I could use a hug...

[frankykeno]

Cass my heart and thoughts are with you and Rick. This is a horribly hard decision and one I've faced twice myself in recent years with our very aged kitties. It's never easy to be the one that makes this final act of love happen but I truly feel it is an act of love to let them go quietly to their rest when that time has come. I found this prayer long after dear old Pusster Kitty and Barney left our lives but I saved it hoping it might bring another person a bit of peace and comfort.


A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.

Amen.

- © Brandy Duckworth, 1998

[iceman25]

Very sorry for your loss Cass.

[sweety314]

Cassie, I'm sooooooooo sorry!!! LOTS and LOTS of HUGS!! to you.

My heart bleeds for you, and I'll shed some tears for Cato. I KNOW U cared for him and loved him w/all your heart. How could you NOT care for your beloved pet?? You're here sharing joys and sorrows in a great community.

Wished there was something that I could say or do to help ease your loss. As you told me w/Smudge's death and Stripe Kitty's being PTS, then I'll return the sentiments in saying that we mourn with you and celebrate the loving memories you'll always have of your loving pet.

He'll be out of pain and romping across the Rainbow Bridge with all the other well-loved and missed pets, knowing that he was special in your heart, you cared enough to do what was best for him and he will be treasured.

Heartfelt Sympathies,

RuLyn

[Tybalt]

Cass,


I am so sorry to hear about your current circumstances, it is always so hard to lose a beloved pet. Most of us on this forum have lost a loved one or someone dear to us. It is never easy to say goodbye but in time your heart will mend itself. Look towards the future and remember Cato for all the funny things that he did as he grew up. As your family grew older physically you did also mentally, he knows you love him and don't ever forget that.
I send Hugs for you and your fiance.

-Danny

P.S. Don't say goodbye, say see you later, because you will see him once again.


This is a Poem I read and it brought tears to my eyes. I received permission to use it for Cato.

Time to Say Goodbye
by Michael Tate

You lay in my lap with your amber eyes looking up at me.
We both knew this day would come.
As I run my hands through your coat, you let out a low sigh.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


You've been my best friend, the one who has seen it all with me.
You've been there through the good and the bad.
You were there to stand with me when I felt tall,
and there to comfort me when I felt small.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


I tell you I love you and you whine a low whine.
We knew it would come and we wouldn't know the time.
Forever is an illusion we create to avoid the pain.
It's a lie we tell ourselves to keep ourselves sane.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


You've guided me through some rough times in my life.
You've believed in me when nobody else would.
You've kept me sane and out of harm's way.
You couldn't talk words but you had lots to say.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


I guess they say that all good things must come to an end.
You've truly been this (wo)man's best friend.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


You feel my pain and hurt my hurt.
As I sob and cry, you look up at me and whine with a paw on my thigh.
You do know that the time has come and your body is telling you why.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


Your heart aches.
We know this isn't for fake.
They say that a heart is a big place.
I guess that makes this easier to face.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


As we sit together and face this gloom,
we both know that our hearts
are going to have to make room for another.
As I sob and I cry, oh why, oh why, oh why, God why?
You lay your head on my thigh as if to say...


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


With the wagging of your tail and many a tear in my eye,
I know you'd work for me 'til the day you die.
To know you and make you feel pain would drive me insane.
I always heard
that you've got to love somebody enough to set them free.
This isn't the first time this pain has happened to me.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


I know you'll be a star in your new home.
It's comforting to know
that neither of us will really ever be alone.
We carry each other's spirit and memories into eternity.
We'll meet again someday in the here after
and there will be smiles and laughter.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.


Goodbye isn't forever; it's a temporary thing.
Knowing you'll be happy and not in so much pain makes my heart sing.


Don't cry, don't ask why, it's time to say goodbye.

[Shnak_An'_Star]

heres a hug, so sorry for your loss. its always hard to lose a pet especially something that loves you back. dont feel bad about putting her to sleep, shell be much happier once shes in heaven

[Smulkin]

We lost Bastet, our maine coon a few years ago - never could have predicted I would be so affected by a feline loss so I know what you're going through, chica.

[MedusasOwl]

[Shelby]

So sorry to hear it Cass.. I know how attatched we become to our kitties.. mine sleep with me every night too.

[Laooda]

Sooo sorry your going through this. Don't ever doubt that your doing the right thing.... And I'm sure his brother will miss him, be he might have known Cato was sick, long before you did?.?. At any rate, your in my thoughts.... Laura

[cueball]

Here are my favorite things you have said about Cato

"Cato luuuuurves to be combed forwards, backwards, sideways, just - keep - combing (purrrpurrrpurrrpurrrrrrrrr)"

"The bad news was it looked like Nicky was crossing his little legs cuz he had to go and that Cato had already gone before I cleaned the box. GAAH!
Ever sit and watch a cat, hoping he'll go pee? =P"

"whereas Cato either hasn't seen her or doesn't care, hehe"

"And it worked! A test tube of Cato pee is now residing in my fridge...good thing Rick isn't home because storing "output" from animals in the fridge gives him the heeby-jeebies."

"they haven't become total pigs and I think Cato is actually friskier now"

"so I named him Cato as in the Pink Panther"