Jamie just can’t give up on her grandfather.

She called me, angry that I hadn’t insisted on more blood work and that I hadn’t read the label on his protein shakes to know that he isn’t getting enough carbs.  Not like I’d have any idea what I was reading.  I can’t stop crying because I don’t want to lose him either, but I couldn’t tell her on the phone what was in my heart, so I emailed her:

 

I know you are angry and don't want to give up on Grandpa.  I appreciate that you love him and want to make him feel better.

 

I just don't think doing more tests, sending him to more doctors, making him take shots of insulin every day and pushing him to stay with us is what he wants.

 

He's terrified of that defibrillator going off and your grandmother said she called hospice to turn it off a couple days ago.  I wasn't there when the nurse came because we were in the cat hospital, and your grandmother didn't call me, so I don't know if that got done yet; but he wants it done.

 

He absolutely refused to even acknowledge or do anything about his diabetes when he was fully capable of doing so.  He's frustrated with his inability to get around and angry all the time because he feels so bad and helpless.  Every day we've had with him since his heart surgery in 2010 has been a gift to us, but a sacrifice for him.

 

If this were me, and one day it will be, I wouldn't want you to be keeping me alive against my will.  Love Mom

 

Three things I am grateful for today?

 

I am really thankful that JoJo the Caraval turned out to just be fat and not suffering from a tumor.

 

I am happy that Tiger Lilly, the 21 year old bobcat had three bad molars removed and may get a few more happy years.  We were all stunned that it’s her first time to be ill since 1995.

 

Losing Windstar has been almost more than Jamie can bear, and I’ll share her tribute to him below, but his necropsy showed him to be full of necrotic tissue and a ruptured blood vessel in the midst of the mass, so I am very happy that he didn’t suffer.  He seemed fine the day before and losing him was a shock.  They are so stoic.  He probably felt much worse than he let on, but I am grateful that Justin was able to get to him so soon.

 

Jamie posted to Facebook: My dear Bobcat, I cannot even imagine what it will be like to go on without you. To never again see your beautiful ruffed face, hear your deep and welcoming purr, or to stare in to your soulful eyes. You have been there for half my life and you are a part of my family. These past few days have been the hardest I have ever experienced. I feel like I will never stop crying. You have taken a piece of my heart away with you. Our time together was not enough. I will miss you every day, forever sweet Bobcat.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk