Wednesday, December 26, 2007

End Of The Road

Those of us who have invited an animal into our lives know that there will be one or two challenges along the journey with our pets.  Some require that we slow down a little bit.  Others force us on a lengthy detour.  And, eventually we will have to travel that road that takes us somewhere we really didn't want to visit.

It's been a tough month.  Telling myself that I didn't want to put a harsh on anyone's holiday mellow, I put on a holly-jolly face, maybe alluded once in a while to some seasonal stresses and wrote what had to be some pretty mundane blog posts.  The truth of the matter is that, to travel this road, I needed to bring only what I could carry.  Extra emotional baggage was going to make it even harder.  It was better to just keep it simple.

And now that I find myself at the end of this miserable and meaningless road, I find that I still really don't want to talk about it.  So I'll stick with keeping it simple.

Dearest Desdemona,

I swore to you when this all started that I would find a way to make it better.  I tried everything I could think of and was prepared to try even more if it came to that.  But, in the end, there was really only one thing left to do.  I could do that one thing for you, if nothing else.

Thank you for 17 years of love and companionship.  My life is all the richer for having had you in it.  You were my "Smaller, Less Fluffy Kitty."  But you were never Less.  I'll miss you more than words can say.






Desdemona And The Sock Yarn.
Mama Loves you, Sweet Baby Girl.  


SA 

56 comments:

Cheryl, the jungian Knitter said...

Your letter is perfect and says what all of us feel whhen we reach that place. My heart goes out to you.

sheep#100 said...

Oh, Sheepie, why didn't you email me?

Deirdre said...

So very sorry for your loss.

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

I'm so sorry. I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Mia said...

Oh Annie.. ::hug::

and why didn't you email me either? Like trek said.

Anonymous said...

Annie, I'm so very sorry.

PICAdrienne said...

I am so sorry. I too, was owned by one cat for 17 years. Twenty four years later, she has not been replaced. Oh, other cats have come into my life and heart, but they do not rival Sam in any way.

You have my sympathy and sorrow.

Anonymous said...

Oh Annie, I'm so, so sorry. I know how much you loved her. She was a lucky kitty to have had 17 years with you.

Guinifer said...

So sorry to hear it. I went through a very similar voyage in September. This was my little girl of 19 years:
http://halfway-down-the-stairs.blogspot.com/2007/09/goodbye-little-kitty-we-finally-reached.html

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know exactly what you're going through because I, too, lost my best friend and companion on the 14th of December. His name was a corgi named Clancy and the best dog imaginable. He had an inoperable brain tumor. With radiation and chemo therapy we were able to give him four and a half years that he wouldn't have had otherwise. The last 2 years he had lost the use of he back legs, due to pressure on his nerves, and had to walk using a doggy wheelchair but he was never in pain and always cheerful. Every minute we had with him was a delight and I know you felt the same about your dear kitty.

Mouse said...

*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss Annie.

Alwen said...

It's so hard, even when you know it's the kindest thing.

I've "got tears", as our son says, for you.

punkin said...

I am sorry. Wish I could say something that would help.

Kath said...

Oh Annie - I am so very sorry! It does seem unfair sometimes that the animals we take into our hearts live so much shorter lives than we do, but maybe that is part of what makes them so precious and dear. A lot of life must be packed into a brief span of time and animals instinctively know this, and live their lives to the fullest, holding nothing back - including their love.

You have my heartfelt sympathy. Take care of yourself, and peace be with you.

yarnslinger said...

I know it is just so unfair that our furry family doesn't get to stay with us longer. Sometimes they come back though - same soul, different body. You just *know* it too, when that happens. My little Rusty was born 3 weeks after my lab passed away. At first I thought I was just imagining similarities, and said nothing, but soon the family, out of the blue, was pointing it out as well. Perhaps you will travel together again...in the meantime, big hugs...

Anonymous said...

Annie, I'm so, so, sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and the Big Fluffy Kitty.

Marianne said...

Oooh, Annie, I am so very sorry, HUGS... the english language doesn't even come close to expressing these feelings...
Look for her in your dreams, and love her up some more in dreamland.

--Deb said...

Oh, I am so, so sorry....

Rabbitch said...

Oh, I'm so very sorry.

Donna Lee said...

That's the hardest thing. I am grieving with you. After 4 years I still miss my Kubla. You were a good friend to Smaller, Less Fluffy Kitty.

errs said...

Our thoughts are with you. The puppies all send hugs and cuddles.

Ronni said...

Oh, Annie, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know how very hard it can be to lose a loved pet. It really doesn't matter how long we get to have them with us. It's never really long enough.

April said...

Sheepie, my heart goes out to you and the Big Fluffy Kitty. May you find peace in the memory of the Smaller, Less Fluffy Kitty.

Denise said...

I never seem to have the right words for times like this.

I'm so sorry, Annie. I'm thinking of you and my heart aches for you. It is never easy to lose a friend, especially the small furry type.

take care.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. Kitties wriggle their furry little way into our hearts and we grieve so when they are gone. Hug the Big Fluffy Kitty and remember the good times.

Anonymous said...

(((hugs)))

missemilysmom said...

So sorry... {{{HUGS}}}
Take care of yourself...

livnletlrn said...

Oh drat. Can't type. Tears in eyes. Such a tough thing to go through. We all love our furbabies so very much.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry...
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Anne said...

I'm so, so, sorry.

Desperate Housewife said...

Awww, I'm sorry.

She looks like my tortie, Baby, who died about three years ago. I still keep her ashes and her picture in my curio cabinet.

Trish said...

I'm so sorry.

Sending good thoughts toward you and the big fluffy kitty.

Chris said...

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your kitty! My thoughts are with you.

Anonymous said...

Annie, I'm so sorry about Desdemona. I have two senior cats, Henry and June, and I don't even want to imagine life without them.

Cathy said...

There are no words.

My heart is with you.

Anne P said...

I am utterly, awfully sorry. It completely stinks to lose one of the furry 4-footers, and even more so around the holidays. Hugs to you and Big Fluffy Kitty. Give her lots of extra treats and a few for yourself (not necessarily the same treat, mind you).

Knitting Linguist said...

Oh, Annie. I'm so very sorry for your loss. What a heartbreak. I really do understand how hard it is to lose a long-time companion and friend like that. I'll be thinking of you.

mehitabel said...

((hugs)) Wish there was something I could say or do to make it better, but I know from bitter experience it just takes time. Hug the BFK a little harder and remember the good times. My furboys send their condolences, too.

Geraldine said...

Oh Sheep....I am SO sorry to read about your dear, sweet kitty she was so special and so loved I know.

It NEVER gets easier when they leave us but I know she is still with you and loves you for all you did for her , all those years.

A big hug to you, my eyes are filled with tears, G

Yarnhog said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. We are also struggling with the imminent loss of an old pet. It's hard at any time of year, but losing a dear friend at Christmas seems especially tough.

Eric & Tony said...

:(

Anonymous said...

Annie, So sorry about your kitty. I know how much our pets mean to us and it's so hard when we lose one of them.

catsmum said...

yeah what they all said :[
Oakley, Sophie and Missy sends purrs and furry hugs to you and BFK

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss. I wish there was a way to take the pain away.

Brandie said...

(((((sheepish annie)))))
I'm so sorry :-(

Jeanne said...

Oh no. I'm so very, very sorry, Annie. {{hugs}} My heart goes out to you and the Big, Fluffy Kitty. RIP Desdemona.

Debi Pouliot said...

I'm so sorry to hear this news. I hope you find peace very soon. Take care. Debi

Annie said...

So so sorry. Long-distance hugs coming your way.

Lorraine said...

All my condolences. Been there, done that and have the empathy to weep with you.

All my love and blessings!

Lilith Parker said...

*big hug*

knitseashore said...

Oh, Annie, I just read your post. I am so so so sorry. Having just gone through this myself, I know how much it hurts to lose your kitty. You know that you did everything you could for her, and it was the hardest thing in the world to let her go.

Please email me if you need to. ((hugs))

Sister Vegetarian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sister Vegetarian said...

Annie, That is a beautiful way that you honored Desdemona. Our cats and in my case my dogs, are not only a part of our family; but,they are our family. I truly believe that the way you honored Desdemona has made her smile. I have gone through a loss of my boy dog...my baby boy as I called him. I have a 8 year old and 2 year old dog, and with the 8 year old I know that her time may be near or maybe 8 years down the road. Who knows. But, all we can do and say is we gave them a beautiful loved home and they gave us priceless love back. That is the ultimate love - a priceless love that they give us that we can refer back to when they are gone and smile..not shed a tear. Remember the fun and crazy things she has done, and smile for those moments. Remember, I know my dogs hate to see me sad and Desdemona would prefer to see you smiling even in her absence - remembering the good times is a good way to always honor her memory.

Peace and Love,
Raven

Helen said...

I am behind in blog reading... and so my tears come after yours are mostly dry.
Your letter was perfect... and if I can feel the love from here, surely Desdemona, to whom it was sent, can feel it too.
::hug::

ShadowDancer http://shadowdancer.typepad.com/blog

rachel said...

I too am late reading this, my furry friend and I send you our love and sympathy

Rachel

Lazuli said...

Oh, that is so sad! I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Hugs!