Patches Is Gone

[denice]

My other kitty, Alice is back to normal. She got really clingy and vocal, she then quit eating for almost two days. That scared me , I didn't want to go through this again so soon. She started eating last night and she is back to normal behavior today. I don't know that cats grieve the way we do but they are definitely creatures of habit. I got her at 8 weeks and I already had Patches, Patches was only 3 months older then her. She is 15 now and is an only cat now, that is a big change for her.

I got Patches ashes Saturday and I had a cry about that. I do still really miss him but the memories are slowly becoming happier now.

 

[di and bob]

I hope having his ashes home brings you a small measure of comfort. I know it is always a shock to first view that urn, but try to remember he is forever with you now, both physically and spiritually.
All I have left of my Chrissy is the hairs she left me after she died, I have a collection in my tiny ceramic cat. It hurts so much to think that this is it, only a tiny collection of physical reminders, an unwashed blanket from her bed, hair, her water bowl, and the beautiful letter I received from that pet minister that I will always treasure. But the best of all was the E-mail sent to me from my husband, a letter from Chrissy! THAT I treasure above all else that he cared so much. It heals the heart a little when we receive the heartfelt words of condolence from those who understand and feel it too.
Take care of your heart, and that beautiful little girl. Patches will always be near!

 

[Timmer]

Denice, I don't know why I didn't see this before because I know we have written to one another. I also lost my cat Timmer to IBD, on Jan. 19th. The medication stopped working. Actually he was diagnosed after Thanksgiving and never really was the same, never responded much to the Prednisone or chemo I had him on. Vet suspected he had cancer too but it was never diagnosed. It's hard to deal with. I'm sure you tried all the things I did too. I'm so sad for you and for me and, well, all of us.
Your Patches looks a lot like my cat Pickles whom I had for 18 years. Patches was a very sweet boy, that's for sure. So good looking. I grieve along side you.

 

[denice]

I got a sympathy card from the vet clinic about a week ago and I just now trusted myself to look at it. The vet that was seeing Patches and everyone who works there added a little note with a memory they had about Patches. As an orphan he had that special bond with people and everyone remarked on how sweet and laid back he was.

The memories that I have are more and more happy ones rather than sad.

 

[di and bob]

I'm so happy for that. The road to healing is a long one......

 

[Timmer]

It really is nice to get the cards from the vet. I got one from our regular vet and one from Timmer's GI specialist and his nurse when he was at the specialists clinic. It brought fresh tear to my eyes to read the cards and I will keep them for a very long time. I especially bonded with the nurse who took care of Tim. She always returned my phone calls and talked with me, relayed messages to me from the doctor.
It's so very thoughtful of them to think of us and send a card when they are so busy seeing other sick animals.

 

[dragoriana]

I'm sorry you lost your friend, it sounds like he was well loved and looked after.

I don't know that cats grieve the way we do but they are definitely creatures of habit. I got her at 8 weeks and I already had Patches, Patches was only 3 months older then her. She is 15 now and is an only cat now, that is a big change for her.

When Jasmine died Charlie was about 8, even though she was a bully to him apparently she protected him from other neighbourhood cats. He started licking a crapload of bald patches all over his body, we had to put him on meds to calm him down for quite a while (which then knocked him out like a zombie). I didn't know they grieved either.

I hope having his ashes home brings you a small measure of comfort. I know it is always a shock to first view that urn, but try to remember he is forever with you now, both physically and spiritually. All I have left of my Chrissy is the hairs she left me after she died, I have a collection in my tiny ceramic cat. It hurts so much to think that this is it, only a tiny collection of physical reminders, an unwashed blanket from her bed, hair, her water bowl, and the beautiful letter I received from that pet minister that I will always treasure.

Charlie was actually the first time i'd ever decided to go with cremation. Which was a hard choice but...at least he will be with us if we move. And oh yes...being handed a plastic container with a little bag or ashes. Like...that's what is left from such a big personality that was with me half my life? I kept some fur from brushing sessions that he loved and put it in a brown apothecary jar. It still smells like him. I couldn't keep the bedding/blankets etc...it just was so hard to keep anything he slept on or loved on... =[

I have to keep reminding myself so many people know what this feeling is like! Denice, I am glad things are slowly improving for you. Memories are so important!