OT I lost my kitty and lifelong friend today, give your pets a hug from her and me :

[Max_Andrews]

Her name was Chocolate. She passed today at the ripe old age of twenty, after battling kidney failure for two years. Luckily she never seemed to be in pain, she just began to sleep more and more often as things progressed. She was my first real friend, and has remained my best friend my entire life. She taught me what it means to love unconditionally and trust completely, and she taught me patience and the importance of a companion. She moved with me to Japan, and back again, and has always been there to support me. The other day as she lay curled up in the corner of the room, I became distressed as I sensed her time was near. She sensed this somehow, and dragged her arthritic body over to me, and began to purr. She loved me right up to the end, and I will miss her dearly. I can only hope she had as much joy in her life as she provided me with.

I buried her in the backyard under a young oak tree this afternoon, the same tree which she played under and climbed on in her earlier years. While her death saddens me and hurts deeply, the burial is an act of creation. She will become part of the earth which she loved so much, and live on as part of the flowers, pollens, and grasses that amke our world so beautiful.

May she rest in peace.

So in closing, please give your pets an extra bit of attention today in honor of her, and let them know how much you love them.

Thanks for listening.

[gc1]

Sorry you lost your dear friend... but those memories are for life... rest in peace kitty.
:-)

[Hackomatic]

Hi Max,

I don't know you, but don't need to to understand the loss you are experiencing of your Kitty Cat, your friend. We've had a number of cats over the years but none as affectionate as the two we have now . . Rascal and Roxy. Brother and sister that we "Rescued" from the neighbors who were pretty neglectful. They are Scottish Fold breed and I can't imagine having any animals more loving, intelligent and with almost human personalities at times. Yes, like most cats they can be demanding too, but generally for just being loved.

It's true . . dogs have owners, cats have staff.

I'll miss 'em when they're gone someday . .

I raise a pint of my best homemade ale right now to you and the memory of Chocolate! :)

[cuggie]

I am sorry that you are having all the feeling I know you are going thru. It is so hard to lose a friend and pet. I never met Chocolate but even now I shed a tear in her memory.

May you be lucky enough to have another Friend like her, someday in your future.

cuggie

[hulan]

I'm sorry for your loss also. Know that you made her life better as she did yours. Cats are amazing creatures, I've had many over the years and cried each time I lost one. Your loss is felt here as well.

[davidl]

Awww:( I know about cats too. I lost one of my best friends last October, he was 14 and a wonderful cat named Sylvester. Also had another named Houdini put to sleep a month ago. Like you, I buried my pets out back behind my house.It's never an easy thing to have to do but that's life and they depended on me while living so it's the least I can do after they depart. I love my cats more than most people :D I'll share a poem I found a few months back and if it offends anyone then all I can say is too bad :rolleyes:

LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep.
I purred to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you; I smiled and said, "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.

- Author Unknown

[Mark65]

I'm so sorry, Max:(

I'm well versed in the loss of four legged friends, going into detail would be self-indulgent. Suffice it to say, I feel your pain, and like Cuggie, I shed a tear or two from your description. My dog Maxine is 14+, and I dread the coming (soon) day when I find her gone. God Bless, my friend.

Mark

[romanbednarek]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss... something that can never be replaced but will live on in your heart and mind.

I'll be sure to give our doggy, P-Nutt, (shown below as a puppy the first weekend we had him back in August 2002) a big hug and some extra attention. He just turned 7 last weekend and I know that it will be very tough on everyone here when he eventually passes on because he really is "one of a kind" in every way. The one thing about P-Nutt is that he is very kind to cats and all animals for that matter (except rabbits because we encourage him to chase them for fun but he's not fast enough to catch any... well, besides the time that the rabbit stopped because he saw a skunk but luckily all three of them just "froze" and we quickly called P-Nutt back to us... It's stories like this that we'll always remember and I'm sure you have plenty of your own with your kitty). One of P-Nutt's very first neighborhood doggy friends named "Red" passed away a few months ago and that is a name that we haven't been able to say around him anymore. Time heals but never forgets.

http://www.rjbaudio.com/Interests/P-Nutt%20puppy1.jpg

[Sooper]

Sorry to hear about Chocolate. Our real close buddy Rocky is now 15 and I'm sure that's a lot in dog years. He's a German Shepherd / Walker hound mix who adopted us from the SPCA. He's been our faithful companion as well which makes it very easy to understand and painful to hear of your loss.

the pictures on the wall are of his people lol!

[donc]

we feel your pain , Curiousity was her name , her and her brothers and sisters were playing and climbing on fold up wooden tv trays , one of the tables fell ,all kittys escaped except curiousity , she was put to sleep tonight , she was MY shadow . donc

[Ryan_M]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

We've gone through almost $2k in vet bills on our two dogs in the last little while, luckily everything is OK but it still gets you thinking. I've lost a couple dogs in the past too, so I know how you feel.

I know a lot of people say they will never get another pet after suffering such a loss, but IME that is the best cure.

Take care,
Ryan

[Max_Andrews]

Thanks so much for the support guys, it's part of what makes our community great. THanks again.

[MidKnight]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Pets are as much family as anyone else. 20 years is one heck of a run! I too lost my childhood cat 2 months ago at the age of 17, also a good run. So, to Zebby, Chocolate and all the others I'll say a prayer and remember how much they gave to us.

Thank you for the advice and I will go and hug our 10 month old black lab.

[blaine]

Ouch.

People who don't have cats, and people who don't have relationships with their cats, don't realize that cats are every bit as loving as dogs, but we know. My wife and I don't have kids, but we have two cats. We aren't their staff, we are mommy & daddy for the last 13 years.

We were fairly sure we were going to have to put one of them down a couple of weeks ago, and we cried rivers of tears. She ended up getting completely healed, but we are now aware that they don't live long enough. If you loved your cat half as much as we love ours, it must be very painful.

I think when we lose one of ours, we will have to go to the SPCA the same day and pick out another one to love. Not to be a replacement, cause they are all different and irreplaceable, but because we will need someone to dump the excess love into, and to give love back to us in time.

At some point you will be able to smile and laugh when you remember her, instead of crying.

[jclin4]

The story of Chocolate's last act is very touching. I think she was telling you that she knew what was going to happen and was at peace with it. She clearly did not want you to fret. What grace these animals have!

Our all-black domestic short-hair, Elvis, also had much personality: not grace, but more like minor criminal or local bad guy. He loved to get into trouble, but it was fun and entertaining to witness his antics.

We miss him.

[johnastockman]

Awww:( I know about cats too. I lost one of my best friends last October, he was 14 and a wonderful cat named Sylvester. Also had another named Houdini put to sleep a month ago. Like you, I buried my pets out back behind my house.It's never an easy thing to have to do but that's life and they depended on me while living so it's the least I can do after they depart. I love my cats more than most people :D I'll share a poem I found a few months back and if it offends anyone then all I can say is too bad :rolleyes:

LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep.
I purred to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you; I smiled and said, "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.

- Author Unknown


Wow...now my eyes are really watering. Thanks for that wonderful poem. I lost my little cat buddy, Bozlie, in 2006 to an illness. He was a great companion after I moved out in the sticks, being all by myself, except for him. It was very hard to drive home from the vet that day when I realized that he wouldn't be coming home with me. I adopted two brother-cats a couple months after that...the huge brothers, both 20lbs. I love the big furry guys, hope they'll be with me for as long as they're able. I'll raise a container of my favorite compounds for Chocolate, Sylvester and all the other cat-buddies. Thanks, David.

John A.

[Paul K.]

Very sorry about your loss. We've had and lost many cats over the years, some living way too short of lives, and others living much longer (but never long enough). No two had similar personalities and all are sorely missed. I'll be sure to give our two cats, Linus and B.J., more affection tonight in memory of your Chocolate.
Paul

[edlafontaine]

Bealsie, Pookie and Monster Paws (a tabby Manx), along with the humans in our household lost the companionship of Snowball this past winter.
We feel your pain.

Thanks for sharing.

[WayneN]

Max,

Reading your story about Chocolate brought back memories of our Sandy, a mixed bread that looked like a Fox, she was with us for 16 years, adopted her from the SPCA just before Christmas 1990. Funny how pets know when your sad, know when your happy, know when you need attention, they are all unique in their personalities. When we had to put our Sandy to rest due to many ailments, my youngest at the time said Dad why are you crying all I told him was that we just lost a family member. Pets are Family period!
Healing takes time, your memories of Chocolate will always be with you.

WayneN

[brianwalter]

Max, I echo pretty much what everyone else has said. It's really tough losing a pet and if your like me, you might wonder if you will ever get over it. I was so sad when we lost our cat that wondered how or why anyone would ever get another pet, knowing that you would have to go through the same emotions again when the new pet passes away. Go ahead and grieve for a while and then if you find that you would like another pet go for it. The new pet never truly replaces the previous one, but they can be loved every bit as much.

After reading your post this morning, I went home for lunch at noon and hugged our two cats.

Brian Walter

[Max_Andrews]

Thanks again for the support guys. It's been tough on our family (and our other kitty), but in time we'll get through it. For the most part, the feeling around the house is one of relief rather than sadness - we are happy she is at peace and no longer struggling with her illness. Still, I'll catch things in the corner of my eye like a pair of shorts left on the bed, or shoes left under the living room table, and for a split second I forget she's gone and think it's her. It will take a lot of time getting used to her absence.

Our other kitty is definitely affected by it, he was raised by chocolate ever since he was a kitten, so he really has no sense of life without her. He's been curling up and sleeping in her old favorite spots, probably because they have her smell and he wants to be close to her. We've been sure to give him lots of love to help him through this difficult time for all of us.

When I think about her life tears come to my eyes, but they are as much tears of pride and happiness as they are tears of loss. She gave so much and never asked for anything in return but our love (and of course a few morsels of tuna or salmon every now and then ;)).

To all those that have lost their dear pets, I hope that your memories of them are strong and filled with joy, and that you have been able to find love with new pets since.

Thanks,
Max

[jliedeka]

Hi, Max.

I just want to add my condolences. I'm a cat lover, have two of the beasts now and had three as pets growing up. Twenty years is a pretty good run but that doesn't make it any easier.

I hope, in time, you'll get a new kitty so your current one has a friend.

Jim

[cooper]

Max, I'm sorry.

My online handle, cooper, was our dog's name. Cooper is in heaven.

Back in July '07 she was diagnosed with bone cancer in two vertabrae.

We did radiation therapy, and she bounced back for a good 7 months. The cancer came back, of course.

Anyway, I've never mourned a person like I did cooper. My wife was worse.

I will hug our current dog today, If she'll let me. You see, the new one is a heathen. Grrrrr.........

Big paws to fill.

[natediggidy]

I join the others here in sorrow for your loss Max. Last October, my buddy Misty had to be put to sleep because of kidney failure.
Knowing that there were others out there waiting for a new family & home, we went to the SPCA soon after and found "Noodles". Tonight I'll shed a tear for your dear Chocolate and my Misty, and give "not-so-lil-anymore'" Noodles an extra treat and a hug.

Peace my friend.

[shawn_a]

Late in responding but I'm so sorry to hear this news Max. Unfortunately I'm in a similar situation with my chocolate lab (how odd of a symmetry is that?) It stings like nothing else to lose a pet who has been a part of your life for so long but ya know, in the end I think it's worth a smile to thing about the good things our pets do for us. Ole Beauregard is gonna get even more hugs tonight than he already has been getting.

shawn