A Week of Crazy.

Puddin' joSeph went in for his bloodwork on Tuesday & they mentioned he was getting a little skinny. We gave him an appetite steroid and some pain meds, and later that day, I came home to him full on face in his bag of kibble. They told me he'd never eat dry food again, but somehow he wanted to and he fought like heck to chew it. He's such a fighter and I think that's what is keeping him with us. I can't bear to make that final decision when his spirit is still here asking for a chance to be with us still. 

Last weekend, Puddin' got to meet Alicia-owner of Alicia Marie Photography. If you're in the San Antonio/Lackland AFB area, I highly recommend her. She came to our home for a lifestyle photo shoot of Puddin', and we got some great poses of him just existing in his natural element. I can't wait to get the rest of them! 

This week the rain and lack of energy has slowed down our bucket list adventures, but not to worry..this weekend has Easter eggs, airplanes, sunsets & slides! 

Until next time:

love & catnip ! 

Photo credit: Alicia Marie Photography 

Giving Back.

Puddin' joSeph started his chemo on Tuesday afternoon. Ever since the appointment, he has been alert, eating well, and not drooling as much. I pray this was the miracle for our little furguy. The oncologist told us not to get our hopes up high, the response rate isn't the best..but maybe, just maybe, we were given that gift of beating odds. 

In the spirit of everything, Puddin' set out on another bucket list item today. Today we donated litter and food to the San Antonio Pets Alive! organization. This bucket list item was so that Puddin' could give back to his animal community, he has lived a wonderful life full of love and happy moments (at least I hope so). By donating to the kitten nursery, it guarantees they will be given the chance to go to a wonderful home and experience hopefully the same amount of love. 

Until next time:

Love & Catnip ! 

Angels Among Us.

The vet warned us there would be good days and bad days. Today was a bad one. Puddin's fever peaked at 102 degrees, with a 175 bpm heart rate. They weren't concerned about the heart rate though, because he was probably just excited from all the commotion in the office this afternoon. They said his fever was from antibiotics, so they weren't concerned. Puddin' begins his chemotherapy tomorrow morning. The intent is not to cure him, so it will be at a low dose, they simply want to stop the tumor from growing any further. Sadly, at the end of the day, this cancer in the surgeon's own words "is a nasty one, and we are doing everything medically possible for him," and he also told Kyle that "your wife is doing everything emotionally possible for him" ..on every level, it's good to know Puddin' is getting the best care and the best love. 

People must think I'm crazy, carrying my cat everywhere. Holding him like a baby, the funny looks get to me sometimes, but at the end of it all..who is anyone to judge me? Puddin ' joSeph has seen me at my darkest hours, most humiliating moments, my proud moments, and all the milestones and ordinary in between. Plus, he loved me, without judgement, through it all. How could I not give him the best of me?

I sort of lost track there :) 

With the start of his treatments tomorrow, we were blessed this evening when we came home to find a package at our front door. There was a gift receipt but it wasn't signed. 

Inside the box was a metal of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, with a hook to attach to a collar. It melted my heart, and Puddin' joSeph is proudly wearing it. 

I can only pray it guides him through and keeps his spirit as wonderful as ever. To the good samaratin that blessed us with this gift, may you always have the angels at your side.

Love & Catnip !

The Alamo & Airplanes.

Puddin' joSeph and I have spent the weekend making more memories! 

Saturday afternoon, we crossed "wandering downtown San Antonio" off his bucket list! We were so excited for Spring weather, so I loaded up the car with some food and his stroller...and to the Alamo and riverwalk we went. It melts my heart what a calm, happy cat I was blessed to own. So many people kept pointing at him (and without a doubt some were laughing at me, but to each their own.) & kids would ask if he was friendly and when I said yes they would pet him. Puddin' had such a good time getting all the attention and breaking the "no pets" rule of the Alamo. I didn't see the sign, and people had ther dogs..so what made a cat any different? Nothing if you ask me. 

Sunday afternoon, we booked plane tickets home to New York! My parents simply adore Puddin' and wanted to give him the proper we love you's and kisses. we were blessed to have Southwest guarantee a place on the flight for Puddin' and help us with the cost. It's not until you are at your dark times, that you see the genuine hearts some people do have. 

We can't wait to go home

Until next week:

Love & Catnip !

Yoda for Everyone.

A special thank you to Jenna! She sent Puddin' joSeph and his sister (our puppy Marcie) a special Star Wars package! 

They are currently fighting over cuddling with the stuffed Yoda. We love and appreciate you more than you know.

Milkshakes and Kisses.

Some devastating news on the medical front today. Puddin' joSeph's tumor already shows signs of re-growth. My husband and I were devastated, because we drained our savings on a procedure we thought would buy him at least 6-9 months. It just wasn't in God's plan. It hurts that it wasn't, but I can't cry. I have to give my main man the best possible days he has left.

So we did just that. After leaving the vet, we stopped at Sonic for milkshakes. I know, cats are lactose intolerant, but Puddin' is a gem all his own. He's always loved milk, yogurt, ice cream, ect. Lately he's been getting baby food, because his tongue still hurts, but today we saw that if the food is worth it...Puddin' will go after it! My husband had a chicken club, and after a couple licks of his milkshake, Puddin' ran right to dad's sandwich and tore through it. 

I guess if we have to eat at Sonic everyday, we will! It was so great to see him eating again, and happily eating. Poor guy has missed his regular kibble terribly. 

Until next time:

Love & Catnip ! 

Project Paws & Happy Thoughts.

I announced this project a couple days ago, and the response has been so awesome already! 

I'm gathering paw prints of your pets and/or all well wish notes and hanging them around puddin' joSeph's place in the apartment...his scratchie tower corner! I thought it might be a mental boost for him to see some love in his happiest place. He loves looking outside and people watching (ok, maybe bird chasing with his mind...) 

I know he's "a cat" and can't read, but I figure it was a gesture of love and efforts to keep his kitty spirits up. 

If you'd like to add your furbaby's paw print or sentiments to the collection, it would mean so much. Just comment below with how to contact you & I'll send  Puddin's happy mail address! 

Many thanks:

Love & Catnip !

The Beginning.

This blog overall is going to bring me to tears (possibly even you). This blog is going to showcase an irreplaceable bond. Above all, this blog is going to capture one of the greatest living spirits I've ever had the sheer joy of knowing.

Background- I am a crazy cat lady, or so my friends like to say. Perhaps they are right. I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to my best friend in the world, a 9 pound, 10-year-old domestic shorthair named puddin' joSeph (or, puddin' joSeph Feline DePalma-Harmer if you're about the specifics). This cat is more than "just a cat." He has moved through countless states with me, curled asleep under my arm when someone broke my heart, when the world got me down, or just because he wanted to be near me. Basically, you will never find anyone more loyal than puddin'. He loves everyone he meets, and even if it's not instant love, you'll find bringing a small treat will make you an instant member of the in crowd.

February 5, 2015, my life changed forever. So did puddin' joSeph's. That morning, I noticed his breath stunk and not like the usual cat food. I figured it was time for his yearly dental cleaning, so I set the appointment. After about 5 minutes in the vet's office, they took me aside and told me they wouldn't be able to clean his teeth, and they needed to refer us to a feline specialist in the area. The next morning, I rushed him over there, thinking he maybe needed a tooth pulled. That afternoon, our worlds fell apart. The specialist informed us there was a growth under puddin' joSeph's tongue, and they needed to send it out for a biopsy. They suspected cancer.

I prayed. I sobbed. I asked everyone I knew to get out their rosaries for my little man. A week later, the biopsy confirmed the worst. My sweet, loyal, loving cat was diagnosed with a malignant case of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor was located directly between his tongue and lower jaw, making removal impossible. They gave him 1-3 months to live. My husband and I refused to believe it, and we spent the next day researching this type of cancer, what we could do, and so on. We came across a local veterinary oncology practice, that was rated one in the state of Texas. I remember thinking to myself, "hey, Texas is a big place! They must be great!". If anyone was going to tell me there was nothing to be done for my baby, it was going to be them.

God was on our side. We met with the oncology specialists, and after a quick exam of puddin' joSeph, they came back with an inaccurate biopsy report from the "feline specialists" we previously went to. It turns out puddin' joSeph's tumor was actually only located towards the rear side of his tongue, and it was able to be shaved down. There was no guarantee of making him cancer free, but they did tell us the surgery wouldn't be harmful to puddin' and it would buy him at least another 3-6 months before the tumor grew back and the cancer spread. It was a small price to pay to maintain his quality of life, and the happiness of our complete family.

Our cat underwent surgery the next morning. It was agony waiting for the surgeon to call and give us the full report. We weren't expecting much, but God was on our side again. We caught the tumor early, and that it was small enough to completely be removed from puddin' joSeph's mouth. I cried for hours, this time tears of sheer joy.  Complete removal of the tumor moved puddin' to have at least 9 months pain free with us. There are still cancer cells in his mouth, but as of now, they are dormant. They are showing no signs of fusing together and creating another tumor. My main man is a fighter, and it is with prayer I can ask that these cells never come back together and puddin' lives a full, happy life.

That's where I am at with the beginning of this blog. I know and I accept that my time with my best friend is limited, but I carry the hope and the faith. The hope that a miracle will happen. The faith to get me through the time we have left. Regardless, they were very up front that a cat with this diagnosis will live a maximum of a 14-18 months, after all treatments, pending a miracle of those cells not growing back. Of course I pray for that miracle, but also pray that puddin' never suffers for even a moment.

As for me, I still have moments when I look at him and start sobbing. I have good days, and bad days. I am human. To make the absolute most of his time with me, I have created a bucket list of adventures, and we sure do hope you will follow them with us! :) What better way to celebrate puddin' joSeph's life than to share this bucket list journey with our family, friends, and anyone who's loved a pet of their own enough to care.

Until next time:
Love & Catnip !

puddin' joSeph & Caroline