One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Thread Started on Aug 25, 2008, 7:26pm »
My poor baby boy cat, Ziggy, is very ill and I don't think he'll be around for much longer. Last year he was diagnosed with kidney disease, and the vet told me there is nothing they can do to stop it. He's been on medication since then. But for the past few days I noticed he started to become very sick. It happened so fast, almost overnight. Just last week he was eating as usual, and gobbling up my other cat's food as usual. But for the past 4 days or so, he would just lick at his food. He became so skinny over the past few days...he's only 4 lbs and a couple ounces! He became so weak and lethargic. He started drooling really bad, and the discharge was thick and brownish and later became a bit bloody, and his breath stunk very bad. His eyes started leaking too...Right now he's at the animal hospital where he has to stay for a couple days. The vet said he was severely dehydrated, so he has to be fed fluids through an IV for a bit. They already gave him 1 litre of fluids, and that was this afternoon. The vet said he has a 50/50 chance of being ok after he gets some fluid in him, that if everything goes well he'll start eating again and stuff. But even still, it probably won't be long until he goes...
I was ok dealing with it, but now I am so sad. It is just really strange not having him around, and just looking at the two cat bowls and knowing only one will be eating out of it makes me too sad. He's all by himself at the animal hospital, but the vet said he was very confident that he'll be ok there, and he'll just sleep all night. They said he was in a warming bed I just can't imagine him being like that..
I knew he would maybe last a year when he was diagnosed last year with kidney disease, and I was ok dealing with this up until now...
One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #1 on Aug 28, 2008, 11:24am »
My sweet little Ziggy,
It was so hard saying goodbye to you yesterday, Wednesday, August 27/08, at 5PM. But I knew you were so sick, even though you looked a little perkier than before. But I knew how bad you felt, even though I can see that you were happy to see me. I will always be your mommy and you will always be my baby boy. Letting you go was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I am just glad I got to hold you in my arms one last time.
I hope you could hear my heart beat as you put your head against my chest, and I hope you felt safe and warm and loved and comforted in my arms as you left your body. I never wanted to let you go...I wished I could keep friends like you with me forever...
I know how sick you were that last week of your life. I hated seeing you like that. You just weren't yourself. I hope you know that Mommy did the right thing and you know that I never wanted to leave you, but just relieve you from your suffering. I know no amount of love could bring your kidneys back, and take the ulcers away...Even though it hurt so much, I knew it was time to say goodbye.
I remember when you first came to me at 7 months of age. I was the fourth person to have you, and everyone else abused and mistreated you. I remember how nervous you were and how scared of people you were...you wouldn't let anyone pet you and you were terrified of feet. I knew that someone had kicked you. I vowed that I would never turn my back on you and that I would take care of you, no matter what.
It took a long time to get you to trust again, and you remained fearful and unhappy for a long time. It literally took the first 7 years of your life before that wall finally broke down and you learned to trust people again. I never wanted to give up on you, because I could see the sweet little boy that lived inside of you.
And when that wall came down, you did become the sweetest little boy. You trusted everyone, and you wanted everyone to be your friend. You loved men especially, and you were so good with the kids! All the kids loved you because you weren't afraid of them and you loved the attention they gave you. All the kids thought you were so great, and I know they will miss you. Brucie was sad when I told him you had to leave us...
I remember how sweet you were, and how you loved to watch your mama cook and do dishes. You were my little Kitchen Boy, remember? You would sit up on the microwave and just hang out with me while I did dishes. And you loved it when I started cooking, because you could get a whiff of those aromas. And you would just sit there, so content, and look up at me with your half-squinted eyes, the way you would look when you were so happy, and you would happily tilt your head forward so I could kiss your forehead. You loved getting that spot kissed! And you had one of the most expressive faces I have ever seen on a cat. Truly a lot of character and more than one person commented on how human you could be sometimes! Your eyes always told us what you were thinking.
I remember the day before I said goodbye to you, I went to see you at the animal hospital, and you looked a little better, but still so sick. You couldn't really look up or lift your head, but there was a moment when you lifted your head and looked right into my eyes. And we looked at each other for a minute. I knew you were saying something to me, Ziggy, and I can still see your yellow eyes in my mind and how you looked at that moment.
I know some people out there will say, "It's just a cat." But your were not just a cat. You were a special soul who touched my heart and you will always be my baby boy. We shared 17 years together, and you were always there for me, through the good and bad. You would never turn your back on me like people have done. I remember how you would plaintively meow at me when you noticed I was sad, as if to ask, "What's wrong?" You even had a question mark at the end of your meows: "Meow?" It was so sweet.
Then I remember how you didn't like being alone for too long, especially at night and would really turn up the volume on your voice to wake up the whole house at 5 in the morning. At those times you were my Rooster Boy. And all it took was for someone to say, "Ziggy!" and acknowledge your presence and you would be quiet and let us go back to sleep.
Oh my sweet little Ziggy, it's so hard to come downstairs to your room where you slept, went to the bathroom and ate, because I can still smell you and your energy is still here. It's like you are here but you're not. It is so hard being in here, but I find myself having to come down just to be near you, and to smell you. I even miss you peeing on the furniture...I knew you weren't well and couldn't help it.
I miss you so much, and I will love you always. You will always be my little boy and raising you was such a privelege. I was so lucky to have you in my life.
Goodbye my sweet little angel. Mommy will always miss you and love you, and I will come back to you again some day...
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #5 on Aug 30, 2008, 11:33am »
Last night I dreamed I opened a big, bright pink, satiny, bejewelled box and Ziggy was inside. Alive, not dead. He was like a present inside this beautiful box, waiting for me to open it up. The box was very decorated, it almost looked like it was from India or something like that. And Ziggy was sitting up inside it, looking at me with bright eyes.
That's all I can remember. I'm sure I will have many more dreams about him...
I am doing a bit better now that 3 days have passed since his death. Some of the shock has worn off, but I am still suspended in disbelief. I find myself looking under the bed once in a while where he used to hide to see if he is still there...
It is very hard to cope. A big hole has been left in my life. Coming downstairs to the cats' room is always hard. I come here because the computer is in here, but also I come here to mourn. Sometimes I just have to feel his presence, his energy and to smell him. It just makes me feel like he is still here... I come down here to cry and I lay on the bed where he used to lay. I can't bring myself to remove his food dish from the room...Everything is how it was before he died. I can't bring myself to put his things away and clean up. This is one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with. I have experienced death many, many times, but I never had to put my pet down, one of my best friends of 17 years...
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #7 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:29pm »
If it should be....
If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep, then you must do what must be done, for we know this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand, for this day, more than the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years, what is to come can hold no fears. Would you want me to suffer? So, when the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend, only stay with me until the end, and hold me firm and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see.
It is a kindness that you do to me, although my tail it's last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved.
Do not grieve, it should be you, who must decide this thing to do. We've been so close, we two these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears.
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #8 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:38pm »
Though this page is set up for selling this book, there is a lot of helpful info here. I am saving this link for myself and for others who might need it...
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #9 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:42pm »
BEYOND THE RAINBOW
As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played, I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity. I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side Were meadows rich and beautiful - lush and green and wide And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright glow pierced the night "Twas the glow of many candles, shining bright and strong and bold And I knew then that it held your love in it's brilliant shades of gold. For although we may not be together in the way we used to be We are still connected by a cord no one can see So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #10 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:47pm »
"Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, thank you for having entrusted us with a loyal pet. Thank you for letting him teach us unselfish love. Thank you for the memories that we can recall to brighten our days for the rest of our lives. Finally, in gratitude, we return our pet to you. Amen."
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #11 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:53pm »
I Am Always With Her
And God asked the feline spirit, "Are you ready to come home?" "Oh, yes, quite so," replied the precious soul, "And, as a cat, you know I am most able to decide anything for myself." "Are you coming then?" asked God. "Soon," replied the whiskered angel, "But I must come slowly, for my human friend is troubled For, you see, she needs me, quite certainly." "But doesn't she understand?" asked God, "That you'll never leave her? That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity? That nothing is created or destroyed? It just is....forever and ever and ever." "Eventually she will understand," replied the glorious cat, "For I will whisper into her heart that I am always with her, I just am....forever and ever and ever."
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #12 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:56pm »
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 that had been ill and old are restored to health and to vigour. 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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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.
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #13 on Aug 30, 2008, 3:59pm »
Rainbow Bridge (Poem Version -- I like this one)
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill, is a lush, green meadow where time stands still. Where the friends of man and woman do run, when their time on the earth is over and done. For here, between this world and the next, is a place where each beloved creature finds rest. On this golden land, they wait and they play, till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day. No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness, for here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness. Their limbs are restored, their health renewed, their bodies have healed, with strength imbued. They romp through the grass, without even a care, until one day they start, and sniff at the air. All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back, then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack. For just at that instant, their eyes have met; together again, both person and pet. So they run to each other, these friends from long past, the time of their parting is over at last. The sadness they felt while they were apart, has turned into joy once more in each heart. They embrace with a love that will last forever, and then, side by side, they cross over together.
Re: One of the Best Friends I've Ever Had « Reply #14 on Aug 30, 2008, 4:00pm »
To Love Again
Oh what unhappy twist of fate has brought you homeless to my gate, The gate where once another stood to beg for shelter, warmth and food? For from that day I ceased to be the master of my destiny, While he, with purr and velvet paw, became within my house the law. He scratched the furniture and shed and claimed the middle of my bed, He ruled in arrogance and pride and broke my heart the day he died. So if you really think, oh cat, I'd willingly relive all that, Because you come forlorn and thin; Well, don't just stand there - come on in!
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