Farewell dear Sherbie

[pomtzu]

My dear little free spirited kitty, Sherbie, is now truly free. He departed his earthly body at 12:40 this afternoon, as he started his final journey to Rainbow Bridge.

He had been on the decline for the past few weeks, and tho he was eating enough for 2 cats, he was wasting away to nothing. He looked like a walking skeleton with fur on it, and had lost so much muscle mass that he had difficulty walking, but he still wouldn't let go. Then he stopped eating except for a couple of bites, a couple of days ago, and I knew the end was near. I told him it was okay to go, but he just kept holding on. It broke my heart to see this once robust cat, just a shell of what he once was. So this morning I made the decision for him, and took him in to the vet for his eternal rest. The ride in was so eerie. In the 9+ years that he owned me, he never meowed - only chirped and trilled - but he meowed the entire ride in. The end was quick and peaceful thankfully. He got a sedative to knock him out, and then the final injection. I petted and talked to him the entire time so that he would know I was with him.

I brought him home, and my son will prepare a grave in one of his favorite spots that he liked. I have the ashes of his best buddy RB O.C. who departed 4 years ago, and I will bury them together, so they will never be parted again. It's only right that I do that. Those 2 were inseparable partners in crime (raiding bunny nests and other adventures), and now they can be together once again. I have some flagstone, and will make a marker for them.

I'll miss that boy something awful, but he is at peace now, and I will find peace in time with that also.

RIP Sherbie. We all love you.........:love:

[Pinot's Mom]

Oh, Ellie, I'm so sorry. :(

RIP, dear Sherbie, and Peace to your family. :love: Godspeed to the Bridge, honey, your Mom will miss you so.:love:

[Freedom]

Sweet Sherbie, the outdoor kitty, the one who just showed up and stayed. I am glad you were able to help ease his path and end his suffering, Ellie. I know how difficult it is. Run free Sherbie! Hugs Ellie.

[Karen]

Rest in peace, dear boy!

[Felicia's Mom]

Play hard at Rainbow Bridge Sherbie!

[phesina]

Oh, I am so sorry. What a beautiful boy, so beloved.

Sherbie is whole and healthy again at the Rainbow Bridge, where he and his best buddy O.C. await the grand reunion.. One Fine Day... Love is eternal, and you are all together always.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family and all who love him so much. God bless you and bring you peace and comfort.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[Shady]

So very sorry to hear about Sherbie..Godspeed.

The only consolation right now is that he has been released from whatever ailed him.

I am positive he knew that what you did, you did for him..hard as it was..we cannot let them suffer.

Take care, and when you're ready, let your happy memories flood your heart. It takes time, but will happen.

Hugs.

[lizbud]

Awww Ellie, I am so sorry to hear about Sherbie's passing.:( I am sure his "talking" to you on his trip to
the Vet, was him telling you he understood that you were doing him a final kindness by sparing him more
suffering. (((Hugs))) Sherbie was a lucky boy to have you in his life.

[Catty1]

Sherbie and OC are together again, happy at the Bridge.

It is so heartbreaking to put our own feelings aside and do what is best for our furbabies.

Hugs, and may future happy memories help you heal. :love:

[cassiesmom]

Oh, I am so sorry to learn this news. (((HUGS))), Pomtzu.

[gini]

After just going through something exactly as you described last August with my Rascal, I truly feel
your loss as deeply as you do.

I am so sorry, but rejoice that you were able to give Sherbie such a good life and he was well loved.

I am so sorry that you have to go through this at this time - it just never is easy.

[Asiel]

Just finished reading about your loss Pom-- I remember the story of the cat who just appeared and decided to stay. He was a handsome cat, love the pictures . I'm sure he was trying to thank you for helping him make the final journey as you drove to the vet's. They seem to know when it's their time don't they.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sorry Ellie. At least he knew what it was to be loved and you were with him until the end. Reading your post brought on the tears (as usual) bringing back memories of my past.

RIP Sherbie :(

[Grace]

I'm sorry, Ellie :love:

[mrspunkysmom]

I am so sorry to hear of Sherbie's passing and your loss. You gave him a home and love for 9 years and now he will look in on you from above at the Bridge.

Rest easy, Sherbie, and play hard at the Bridge. :love:

[chocolatepuppy]

Rest in peace dear Sherbie. I'm very sorry Ellie.:(

[moosmom]

Oh Ellie, I am so sorry about Sherbie.

RIP sweet boy.

[issop]

RIP dear sherbie.. be with all the kitties at the rainbow bridge that you are with.. when you see the earth you remember all the good times with your partner and know that someday you will be united with them again.. i dont know why but when ever i read about a kittie passing on here i cry about it for a bit. the ones that go are in peace. 20120621.0542

[smokey the elder]

I'm so sorry about your sweet Sherbie.

[pomtzu]

Thank you all for your very kind comments - they mean a great deal to me, even tho the tears started again as I was reading them.

And yes - I believe that his meowing to me in the car, was him telling me that he was ready to leave, and he was glad that I was there to help him. That plus the fact that he wanted me to know that he really did know how to meow. ;) I'm just so thankful that he wasn't a typical cat, one that would wander off somewhere to die by himself, and he wanted to be with me to the very end, knowing that I would give him a proper and respectful burial.

Thankfully my son and grandson were here to dig the grave (in the 100 degree heat) - a very nice spot along a line of junipers that he and O.C. used to hide in and pretend that they were big wild tigers, just waiting for some unsuspecting bird or squirrel to come close so that they could pounce. They seldom caught anything, but they had fun trying. My son started work on the marker last night - he is engraving Sherbie & O.C.'s names into the flagstone with an electric engraving tool and it's looking so nice so far. I took Sherbie's mat and a quilted blanket that he had in his Little Red Cat House and washed them, then wrapped he and O.C. together in them. I cut a couple of orchids off of my orchid plant and put them on top, and my son stuck a piece of velcro on the blanket too - for Velcro Kitty as he was also known, since he stuck to Sparky like velcro after O.C. passed on. It was so strange to walk out the back door first thing this morning and not have him sitting on the railing to the porch, and that paw reaching out to pat me and fuss at me to feed him. It will take some getting used to him not being there.

I didn't sleep much last night for thinking of him and remembering some of the things he did. How he jumped down out of a tree and landed on the hood of my car and slid off - and left his claw scratches in the paint so I wouldn't forget about it - how smart and well behaved he was also. He never went by the road, and only occasionally into the front yard to lay on the front porch. Sometimes he would start to follow me as I walked out to the mailbox, but I would turn and point to the house and say "get back there", and he would turn around and go back. How he accidentally got locked in my car for a few hours, and my son saw him with his front paws up on the dashboard just looking out the window. You could not leave a car door open with that boy around, without checking to make sure he didn't sneak in it.

He gave us so many memories over the years that we will never forget. Thank you Sherbie, for letting us be a big part of your life. :love:

[Lilith Cherry]

I am so sorry to hear about Sherbie; Have fun at the bridge sweetie! Lots of love to you Ellie:love:

[Randi]

I'm so sorry for your loss of Sherbie. :( It's never easy to say goodbye, but I believe you chose the right time to do so. Sherbie is at peace now and will soon be together with OC.

Rest in peace, Sherbie! :love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

Ellie, I'm so sorry for your loss.:( He sure was a handsome boy. RIP sweet Sherbie.:( Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[emily_the_spoiled]

I am so sorry to read about Sherbie, but he is now healthy and happy playing with his buddy again at the RB.

They are forever young and forever in your heart

[pomtzu]

Thank you so much - Lilith, Randi, Tracey & Cheryl.

I'm certain that the boys have found each other, and that O.C. is showing Sherbie all the fun places to go, and is helping him meet a lot of new friends too. Knowing them, they are probably already plotting - I mean planning ;) - lots of exciting new adventures together. RB may never be the same.

This is my very favorite pic of them together - Sherbie on the left and O.C. on the right - taken on 7/7/06. It doesn't get any more special than that, for me anyway.

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[phesina]

What a WONDERFUL picture of your two boys, Ellie. How you must treasure it! :love::love::love:

[pomtzu]

What a WONDERFUL picture of your two boys, Ellie. How you must treasure it! :love::love::love:

Yes Pat - I have always thought it very special - but even more so now that they are both gone. I'm going to print and frame it as soon as I get a new ink cartridge.

[phesina]

The picture seems to me that it captures everything so special that you know so well and love so much about your two boys!

That is a great idea to frame it. You can gaze at it often and be reminded of their love and spirit and that they are watching over you from the Rainbow Bridge.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[lizbud]

Thank you so much - Lilith, Randi, Tracey & Cheryl.

I'm certain that the boys have found each other, and that O.C. is showing Sherbie all the fun places to go, and is helping him meet a lot of new friends too. Knowing them, they are probably already plotting - I mean planning ;) - lots of exciting new adventures together. RB may never be the same.

This is my very favorite pic of them together - Sherbie on the left and O.C. on the right - taken on 7/7/06. It doesn't get any more special than that, for me anyway.

53940


Oh my, what a great picture of shared affection.:love::love: Almost looks like mirror images of each other. I see why you treasure this sweet picture.:)

[Cataholic]

Oh, gosh, {{{{hugs}}} to you my friend. I just saw this. :( My deepest sympathies on the loss of Sherbie. No doubt he was much loved, and will be sorely missed. RIP, sweet one.

[catmandu]

We are so sorry that we missed your story Sherbie.
You are such a Dear Creamsicle cat , and that photo of you and your best friend is so touching.
We know that the love between you will never die , and that you will let your companion know that you are an Angel now, and are seeking a place where you can all be together in love!!!
One Fine Day.:love:

[pomtzu]

Thanks to you too, Jo and Gary. And thanks again to everyone.

I really miss my little orange man, and can hardly believe that he is really gone. :(

[Scooter's Mom]

I am just seeing this.
I am so sorry for you loss. Our furry friends are such big parts of our lives and it's hard to say goodbye. I'm sorry your dear kitty friend is gone.

[pomtzu]

Thank you, Crystal.

[3Catcondo]

Ellie,
Thanks again for emailing me. I'm sorry for your loss, but I know you made the right decision for him. I love the pic of him and O.C. How much fun they must be having together being reunited and whole again at the bridge. Sherbie, play hard and have fun. :love:

Amy

[pomtzu]

Ellie,
Thanks again for emailing me. I'm sorry for your loss, but I know you made the right decision for him. I love the pic of him and O.C. How much fun they must be having together being reunited and whole again at the bridge. Sherbie, play hard and have fun. :love:

Amy

Thank you Amy. I know how much you liked my little guy.

I do believe that he paid me a visit this morning. I was sitting on the back porch while the pups were out nosing around the yard, and I heard a noise behind me. One of the 4x4 uprights to the top railing was his official scratching post, and it is very deeply grooved from his 9 years of scratching on it. I heard what sounded like him scratching his claws and turned around to look, and of course nothing was there. I turned my attention back to the pups and what they were doing, and I heard it again, but of course, still nothing there. One more time he did it, and then it stopped. Yup - I definitely believe it was him. :)

[issop]

yes that was sherbie scratching his post he is letting you know that he is ok at the rainbow bridge.. he misses you too and even when you took him in for him to get his wings it somethimes is a hard deceison to make because we love them so much and dont want to let them go.. you did the best thing for him so he could have his wings and he is watching over you.. 20120708.1511