Goodbye, old friend.

Post by **sensei** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 7:52 pm

I agree with thezelgoddess: it will help if you create a little personal shrine for Miss Brandy. We had our much loved and mostly undisciplined beagle mix, Socks, cremated, but kept her collar, with three licence tags. Each of us kept one tag on our key chains, which we handle every day, and buried the collar in the front yard under a perennial that blooms each summer around the time she died. So in many ways, we feel we are faithful to her memory.

Nineteen years is a long time to share life with such a personality. That is a blessing and a privilege ... but part of accepting it (as the play/movie Shadowlands illustrates) is being vulnerable to an equal and opposite pain. One can only trust that the two--blessing and pain--mold us in a humane way.

My thoughts go with you.

tex-chan · Post by **tex-chan** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:51 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss, Baakay! I just wanted to send you lots of hugs, and my best wishes for you and your family.

*hugs*

Kujaku · Post by **Kujaku** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:57 am

I'm sorry for your lose. 19 years is a great long time to have such a lovely companion.I'm glad your final days with her was a wonderful experience and having the others (meowing and what not) helps. I just want to send you lots of hugs and hope that your memories of her bring more pleasure than pain.

animeobsessed · Post by **animeobsessed** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:32 am

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. It's always so hard to loss a pet. Sounds like she has a wonderful, long life. Treasure your memories, especially those last few wonderful days.

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:47 am

Thanks for sharing that info with us, Baakay, it's very sad but I'm sure you and your family will brighten up soon.

It's good that you have other pets too because it may have had a greater impact if she was the only family pet.
I'm sure your other kitties are felling sad that she's gone but they still have you to fuss over them which is cool.

kittens · Post by **kittens** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:55 pm

Baakay.... I am so sorry

But she had a loooong happy life with you and your family...... I know that she is smiling at you now from a cat heaven......

birdie · Post by **birdie** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:21 pm

I am so sorry for your loss Baakay.

She left her mark on you and your family, you can tell by your description of her, and that is always a good thing. Remember the good times, it always helps.

Lynxa · Post by **Lynxa** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:30 am

Oh Kay!!!! *huuuugs* I'm so sorry about Ms. Brandy!!!

It sounds like she had a full looooong life though. And we know she was with the best family possible!!!

If it makes you feel better I found a video of stupid cats that I just sent to evilminion.

*more hugs*

klet · Post by **klet** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:02 pm

Sorry I didn't reply to this earlier, but I was getting over the trauma of nearly being attacked by a gang of feral cats on Saturday night as kymaera was walking me home.

Seriously, though, Kay, I'm really sorry for your loss.

Cats are so much like people--you really have to work hard to get them to like you . . . or at least tolerate you.

It's really hard to lose a member of the family after so many years, but I'm sure she's up in kitty heaven making a mess of things. Give the rest of the kitties hugs for me--I'm sure that they're the ones who need it the most.

*hugs*

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:02 pm

Thanks again, everyone.

After two days I have finally stopped checking for her on the Pink Pillow every time I go into the bedroom.

I just keep thinking about how funny she was, killing the same catnip sock in the middle of the night every...stinking...night and bringing it upstairs for us to ooh and ahh over. I mean there was no rest until you reaffirmed for this old coot that yes, she was a lovely girl and an excellent hunter!

She was an old sweetie, and I'm convinced that she hung in there as long as she could just because she loved us. (Or maybe she just wanted to make sure that Buffy didn't get first dibs on the "squishy food"!!

) I'm also sure she breathed that last sigh in utter relief that she didn't hurt any more.

... and that she didn't have to swat Emily out of her face any more!

Now that the girls are over the worst of their intense grieving it's much easier. I told them what a great bunch you all were and guess what? It really helped them to know that even people they've never met hurt when a pet leaves.

You're all so great. Thanks again

vampyreshoujo · Post by **vampyreshoujo** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:58 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss, Baakay.

Many hugs to you and your family.

Sounds like Brandy had a fabulous life, and, as much as it hurts that she's no longer with you physically, she'll always be in your heart.

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:15 pm

BAAKAY!!!!

Caroline · Post by **Caroline** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:47 pm

*sniffle* what a beautiful kitty. its nice to know she was loved and had a good home.

BleedingOrange · Post by **BleedingOrange** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:08 pm

That's horrible to hear. We pet owners all know that we will outlive our pets... and that a day like that will eventually come. You just can't keep 'em long enough. They become your best friends. So sorry for the loss.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:08 pm

I can do whatever I want.