed and curls up. This is the time he would "steal"
the bed from Dmitri. When I go to bed, he joins me.

And he does purr when I'm loving him.

This is heartbreaking. Eventually you should probably get another
cat, but this may just have to take its course.

Charlie

Juls wrote:

Am I doing anything wrong? Is there anything I can do to make this
easier on him? It's really breaking my heart. My poor boy.

Thanks, Juls

p.s. The only time he really seems at peace is in the evening when he
takes over the cat bed and curls up. This is the time he would "steal"
the bed from Dmitri. When I go to bed, he joins me.

And he does purr when I'm loving him.

Wow, none of my cats have ever reacted so strongly to the death of any
of the others. They would seem a little confused as though they were
looking for the deceased one and a little lethargic for a few days but
that's about it. Your situation is very sad.

They were obviously very close but you knew that. I would think time
will heal Jack's pain, too, but I have no clue how long it might take.
It's a good thing you work from home. He might like another kitty but
I can understand you not wanting to do that yet. Hopefully, Dmitri is
working on sending just the right one...

I'm sorry for both of you.

Candace

Don't put him down! Hug that cat as much as you can.

I think too, he may need a cat-friend fairly soon. The two of you will
decide when it's time.

In the meantime, it sounds like you're doing a good job of comforting him.

Rhonda

Juls wrote:


And he does purr when I'm loving him.

"Juls" wrote in message
...
He seems to be getting worse, not better.

He's eating, but just little bits of this and that and when I give him
one thing, he takes a bite, then stops.

He's sleeping a LOT, much more than usual. He's very clingy and crying
a lot. (I can handle the cling, and just kind of carry him around with
me)

I had to go to the store for a bit today, which was the first time I've
left home since Dmitri died. (Though we left the house to take Dmitri's
body to the crematory...that morning is all a haze in my mind) Jack was
waiting at the window for me. That's not typical at all. He didn't care
about the bags of stuff (that was one thing they did when I returned
from shopping, rush in to see if there was something for them), just
wanted on my lap.

He got mad and flung litter all over the place, then turned his box
over. (Again, not something he does)

I bought him a new toy and he just wasn't interested, which is okay.
Maybe later, or maybe I'll take it back.

Then he was sleeping in his tower bed, and sometimes he likes to hang
out of the entrance cutout, his head and upper shoulders hanging out in
an odd position. He does that sometimes. But today, he actually let his
body fall out (the top half) onto the top stair of the tower. It didn't
even wake him up. He woke up when I ran over to him and then curled
back up into a ball. But I mean he literally let his top body fall out
of the bed and hit the stair.

And when he's awake, he just goes from one place to another, crying and
whining, and I try to feed him, doesn't want that, play, nope. Usually
just picking him up and holding him tight against my chest will settle
him down.

I know he's mourning, and I know he's really missing his big brother
(we both are), but I'm starting to get worried about him.

Am I doing anything wrong? Is there anything I can do to make this
easier on him? It's really breaking my heart. My poor boy.

Thanks, Juls

p.s. The only time he really seems at peace is in the evening when he
takes over the cat bed and curls up. This is the time he would "steal"
the bed from Dmitri. When I go to bed, he joins me.

And he does purr when I'm loving him.

--
To email (remove annoying hyphens)

j-u-l-i
at
e-c-t-dot-o-r-g

Give him lots of TLC. He's mourning and he's lonely. If it will make you
feel more at ease have him checked at the vet but there is probably nothing
physically wrong with him. This sounds so much like what I went through with
my Tigger when we lost our Fluffernutter. She improved a lot after I had her
checked at the vet probably because I relaxed and wasn't worrying about her
as much. She got back to her old self after we brought home Ralf.

Hugs to Jack

W

oh hugs to you and to Jack. He is grieving,and he knows you are as
well. Lots of tlc,like you told me. I wish I had better advice for you.
I am truly sorry for your loss. Terri

Thanks so much everyone for such great advice, and once again,
phenomenal support. You're all the best!

I think time is going to be the biggest healer, but I'm happy to report
he's a tiny bit better today.

He had a second helping of food. LOL. I had started him out with just a
small spoonful because he wasn't eating much, but when he finished, he
came in and for the first time since this happened, did the Oliver
Twist routine. Yay for the Oliver Twist!

That was always done in tandem, after they'd cleaned their plates, and
I would feel eyes on me, look down, and see them sitting side by side,
these four huge, sad eyes saying "Could we have some more, Sir?" It
never failed to make me laugh, because they had "the look" so
perfected.

So that's a very good start.

Someone suggested I squirt Feliway, so I'm in the process of trying to
find my bottle of that.

So I think today is a better day. I told him last night it would be,
and I'm thinking he might have believed me.

Juls

p.s. I will definitely get him a pal, I just think it's too soon yet.
This "solitary" cat isn't so solitary after all.

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"Juls" wrote in message
...
He seems to be getting worse, not better.
... And when he's awake, he just goes from one place to another, crying
and
whining, ... Is there anything I can do to make this
easier on him? It's really breaking my heart. My poor boy.
Thanks, Juls

Juls,
I'm so sorry to read that Jack is having such a hard time (not that it's so
easy for you, either).
When we had a similar situation with Moxie, we went out and got her a
kitten.
At first Moxie didn't know what to do about Cinder, but it only took a day
or two before they were snuggling together.
Maybe Jack really needs another friend, either a kitten or a cat-friendly
cat.
You might check out who is available at the local shelter or rescue groups.
Annie

Thanks Annie.

Did you do the recommended procedure (introducing in stages, keeping
the cats separated at first) with the new kitten, or just bring it in
and say "look what we got you?"

I don't want to do the wrong thing, but I've got this strong feeling
that if I put a little kitten in the middle of the floor, Jack would be
too thrilled at someone to love to care about any territory issues.
(and he and Dmitri never had any territory issues)

All I can say is that he's the saddest sack I've ever seen.


In article , "Annie Wxill"
wrote:

"Juls" wrote in message
...
He seems to be getting worse, not better.
... And when he's awake, he just goes from one place to another, crying
and
whining, ... Is there anything I can do to make this
easier on him? It's really breaking my heart. My poor boy.
Thanks, Juls

Juls,
I'm so sorry to read that Jack is having such a hard time (not that it's so
easy for you, either).
When we had a similar situation with Moxie, we went out and got her a
kitten.
At first Moxie didn't know what to do about Cinder, but it only took a day
or two before they were snuggling together.
Maybe Jack really needs another friend, either a kitten or a cat-friendly
cat.
You might check out who is available at the local shelter or rescue groups.
Annie

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