Barney.
12,636 views of his thread.
598 posts.
88 candles from FIVE countries.
I wish we could bottle whatever this is and send it to heal all the war in the world.:love:
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Barney.
12,636 views of his thread.
598 posts.
88 candles from FIVE countries.
I wish we could bottle whatever this is and send it to heal all the war in the world.:love:
Judy:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
Gotta go feed the critters...The two-legged and four-legged kinds! Back later!:)
Quite an accomplishment by that sweet little rag-a-muffin, isn't it? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
I'm sure Barney's not the braggin' kind, but if he was, boy wouldn't he have major braggin' rights!! He arrived, sent by those here who loved him dearly, on the wings of prayers and warm breezes from his many candles!! What an arrival!!! :cool::cool:
Gosh, I probably shouldn't have opened this up at work, but I wanted to read everyone's posts on Barney's last day. I got LES after that last post by Lara. I've had my mini candle burning here on my computer screen all day, and when I get home I'll light one for Barney.
Purr-tender, you said it beautifully! :) I'm sure his was an amazing arrival. :love:
I will light a candle this evening when I am home for the night.
RIP sweetie.
I'm sure all the other angels at the Bridge are thinking "Boy, does the 'new guy' like to make an entrance or what???" :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Purr-tender
Judy
... and more prayers for Lara and Scott as they go through what must be such a rough evening.
Barney, look for our Murphy up there -- he'll be sure to be able to show you where the sunny spots and the hidden stashes of milk rings are.
OK, my screen is having the same problem as everybody else's, so I'm off for the Kleenex, too...
Love to all of you,
Diana
It's been a tough afternoon all around...Especially for Lara and Scott...Bless both of them. Here's sending them both more hugs and warm thoughts to help them through this difficult evening.:(:) I know that Barney is smiling down on them...:):love:
Judy
Lara and Scott - you each feel worn and burnt out and ragged inside to varying degrees at different times...
gentle {{{{hugs}}}} from me, and I think I can speak for all your friends here.
I hope Barney knows that we were his friends, too. :love:
{{{{hugs}}}}
Snuggle with the other kitties. Let them lick the tears away.
I Did Not Die
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle Autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there;
I did not die.
- Anon -
beautiful...It really is...:)
Judy
I lit my outside candle at 1600. I thought of Barney while cooking at the ham club meeting/supper. I am so glad you all were there holding hands and hugging each other!!! I was there in spirit!!! Here is a little poem book that I bought after Ralph Syracuse left for the Bridge.
WEEP NOT FOR ME Constance Jenkins
Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long.
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest.
There is no need for tears;
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not;
The fear now is all gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath,
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell on my death,
Bur celebrate my life.
Sleep softly, sweet Barney...
Grace, that's beautiful.
Kb, such comforting words.
I'm finally home from work and will be lighting a candle for Barney shortly. It seems I've perfected the talent of driving and crying at the same time...:(
Gosh, I'm worried about Lara and Scott. This first night will be a long one for them. They have us and each other along with the rest of their furbabies but I fear that may not be enough to bring them comfort tonight.:(
{{{Group Hug}}}:love::love:
Wow you guys! So many pages of posts have appeared since this morning! I've read every one of them and thank you for all being there for Barney and for me and Scott.
What a day. What a cat.
I had butterflies in my stomach from the moment I woke up to the moment he left for Rainbow Bridge.
When I opened his door this morning he was so chipper and meowed very loudly at me. It made me sad. But Barney just carried on as usual and looked at me like "come on, give me my yummies already!!", which of course I promptly did.
I went in to visit with him so many times and gave him quite a few plates of food too. I bundled him up and walked around with him again. It was probably the best day I've spent with him since I brought him home.
I kissed him hundreds of times and cried a bunch. Scott filmed me holding him just a few minutes before Barney and I left for the hospital and as usual, it is the darkest video ever but this time I'm glad because half way through I started crying when Scott started talking about Rainbow Bridge. So hopefully you can't see that part! I will post it at the end of this post.
I put Barney into a carrier and I hated the look in his eyes, he looked so scared. I loaded him up into our truck next to me. Scott said his goodbyes and then we drove down the driveway. Barney was meowing so much and I hadn't heard this meow before. He was scared. So, when I pulled onto our street, I pulled over and took him out of the cage and bundled him in his blue fleece blanket so he was all snuggly and I put him on my lap as I drove.
He never meowed again and was quiet as a little mouse.
The ferry ride was really rough and the boat was tossing all over the place. I was actually a bit scared. I thought 'if Barney dies from drowning instead of at the vet clinic, I'm going to be so mad!'
Travel time to the vet took about 45 minutes in all and he just snuggled in and didn't make a peep. He wasn't sleeping because I kept petting him and looking at him. His little eyes were open and he was just looking around but had his chin resting on the blankets.
We drove along the ocean and the waves were crashing in. I told Barney that his time was almost here. When we got there, I carried him in, in his blanket and paid for everything first so I wouldn't have to do it afterwards with blurry eyes.
A receptionist put us in a room and Barney remained so still. Robin the vet came in and she unwrapped him a bit and it was so weird, it was as if he had already been sedated. He let her handle him anyway she wanted and was kind of limp. Just an hour before, he was walking around, meowing and eating. She had a look at his back leg because that is where she wanted to give him the sedative. Normally he would have really put up a fight if you touched any of his legs but he didn't move.
I don't know if he was scared or if he was sleepy because he'd been bundled up for 45+minutes with me or if he knew what was coming and wasn't fighting it one bit or if it is all three things combined.
Robin gave him the sedation shot while I rubbed his head to distract him. She left us alone for about 5 minutes. I think by this time it was around 2:30 or 2:35. He was really out of it after the shot but at one point he sneezed and it really startled me.
Shortly after, she came in with the tech and they gave him the final shot. Robin said "it's time to go to sleep now Barney". Tears were just falling by the dozens from my eyes onto my jeans. I was so incredibly sad.
Robin was very kind and said that Barney sure found the right person when he found me and I was happy to hear that. I was concerned that she would think that I'd left him too long. But I think she could see how much he meant to me.
I was left with him for as much time as I wanted. It was strange to see him 'gone' but he was in peace and the suffering was over. I wrapped him up and took him out to the truck because I had arranged to drive 40 minutes south to a pet crematorium. I know the vet clinics also offer this but I've heard of some stories about ashes coming back that don't seem to fit the animal. A ton of ashes come back for a cat while the ashes for a Rottweiler come back in a box the size of a hamster. I was just so worried that I wouldn't get 'Barney' back so I found a small place where I thought it would be better.
So I drove down to the town with Barney and did a bunch of crying. I don't really remember much of the drive. Probably shouldn't have been driving. I called my husband and he said that he had lit a candle for Barney at 2:30 too. :love:
It was starting to get a bit dark by the time I got there but I couldn't find it!! I drove on all these country roads and had to put my truck in 4-wheel drive because of the snow and almost got stuck a few times. I never did find it and when I called, they didn't answer. So, after about an hour, I headed back up to the clinic where Barney was put down. Around 5:00p.m. I brought Barney back to them and asked if they could have him cremated and explained that I couldn't find the other place. They were really nice about it and took Barney. I wrapped him in a fleece shirt that he always liked to sleep with and asked that he be cremated with that.
So, he is gone. Thank you all for your posts and support and candles. Barney is officially an angel now and I miss him terribly as I know all of you do too. He really was one amazing little cat. I'll never forget him and I'm so glad that he found all of us. :love:
I will post a Memorial thread for him now. Below is the video of us just before we left today. I will post the other video in the Memorial thread.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...neysday007.jpg
these wonderful poems? They are so sweet and beautiful... Thanks for sharing these...:)
Judy
Quote:
Originally Posted by kb2yjx
I wish you could all see how many people are reading this thread right now. I just clicked on the online users link and way over half on the first page were reading this thread. Barney was a very loved kitty. What a rough day you had. I do hope that you feel some comfort and support from all of us here.
MEGA HUGS Lara!!! It was a rough day for you...take care of yourself....Sandra
Thank you Scott for Barney's good-bye video.
Thank you Lara for allowing us to be part of his life, too. I am so very sorry for your loss, for our loss. It hurts so much even though we all know he is at peace and surrounded by PT angels. God bless you, Lara and Scott.
Love,
Mary
But, as you said, he is at peace and his suffering is over. We were all a mess here this afternoon, as I'm sure you saw in our posts, but I am glad that Barney's and your ordeal is over. Bless his sweet little heart, this is a kitty that none of us will ever forget. We will also never forget your kindness, love and compassion for this lost little angel. I believe that there is a special place in Heaven for people like you. Take comfort in knowing that while Barney was with you, you did your absolute best for him, and when the time came, you said goodbye to him with love and compassion. None of us can ever hope for more. God bless and keep you, Lara and Scott. Your Barney is purring happily and smiling down on you from the Bridge.:love::)
Judy
Lara, I am just so sorry. I am crying my eyes out, with the rest of you.
I could not sleep at all last night, just thinking about sweet Barney. I prayed for him all day long. All last night. And I mean constantly. I kept looking at the clock and cringing. My heart hurts right now.
I wish I could give you one big *HUG*. I hope that you truly know the impact you had on Barneys life. It was the difference for him.
RIP sweet Barney. I am so sorry your whole life was not filled everyday with the love you felt in your last days. You were so unlucky, but then again, very much lucky. I think God knew you deserved the very best last few months with someone who loves you completely and wholeheartedly. You can now be Lara and Scotts Angel, and protect them like they did you. I hope that you can see my tears, and know that I loved you very much, even though I never met you. I feel I knew you anyways.... Gentle kisses sweet Tuxie boy.
RIP Sweet Barney
I'm just now getting caught up on this thread and was unable to post anything until now.:o
Lara, Scott, and Barney, I thought of all of you today and like everyone else has said it's been a very sad and tearful day.:( I'm glad that Barney is finally painfree and at peace now. We'll never forget you Barney. RIP sweet boy.:(
Lara, I know that you and Scott realize how much Barney meant to all of us on PT. I do hope, however, that you realize just how much you and Scott mean to us as well. This has been quite an experience and a real blessing in my life. And now I can add another name to my Cat Angel list. :love:
Lara & Scott
Bless you both for all that you did for this once lost soul. You not only cared for him in regard to his health, but you allowed him to find himself once more, never to be alone and lost and forgotten again. You gave of yourselves - love and care and compassion. Never doubt for one second that you gave him anything but your best, and never question yourself on your decision to help him leave this world with peace, love and dignity. You are very special people, and I am proud to consider you as my friends. If only there were more folks like you in this world - what a truly wonderful place it would be. I believe that there is a special place for you in Heaven, and Barney will be waiting there for you. :)
Comforting hugs to you across the miles........................:love::love::love:
My candles were burning for Barney all evening, of course. It must have a wonderful sight with a long alley of candles to guide him :)
I’m glad Barney had a good last day, with lots of cuddles, kisses and yummy food. And it’s a comfort to know that he was in your lap on the trip.
Lara, I know that Barney felt your love, and also the love we all sent to him. He is your special angel now, and one of these days, he will give you a sign that all is well. :)
Thank you Lara, Scott and Angela for all the love and compassion you gave him.
Sleep softly, Barney - you have touched our hearts all over the world and will be remembered forever.
:love: :love: :love:
Rest in peace, sweet beloved Barney.
The peace of God be with you, Lara and Scott.
Thank you all for the love you have shared with each other and with all of us.
Oh darn, my screen is getting all blurry again..
Pat
Gosh, I cannot stop crying.
He is at peace now. Bless you both for taking such wonderful care of Barney!
He is an angel, for sure.
I tried to PM you this evening about something, but I got a message saying that you were at your maximum quota and couldn't receive any more. Can you get back to me about this? Thanks!!:)
Judy
I cannot not stop crying.... that last blog really touched my heart and I am so very sorry that Barney had to go. I had grown to love Barney, even though I have never even met him. His story was so sweet and I had so much hope for him. Sometimes I just wish we could save everyone, and that is a feeling I constantly have to deal with. You must be so upset, but you did the very best for Barney and he is at peace now. I am sure my Baby and Hercules have met him in heaven - and they are showing him the ropes. ***sobbing*** Barney will be forever loved and never forgotten.
That truly is amazing Candace. It's unreal to see those numbers! He was a little tiny rockstar. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
Purr_Tender wrote:On wings of prayers and warm breezes from his candles. I love that.Quote:
I'm sure Barney's not the braggin' kind, but if he was, boy wouldn't he have major braggin' rights!! He arrived, sent by those here who loved him dearly, on the wings of prayers and warm breezes from his many candles!! What an arrival!!!
Wolf Lady wrote:Thank you for lighting candles (both cyber and real) for Barn Barn.Quote:
Gosh, I probably shouldn't have opened this up at work, but I wanted to read everyone's posts on Barney's last day. I got LES after that last post by Lara. I've had my mini candle burning here on my computer screen all day, and when I get home I'll light one for Barney.
Caseysmom wrote:Thank you.Quote:
I will light a candle this evening when I am home for the night.
RIP sweetie.
weluvcats wrote:LOL!Quote:
I'm sure all the other angels at the Bridge are thinking "Boy, does the 'new guy' like to make an entrance or what???"
mamaducky wrote:I bet Murphy and Barney are sunning themselves together right now!!Quote:
... and more prayers for Lara and Scott as they go through what must be such a rough evening.
Barney, look for our Murphy up there -- he'll be sure to be able to show you where the sunny spots and the hidden stashes of milk rings are.
OK, my screen is having the same problem as everybody else's, so I'm off for the Kleenex, too...
Moesha wrote:Thanks Moe, that is just what I did! Our pets always seem to know when we are down and they stick close and it was so nice. My cat Stinky was very snuggly and she fell asleep with me that night.Quote:
Snuggle with the other kitties. Let them lick the tears away.
Thanks for thos poems you guys!!
Slick wrote:Thanks for worrying. :) That was a long day and very sad. I still feel really tired but each bit gets easier and I know he is at peace. It was hard to grapple with that on 'the day' but it's sinking in now and we're doing okay.Quote:
I'm finally home from work and will be lighting a candle for Barney shortly. It seems I've perfected the talent of driving and crying at the same time...
Gosh, I'm worried about Lara and Scott. This first night will be a long one for them. They have us and each other along with the rest of their furbabies but I fear that may not be enough to bring them comfort tonight.
I was learning to drive and cry quite well too! ;)
Purr_Tender wrote:You know, I don't think I ever said this and your post reminded me of it,Quote:
Thank you Scott for Barney's good-bye video.
Thank you Lara for allowing us to be part of his life, too. I am so very sorry for your loss, for our loss. It hurts so much even though we all know he is at peace and surrounded by PT angels. God bless you, Lara and Scott.
Love,Mary
I'm so sorry for the loss that you guys must be feeling too. You all have been so kind about how I'm feeling and Scott but I hope that everyone out there is doing better today too. Everybody opened their hearts to Barney and I know it was hard to say goodbye. Wouldn't be neat if he came to visit each one of us in his new role of 'Barney Angel'?? I think he will.
Last night I was laying in bed and had my cat Stinky sitting on me and she was fixated on my pillow and the headboard. She is with us every night and never does this. Maybe Barney was on my pillow. :love:
weluvcats wrote:For all of us! :love:Quote:
I believe that there is a special place in Heaven for people like you.
kt_luvs_kitties wrote:That is a wonderful thought and I hope it's true!!Quote:
You can now be Lara and Scotts Angel, and protect them like they did you. I hope that you can see my tears, and know that I loved you very much, even though I never met you. I feel I knew you anyways.... Gentle kisses sweet Tuxie boy.
I'm sure he did see you and your tears and does know how much you loved him. :)
Medusa wrote:Thank you so much Mary. I also feel that it has been a blessing and I'm so glad to know you guys.Quote:
Lara, I know that you and Scott realize how much Barney meant to all of us on PT. I do hope, however, that you realize just how much you and Scott mean to us as well. This has been quite an experience and a real blessing in my life. And now I can add another name to my Cat Angel list.
krazyaboutkatz wrote:Thank you.Quote:
Lara, Scott, and Barney, I thought of all of you today and like everyone else has said it's been a very sad and tearful day. I'm glad that Barney is finally painfree and at peace now. We'll never forget you Barney. RIP sweet boy
pomtzu wrote:I've been re-reading posts these past few days and I feel better reading what you wrote about him being once lost and then being allowed to find himself again. And that he left the world with dignity and wasn't alone. I hadn't been thinking alot about how he 'could' have died, outside and painfully. When I think about that, I feel so much better that he didn't.Quote:
Bless you both for all that you did for this once lost soul. You not only cared for him in regard to his health, but you allowed him to find himself once more, never to be alone and lost and forgotten again.
...never question yourself on your decision to help him leave this world with peace, love and dignity. You are very special people, and I am proud to consider you as my friends. If only there were more folks like you in this world - what a truly wonderful place it would be. I believe that there is a special place for you in Heaven, and Barney will be waiting there for you.
Comforting hugs to you across the miles
I consider you a friend as well! Thank you.
Randi wrote:I think he surely must have felt the warmth of those candles and all that love. There is no way he didn't. I do hope he will give a sign of some sort, that would be so great. I will post if he does!Quote:
Lara, I know that Barney felt your love, and also the love we all sent to him. He is your special angel now, and one of these days, he will give you a sign that all is well.
Phesina wrote:And with you. :love:Quote:
The peace of God be with you, Lara and Scott.
Sasvermont wrote:I was like that too the other day. I feel better today and hope you do too.Quote:
Gosh, I cannot stop crying.
He is at peace now. Bless you both for taking such wonderful care of Barney!
He is an angel, for sure.
weluvcats wrote:sorry about that. I realized that I had every 'sent' message in my mailbox too and that counts as space that is taken up. I deleted a whole bunch and thankfully got your PM. :)Quote:
I tried to PM you this evening about something, but I got a message saying that you were at your maximum quota and couldn't receive any more. Can you get back to me about this? Thanks!!
Judy
kittykatharine wrote:Lots of tears in this thread! :( I have that same feeling of wishing to save everyone and I know it's unrealistic but it's hard to change. And even harder when they don't make it.Quote:
I cannot not stop crying.... that last blog really touched my heart and I am so very sorry that Barney had to go. I had grown to love Barney, even though I have never even met him. His story was so sweet and I had so much hope for him. Sometimes I just wish we could save everyone, and that is a feeling I constantly have to deal with. You must be so upset, but you did the very best for Barney and he is at peace now. I am sure my Baby and Hercules have met him in heaven - and they are showing him the ropes. ***sobbing*** Barney will be forever loved and never forgotten.
I'm sure that Barney and big beautiful Hercules and Baby are together and having a wonderful time rolling in the grass and climbing trees together.
Barney's candles: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...l=eng&gi=barnb
Lara - I lit a candle at church for you, Scott, and Barn-Barn.
I lit another one yesterday. I hated to see his candles going out.
Mary
I've not been here on PT much and when I clicked on this thread this morning at work, I knew I had to read it.
So here I am... an hour (or more.. I don't even remember) after I first clicked on this thread. 20 tissues later, red puffy eyed, make up running down my face, co workers looking at me funny...
Barney sure struck gold when he found a PT'er to take care of him! {{{{HUGS}}}} to Lara and Scott!!
Rest easy now and forever Barney.
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} all around!!!
I also lit another candle for Barney. And I'll try to remember to light one often.
another candle for Barney, and for Lara & Scott in their healing, with a mini-candle on as well....
RIP Barney; play well and visit every once in a while~ :love: Purrs from Pinot, too!
Maggie
Me too. As soon as one gets low, I light another.Quote:
Originally Posted by Purr-tender
I did also. I'll light one each day for at least his first full week at RB. I hate to see them going out! :(
I have a thought - anyone interested?...
Start a group in the candles and call it PT. I was thinking of lighting a candle on the first of each month for ALL the PT RB angels as a whole - dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. You could specifically mention the name of your fur kid/kids in comments if you want, or just a candle for all that have left you over the years.