BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....

Subject: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 02:21 AM

Max the chesticle loving, black and white cat went to that litter box in the sky yesterday.

I got Max about 5 years ago, when his owner moved to Australia. He was a rotund little thing who liked nothing better than to sit on your chest and hug you, whilst licking your cheek - like being caressed by 22grit sandpaper!

He's had his ups and downs, broke both his hips when he was a kitten, suffered in the cold weather with arthritis and once ripped his cruciatus tendon in a fall of about 2 feet, got lost for 3 days and was going deaf, but was always a loving and friendly cat. Especially if you had food.

He had recently developed a tumour on his jaw that was pushing his teeth in sideways. This meant that it was becoming difficult to eat and he'd lacerate his tongue when he lapped or licked. The teeth would also trap food which he couldn't move and created one mother of a stench in there. He was receiving antibiotics to fight any infections the rotting food was creating, and I cleared his mouth out when he would let me, wiped his drool when he couldn't and brushed and bathed him because he could no longer do it himself.

In the last week though, the lacerations became more frequent, he lost a third of his body weight and found it more and more difficult to drink. It was nearly impossible to get him to open his mouth to take his pills and when you did, it wasn't pretty. In the end, we all decided it was best for all to let him go quietly and relatively painlessly. He's buried in the garden next to Amber, his long term partner who died in 2005.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Micca
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 03:06 AM

Great Sympathy, Liz, "Alas ,poor max, I knew, him Horatio, a cat of benign temprament, friendly and warm, but I feared when I saw him yesterday morning that his time was close. He will join Bilbo and Amber in our hearts. Micca

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 03:27 AM

More sympathy from here, Liz. We just had to let our Cahrlee go a couple of weeks ago. They are better off, but it's a hard decision. The pix are lovely, all of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: bfdk
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 03:58 AM

Sorry to hear that, Liz. Sympathy from here, too, it's always hard to say goodbye to a friend you've had around for a long time - it leaves a big void.

However, you know that you did what was right for Max when you made sure he wouldn't have to suffer anymore from a condition that would just have gotten worse and worse. So take heart and courage from that knowledge.

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST,wildlone
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 06:44 AM

Liz, so sorry to hear of your loss.

I to have had to let well loved members of my familly go.

A good web site that I have found rainbow bridge

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 06:56 AM

I'm so sorry Liz, he was a lovely cat.

Big furry hugs from here!

Love Fiona, Chris and the feline army xx

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 07:14 AM

My condolences Liz.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: freda underhill
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 07:19 AM

my best wishes Liz.

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 09:04 AM

He was a good cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: jacqui.c
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 09:11 AM

I'm so sorry Liz - he was a lovely cat. You have the solace that you made his life happy and comfortable for the time that you had him.

I'll miss his hugs when I come to yours in the future.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 10:00 AM

So sorry, Liz. I'm sure he was one of the lovely cats I met in your dining room in the middle of the night in the dark. Fuzzy hugs,
~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: ranger1
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 12:18 PM

So sorry, Liz. It's amazing how large a hole such a small creature can leave behind when they go.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: fat B****rd
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 12:49 PM

Sorry to hear that Liz. We had to let our Deacon (He was a Blue) go not too long ago and I was expecting him around the house for what seemed like ages afterwards. ATB from Charlie.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: MAG
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 01:35 PM

Always sorry to hear someone has lost a furry friend. my thoughts are with you.

MA

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 02:04 PM

So sorry, Liz. Not much else to say.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Bee
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 02:09 PM

I add my condolences. Losing a pet leaves an empty corner in the heart, as well as (often) on the bed.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 04:17 PM

Thanks.

Last night was the worst.. I put out three bowls of food as normal, and wondered why it stayed in the bowl.... The Lodger "Shopkeeper" now thinks he's been given carte blanche to move in properly.... we'll have to see about that!

Thanks everyone. It was hard, but it was the right thing to do. Any surgery to remove his teeth might have killed him anyway, it might have encouraged the growth to increase rapidly, he might only have had a few more months, but this way he didn't suffer overlong, and he was with people who loved him.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 05:39 PM

So sorry about Max, he was a grand cat and I like him and his cuddles very much.

Big hugs to you and Phoebe and Paul xxx

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 05:48 PM

Dear Liz my heart goes out to you.

My Macushla died two years ago. I had her for six years. I am lucky still to have her mum and sister (both long haired greys).

As we get older we prefer the company of animals. They remain loyal, loving and caring.

Thoughts with you tonight.

Divis

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 06:28 PM

Sorry about your pussy Liz but the tits will be safe in the garden. Take comfort from that.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Hawker
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 06:28 PM

Condolences Liz, sorry to hear you had to make that decision, but it sounds like it was the right one.thinking of you.
Regards, lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 12:12 AM

So sorry Liz, it's a hard decision to make but it was the right decision for Max. It's so sad to lose a pet.

JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 05:11 AM

My pussy is now buried in the garden under the tits favourite tree.... it was his favourite crapping place.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 06:18 AM

Bathsheba, Isolde and their Mummy[Cats] and Uncle Jon, all send bug hugs, purrs and cuddles.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST,Morti
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 08:01 AM

So sorry to hear this, Liz, he was a lovely, if slobbery cat. Hugs to Phoebe and Paul

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Becca72
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 09:20 AM

My heart goes out to you too, Liz. I lost my Mara Jade this past spring after 13 wonderful years. There are few things worse in life than losing a pet.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST,partridge
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 09:46 AM

Sorry to hear this Liz,
I've had a cat for only three months and I can't imagine life without her. Thinking of you

pat x

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 12:15 PM

Oh, Liz, I'm sorry. It's so damned hard.

We had to let Mortimer go the end of August (renal failure). The vet and his assistant came to the house -- I'd promised him he wouldn't have to get into a car and go to the vet ever again. I still "see" and "hear" him around the house. And miss him, of course.

It's just the hardest decision to make.

Hugs.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST,maire-aine
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 12:41 PM

Dear Liz, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I'll be giving my 2 girls some extra cuddling tonight.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 01:45 PM

Sympathies Liz...as you well know, you did the right, & kindest thing.

I've been employed by cats, but never had the awful duty of having to have one put to sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Scoville
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 03:58 PM

He was a lucky cat to have been so well loved.


Now, I'm going to go home and hug my dog. Again.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: JudyB
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 04:51 PM

Liz -

So sorry to hear about Max. It's never easy, even when it's clearly the right thing to do.

Hugs,
JudyB

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Genie
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 05:07 PM

Grisabella Raggmopp sends her condolences along with mine, Liz.   I know how hard it is to see a beloved furry companion pass on even when their lives on this side of the scratching post become very hard for them (and you).    Glad Max had such loving "staff" during his time on earth and that you were able to be sat upon for 5 years by such a fine furry fellow.

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 03:23 PM

Spent most of the night sitting with my beautiful cat as life slipped away from her. Got a very understanding emergency vet to leave his home on Christmas morning and call to my home. Said she was suffering, it was kidney failure. So at noon I held her as he administered the final injection. Lost my best friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Epona
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 03:36 PM

So many people forget that animals are not just pets to us, but family members and best friends. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, but for you to be there with her as she went to sleep, holding her...she knew how loved she was.

E

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 05:22 PM

Oh Divis, I am so sorry. She will leave a gap in your life and in your heart.

Hugs from JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 06:07 PM

Thanks Jennie, means a lot.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 06:12 PM

I'm sorry Divis. I still miss my Amos Moses, the love bug.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 06:32 PM

Sorcha, I think we all prefer animals to people as we get older. Every morning it was her paws digging the door in that would waken me. Most cats bring rats and mice home or sadly birds, she brought moths !

They are great to have in our lives, but it's rubbish when they go. Vet said get another cat, God no, I still have her mother who's ten here and after that no more pets. It is simply to hard to deal with when they go.

Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 06:35 PM

I know, Divis, I know...but we shall never live Corgi-less. Must have them.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 06:41 PM

Beautiful dogs Corgis, a friend of mine had five and showed them. She did really well over the years. Sadly two died within a year and she retained the others as pets, never showed again and as they left her life she never kept a pet again. It's the loyalty, the love and their presence in our lives. Gizzy was a very large long haired grey cat that was simply stupid ! That was her attraction. Her mother was the intelligent one.

Ah well I had her for a eight years and they were wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 11:33 PM

Since Himself and I first got together we have always had a cat, then two, then three.....for a few years we had four, but our 18yo black and white Prickle died last year. Doesn't matter how many you have, the gap is still there when they leave.

But I couldn't imagine life without a cat.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 12:00 AM

Sorry to hear about your pet. Our old dog, a Samoyed named Leo, has a slow growing cancer tumor on his gums. It is untreatable, the vet said, so he is going to be made as happy as possible while he is still with us. Pets become part of the family.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 05:30 AM

Ah Alice that is so sad. Give him all the love in the world and reflect on all he has given to you through life. Your life was richer for knowing him.


Jennie, I also had three cats, lost my wee Macushla first and it was so hard. Now Gizzy gone. Their mum Dee Dee still with me, she is looking everywhere this morning for her daughter and won't settle, hearing her calls is hard to listen to. It's funny as cats seem more indepentant than dogs, she knows something is wrong.

I find everyone likes dogs, but not everyone likes cats and are never afraid to voice it. When I find a person is a cat lover, they always go up several points in my opinion of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 05:39 AM

My deepest sympathy - I love all cats.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Becca72
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 08:45 AM

Divis, my heart goes out to you this morning. I had a similar situated (people are going to get tired of hearing about this from me!) when my cat died this spring I was left with her son who had never been alone before in his whole life (he was 8 at the time) and he threw such a fit! He would literally block the door when he saw me putting my coat on. He cried for her all the time. After a couple of months I couldn't put him through it anymore and ended up with 2 beautiful black kittens. They're 10 months old now and with the exception of a few spats here and there they all love each other dearly and my household is complete again.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 10:10 AM

So sorry Divis. Cats really can worm their way into your affection.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 11:28 AM

Becca, so sorry to hear you lived through this too. So glad you were able to get yourself through this with other additions to the family. I simply couldn't put myself through this loss again, not strong enough to face it again. My other cat is all over the house looking her and I can't stop thinking about her and when her time will come.

Animals are a lot more than pets, it's not the correct name for them.
I lost part of my life yesterday as you will understand sadly only too well. Thanks.

Jacqui, you are dead right there, they know how to play us ! Their special way of looking treats every time you open the fridge door is an example. I went through two large packets of Chicken roll each week between them both. It's the eyes and there way of playing up to us that does it. Again Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 03:05 PM

So sorry to read this Divis, the moreso that it happened on Christmas Day.

As I said earlier in this thread, have been fortunate in never having had to have one of mine put to sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: A furry Friend has gone....
From: Gervase
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 03:13 PM

Warm thoughts to both of you, Liz and Divis. We lost one of our cats last month to a road accident. Wanda was only two, and the smallest of the four cats we have, but she was a fearless huntress. The widgeon she brought home in the spring is still in the freezer after I confiscated it (much to her chagrin). Her death knocked me sideways for the best part of a week, and I really miss her little 'chirrups' of triumph at a new 'bag' and her weaving around my legs at the opening of a tin of tuna.
And then last weekend my stupid terrier almost killed himself with chocolate poisoning, and we had to endure a very anxious 24 hours while he was on a drip at the vet's.
Divis, don't feel embarrassed about grieving - I wept buckets when we buried Wanda.