Sophie – Ragdoll Kitten of the Month
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Sophie – Ragdoll Kitten of the Month
I love the ragdoll breed. They are absolute sweethearts and have the softest fur I have ever touched. I love their beautiful blue eyes and bushy tails. My kitties will always be a part of my family. They are my fur babies who I love with all my heart. Prior to my ragdolls, I had a calico cat for fifteen years who I loved tremendously. She was the first cat I owned so it was difficult when she passed. I wanted my next kitty to be unique so that is how I have grown to love this particular breed. Sophie was a blue mitted ragdoll. She was born on April 7, 2015. My three year old seal mitted ragdoll is a half-sister to her.
Sadly Sophie was taken away from me way too early by FIP – Feline Infectious Peritonitis. I had heard of it before, but did not really understand what it was until my kitten had it. I just knew it was a rare disease and the odds were slim of getting it. Since then I have learned that many cats have coronavirus without getting sick. However the coronavirus can mutate into FIP with a weakened immune system of a kitten. FIP is such a cruel fatal disease without a cure. It affected my baby girl’s appetite and she lost weight so quickly during her last week.
It is a very difficult disease for vets to diagnose and can affect cats differently. At first Sophie had soft stool which the vet diagnosed as colitis and treated with antibiotics. I also noticed she would sneeze and was told not to worry when it didn’t develop into a respiratory infection. The next few months she seemed like a normal kitten with a healthy appetite and was growing bigger. Then she began to grind her teeth when she ate. I brought her back to the vet. She developed sores inside her mouth. The vet gave her viral meds to treat it, but she was not getting better. Her appetite had decreased and she was 
lethargic. She slept more than usual. I brought her back into the vet again and the blood work showed she was anemic and had high levels of globulins. I feared that she had FIP and went to another vet to do an ultrasound. The results showed that her kidneys were enlarged and there was fluid built up. I was informed that her body stopped producing red blood cells and a blood transfusion wasn’t the solution. She had stopped growing. My heart dropped when the prognosis was that she would not have long to live. I was in utter shock while that moment felt like a very bad dream. How could this have happened? She was supposed to be a healthy kitten. The vet tried prednisone to slow down the disease symptoms, but it didn’t help. I tried to entice her with different types of food, but she would only eat some treats. It was unbearable to watch her stare at her dishes without eating or drinking hardly anything. I did not want her to suffer. I made a follow up appointment with the vet who confirmed the prognosis. On January 16, 2016 I held my baby girl in my arms for the last time while I said goodbye. It was heart wrenching. I said I was sorry to Sophie as I sobbed. After she passed, I felt a split second of relief as if she said to me “I’m alright. Don’t be sad Mom.” However the pain of losing her was so intense.
I believe that my sweet Sophie is at peace in heaven. She is playing with my other two babies who I lost from miscarriages. One day I will see them all in heaven. Until then I will do my best to understand what the good Lord wants me to learn from my experiences. Hopefully I can increase an awareness of FIP through sharing Sophie’s story as well as honor all of the kitties who have been affected by FIP. It was so helpful to read the e-book from Amazon called KONA’S FIGHT: Tiny Kitten, Big Heart and hear someone else’s story. All of the proceeds go to the Bria Fund at the Winn Feline Foundation for researching a cure. Thank you to Deborah and all who have supported it. I wish someday there will be a cure for this terrible disease.
I want to celebrate Sophie’s life and highlight the moments we had in the short six months together. It was love at first sight when I met her in person. She was so good all of the way home and never fussed. My other kitty acted like a mama towards Sophie at times. She would groom little Sophie which was so sweet to watch. Other times they also acted like siblings while debating on the food dishes or sleeping arrangements. Sophie enjoyed belly rubs and I enjoyed listening to her purr. I absolutely loved how Sophie was a lap cat. She liked to knead on the soft fleece blanket and then snuggle on my lap. It was fun having a playful kitten around. Ragdolls are like puppies and follow me around the house. My kitties have left permanent paw prints in my heart. I love and miss you so much Sophie!
Thank you for reading! Submissions like these – the “Cat of the Week” and “Kitten of the Month”- are provided by their owners and reflect their individual experiences and practices. The information these submissions share does not necessarily reflect Floppycats’ recommendation or endorsement regarding cat nutrition or care. Always consult a qualified feline nutritionist or veterinarian for personalized advice on your cat’s dietary and health needs. If you want to learn more about species-appropriate nutrition, please visit our cat food page.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
I’m so, so sorry you lost your precious Sophie. She is gorgeous and I’m glad you shared your story, even tho it must have been hard to tell. Like so many others, I am sure we’ll see our furry family members again, and I’m sure they are healed when we let them go, and waiting to see us too. Hugs!!
I am so very sorry for your loss of beautiful Sophie. Your story brought tears to my eyes. My baby Kona, who you mentioned in your story, is also missed very day. They are such precious little ones who were taken too soon by this horrible disease leaving us heartbroken. They will always have a special place in our hearts. I am happy that my book helped, even if in just the smallest way. The proceeds are helping with FIP research in hopes we can eradicate this disease, Know that you are in my thoughts and that our babies will never be forgotten. Hugs to you, RIP sweet Sophie.
I don’t know what to say except that I’m so sorry for your loss,I’m just sobbing.I’m gonna go hug my furbabies right now.
Writing this with tears running down my face. I am so sorry. I have a similar story as the ones above. About two years ago we rescued a kitty from a street in the Bronx. All looked well until suddenly it didn’t. Poor Gomez (the shelter named him) was diagnosed with FIP. We had never heard of it. We had to let little Gomez go and it still hurts my heart to think of him. The only consolation, if there ever is one, is that he did not die in pain, alone on a dirty street in the Bronx. For a brief time he knew unconditional love and comfort. Think of the love you gave sweet Sophie in her short, beautiful life. There is another kitty out there needing that same love.
Thank you for sharing Sophie’s lovely pictures and her story with us. I’m so sorry for what you both went through! Of all the cats we’ve had and loved, only one had FIP which our vet said was extremely rare in our area. Princess was fine one minute and in agony the next. We thought she had been injured somehow, rushed her to the clinic and were told there was no hope.
Please don’t give up on kitties! It’s always hard to let another into your heart after a loss like this, but some kitty out there needs you…
No words to even say how very sorry I am for all you have had to go through with the tragic loss of your children by the two miscarriages and of your precious little baby Sophie. I can so relate to what you are saying about every step of the FIP battle because I lost my little Meeshee, a Himalayan, as a 5 month-old, some 30 years ago now. It is just the most heart-wrenching thing to see them go from a normal appearing kitten to being so horribly sick and not being able help them get better. You did the most brave thing and gave her the priceless gift of letting her go peacefully. Know she is now playing and free of pain and all sickness. It will be such a joyful day when she sees you again because you were the best Mom ever who gave her so much love and compassion. Praying that the pain in your heart will heal and one day when you are ready, you can again reach out and find your special one, or that special one just might find you when you least expect it. Either way, am wishing you all the best. Just as you said, they all leave permanent paw prints on our hearts. They never leave us, they just become a permanent part of our soul.♥♥♥
Oh, where to start? Where to start? My heart is aching for your losses of your Beloved calico Girl, your sweet babies and your adorable little Sophie… I am truly so very sorry for your losses and hope that you will accept my sincere, heartfelt condolences. {{{BIG HUGS}}}
The video and pics you provided of Sophie, Sophie & Missy, and Sophie & Michael truly touched my heart!!! She was truly a STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL GIRL who sounds like she had The Best Mom Ever!!! Sophie was truly a little character and seems like she was so very easy to fall in lurve with! Thank you for sharing her story with us. It was very educational as well as happy (can’t help but chuckle at that video and those wonderful pics) and so very sad.
Missy is a beautiful girl, too! I’m so glad you have here to help comfort you!
I know that Sophie’s soul is in Heaven along with the rest of your family and all the kittehs in the world who went before her (many of which were part of my family)! I know they are all playing together for eternity and we will see them again one day…
Big hugs again!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3