I have a heavy heart tonight

The cat, to whom I have been alpha human to for 16 years, passed away last night. She went quietly in her sleep, we discovered her this morning in the hallway not breathing. Goodbye Sweet Tinkie, I will see you in the Summerlands.

That and my son needs to have surgery on his foot tomorrow...Can you say STRESS???


I can't stop crying :cry:

:hug:

16 is a good long life for a kitty. and she certainly went peacefully and didn't make you have to make "the decision." That's a blessing.

:hug:

RIP Tinkie

she went peacefully, she had been losing weight over the last couple of months, so I knew it was coming...does not make it easier right now though!

O8)

:grouphug:

love. :hug: I'll be thinking of your son tomorrow. I hope it all goes well. :hug:

Laura

and don't remember where I picked this up. Probably it was here at DU. I'm not sure.

o not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.


Tinkie is with you. :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug:

And best wishes for your son for his surgery tomorrow. :hug:

I know how it feels... :hug:

:hug:

I hope everything goes smoothly with the surgery. I'd be stressed out too. Chin up & I'll place a candle on my alter for you and your family.

Good luck to your son tomorrow. :hug:

That sucks.

tomorrow, too.

EINSTEIN was 16 1/2 and I miss him very much..Can you post a PIC? When she crossed the Rainbow Bridge Einstein was there to meet and greet Tinkie.As DU furrbabies I'm sure they will be fast friends. I am so sorry...I know how tough it is.

Take care of your son's foot...Hope all is well tomoorow

i understand how important cats are, and i'm so sorry for your loss...

she had 16 great years with you, and is now resting peacefully...

you're in my thoughts.

:hug:

Best wishes on the surgery tomorrow :hug:

My best wishes to you in this worrying time.

:hug:

Hopefully you can take a little time for yourself after your son's surgery.

I promise.

Redstone

:hug:

Thinking recovery thoughts for your son, as well.

I love mine so much. You must be so sad. I had 3 boys and raised them by myself. I share your concerns. One had a cast for a broken foot and refused to use the crutches after 3 days. The youngest one sliced through a tendon in his finger and had surgery under a local, but was casted for weeks. Had physical therapy for weeks, too. There were many other various and sundry incidents but those are closest to what you have going on. Tough being a mom, huh.

May Tinkie find joy in her new form, and may you be reunited some day.

And may your son's foot surgery go perfectly and heal quickly.

:hug:

I am praying for you and yours.
I wish a speedy recovery for your son,
Sincerely Lindy
:hug:

I just lost my 11 yr old yellow lab it January and my heart aches for you. It truly is like losing a family member. I'm sure it's been said all day, but she really did have a good life and an obviously great owner for 16 great cat years. You can't ask for more than that.

Take heart. And best wishes to your son tomorrow.

I am still in shock...

Tinkie is at the Rainbow Bridge with our boy Merlin, trof's boy Ace, and they're all healthy and happy. They're just waiting for us.

Thinking of you and sending nothing but the best for tomorrow's surgery as well.

Julie

my sig foto is my passed-on best friend tonio; i understand your loss.:hug:

The loss of a pet is devastating.

:hug:

I'll be thinking of you and your family tomorrow. I am sure the surgery will go fine.

:hug:

:hug: The loss of a pet is so sad. I hope it was peaceful for her, and that she didn't suffer.

Good luck tomorrow with your son. Keep us posted, ok? :hug:

his surgery is at 4:00 PM CST. They are moving fast on this so the bones do not set wrong (really nasty break of the 2nd-5th metatarsal bones in his right foot)

Losing a pet is just so awful. I feel so bad for you.

cats are very special and their is no doubt their mannerisms become part of one's family. please accept my condolences.

b

I'm so sorry.

I've lost two cats, both at 16. It's so hard - they become such a part of your life.

Best wishes to you and your son.

:hug:

you lost your Sweet Tinkie.

Best wishes for your son's speedy recovery.

See ya in Heaven.

B-)

that Tinkie is gone...and is never coming back.

In a few months, after I get over this a bit, we plan on getting a kitten or two. I love kittens, and I think both the kids will enjoy having a furball or two around.

:hug:

Sending healing energy to you and your son.

It is terrible to lose a pet. My very sincere condolences.
At least Tinkie is in a place where there is always a sunny spot under a window and small, fat rodents are abundant. :)

God Bless.

:cry:

Best wishes for your son's surgery... :hug:

Is nearly 13 now. He's been in my truck since he was 6 months. When he goes, i'll be a basket case. You have my deep sympathy. Your son will be fine. keep the faith.....lt.

I just went through that three months ago and it was sooo hard. It's best to cry it all out it will eventually feel better. :hug:

We are burying her tomorrow night...(it was way too rainy tonight).

I have a 17 year old cat and fear the same will happen to me someday,

Good thoughts headed your way for your son's surgery tomorrow.

I know how you feel. I lost my beloved buddy Ziggy 2 years ago on the 19th of March, he was my 17 year companion. I was crushed.

The pain will become manageable but you will never forget your beloved companion.

I'm so very, very sorry!! :hug:

they go through so many changes with us - 16 years is a long time to have such a good friend.

:hug:
"There are no ordinary cats." ~Colette

My deepest sympathies about your beloved cat.
Good karma on the way for your son.

Our mama kitty passed away in January (she was 17) so I know how you feel.

Had to have my baby put down almost 4 years ago. But I couldn't stand to see him in pain. I was a zombie for a week and I still cry now and then. It'll get a little better, I promise. But you'll never forget her.

btw-your son will be O.K. Hold someone's hand in the hospital and you'll get through this just fine.

OMG - see, there I go crying again.

You must be someone quite special to have a cat allow you to be alpha human.

My darling Greta has been alpha to everyone of all species she meets for the past 19 years, and I only hope that she passes on her own terms as did your feline friend.

of loss less painful for you, but I've been there before and there is nothing anyone could say to help me then. Now, I have 3 cats. I have two younger cats that are 3 years old. My Sunday Girl, is 12 years old and the light of my life. I'm so attached to her that she knows what I am thinking and what I am going to do even before I do it. If I am leaving the living room and heading for my room, she knows ahead of time. If I am sitting on the couch and thinking about laying on the couch, she gets ready. She always gets on my chest and does her nursing routine. I bottle fed her from the time she was about 2 days old. When you bottle feed one, you have to wait until about 12 weeks to try to wean them. I had to get up every two hours and fix formula for her so it wouldn't go sour and so it would stay warm. Her biological mother abandoned her. She had done that before at my boss' (at the time) house to several litters before. She would have kittens and then separate them in different places and leave them to starve. The people who found her and her brother thought she wouldn't make it through the night and didn't want their little girl to get too attached to her. Her brother took to the bottle right away. She didn't even try until I put milk on my bottom lip and let her try that way. I had full intentions of raising her only until I weaned her and then giving her away. I made arrangements with a woman to give her away, but the woman changed her mind because her boyfriend at the time didn't like cats. She said she thought he might hurt her. I couldn't thank that woman enough for changing her mind now. I am going to be beyond grief when the day comes that I lose my Sunday Girl. I am getting teary eyed just thinking about the inevitable. I can't bear the thought of it. She sees me as her mother and I see her as my child. It's too much. I know it would take trying to raise another orphaned kitten to take my mind off of it. I'm not exaggerating it either.

Like I said before, I can only offer my condolences to you and share the story of my Sunday Girl and tell you how special that is. Raising a kitten from a couple of days old is such a special experience that you'll never be the same after that. Bottle feeding a baby and taking the role of "momma kitty" is an honor. I even had to make her go to the bathroom as a little baby although I didn't use my tongue like the mother kitty would have. I watched her eyes open. I watched her ears unfold. I watched her eyes turn from dark blue to green. I watched her take some of her very first steps. I know for a lot of people it sounds like a child substitute, but I've never really had the urge to have a human baby of my own. It's a lot of responsibility and I only have love to give, not the kind of money or physical stamina it would take to raise a human child. Bottle feeding a kitten makes you close in a way I can't seem to put into words.

If you get the chance at your local shelter or if you know of a situation in the neighborhood where a nursing baby kitten has lost its mother and needs a mommy, I'd recommend it if you have the patience and the time to do it. It's a healing experience. I will probably try to do something like that when the time comes to immerse myself into something besides Sunday. I will have to fight my family over it. They will try to keep me from doing it because they know just how attached I get. Before Sunday Girl came into my life, I was washed up, burnt out, and beyond help. She saved my life and made me quit making so many stupid moves and doing death defying ones at that. I wish I could turn back time for both of us. You could share some more time with your kitty and I could get more time with Sunday.

I hope this did not make things worse for you right now. I just wanted to recommend foster parenting a baby kitten because I know how much of a healing experience it can be and how much it can help filling the void after losing one. Plus, you could get help from your son while his foot heals. And he might heal faster. He'll need to start exercising that foot probably when it starts to heal and that would possibly be when the kitten starts getting into everything. They do have a terrible twos stage just like human babies only it's sooner.

My grandmother (not biological, but real nonetheless) was Cherokee and she always taught me about the Happy Hunting Grounds when my companions would leave this world. She said we'd be reunited later. I know that may be crazy or even blasphemous in certain religions, but it's one way to look at it.

:hug:

All the emotions are at the surface, and it helps to get it out. She was loved.

Tinkie adored the human kids. She allowed them to pull on her tail and hug her harder than most cats would allow, she just knew they were kids and she was like a mother to them at times. When I was in labor with both kids, before I went to the hospital, she would not leave my side. I think she wanted to be my labor coach...I wish I could have brought her with me to the deliveries.

She was very cuddly, and would lay in the space between my legs like it was her own personal nest.

She was talkative and purred a lot. I am heartbroken, and not ready to open my heart to another cat friend yet.

and understand your feelings about your cat departing. I still miss old Ziggi and old Waldorf-Astoria. Cats of ours 1979 to early 90's. When they were young, we were too! But.. time went on and now we have an old curmudgeon cat but he is our good companion anyway.

Love and light to you and yours. I will send some positive energy your way. :hug:

Tippy, who passed away March 28th. They are playing together and happy. Tippy wouldn't know what a cat was but he was sweet. They are together. Hugs to you, honey. Hugs, hugs, hugs. Put your baby in your sig line. I did and it helps.

I Never Went Away

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

But Tinkie will be having a great time in the Summerlands. The Goddess freakin' loves cats :) And Tinkie's got Bast as well. All will be good.

Meanwhile we'll be doing our bestest magic for your son - healing spells, protection spells, the whole nine yards. And for you as well :)

Blessed be,
Khash.

:cry: We have four cats right now and have for the last 30 years, not all the same ones of course. They are so different and so special, it's hard to not have them there in their usual "spot". The best thing we did after our last big male, 17 years old, died, we got two baby kittens (at the shelter) -- brothers -- and have watched them grow up together -- takes all that grief away -- quickly!!

:hug: You'll be in my thoughts!