I took my cat, Calico, to be cremated this morning....

[rfranklin]

Yesterday afternoon she died--probably of a heart attack or a stroke. For fifteen years she had been a part of our family, joining us on my daughter's sixth birthday. Sometimes aggravating, almost always affectionate, she often sat on my lap as I typed at this computer. Occasionally I frightened her with a sudden loud exclamation at the criminal behavior of the Bush junta, but generally she seemed to approve of DU. I don't mind saying that I cry when I think of her now, missing her raucous meow in the morning, the feel of her soft, clean fur and then the loud purr of satisfaction. Geez, it hurts so much.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

1. I'm so sorry.

It hurts bad. I grew up with a cat named Calico. She lived to be eighteen.

:hug:

[rfranklin]

5. Thanks...Ours could have been 16 or 17...

We did not know because she was from a shelter and they had no idea either.

[wicket]

2. I am so sorry

:hug:

Animals are part of the family. From one animal lover to another, I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart :cry:

[femmedem]

3. So sorry to hear of your loss.

Losing a pet is losing a family member. I can still get choked up about a certain Elfie, years after her death. :hug:

[malaise]

4. How sad.

I hate losing pets.

[rfranklin]

9. Thanks all...

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

[rox63]

I'm so sorry for your loss

My kitties are like my kids. I'll be very sad when their time comes. :hug:

[Jacklyn75]

6. I'm so sorry! We have two cats and well, they really are family!

All my good wishes and thoughts go out to you and your daughter. Your description of Calico made me smile!

[niyad]

7. from one cat lover to another--I grieve with you. there is nothing that can be said that will ease

the pain of losing such a dear one.

May the Lady of the Beasts hold your little one gently, and send comfort to all of you.

[Dora]

8. I'm so sorry.

I have an old cat - we've been together for 17 years. I understand your loss, and I'm sorry your friend isn't on your lap today.

[verdalaven]

10. My sympathies are with you, rfranklin

Our baby (a fourteen year old siamese) died of cancer on Dec 18th. Totally understand what you are going through. Your Calico will be with you awhile. Mine used to perch on the back of my office chair, and I swear that I sometimes feel her back there even now. Makes me cry everytime.

My heart goes out to you and your family.

[rubberducky]

11. My heart aches for you.

Lost my precious doxie over a year ago. Still miss her!! Dream about her. Love her.

[rfranklin]

57. Condolences...

Thank you for your kind words.

R.

[borlis]

12. I am so sorry rfranklin

It's so hard to say goodbye to our fur kids. I'll be putting one of mine down on Wednesday. I have been crying on and off all day long today. RIP Calico. You'll meet a new friend, Midnight on Wednesday.

[donco6]

13. I'm sorry.

I dread the day I have to lose one of my girls. :(

[rfranklin]

59. Thanks...

Your kind words are much appreciated.

R.

[canadianbeaver]

14. My heart goes out to you....I am a cat lover.....

I don't know what I will do when my Jasper finally leaves me....We picked him from the litter because he was the first out of the box.....He's been with us for 14 years....and he follows me where ever I go in the house....He even talks to me...calls me MA MA....

I sure love my dudes....Jasper and Shade ( shademan)...2 adorable catmen I can't do without...:hug: :cry:

[Alamom]

15. I'm so sorry. I know this is a great loss & it does hurt. We had

one of our cats 19 years. We've had many, but never one to live and live healthy that many years.

Again, so sorry.

[Mandate My Ass]

16. I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty

It really hurts to lose a pet, they are in so many ways a part of the family.

:hug:

[Cabcere]

17. I'm so sorry, rfranklin.

:cry: Losing a pet is never easy, especially when it's one that's been part of the family for that long. :hug: When I was nine years old and my kitten Topaz died, I cried for about a week - even though he'd only been with us for ten days. Animals are capable of touching our lives in so many ways, I don't even think we fully realize it sometimes. Anyway, big hugs to you and your family, and may your Calico rest in peace. :hug: O8) :hug:

[lancdem]

18. So sorry for your loss!

I love kitties, too. :cry:

[judaspriestess]

19. I'm so sorry

I had to have my kitty put down in 2005 because of cancer. He died in my arms. I still cry over him.

[smokey nj]

20. My condolences, rfranklin.....

RIP Calico. :(

[uppityperson]

21. my condolences, it is difficult to have a loved pet die.

[Subdivisions]

22. I am so sorry for you loss. I can't imagine the hurt you must

feel.

We have a chihuahua named Tweetie and I just can't imagine how bad it will hurt when she passes. We are blessed that we still have many years with her. She is, as was your Calico, a member of our family.

[AndyA]

23. I'm sorry to hear about Calico.

You might visit Rainbow Bridge, it's a poem that helped me some when I lost my cat Max a few years ago. http://petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

It sounds like Calico had a good life, and I know you hurt a lot right now, but you will feel better. I now have two cats, I believe Max sent them to me to ease the pain. They are both members of the family now, just as Max always will be.

When Max died, I said I didn't want another cat unless it literally showed up at the door. And that's exactly what happened. It was rescued by a neighbor from an abusive home, thrown outside in 20 degree weather at 4 months of age to survive on its own. The neighbor who brought him over had no idea my other cat had died.

Calico will always be with you. Love never dies.

[Cleita]

24. Aw, I know how bad you feel having lost at least five kitties over

the years, who lived to a ripe old age. :hug:

[xchrom]

25. for calico...

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

[Jacklyn75]

27. I love this!

I've never seen it before but I'm in tears! I'm going to keep it. It's beautiful!

[CrazyOrangeCat]

51. thank you, xchrom . . .

. . . guess i needed a cry.

[liberalla]

79. I love that. Thank you!

[Eurobabe]

26. Oh, rfranklin, so sorry you lost your kitty....

:hug: it's really hard to lose a furkid of any kind. We send our condolences to you and yours. -48 family

[movie_girl99]

28. I am so sorry for your loss. n/t

[villager]

29. I am so sorry for your loss...

Lost my old dog last fall, and still miss him (tho' he was in rough shape when he finally "went...")

Take care...

[Jeanette in FL]

30. I am so sorry

It is so sad and it never gets easier when we lose our fur babies.

[AikidoSoul]

31. Am struggling for words here. ...am remembering my little Tookie who died in my arms last August

and not a day goes by that I don't miss her little furry bright orange presence ... terribly.....I still get tears when I think about her, like right now. Am fairly certain that I love animals more than people. Allow me to reach out and comfort you for the loss of your beloved Calico.

[KarenS]

32. rfranklin, I am very sorry you lost your kitty.

:hug:

[Nutmegger]

33. Here, this is for you.

:hug:

[Caoimhe]

34. I'm so sorry, rfranklin

It's tough to lose a friend and member of the family. We had to put down a kitty I'd had for 20 years two weeks ago. He was not doing well and it became a matter of what his quality of life was. He purred to the end, and I patted his rump like he always loved. Soft pankins. It's such a hard decision and I am glad at least that you didn't have to make that. Remember, all pets that are loved and cherished will be over across the Rainbow Bridge waiting for us! The hardest part about loving something is losing it, and pets just don't live long enough, dammit! But they make us better humans by existing and loving us.

:grouphug:
Caoimhe

[Kolesar]

35. she seemed to approve of DU

That was cute. My condolences on your loss. Cats are such wonderful companions.

[mikelgb]

36. Sorry for your loss...

I have two little ones of my own:



edit to add: there not quite little as you can see and the are (from left to right) Jubei and Spooky.

[RiverStone]

37. Another cat lover here...

Sad to hear :cry: rfranklin

Oh those feisty and lovable calico's! My dear calico lived just over 20 years. We buried her with a beautiful flowering rhododendron planted over her.


peace~

[Rainscents]

38. I'm sorry...

I lost my pet bunny "Fawn" few months ago, it really hurt!

[acmejack]

39. I'm sorry for your loss, rfranklin.

I care more for animals than most people, a sad commentary on either myself or the human race, I'm not exactly sure which.

[Dammit Ann]

40. Much sympathy.

Cats can truly be your best friends. I empathize with your loss. Hang in there. :hug:

[pdrichards114]

41. I'd feel like you do if and when my kitty goes.

And just like yours, mine freaks out during my outbursts and outcries about BFEE misdeeds. I feel for you. :( Hang in there.

[FormerDittoHead]

42. I lost my friend 10/24/06...

I will never forget my friend, Penny.

She had a hyperthyroid, then a stroke...

[Meshuga]

44. We lost our friend in November.

We still miss our kitty cat. She had cancer of the mouth.

[hlthe2b]

43. I cry with you rfranklin....

While I would never trade a day of pleasure that my pets have given me, the pain of loss is truly excruciating....I hope you can find your way to the good memories, without the painful ones of loss. Know that Calico has great company in the doggy/kitty pet paradise. Best wishes, fellow pet lover. :loveya:

[babsbunny]

45. I love Animals more than people! Bless your heart!

Big Hugs from me!!!! I am sorry for your loss! My Husband has not yet recovered from putting his 'baby' down last August! We have to continue to rescue the animals in our shelters!:pals:

[TroglodyteScholar]

46. As aloof as cats can be, they sure carve themselves a nice little niche within the family...

My kitties and I send our condolences. Calico was very fortunate to have such a loving owner.

[myrna minx]

47. I am so sorry for your loss.

:cry: She sounds like such a wonderful friend. :hug:

[kitkat65]

48. I'm sorry for your loss.

My old girl is seventeen and I know it's coming but, well, . . .you know. I'm sure you gave her a great life and plenty of love which she'll carry with her to whatever is next.

:hug:

[pecwae]

49. Condolences, very sincerely.

You've just lost a beloved family member and I am so sorry.

[dogday]

50. I love my kittys and would feel just like you

do if anything should happen to them... They are a part of the family....

[devilgrrl]

52. I've been there myself, I know how you feel.

Sorry about your little friend :hug:

[peace13]

53. Hugs to you!

I am so sorry. Peace on earth, Kim

[Gelliebeans]

54. So Sorry to hear this :(

I know how much it hurts. I have tried to take comfort that I gave my pets, past and present the best life I could. That seems to help somewhat for me at least.
Crying helps too, believe it or not. In fact my husband often reminds me that when we cremated one of our kitties a couple years ago he cried more over that cat than he had when his grandparents past away (shh don't tell my MIL).
Our pets become so vital to the family structure and they become surrogate children to many people myself included. I know the next couple of months will be hard, if you need a shoulder feel free to PM me. :hug:

[Madspirit]

55. So sorry...

My heart goes out to you.
Madspirit

[onecent]

56. It'a a truly difficult time. Those little creatures creep into our heart! Hugs to you.

[Rex]

58. I'm so sorry and I share your grief.

Right now as I type this, one of my cats is almost through the journey to whatever comes after this experience. She was one of my grandfathers original cats and has to be at least 17. I think her kidneys have given out and I have her resting comfortably; wrapped up it soft towels. Her eyes have dialated and it is a matter of hours now. :(

I feel your pain and know exactly what you mean. :cry:

[Gelliebeans]

70. My thoughts

are with you also Rex, I am sorry you are preparing to say goodbye to your beloved kitty also.

:hug:

[fooj]

60. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[racaulk]

61. I hope this brings some comfort to you

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

I'm so very sorry for your loss, rfranklin. I have two female cats at home and they are more than just my pets. They are my companions, my friends, my soulmates, my daughters. They follow me around my apartment wherever I go, and they never fail to provide me with a laugh whenever I need one. I absolutely adore them and I can't imagine my life without them. But I know that one day their time will be up, and I just can't imagine how I will get through it when that time comes. But I will do my best to cherish them every day while they are with me, your OP reminded me how important it is to do so.

May your beloved friend rest in peace, and may you find peace as well.

:hug:

[Pab Sungenis]

62. Sad to hear that.

We lost our 19 year old cat last spring. My heart goes out to you.

[BeHereNow]

63. My heart breaks for you...

I went through that with my dog a few years ago.
The ache is unbearable to this day.
I miss her so much.

As my dad wisely told me, the loss of a loved
one never heals- it just serves as a reminder
that you loved and were loved deeply by another.

What a blessing to love and be loved by a soul
as pure as those contained in our fur babies.

Tell people who spew things like
"Time heals all wounds" to go screw themselves-
They have obvioulsy never truly loved or been loved by a fur friend.

BHN

[Booster]

64. So sorry for the loss of your Calico. I have a cat, actually I have

3, but this cat was a stray that decided she was going to live with me no matter what I thought. She's almost 21 years old now, and although she can't jump like she used to and doesn't bring me "presents" anymore, she is one Hell of a talker. No sleeping past 8am in this house and no ignoring her when she's hungry - your sanity just isn't worth it. I know her time is coming, and I know I will miss her something awful, so when she meows 50 times in that monotone one-note, I just do whatever she wants. I can't imagine life without her.

[Raine]

65. I'm so sorry

when you lose a beloved pet you lose a member of the family. :hug:

[badgerpup]

66. They don't live long enough, do they...

I am sorry for your loss...:hug:
I've made that trip with several of my fur children...and will make it again, just hopefully not for a long time.

[Avalon Sparks]

67. I'm so sorry for your great loss....

Our furbabies are so innocent and loving, it seems we only have them for a short time - so unfair they can't be lifetime companions. It does hurt so much to lose them. You were lucky to have her for 15 years and she was lucky to be a part of your family. I have been through losing a beloved pet after 18 years and it broke my heart. Some websites helped with the grief and pain - like the Rainbow Bridge website. I really am sorry you're going through this, and I'd give you a big hug if I could.

[yorkiemommie1]

68. I am so very sorry

They are truly our children always to be loved.

Sending much love your way,

Yorkie

[XOKCowboy]

69. Mine were 12 and15. I feel your pain.

I handed both of them off to the crying ladies at the vet clinic who'd treated them both for years. Probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Twice.

Believe me she'll always be with you. If I didn't travel so much I'd adopt another kitten and do it all over again. Give it a little time and you might try the same.

[mike_c]

71. hugs and condolences....

I know what that's like. It's the price we have to pay for all the love and joy our friends give us. You gave her a safe and secure life in return. :hug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

72. RIP, Calico...

:hug:

[133724]

73. We lost Hillery Kitten a few years ago...

We found on inauguration day 1993. So we named her Hillery....


edit: spelling.

[Shine]

74. I'm sorry, rfranklin.

I know how it is to lose a beloved cat companion. May Calico rest in peace. Be gentle with yourself as your grieve her loss. :hug:

[susanna]

75. I am so very sorry, rfranklin.

I lost my squirrely-girl about a year ago. I won't lie to you - sometimes it still hurts. The good news is, I still feel her everywhere. I hope you feel Calico that way too, and with time it gets easier, or so I have come to believe.

I'm so sorry.

on edit: clarity

[VenusRising]

76. I'm sorry you lost such a special friend.

May your memories help get you through this time.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Dean Martin]

77. So sorry

I know how you feel. I've lost so many over the years, and had to take them to be put to sleep. It never gets any easier and the hurt never completely goes away.

[UrbScotty]

78. Oh dear.

Much love.

:hug:

[AirmensMom]

80. Aw, I'm sorry, rfranklin.

:cry: Our furbabies are so precious. It just tears your heart out when they leave. :cry:

I'm glad you have lots of happy memories of Calico to cherish. :hug:

[liberalla]

81. I am so sorry for your loss and pain

Cat lover here, too... :cry:

[wicket]

82. kick for Calico

:cry: