[zygoat]

My cat "Grandpaw" died last Tuesday. He appeared at my door about two years ago, thin and gaunt looking. I fed him when ever he asked (constantly, it seemed) and finally took him to a vet. They hydrated him and tested him and gave me worm medicine for him. They also informed me that he was declawed, fixed and male.(I previously thought he was a she.) As one who thought of myself as a dog person and tough-guy, my eyes are burning now. I miss him and should have taken him back to the vet when he started getting thin again. Sorry about this as it isn't humor,but it isn't really something I could share with the guys at work. Grandpaw was a good cat and I wanted someone to know that.

[Sally'sConcerns]

I'm sorry about your cat, Grandpaw. Somehow or another they manage to worm their way into our hearts.

My fiance who's 47 has never been around any cats until he met me. They're now his 'daughters' just as my dog is his 'son'.

My sister lost her cat 2 weeks ago because he had the cat version of asthma. I told her about a website called Rainbow Bridge and she called me back to let me know it was a good place to go to since not everybody understands how losing a pet can affect a person. You might check it out:

http://www.petloss.com/

911 version for cats

http://www.petloss.com/welcome2.htm

and here's the 911 version for puppies.

http://www.petloss.com/welcome.htm

[kitkat]

Aww, zygie, you brought tears to MY eyes, too.

[mean lunch lady]

Sorry to hear about your kitty. We have had 3 cats in the last 33 years and two of them are gone now. The first one lived to be 18 and the second to be 16. we were so sad when we had to have them put to sleep. We were not going to have another cat after the last one went. We figured we would be pet free for a little while and see if our allergies got any better but then someone took the paper to my husband and said "Look at this cat. He looks like he needs you". He came from the humane society and he is the most spoiled animal I have ever seen. Anyway, we still miss our other kitties.

[exDemMom]

I've been there. Missy stayed with me for 19 years before she had to go. That was 4 years ago. They do manage to leave behind a big gaping hole in your heart.

I'm so sorry about your Grandpaw.

[sistergoldenhair]

Grandpaw was a good cat...

I'm sure he brought you many days filled with joy.

I miss him and should have taken him back to the vet...

Don't second guess; you did what seemed right at the time.
It is very hard to lose a beloved pet.

[Nea Wood]

Condolences on the loss of your little buddy, "Grandpaw."

[etabeta]

zygoat, we all share in your loss...same story for all of us pet lovers. Even though we cry and miss them tremendously we would not have it any other way. I hope you soon fall in love with another little furry one, it will not replace what you have lost but it will help soften the pain. Blessings, etabeta.

[Ready4Freddy]

Condolences, zygoat. Grandpaw sounds like he was a great cat. I lost Grinelda, a 12 yo calico, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2002. Felt so bad after taking her to the vet and having her put to sleep (I stayed to the end, felt I owed that to her) that I couldn't even travel for the holidays. My heart still aches when I think of her. She was like a little dog, following me around everywhere (I'd had her since she was 6 weeks old).

Still have an almost 17 yo torty, she's a real cat-o'-low-self-esteem, but a sweetie. I don't look forward to the inevitable w/ her......

My favorite 'cat saying' - God created the house cat so man could caress the tiger.

[Ronin]

Just tears... Nothing I can say...

[radu]

I'm so sorry to hear about Grandpaw.
There's something about cats that can't be explained...the way they can worm their ways into our hearts. It's a wonderful thing to be owned by a cat....or cats. :-)

Grandpaw's kitty-spirit is free now, chasing lil critters through the trees. If you're outside sometime and hear the leaves rustling but there's no wind blowing.....that's kitty-spirits at play. I've experienced that several times and it's always comforted me. I always wonder which kitties they are, since we've lost a few over the years.

[MEG33]

I really know how hard it is.I lost my kitty to cancer last year and feel I did not take her soon enough.She was the sweetest most personable cat I've ever had..she was once an orphan,too.

Several weeks ago a skin and bones,very fightened ,fluffy ,cat appeared in the back yard.With much quiet feeding,she finally allowed herself to be petted and finally caught and taken to the vet last week.

She had mites,worms,a damaged larynx and part of her ear missing.She is in the house now and has dared to come out from under the table skirt ,sleep in the open,and be petted a lot.It's still a scary world to her.She purrs very loudly because of the larynx,the vet says.My daughter is certain she was sent to help ease the loss.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

So sorry about Grandpa. I know your pain - I lost my beloved tuxedo Stimpy to cancer in February. I had her for 12 years and she was a damn fine cat. Just try to take comfort in knowing that the time Grandpa spent with you, he was loved and cared for, and that's more than most kitties get in this world. And don't worry about your eyes burning - I'm tearing up as I type this. They really have a way of getting into your heart!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I am so sorry about the loss of your kitty friend, FRiend. {{{{HUGS}}}}

[retrokitten]

Sorry to hear about your cat. They are parts of our family, too, and it hurts just as much to lose them. His spirit will always be with you, as will the wonderful memories of him that you will always have.

[iceskater]

I'm sorry to hear about Grandpaw. Don't feel bad about sharing your loss - who better to understand, right?

You did the best you could and took good care of Grandpaw. Don't beat yourself up too much second-guessing.

[SuzanneWeeks]

My condolences on your kitty's passing. Please do visit the "Rainbow Bridge" site. It has helped me very much at the time of my cat's passing.

Suzanne

[Springman]

As we are all cat people, we understand. It's hard Kitty pass on. When my Kitty died, (yes that is what I named her) I took it very hard. She owned me for 12 years, just ask my wife LOL!!

Of course she took it even harder, she still doesn't want another cat in the house, but I am working on it.

When the time is right, you will get a new Kitty.