In 1996 my hubby saved a kitten from being killed and brought him home. He named him Ramone and that day was 7/1/1996. Ramone grew to be a big boy but also became a Mama's boy..If I was sick, Ramone was right beside me, if I was upset Ramone was right beside me. I gave him the pet name of Ramonie Baloney Skins..or Skins for short and he came to all the names..
We shared games that only Skins would play with me and no other. We had a bond so tight and special that was close to being magical. He loved catnip and knew right where I kept it. I would ask him," Ramone, show Mama what you want." And he would walk over and look at exactly where it was.
In the beginning of 2008 he was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that was treated with medication and he was doing fantastic. I had noticed for a few months that he was slowing down and I attributed it to his age. Then I saw the dry flaky skin coming back and thought his thyroid was flaring up and it was time for more bloodwork anyway.
That was yesterday, 12/11/08.
Last night he wanted to be in bed with me and he layed between hubby and me and that he never did before. Ramone was always a gentle soul. Never scratched or bit. I went to hug him and he let out a meow that was horrible to hear and bit me. I knew he was in pain but from what???
Bloodwork came back fine but my Ramoney Baloney Skins was dying right before my eyes. My Vet, who is wonderful, listened to his breathing on the phone , told me to get him there asap. I did.
The decision to take 2 xrays to rule out certain things was done.I asked my Vet to keep my Ramone sedated until the xrays were developed in case it was bad so he would be asleep allready.
I said my goodbyes to my Ramonie Baloney Skins as I looked in his eyes telling him that Mama loves him that everything was gonna be ok..
What showed up was a shock to us all. My sweet gentle Skins had cancer and exactly where I tried to hug him the night before was where tumor was in his lung.
HOW could I miss this? How could I not have known that my boy was in so much pain?? He kept it hidden well.
Today, December 12, 2008 at 5:35 pm, I lost a very precious part of my life. Life will never be the same without my Skins.
Ramonie, I will always treasure the times we had together and I will cry for a very long time because you are not here with me anymore but I know that my last gift to you was the gift of freedom from pain..
Merry Christmas Mamas boy, I do love you so very much..
Good bye for now....Love and Hugs,
Mama