Home : Blogs : Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com : Chris's Blog

I lost my little Tommy today, and it could have been prevented.

I had to put my little Siamese to sleep this morning. He was my little buddy. He would stalk me at night, follow me around until I sat down. Then he would sit in my lap and let me hug him and kiss him and snuggle the night away. Tonight will be especialy hard when it hits me that he's really gone, when he doesn't come to find me after everyone is in bed and quiet.

Turns out I had a plant(s) in my house that is toxic to pets. My cat was poisoned. The vet said he was so full of toxins it was amazing, that even if I had the thousands of dollars to spend on a last ditch effort at treatment the prognosis was very poor.

I found one list online here. I'm not sure how complete or accurate it is. I am also not familiar enough with plants to know what they are. From now on, no plants for me. I'm just so very, very sorry I had to learn this in such a horrible way.

This morning while we were getting ready I sat with him so my daughter could get dressed. Then she took a turn and I heard her sob and walk into my room with the cat. I said, "Honey, he's got mess all over him." She said, "I don't care, he wants you! He got up and tried to follow you!" He passed away with my hand on his little head and my words in his ears. I'll miss you, my baby, and I'm so sorry I didn't know I had dangerous things in my house.

Please research for yourself and make sure you don't have any toxic plants in your home so you don't have to go through this. It's bad enough when pets die, but to know it didn't have to happen if I'd only known is just horrible.

Posted by Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com on 03/12/2009 07:49 PM

Comments (39)

Cats, Animals, Pets in the ActiveRain Channel

toxic plants, my tommy, cats

Post is included in group: SAD AT ACTIVERAIN
Post is included in group: PETS ARE PEOPLE TOO
Post is included in group: It's Raining DOGS! Dog Lovers Group
Post is included in group: Active Rain Cat Lovers
Post is included in group: Active Rain Animal Rescue

39 Comments on I lost my little Tommy today, and it could have been prevented.

MAR

Oh Chris ... I am so sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for both you and Rhiannon. I wish there was something I could do to make the hurt go away. Please call me if there's anything I can do. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Chris, OMG I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you and Rhiannon tonight, it will be long and lonely. Thanks for posting the plant list. I removed all plants from my house when I got my first cat, too many are toxic to cats. However, they can safely eat spider plants, so you could hang a few and not worry. Again I'm so sorry. But I'm glad he was with you when he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. You have a great big hug waiting for you on Monday!

Chris - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's so devastating to loae a beloved pet, regardless of the circumstances.

I am so sorry - thanks for posting the info about the plants. I still grieve for my old Siamese after 25 years. They are very special creatures.

MAR

Chris, I feel so bad for you. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you and Rhiannon. He was so important to you. I know your little one is being cared for now by Someone who will love him more than anyone else can. Hugs to you.

chris, this really touches my heart and I am sorry for your loss. I, too, have a Siamese and she has become a huge issue since I got a little dog about 8 months ago. She is very shy and unsociable. She's been living in a "lazy Susan" cupboard in a hole in the wall. She's not escaped outside and her life is miserable.I wish I could find her a good home because I think the acclimation opportunity has passed.

This is so sad. I am sorry for your loss. Hopefully your post will save other pet owners from the same fate.

Oh Chris: How tragically sad, I'm crying with you since I understand that loss so well....like it was just yesterday. I wish there was something I could do. One thing, please don't be too hard on yourself, you didn't know. The silver lining is you might have just help prevent this accident from happening again by bringing awareness to others. I'm really sorry it happened just before your trip, give yourself over to your friends and they will help you through this. Be at peace, my friend :-)

I don't know if you got the message I left on my last post so I'll place it here as well. I got my weekends mixed up and we have company coming in today for the weekend. I don't know what their timing is and will call you Sunday morning if I'm able to you meet for lunch.

Hi everyone and thank you so much for your kindness. I'm afraid to respond to each of you right now cuz I don't want the waterworks to start up again. My eyes are sore. I told Rhiannon last night when she got up to talk about it that we were receiving hugs from all over. She said, "No wonder I felt so warm." Thank you all, sincerely.

Gail - I have been forgetting to subscribe to blogs so if I ever ignore anyone, that is why. If you can get away on Sunday, let me know. If not, we'll meet some other time.

Chris: I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for you. I just don't know what to say.

Chris - I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for having the courage to post this during your grief, so that others might learn about toxic palnts and be spared the pain you are going through. May God comfort you and your precious daughter.

Hi Chris Ann & Marlene - Thank you for your kind thoughts. I feel so horrible that I should have known. Poor little guy. I appreciate the support, really.

MAR

MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU CHRIS AND YOUR DAUGHTER. HANG IN THERE. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED ON MY WE PAGE............ PRAYERS FOR BOTH OF YOU FROM NC

Hey, Chris Ann. I was trying to re-blog you, but I was crying too much so I had to wait a few minutes until it passed. I still have tears of sorrow in my eyes. I'm so sorry, and you are so right, it's difficult enough when it's just there time to go, but knowing that it was preventable makes it a little harder. My thoughts are with you and your daughter this weekend.

Chris - I feel your pain as I read your post. I lost my kitty 3 months ago. I am so sorry for your loss, and if you need anything just call anytime.

Chris Ann & Rhiannon,

I am sorry to hear about your little Tommy. My heart goes out to both of you. Thank you for posting the poisonous plant list.

MAR

I know this is a big loss for you, and I'm so sorry. Thank you, though, for alerting the rest of us to the toxins that we need to check on in our home, for the sake of the animals (and children!) that live there.

This breaks my heart. I am so so sorry that this happened.

I'm so sorry to hear about Tommy. He was a lucky boy to have such a great family. I have 2 cats and a dog at my home, I'm going to check out the list. Hugs to you.

MAR

Hey, Chris. My thoughts are with you after losing Tommy like that. You and Tommy are in my Week in Review.

Chris,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is always so difficult to lose a loved kitty. I have also seen email reports recently that the chocolate scented bark used as mulch or decoration outside is also highly toxic to pets.

I'm sure you have many happy many of Tommy that you will always treasure.

MAR

Chris, My heart goes out to you & Rhiannon. What an awful experience. Please don't be so hard on yourself. You loved your kitty and gave him a wonderful life. . Sending you lots of hugs & prayers for your hearts to heal.

Ginger

So sorry for your loss, Chris. I don't have a cat and my dog is only allowed outside (as I am actually allergic to her). But, thank you so much for providing the link to the list of poisonous plants. Nothing I have in the backyard is poisonous (thank goodness), but I will definitely consult it before planting or purchasing any plants to keep outside in the future.

MAR

Hi all my lovely animal friends. I am still trying not to cry, as I am in Orlando for the Expo and Workshop series... All red eyed giving my class. I appreciate all of you so much and will address each of you when I get home and can let it fly again. I also appreciate the re-blogs and feature. As someone who doesn't allow poisons (that I knew of) in her home, no bug spray, etc., as I have a daughter and plenty of small animals, this was quite a blow. Your sympathy is very helpful and you are holding me up.

Thank you,

Chris

Chris, I am so sorry you lost your little friend. I know how much he ment to you and I do remember him stalking you at night when we talk...lol was always cute. Big hugs to you and Rhiannon for your loss. Love ya chick.

Chris,

I am so sorry for your loss. As it has been said, your post has very likely helped another pet owner avoid that very situation themselves. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Hang in there.

MAR

Hi guys - I just got home last night from the Expo in Orlando and it was pretty hard realizing my guy was gone. Rhiannon, however, threw a giant fit so I guess I should thank her (?!) for taking my mind off it. We are just both tired. Thank you again for your support. It really is hitting me quite hard.

MAR

Dear Chris,

I am sitting here with tears in my eyes after reading this post. I am SOOOOO sorry to hear you had to go through this. Thank you for posting the link and I am definitely going there next. My heart goes out to you and your family at this very sad time. I am sure your little Tommy loved every moment with you and is grateful for all of the wonderful times you were lucky enough to share.

BIG HUGS,

Debra

Oh dear, Chris--I just found this when I was posting about my daughter's dog. I am sending you and Rhiannon hugs. I believe pets make the most wonderful angels.

MAR

Hi Chris......(((((((((((((((((((((((((big hugs to you and Rhiannon)))))))))))))))))))))))))) this morning. It was so brave of you to post this and the link to help others. My kitty loves to munch on the plants once in a while so I am going through the list this morning. The information on-line as to what plants are poisonous to cats can be VERY confusing. IN fact, the more research I did, the more conflicting information I found, but it's a starting point:

I published a post, referring back to this post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/997471/Poisons-In-Your-Home-Be-Careful

I would not advise anyone to make any decisions based on any one of the lists without consulting with an expert. I would have never done this had I not seen your post, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart....you are helping so many others by posting this.

It sure makes you wish someone would come up with a thorough site with pictures because there is so much conflicting information out there. Chris, you may just have the best solution in not taking chances with any house plants or at least have them in a safe place well out of reach of your little loved ones.

Chris, you and Rhiannon have been at the forefront of my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,

Deb

You're all so sweet. I'm still feeling sad, I pretended it didn't happen for the week I was gone working but now that I'm home I can't pretend. My other cats are being extra nice to me.

MAR

Such a sad story. I'm so sorry. Thank you for posting the list. No matter how our pets pass away, we end up thinking we should have done something different/more, etc. If only they could talk and tell us!

You're right, Margaret, it's always hard. It just seems to be hitting me harder since I could have prevented it if I'd known, and he was just a baby.

MAR

Chris - I am so sorry about your buddy and sorry it took me so long to read your post. I am sure things are better and your post is featured at:

SAD AT ACTIVERAIN

Thanks for the feature Robert. I'm still quite sad, but I'm hanging in there.

Your very welcome my friend and do get better!

MAR

Chris, I can understand that but take care of yourself....you did the best that you could and it could have happened to any one of us....who really knew? And all of the information is SO confusing. You are a GREAT mom and wonderful person.

Thanks Robert, I am.

Thank you Debra, I do appreciate it.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?