Triumphrat

Cynr1023 · 01-21-2008

My cat just died on Thursday. Heart failure. I had him for 12 years. From the day I rescued him, literally, as a little orange ball of fur that would fit in my hand. My buddy thought it was funny when his dog, a two year old rott, went after a stray kitten, but stopped laughing when I grabbed the dog by the throat and pitched him into a wall. The cat has been my "buddy" ever since. He'd follow me around the house, sit next to me where ever I sat down. Hang out in the garage when I was working on something, and be a general pain in the *** to my wife when I went on deployment. I remember him sitting on my shoulder on the car ride to the house, with his nose stuck in my ear purring like he didn't have a care in the world. I had fully intended on taking him to a shelter but when he wouldn't let my wife or daughter pick him up and he'd waddle over to me and climb onto my shoe; I knew he was a keeper. So, why do I feel so pathetic about missing my cat?
This is the monster he grew into, and yes that's a full size magazine under his head:

(incidentally, the dog wasn't hurt, just stunned. He sat there and looked at me with his tongue lolling out; like we had just played a new game and he was trying to figure out the rules; while I picked up the kitten) And, I'm a "dog person" but being in the Army is not conducive to properly raising a pooch.
and we always called him Kitten.

mistermellow001 · 01-21-2008

Man, I'm so sorry. My ex-wife called me this morning to give me the same news about one of our cats (that she got in the divorce). It's been 5 years and it broke me up.

Think you'll be able to get another one soon? As hard as that sounds, everyone I know seems to agree that adding a new life into the house will lift everyone's spirits. Hang in there...

Pauljo · 01-21-2008

Sorry to hear about your loss. I've got a little feline buddy also that we took in several years ago. Kitten added a lot to your life, and you to his. That's what having a pet is all about. Hang in there - and remember the good times you shared.

welshrob · 01-22-2008

Sorry to hear about to your cat, I know how easy it is to get attached to them. We have two Ragdoll cats, a couple of years ago one got out (they are indoor cats) and came crawling back a couple of days later, dragging himself along with his front paws. Both his back legs were broken in several places. Rather than have him euthanased, we spent our holiday money, $3,000 on getting him fixed up. All my workmates thought I was crazy, one of them remarked that I could have bought 300 new cats for the money! He ended up with 4 pins in one leg, 5 in another and for months he couldn`t get up he just used to lay in his own mess on the garage floor. Every evening my I used to spend ages washing the mess off him and my wife would nurse him on her lap for hours.
There were several times when I considered putting him out of his misery but we persevered and he gradually got back to normal. He`s got a bit of a limp still but can run around and jump up on the furniture etc. and he has a good quality of life. He follows the wife everywhere, cries when she leaves the house and spends most evenings on her lap, the bond they have developed is amazing.

Before

After

DaveM · 01-22-2008

Cynr1023 sorry mate.

It is tough loosing a pet. I had a giant Tom cat like that a few years ago and had to take him to the RSPCA to be put down 'cos he started going psycho and attacking my kids and he was a big bastard.

Geez Robbo I just had a few reds ya almost got me ballin! I remember you posting about your poor poodytat.

Glad he's ok now.

Cynr1023, get another one mate. I like dogs and cats but havent had one since I lost my beloved Cocker Spaniel bitch a few years back.................that is a story I can't tell just now (Rob a crazy woman was involved)

DaveM

Tbirdnz · 01-22-2008

I think I would feel the same if one of my feral cats passed away or was killed. My 2nd son found the first one in a creek on the farm, tiny orange ball, picked up and promptly sank his teeth into my son's finger. Not deterred he brought him to me and I had to protect him inside my jacket from two farm dogs wanting to make mincemeat out of him.

That was about 7 years ago, now him and another one which just wandered in as a kitten run the household. They've got me trained when they want out or in or fed. In return they keep field mice out of the house and bring me an occasional rabbit, just plonk it on the doorstep, which I have to bury.

Yes I'd miss them too.

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Ride on !

ruscook · 01-22-2008

All our pets have always been a member of the family so I empathise with you Cynr1023. The loss of any friend or relative is a horrible situation.

My condolences.
Russ

cafecruzin · 01-22-2008

sorry to hear it mate .
the little buggers get under your skin don't they.

Wombat · 01-22-2008

My deepest sympathy Cynr.

I too have two cats that are a part of the family and I would miss them dearly if they were not around.
One of mine was brought from Aust to Hawaii with us at great expense and the other wandered into my work place on the verge of death.
I have never been able to understand how/why people (like my mother) actually buy cats as both of mine and many previous cats have always FOUND me.
I am sure that another one will find you as they seem to know how to find the good people.

rndtaylor · 01-22-2008

I am sorry about your loss, friend.

I am not a cat person, but i did have a couple as a kid that i grew very close to.

It breaks your heart when they are gone, but while they are with us, they make our heart so much bigger with the love they teach us, that we are able to love again.

Thanks for trusting us enough to share.