So sorry to hear about your loss of Cathy. We are big cat lovers and have lost our share of them over the years. Fortunately they have all lived to ripe old ages. Regardless, it’s still heartbreaking when they die.
God bless you for sharing that beautiful post with us, Laz
Now go hit something
What a pretty baby. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hubby and I lost our beloved cat Holly a couple of years ago. We literally keened for her for a week. We’ve both lost our parents and our favorite siblings, but never did we mourn like we did for that little sweet cat.
I’m glad you found solace from Providence.
What a beauty!
And what a lovely article.
Beautiful Kittypal, Laz.
I still miss the Stripey Guy, and it’s been almost thirty years now. Had to have him euthanized as well, I stayed with him through it, too. The emotions hit while I was at the vet’s office, though.
We had an extraordinary connection. He’d climb down off of the shed at the end of the carport and drape himself around my neck when I came home and happily stay with me walking around, cooking, doing dishes; until I’d bend down to the breakfast bar and ask him to hop down. The elderly neighbor lady (raging leftist, and not one of the naive ‘I love FDR’ types) caught him in traps and turned him in to Animal Control a couple of times, while telling me over and over how much she loved him and other cats.
I went to claim him from AC once. He went BALLISTIC with affection and recognition when I walked in. The officer said ‘I’ve never seen a cat do anything like that before’. I went into the office to get him out and totally deadpanned them. “What are the charges? Why has he not been allowed access to counsel? Has a public defender seen him? What about his ‘phone call?” I rattled off like that for several minutes straight, and they waived the fine. “Just go get him his cat.”
I managed to get out of sight with Stripe before I broke into hysterical ‘I can’t believe I just did that’ laughter.
Miss you every day Stripey bud.
The eyes say everything.
Lovely kitty cat.
Laz—
We were building a house a few years ago. It was far enough along to venture to the second floor for a glass of celebratory wine. Shortly into the “party”, there was the sound of a baby crying. We were startled! Julie said she thought it was a cat. We descended the unfinished stairs, emerged to the driveway/construction mess. From under a pallet came this pathetic little creature with an infected eye, dirty and skinny, about three months old.
Someone dumped him at the site. There was no negotiation. Each advance toward adoption ... I accepted without difficulty, though I had no cat growing up, only dogs. I already loved the pathetic little creature.
Fast forward 3 years. This little guy, Puddle Jumper is his name, is the center of our life. We love him so dearly, and he continuously returns the favor. How did I go for 59 years without knowing?
We consider him a gift from God, one of the greatest we have received, and he is carrying some very special Spirit within him. What a friend he is! Last night we planned to leave him alone overnight. Near midnight, when our away engagement ended, we changed our plan and decided to drive back. At 2am, there he was sitting on his “tree stand”, on the second floor overlooking the driveway, waiting. Wow.
I am sorry you lost your kitty. We are very thankful for our best friend, while we have him. God bless you, Dear.
I had many cats and loved them all.
The last love of my life crawled under my bed at 0400 and started to cry.He never did that.I pulled him out and he couldn’t walk.I took him to the Pet Emergency.
He was diagnosed with a saddle thrombosis.
By 0500 he had passed.
The date was Oct 4.The feast day of St.Francis,the patron St of animals.
So sorry for the loss of your kitty.
God bless you brother man thanks for sharing this.
Laz,you have been given wisdom, and you have shared it.
That is why it was given to you in the first place.
Your article will help many, both now, and in the future, when others must walk the path you have trod.
You have done well, my friend.
You and Cathy both.
God bless.
Hi Laz—
Such a beautiful memorial for a beautiful friend. I’m so sorry that she did pass, but it sounds like you were a wonderful friend to her and gave her a good life. And the ability to FEEL and grieve is a great blessing - there are many who are numbed out and aren’t able to let themselves experience feelings, especially the painful ones.
Prayers and comfort for you!
madmominct
Losing a pet is not easy, they are like part of the family.
Such a beautiful girl.
“I discovered the purpose of money, used to treat my little girl and make her as comfortable as possible. I used to think so wrongly about it. Money was a scorecard, and a way to acquire the shallow, the ultimately meaningless: The cool car, the nice house, the good-looking woman. I discovered that money had one fundamental purpose: To care for those you love. Any other use was an off-brand use.”
Some would call this sacrifice. I prefer unconditional love!
A person just isn’t right until they love a pet.
Thank you for sharing.
God’s Peace be with you.
Your beautiful Cathy taught you unconditional love. That is a
lesson that some people never learn.
God bless you! (((hugs)))
Thank you sir for this post! I hope your grief is always overwhelmed by the joy of having her. I have just spent 30 minutes remembering the pets I have lost, and the individual spirit each kindly gave to me in their time.
I am sure God gives us pets as children to show a young mind/heart what unconditional love truly is, so we can imagine and understand His. And as adults, as a constant reminder of that love when people and the world let us down.
Thanks again
Radioactive