This post started off as just a celebration of Smokey doing so well.  But even as we celebrate his continued good health, we also want to remember all the fallen FIP Warriors that were not so lucky.  Like any war, the fight against FIP is difficult, with most efforts still ending in failure and the death of another cat/kitten.  However, the fact that there are now 6 kittens that seem to have beaten FIP in this trial is a giant step forward.   While an effective and affordable cure for FIP is still years away, we can shorten those years by getting the researchers more funding.   If you can give up a couple starbucks a month, please consider a $10 a month recurring donation.  If money is tight, sharing our sites and our store helps us reach more people who might help.  All help is greatly appreciated.  While today there are only 6 FIP Survivors, with your help that number will grow to 60, and then 600, and eventually FIP will no longer kill any kitten/cat.   Thank you for enduring my too many words.

The first video shows Smokey,  5 months since he went off the trial drug and still in remission and hopefully cured.   The music I attached to this video had become Beans Song because Bean and I listened to it over and over during the 4 weeks she was undergoing treatment at UC Davis.   Watching such a healthy and happy Smokey changes how I hear this song.  With Bean, this song embodied the always hopeful but ultimately unsuccessful effort to save her.   Hearing this same music while watching Smokey jump around and enjoy life gives a greater sense of hope, even while remembering all the pain that has come so far.

I have also posted a long video of Miss Bean.   It is a difficult video to watch, especially after watching how healthy Smokey was, and I have not made it to the end yet.  But Miss Bean's story represents all the kittens and cats that die from this horrible disease. We should try to turn their memories into something happy to think about,   At least for me, I want to remember Miss Bean as the kitten she tried to be.  Below Miss Beans video are a few pictures of when Smokey was sick with FIP.  

From this research it is clear they CAN find a cure and we are asking anyone who can to help us fund this research.  

By the way, the cat in the picture of this post is Cookie, not Smokey.  Can anyone who read this far into this post just send me a message "Hello Cookie". That way I can tell if anyone actually reads all my words:).   

The following video is not easy to watch all the way to the end.  But Miss Bean fought hard and she should be remembered.

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