23/04/2025
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ช๐....
Today was one of those days that demonstrated the full spectrum of what it means to be in rescueโthe light and the dark, the winning and the losing, the hope and the heartbreak.
We experienced a victory when Mama Pixie survived the night and showed continued improvement throughout the day today after her complex, risky surgery yesterday. Having lost a sweet cat a year ago during this same surgery (though Katniss came to us in much worse shape than Pixie), weโve on edge about Pixieโs surgery. Though sheโs not yet out of the woods, we are elated at the progress sheโs made today and the hope of her living a long, healthy life!
However, today also brought profound sadness when we lost little Pickle, one of Mama Angelโs babies.๐ From the start, Pickle struggled while his siblings blossomed. He was unable to maintain weight despite nursing regularly, and he just didnโt look or move quite โright.โ Despite intensive efforts, he failed to thrive.
If love could have saved this sweet boy, he would still be with us. When he began getting pushed out of the way while nursing by his larger, stronger siblings, his devoted and loving foster parents began supplementing him with bottle feedings. When Pickle became to weak to suckle, his foster mom learned how to tube feed him, feeding him every two hours around the clock. She truly gave everything she had to give him a fighting chance.
Heartbreakingly, Pickle continued to deteriorate. One of our incredible partner vets, who specializes in neonates, took him in and tried everything she could to help this sweet baby. Pickle was getting what he needed in terms of nutrition, but his little body just couldnโt hold onto it. It became clear that congenital issues were likely at play, but still we maintained hope that he could overcome the major hurdles he faced. Each day Pickle survived, we celebrated and our tiny slivers of hope grew. He was fighting, and our wonderful vet said that she was going to fight beside him until HE let us know he was done.
That time came this morning, and Pickle let us know he was ready to rest. He went agonal, and his vetโwho had grown to love him, tooโgently and peacefully helped him cross the rainbow bridge. Pickleโs life was only 12 short days, but it was full - so very full - of love and devotion. He was cherished, loved, fought for, and held close from the very first day of his life until the very last day.
This is the duality of rescue. The yin and the yang. It is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. For every triumph, there can be a heartbreak. For every life saved, there may be one we have to let go. But both are acts of love.
Fly high over the Rainbow Bridge, sweet Pickle. You were deeply loved, and you will be deeply missed.
๐๐พ๐.
PAWS of Alabama is a 501(c)(3) foster-based rescue serving the Montgomery, Alabama area. We are ALWAYS in need of volunteers and fosters!
