Conference misery::feline

    I'm very sorry about Ziggy.  I'm sure Dusty does understand, and
    needs a lot of your attention to get thru this.
    

    I'm so sorry to hear about Ziggy. He sounded a lot like my late Spiro
    was, and I remember how hard his loss was. My sincere sympathies.
    
    Dispite what some folks think, cats aren't loners. When they lose a
    companion, they go throgh a greiving process as well.
    
    I'm not trying to push, but you ask where you could get another
    addectionate cat. There have been a number of postings in the adoption
    note over the past few days. One of those cats might be good
    candidates.
    
    Deb 

    So sorry about yours and Dusty's loss.  Yes, Dusty knows and will need
    alot of TLC.  This extra loving for Dusty will comfort you as well.  As
    far as a 'replacement', there isn't one.  No other can 'replace' Ziggy
    or have the same demeanor, personality, quirks; they will, though, have
    their very own which you can't help but love.  
    
    Ziggy was special.  Ziggy still is special.  Ziggy will always be
    special.  Treasure those memories.
    
    My thoughts are with you...
    
    Sandra

    
    So sorry to hear of your loss...  There are alot of nice kitties in the
    shelters that need love and are more than willing to give love back..
    
    We weren't really looking for another kitty when our vet called and
    told us about a kitty that had come to them to be taken care of.  They
    said that when they saw him that they knew we would fall in love with
    him.  We went to take a look and fell in Love the very minute we saw
    him.  He is the most loving cat.........   
    
    Good luck
    
    *joyce
    

    There will never be another Ziggy, just as there is never a total 
    replacement for a lost child.  Our cats are our children and we will
    never find a cat just like _____.  I would urge you to get another cat
    when YOU feel ready.  Other cats in the house do feel the loss too
    (we've lost three in the last 25 years and have seen what we feel to be
    feline grief).  Check out note #4 as there are so many loving cats to
    pick who are losing their homes or are living under porches.  I know
    some non-animal people would find it very strange but when we have
    welcomed a cat in after a death, we seem to talk to the new cat alot
    about the departed one.  It seems to ease the grief by sharing with the
    new one some feelings about the old one (almost like telling a child
    about a long dead grandfather or grandmother and the wonderful times
    you had with them when they were alive).
    

    
    
    My deepest sympathies, it's never easy to get over the loss of a 
    dear friend. I agree with everyone that a new friend might help 
    fill in the gap a bit for both you and Dusty. 
    
    Shaw

     my sympathies as well.  I've added Ziggy to the SLM listing.  I hope 
     both you and Dusty can find a new love when you're ready.

     Debbi

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. 

    So very sorry and saddend to hear of Ziggy's passing.  I know what you
    mean by that "special" cat.  My BooBoo was like that.  It the toughest
    loss to get through...like loosing a soulmate.
    
    Give Dusty and youself lots of TLC.
    
    - Lauri
    

    I also think of you and wish both of you all the best.
    Nat

    sorry about ziggy, i lost my little friend in september of last
    year, so i know what you're going through... try to remember all
    the good times you had and how lucky you both were to have
    shared them...
    
    my sympathies,
    george

    God BLess Ziggy in Kitty Heaven.... He is running free in the grass and 
    playing with friends....
    
    SueJ

    Just want to say thanks for everyone's comments.  I know I will be
    looking for another kitten or young cat in the near future for me and
    for Dusty.  Dusty is very lonely - so am I, for that matter!!
    I am adjusting, as I have to do.  But it is VERY hard and I miss him
    terribly.
    
    I have one question, though.  Has anyone heard of cats having a heart worm? 
    The vet even seemed very surprised by this.  What are your experiences. 
    Do you think just 1 worm could have killed him?
    
    Thanks again,
    Joanne
    

    I've heard of heartworm in cats recently (Cat Fancy?) but I can't
    remember where.  We were just talking about this the other night.
    
    From what I read, there will medication available shortly in pill form.
    I believe it was the southern areas of the United States that they are 
    beginning to see heartworm in cats.  If I come across the article, I'll
    post more info...
    
    Sharon

    Re: .13
    
    I thought when dogs had problems with heartworm enough to
    develop symptoms, there would be many, many worms present, not
    just one...
    

    RE.0
    
    Yes animal do grieve just as humans do.  You might try giving Dusty
    some Walnut (a Bach Flower Remedy) to help with the transition he is
    going through.
    
    MaryAnne

         I am very sorry to read of Ziggy's passing.  May the pain of his
    death turn quickly into warm memories for both you and Dusty.
    
    					- Andrea

    I extend my sympathies to you both on the loss of Ziggy.  Yes,
    heartworm can appear in cats, but rarely.  It sounds like 
    the poor baby was displaying symptoms of heart failure when your
    son found him.  Don't feel badly, there was probably nothing 
    that could be done.  Add another kitty when you are ready, it 
    can't replace Ziggy, but will bring a new kind of happiness 
    to your house, I am sure!
    Karen

    My sympathies too.  It's horrible when something happens so early in
    their lives... be good to yourself.
    
    Leslie

	So sorry to hear about Ziggy passing away.  Dusty know's Ziggy is
	missing.  I don't think cats understand the concept of death, but they
	definitely do know when someone is not there and misses them,
	whether it's a person or a feline friend.  When my Tiki died, Sabrina
	continuously walked around the house crying.  It took a long time
	for her to accept it, I think getting another cat helped both her and
	me, even though it took months for her to feel comfortable with yet
	another cat.

	There are many wonderful sounding cats available in this file.  Perhaps
	you could find one there, when you're ready.  At least the owners could
	let you know which are very affectionate, something that's hard to
	predict in young kittens.

	Hugs to you,
	Laura

    
    Sorry to hear about Ziggy's death. My cat, Mischa, died a week ago and
    I know it's an awful empty feeling. 
    
    In my case I needed to get another cat because the house felt so empty
    and I ended up getting two eight week old kittens who are a real
    handful but they're good fun to have around and need a lot of attention
    so it helps to take my mind off Mischa's death. They could never
    replace her because she was so special. I had raised her from a
    kitten so she felt just like she was my child. I'm sure she would have 
    wanted me to have another little friend (or two).
    
    I'm sure Dusty misses Ziggy. Maybe having another cat or kitten
    would help take his mind off it (because he'd take a while to adjust to
    the new cat). 
    
    I have heard of heartworm and I know there are drugs for it but I have
    no idea whether there are warning signs for us to know that there was a
    problem. 
    
    Take care
    
    Trevor

    Have only just popped in to the Notesfile today and read about Ziggy.
    My sympathies on your loss.  Our friends had 2 siamese cats, sisters,
    19 yrs. old.  When Menizah died, Delilah moped around and cried (as
    siamese will do) for 1.5 weeks.  We have a beautiful lap cat, Lady Di,
    she's a Tonkinese (half Siamese, half Burmese) and Russ & Laureen
    loved her.....we took them to the cat show in Boxborough and they
    bought a 4-mo. old Tonkinese kitten.....after the initial rebuff
    from Delilah, the two have now become fast friends.  
    
    When you're ready to add another cat to your household, consider the
    Tonkinese - they're expensive (~$400) but real snugglers!
    
    Eloise