Digital Captive

Feline CRF (Chronic Renal Failure)
Chronological Lab Results (.xls)
Right click and Select 'Save File As' to save this file to your computer.
Use for tracking bloodwork over time and seeing trends at a glance.
Please feel free to customize this document to meet your needs.

HCT Tracking Chart (.pdf)
Right click and Select 'Save File As' to save this file to your computer.
An example of how I tracked Ebony's epogen doses and her hemotacrit. Very helpful for getting a quick view of your cats progress.
Created in Adobe InDesign, but you could easily create in MS Publisher or any desktop publishing application.

Ebony October 7, 1991-July 7, 2008 My first CRF baby, the one who started it all		Curly Sue March 9, 1992-June 23, 2008 Ebony's little sister and my second CRF baby

Diagnosed 5-18-2005 with a BUN of 253 and CREA of 18.2 Read her story at Tanya's Feline CRF Information Centre My golden eyed, black haired, beautiful 'Boo' kitten. We finally lost her after 3years and 48 days post CRF diagnosis to fluid build up in the lungs likely caused by heart disease. She was an amazing cat that endured so much, and with such a wonderful demeanor. I will miss her so and can't wait to see her again. Lab Results (xls) HCT Chart (pdf) Weight Chart (pdf) Eye Spots (jpg)		Diagnosed in May 2007 My beautiful blue eyed, 'big paw' girl with the curled tail.

Here are some of the poems I've written in memory of some of my beloved companions that have gone home.
I hope that they can bring comfort to those who are also confronted with the parting of a loved 'furry' companion.

To Be Free

To be free,
Is to hurt no more.
To walk no longer,
Upon the floor.

I am free,
By your side,
Always now
To there abide.

I will watch,
And run and play,
And guide your steps,
Throughout the day.

And if you hear,
A little purr,
That’s just me,
Cleaning my fur.

Did you think,
I’d really go,
And leave you now?
Oh surely no!

You’ve been there,
So very long,
With love and care,
Now I’ll be strong!

I will be,
Your little guide,
Your furry angel,
By your side.

To ease your pain,
To brighten your day,
And help you find,
Joy on the way.

And when we meet,
What joy will be!
When I again,
Will be with thee.

In loving memory of Curly Sue
March 9, 1992 - June 23, 2008
© 2008 Cori Ratliff (Curly’s mommy)

I’ll Be Waiting

Please don’t weep for me,
I’ve only gone ahead.
And here’s a little secret,
I’ll still snuggle by your bed.

Just because you cannot see,
My footprints on the ground,
That doesn’t really mean,
That I’m not around.

For I will always be,
There right by your side,
Just as I was before,
When we did co-abide.

And I’ll be waiting there,
For you at Heaven’s Gate,
I’ll run to gladly greet you,
Even if you’re late.

We’ll be reunited,
I promise you this day,
And then forever more,
Happily we’ll play.

I’m free from any pain,
Illness or adversity,
And now you’ll have to wait,
Till you can be with me.

But I’ll be waiting there,
For you at Heaven’s Gate,
And then we’ll be together,
Oh - won’t that be great!

I look forward to that time,
When we’ll forever be,
Reunited once again,
For all eternity.

So I’ll be waiting there,
For you at Heaven’s Gate,
You don’t have to hurry home,
Just keep your pathway strait.

Yes, I’ll be waiting there,
For you at Heaven’s Gate,
With thanks for all the love,
You’ve given me of late.

Yes, I’ll be waiting there,
For you at Heaven’s Gate,
To give you all my love,
I’ll eagerly await.

Cori Ratliff
© 2006

Written in memory of Wolfgang.
Dec 25, 1999 to Jan 3, 2006

Together Forever

So many times,
So many years,
you brought me happiness,
And now my tears.

All your life,
You tried to be,
So good and sweet,
Just for me.

I loved you so,
And still I do,
As you've left me now,
To start anew.

I miss you dearly,
My beloved pets,
And through my sorrow,
I have wept.

You were old,
Tired and grey,
But now you're free,
To frolic and play.

Someday soon will be reunited,
And on that special day,
Together forever,
We will stay.

Dedicated to Mandy 1975-1991
and
Rusty 1976-1993
~May they be young and happy forever.~

Kitten-Boo

Your midnight black,
With some rusted brown,
Was your sheen sleek fur,
As soft as down.

Those golden eyes,
With a hint of green,
Were always filled,
With curiosities gleam.

Zoom-zippity-zoom!
Through the house you’d fly.
Forever a kitten,
At least in my eye.

We snuggled close,
On cold winter’s nights,
Warm under the covers,
You found a spot just right.

Those summer days,
Spent rolling in the sun,
Out on the patio,
Were so much fun!

You’d stretch out,
Upon my back or side,
As I read or slept,
We did co-abide.

Those eager looks,
And outstretched arms,
Yearning to be held,
Was part of your charm.

A good cat,
Good as can be,
Are often used,
To describe our Ebony.

The happy times,
Of joy and love,
Thirteen years to be exact,
All blessings from above.

Then illness came,
And saddness too,
But you were such a trooper,
My amazing little Boo.

Some battles won,
And miracles received,
Granted three more years,
Of welcome reprieve.

Your journey ends,
As all must do,
As we said goodbye,
To our precious Boo.

But forever young,
In our hearts you’ll remain,
With promises assured,
We’ll see you again.

A “Thank You’
Said as your spirit was free,
For no more pain,
Would ever burden thee.

So with eagerness,
I’ll walk the road ahead,
Knowing you are waiting,
At the end where I’m led.

Mommy’s little shadow,
Our precious Ebony,
Beautiful black kitten,
My baby ‘Eb-o-ni-ni’.

Now with love,
I say goodbye,
But only for a while,
For soon it’ll be “Hi!”

With many thanks,
I give my love to you,
For all you were,
My eternal Kitten-Boo.