A sad "Hello" and a tearful hug to all the furkids . . . . I feel so terrible right now. I hope I can stop crying long enough to type this . Yesterday evening I gave Zeus his meds. I had changed the dining room into his play area. He ran around and explored. He ate 2 plates (about 120cc) of fuzzy Soup by himself. We played for a bit, he was active. His left eye was fully open. his right eye was still squinted a bit. There was no discharge. At bedtime (1am) I walked into the kitchen. He got up and ran over to me. Both eyes were open and clear. He was sleepy but alert. I treated his eyes . Before putting him to bed we played for a while. Everything seemed fine. I was woken this in the early morning by a high pitch "barking" sound. It was Zeus. He was backed into a corner of the cage. His fur was standing up as though he had been frightened by something. I talked to him and petted him for a while. He seemed to calm down. He had a bit more Fuzzy Soup. He did not fight as I put him back into his bed. I went into the kitchen this morning to find Zeus laying on the floor in his cage. He seemed too weak to stand. He was able to crawl over to the door when I opened it. His poor little body was trembling as I stroked his fur. A short time later he started "barking" again. That dreaded phone call to the vet was in order. This afternoon I was able to hold him as we said our last goodbye. It was painful for me to see him leave, but much less painful then seeing him suffer. Just last night I sent a friend a photo of Zeus laying on a towel. I remember saying something about the towels symbolism being disturbing to me. The towel was striped with pastels of yellow, blue, red, green. In the photo Zeus was resting comfortably on a rainbow background. Maybe I was being fatalistic, or maybe I had a premonition, but a few nights ago I held him and told him about The Rainbow Bridge. I told him that when his time came he should not be afraid. I told him about Skeeter, Sandee. I told him to look for our beloved Guardian Lady. I told him that if it was meant for him to go I would understand. Well, it was his time, but I DON'T understand ! Everything seemed promising. His eyes cleared up, the fever went away. He remained active and alert. He never lost his appetite. But, now he is gone. Maybe he just wanted to fight to the end to show he was worthy of his Godly name. Anyway, he is at The Rainbow Bridge now. Now, I know he is well. A very sad Kevin B and Way Kewl Critter Crew ~Furrice~Simon~Lacey~Hershey~Sprite~Socks~Cuddles~Java~Rascal~Miss Priss~ Cinna~Racer~Muttley~Dookesbury~ Guardian Fur-Angels - ~Lady~, ~Zeus~ Missing our friends - Kimo the Sumo Cat (and Honorary Fert) and fellow ferts ~Petey~, ~Nibbler~, ~Max~, ~Romeo~, ~Bandit~, and the other ~Romeo~ Saying "Hey!" to ~Pandora~, ~Noser~ and the rest of the Tennessee Brat Pack !! Prayers to the ill and those who have gone before us. Hug your fuzzies while you can, hold them in your heart when you can't. [Posted in FML issue 2888]