[livingwith]

I have a 21 year old FIV cat that was diagnosed about 15 years ago. He is starting to go down (just this week) and that is why I have come upon this website. For those of you who have a cat diagnosed with FIV please do not consider it a death sentence. Our baby has rarely been sick and considering his life span, he has out lived most healthy cats. His life has been perfectly healthy and happy up until now and should this be the end of his road we can say he lived a wonderful life.
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[redgirl04]

Thank you so much for this story! I found this site while I was doing a little research tonight on FIV. I already had to stop researching, pick up my little Nikolai and just start hugging him while sobbing. I rescued my baby a little over two years ago. I took him to the vets to be tested, snipped and vaccinated. When the vet told me he was FIV+, my heart just fell but, since my other cat lives with Mom now (I had to go overseas and now Mom won't give him back..hahah!!), I decided to keep him and love him forever. Like you, I'm one of those people who keeps my kitties for better or for worse (except when Mom won't return them..). To read your story, and others on this site, I feel so much better now. I knew that him testing positive for FIV wasn't an immediate death sentence, but not knowing a lot scared me. I know something could happen at anytime, but at least now I know there is a chance for him to be with me for a good long time.

Thank you again!!
~Regan