Pumpkin's Story

It was October 1991 and after spending three days searching for him in the woods (beginning pre-dawn, in darkness, with flashlights), I finally managed to grab him (he couldn’t resist the tempting food) and throw him into a carrier for the trip to our home where he would be safe and loved for 12 years. In this Halloween season, when you welcome an orange tabby into your home, what do you name him?  Pumpkin, of course!

Pumpkin came into our lives in the summer of 1991. He became my husband’s best buddy, returning each day for food and affection. This pattern continued into October when we needed to make a decision about “Little Red” (his temporary name). We already had two cats in our home. Did we really have room for another?  YES!

My husband decided to take Little Red to the vet for a complete check up. That’s when I got the frantic phone call at work. Little Red had jumped out of the basket he was in and had run into the woods behind the vet’s office. “Get that cat home before dinner,” I demanded!  Dinnertime came; no cat. We had to find Little Red! The search began, thankfully with a happy conclusion. He became our Pumpkin, our Halloween gift. He was a sweetheart. I decided his birthday was Valentine’s Day.

Until October 2002, Pumpkin was robust, strong, and healthy, a big love of a cat at 18-and-one-half pounds! Then he began to have symptoms of a cold. We took him to our vet. Antibiotics were prescribed and, as a result of a complete examination, Pumpkin was diagnosed with diabetes. We determined to do our best for Pumpkin, and began insulin shots. I purchased a glucometer to begin home testing with the support and encouragement of those on this site.  We were determined to manage Pumpkin’s diabetes and we knew we could.

While learning to manage Pumpkin’s diabetes, we were concerned that his “cold” lingered on. An x-ray taken in early March 2003 brought devastating news; Pumpkin had a cancerous tumor in his left sinus cavity. It was not certain how much time we had with our precious Pumpkin. We decided, with our vet, to take an unorthodox step. We began steroid shots to slow the cancer, resulting in increased blood glucose levels. This treatment lasted for twelve weeks, weeks that were devoted to Pumpkin.

Pumpkin lost weight and weakened. His breathing became more and more difficult. We knew there was precious little time left, and we were devoted to making Pumpkin’s final days happy ones. They were marked by restful time in the sun in his favorite place on our front lawn (still watching for mice and chipmunks!), generous helpings of shrimp, his favorite sea scallops, and lots of love, hugs, and kisses.	.
.	.	Pumpkin is at his chair at our kitchen table.  He always joined us for dinner,  especially when shrimp were on the menu!

In May 2003, we were heartsick when Pumpkin’s cancer broke through his left cheek. We were with Pumpkin for his journey to the Rainbow Bridge on May 29, 2003. It was a sad realization to know that Pumpkin’s diabetes could be managed with success, but his cancer could not be. Pumpkin was a brave and courageous fighter until the end. His inspiring spirit was evident in his final days. And, his gentle, sweet nature never changed, despite his discomfort.  Pumpkin was a precious gift in our lives for twelve wonderful years. Blessings to Pumpkin, our precious angel at the Rainbow Bridge.

Dottie and Pumpkin’s Family

 June 2003