When this past summer began, we had three cats. Now we just have one. Galadriel, who'd been with us for 14 years and came to us as a stray, took what seemed to be a stroke in the spring. She became blind and almost totally deaf, couldn't walk well, missed the litter box even though she tried, and was starting to have kidney failure. We made that hard call and let her have peace and an end to the silent darkness that her life had become.
In October, Eowyn, who was only 12, suddenly went downhill overnight. The vet suspected inoperable cancer and said our choices were to let her go or drug her up to make her comfortable for a short time until the inevitable. We decided to let her go, and she purred in my wife's arms as the time came, the first purring she'd done in days.
They are buried beside each other in the yard. Atop Eowyn are the ashes of Ally, who was her best friend but was hit by a car 10 years ago. It had always been my intent for them to lie together, but not so soon.
I even wrote a trip report myself touching on this subject: http://www.summitpost.org/farewell-princess/251770
I'm sorry for your loss of Lou. But I'm also glad he went peacefully on his own terms, and I'm glad you have all the memories.
There is nothing like losing an animal friend. I cried for my dog for days after she passed. It's amazing how we get attached to our pets. You were the parent and friend that Lou needed. Thank you for adopting him and providing love and companionship for him. He will linger in your memory forever. I have no doubt he is happy in cat heaven as we speak.
Thanks so much Marc. Lou was, is always with me. That's why I took the extra effort to give him a resting place with the views I always share with us on SP. Up among the heights!
Thanks Cedar! Lou is no doubt in a blissful state because he lived a blissful divine life. Another like him will find it's way to me when the time comes and I will be grateful for the company!
That d.
When cats purr they are detached from the physical. They already know how to leave the body. It appears that O'Malley was already alive beyond his bodily state.
I've had my cat for 12 years which she became very sick earlier this year. Fortunately she is still hanging in strong. She is the most affectionate cat I've ever known, even a friend of mine tells me the same thing. So as a cat lover myself I feel for you.
Windsor...
We are indeed, as you said, inflicted with ego mind. Most people think they "own" their pets, but we actually don't. We take care of them and they take care of us for a long period of both our lives.
And when they die, we suffer a great deal...
Hope you can get by this okay, but don't forget about it, keep on the good stuff.
All the best
Paulo
Just lost my last cat, the 3rd generation of a long family. She was 15 yrs, and died of kidney failure. The house feels empty these days...more like a hotel room than a home.
You helped Lou out of this world with compassion, and that's sometimes all we're capable of. May he rest on the golden hills of autumn with the scent of field mice in his nostrils!
You have obviously provided Lou with a full life. Good on you for having the strength to allow him to stay at home at the end of his life. Who is it that said we can measure humanity by the way we treat our animals? RIP little guy.
Thanks SJD. To the best of my knowledge it is optimal in most cases to leave animals to their own process of release in a safe quiet peaceful environment.
Sorry to hear about your loss.I've had several cats all saved,and my last one was Louie who lived 15 years.A great friend who brought me way too many presents if you know what I mean.
ZeeJay - Nov 27, 2012 7:39 pm - Voted 10/10
So sorry:(
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 8:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: So sorryThanks Zee. New cat body for him I'm sure.
Bob Sihler - Nov 27, 2012 8:01 pm - Voted 10/10
BittersweetWhen this past summer began, we had three cats. Now we just have one. Galadriel, who'd been with us for 14 years and came to us as a stray, took what seemed to be a stroke in the spring. She became blind and almost totally deaf, couldn't walk well, missed the litter box even though she tried, and was starting to have kidney failure. We made that hard call and let her have peace and an end to the silent darkness that her life had become.
In October, Eowyn, who was only 12, suddenly went downhill overnight. The vet suspected inoperable cancer and said our choices were to let her go or drug her up to make her comfortable for a short time until the inevitable. We decided to let her go, and she purred in my wife's arms as the time came, the first purring she'd done in days.
They are buried beside each other in the yard. Atop Eowyn are the ashes of Ally, who was her best friend but was hit by a car 10 years ago. It had always been my intent for them to lie together, but not so soon.
I even wrote a trip report myself touching on this subject: http://www.summitpost.org/farewell-princess/251770
I'm sorry for your loss of Lou. But I'm also glad he went peacefully on his own terms, and I'm glad you have all the memories.
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 8:13 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: BittersweetThanks a lot Bob. Lou was a great friend and a mentor. As you know the likes of him will never be replaced.
Sarah Simon - Nov 27, 2012 8:02 pm - Voted 10/10
LouWas fortunate to have a human caretaker as loving as you. =) Rest in peace, brave little lion! -Sarah
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 8:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: LouThanks a bunch Sarah. He's probably flying on the wings of grace as we speak!
Marcsoltan - Nov 27, 2012 9:12 pm - Voted 10/10
So sorry!There is nothing like losing an animal friend. I cried for my dog for days after she passed. It's amazing how we get attached to our pets. You were the parent and friend that Lou needed. Thank you for adopting him and providing love and companionship for him. He will linger in your memory forever. I have no doubt he is happy in cat heaven as we speak.
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 10:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: So sorry!Thanks so much Marc. Lou was, is always with me. That's why I took the extra effort to give him a resting place with the views I always share with us on SP. Up among the heights!
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 10:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Sorry to read your storyThanks Cedar! Lou is no doubt in a blissful state because he lived a blissful divine life. Another like him will find it's way to me when the time comes and I will be grateful for the company!
desainme - Nov 27, 2012 9:43 pm - Voted 10/10
O'Malley went out to my mom'shttp://www.summitpost.org/o-malley-refuses-to-step-off/82477/c-152163
Kept her company and purred at the foot of the bed till the last.
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 10:29 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: O'Malley went out to my mom'sThat d.
When cats purr they are detached from the physical. They already know how to leave the body. It appears that O'Malley was already alive beyond his bodily state.
Josh Lewis - Nov 27, 2012 10:11 pm - Hasn't voted
So SadI've had my cat for 12 years which she became very sick earlier this year. Fortunately she is still hanging in strong. She is the most affectionate cat I've ever known, even a friend of mine tells me the same thing. So as a cat lover myself I feel for you.
Noondueler - Nov 27, 2012 10:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: So SadThanks Josh!
Lou is probably in a much better place than he was when he passed out of the physical. I'm happy for him now.
PAROFES - Nov 28, 2012 4:54 am - Voted 10/10
Sorry to read thisWindsor...
We are indeed, as you said, inflicted with ego mind. Most people think they "own" their pets, but we actually don't. We take care of them and they take care of us for a long period of both our lives.
And when they die, we suffer a great deal...
Hope you can get by this okay, but don't forget about it, keep on the good stuff.
All the best
Paulo
Noondueler - Nov 29, 2012 1:02 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Sorry to read thisThanks Buddy. My life is that much richer having spent all those years serving Lou.
Tom Kenney - Nov 29, 2012 1:36 am - Voted 10/10
Peace to you bothJust lost my last cat, the 3rd generation of a long family. She was 15 yrs, and died of kidney failure. The house feels empty these days...more like a hotel room than a home.
You helped Lou out of this world with compassion, and that's sometimes all we're capable of. May he rest on the golden hills of autumn with the scent of field mice in his nostrils!
Noondueler - Nov 29, 2012 2:02 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Peace to you bothThanks Tom. That a sweet note at the end. I know what you mean. It's strange coming home and having no Lou there to greet.
SJD - Dec 1, 2012 7:23 pm - Voted 10/10
RIP LouYou have obviously provided Lou with a full life. Good on you for having the strength to allow him to stay at home at the end of his life. Who is it that said we can measure humanity by the way we treat our animals? RIP little guy.
Noondueler - Dec 2, 2012 5:42 am - Hasn't voted
Re: RIP LouThanks SJD. To the best of my knowledge it is optimal in most cases to leave animals to their own process of release in a safe quiet peaceful environment.
Harryk - Dec 3, 2012 1:22 am - Voted 10/10
RIPSorry to hear about your loss.I've had several cats all saved,and my last one was Louie who lived 15 years.A great friend who brought me way too many presents if you know what I mean.