I uploaded this avatar tonight - it is my kitty, Cliff, who was my baby for ten years until last week.  He was really sick and we decided that it was time to end his suffering before he started to feel too much pain.  This was such an incredibly difficult decision, I hated to feel like I was playing God. 

My a was with me through Cliff's illness and through the treatments.  He came with me when we took Cliff to the vet.  He has been amazing and supportive and understanding - he is an amazing and supportive person. 

This is just one way for me to keep Cliff's memory alive.  I miss him so much, pets are amazing creatures who become your children.  I took this photo of him just a few weeks ago, he was sleeping like a baby in front of the fireplace!  He was a heat hog!!  Thanks for letting me share.

sally

Pets aren't just like family, they are family.  I am so sorry to hear about you have gone through with Cliff, I know it must have been very difficult for you.  My heart goes out to you along with (((((hugs))))) for you and (((((Angel Hugs))))) for Cliff.

hadit

Sally, My heart goes out to you. It was a brave and loving decision to put Cliff to sleep. I know how hard that can be. I love my kitty very much too. They are family. So go ahead and give yourself time to grieve. The loss can hurt just as much. I will say extra prayers for you and Cliff. May he rest peacefully in a very happy place filled with a field of mice, and whatever he loved to do. In Sympathy, Karilynn & Kitty

Sally, as lovers of animals, the greatest gift we can give them is to end their suffering. I know they are grateful to us for allowing them the dignity of a peaceful passing. I understand your pain in losing your friend Cliff. Diva 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...

Diva....that was beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss Sally. My prayers are with you.

Hugs,

Lisa

sallyb,

Thanks for your share. How sad. I think that many of us have pets that share our lives and are there for us when the A's can't be.

My kitty, Birdseed, was 12 years old. I had to put her to sleep last spring. She was the best kitty ever. She was my touchstone. My recovering A said he wanted out of the relationship a year ago so going into spring was hard enough. I thought well just leave then because I will always have my cat for comfort. When she died I was devastated. I thought how will I ever get through my husband moving out, my last son graduating from high school leaving me with an empty nest, etc. without her there. I cried and cried. But I realized that as with people, my cat had her own path and couldn't do everything for me.

I didn't think that I could ever get another cat. It is just too hard. I have my 2 dogs that sleep by my bed when I am scared and lonely. They run with me too. But my HP brought my another kitty 3 weeks ago. She was scared and starving and I took her in. I told my A that I am not as lonely when I have a kitty cat.

In support,

Nancy

I too love my cats!  My oldest one is moving slowly these days, I think she is 11 yrs old....I know that she won't be around a lot longer and dread the thought of her comfort not being there for me.  I hope you can find comfort in the memories of your baby....my old kitty is also a heat hog...I have pics of her spread out on her back just to soak up a sliver of sun coming through the blinds....

Hugs Mary

(((((((((((SallyB)))))))))),

I am sorry for your loss. I am an animal lover myself and when I had a dog I used to introduce her to my guest as my extremely hairy child. I got her right before my oldest daughter was born. When my "A" and I split up I had custody of both of our kids, then the car broke down (she used to love going for rides), then my second daughter was born. My poor little Wicket (she was a Lhaso Apso) started peeing on my baby daughter's clothes and blankets. She was jealous, I think because I took my baby with me when I left home, but not her. I couldn't I didn't have a car, and I was using the bus and I had no way of fixing my car. I took her for walks and took her for to friends house if they were okay with her coming when my friends picked me up. My "A" suggested that we find someone who could take her, where she could be the only child. That was the hardest decission I ever had to make. And then one day she pooped and peed on some baby clothes I had in the dirty clothes basket in front of the washer. I realized that keeping her was the wrong thing. She would always be in trouble, and what kind of a life is that? So I gave her to his sponsor's mother-in-law. She had another doggy friend to play with and they got along great and her new adopted mom loved her to death. Her last few months were great for her. I had no way of knowing, but the dog she was now living with had parvo, and my sweet sweet Wicket died shortly after I brought her there. I miss her still and this was 3 years ago.

I cannot have a pet now because of the apartment I have since moved into. But as soon as I can move out, I am getting a dog. No one can ever replace my Wicket, but I jsut don't feel whole without a dog.

I understand the pain.

Much Love,

(((hugs)))) so sorry for your loss.

I had a pug who was 11 years old when I had to put her to sleep on christmas day, now 5 years ago and I still cry for her! It was like loosing a child to me. I used to say that "KOKO" was the only child I had left at home. I loved her so much and when I'm very stressed out, I especially miss her, she seemed to read my feelings and know what I needed. She soaked up a whole lot of my tears over the years! Cliff looks like he was a lovely kitty-cat. I know you'll miss him a lot since you had him so long.

Thinking of you in your sorrow,

Jonibaloni21

Sorry to hear about ur cat. Last year my cat died. I was upset.

Thank you to everyone with your stories and your thoughts

(((Diva)))

Thank you so much for this beautiful poem.  I read it last night and just couldn't respond. 

Cliff is so close to my heart, I look photos of him constantly and wish I could hear him purr in my ear one more time.  I took a short video of him about a week ago that I will treasure forever. 

I could write for days about him - thanks for listening.

sally