Rest in Peace Sidney

Me & Sidney

It's been a while since I updated the blog. Well, nothing much to put here actually. Anyway, yesterday, 28th June 2006 marks the saddest day of my life. The love of my life, Sidney my cat, passed away. He suffered form Feline Infectious Peritonitis( FIP) and Leukemia and there's nothing much that we can do about it. I was shocked but I knew that this day will come.

Sidney was born on December 2005. We adopted him from SPCA on April 2006. Having a first glance at him, we fell in love. The charm, the cute adorable look, the behavior.. It totally struck us that we wanted to take him home. For what I can say, Sidney is a very good cat. He is one obedient cat. There's nothing wrong with him to adjust himself with the new home. I am so happy at that time. It has been the most happiest day in my life.. One thing about Sidney is that he likes to follow wherever I go around the house. Even if while he's sleeping, a slight movement will wake him up. I'm going to miss that moment, having him following me wherever I go.

Sidney, or Sid as we used to call him by the short name, is a bit shy with other people though.. He doesn't like those who he just met. This happened when my nieces come over to our place. Sid will either play dead or hiding behind the television. Somehow, it'll all changed when they left. Maybe he felt uncomfortable with other people, who knows.. In order to makes him happy, we've adopted another cat. A female cat called Gabrielle or Gabby. Things are ok between them.

When we heard that he is infected with Feline Infectious Peritonitis( FIP) and Leukemia, I am speechless. A young cat, not even a year old, have been infected with the two killer diseases. As the week goes by, Sid is getting thinner, didn't move much and didn't even have the appetite to eat. We were so worried that we've decided to do something. At least to make him eat. Unhappy with the news from the vet that we took Sidney earlier, we took him to another vet in Danau Kota. It was introduced by Shahrina. Apparently, we were told the same thing. There were only tears to show our sadness. The vet suggested to put him to sleep to end his suffering. But, having to think about it, we don't have the guts to do it as we love him very much.


Then, we have decided to move Sid from our place to another home in Melawati. At least to prevent it from affecting Gabby. Days goes by, with a good care, there's a slight change in Sid. But, the viruses, which totally shut down the immune system, it didn't last long. Sid was in critical condition one fine Saturday. We rushed back to Melawati and visited him.

On the 28th June 2006, Sid left us. I think maybe his time has come. I regret that he didn't live long. I'm so sorry that he suffered but I hope that he have the care and the attention that he deserved. I hope we have given him the life he wanted. Now, I can't stop thinking about him. He is and will aways be remembered. I hope he has a good life in the other world. Sidney, thank you for giving us the joy and happiness. You will always be here in our heart..

-Rest in Peace-

By: Ayah from his blog

Mana Nak Sama Sidney Seorang…

In the midst of joy having adopted Gabby, our first son fell sick. Sidney was diagnosed with feline leukemia (FeLV) and is FIP positive (Click here to know about FeLV) + (Click here to know about FIP). We understand Sid may have been transmitted through his mother at birth since SPCA didn’t know his origins.

It all began when Sid started having fever and swollen lymph node. The active and playful Sid suddenly became a passive and quiet cat. We were devastated to know that with FeLV Sid would have a maximum of 6 years lifespan but because of the existence of FIP in his body, his lifespan is shortened to six months only.

We feel disappointed to suddenly see Sid becoming sick. It is very unlikely of him to just sit quietly at a corner in the house. The vet told us, and of course from our reading, there isn’t a cure to the diseases. Sidney started becoming very thin as FIP will shrink the organs; liver, kidney, lungs, heart – everything! He lost his appetite and we have to force feed him.

We seek for a second opinion from Auntie Tata’s vet but were told the same – no cure and a suggestion to put Sid to sleep. We were told that looking at his condition Sid has less than a month to live. Auntie Tata was also there, thank you for being there for us and for Sid. We cried at the vet. I felt like it was the end of the world. So this is how it feels to lose a child.

After much thinking and discussing with Ayah, we decided not to go ahead with the suggestion to put Sid to sleep. To us it’s unethical. We rather take care of him until he breathes his last breath. Our main intention when adopting Sid was to give him a good and happy home. We tried our best and taking care of him was the least we could do.

However, since FeLV and FIP are highly contagious through sharing of litter pan and food, transmitted to bodily fluid and stool, we were advised not to keep Sidney in the same house as Gabby.

Currently Sid is in Taman Melawati, caged and separated from the rest of Atok’s 20+ cats. Uncle Syafiq offered to look after him. We would visit him whenever we can and spend quality time with him whenever possible.

Our days pass by longing for our son’s presence in the apartment. We dearly miss you Sidney. We’re very sorry we cannot keep you here, for the sake of your sister Gabby and your brother Troy. Deep inside we know you understand our decision. We hope these last days of your life are filled with lots of love and happiness.

We love you dearly Sidney.

“Dua tiga kucing berlari
Mana nak sama Sidney ku sayang
Dua tiga lagi boleh abah cari
Mana nak sama Sidney seorang”

Love,
Abah, Ayah, Gabby & Troy