u/Melontine

Kiwi is my cat, now and forever. I really thought I could give her back, move on like so many cases before. I dropped her off with a goodie bag to take to her future home and tried to smile. But later seeing her listed for adoption felt wrong. This is my baby. I emailed the rescue pretty quickly and was so relieved when they emailed me back that they’d make her as adopted and would see me later for pick up.
They had me fill out the medical waiver, acknowledging her grade four heart murmur, squished ribs, and dented back. But she’s not currently needing any special care, just a perfectly happy little kitten.

Her brothers have each been adopted by separate homes though her mom is still waiting.
(Mama kitty is so sweet, but a little shy. She also hated my dogs. Fingers crossed she finds a quiet home where she can build her confidence and be cuddled as much as her heart desires.)

Kiwi is so happy to be home again and follows me everywhere. She loves to play with the smaller two dogs and tries to get the older cats to play with her to mixed results.

Posting an update on my flat-chest girl Kiwi. I posted about her here previously.

Kiwi and her family have been scheduled to go back and be fixed next week. I’ll be saying goodbye to them very soon. I came so close to keeping this girl, but the rest of my household is not on board with that so I must make the choice that’s best for her.

Kiwi is going to be a special needs girl for likely the rest of her life. She’s got so much energy and spunk, too much for her own good really. I need to hide her toys every now and then to get her to calm down when her heart is going a million miles a minute.

Her last vet check last week we said goodbye to her chest brace. They did her bloodwork and everything looks good. I’m very hopeful for her future, though I can’t help but worry about her.

She’s been my buddy on long car rides. She’s so full of confidence and walks around like she owns the world. She shows little fear, except of course to dragons on the tv screen. Those things are scary and sends her darting for cover every time.

Due to her health concerns I’ve spent much more time with her vs her mom and two brothers. She’s still here, still thriving, and my part in her journey is almost at its end. I’m gonna miss her.

The ride takes about 50 seconds to complete the loop, so this clip is around half-way. Was a lot of fun to build. Lots of wooden enclosures. Those things are amazing.
Set up in my sky lands overtop (and under) my freezing chambers. I gave each of my legendary bird their own island in this zone, and lucky Articuno gets an amusement park on theirs.

I brought home the sweetest little family of cats to foster two weeks ago. Mom kitty and her three babies.

The biggest kitten in the litter however has flat chest syndrome. The shelter 3d printed a brace for her to wear to try and correct this as she grows.

At her last check up, the vet determined that her current brace was too short and had them make a new one for her. They also noted a worsening heart murmur - a result of her chest squishing her heart.

I was told to watch for any changes in her breathing and we’ll see how she does in another week.

This kitten is still playful, lots on energy, super cuddly, eats well, and is gaining weight well. She’s meeting all the normal milestones, and if you didn’t know about her condition you’d probably think she was in perfect health.

I’ve never seen or heard of this condition before taking her on. I’ve fostered so many cats and kittens but this one is a new one for me.

Wondering if anyone else here has had experience with this condition and what your stories are.

S’mores my skitty problem child. You’re already missed. I wasn’t expecting this to come today- but I couldn’t say I didn’t see any signs.

You were already an older girl when you came into my home. You and your sister. I’d never owned a guinea pig before, but I did what I could to give you everything you could want or need. I’d known from the start our time would be short together, but I still treasured every moment.

You scared the heck out of me when you had that medical emergency last year, I’d thought that’d might’ve been the end. But you pulled through. Ultrasounds every six months and you showed your age more but you continued to thrive.

First you started to lose a little weight. Not a lot, but I noticed and scheduled a vet visit to investigate. Nothing was found then, and you continued to eat and play just fine.

Then you lost your voice. You were always chatty, but now your wheeks were muted. Another sign of your decline in a fight against age.
It became a new normal, and two more months went by- then today.

I check on you before bed, bringing fresh veggies and hay - but you’re hiding in your favorite hut.

It’s not like you. You always come out and do your best to make your silent wheeks for food heard.
The other girls start eating.

You come out. Your legs don’t quite carry you now, you stumble and chew weakly.

You’re on your way to the rainbow bridge and there is nothing anyone can do to save you. I rush to the er, it’s an hour away. By the time we get there you’re doing much worse. But we’re at the end now, and I can make sure that at least, will be peaceful. I only let you go long enough to get your weight.

Thank you for being a part of my life.
Your sister’s not alone, I made sure she wouldn’t be after our last scare, but I’m sure she’ll miss you dearly.