 I am so glad to say that this past week Sunshine has been doing much better! The antibiotics really seem to be helping and she has slowly been getting back to her old self. She's been playing every evening before dinner and she has been more active and chatty. We're still experiencing a few problems as far as food digestion goes. Sunshine is still throwing up daily, but I have a feeling it may just be a result of the medication. Regardless of the vomiting, she has been eating more normally. The vomiting does not seem to bother her either because if offered food once again right after, she will eat. I am so happy and so relieved that she seems to have pulled through for the time being. I will be going back to the vet for another checkup at the end of next week. Sunshine will have some tests done once again to see if the infection has completely cleared. Since being ill, we've been allowing her to eat whatever she desires, but I imagine she will need to return to her Kidney formula in order to keep her condition stable. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I am more concerned about her putting on a few more pounds at the moment, so I will continue to allow her to eat what she wants until her next veterinary appointment. Hopefully things will look better and we will move forward with the next steps.
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 Sunshine and I visited the vet once again today for a quick follow up. She did gain a little bit of weight back in the past few days which is great news. She is still on daily fluids as well as her antibiotic. She has still be very finicky as far as eating goes which makes things a little difficult. She will not touch her kidney formula food so we've been feeding her a supermarket brand that she likes. It's not the best thing, but it's more important that she eats at this point. So we've given her whatever she fancies in the last few days. She will have to go back for more testing in 2 - 3 weeks time.
Although she is still slower than her usual self, she did play a little yesterday evening which is also a great news. Normally she loves to play, so when she turns her nose up at a good round of slapping the toy on the string we know there is something really wrong. You can tell that she is still very tired and very weak, but she did do her best to slap the toy around a few times regardless. She seems happy and she does not seem to be in any pain. She just seems more tired than anything else. Rest is always best when you are ill however, so hopefully the extra sleep will help her to fight the infection. Oreo continues to watch over her and stays close by. He watches while we give Sunshine her fluids and he gets upset when I give her the antibiotic pill. He does not like to see her being handled and will actually sit at my feet and cry while nibbling at my ankles. I've also caught him stealing kisses. Normally Sunshine would not be adamant, but she's allowed Oreo a few smooches and nose boops without hesitation. He is such a good little brother. We will take it one day at a time until her next appointment and see where we stand at that point. It is times like these that we can see the true magic of the internet and the true kindness of humanity. Since posting about Sunshine earlier this week, I am truly touched by the outpouring of love and generosity from the online community. Losing a pet is probably the single hardest thing a fur parent can go through in their lifetime. I want to thank you all for helping to make Sunshine's final journey a comfortable one. The donations received in the last 2 days have totaled $2120.21. These funds have been set aside and will go to further care for Sunshine during her retirement. Since starting her treatment of antibiotics, she seems to be slowly feeling slightly better. She has been very talkative even though she does not move around a lot. She has been sitting in her favorite spots in the sun with her brother Oreo always not to far away watching over her. She has stared eating a little bit, not as much as we had hoped, but a little is better than nothing. I will be returning with her to the vet for follow up testing in a few weeks. The most important thing right now is for the infection to clear. If we are able to get that far, then Sunshine will be able to enjoy the rest of her retirement more comfortably. We already know that given the stage of her kidney disease, deterioration is liable to come quite quickly. Having the infection present will speed up that process even more. We are crossing our fingers that she has enough strength to fight the infection. I will say that throughout her lifetime, Sunshine has always been a trooper. Since she was very young, she has overcome many an obstacle and came out the other side with flying colors. I am hoping that she still has some of that fight left in her.  A little about Sunshine: Sunshine was adopted from the Montreal SPCA in June of 2000. A couple months shy of a year old, Sunshine was badly nourished, bony, small and needed extra special care. I instantly fell in love with her when she sashayed out from her hiding spot behind the litter box. Hiding from everyone that walked up to her cage, except me, I knew right away we were meant to be together. Sunshine had a rough start when she first came to stay with me. Two weeks after bringing her home, Sunshine had a miscarriage on my bed in the middle of the night. I had no idea that she was even pregnant as she was so tiny. I rushed her to the animal hospital in Ville Saint-Laurent at 3am only to be told that they could not admit her as she was from the SPCA. The two of us were sent home. Scared, disappointed and very tired, I phoned the SPCA and left them a message as to the events that had passed. When they received my message a few hours later, they phoned back and told me to bring her in immediately. The SPCA kept Sunshine for a total of 5 days. They wanted to be sure that the miscarriage was properly handled, and they spayed her afterwards. I visited her every day that she was in care and prayed that she would safely come back home to me. Well... she did! She has been my ray of sunshine since the moment that I met her. Through the years, she has been my very best friend.  Always appreciative of kisses and cuddles and always ready to support me when I am feeling down, Sunshine is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Together we moved from apartment to apartment over 8 times until our final move to our wonderful home with her Cat Daddy. Sunshine adores her dad and welcomes as many cuddles and kisses from him as well. She is the only one in our little cat family that actually gives you a hug back. If you've ever had the privilege of getting a kitty hug, you know that it is one of the most marvelous things in the world!
I do not know how much longer this home will be blessed with her ginger fluff. What I do know if that I will take each day as a gift and be thankful that she has spent 18 years beside me. Thanks to everyone who has offered us a generous donation to help us with her care. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of angels to watch over us. You have all come to my rescue whenever I have needed it and I vow that I will continue to do my best to bring each and every one of you a laugh and a smile daily. I will continue to update my blog with current events and concerning Sunshine's retirement. My little Granny thanks you all and says "Meow". We had some bad news yesterday concerning our little granny Sunshine. She has a severe kidney infection and needs to undergo treatment. Seeing as she is 18, I do not want to leave her in intensive care at the veterinary clinic, as they had suggested to do. I fear it would make her extremely stressed out and hinder the situation more than help it. She is at home and we will be doing our best to keep her comfortable. The vet said in all honestly that she should be prescribed many more medications, but at her age it's understood that the most important thing is to keep her comfortable. We know that she is in the final stages of the disease, and we are crossing our fingers hoping the infection clears so she can enjoy what time she has left peacefully. I am heartbroken, of course, but we knew this time was coming. I will do my very best to keep her happy for the remainder of her stay on this planet. We've started treatment with daily fluids under the skin as well as antibiotics. The course of the treatment is 4 weeks, however we have no idea of knowing if she will make it that far. Our hope is that we will begin to see some improvement in the next few days, enough so that she can remain comfortable for the time she has left. The situation, however, is equally able to deteriorate quite quickly. She was quite talkative last evening as a result of the appetite stimulant. I find it makes her behave strangely. For the time being she is sitting quietly in her spot in the sun. The appetite stimulant has helped her to eat a little so far. We are allowing her to eat whatever she likes at this point. I want to sincerely thank all of those who have donated for Sunshine's final care. I am so grateful to have such wonderful support.  I will be keeping the donation link up (via PayPal) in this blog post if any of you would like to help with ensuring Sunshine's comfort for her final days. Donation Link: www.paypal.me/TModugno I have no idea what the final cost of all this will be. Yesterday alone was $449.02 and I know we will be back at the vet sooner over later. I will be adding any additional veterinary bills to this blog post as we move forward. Prayers are equally as appreciated. I will miss her so much ❤️ Thank you all for your continued support, ~ Tina. THANK YOU:
 drawing by Emma Dougherty-Park
As a Canadian pet owner, how do you stay true to your roots 365 days a year? Whether it be transportation, weather, cottage life or outdoor activities, there are many things that make being a Canadian pet person unique. I have mentioned before how my cats make my life better and bring me comfort and joy through dark times. Canadian winters can be quite trying on many individuals, the dark and the cold can often lead to depression and anxiety. Extreme weather and temperatures can sometimes leave us confined to our homes for days. Having my cats around me helps me to feel less alone during the cold winter months. They help to ward off depression and keep me active indoors. Talking with other like minded cat owners through social media keeps me connected to the world without even leaving my home. In honor of Canada 150 From June 19 - July 14, Purina wants to celebrate pet owners from coast-to-coast with an Ode to Canadian Pet People and a chance to win a trip anywhere in Canada (valued at $5K) plus a year's supply of Purina pet food! How to enter 1) SHARE a photo on social media in front of an iconic Canadian landscape or simply sharing your love of all things Canada! Be sure to include #PetPeopleCA and tagging @PurinaCanada 2) SUBMIT your photo on Purina Canada's website: http://puri.na/2qASOgH Pets don’t just make life better. They make it bigger. Together, we can do the same for them.  The companionship that a pet offers is a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety. They can be a great source of comfort and motivation for their owners. In many ways, pets can help us to live mentally healthier lives.  PETS AND DEPRESSION Pets are a great motivator for people. Dogs help encourage owners to get exercise, and this can be highly beneficial for those suffering from depression. Pets also have a calming effect, just by stroking, sitting next to or playing with a pet gives us a chance to relax and calm our minds. Caring for a pet also gives your day purpose, reward, a sense of achievement and helps you feel valuable and needed. PETS AND SOCIALIZING Walking a dog will often lead to conversations with other dog owners and this helps owners to stay socially connected and less withdrawn. Having a pet can give you a commonality with another person and thus provide a good conversation starter. Who does not love talking about their cat? It has been proven that people who have more social relationships and friendships tend to be mentally healthier. PETS AND LONELINESS A pet is great companion. They give owners company, a sense of security and someone to share their daily routine with. Pets can be especially valuable company for elderly people who are living alone. PETS AND CHILDREN WITH ADHD Children with ADHD can benefit from working with and keeping a pet. Taking charge of jobs such as feeding, walking and bathing, help children learn responsibility. Playing with a pet is an excellent way to release excess energy. Children can walk with a dog or run around with a kitten, making them more relaxed at night. Fresh air and good circulation from exercise increases oxygen-filled blood flow to the brain, therefore increasing the ability to concentrate. A pet is a great listener, offers unconditional love and will not criticize a child for having too much energy. This can greatly aid a child's self-confidence. PETS AND AUTISM Sensory issues are common among children with autism. Sensory integration activities are designed to help them get used to the way something feels against their skin or how it smells or sounds. Dogs and horses have both been used for this purpose. Children with autism often find it calming to work with animals. They help to reduce stereotyped behavior, lessen sensory sensitivity, and increase the desire and ability to connect socially with others.  MY EXPERIENCE Pets don’t just make life better. They make it BIGGER! Those of us who have a pet to share our life with know how much they can change everything! From the day that they walk into our lives, every moment all of a sudden seems a little bit brighter. They offer us a love like no one else can, completely unconditional. They are there for us in our deepest hours of need; they listen to us, comfort us, keep our secrets and are our best friends. When Oreo came into my life, everything changed almost instantly. This tiny little sick fluff ball who needed me, I mean REALLY genuinely NEEDED me, suddenly became my reason for being. Knowing that he needed me made me feel important and like I had a purpose. From a very young age I suffered from extreme anxiety and panic attacks. During my teenage years I developed OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and spent most of my early adulthood battling with both this and depression. Sometimes it seemed they had taken over my whole being and I was incapable of connecting with the rest of the world. I would often be alone, play alone, read alone and think alone even though I was always surrounded by people. I did't like large groups, events, parties and most of the time preferred to stay at home. Then we got a family dog. That was my first taste of what having a four legged best friend was all about and how it could change things entirely. When I moved out of my family’s house to my first apartment, the first thing I did was go to my local SPCA to adopt a cat. I found Sunshine and instantly fell in love. Knowing that she would be there waiting for me when I got home from work each day made all the difference. Slowly I began to feel OK to want to stay home and watch movies alone with my cat. I started to realize that those were the things that made me truly happy. She needed me and I needed her. Now a few months shy of 40 years old, I still occasionally suffer with anxiety, OCD and depression that can often be quite mentally exhausting. I still have problems with large groups and one of the reasons I can no longer work in offices is due to my anxiety and fear or having a panic attack in front of others. A huge aspect of how Oreo helped me to deal with these issues is with social media. As a more introverted person, I am not generally known to show outward feelings or interact with people. Oreo becoming popular on social media helped me to come out of my shell. I started to feel important and to feel needed by people who follow Oreo’s accounts. When messages from Oreo’s followers started pouring in thanking me for making them smile that day, it really made my heart feel good. It made me feel like I was making a difference somehow. Feeling that helps me to ward off depression, anxiety and helps me to be a stronger person. Being surrounded by Oreo and the other cats also keeps me feeling important and needed. I am able to concentrate on them rather than on anxious feelings. Sure, I still have OCD and I still would rather stay home, but I am OK with that! Having my feline family gives me all the support and contentment I need. It makes me a happier person and in turn it helps me to make others happy, and that’s a BIG thing! Mental illness of any form, be it OCD or others is NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT. We all have had moments of depression, or feeling like we've lost control. I am not ashamed of who I am. I am proud of who I am today and all of you out there should be proud of who you are too! Mental illness is no joke, but regardless, it should be celebrated instead of hidden. It takes an extremely strong individual to deal with any type of mental illness. This month is Mental Health Month. It is time to be proud of who you are and show it off! Be mindful this month of those who suffer with mental illness and let them know they are loved just the way they are! We really are not all that different after all! Pet's don't just make life better, they make it BIGGER! Together, we can do the same for them!  To better understand mental health issues and their effects please visit: www.cmha.ca
This post is part of the LIVE BIG campaign and has been sponsored by Purina Canada Additional resources: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/pets-and-mental-health Making your pet happy can be done in many different ways! One of those ways is making a special tasty treat just for them! Quick and easy, our Kitty Crunchies are sure to make your cat's day purrfect! Ingredients:
2 cans of Fancy Feast ( or 1 can of Friskies ) - We used Fancy Feast "Cheddar Delights" 1 cup of all purpose flour 1 cup of oats 1 tbsp of Olive Oil 1 egg Method: Preheat the oven to 420° (F). Place the flour and oats in a food processor and pulse a few times until uniform. Add the 2 cans of Fancy Feast (or 1 can of Friskies), the egg and the olive oil. Process about 10 seconds or until a rough dough forms (it will look like cookie dough). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Using a teaspoon, spoon the cookie dough onto the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 8 minutes, turning the cookies over half way through. Let cool and serve to your cat! *this recipe makes quite a few treats! You can freeze them to preserve freshness! For more fun cat treat recipes check out Oreo's cookbook "The Kitty Chef: Easy Family recipes! --------------------------- Il y as différentes façons de rendre votre animal heureux! L'une de ces façons est de faire un gatterie spécialement pour eux! Rapide et facile, nos "Kitty Crunchies" vont faire plaisir à votre chat! Ingrédients: 2 canettes de Fancy Feast (ou 1 canette de Friskies) - Nous avons utilisé Fancy Feast "Cheddar Delights" 1 tasse de farine tout usage 1 tasse d'avoine 1 c. À soupe d'huile d'olive 1 oeuf Préparation: Préchauffer le four à 420 ° (F). Placez la farine et l'avoine dans un robot culinaire et appuyez quelques fois jusqu'à l'uniforme. Ajoutez les 2 boîtes de Fancy Feast (ou 1 boîte de Friskies), l'oeuf et l'huile d'olive. Traiter environ 10 secondes ou jusqu'à former une pâte rugueuse (elle ressemblera à une pâte à biscuits). Liner un bac à pâtisserie avec du papier parchemin. À l'aide d'une cuillère à café, cuire la pâte à biscuits sur la plaque à pâtisserie. Cuire au four pendant 8 minutes, en tournant les biscuits à mi-chemin. Laissez refroidir et servir à votre chat! *Cette recette fait quelques gâteries! Vous pouvez les congeler pour préserver la fraîcheur! Pour autre recettes comme celle-ci, consultez notre livre de recettes "The Kitty Chef: recettes familiale faciles"! This post has been sponsored by Purina Canada
The Oreo Cat is featured on the EllenTube facebook page today for his "Jump Like Mario" video!
 For the whole month of March - PET PORTRAIT SALE TO SUPPORT PEP! THE PET EDUCATION PROJECT
PEP! The Pet Education Project (a 501(c)3 organization) is an education and outreach program that teaches the core responsibilities of pet ownership. Striving to foster humane habits in children and adults, their mission is to help reduce pet overpopulation, abuse, neglect, and euthanasia. All portraits are digital. Images can be printed on Posters, Canvas, Bags, Pillows, Mugs etc. Fees for Printing solutions are separate cost and will vary on products chosen. High Resolution files emailed to the buyer. For more information or to place an order and send us your pet's photo, please contact us at: theoreocatofficial@gmail.com Cost per portrait (single pet): $35.00 (each additional pet is $25) - Donation per portrait $10 All artwork displayed on this page was created by Tina Modugno © We had a great interview with Pet Radio Show all about The Oreo Cat's new cookbook "The Kitty Chef: Easy Family Recipes". You can listen here: http://bit.ly/CookingWIthOreoCat  |
AuthorTina Modugno is a children’s illustrator from Canada. Tina loves all animals, kids books and cartoons! She currently resides in Quebec with her husband and four cats! Archives
June 2019
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