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Heartache of losing a much-loved pet

Shelly

Well-known member
Last night we laid to rest the littlest member of our family. It's been 24 hours now and I think I've finally (maybe) run out of tears. We've had two house cats in the years that we lived here, Stinky and Spanky. Stinky was mine, she was devoted to me, tolerated everbody else. I lost her 5 years ago this fall. Spanky was never quite the same without her big sister, she had emotional, pyscological problems afterwards. But she adapted to being alone, other than the company of me and my husband. She was his cat. They had a routine every night after he had his shower. She'd go to a particular spot and vocally demand her treats which he faithfully gave her, then it was time for her head rubs and scratches behind the ears. But come last week of April, she stopped asking for treats, then she stopped eating altogether. I tried her with every kind of cat food under the sun, and even human food. She refused all of it. As time went by, she lost the sparkle in her eyes and the bounce in her step. All she wanted to do was sleep. I knew old age had finally caught up to her, and I should've put her to sleep. But I was selfish, I couldn't let go of her. Even when it got to the point in the last few days when I'd bring her water in a big spoon so she could drink, I couldn't let her go. Now she is gone. As my husband dug every shovel full of dirt, he cried, and when I laid her in the ground next to Stinky, I said "Go to Stinky, she's waiting for you. Find her and be happy again." I hope she is. Now the house is empty and lonely. Maybe someday, another little cat will catch our eyes and worm her way into our hearts. Till then, my heart will ache for my two friends that kept me company many days and nights. Stinky, Spanky, I love you and miss you.
 

Judith

Well-known member
Sorry for your loss Shelley. There is nothing like a much loved pet. It always seems that you get a special one in your life.... A new baby kitty will be the medicine the doctor ordered. Make sure the baby looks nothing like your other pets :)
 

DJL

Well-known member
My heartfelt sympathy to you Shelly. I was never a real cat person, but also had a cat that wormed her way into my heart, and I had her until she died of old age. It's amazing how attached we get. I still miss her purring me to sleep nights.
 

Hanta Yo

Well-known member
Shelly, I totally understand how you feel. It doesn't matter if it's a dog, cat or whatever. These animals get under your skin and live there. They are a part of your family. I still cry over Corky, we lost him April 13 (yeah, that's right, Friday the 13th and I will never look at that day as a normal day). It's hard enough when a pet is taken from you before their time....it's really hard when you watch them go down hill and nothing can fix them.

I didn't think I would want to "replace" Corky with another dog right away. He left such a hole in our home and our hearts (now I'm crying) but we got another Corgi puppy not long after. He will NEVER replace Corky but he makes it easier. We will be picking up his mate at the airport on the 15th of this month. I've decided we will raise Corgis because I don't think I could take getting so attached to one.....I will get attached to all of them, so it won't hurt so much if we lose one (at least I don't think so). Get yourself another kitty, they really do help ease the pain.

God Bless and I truly emphasize your feelings.

Hanta Yo
 

Jassy

Well-known member
So sorry for your loss...I'm impressed though that 24hrs later yur doing ok...it took me a week to stop blubbering when I thought of my dog that we had to put down...My son always said that I loved that dog more than him...lol If the kid fell down and scraped his knee...I'd brush it off and tell him he was a big boy...but if my dog got a sticker in her paw...I'd pull out all the stops to get it out for her..lol It seems funny now, but pets do bring out the best in people.
 

IL Rancher

Well-known member
3 years ago in April we lost one of our Dogs.. At the time we had a lot less dogs than we have now and part of me thinks we have been chasing a replacement for him ever since than.. Kind of sad... The old boy was only 9 and died of kidney failure.. I thought we should have put him down earlier than we did but even than, it was only 96 hours from diagnois to death, he was put down the day before my wife's birthday.. I still think about the old boy from time to time, thinking that this should have been the time that we had to worry about putting him down..... I don't think our other dog that was here the longest is fully revcovered.. They were budies for 7 years basically...

Sorry to hear about your cat... For some reason every time I hear of a dog or cat dieing I think of that old lab mix..
 

3words

Well-known member
Take comfort in memories and that the passage of time will ease your burden, take comfort in friends who hold you in their thoughts, and remember that we never lose our loved ones while they remain in our hearts.Sorry to hear about your cat Shelly.
 

ShoersSage

Active member
I am so sorry for your loss. Pets are more than just animals, they are part of the family.
You will know when the time is right to get another one......might be sooner than you think :)
With time the pain will get less and the fond memories will grow stronger than the sad ones. Till then I hope all of these thoughts and prayers help carry yall through.
 

Turkey Track Bar

Well-known member
Shelly:

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your faithful and beloved friend. I too would be very heart-broken.

You wrote such a wonderful tribune to Spanky and Stinky. I would frame it along with a picture of them.

I wish I could give you a hug, and am in spirit.

Hang in there kid...another kitty will come along to mend your heart and soul.

TTB :cry2:
 

the_jersey_lilly_2000

Well-known member
Sorry about your loss. Pets are just a wonderful addition to the family, whether it is a dog or a cat. They each grab a special part of our hearts and hang onto it forever.
 

Shelly

Well-known member
Thanks for all your kind words, everyone. It's been a tough go. Don't cry anymore, did too much of that when she was still alive and nearing the end. I try to keep myself busy, and out of the house as much as possible because it sure is empty. I even went and tried shopping, failed that miserably! Never was much of a shopper at the best of times, let alone now. When I am in the house, I find myself looking for her in all her favorite places, hard to get used to not seeing her. But each day is a little bit better than the last. Now, if I need to see either of my cats, I can just look up from my computer and there they are. I have pictures of both of them on the top shelf of my computer desk.
 

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
Shelly said:
Thanks for all your kind words, everyone. It's been a tough go. Don't cry anymore, did too much of that when she was still alive and nearing the end. I try to keep myself busy, and out of the house as much as possible because it sure is empty. I even went and tried shopping, failed that miserably! Never was much of a shopper at the best of times, let alone now. When I am in the house, I find myself looking for her in all her favorite places, hard to get used to not seeing her. But each day is a little bit better than the last. Now, if I need to see either of my cats, I can just look up from my computer and there they are. I have pictures of both of them on the top shelf of my computer desk.

Shelly,you need to get you another cat............life goes on,and yes you can sure get attached to pets................good luck
 

joaker

Well-known member
Schultz was our mini. Schaunzer. 12 years ago wife and then 3 yo daughter were going to take him out. Some jerk down the road was trying to raise rotties. (he had 2 males and one female, guess he missed biology class that day) One got away and came down to our place while daughter was holding Schultz on his lease, (Wife had come back in house to get gloves) all of a sudden all he** breaks loose outside. Schultz lasted long enough for me to get daughter back in the house and died on our driveway just as I got back out to him. What a great dog!!
 
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