OT - The bad part of having pets...

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Chuck W

>Yes its always sad when pets have reached their time and must go. That said a cat that lives for 18 years has done well.

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

James Dillon in MD

>Joe,

I understand your feelings. We lost our 16 year old cat, Hazel, on Xmas day from cancer. Talk about an emotional downer. We were pleased that he had had a good summer. I'm sure Gizmo is having a great time somewhere right now, but misses you too. Thanks for posting such a nice pic.

Jim

It seems odd we get so attached to pets.

Forrest Addy

>It seems odd we get so attached to pets. But we do so there it is.

I still miss my cat Ripley, friend and companion for 14 years and it's been Nov 2003 since her passing. Maybe someday some new fuzzy characer will adopt me.

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

jeff

>You have my sympathies.

I have had to put to sleep 2 cats and 2 dogs.

I'm not looking forward to the next one.

Always hurts.

Jeff

Re: It seems odd we get so attached to pets.

Gary Evans Tallassee, TN

>Hey Forrest,

I've got 15 out here at the barn that you can choose from. I know how you feel.

Gary

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.

>Hi Joe,

I am sorry for your loss......

Take care,

Jim

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Johanna

>I'm so sorry you lost a beloved family member. It was wonderful, however, to read that you had had her for 18 years. That cat had a really good life with you. Blessed be.

Sorry to hear it Joe...

John in New Mexico

>Sounds like you gave her a great home.

John

Sorry for the loss

Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA

>Raising chickens (of which most become pets) I seen quite a few go, but it's always rough watching them. We lost one of our favorites on Christmas as well. We think she had a stroke, and she showed all the normal symptoms. We just kept her inside in a cage and comfortable until the end.

Forgot to say...

Gary Evans Tallassee, TN

>I know how hard it can be to put down a beloved animal, Joe.

You can have one of the barn cats, too, if you want. I couldn't let any of the 3 house cats go.

Gary

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Alan Tolchinsky

>Joe, I'm so sorry for your loss. I just went through this with our 20 year old Bichon. My wife and I couldn't stop crying for two days. I never thought it would get better but it did gradually. After three months it still hurts but all the good memories make it easier. It is amazing how much we love our pets. They are truly a blessing in our lives. All the good memories they leave us with make the pain of losing them worth it. Alan

How could we not?

Barb Siddiqui

>They are completely non-judgmental. And when they look straight at you, which is rare, it's like a challenge, as if they're thinking 'and what have You done today?' Or is that just me.:-)

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Ken Oakley-Sunny St. Cloud, Fla.

>Back in the 60's my wife purchased a poodle puppy from a pet store. He was cute but grew up to be the ugliest poodle that ever lived. But that was only skin deep. Inside he was the greatest most beautiful dog ever. He could even talk saying "I Love You". He made it to 18 years and then I had to do the same. He went peacefully. I think it would have been easier to have had one of my children put to sleep. I still get tears when I think of him, like right now. I now have another poodle who is not only beautiful outside but inside. His name is Arnold and with any kind of luck he will outlive me so I never have to go through having him put to sleep

Man that's a heartbreaker pic... Sorry Joe

David Sophusson, Custer Wa

>

Re: Man that's a heartbreaker pic... Sorry Joe

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native, Presently Away

>I can relate Joe, and I'm sorry for this news.

I'm down to eight cats, I had 20 and gave away eight when they where kittens, that left with me with 12, and since then 4 of them just up and disapperaed, and one was hit by a car. :~( Ever the optimist I think there is always a chance a few of the ones that disapperared are merely out on a walk-about and will return eventually, but I know I'm only kidding myself. I think something got them and I have strong suspicions it was a halk that I've seen flying around.

My daughter brought home a kitten from the vet's office that the owner didn't want, and for a week they tried to pawn it off on the customers, but because it had a mildly defective leg nobody would take it. Maria brought it home and we mixed it in with the rest of the kittens so my wife wouldn't know, and lo and behold if that kitten didn't steal my wifes heart!

Better stop, when it comes to cats that I love so much I can go on and on.

Remember the good memories, and Gizmo will always be with you.

Todd O.

Ahhhh, Barb

Gary Camp - Bend, Oregon

>A non judgemental cat? My four judge me several times a day. So do the horses for that matter. The only one that doesn't judge me is the dog, opps, wrong there too, If Lisa is around and I tell her (the dog) to do something, Peake looks at me like I'm crazy. Looks at Lisa as if to say do I have to, Mom? That said, I had my cat Benjamin for 18 1/2 years, I watched he being born and I was holding him when he died, 10 years ago. Thinking about that day still brings tears to my eyes, and I still miss him every day.

glc

You have my sympathy Joe

Gary Camp - Bend, Oregon

>

;-)

Barb Siddiqui

>

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Ken Garlock Collin County Texas

>Joe, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. We went through the same thing back on October 13th(a Friday to boot.) Our Abby cat had diabetes for nearly 5 years. He was my favorite cat, and I took care of him making sure he got his insulin injections on time. I do miss him.

Joe, you need to get yourself a kitten. While another cat will not replace your loss, it will make his departing a little easier.

We found a local breeder that raised Abyssinians and Bengals. We have one of each, and they are such fun to watch play.

Loosing a pet is a tough thing to go through.

Ken

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Ernie miller Topeka ks

>sorry to hear of your loss it is allways a sad time when you lose a part of your family.

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

David Sparks

>I know how you feel, Joe. I'm still dealing with the death of our dog Clair who was an important part of our family for fifteen years. My prayers are with you.

Re: OT - The bad part of having pets...

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

>Thanks for the kind words everybody. I appreciate it. I'm glad to be a part of this community where I can share this with some understanding friends.

I remember Ray Carlson's story last summer about his dog Hanna. That was sad. But everybody here had kind words for Ray which I'm sure helped.

No. I don't think we'll get another kitty soon. We still have Henry and Nellie (Golden Retrievers). They're totally oblivious to what happened last weekend. They are so happy-go-lucky dogs.

I feel the worse for my 15 year old daughter Emily. Gizmo and Emily were best friends Emily's entire life. Gizmo slept on Emily's bed every night. Emily always came home from school, went up to her room, and said hi to Gizmo who was always there. Emily went with us Saturday morning to the vet to have Gizmo put to sleep. Took guts on her part. I don't know how she did it.

I have some pieces of figured maple. I plan to make a box to put Gizmo's ashes in. Our other cat, Chloe, we lost about 7 years ago will go in the same box. They were friends too. Now they'll be together again.

Thanks again.

Joe