R.I.P. Barney the Cat

What a week this has been for my family. First we unexpectedly lose our favorite pet rat Kracker then today we euthanized our 16+ year old cat Barney. It's just been a bit exhausting trying to keep the kids okay emotionally with losing to beloved pets in such a short amount of time.

I have to say how incredibly proud I am of my oldest child who is just shy of 18. Barney was hers, a birthday present from when she was a little girl and in the end though I was there to sign the papers she insisted on going in alone with Barney and the vet and vet tech. As she put it..."it's the last thing I can do for him mom". Needless to say it was so mature and loving of her to do what is the very hardest part of pet ownership and face it for her beloved old cat. Makes a parent proud.

So closes a chapter for our family. We've decided after having two cats for so many years (Puss age 18, Barney age 16+) that we won't get any more cats.

I've included our favorite picture of Barney taken last year. It perfectly shows his personality and disgust at being dolled up or fussed over....he was a crotchety old male but we adored him. There's one of old Puss Kitty too from last year (not too bad for an old lady of 18).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...LoveYou003.jpg
Puss Puss on her last day

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...neyBdayCat.jpg
Barney being totally ticked off about the stupid hat

Sorry for the long post but I know the pet lovers here will understand this need to vent a bit.

~~Joanna & family~~

I am really sorry to hear that. :( I know a little how you feel; my mom just put her older cat down, a few months ago.
I hope you and your family feel better soon. We move on, but we never forget.

That is sad.. I know how it is. I've had to go through 3 dogs and 2 cats being put down. It's never easy.

Your kitties lived to a ripe old age. I hope everyone starts to feel better soon.

We are getting used to Barney not being with us anymore though it's so wierd to come home and not trip over the old goofball. I keep forgetting he's gone and was so used to his senility and constant yowling that even with a busy house, it seems somehow far too quiet these days.



Our 4 year old son, bless his lil heart, is cracking us up tho. He doesn't get this death thing at all and has been going around talking about how "Kevin" took Barney the cat and Kracker the rat. We finally figured out "Kevin" is his mix-up about heaven. So apparently in my son's mind some guy named Kevin takes pets and won't give em back! Gotta love the agile mind of a 4 year old LOL.





~~Jo~~

Ah, Kevin must have a very big house. So strange how these thoughts enter our children's minds. Makes you wonder what's going on in there. It always enough to keep you on your toes.

My son lost his first tooth and didn't realize it. He seemed completely flabbergasted by it, until mention of the tooth fairy soothed all worries.