Jul
28

Seamus McGillicutty


Our wee, baby cat Seamus lost his struggle last night. He was a very sick kitten and even after 2 days on an IV and intensive care, his body continued to shut down on him. In the end, he got down to under a pound, his lungs began filling with fluid so he was unable to breathe, and his temperature was so low that even with a warming bed and blanket he still shivered. It’s likely that he also had some kind of congenital disorder disrupting his digestive system. The kids were able to say goodbye to Seamus, but waited in the vet’s lobby while Dave and I stayed with him until he was gone. The doctors and staff at the AM/PM Animal Hospital were all amazing. I’m so glad he spent his last hours in a place with such good people. Special thanks to Dr. Smith (who attended to him when we first rushed him to the hospital), Dr. Parker who aided us in working with the shelter to get him all of the medical attention he needed) and Dr. Renner who shed tears for him and relieved him of his misery in the end). We’re so grateful to you all.

It’s funny, I’ve never really considered myself a pet person, per se. When you’re with an animal when he dies though, you see how similar they are to us and what amazing creatures they are in their own right. He was only in our home for a few days, but we all loved the little guy very much.

I know that most of you who read this blog do so for knitting content and light-hearted fodder, but we really appreciate the well wishes that were sent while our cat was sick. Thank you.

xo,
Vickie

52 Responses to “Seamus McGillicutty”

  1. Gudrun Johnston

    Hi Vickie,
    I stop by here a lot but this is the first time leaving a comment. Just wanted to send sympathetic wishes to you and your kids. My kids lost a cat a few months back and I was surprised at how hard it was for all of us!
    Gudrun
    PS I’ve been designing with your craft yarn recently and have to tell you how incredibly gorgeous it is!

  2. Anonymous

    I’m so sorry to hear about your kitten. Hope your boys are doing o.k; I know it’s so hard on kids. Hugs to you all…

  3. Steel City Knitter

    You have my deepest sympathies. Losing a pet (no matter how long or short their stay has been) is losing a member of the family. Hugs.

  4. craftyone

    ugh, that sucks! i’m a total cat person and all i want to do now is hug my three and tell them i love them. they will, of course, give me death looks as they are not cuddlers, but i will feel better none the less.

    here’s hoping the boys are doing okay with it, and that you all mourn properly before moving on to considering another kittie. even though seamus wasn’t with you for long, he was a member of the family!

  5. Scoutj

    Aw V. I’m so sorry. Give your boys a hug from me okay? Our dog was sick last week and it was so upsetting for our kids.

    xo

  6. Brianna

    I hope your boys–your family–are doing well. Any loss to a family, even if they were only a member for a short while, can be devastating. All my best…

  7. diva mcknitster

    i’m not a kitty person but i’m sorry to hear about your kitten. he looked like my in-laws cat peanut when he was a baby.

  8. Shannon K

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I know first-hand that losing a pet is very difficult (we lost 2 dogs within 3 months-one got into something poisonous and one was hit) and is heart-breaking. The hardest part is consoling the kids,(I have 3 boys) I hope that your boys are doing ok and even though he was with you a short time, he’ll leave a mark on your heart forever. Again my condolences.

  9. Marnie

    My condolences. I’m sure this is especially hard when you have to help your boys through seeing him go. Seamus was lucky to have you, even if it was for too short a time.

  10. Sarah

    I’m so sorry to hear about little Seamus. I’ve had cats all my life so I understand what you’re going through. Lots of well wishes to everyone.

  11. Edie

    I’m sorry to hear about Seamus. 🙁 I know it must be really hard on your kiddos. I’m glad Seamus was with a wonderful family that was concerned and loved him.

  12. Cheryl G.

    Vickie,
    I can understand the heartache your family is going thru with the loss of a pet. My hubby and I have four rescued dogs. We treat them almost as if they are people. It is very difficult to lose a pet even you only had him for a few days. I hope your boys are doing ok.

    Cheryl G.

  13. Vickie Howell

    Thank you so, so much for all of your kind wishes. We’ve been a little weepy here all day and really appreciate know that we’re in your thoughts.

    Craftyone- My youngest especially, really wants to get another kitty, so we’re discussing that now. We think as long as we get one who doesn’t look anything like Seamus that we’ll be ok with it, as it won’t seem like we’re just trying to replace and erase his memory.

    Much love,
    Vickie

  14. Pattie

    I am so sorry for your loss. I’m also very glad your kids got to say goodbye. That is so very important, I believe, when a pet is not long for this world.

  15. annette

    Vicki,
    I am sorry for you loss. Losing a pet is tough and I am a major pet person.

    I lost my little Sweet Cablegirl kitty of 11 years in June. I am still grieving for her.

    She was a kitty that I nursed back to health as a kitten.

    Many years she had health problems but lived a full life.

    Still I look at the back of my wheelchair to see if she is sleeping on my ventilator. That was her favorite spot.

    best wishes to you and your family.

    annette

  16. Abigail

    I’m sorry to hear about your cat. It’s hard to lose a pet, even when they haven’t been with you very long.

  17. Libby (from New York)

    I am so sorry that Seamus lost his life. Something very similar happpened to my first kitten when I was ten.

    As a family, through Seamus, you were able to experience so much love, joy and wonder during his short life. I wish you never had to experience the pain and worry of his sickness and now sadness and heartache of his death.

    My condolences to you and Dave and the children.

  18. Nichole

    So very, very sorry for your loss. Tragic and sad, but for some reason Seamus was brought to you and your family – even if meaning so he could travel over the Rainbow Bridge peacefully and feeling loved by his family. Big hugs to you and the boys!

  19. Callie Karen

    Vickie, I am so sorry. I send you and your family cyber hugs. If there’s anything we could do, just let us know 🙂

  20. Elaine

    Our kids (2 & 4) have yet to loose an animal, but I don’t look forward to the day I have to explain it. Hope your kidos are coping (as are you!).

  21. susanc

    I’m so sorry for the loss of your kitten. I’ve been with our pets when they died and it is very hard. I’m just glad that at least Seamus was with such a good and loving family, even if it was for such a short time. I hope your boys are dealing with it okay. Unfortunately, this is a part of life that we all must deal with, be it with a pet or a human family member. It should bring comfort to you to know that he was with people that loved him when he died and that means a lot. Hugs and kisses.

  22. jen

    delurking to say sorry about your new baby kitty. at least everyone got to say goodbye. sending good vibes to your family during this time.

  23. Phoenix

    Vicki I am sorry to hear about Seamus. Its really heartbreaking to lose a pet. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Hugs:)

  24. esther

    I am so very sorry about Seamus…I have a kitty and two dogs and we can’t imagine life without them…

  25. Celena

    Sending some well wishes your way. It’s so hard to lose a pet .. especially for the kids. Seamus was lucky to have you all to take care of him during his short stay.

  26. Liz

    It is amazing what pets give us as you wrote so eloquently. My condolences to you and your family.
    Seamus will always be in your heart.

  27. kristin

    I know what this is like. I lost one of my cats in december. It is no fun. But I have recently adopted a new one. It took me 6 months, but I am glad to have my new kitty. Hope the boys are dealing with this okay too.

  28. Guinness & Shiloh's Family

    poor little guy. We are huge pet people here and we send warm wishes to your family. what a sweet picture too. Seamus was lucky to have found your family and feel all the love you gave him. Your approach to the possibility of the new kitty sounds like a good one for the kids too.

  29. LindaB

    Loving animals, knitting, & special folks like yourself, I just wanted to let you and your family know how well I empathize with your feelings for Seamus McG. He had a short but love-filled life thanks to you! BTW, sooo glad I can record every episode of your wonderful program on both HGTV & DIY! (Love my Direct-TV!) So here’s hoping your hometown gets less rain/more sun soon…& maybe a special little furry friend? And thanks so much for keeping your blog going!
    XOX Linda B in NJ

  30. Puccannick

    This is really sad for your little Seamus but I’m sure he felt all the love you had (and still have…) for him. Hope things are going to be better soon.

  31. diddlinaknits

    Sorry to hear about Seamus-but he was such a lucky guy to have you guys there and showing him all that love!!! Hugs!

  32. Holly

    Seamus was blessed with a family to comfort him in his last days. Your family did such a great thing by adopting this beautiful furry fellow and giving him a family. I’m so sorry for your loss.

  33. Catherine

    I am so sorry for you loss. It is never easy. And I have never really thought of myself as a cat person (Although my nickname is Cat) I inherited a cat when I married my husband and she was around for 15 years. We lost her a few months ago and I think I was more upset….I still look for her in the morning.

    I am sending your healing thougts

  34. Patty

    Little Seamus…is now safe and sound and in a much better place beyond the stars…

  35. Anonymous

    Thanks for sharing your experience with your kitty… our pets are part of the family & really teach us about love. I have devoted my summer to trying the fabulous patterns you share with us and watch Knitty Gritty reruns and Stylicious as well. You really keep all your knitsters inspired! Thanks for everything Vickie…best wishes to you and your loved ones.

  36. Jaime

    Oh dear lord!!!!! i just spent the last half hour catching up on “the adventures of vickie howell” since i have neglected my blog reading for pursuits such as beer drinking, and suntanning. now i have tears rolling down my face! poor kitty.

    in other news–i just finished a project last night that’s right up your alley–it’s a little tank in this crazy strange fuzzy black yarn with a silvery white fiber running through it, and instead of a true seam, i laced it with some hot pink ribbon. i should send you a pic!

  37. BeccaGirl

    Hi Vicky, this is my first time to comment on your blog. I myself enjoy the company of 2 kitties. My oldest is almost 17 years old and she’s beginning to worry me. Just today I called out for her and she heard me enough to respond, but couldn’t hear me well enough to figure out where I was. I saw her in the next room meowing and searching for me. She finally turned around and saw me. It’s so hard because even when you have them for a short time, they are soooo easy to love you get attached right away.
    I hope you all will consider another cat some day, they make wonderful loving members to any family, and there are certainly enough of them out there who could appreciate a good family like yours to call home. 🙂

  38. Theresa

    My thoughts are with you and your entire family. My husband and I have two dogs (who I love more than life itself) and a sweet kitty we adopted from the humane society nearly 10 years ago. They are truly like children to us. I can’t imagine what life would be like without them. When they leave you, as in the past six years we have lost one dog and one cat, you feel like a part of you has died as well. Pets truly do light up your life – as you have shown in the absolutely beautiful photo of your son and Seamus. He was lucky to have been loved by such a great family!

  39. Nancy

    I’m very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. Hugs to you all.

  40. BellaKarma

    Dear Vickie,
    I am so sorry to hear about Seamus. July was a terrible month for friends and bloggers I know who have lost their beloved pets. I am so glad to see that so many people understand the very real grief of losing a family pet, and do not minimize the loss simply because it’s an animal.
    Plus do not feel guilty if you do decide to adopt another pet right away; after losing my beloved collie, Lassie, I went to the pound the next day – and ended up adopting a dog myself and whole family believed was Lassie’s daughter that had run away years ago!

  41. Roe

    I’m so sorry to hear about poor Seamus! I know how hard it is to lose a pet, and how much harder it is when the kids love them so much. I hope the kids are dealing and I know you and your hubby will get them through it. My heart goes out to you guys.

  42. Teenuh

    I am so sorry for your loss. I lost both of my cats in July and my heart aches for your poor kitten that didn’t get a chance to have a great life with your family.