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6/26/25 – 5/8/26
Milo Rumdangle Nibbles Liam Anderson
I’m sorry to tell you that on Friday afternoon, we let Milo go.
The longer explanation is below, but the simple summary is this: Milo had a liver shunt, diagnosed very recently (the day we decided to adopt him and Magoo, in fact). He was going to require surgery, and we had an appointment for him at the Auburn University Veterinary school at the beginning of July. He had been doing pretty well lately, but when I woke up Thursday morning, he’d crashed. We got him to our vet just a few hours later; they gave him supportive care and we got several medications to give him. He had a brief period of improvement Thursday afternoon, but Friday morning he was so much worse, and so I made the decision to end his suffering.
It’s not the way I expected his story to end, but I don’t doubt it was the right decision. To see this formerly fearless kitten scared, blind and unable to walk was heartbreaking.
Magoo is doing okay – I’ve seen him looking around for Milo here and there, but mostly he’s just hanging out with his big brothers and coming to us occasionally for love.
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The long story is this:
Milo came to us as Rum at the end of December along with several other kittens including his brother Martini. Martini hadn’t been acting right for a few days, and as a result had a vet appointment a few days after they came to me. The morning of his appointment, I walked into the room to find him lying in a puddle of urine, his eyes dilated, and his chest covered in drool. The vet wasn’t able to save him, and he was euthanized later that day. They didn’t do a necropsy, but I think we all assumed that it was possibly FIP.
Just a few days later, I walked into the foster room to find Milo (I’m going to refer to him as Milo from here on even though at that point his name was Rum) with his eyes dilated, and his chest covered in drool. I got him to the vet and they did blood tests which indicated that he didn’t have FIP. In fact, they didn’t find anything wrong with him aside from an ear infection, which they treated.
I brought him home, and he pretty much stayed the same. He had the dilated eyes, was drooling, uncoordinated, and he couldn’t seem to get comfortable. Finally, we decided that even though the blood tests had indicated it wasn’t FIP, it was worth starting him on FIP meds and see if he responded. The meds are a strong antiviral, and even if they didn’t help, they wouldn’t hurt. After a few days on them, he seemed to be doing better.
This started a roller coaster. He’d have a few good days, then I’d walk in to find him with dilated eyes, drool on his chest, and feeling clearly uncomfortable. Then he’d have several good – or decent – days followed by another bad day or two. It was hugely frustrating and it made no sense.
At one point we discovered (after he had a urinary tract infection which required a trip to the emergency vet one Sunday morning) that as long as he was on Clavamox (along with the FIP meds), he did well. If we missed one single dose of Clavamox, he immediately went into a bad day.
After about two weeks of this, we got him to another vet that the rescue uses to see if he could figure out what was going on. When we left the vet, I texted Michelle basically he thinks if it is FIP it has crossed the blood-brain barrier, and the symptoms he’s having could be extended, prolonged seizures. He doesn’t think prognosis is good, we’re trying to keep Rum comfortable. Starting prednisolone, keeping him on Clavamox, and continuing FIP meds.
Milo had a string of bad days, and finally I suggested to Fred that we up Milo’s FIP meds to the highest possible dosage and see if it helped.
(I am not a vet and I am not an FIP expert, I was going rogue. Please don’t do this.)
And it helped. We had about three absolutely wonderful weeks where Milo, for the very first time, acted like a normal kitten. He was playing, he was jumping up on counters and exploring, he was resting comfortably. After a week of really good days, I took him off the Clavamox, and the good days continued. I was so relieved – I just knew that we’d figured out this weird little guy.
Then one day I walked into the foster room and he was having a very bad day – dilated eyes, drooling, uncoordinated, couldn’t get comfortable. The roller coaster picked up again and we never knew what we’d find. His bad days after that didn’t seem SO very bad, but also his good days weren’t so very good.
Finally, the day I told Michelle we were going to adopt Milo and Magoo, we took him to our vet. It was a last-ditch attempt to figure out what was going on with him, because none of us thought it was really FIP. It didn’t present like FIP, it didn’t (except for that three week honeymoon period) respond to FIP meds like it should. Both Fred and I suspected that it was something congenital, that we’d probably get a “I don’t really know what’s going on with him” answer from the vet, and we’d have to bring him home and just see what happened. Neither of us expected that he’d have a long life – but we had to try.
The vet talked to us for a while, examined Milo, and then he said he thought there was a possibility it was a portosystemic shunt. He took Milo off to get blood drawn (and do a quick ultrasound), and we immediately started Googling.
Lethargy, drooling, stunted growth, uncoordination? Check. And copper colored eyes. Apparently that’s one of the signs of a liver shunt. (Side note: not all cats with copper eyes have shunts, and not all cats with shunts have copper eyes – it’s just often a sign in cats who do.)
Simple explanation of what a portosystemic shunt is: An abnormal blood vessel that allows blood from the intestines to bypass the liver, meaning toxins are not filtered out before circulating through the body.
A few days later, the blood tests came back. Milo’s liver biles were highly elevated, indicating pretty much without a doubt that a shunt is what we were dealing with. Our vet suggested our best bet was to go to Auburn University Veterinary school and sent a referral. It took a few days to get his initial appointment scheduled, which was for July 1st – but they put us at the top of the cancel list to get us in earlier.
(A side note: I don’t blame the first two vets for not diagnosing the shunt – it’s pretty rare in cats, and I think we were all distracted by trying to figure out if this was truly FIP.)
We gave Milo as much low-protein canned food as he wanted, and he had some pretty good days. I hoped we’d hear from Auburn letting us know that they’d had a cancellation, but that didn’t happen. Wednesday, I thought Milo was getting “that look,” but he didn’t seem to be doing too badly and I figured he’d bounce back by Thursday morning.
And you know the rest – I woke up to find that he’d crashed. The vet did everything she could. He had bounced back SO MANY TIMES before that I was absolutely certain he would again… and then he didn’t.
I wish his story didn’t end like this. I wish he was still here with us. I wish we had more time with him. I miss that sweet, weird little guy so very much. I’m so glad he was ours even if it wasn’t nearly long enough.
(Things I want to always remember about Milo: how he nibbled my toes when I was least expecting it and his satisfied look when I said “Stop that!” His sweet, constant purr. How much he loved other cats, especially his brothers (especially especially Magoo.) Watching him escort Rocco through the house. How he’d appear beside me from out of nowhere to snoopervise what I was doing, and then disappear, leaving me to call for him. How he always came when I made the kissy noise for him. How small he was (he never got over 6 pounds) but his presence was huge. How his fur looked kind of ratty but it was so soft and silky. How utterly confident and fearless he was until that last day. His Rumdangles, of course. He was one of a kind.)
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Here are the rest of the pictures I took of Milo while he was with us.
Rumdangling on the tall cat tree.
Happy on the back porch.
His favorite brother.
Dangling.
Dangling. (This tree is good for dangling on multiple levels, apparently.)
Watching for birds while dangling.
Sleeping with me. (He didn’t sleep with me every night, but I loved it when he did.)
His favorite heated bed on his favorite chair.
Napping.
Tussling (trying to, anyway) with Magoo.
Milo pie!
In the back yard.
Oh, my heart.
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr/ Bluesky/Threads) this weekend.
Bao pie! (My favorite!)
6/26/25 – 5/8/26
Milo Rumdangle Nibbles Liam Anderson
I am heartbroken to tell you that today we said goodbye to Milo. I will write about it in detail in a few days, but rest assured that we did absolutely everything we could for that sweet boy, including making the difficult decision to end his suffering.
I’ll be taking some time off from posting, but will be back in a few days. Thank you for loving him as much as we have these past 4+ months.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Previously
2025: No entry.
2024: Crouton can’t decide whether she’s more interested in Auntie Alice or Martha the Roomba (who is over by the fireplace blending in with the track toys.)
2023: I put this hammock scratcher next to the little blue cat tree in hopes that they’d use the hammock, and by golly they DID. (That’ll never happen again.)
2022: “Am sleepy, lady.”
2021: Whist said “Thank goodness I had my floof suit cleaned recently!”
2020: It’s Monday, and Alejandro is like “Didn’t we already have a Monday?”
2019: They’re turning into total stringbeans!
2018: “Does this mean I’m gonna have to hear about his extra toes for the rest of my life? Oh joy.”
2017: Roux will have you know that she is NOT responsible for the damage to this scratcher. It was a previous litter. REALLY.
2016: SOMEONE has a case of the Loons!
2015: Happy Mother’s Day!
2014: “Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’m prettyyyyyyy.”
2013: “You might CONSIDER yourself the fourth born child of Khaleesi, but YOU ARE NO DRAGON, SIR.”
2012: O Christmas tree.
2011: I love how, at this age, when you rub their bellies, they think about it for a moment, then begin vigorously grooming themselves.
2010: Now that Maura is gone, we’re down to just our eleven, plus four fosters. Why, it’s like we hardly have any cats in the house at all!
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
I am ever so sorry to hear of Milo’s loss.
I am grateful he was so loved! Like, SO LOVED!! His sweet face and dangles made him irresistible.
Sending love and healing to you, and the family.
I am so sorry. ❤️❤️
You could not possibly have given him a better life or worked harder to save him. I’m so glad that he was enveloped in love, and so grateful that you shared him with us.
He was the image of my rescue kitten he was called milo im heartbroken for him and you but knowing how he was loved and cared for is a bright star in the sadness I’m so sorry for your loss my tears fall for milo the best rum dangler there ever was RIP and run free you will be missed and loved for ever
Thank you for this update, Robyn. It must have been so hard for you to write. The loss of Milo is heartbreaking, he was such a beautiful boy with his deep golden eyes and sweet Rumdangles. I loved his bratty baby brother energy and his fearlessness. He was small in size but big in personality. He will be sorely missed, but every time a cat rumdangles, he will be remembered. Sending love to you, Fred and all the permanent residents, especially Magoo. I know how much you loved Milo and cared for him through all his health challenges. It was so obvious that he was a very happy boy ❤️
I am so very sorry to hear about Milo’s passing. You and Fred did everything possible to help him, and then some. He knew how much you loved him, and he took your love with him. Thank you for being his best Mom and Dad, and for loving him completely. He is eternally grateful, and at peace. His Rumdangles will live on! ❤️
I am so, so sorry about Milo. We lost our beloved cat a couple of years ago due to bladder and renal issues. He’d survived an emergency intervention, and seemed to thrive in the coming months. Then, suddenly, he was unable to pee again. The second intervention did not go well, and we decided to end his suffering.
It’s so hard, but I truly hope you don’t give up. You’ve given so many cats and kitties so much hope and happiness. Don’t let this horrible episode kick you down. Do it for Milo.
Run free, little one.
I am so sorry for your loss of Milo. Please be comforted by the knowledge that you did everything possible for him and gave him such a wonderful life. I looked forward to his daily dangles. Such a sweetheart
You always do and give the best for all of these kittens. He had a wonderful life with you. He is Rumdangling over the edge of the Rainbow Bridge, keeping watch over all of us.
Well said Eric. I’ve got the visual of him Rumdangling over the edge of the Rainbow Bridge, watching us.
Healing Hugs and Love to Robyn and Fred.
Dear Milo, will miss the Rumdangles.
I’m so sorry about Milo. You gave him a good life, a fighting chance, and a loving family. May he be rumdangling happily on the rainbow bridge with his brother Martini.
Je suis très triste , merci pour tout l’amour que vous donnez .
(For those who do not speak French: “I am very sad, thank you for all the love that you give.”
Oh Robyn and Fred… The challenges you were facing behind the scene with little Milo! Thank you for giving him every chance and so much love!!
Dangle on little Milo, dangle on….
Today I learned that the level of heartbreak I feel at the loss of a Crooked Acre Permanent Resident is NOT directly proportional to the time I’ve known them. I’m so very very sorry for your loss, Robyn. Milo was one of a kind.
Dearest Robyn, I was heartbroken when I saw your, what was for us, so-unexpected post on Friday sharing with us the so sad news of sweet Milo Rumdangle’s passing. But it breaks my heart the more to know how much anguish and struggle you and he experienced throughout the precious months that he was in your loving home. We would never have guessed that this so delightful kitten, who brought us so much joy, was such a poorly little boy. You clearly did everything humanly possible to get to the root of his troubles, and to bring him healing and relief. And though the end result was not the one you so much longed for, what you did succeed in doing was pouring immeasurable love and an amazing amount of happiness into his little heart and life. When he was feeling poorly he found so much comfort and security cuddled up purring on his Mamma Robyn’s lap. And then as soon as meds helped him to feel better for a while, he entered into kitten life with delightful zest and energy, playfulness and joy. Given his medical condition, Milo could not possibly have had a better or happier life than the one your home and love and care provided for him. He knew he was loved to the moon and back. And I am certain that even as you helped him cross the Bridge, he felt that love surrounding him still. I do hope and pray that though you have been through a lot of anguish over the past few months, that the joy of knowing and loving Milo has always outweighed the heartache. He was such a unique and captivating little boy, who literally won the hearts of thousands, and spread so much joy through your delightful posts, through which we got to know and love him. He was a bright and shining shooting star who passed through our world all too briefly. I truly believe he is now fully alive in the Heart of God, all his sickness forgotten – but will never forget his Mamma Robyn. And I pray that the Lord will tenderly comfort your grieving heart as once again, in your selflessness, you bear the cost of loving.
I was so looking Forward to years of Rumdangling.
I’m so sorry to hear about Milo but you did what was best for him. Despite how much it hurt you and Fred.
Please cuddle his brother for us.
I wondered if he would continue to rumdangle, or if that was a kitten thing. Although we’ll never know for sure, I like the image of him rumdangling over the rainbow bridge. As always, thank you both for all you do to improve the lives, no matter how long, of the kittens and cats you rescue.
I am so sorry for you and Fred. Milo’s rumdangles will be sadly missed. ((hugs))
I could not be more heartbroken to hear of Milo’s passing. He was a very bright little light during his short time here on this earth. He was definitely one of a kind. It’s like he lived, truly lived with everything that was in him while he was here. I am so sorry for you and Fred. I just cannot find words, prayers for comfort and peace during this time. I have no doubt how much he was loved to the moon and back.
I’m so.very.sorry for ur loss he was the sweetest lil baby and silly and so.cute he will be watching over everyone forever and will be forever in all our hearts rip baby boy we will love and miss you forever
I am so sorry for your loss. His little face was just so captivating and his dangles were adorable. He was clearly very well-cared for and happy for the short time he had.
I’m so sorry it turned out this way. You did your very best for Milo and he knew unconditional love during his short life.
I know how hard this is …. God bless you and Fred ♥️
I’m just so sorry that you had to say goodbye to Milo. You gave him a wonderful home and so much love!
I’m so sorry Robyn. I know you did everything you could for him. We will all miss that sweet boy.
I’m so sorry. I loved seeing Milo’s rumdangles every day. 🙁
My condolences on your loss. Have fun rumdangling over the rainbow bridge, Milo. I will so miss seeing you rumdangling and following Rocco around. Please give Magoo a hug for me.
I can only hope that the old adage of “a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved” is true enough that the sorrow shared by all of us in this community you created will ease your grief even the smallest bit. Thank you for sharing Milo with us, and for taking the very best care of him for all of his too short life. He was one lucky kitten to land with you and Fred.
Oh Robyn and Fred… This is so heart-breaking to say goodbye so soon to Milo. His copper coloured eyes were striking. He hit the jackpot to spend his life with you two. My condolences 🙁
This is such sad news, please know that our hearts are hurting with you. He was a beautiful, precious boy.
Robyn and Fred, thank you for sharing Milo/Rum with all of us. His photos and videos gave me so many smiles and giggles! My heart goes out to you. He will be missed.❤
This is so very heartbreaking. I’m so deeply sorry and saddened, Robyn.
You and Fred gave Milo, as well as his brother, Magoo, all the love and care you possibly could, and I know that he sensed and knew how much you loved him.
Thank you for loving him. Thank you for adopting both of these beautiful little boys. Thank you for sharing them with us here and on Facebook.
Rest ever gently, beautiful Milo Rumdangle. We will remember you, always, with love.
Oh gosh. I had no idea. I am so sorry for your loss. The work you put in for these kitties is incredible. You and Fred are angels in meat suits – thank you for all you do.
I’m so very glad that Milo was with you and Fred. He got the best love and the best care, and was able to live his best life. <3 I'm so sorry for your loss.
I’m so very sad for you and Fred. Rum/Milo was a delight to follow on the screen, so I can only imagine how much more charming he was in person. But if he was going to have a short and complicated life, I’m so very glad he landed with you — to get the best possible chance, and to be adored every day.
Thank you, too, for making the effort to share the whole story. As a long time cat person, I appreciate the opportunity to learn something more that I (hopefully!) will never need to know.
Holding you all in my heart as you weather this loss.
I’m going to add to the litany of sympathies, what else can I say? You’re right in that he was a special boy, so special that his passing reminds me of Natalie. She was so special and when she passed, it really hurt, and Milo’s passing hurts so much. When they are so young, and you get a taste of what could’ve been, that seems to be the unkindest cut.
Much love to you and Fred for this unfair, rotten, crappy outcome. Thankfully, you have a new line-up of little ones counting on you to get them to their forever homes. I wish I could do something for you since you give your cat community so much by opening your home and hearts to those in need. Thanks for sharing the bad times along with the good. A small reminder that not every ending is happy.
That boy will be sorely missed.
I was so sorry to see your post yesterday (and have cried over little Milo several times already). Even though his story ended sadly and way too early, he had a fabulous life. He became a star with his daily Rumdangles and was admired around the world. We didn’t know how much work and worry was happening in the background over his health. While we will all miss his light in our lives, we don’t have the physical hole that you have to endure. Please know how much you are appreciated – not just for caring for these sweet, tiny kittens, but for giving us a part of your world and sharing your life and their lives with us. Some days all we need is a sweet Rumdangle to make the world a little brighter!
I’m just so sad that Milo has died. He was a special boy and we all loved him. And I’m so sorry that you and Fred and Magoo, who had been looking forward to years together, no longer have that chance. Hugs and purrs to you. I’m glad you have so many good, happy, funny memories of him mixed in with the hard ones. Here’s my favorite quote:
We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan…”The Once Again Prince” Irving Townsend
My deepest condolences on the loss of Milo……..may his memory always bring a blessing.
we are so sorry fur your loss of little Milo!! he had a fabulous life while he was here, such a little darling!
Robyn, I’m so very sad for you and Fred, and for Magoo. Thank you for explaining what happened. It must have been very difficult to sit down and write about it when your heart is breaking.
Milo was special. He’ll always have a place in all our hearts.
So sorry for all that had been going on with Milo and the hard goodbye. The silver lining is he got to feel the sunshine on his fur, breathe in the fresh outdoors, feel grass under his paws, snuggle with Magoo, Khal and Charlie (and dangle on at least two of them I think), have delicious food, escort Rocco, and play when he felt up to it…all in safety and all in the warm embrace and love of two people (and thousands of readers) who loved him and will never forget him. Much love to all ❤️
I am so very sorry. I know you are heartbroken. I will echo what lots of others have said, he knew SO much love from you guys. His life was short, but you gave him a great one.
I’ve just noticed, and am so pleased, that you have included sweet Milo’s adorable pictures in the ‘Adopted’ and ‘Permanent Residents’ section of the Blog. He will always be your baby boy, always part of your family, always loved and cherished in your hearts and in your home. It was the best day of their lives for him and lovely Magoo when they became ‘Permies’ – I’m sure they both knew that they were Home, and so, so happy to be there. I’m glad to hear from your Facebook post that gentle Magoo seems to be coping not too badly as he adjusts to the loss of his little brother. I’m sure that you are right that he probably knew what was coming before you did – all cats seem to be very sensitive to what is going on with others, whether human or feline, and Magoo with his aura of an ‘old soul’ seems to have a particularly sensitive heart. I’m glad he likes the company of his big fur brothers. I’m glad too that he comes to you when he wants some love and comfort. But I’m also sure he will see and sense when it’s you that’s sad, and will come to bring you comfort in that that quiet, gentle, healing way that our furry children do. xxx Love to you, and him, and Fred.
Sitting here in Vermont with tears running down my face as I read your blog. I looked forward to the Rumdangle photos as they added a bright spot to the day. Milo was a lucky boy to be so well taken care of and so loved. Thank you for sharing him and his story with the cat loving community.
I am so so saddened to her of Milo’s passing. I am just glad for him that he was able tol ive with you and be so well loved and well taken care of
I’m so heartbroken for you and Fred. I remember you saying a couple of years back that you didn’t want to adopt any more cats because it’s just so hard when they pass. I’ve been following you since the Sprouts in 2022, and have seen so many permies pass, but no adoptions. I was so happy you’d opened your heart up to this amazing little goober (and Magoo)…so I was especially devastated to see of his passing so soon after adoption.
It just goes to show that social media and real life are very different. I thought Rum had FIP, and I know you mentioned something medical when you said you were adopting them, but we had NO CLUE of any of these episodes and setbacks you’ve been talking about today. That poor little boy.
On Friday’s blog post, before you posted the news on social media, I nearly left a comment about how you need to commit to a daily Rumdangle long-term, regardless of fosters, because I looked forward to them so much. What poor timing that would have been.
It’s interesting you now have an explanation for those amazing eyes. I also wonder if this explains why he was so tiny.
Rest in peace, Milo/Rum.
I am typing this through tears. I am so sorry your time was short but gosh, was Milo oh so loved. Sending you my love and hugs, he is missed and I’m so happy we got to love on him from afar. I’m sad it was too short.
I cried when I saw the FB post. I didn’t know if I had it in me to read about what happened. I have been an avid FAN of this blog probably since 2010 when I found you after I had my own set of kittens. Of the 5 kittems we had, I still have 2 today and they are 16.
You and Fred, words cannot describe the good you do for these wonderful, crazy feline pets we love. Your blog puts us all right there in the action with you and you can’t help but feel for every cat that comes through your doors. The love is just incredible.
We will miss Milo and I was so excited to read about his adventures for the years to come. I know you are too… Sending kitty hugs from Lexington, SC