I'm so sorry, Kristin. But when you get around to reading amych's "for later," I've something to add. We trapped TC, a feral, more than a week after whatever trauma had snapped his entire rear foot off at the ankle. The wound wasn't closed, would never have closed on its own. He would have died. Other than the trauma, he was completely healthy, so we had the leg amputated. Socializing him was far more fraught than him learning to live on three legs--and he was well past kittenhood. He's done amazingly well, and he enjoys his life. They adjust amazingly well and fast--better than their humans, usually.

All good thoughts to you and your kitty.

Oh, Kristin, I'm so sorry. All good thoughts going out to you and Byron. It's so difficult and fraught facing these decisions for a creature so utterly dependent on you and so unable to understand what's happening or why. Vibing you wisdom and love in abundance, dear.

So many purrs and ~ma for you and Byron, {{{{Kristin}}}}.

Also lots of peace~ma for Scrappy's whole family and healing, pulling-through, miracle~ma for her niece.

{{Kristin & Byron}}

Lots of ~ma for Byron. Lots of ~ma for Scrappy.

(((((Kristin))))) I'm so sorry. -ma for you and Byron.

(((((Scrappy))))) -ma to you and your neice and family.

Much ~ma for Byron, Kristin. That's a tough row to hoe.

{{Scrappy and family}} So much ~ma for you guys, I don't know how to qualify or quantify it. Peace.

{{{{Kristin}}}}

{{{{Scrappy}}}}

Aww, hell. I am so sorry Kristin. Going through that fairly recently with Sage was so difficult. I'm just so sorry.

And Scrappy, no words will suffice except I am so sorry for your niece and I hope she pulls through somehow.

{{{{{Kristin}}}}}

Lots of ~ma for Byron....

Popping back online briefly to say thank you, so much, for your incredible support. I'm home, and I've taken what few steps I can. The surgeon is going to have me come in Friday morning (thank god for Good Friday and spring break) at 9:30am. After doing some research, I do think she is likely to recommend amputation. If so, I will do it. If it gives him a chance to live a few more happy years, it will be worth it. Again, the research I've done suggests that cats adapt well, even when it's a hind leg. Thank you to those above who offered insight into this possibility, too.

One of the things I need to think about now is this inside/outside dilemma. Byron is vehemently, loudly, and (if not let out) destructively a cat who likes to go outside every day. Aside from issues with injury and three-leggedness, he won't be able to get vaccinations anymore, so his outdoor days are likely over. I've been thinking about ways to give him a little outside time without actually letting him out--because that will be necessary if he isn't going to be miserable and start marking the house--and all I can come up with is getting permission to screen in the back patio. Something to think about, I guess.

I've done a lot of crying these past couple of hours, and I think I need to get something to eat and turn my brain off for a bit. I would cuddle Byron, but he's feeling so much better that he wants to go out.

Thanks for listening.

Also, Scrappy, I know I offered my love earlier in Natter, but {{{Scrappy and family}}} just in case.