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.
Mama Loves you, Sweet Baby Girl.
SA
Your letter is perfect and says what all of us feel whhen we reach that place. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sheepie, why didn't you email me?
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh Annie.. ::hug::
ReplyDeleteand why didn't you email me either? Like trek said.
Annie, I'm so very sorry.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathy and sorrow.
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.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear it. I went through a very similar voyage in September. This was my little girl of 19 years:
ReplyDeletehttp://halfway-down-the-stairs.blogspot.com/2007/09/goodbye-little-kitty-we-finally-reached.html
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.
ReplyDelete*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss Annie.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard, even when you know it's the kindest thing.
ReplyDeleteI've "got tears", as our son says, for you.
I am sorry. Wish I could say something that would help.
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteYou have my heartfelt sympathy. Take care of yourself, and peace be with you.
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...
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I'm so, so, sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and the Big Fluffy Kitty.
ReplyDeleteOooh, Annie, I am so very sorry, HUGS... the english language doesn't even come close to expressing these feelings...
ReplyDeleteLook for her in your dreams, and love her up some more in dreamland.
Oh, I am so, so sorry....
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so very sorry.
ReplyDeleteThat'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.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with you. The puppies all send hugs and cuddles.
ReplyDeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDeleteSheepie, my heart goes out to you and the Big Fluffy Kitty. May you find peace in the memory of the Smaller, Less Fluffy Kitty.
ReplyDeleteI never seem to have the right words for times like this.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
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.
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteSo sorry... {{{HUGS}}}
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself...
Oh drat. Can't type. Tears in eyes. Such a tough thing to go through. We all love our furbabies so very much.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry...
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/
I'm so, so, sorry.
ReplyDeleteAwww, I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like my tortie, Baby, who died about three years ago. I still keep her ashes and her picture in my curio cabinet.
I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts toward you and the big fluffy kitty.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your kitty! My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, 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.
ReplyDeleteThere are no words.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you.
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).
ReplyDeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDelete((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.
ReplyDeleteOh Sheep....I am SO sorry to read about your dear, sweet kitty she was so special and so loved I know.
ReplyDeleteIt 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
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.
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteAnnie, 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.
ReplyDeleteyeah what they all said :[
ReplyDeleteOakley, Sophie and Missy sends purrs and furry hugs to you and BFK
So sorry for your loss. I wish there was a way to take the pain away.
ReplyDelete(((((sheepish annie)))))
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry :-(
Oh no. I'm so very, very sorry, Annie. {{hugs}} My heart goes out to you and the Big, Fluffy Kitty. RIP Desdemona.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this news. I hope you find peace very soon. Take care. Debi
ReplyDeleteSo so sorry. Long-distance hugs coming your way.
ReplyDeleteAll my condolences. Been there, done that and have the empathy to weep with you.
ReplyDeleteAll my love and blessings!
*big hug*
ReplyDeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDeletePlease email me if you need to. ((hugs))
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ReplyDeleteAnnie, 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.
ReplyDeletePeace and Love,
Raven
I am behind in blog reading... and so my tears come after yours are mostly dry.
ReplyDeleteYour 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
I too am late reading this, my furry friend and I send you our love and sympathy
ReplyDeleteRachel
Oh, that is so sad! I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Hugs!
ReplyDelete