Bummer, Ginger's gone.

[SMC]

:blink: Bummer, I remember reading posts from many of you who had lost a favorite dog or cat and the depth of grief one experiences.

I've had to put down two dogs and had two cats put down, yea it hurt, but I don't know why putting down Ginger (because of renal failure) is soooo difficult.

I guess having had her company for seventeen years, you really do get to bond with the animal. Plus she had some really endearing traits that were so atypical of the stereotypical cat.

Seventeen years is a long time...longer then any relationship I've ever had and longer then many marriages, not to mention just about as long before your kids leave for college.

Seventteen years with something that was always there for you and with you. Seventeen years of companionship with nary a negative word or reaction.

I've survived a stabbing, being beaten with baseball bats, had a cocked and loaded .45 shoved in the bridge of my nose by a drunk farmer who had hit a vehicle and continued to drive off. Had a bad horseback riding accident which involved having two knee operations, femur pinning operation, had to learn to walk again, fractured my neck in a downhill ski race in 1979, sliced my left thigh with a ski, had another ski cut my right chest, and scraped off the right side of my face in ski race in Sun Valley...all that stuff just doesn't hold a candle to losing Ginger.

I guess I'm not the rock I would like to believe I am.

Thanks for blessing my life for seventeen years with your antics and love, God will get me through this.

 

[TheAxeman]

Sorry for your loss. I know exactly how you feel. I lost my 16 YO cat last Saturday. I found him curled up next to the door nearly lifeless and held and petted him until he died. Even my dog realizes that something is missing in the house now. I ended up burying him under his favorite birdhouse that never could keep a bird family.

 

[NoCage]

That's tough SMC. Like you, I've put my poor body through a lot of ****, and putting down my 16 y.o. indoor dog a while back was really depressing. Hang in there.

 

[Fencer]

BTDT last Sept.

We just brought the new addition home Sunday.

 

[Toecutter]

Those little furballs can really make a nest in your heart after a few years of trying, can't they? Hard to believe it's already been six years since I had to put Sasha, a Himalayan feral capture that lived with us for 11 years, down, due to cancer. She was almost totally unresponsive as I put her in the car for the journey, but she meowed, looked up one last time, and reached out a weak paw to put on top of my hand one last time on the way there. The doc gave her the shot, then told me I could have the room as long as I wanted. It took about five minutes before I was composed enough to come back out.

Sorry to hear about your loss, but sounds like you had a great time!

 

[BobbyBlue]

Lots of us feel your pain my brother. Most men on this board arent too hip to cats, most men period, actually. But there are those of us who know what a special being these little fur people can be so you are not alone. My Jack was put down at a pound while I was recovering from a quintuple bypass subsequent to a divorce..this was up in Mckinney while I was recovering at my folks here in SA..nice lady huh? Apparently he couldnt get along with the soon to be ex's new dog...I dont think I'll ever forgive the bitch...either of em ! Any way, life will go on and it will get easier. You are not alone!

Blessings

Bobby

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Sorry for your loss. I feel your pain.

I've only had one cat, but he was cool. Had to leave Gato with the SPCA when my job took me out of the country and he couldn't go. Very painful and I'm not proud of it.

That and having to wholesale my Taurus SHO!

 

[MikeYork5]

Although I'm dog guy - I feel your pain - I love all those fur balls - hang tough.

 

[Tyler]

I lost my beloved pup, Doogan, several years ago. I have since been blessed with several other furry critters that reside in my home and, at times, drive me nuts and pull on my heart strings at the same time. When Doogan transitioned, a friend sent me this poem which I have passed on to others who have lost their furry family members along the way... I hope it brings you some semblance of peace in your heart.

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...

 

[Mooseonagoose]

While I'm admittedly not a cat person, I've no doubt that a favorite feline, ...or just about any other species of long term pet you can have, is capable of finding their way into your heart & leaving a big old empty hole when they check out. Very sorry to hear about Ginger's passing!