In mourning, a very sad sad day.

Well my cat died today. He was almost 17, and for the last 4 years and 3 months he had been suffering from kidney failure. A treatment of subcutaneous fluids and various medicines kept him pretty healthy, but something eventually got him.

I got Katmandu during my stay in Japan. I found him next to our dumpster in August 1989, and he was a little kitten, a huge head and skinny tiny body. I nursed him back to health and he has been my constant companion since then.

I've had him all my adult life. We met when I was 22. It hurt like hell to see him go and it has ripped me up so bad I didn't even want a cigar today. While I know that every day since his kidney started failing was a gift from God, and I knew his clock was ticking, I am still devastated.

We were so close that he always wanted to be by my side. Weird for a cat, I know, but I think it had something to do with me getting him so young. The vet I took him to in Japan said he was probably only about 3 weeks old. I will miss him forever, he was a wonderful companion, but I am glad his suffering is over, but mine goes on....

Please do not send cigars or anything, I am not trolling for sympathy. I know most guys out there are dog people, but cats suit me better. Especially my cat, who took up a place in my heart where there is now a hole.

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's tough when the little critters go, especially one that has been a good companion.

I lost a dog, Honey, about six years ago. It still bothers me today. I know exactly where you're at.

I have a cat that bonds with me also. I don't want to imagine the day that she would leave.

I am truly sorry for your loss. You were the kind of person every animal should be lucky enough to have.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I'm so sorry man. When my Mom moved across the country a few years back, she kept our dog. I miss her so much even to this day. She hardly remembers me anymore since I only visit once a year or so. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you.

Oh and BPP, that is the best damn post in this thread.

We've had a houseful of animals as long as I can remember - with kids and all, it's kind of expected - everything from birds to fish to hamsters to ferrets to dogs...

We even had a cat once - "Snowball". My oldest daughter got into her head she wanted a cat. Despite the fact that I was absolutely NOT a cat person, I allowed her to go to the local animal shelter and adopt one. We found snowball in a cage, cowering in the back. He was just the tiniest kitten I'd ever seen and looked very pathetic. I felt sorry for the little guy...

Anyways, none of us could keep out hands off the kitten. And as time went by, snowball went from being very shy and timid, to being playful and bold. He would come running when any of us came in the front door - and would not miss the opportunity to plop himself down on anyone who would pay attention to him.

Unfortunately, my daughter developed a very bad allergy to cat dander and we had to find snowball a new home. We found a friend's daughter who took him and, and treated him incredibly well. We looked forward to her photos, which she regularly sent us. We were very fortunate to find a great home for him...

Snowball died a few years back - he was 11 years old. The girl who adopted him came home and found him lying out on the floor, just as if he was sunning himself...

I feel your pain, bro - it's funny how those little critters steal a piece of your heart.

my condolences on your loss.

Sorry for your loss.

The loss of any pet is very hard. Take care.

Sorry man, thats rough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SmokinDVM

I am truly sorry for your loss. You were the kind of person every animal should be lucky enough to have.

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Thanks, I see my pets as companions, not something I own, and I love them to death and treat them like a valued member of the family.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigpoppapuff

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

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Thanks for sharing that, I hope Katmandu is there and waiting for me....

Sorry for you lose CNB. Went through this very thing with one of my cats a few years ago.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cigar no baka

Thanks, I see my pets as companions, not something I own, and I love them to death and treat them like a valued member of the family.

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Every single day I find myself saying that more people need to see their pets exactly as you do.

It is uncanny how quickly and firmly we become attached to these little guys.

:smiley27: :smiley31: :smiley27:

Sorry to hear CNB.

My ex-wife and I had two cats die within the past year, they were sisters. They were born on April 4, 1988 and one died on December 6, 2005 and the other on May 12, 2006. We had them since birth (well my ex-wife got "custody":smiley36: ) but I saw them regularly over the years.

It was rough........

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoventryCat86

Sorry to hear CNB.

My ex-wife and I had two cats die within the past year, they were sisters. They were born on April 4, 1988 and one died on December 6, 2005 and the other on May 12, 2006. We had them since birth (well my ex-wife got "custody":smiley36: ) but I saw them regularly over the years.

It was rough........

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Thanks, did they look anything like your avatar?

Sorry for your loss CNB.

Although I am not a cat person, I have to say that sucks. I am truly sorry to read about your loss.

CNB, I feel your pain. In my years, I've seen several beloved pets (cats and dogs) pass on and I still think of them every day.

I was ripped up real bad when I had out 14 YO Irish Setter put down and Dad told me:

Quote:

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We should all be so lucky to be with someone who loves us when we die!

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Rainbow Bridge brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

My wife and I are inveterate animal lovers, cats of which we have 8 and dogs of which we have 4. So I know what you are feeling, we have lost a few and gained a few here and there and it is a tough thing to deal with. So I have included below a copy of a poem that may help you in your loss. Take care bro.

Chuck & Maggie

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Guess I was late with that post. . ."somebody" beat me to it. Well my heart was in the right place.

and i'm that "somebody"...lololol....:smiley2:

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's amazing how fast these little guys make a permanant place in your heart, and how long they stay there even after they have passed. I hope you are taking it well, it's sounds like you did a good thing and gave him a great life. You should be proud of that.

My wife and I had a Sheltie that was very special to us. He was hit by a car while we were out of town for a wedding. We never got to say our goodby's. That was very hard on us. To this day I still can't look at a Sheltie without getting watery eyes.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

P.S. Nice poem by BPP, I'll have to save that one.

when I was growing up, we had a long haired miniture Daschund, named 'Pork Chops' Porky, as we called her was in the family before I was born, by about 6 months or so. Porky lived to the ripe old age of 17years 10 months, before passing in her sleep. I was 17 at the time myself, and now im 25. I still cannot get over the loss of our dog. Im tearing up just writing this. I only 2 weeks ago was able to pat another daschund. Yes, its amaising how a pet can make you feel. They become another member of the family in no time at all.
I feel for your loss. I rreally do. Chin up. You will find a kitty, of a puppy that will take your eye, and you will have to buy him or her in the near future, and show it a warm home.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LeojVS

when I was growing up, we had a long haired miniture Daschund, named 'Pork Chops' Porky, as we called her was in the family before I was born, by about 6 months or so. Porky lived to the ripe old age of 17years 10 months, before passing in her sleep. I was 17 at the time myself, and now im 25. I still cannot get over the loss of our dog. Im tearing up just writing this. I only 2 weeks ago was able to pat another daschund. Yes, its amaising how a pet can make you feel. They become another member of the family in no time at all.
I feel for your loss. I rreally do. Chin up. You will find a kitty, of a puppy that will take your eye, and you will have to buy him or her in the near future, and show it a warm home.

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You're right. I have come across several young cats and kittens in need of a home at my local pet store, as various agencies that rescue animals come by to offer them for adoption. And I get soft and mellow inside when seeing them, knowing that the time is not yet right but I will love another cat like Katmandu someday.

I know how you all feel I lost my Cat Yesterday to Lymphoma of the Kidneys he was only 2 yrs old but he brought me and my family great joy in those 2 yrs he was quite the entertainer right up until the end luckily he suffered very little he got sick on Monday and the vet put him outh of his suffering yeterday He will be greatly missed I never thought I would be that crazy about a Cat I have always been a dog person sorry for the rambling just letting you know I too feel your pain

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheNakedGun

I know how you all feel I lost my Cat Yesterday to Lymphoma of the Kidneys he was only 2 yrs old but he brought me and my family great joy in those 2 yrs he was quite the entertainer right up until the end luckily he suffered very little he got sick on Monday and the vet put him outh of his suffering yeterday He will be greatly missed I never thought I would be that crazy about a Cat I have always been a dog person sorry for the rambling just letting you know I too feel your pain

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:smiley27: Sorry :smiley27: to hear about your kitty TNG. :smiley31:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheNakedGun

I know how you all feel I lost my Cat Yesterday to Lymphoma of the Kidneys he was only 2 yrs old but he brought me and my family great joy in those 2 yrs he was quite the entertainer right up until the end luckily he suffered very little he got sick on Monday and the vet put him outh of his suffering yeterday He will be greatly missed I never thought I would be that crazy about a Cat I have always been a dog person sorry for the rambling just letting you know I too feel your pain

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Yep, I can empathize how you feel. I am more of a cat person, but I have two dogs and I love them as well, just don't connect like I do with cats.