Posted on 05/25/2007 4:28:35 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear
This creature had been part of my life for almost 17 years. He wasn't exactly a normal cat. He was built like a medium sized dog. When he was healthy he weighed over 20 pounds. Today he weighed just over 10 pounds and was skin and bone.
He had been sick on and off for about a year. Antibiotics helped but he never completely recovered. This morning he really looked bad. We called the vet and took him in. I already expected the worst. The vet said his temp was 92 F (normal is about 101). I expected him to have a fever because was looking for cool places to lie down.
It was so hard but I asked the Vet to put him to sleep. The Dr reassured me that this was the best choice, with treatments he might have another week or two and either be in pain or doped up. I said to do it and dear God it hurts. My wife and I held him and stroked his fur until long after he was gone. His cheek rested on my hand the entire time. At about 12:45 this afternoon he passed away.
Through tears, Mrs Bear said she never thought the loss of a cat would be so painful. When she first "met" him they had trouble getting along. Before getting to know her; he never liked anybody but me. After some time they warmed up to each other. Today she's heartbroken. To be honest, so am I.
Whenever she would sing he would run up to her, sit at attention and listen to her. She asked if animals go to heaven and if we will see him again. The best I could do was a verse from Ecclesiates 3:21.
He traveled with me from the US to Europe and back. Whether I was in the livingroom watching a DVD, studying at the kitchen table or FReeping; he was always right next to me. I keep expecting to turn and see him in his usual places.
Thanks for listening.
It certainly does lessen over time. We have his picture up and still think of him very fondly. We actually (don’t flame me for this, people) let my son’s female cat have a litter of beautiful kittens before we fixed her, and we got great homes for three and kept one. It never replaces your old beloved companion but it’s a very pleasant distraction to open your home to another furry friend. Heal well. Mourning is no sign of weakness.
I will not flame you. There’s nothing wrong with bringing kitties into the world as long as you take care of them.
Thanks again for your kind words.
17 years of such a special friend - want a wonderful gift.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Ecclesiastes 3:19 (King James Version)
19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
Thank you cathy. He was a blessing. Despite the pain I wouldn’t want to have missed out on those years.
:*-(
I know that the Lord has used this painful time to teach me his word.
Maybe it sounds strange but I have gained a fuller understanding of the depths of God’s love for us and His grief when we suffer. And His longing to be reunited with us.
I know what I feel is only an imperfect reflection of Him.
Anthony.
I am reminded of when Nathan went to David to tell him about his sin, the story shows me that God understands our great love for pets he gives us! So much so this story of the Much loved Ewe is in the bible!!
As the story is recorded in II Samuel 11, David is strolling on his terrace when he happens to spy a beautiful woman, Bathesheba, bathing. He arranges a romantic tryst with her, as a result of which she becomes pregnant. Bathshebas husband, Uriah, is a loyal soldier in Davids army, and is off fighting Davids battles. Not delighted at the prospect of being identified as the father of Bathshebas baby, David plots to avert any suspicion
that the child is his. He orders Uriah to return home in the hope that his reunion with Bathsheba will so transpire that Uriah will assume he is the father of the child.
But Uriah fails to cooperate. Ever the loyal servant, wishing to be pure in his service to the king, he sleeps at Davids door rather than returning to his own bed. David finally decides that more serious measures will have to be taken: he orders Uriah to the front lines, where he is killed. As soon as Bathshebas period of mourning is over, David takes her as his wife and she gives birth to a son. The story rivals any contemporary soap opera.
At this point Nathan, the trusted prophet, appears on the scene and tells David a story about two men, one a poor man who LOVES A SPECIAL EWE — IT ATE with the mans children and was “unto him as a daughter” — and the other a rich man with many flocks and herds. A traveler visits the rich man, and when the dinner hour approaches, rather than using one of his own lambs, the rich man kills the poor mans lamb for the feast. Nathan waits for Davids reaction. David, outraged at the rich mans arrogance and abusiveness, responds that the man who has done this wickedness deserves to die. Nathan then delivers his wonderfully brief message to David: “You are the man.”
I never imagined feeling so much grief over a cat. I knew that I would out live him and I expected to be sad but not this. :*-(
I could only begin to imagine the sorrow a parent must feel at the loss of a child!
Condolences on the loss of your sweet kitty.
Battle Axe
Thank you Battle Axe. That’s quite a FReep Page you have!
I thought it would be easier after two days.
God bless you,
GB
God help you through this awful time. I have been there and it doesn’t get much worse than this in life.
When I come home from work the first thing I do is feed the kitties. He was there when I walked in the door and would walk with me to where the food is kept. He would circle until the food was put down. The other kitty goes right were the food is always put.
After eating he would sit near my feet where ever I was.
Today was my first day back to work since he passed. God how I am missing him.
Like a lot of FReepers said; I was blessed to have him for as long as I did. The hurt will ease.
Thanks and God bless you.
GB
I am so sorry to hear that you beloved cat passed away.
It is always hard to lose a pet and often we don’t know it until it happens.
My thoughts are with you and your wife.
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Kharas was a beautiful Cat.
My dear Friend it is not stupid nor is it selfish to want everyone to see what a beautiful and great Cat he was.~sniff~
I feel for you and your wife.
God Bless the both of you.
Grizzled Bear is a great and stand up guy.
I wish that I could email him a kitten.
We have several to spare.
It will take a while for it to get easier.
I now only think about my little boy Phudd a few times a day.
I won’t post any pics as this is your thread.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
It hurts a lot.
I would like to see a picture of Phudd. If you want to post it here it’s alright. Or you could email it or send/post a link. Whatever you prefer.
Mrs Bear has wanted a dog for quite some time. Since we live on base we’re limited to two pets. Some folks have been known to break the rules but I won’t.
It will still take a long time before we are able to do it but when we’re ready we’ll get her a dog. However; I insist on a breed that won’t fit in your pocket when full grown.
Thanks Tas.
You’ve been there. I can tell.
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