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Post by deboosh on Nov 28, 2013 11:36:30 GMT -5
Well that time I've been dreading finally arrived, and yesterday we helped our 21 year old cat, Peewee, to the bridge. I adopted an 8 week old Peewee, along with her littermate, Scooter, from the then called North York Animal Shelter, back in 1992. I can remember coming home from work one day, and finding the two of them stuck up at the ceiling. They were hanging by the living room curtains, too frightened to come back down, and my favourite plant lay murdered on the floor from their using it as a springboard They would chase one another up and down the stairs, and at night they'd crawl up on my pillow and nest in my hair. We lost Scooter to lung cancer 3 years ago. It was the happiest day of Peewee's life, as Scooter would stalk his sister at night and otherwise drive her bonkers when they became adults. Peez watched my twins grow up and then move on with their lives. Last Christmas, she welcomed Bonnie into our family, which tells me dementia was starting to take a hold~~had she been in her right mind, Peez definitely would not have welcomed a dog into her home, lol. She was dearly loved, given a ton of affection and was spoiled beyond belief. She had a truly wonderful life and was healthy for most of it, barring the decline that slowly overtook her this past year. I am gutted, yet my practical side says "give your head a shake, she was 21 years old", but my heart tells me to be gentle and patient, allow yourself time to grieve. If I am honest, saying goodbye to my little heart cat was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I looked after my mother, and watched her die of breast cancer, yet the pain I feel from Peewee's passing is a million times worse. I wanted to "confess" that, because I think many people feel the same, but are afraid to admit it. I am not, because it makes all the sense in the world to me. Animals love us unconditionally. Good-bye my sweet baby girl. I know you'll be there to greet me one day. I love you with all my heart, and always will. My sweet girl loved to spend countless hours keeping me company while I was crafting: She would always walk across my work to let me know it was time for some affection This is 2 years ago, at the ripe old age of 19. Still looking vibrant The "greyhound test". One of my last pics of Peez. The adoption coordinator's greyhound, Phoenix and Peewee checking each other out: Had this meeting not gone well, we wouldn't have adopted Bonnie.
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Post by lovinfroggy on Nov 28, 2013 17:54:00 GMT -5
Oh Deb, I am so sorry for your loss. Peewee certainly left her mark on your heart, and your tribute was beautiful. I can certainly relate, as I had to make that excruciating decision this time last year. Please know my thoughts are with you. Samantha
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ceedee
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 187
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Post by ceedee on Nov 28, 2013 19:01:01 GMT -5
I understand that unfathomable pain and emptiness from the passing of your cat. I read a book about pet loss several years ago that helped me to understand and overcome the agony of saying goodbye to my fur pals over the years. One of the hardest things to get over is break in routine. These little creatures are a huge part of what we do and when we do it; when we don't have them around anymore, our daily activities are profoundly impacted by their absence.
Everyone has experienced that "one-in-a-lifetime" dog or cat, and although we have owned many others, there is that one special friend whose memories reside in the biggest chunk of our hearts. My cat Walter was one of these. So is your Peewee.
Take all the time you need to grieve and sob. She's not "just a cat". She was your little soul mate for twenty one years! And she was a beautiful kitty.
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gunnersmom
Hound Nut
GUNNER--the greyhound that started it all
Posts: 1,950
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Post by gunnersmom on Nov 28, 2013 20:15:30 GMT -5
So sorry about the passing of PeeWee. Saying good bye to such a special kitty that was with you for many decades is going to bring feelings of grief, it's normal & expected. The love of a pet is uncomplicated .... Your grief will be as unique as your relationship with Peewee.
Be kind to yourself & hold onto those beautiful memories
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Post by rubylottie14 on Nov 28, 2013 20:37:29 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear about Peewee. I don't think I can do better than what's already been said.
Look after yourself.
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Post by newtothis1 on Nov 28, 2013 21:00:46 GMT -5
Cat or dog it does not matter and you are correct that unconditional love gets us every time. We fall hook line and sinker in love with these furry friends. I or one am grateful they allow us to look after them. Take care Deb and you take all the time you need, there is no limit.
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troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
Posts: 1,717
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Post by troysmom on Nov 28, 2013 22:23:27 GMT -5
I am so sorry for your loss. Peewee lived a very long life, such a lucky girl and very loved by you. I know your grief. I lost my heart greyhound Troy and my beloved cat Russell, at 17, within a week of each other. Im still feeling the pain...
Take care and comfort in knowing PeeWee was blessed to have you and a long life.
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Post by deboosh on Nov 29, 2013 10:04:58 GMT -5
I am so sorry for your loss. Peewee lived a very long life, such a lucky girl and very loved by you. I know your grief. I lost my heart greyhound Troy and my beloved cat Russell, at 17, within a week of each other. Im still feeling the pain... Take care and comfort in knowing PeeWee was blessed to have you and a long life. Troysmom, thank you for your kind words; I'm so sorry you had to lose both dear companions at the same time. I imagine it's been a nightmare. These waves of grief and longing are almost suffocating. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. My sincerest of sympathies. I wish I could reach out and hug you.
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Post by deboosh on Nov 29, 2013 10:12:13 GMT -5
I am so sorry for your loss. Peewee lived a very long life, such a lucky girl and very loved by you. I know your grief. I lost my heart greyhound Troy and my beloved cat Russell, at 17, within a week of each other. Im still feeling the pain... Take care and comfort in knowing PeeWee was blessed to have you and a long life. Troysmom, thank you for your kind words; I'm so sorry you had to lose both dear companions at the same time. I imagine it's been a nightmare. These waves of grief and longing are almost suffocating. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. My sincerest of sympathies. I wish I could reach out and hug you.
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Post by dunnrunnin on Nov 29, 2013 12:54:35 GMT -5
Thank you for your 'confession' and your beautiful tribute to Peewee. We all know that day will eventually come when we lose our friends to the Bridge, but it does not make it any easier to bear when that day is upon us. Anyone who has ever loved and then lost a four-footd family member understands all too well what you are going through...the pain of loss, yes, but also the pain of losing that pure, innocent, protective and completely unconditional love...It is unfortunate that petless humans do not and cannot understand this beautful bond, and it is my belief that we are made better people by knowing the love of a pet. I hope you don't mind, but I will add a poem that a friend and co-worker gave to me a year ago when my own heartcat Zumba left for the Bridge. If it helps you even a little it will make my heart smile to share it with you...
My Little Cat Ghost
The years I've worn you, warm upon my shoulder, ended here... suprised to find us older. And there was nothing left to do today but hold you close and help you on your way. Be still, my little cat, Be well; be free. I know that you're somewhere near, and loving me.
Lynette Combs
I too, can thank Miss Phoe for her cat-testing expertise...if it was not for her, I would not have continued w/ the adoption process and would never have met my Wyn...I only wish that I too had a snapshot of that moment in time when my boys met Phoenix, and then Wynonna for the 1st time.
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daylight
Hound Nut
what's so funny Light?....Joker!
Posts: 1,275
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Post by daylight on Nov 29, 2013 14:29:20 GMT -5
I am so sorry for the loss of your dearest Peewee. Such a sweet girl and such a faithful companion for so long. Because they are older does not factor in to accepting this loss...I often think it can be that much more devastating as it is hard to know life without them. Take care... and know her spirit will gently walk by.
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scarletta
Grey Lover
On FB as "Onyx Can-Do"
Posts: 537
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Post by scarletta on Nov 29, 2013 18:56:03 GMT -5
This is so very sad and I know your pain as I lost my little black heart cat at 17 yrs old just a couple of months ago now. I still think I see him out of the corner of my eye and just earlier today I randomly had tears in my eyes thinking about him. Your "confession" is something I think many of us feel. Animals are so unconditional and I think it is the thought they may not understand why they are sick or need to be brought to the bridge that makes us extra sad sometimes. Grieve for your kitty but try to remember: she had a long and wonderful life with you and I am sure she would want you to be happy since you gave HER such a happy life! Hugs and <3 to you.
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Post by deboosh on Nov 30, 2013 9:38:13 GMT -5
If it helps you even a little it will make my heart smile to share it with you... My Little Cat Ghost The years I've worn you, warm upon my shoulder, ended here... suprised to find us older. And there was nothing left to do today but hold you close and help you on your way. Be still, my little cat, Be well; be free. I know that you're somewhere near, and loving me. Lynette Combs I too, can thank Miss Phoe for her cat-testing expertise...if it was not for her, I would not have continued w/ the adoption process and would never have met my Wyn...I only wish that I too had a snapshot of that moment in time when my boys met Phoenix, and then Wynonna for the 1st time. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem with me Julie; it's beautiful and does soften the blow. When I look back, I have no regrets; I gave Peewee my very best. I only wish I'd had the vet come to the house at the end. I don't know what possessed me to take that pic of Peewee and Phoenix; it was a spur of the moment thing that I'm glad I thought of. Two years ago, I started taping our moments of affection in preparation for my life without her. She had the loudest motorboat I've ever heard and now it's captured forever. I didn't know if watching the videos would bring me comfort, or make the pain worse, but I'm very grateful that I had the presence of mind to record them.
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Post by deboosh on Nov 30, 2013 10:06:48 GMT -5
Animals are so unconditional and I think it is the thought they may not understand why they are sick or need to be brought to the bridge that makes us extra sad sometimes. ,,,,,,,, I am sure she would want you to be happy since you gave HER such a happy life! Hugs and <3 to you. You've hit it on the head, Scarletta. I started feeling anxious about this very thing the year Peewee turned 20. This is when she began her decline; her vision rapidly faded, she became deaf and she began having bouts of confusion where she'd walk around the house as if lost. I had to block off my banister as she would have fallen through to the basement had I not caught her in time. She developed hyperactive thyroid and high blood pressure. I felt helpless and wondered if she questioned why she was falling apart, and why she felt so sick in her final 2 days. It's the thought of her suffering that is so painful. Thank you Scarletta, you've been so kind.
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Post by lotsoffreetime on Dec 1, 2013 17:58:10 GMT -5
That second picture speaks volumes about your relationship. Thank you for sharing it with us...
Please don't feel badly about your confession…our relationships are with the spirit of those we love, the breadth of support and love and joy and sorrow that we share with them every single day, not necessarily the type of physical body they inhabit. A meeting of souls is simple that…a meeting os souls.
I wish you peace in the days that come, even if it only comes for a second at first. With time, the pain eases. After 2 years now, there are times I think of Little Kasie now with tears, but more often now, it is with a smile, and sometimes a laugh. But she is always always with me. That is just the way it is with those we love, isn't it?
Hugs….Janette
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