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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    Therapy Dog in Practice

    Back in grad school, a grad school colleague who lived across the hall from me adopted two feral kittens from an Oakland shelter. One of he kittens had FIV, and died a couple months later. The other, Ulysses, survived. A year later, she went off to Athens, so we took Ulysses in. We already had Homer, a cat who showed up on our door in '98, so it seemed fitting.

    Ulysses was always a little feral. He was afraid of men. He could hide for days. Slowly, over the past 17 years or so, he has become more comfortable being around people—but mainly just us (he tends to hide when company are over).

    Ulysses and Hoku have been interesting. Ulysses has had no interest, even if Hoku has. Ulysses is all of about 2 lbs now (he was never a big cat), to Hoku's 75. No conflict, but Ulysses has stood his ground.

    Ulysses is now dying. He'd been losing weight lately, and last night when he came up to me I realized it's going to happen very very soon. I am guessing hours or days, at the longest. No need for a Vet. He's old, and he's on his way.

    This afternoon, Ulysses came upstairs (to the main level) and lay down on Hoku's bed. Quite a statement.

    Hoku came up, saw this, and ran off to get her buffalo horn. Brought it up to this aged cat, and put it down, tail wagging.

    She has been quiet and sweet all afternoon and evening. The old cat sits in her bed, and she respects that. Has not approached. We are keeping her out of the kitchen—normally one of her main areas—and she is just calm and sweet.

    Beyond that, at meal time, we fed her first. The other cat, Brutus, jumped down by the food bowl. The two haven't fought, but the cat doesn't really love her. But tonight, Brutus jumped down as Hoku was eating. Brutus came up and ate from Hoku's food dish. Hoku just stepped back and let him eat. Then they ate together, for a bit. From the same bowl. Hoku has never been food protective, but this was extraordinary from both of them. (I would not encourage this, but it happened, and was interesting to observe).

    It was kind of amazing. Actually.

    We then fed Brutus his own food. Offered food to Ulysses, but he's stopped eating. We're just keeping him warm and comfortable as he goes on his way.

    Therapy dog just giving some therapy around here.
    Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to Abulafia For This Useful Post:

    MikeLynn (02-02-2016)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    Here's the Old Man. On Hoku's bed, with a wool blanket for warmth.

    -12642770_10208826531280793_3677012827723356491_n-jpg
    Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to Abulafia For This Useful Post:

    MikeLynn (02-02-2016)

  5. #3
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    It is wonderful how they act sometimes, good girl Hoku.

    God speed, Ulysses, when your journey begins.
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    Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

  6. #4
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    Good job Hoku. Very sorry for your impending loss, I hope Ulysses passes on to his next great journey quietly, and on his terms.

  7. #5
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    This breaks my heart. If only our furbabies could live as long as we do.
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    Tammy
    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

  8. #6
    Senior Dog Sandra's Avatar
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    That is truly amazing. God speed to Ulysses.
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    Woodecoy's Madawaska Charlie.

  9. #7
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    He just left us about an hour ago. Is buried in the front yard under the large maple and in the blanket he'd been curled in for the past day or so. It was swift, and peaceful.

    He will be missed. The house seems a little quieter without this 2 lb, quiet little cat. But it was his time. He earned it.
    Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15

  10. #8
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I'm sorry.
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    Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

  11. #9
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Im sorry for your loss.

 



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