• BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today
    3·
    8 hours ago

    My sincerest condolences. These little guys touch us so deeply, but they are destined to break our hearts with their short life spans. As you get older, those 15 year increments (sometimes less) add up to a lot of heartbreak, and I’ve know many people who have sworn off having any more pets, because as much as they truly, deeply love them, the loss is too hard for some to take. Personally, I think it is far more than worth it.

    18 years ago, we were adopted by a big Tomcat, who was the king of the cul-de-sac. He tried out a few other families, but really loved my son, so he chose us. After a short probationary period, we were fully approved, and he moved his gorgeous Siamese girlfriend (of course she was, Jake had game), and their three kittens in.

    No humans were consulted in any of these decisions.

    I did the math back then, and knew that a time would come when we would lose them in a fairly short period of time, and that’s what’s happened over the last 3 years. One by one, they’ve left us, starting with Jake. He’d lived an adventurous life, getting drowned once, shot twice, wildly hallucinating after eating a lizard, having the only white on his body, the tip of his tail, bitten off in a raccoon fight, and surviving many fights with lesser neighborhood stray cats. He used every one of his nine lives, and borrowed a few from some of our other more timid cats. He was a true force of nature, and all our other cats looked up to him like the King he was.

    Especially to Charlie, his son. To find Charlie, all you had to do was find Jake, and Charlie was probably right beside him, laying in the exact same position. We knew when Jake went, Charlie would be heartbroken, and he was. He would walk through the house at night, calling for Jake, and that broke the human hearts.

    Maggie, Jake’s Siamese girlfriend, was my closest companion. Siamese often bond to one person, and she chose me, sleeping next to my head most nights. Losing her was really tough for me.

    There is only one left, roly poly little Chloe. When I first saw her as a kitten, I remarked at how perfectly round she was, and predicted she’d be the healthiest of them all, and she has been. We took her to the vet only a couple of times, and that was just because we thought we should. She never seemed to get sick. Today she’s blind and arthritic, and maybe a little senile. She spends her days sleeping on the couch next to my wife, and when she wants a drink, she puts a paw on my wife’s arm, and she’ll hold a little dish for her to drink from. At 18 1/2 years old, any day could be her last, so we’re treating her like a Queen, the last one standing from Jake’s beautiful little cat family that gave us so much joy.

  • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
    4·
    9 hours ago

    The problem with pets is that they have none of the bad aspects of living with people but they just don’t live long enough. You gave her a good happy life, and death is a part of life and living.

  • redditStinksSuperBad@lemmy.world
    2·
    9 hours ago

    i lost my kitten a few months ago and miss her everyday. I whispered a prayer across the bridge to my Luce and told her to greet your V, show her around, and keep her snuggled up at night until you’re both reunited. From one cat lover to another, thank you for giving V the best life by filling it with love and happiness. Big hugs and much love to you, OP.

  • BlackRoseAmongThorns@slrpnk.net
    4·
    12 hours ago

    In these kinds of times it can seem pointless, but please make sure you eat and rest well, grieving is taxing on the mind and body, take care.

    In the end all we can hope for is having given them a happy and comfortable life, I’m sure you did.

  • WatermelonPaloma@lemmy.world
    3·
    12 hours ago

    I’m so sorry for your loss, and for poor V. She was so adorable with her markings. Losing a loved one suddenly can be traumatic, I am really feeling for you.

  • its_kim_love@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOP
    9·
    1 day ago

    V was gone far far too soon. I miss her so much. I basically laid in bed all day missing her. The way she used to lay on my chest and suck on her tail. She had the most expressive eyes, and the little bit of white on her brow made her look constantly concerned. Like her namesake she burned bright and is a legend. Burying two cats in less than 6 months has left me feeling hallow. Now I have two ghosts glimpsed in the corner of my eye as I walk into a room, and two little crosses behind a house I’m leaving soon.

    When I die

    Give what’s left of me away

    To children

    And old men that wait to die.

    And if you need to cry,

    Cry for your brother

    Walking the street beside you.

    And when you need me,

    Put your arms

    Around anyone

    And give them

    What you need to give to me.

    I want to leave you something,

    Something better

    Than words

    Or sounds.

    Look for me

    In the people I’ve known

    Or loved,

    And if you cannot give me away,

    At least let me live on in your eyes

    And not your mind.

    You can love me most

    By letting

    Hands touch hands,

    By letting bodies touch bodies,

    And by letting go

    Of children

    That need to be free.

    Love doesn’t die,

    People do.

    So, when all that’s left of me

    Is love,

    Give me away.