Wasn't on here much over christmas, reason being the sad loss of Molly, our Maine Coon cat.
She was 18 years old, quite a good age for a cat, but had been getting thinner for months even though she was eating regularly. No point taking her to the vet at that age, hearing was going as well and I'd rather she saw her final time out in comfort than being poked and prodded and fed pills!
Christmas Eve she came in and did not eat, slinking to the sofa and going straight to sleep. Knew it wouldn't be long right then, so we made her comfortable in the conservatory at night, gave her a cuddle and left her in peace in the warm. Christmas morning we had the unfortunate task of laying her to rest.
She was a friend for 18 years, one of those animals that's always there to listen when you need them, and has helped me through some very tough and testing times with the ex years ago.
(http://www.sprintexnet.co.uk/Images/Molly.jpg)
RIP Molly :(
Paul (gutted)
Paul, having been owned by many cats over the years, I know exactly how you feel.
I still miss mine cuddling up to me in bed and greeting me when I come in.
A good help is getting another straight away, especially a kitten as they are so naughty they keep your mind busy.
John.
Thanks. Luckily we still have Tigger to keep us busy, our 8 year old Ginger tom who is as soppy as they come ;)
Paul
Sorry to hear of your loss.
We had one of our much loved guinea pigs die the day before new year's eve...he passed away in Mrs Dreyfus' arms. Very sad when a pet you are attached to dies, they leave a big gap in your life.
Sorry to hear that Paul. What a day for it to happen. :( At least she had a great 18 years with you. :thumbsup:
It's bad enough losing a much loved pet and it seems even worse when you have to take them to the vets for the final injection.
After the last time that happened nearly two years ago I said that was it,no more dogs....I think it took about a week to get another one and of course that one had to have a friend,so now we have two miniature dachshunds again.
Sorry for your loss,but at least there's no more pain and suffering.
Allan
Sorry to hear this news Paul. Thought you had been quiet on here recently. Catchup soon for coffee and some loco running time...
The following piece of prose is perhaps suitable in this instance; Rainbow Bridge...
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Sorry to hear of the sad passing away of your cat Paul. It is always difficult to bear but particularly difficult during the Festive season.
I know it probably help right now but at least you have 18 years of memories to keep with you.
@ Claude - moved me to tears, but thank you for posting that :thumbsup:
Paul
Sorry to hear, Paul - I know it's hard enough to lose one of our rabbits, guinea pigs, mice etc. who are "only" with us a few years. 18 years is a fantastic time to have an animal be part of your life, I hope Molly leaves you with a lot of happy memories that will stay while the last few days fade.
Hi Paul,sorry for your loss mate.
I had a ginger tom some years ago,guess what he was called!The wife,at the time adopted him,he lived on our street all his life and when he came to live with us he was in a bit of a state.We had him down to the vets and he said he was around 7 years old,maybe slightly older.The wife and I had only been married a few months when he came to live with us.She fell in love with him when he started following us home after nights out with friends.She cooked him some fish one night and that was it,we were his.Amazing how it happens when you come to think about it.Funny thing is,I can relate to your story more than you may imagine,because less than two years later,the wife and I split up and it was a very torrid time for me,but after it all started to look up,there he was,my companion on the settee and in bed when I went there.It was almost as though he knew what was going on with me and was always there for a cuddle and a stroke.Its quite incredible how when you are at a low ebb how relaxing the sound of a purring cat can be,in return for his company and comfort,I fed,watered and kept him in a nice warm,dry house which he had the run of.I loved him to bits.
When he died,I was in a worse state than when the wife left,but like you,I knew he wouldn't last long.He died in the most common way that domestic cats do,his kidneys failed.Not in any pain,I am assured due to my love.I only fed him the best quality cat foods and that is what did for him.Quality cat food is very rich in all the essentials and their bodies,even though they love it,can't cope.He died an old cat as well.My only pet I ever had.I couldn't bare to get another one as he was irreplaceable.
My current girlfriend has informed me that we are getting a dog.I have never had a dog before so I'm new to the whole dog ownership thing.We don't live together either and won't until her daughter goes of to university which isn't for another three years yet.
My only stipulation is that it isn't a silly,yappy thing or a staffy.Down our way,staffies are owned by quite a lot of people who think an aggressive dog is an extention of themselves.The yappy dogs I mentioned are the type owned by vacuous women who carry them around in their handbags,you know the type,Paris Hilton wannabe's.
My choice would have been a Westie,Jack Russell or standard Yorkie with floppy ears.Her choice is a Lasa Apso which is perfect in my opinion,not very big,very playful and gentle as her oldest daughter is about to have a baby any day now so it needs to be gentle around kids.Hopefully she won't call it something stupid or it'll have two names!
Once again,sorry for your loss Paul.
Pete
:Class31: :Class37: :NGaugersRule:
Sounds similar Pete, although I had Molly from a kitten at 12 weeks old. As you say, little friend that just appears in front of you when your head is in your hands and you don't know what to do next, and a face that says "come on then, tell me all about it" ;)
She saw me through both physical and mental abuse by my psychotic ex before she got locked away, and the ensuing financial woes. Even a week before christmas, frail though she now was, she was still there for the new Mrs Sprintex when she was upset about something - supportive till the end.
Paul
Sorry for your loss Paul and others here.. I understand how you all feel, I had a Cocker Spaniel from 8 weeks old to 10 years old when he passed away on the 1st jan 2011. I was devastated. I still miss him now, even though I have two cats, who are both so soppy and cuddly. I keep thinking of getting another Spaniel, but it wouldn't be fair coz of the hours I work and the shifts.
Memories are precious, keep them alive.
Best wishes, Tim
Words are hard Paul when you lose such a supportive friend. I can't feel your pain, but I too know what it's like to lose such a friend. Just reading about your loss brought back memories and a few tears, of one of our cats, Megan, who we had as a 10 week old.
Megan almost treated me like a kitten. Always there in times of trouble and grief. Many years back she helped me through a very bad, very long period of depression. Not that I was dirty, but she would 'wash' me, well hands and face anyway. Sadly I had one of the toughest jobs in my time, of having to get a vet to put her to sleep. To this day I don't know how I drove to the vets and home again after.
Although I now have Archie, who is always close to me (sometimes too close) when I'm at home and a good friend, he's not quite the same as Megan.
Yep I'm a soft dope when it comes to our cats.
Enjoy the memories of Molly.
So sorry for your loss Paul,
I can only keep you in my thoughts, knowing what a special place our cats occupy in our lives. Friendship and affection isn't limited by species and it sounds like you were so very fortunate to have shared so much of Molly's life with her.
Once again, Im so sorry.
Graham
Hi Paul,
My deepest sympathies, I know exactly how you feel, we lost one of our cats last year and the whole family were devastated. My son of 26 who had her since she was a kitten, was crying his eyes out in the vet's surgery, the vet was visibly upset and I'm sure he's had to deal with the same sort of thing lots of times.
I've loved and lost lots of animals and it never gets any easier. You can console yourself with the fact that you gave your cat a warm and loving home and a long and happy life. It hurts so much to lose a pet but I can't imagine a life without animals.
Regards
Veronica
The loss of any pet is hard to bear but a long term pet is even worse.Death of anything at Christmas/New Year time only makes things harder.
Our thoughs here are with you at this sad time.
We have now agreed never to have anymore pets.They may even outlive us if we do :-\
(Of course if we see some adorable litle furry animal who needs a good home.................................but I hope we could be strong enough to resist)
Really sorry to hear about your loss Paul,
My cat is in the same boat, slowly getting thinner even whilst eating regularly, makes me wonder how long I have left with him.
My condolences too, Paul and my thoughts are also with you Matthew-peter and anyone else who has lost a loved one (whether human or animal) or has a special person or animal that it ill.
Always sad to hear of the loss of a much loved pet, the only consolation is that she
went peacefully in her own home.To have a cat for that length of time is incredible
and her loss will leave a big gap in your lives, in the future you will remember
the happiness and fun she brought you and that will help a little.
So very sorry to hear of this, Paul. Sadly it brings back too many memories :(
Circumstances have not let me get another cat so far, but with my intention to retire at some point next year, a feline is the first thing on my list of 'must haves' (even above N gauge stuff :o)
hi Paul,so sorry to hear about your loss.i can relate to how you feel as i had to have my greyhound Shimmer put to sleep on dec 8th.she was a rescue dog but we gave her a fantastic life after racing.my other greyhound is walking around like a lost soul having lost her friend.i know you can never replace a loved pet emotionally but you can always give another needy cat a home and they all bring their own love in time.good luck and i hope the new year brings some solace for you and your wife.
Sorry to hear about Shimmer.
I have a friend who has a rescue Greyhound, lovely dogs when you get them away from the track ;) Sadly his choice isn't always so good, he's into HO scale :smackedface:
Paul
Really sorry to hear about peoples losses of their furry companion. We have a rescue greyhound who's now 13 and really starting to show some signs of age, and will be devastated when his time comes. The comfort comes with the knowledge that he's had seven really good years being thoroughly pampered and enjoying his retirement.
There is something special about Maine Coons. We lost ours at the age of 18 this year and she left a big hole, literally and metaphorically, in our lives. They are very special cats.
We too are getting older and so decided to adopt an older animal - they are often in need of a home, and although a cat won't approve we now have an old gentlemanly Golden Retriever living with us.
Best wishes Paul
David
Our thoughts are with you Paul, pets become family members particularly after the kids have flown the coop, its certainly heartbreaking to loose a friend.
We had to get out little 16 year old Chihuahua put down because he was old and sick, I will never do that again its to hard, lovely that you nursed your cat to the end.
Sorry to hear your sad news.
Pets are so special it is so sad when they leave us.
We lost our house rabbit (Boo) about a year ago and we miss him so very much. He was a special part of the family.
At least you have your memmories.
Hi Paul,
My deepest sympathies, I know exactly how you feel; we lost our best friend Amber (A GSP) at the end of November she was 13½.
She was with us 24/7 and the house seems empty without her. She gave us so much happiness and we miss her so much.
How sad it is to lose a good companion.
I'd not said anything before but our much loved Misty departed this mortal coil on 23 December. She was to be 20 on April 1st next.
She has helped me cope with other losses, made sure the garden was looked after and the fish cooked properly. Coped with the chaos of moving home and squeezed in on the sofa no matter how many where there already.
Her super vet lives next door and has been so attentive to her needs, right to the end.
She now has a fabulous view over a lake in the woods.
Dave G
Sorry for your loss too Dave, sharing your grief. Same goes to you Justin on losing Amber :(
Paul
Sorry for your loss dave, we lost our furry friend at the end of october,she was called tabby and we had taken her as a stray 13 years ago. I was looking forward to letting her in the loft in my modeling room,she was previously banned from there when my son lived in there.Unfortunately I had to taken her to the vets and we brought her home asleep with tears in our eyes.Every one on here who as a pet knows what its like they afterall are part of the family.