Oh, alright: As much as she loved receiving affection, showing it wasn't one of her strong points, and so, this is my favorite photograph of SweetThing.
Got a Smoke? For 14 years she was a completely inside cat because I'd gotten tired of having cats disappear. Then I finally moved to a place with a balconey 3-stories off the ground and she was in heaven. Sometimes we'd sit out on the balconey and smoke and commune with each other.
Die, human bug. This doesn't quite capture it, but in the right (or wrong) light she had the most evil cat face I've ever seen.
Blossom: Not dead, in fact supremely alive in a moment of sun and nap.
Goodbye Old Girl: The last photo I took of her. I knew she was dying, she knew she was dying, we said our goodbyes.
Her epitaph is here at Seriously Good, she was a good friend. And for those reading this, it wasn't posted to any groups, so thanks very personally for checking in on me. I appreciate it.
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Comments: 48
Hugs my friend. Big soft fuzzy-pawed hugs.
I took three rolls of film the day we had our 5 year old put to sleep due to PKD. It's been four years and I haven't had them developed yet. I don't think I will. I need to scan some of the pictures from when she was healthy.
An "outside cat" seldom lives more than 10 years (the odds are just against them) -- hence the 7:1 ratio of cat to human years. I'm glad your's survived.
Donna,
Thank you. Much.
Sarah,
The last quarter of her life couldn't have been better. That knowledge helps a lot.
John,
I've been focused on letting SweetThing know how much I loved her for the past few years, that knowledge provides great solace. And cats, unlike humans, don't notice when you're being maudlin -- they just love the attention.
KM,
Yeah, we tried everything, and thank you for all your suggestions. She never really ate again, but she did seem to enjoy some really expensive gravy sometimes. And yeah, it sucks. But that's life.
"I think back sleeping shows that the cat is really comfortable with its surroundings and isn't afraid of anything."
Yeah, she had finally found her place. You should always leave the party while it's still going strong.
Danielle & Theresa,
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this time with all of us.
A very kind man was installing blinds in my home last year on the day my daughter's dog died. I was crying on the phone with my daughter and trying to comfort her and the grandbaby. Two days later he dropped by the house with a copy of "The Rainbow Bridge". The quote on the cover says, "A must read for anyone who has ever lost a beloved pet. Will we see them again?" It was just the right thing for all of our family to read.
The kindness of strangers. I will be thinking of you. If you can't find the book, e-mail your address and I will send it to you.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
And, yes, she was a beauty.
I miss her most in the morning. Like most people, the first thing I do when I get up is head for the bathroom. She would immdediately join and talk up a storm. It was really the only time she spoke much, but first thing in the morning she was a chatterbox. Then she'd lead the way, just a bit too slowly, to her food bowl for breakfast.
Breakfast time...when you get home from work time...those and many more are the times that we miss them.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. We have 5 of the little darlings, three of our own and 2 we have been "cat sitting" for the past year. 4 are the offspring of the other's sister. Zoe, the aunt of the others looks a lot like SweeThing, although larger. We sometimes call her (lovingly) Jaba the Cat. I know she will go someday, and I can't think of the words to express how her passing will make me feel.
Rainbow Bridge:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Kevin, thank you for sharing the love and memories of your friend. What a loving and affectionately humorous tribute.
Peace
I'm a 53 year old man. I cried when I read this. About 2 years ago, we lost 3 dogs and 4 cats in a period of about 4 months. We didn't think, when we got them all around the same time, that they would all die at the same time (duh). All but 1 was old. 14, 15, 16, 17 years old. They died of natural causes, Even our beautiful short hair black chow puppy died. She got sick. I am crying for your lose, and mine. We now have 2 cats and 3 dogs that provide us with unconditional love daily. We have a stray cat that someone dropped on out doorstep 10 years ago, and another we rescued from an abusive home about 5 years ago. We also have a 2 year old border collie, a 1 year old mut, and my daughters pit bull (he's a sweetheart). We got most all of our animals from the Human Society. They NEED love too. We just found out our 1 year old may have hip problems. I will do what ever it takes for this guy.
Take time to grieve. You'll know when it's time for another friend to come home with you.
I'm so sorry about your loss, I know what you are going through, because I had a cat that died. I found him in his litterbox when I got home from work. I knew that I needed to take him to the Vet, but my work schedule kept me from doing what I needed to do. I have a cat now, but I don't know for how long, he's getting older now. Cats can be your best friend, especially if you have problems making human friends, which is my problem. As time goes by and the healing is done, you can always get another cat. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful girl. When a cat chooses to make us a part of their lives, it's a gift that connects us to the otherworld.
I send warmest regards to you during this sad time.
Kim
Our cat stopped eating as much a few weeks ago. We've been to the vet and other than being anemic, they didn't find anything else wrong. He's almost 14 so I'm sure he won't be around much longer. In the meantime, he's getting treated like a king and getting plenty of attention.
I never knew how much she would be missed. She had to have a long walk with
my wife and I every day and was upset if she did not get it. In the snow or rain.
It did not matter to her. Sorry, Walter
Kevin, my heart goes out to you. We too have felt this grief many times. So many times in fact that it took us fifteen years to adopt another "baby". Her name is Katie and we adopted her on Thanksgiving Day 2006. She is now the joy of our life and a spoiled princess. She is part Siamese, cream colored with some brown (her tail looks like a raccoon) and slightly crossed blue eyes. She is very talkative and we could really relate to the "bathroom chatter". We are trying to keep her an indoor cat but she is now having successful morning outings. I will learn how to post a picture of her.
I made my husband come in and look at your post and the whole conversation. He said it is too soon now but he felt sure there will come a time when you will need to adopt a new baby.
The only other think I have to say about pets is please have your cat or dog neutered or spayed.
Love to you all,
Vicki
It took me two years to adopt her after the loss of another. I have never regretted it for a moment. I agree with Denny B., the Humane Society is a wonderful place to find a friend, a companion, a chum. Over the past 35 years only one of my friends have not been adopted from there.
I had given Rainbow Bridge to a friend of mine who lost her friend of 15 years in the spring. I am glad others have recommended this. Those of us who love our pets dearly need a work such as this when the time arrives.
My heart goes out to you.
We've been adopting strays for some time now. Yes, they're outdoor cats -- 7 now live in our garden. As you can imagine, some of them have come to us in pretty rough shape. I like to believe that they live out the remainder of their lives as happy and content as veterinary care, good food and affection can make them. They certainly enrich our lives.