Benjie's Story

Pet's Name: Benjie
Breed: Domestic Shorthair
Location: Rome
Pet's Story:

FAT CAT WITH ATTITUDE

In Memory of Benjie in Rome — On Mar 20, 2007, I had to have Ben put to sleep. Ben was about 12 years old. He had gone from 18 lbs to 5 lbs in about 2 1/2 weeks. In

January, my oldest daughter moved back home, bringing her Persian kitty, Gizmo.
Our two Balinese cats Benjie and Sassy were definitely curious and a little jealous of Gizmo, but soon settled in with her in there turf. Sassy became her playmate and Ben just observed them except when it was "Snack Time".

Lyndsay bought some cans and pouches of cat food to give them as a treat as she has always done for Gizmo. At 22, Lyndsay doesn't have a lot of money, so she bought a bunch of different pouches of Special Kitty cuts and gravy, and cans of Special Kitty also. My husband and I would get so frustrated as she would take out 3 of my Christmas Saucers to give them all a "Snack". Ben being the dominant male would always eat his share first. A few times he ate all she put down on all three plates, and Lyndsay would complain he was being a pig. She didn't have anymore of that particular flavor, I laughed and said a treat is a treat, they won't know the difference if they get a different kind. Ben started to act different than usual and started sitting up on my computer desk. He would only get down to use his litterbox or get a drink and eat minimal amts of food. He started to loose weight and on Saturday the 19th of March I called my youngest daughter Chelsay who was Ben's girl, and said she had better come spend some time with him as he was very sick and I was going to have to have him put down. I got home from work at 6pm on Sunday and it was obvious she had spent the day crying. She was sitting here in the computer chair looking up at Ben and talking to him. He was her cat and my cat. Noone else could get near him unless he wanted them to. He seemed to be in pain when we tried to hold him so we just talked to him and petted him. He climbed up into my lap that night and layed in his usual spot on my chest. He only stayed a few minutes and then got down and went to get a drink in the kitchen. His back legs weren't even working properly anymore. He fell down in the kitchen and I said that was it, he did not deserve to live like this. I had to go in and wash my chest and arms and hands and change my shirt. He had this awful odor to him. Like something rotting. The next day I spent trying to find a vet to take him to that would put him down. Ben and Sassy were indoor cats and had never been to the vets except to be fixed as Kittens. I finally found a vet that could take us on Tuesday at 3:30pm. When we got there I questioned whether the food could be the problem and was told that they wouldn't know what to look for as they weren't sure what the problem was. It may be a problem with the Wheat Glutin but they don't know yet. So...we had him put down while we petted him and told him we loved him. It was one of the saddest days of my life. A couple days later the recalls started making little blurbs here and there. I got
online and started a search and was horrified to read story after story of other cats AND dogs that died exactly in the same manner as my Ben. How coincidental is that???? I was enraged and devastated to think our "Treat" had killed him and still the info wasn't being put out there for people to see. I was a food inspector in the US Army for 7 years and I have seen how things work, but this is just beyond comprehension. I would like to join a class action suit against Menu Foods. I have called them and the lady I spoke to said for me to stop feeding the food to my cat immediately and I told her 'Not a problem, my cat is dead.' She said she was sorry and someone would be in touch with me as soon as possible. About a week later, I got a call that was automated from some company helping Menu Foods with returning the calls and someone would be in touch with me within 72 hours. That was last week. The FDA also said they would contact me, they haven't. I am just to angry that the work is so slow in coming out. Menu Foods knew way before I put Ben down there was a problem. Cheaper prices overseas....was it worth it??? I THINK NOT!