As a lot of you know, my father died recently, on July 29th. Exactly one month ago today.

My plans for today were simple, when I woke up this morning. Grab a shower, have some breakfast, get ready for work, that sort of thing.

So, I got up, popped a cup of water and a teabag into the microwave, and went in to get a shower while it heated and then steeped.

After my shower, I got dressed, then went into the kitchen to get my tea, and grab some breakfast. I noticed Gracie, our 6 year old Shaded Silver Persian, lying in the floor in front of the fridge, moawing pitifully. At first, I thought she had pushed a toy under the fridge and wanted it back. (One of her nicknames was Dozer.) Then I realized that she couldn't move her back legs.

I woke up my wife, and we rushed her to the animal hospital. They determined that she'd had a stroke. My little Princess, a stroke? At 6? It couldn't be. Not just one month after my father's death. I couldn't be about to lose my little Gracie, just 30 days after the loss of my father. But even as the vet examined her, she was deteriorating. When I found her, she still had some use of her front legs, and could hold her head up. Right before my eyes, she lost any use of her front legs, and could no longer move her head.

The vet advised that we could try to reverse things with large doses of steroids, but the prognosis wasn't good. I wanted, oh how I wanted, to try it. But Gracie was so scared, and suffering so, that I couldn't make her suffer for such a slim chance. It tore my heart out, but my wife and I decided to let her go.

I hope there's an afterlife. And I hope it's the way I picture it. If so, then around 9:30 this morning, a beautiful cat opened her eyes in a cabin, where my father will take care of her until I eventually move into the cabin on the next hill over.

I know some of you are going to say, or at least think, that I shouldn't be so tore up over the death of a housecat. I really wish I could feel the same way, right now. But Gracie has probably had the largest part, aside from my wife, in helping me deal with Dad being gone. I'm not quite over losing him, and now I've lost the very first kitten I've ever owned. (The other cats either came with my wife, or were given to her for her birthday. Gracie was mine, and I loved her from the first time I saw her.)

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..

Nothing wrong with feeling loss and wanting something better at all. And lets be honest, some housecats are better company and mean more than some people do.

Well, that brought a tear to my eye. Thank you very much, DB.

Amen, my friend. And thank you.

I lost my cat after 18 years. This was in the card the vet sent. She died over 6 years ago & I still miss her so bad & this poem not only makes me cry still to this day, but it also brings comfort at the same time.

Today my wife and I share our home with 5 cats. They are wonderful companions and we love them dearly.

We also have a number of cats who are waiting for us on the other side of the rainbow bridge, and that story makes me cry and gives me comfort every time I hear it. I miss them all so much.

I am so sorry for your losses. I understand your grief, having not long ago lost both father and beloved cat who every night crawled under the covers to sleep curled up against my side.

Thanks, Irrelevant. We had three cats and a dog, until today. It's funny, but Heather, our middle cat, was a rescue from a shelter, whom I got for my wife's birthday. She adores me, and is slowly becoming closer with my wife. Gracie, my lost little princess, was a gift to me, from my wife. She was basically terrified of me at first, and absolutely loved my wife. As time went by, she became more comfortable with me. I was looking forward to the night she curled up on the bed with me. Now that'll never happen.

Don't worry KG, you still have time to convince your wife to curl up with you....don't give up hope ;)

When you give your heart to short-lived creatures like cats and dogs, you condemn yourself to serial grief. Yet we keep doing it because the companionship is worth it.

There will be other cats; none can ever take the places in our hearts of the dear ones we lose, but even the oddest, least lovable ones can take you by surprise and find for themselves their own places in your heart.

I remember when my favorite cat ever died a few years ago, a few days later I was sitting someplace just crying. I felt a touch on my arm, and there was another of our cats, one whom I had considered cold and distant, sitting next to me with her paw on my arm, looking at me. She and I have been great friends ever since then.

When one of them leaves, you never know which of the others may step in, if you let her.

Nothing will be denied the Children of Righteousness. Worship Christ Jesus and the cat's in the bag, too.

Every animal I have ever seen, had contact with in any way will be in heaven with me, except the dogs that bit me on the ass will be nicer and the mosquitos though they love to feed trout will loose their appetite for blood and go for tree sap or something.

Dd

Losing a friend is always tough. All the cats in the house have always prefered me to my wife, maybe because I grew up with cats and she didn't. But I'm one that doesn't give cats names, maybe because I don't want to get to attached.

We lost our Mamma cat a few years ago. (Also known as Baby and Bitch.) She came to us pregnent and stayed for 20 years. She was hit by a car but survived. Old age got her in the end.

Others have come and gone but I remember them all as individuals.

Ah, shoot, kg, that's terrible. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

You’ll recall that I lost my dog just over a week ago. (Has it only been a week? It seems so much longer somehow.) I don’t know if you saw my comment in that thread below, but the vets think she died from a blood clot also – possibly in the brain. A stroke, in other words... It’s so very hard to lose those we hold dear. And this on top of your father’s passing... It must be very hard indeed. I feel for you.

For what it’s worth, based on what you’ve described I think you did the right thing in letting Gracie go. I know that’s scant consolation. And I’m sure it was a terribly difficult decision. But ultimately making that decision is our responsibility and our burden, right? I only hope that someone I trust and care for is there to make it for me if and when I can’t make it for myself.

Possibly you’re read enough of my posts to know that I don’t have any concrete beliefs about a life beyond this life. But when I wish for second chances, what I wish for is another opportunity to be with those I’ve loved and lost – human and nonhuman alike. Call it my version of The Rainbow Bridge. What I hope for is the chance to really know all those who’ve touched my life, to be with them without the hobbles of this plodding world. Who knows? Maybe that will happen – for all of us.

I’m sure some people do think it’s silly for you to cry over the passing of a mere cat. To hell with ‘em if they dare say it out loud. You shouldn’t ever have to apologize for having loved and been loved by another living being. And you shouldn’t ever be ashamed of your grief at losing that love.

It’ll get better. Until it does, take care of yourself. Be well and know that you and yours are in my thoughts.

Thanks, Dawgy. Well put, and here's to tree-sap sipping skeeters. :)

Again, let me offer my condolences to you on your loss.