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BS: Farewell old friend
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Subject: Farewell old friend From: John Hardly Date: 23 Dec 00 - 07:24 PM After 18 years of lap-warming, greeting us at the door after road trips, helping us raise 4 dogs, decorating our house with ribbons (and the occasional but now much forgiven pointy cat toy found underfoot in the dark of night), and mostly just loving us with all she had... we had to say good-bye to a dear old friend last night. Tonight, for me (and for yourself) give your pet that little extra love. This year for the first time in eighteen...no cat under the tree. JH |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Dave Wynn Date: 23 Dec 00 - 07:26 PM I echo that sentiment...You never know how much you miss us till you see our empty basket!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: kendall Date: 23 Dec 00 - 07:31 PM This is a tough one..the price we pay for those years is high, and, you have my sympathy. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Little Neophyte Date: 23 Dec 00 - 07:31 PM I'm so sorry to hear John. May your dear old friend remain with you in spirit, always nestled somewhere close in your heart. Bonnie |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: catspaw49 Date: 23 Dec 00 - 07:32 PM My oldest cat (20) died this year and he was our tree sleeper....in the tree. Freddie Cougar still sleeps below, but without ol' Cutter, its not quite the same. John, I am sorry and believe me, I know how you feel. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Cobble Date: 23 Dec 00 - 07:44 PM John, sorry to hear about your old cat, know just how you are feeling, we lost two old doggie friends last year. They are still here abouts. I'm sure your old friend will be there with you too. season's greetings Mrs.C. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Bill in Alabama Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:15 PM John-- There's a special corner of our yard where five dear old friends are resting. I have found that they never leave us, really. Like Cobble's friends and, like mine, she's still around; and she will be, for a long, long, time. Bill |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: John Hardly Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:39 PM Thanks friends, I knew you'd understand. ...and Bill, Your back yard must look alot like mine.
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: katlaughing Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:47 PM So sorry to hear that, John. I've lost several oldies over the past 2 years, cats and a dog. Never easy but I do always feel them about for awhile. It seems we always have a Christmas picture each year with at least one of them under the tree. I've got one right now who probably will not be here by next Christmas; it is too sad to even think about right now. We have rented for many years, so instead of a backyard like yours, I have a collection of beautiful little tins with the ashes of those who've gone on. My SO and kids have strict instructions that MY ashes are to be mixed with those and placed together when I die.:-) In Sympathy, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: kendall Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:51 PM Three years ago, I lost my beloved Clancy, a yellow Lab who died of liver cancer.He used to lay around with his left paw over his right. He was only 10, and it was a severe shock to me. Two years later, I broke my pledge and got another yellow Lab. This one was a real pain in the ass. He would not mind, flunked obedience school, tore up stuff etc. He was 6 months old when I decided to give him away. A neighbor wanted him, and, I was fed up with his antics. I remember standing at the sink doing dishes when my mind was made up, and, I looked around, and here is Seamus lieing there, looking at me, with his left paw over his right! There was no way I could give him away after that. Now, I'm delighted that I didn't give him away, he is a joy to have around. The strange thing is, he hasn't done that since! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Diva Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:58 PM sorry for you John.....best pal lost 18 yr old well loved cat on 13 Dec. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Uncle Jaque Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:59 PM Condolances, Amigo. I't especially hard to have to say Goodbye to one we love, 2 or 4-legged, during this season of celebration and reaching for the coming Light beyond Solstace. I greived more deeply for the passing of our little Yorkshire Terrier "Spike" (the day after Daughter's graduation from college) than I ever did for any human kin or associate yet (although thankfully have Spouse, child and siblings intact). There is a certain unconditional love and consistant, reliable affection we come to count on from our animal friends, isn't there? One observation; may it comfort you as it has us: Although one dear point of light in our chamber has flickered, and faded, and winked (or been snuffed) out; darkness need not prevail. Although one light has passed from our sight, Light, Life, and Love endure eternally. In abundance they await the cloistered heart -whenever it be ready- to strike another match, open another window. We will have been enriched by the former Light, and nurtured, encouraged, and illumined in the latter. The objects of our affection, be they animal or human, can be bearers of much Light; I have found it to be profitable to remember, however, that none of us here are likely to be sources of much of it; the best we can hope for, I humbly opine, is to be fairly efficient conductors of it. Thus although we suffer the loss of our light, Light is not lost. No two living lanterns are quite the same, and the light cast upon, or from, our hearts might never be just like that known before... but light of a different hue or intensity sure beats a heart consigned to darkness. Love sure is one of the riskiest things we do; The more we open, and give ourselves to Love, the harder the heartbreak, the sharper the pain when our Beloved is taken. In the case of an animal whose natural life-expectancy is less than our own, it's pretty much a given that that's just what's going to happen sooner or later. But I've always found the endeavor to be worth it, in the end. There is a ledgend that goes around this time of year about a star that shone unexpectedly in darkness a couple of Millennia ago, and brought surprising hope of new Life, Light and Love... might not be a bad image to contemplate. No doubt there is a little kitty cooped up in a shelter near you whose days are numbered, whose tiny light is not long without a home, who could sure use any leftover Light from somebody's heart if they had any to spare. I think one might find that any such investment might bear considerable returns. I'll give little Maggie MacGhee and Angus McBaer (Yorkie-Poos) an extra hug for ye, Mate, and no doubt they'll send ye back a slobbery little "kiss". Gotta luvvum while ya gottum, for sure. Peace and Healing UJ
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: John Hardly Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:19 PM Great story Kendall! Makes one wonder what they do and don't know. My first Malamute (the dogs that resemble wolves) was the dog love of my life. He was my shadow. Bear ran 4-6 miles a day with me for 9 of his 11 years--he used to bring me his leash when it was running time. Sadie, our female, watched over the pack. She was the one that could be found laying behind my wheel as I worked. The sad day when Bear could make it no longer, Sadie happened to be at the groomer's. The vet (a friend) kindly came to our home to help Bear "to sleep"--a crushing moment in my life as I held him to the end. A few days later, as my wife and I were busying ourselves in different parts of the house, We both became aware of a strange sound. We looked out the window to find Sadie sitting in the exact spot in which Bear last lay, her head reared back and howling the most mournful howl I've ever heard. I still chill whenever I remember it. Sadie's song for Bear. kat, What an excellent final wish! JH |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: John Hardly Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:23 PM Diva and Uncle Jacque, Thanks. Missed your post while being too windy on my own. JH |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:26 PM I understand only too well, and still occasionally meet former cats in dreams, some of whom lived to a ripe old age, some who didn't (the latter always killed by motorists.) The good bit is that they're always happy when you dream about them. Before long you'll probably start wanting to adopt a kitten, so do it! There are so many that need a home. Malcolm |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: catspaw49 Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:42 PM If you haven't seen it before, be prepared, its a tearjerker.......but its a lovely tearjerker that is a wonderful way to think of our lost little friends. I expect to have lots loving cats and some very special Weimaraners waiting for me. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Banjer Date: 23 Dec 00 - 11:07 PM John, I can understand full well your feelings. This coming Wednesday, Dec 27th will be the 1st anniversary of the day I had to tell the vet to go ahead and put my beloved German Shephard, Dee-Dee, down. She had given me 13 wonderful years of pleasure. When I was home, she was always by my side, when it came time for bed, she would tell me by getting up and nudging my hand till I followed her down the hall. She was always the first at the door when I returned home. Cancer took her from us. Like Uncle Jaque, I never felt such a loss, although I have lost several relatives over the years. I cried for days and still today get watery eyed when something triggers a fond memory. It took about 6 months to learn to walk without shuffling when I got up during the night. She would always sleep right near my bed and shuffling was necessary for both our safety! I believe like 'Spaw says, that I will one day meet her at the Rainbow Bridge. There will be others from my past that will meet me at the bridge, Kelley, a shephard, Cognac and Brandy, a pair of long haired Dacshunds, and various cats, rabbits and others that were good enough to share their life and uncoditional love with me, but Dee-Dee will be leading the pack when they all come to greet me!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Jon Freeman Date: 23 Dec 00 - 11:21 PM I have seen cats and dogs go, old and young and it is always heartbreaking. These animals were my parent's; I can't keep pets where I live now but Malcolm is right - sooner or later you will want another and there are plenty of kittens (and older cats) waiting for adoption. Jon (currently visiting parents and enjoying the company of three cats rescued at various times and a dog) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: GUEST,nathan tompkins Date: 23 Dec 00 - 11:29 PM Fist i'd like to give my deepest condolences to you, John, and to let you know that you are in my thoughts. Second, our backyard has quite a few graves of those loved ones who we have had to put down or who's bodies we discovered..... Third, i would like to relate a story of a couple of pets I used to have, who were around the same age. One was a siamese cat named Boo-Boo and the other was a short haired red miniature dachsund called Toby. Toby had this little doggie bed that she used to sleep in during the last few years of her life, the only problem was Boo-Boo liked sleeping in it, too....especially when Toby was in it. Toby would growl and curse (in her doggy way), while Boo-Boo crawled in and would knead his way into a comfortable bed and these two would sleep together.... We would all just sit back and laugh at this grumpy old twosome.....Well, one beautiful afternoon in the early springtime, mom came home to find Boo-Boo dead in front of the house from a heart attack....For six months of the last 8 of her life, Toby spent her time refusing to sleep in the very same bed she and the cat would growl at each other over.....that is until she got too sick to care....Toby ended up having to be put down, because her kidneys gave out on her...For some reason something inside me refused to believe it, until I opened the box she was "sleeping" in and beheld her still form....my heart broke instantly....I would still see her shape curled under a blanket in her old bed for months....I think that out of all the cats and dogs we have had she is the one I miss the most.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Liz the Squeak Date: 23 Dec 00 - 11:58 PM Funny, the way things work out... I've not been here for a while, so not seen this. This morning at 4.00am (it's now 4.58am) I was woken by a yowling of a cat in pain, just like the one that woke me 6 months ago. No cats in the house other than the Shadow who is on the end of the computer table now. We've had a tom smell in the house for a day or so now, can't find where it's coming from, but parts of the house are covered in white hairs from the farty beast Ceramin who went to the litter tray in the sky in July..... Unpacking the decorations and remembering the smell of burning cat bum, finding white and ginger hairs on old jumpers not worn since last winter..... and that yell this morning, it was like he was still here.... Whoever said it above was right, they never really go away... LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: CarolC Date: 24 Dec 00 - 04:01 AM I'm sorry for your loss, John Hardly. Carol |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Troll Date: 24 Dec 00 - 10:20 PM I've lost several cats over the years and every time I swear "Never again" but I always do. I feel for you, John.I've been there too and it hurts. troll |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Rick Fielding Date: 24 Dec 00 - 10:30 PM Sorry to hear it John. We'll give Kate and Allie (our furry surrogate children) an extra hug tonight. Rick and Duckboots |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Sorcha Date: 24 Dec 00 - 10:33 PM Deepest condolences, John. Been there, done that. At least we can do for our 4 legged friends what we cannot do for our 2 legged. And, they do know EVERYTHING, just everything.
Such good and faithful friends they are.....we can do no wrong in their eyes. Total love, total trust. Last nite I woke up about midnight---one little Corgi bitch with her head on the other pillow, one Amos Moses (12 yr old used to be black cat, blind in one eye) under my left arm, one Gretchen (12 yr old tuxedo cat from hell with extra toes) behind me, one 2 yr old Corgi male on my feet, and one Yentl Cat behind the door glaring at us because there was no room on the bed. Makes getting out of bed to pee a little difficult, sort of like crawling out of a Mummy sleeping bag that has been nailed down.....but I wouldn't trade it for anything. There is no room for Mr.--do they make beds larger than California King? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Margaret V Date: 25 Dec 00 - 09:59 AM John, I'm so sorry you lost your friend. As I was reading this thread, my little 12-year old calico (ok, she's maybe 14 pounds, not really so little) was sitting on my lap purring and I felt the wistfulness of knowing she won't always be with me... then she bit me and jumped off my lap, which she often does just in the middle of purring, because she is slightly psychotic (and believe me, Sorcha, I certainly CAN do wrong in her eyes, like leave her in the care of a stranger when I go away...)but I had to laugh and appreciate the coexistence of two complicated species. I hope you find happy, loving memories under the tree today. Margaret |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Murray MacLeod Date: 25 Dec 00 - 12:04 PM John, I sympathise with you on the loss of your cat. I hope that the following story, courtesy of Billy Connolly, will not be too out of place on this thread, and might even bring a smile to one or two faces. An impoverished old couple from Glasgow were contemplating the onset of Christmas with apprehension as they were unable to afford to buy anything for their Christmas dinner. Eventually they decided that their faithful old dog Rover would have to be sacrificed to take over the turkey's role. Come Christmas Day, Rover was duly consumed and the old couple were sitting at the table staring at the remains, when tears started to roll down rthe old woman's cheeks. "There, there dear", said the old man, "don't upset yourself" "I was just thinking of Rover" sobbed the old woman, "he would have loved these bones" Merry Fhristmas one and all Murray |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Fiolar Date: 25 Dec 00 - 01:17 PM Yeah I know how all dog and cat lovers feel. We lost our beloved dog 15 years ago this coming New Year's day. She died peacfully at 7.40am. She was a cross between a Jack Russell and a Whippet. She used to climb the stairs every morning and nose her way into our bedroom. The last time she did it was on Christmas day 1985. She never managed it again as she was too weak. I never got another dog but kept her photo in a prominent place. She was buried in her favourite old blanket. I'll never forget a passage in one of the great James Herriot books where he assured an old lady that yes, there was an animal heaven when she had lost her beloved pet. I sure hope there is as some animals cerainly deserve one. On a lighter note I recall reading about a notice in one hotel which stated that yes they were quite happy to have dogs on the premises. Dogs did not steal the towels, or burn the furniture with cigarettes, neither did they get drunk and abuse the staff. Happy Christmas. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: jeffp Date: 25 Dec 00 - 01:50 PM John, I'm so sorry to learn of your loss. It's always hard to see them go. I'll give my kitties an extra hug for you tonight. jeffp |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: KathWestra Date: 26 Dec 00 - 02:11 PM Dear John, I'm so sorry you lost your beloved friend. They do have a way of making a place in your heart, don't they? My ancient lady cat and first pet ever, Tossie, is 18-1/2, and getting weaker as she fails to absorb her food. While I have steeled myself intellectually for losing her, I know that when the day comes, I will sob like a baby. Wishing you comfort. You do your old friend honor with your grieving. Kathy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Quincy Date: 26 Dec 00 - 03:20 PM Sorry for your loss John.... very best wishes, Yvonne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Hollowfox Date: 26 Dec 00 - 04:05 PM Ah, John, you have my sincere sympathy, both for your cat and for Bear. Next Monday will be the first anniversary of the first time I had to give permission for euthanasia. Smoke was a stray kitten, dropped off when she was maybe a month old, been with us for only six months. It turned out she had a congenetal kidney malfunction of some sort, there was nothing anybody could do. I can only pass on to you what I (re)learned once again: Death can be a comforter. It's hard, and you miss her, but she doesn't hurt anymore. I agree that it's a good idea to get a new cat. Not as a substitute, of course, but as a new friend. And if you have a mature pet now, an "apprentice" keeps them from turning into a middle-aged frump. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: John Hardly Date: 26 Dec 00 - 05:37 PM ...been off visiting family for the holidays. Came home and, yeah, the house is still empty--but this tread was wonderfully full of your kind thoughts and rememberances (and a few chuckles didn't hurt one bit either). Thanks again. JH |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: CamiSu Date: 27 Dec 00 - 12:36 PM Living on a major road has meant a high toll on the cat front, something I do not handle well, and when a feral cat gave birth above our kitchen and promptly got killed, we brought the kittens in, and raised them (with the help of our lab) as indoor cats. But 2 years ago a 6 month old grey kitten showed up and promptly moved into our hearts and refused to stay indoors... He got rolled last summer, but (much to the vet's amazement) not killed, and I often worry about him being out. He really hates that I will NOT let him be out after dark. So John, I too, offer my condolences, and hope a new friend finds you soon. They don't take the place of the ones gone before, they only add to the joy the others have brought. CamiSu |
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Subject: RE: BS: Farewell old friend From: Gypsy Date: 27 Dec 00 - 11:25 PM Spaw, you beat me to it! Was brought up with the Rainbow bridge, and firmly believe in it. John, so sorry about your loss. When you consider just what percentage of your life is tied up with dog/cat friends, it's no wonder the loss is so hard to take. My deepest sympathy. |