Today I have to put my best friend to sleep...

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Originally posted by gini
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I read your post and saw the beautiful pictures of your Smudgie.

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Yes, yes....so sad. We just lost a dear friend in our Corvette "community" and poor Smudgie on top of this is just too much to bear. :(

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I know that every one of us reaches out to you and gives you a big hug and we wish we could take your pain away.

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Yes, again. Please take comfort in our joining in your sorrow. You did what was best for Smudge instead of being selfish and keeping him around for your own sake when his body said it was time to go. I know he thanks you for that.

Such a sad day.

:(

PS - Thanks Gini for putting into words exactly what I was feeling and wanted to say.

soo sorry for your loss!!!

{{hugs}}

My heart breaks for you because I've been through the same thing. I'm sure Smudgie forgives you. You loved him enough to not let him suffer anymore. He's now at peace at the Rainbow Bridge and is well and free from pain. I think when they get there, they also are given the wisdom to understand the love and tears it takes for their humans to let them go there. I think it makes them love us more because they know we did all we could for them and in spite of our grief, did what was best for them. You are in my prayers.

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Originally posted by gini
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I read your post and saw the beautiful pictures of your Smudgie. The decision you have had to make is one of the most difficult you will face in life. So many of us have had to make this decision and we are very glad that you came to us so we could reach out to you and share your grief.

Does Smudgie forgive you - oh yes, he isn't in pain anymore. Now you have to forgive yourself and realize that you did one of the kindest things for him aside from all of the love you gave him over the past ten years.

I know that every one of us reaches out to you and gives you a big hug and we wish we could take your pain away.

You will be kept in my prayers.

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I couldn't have put it better. The tears are just flowing, seeing the pictures of your Smudgie....
Lots of love and cyber hugs are going out to you and your family today. I'm glad that you found this community when you need it the most. You'll soon come to find what a wonderful circle of people we have here, and that we're all here for you. This is the toughest part of having a pet, but take comfort in the faithful friend that shared his life with you and know that he had a great life:) No doubt he was loved very very much!
**hugs**
Karen

Dear LA there is no doubt about it - there is no need for forgiveness. You did the best thing for Smudgie. And make no mistake - he knows it.
Your last photos are wonderful and you can always remember him - in fact you'll never forget your lovely furbaby.

{{{{Lots of hugs}}}}

Lynne

His picture fell off the bookshelf, so I know he's here! He came back to me! :D

All I can do is look at his picture and say 'I'm sorry'...

When I was 20, my daughter died. When I was 21, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and had to have a hysterectomy.. I had just met my husband.. We considered the cats our children because they relied and depended on us the same way... Now I am down to three, and my Russian Blue, Ashes, which was Smudgie's best friend, brother, companion and groomer, is wandering around looking for him and talking in a very 'questioning' voice, almost as if he's saying, 'Mom? Where's Smudgie? I can't find him anywhere! Will he be coming home? SMUDGIE! Where are you??' and it's breaking my heart...

Can cats die of a broken heart? The last thing I need is my 'Ashi Kobiashi' going, too...

Thank you all so much for your heartfelt sympathy, you have no idea what it means to me, none at all.. I've been coming to 'Cat of the Day' daily for about 3 years now... it's like a home now.. Thank you again, so much, I love you all...

I MISS YOU, SMUDGEMAN!

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Originally posted by L-A.
His picture fell off the bookshelf, so I know he's here! He came back to me! :D

All I can do is look at his picture and say 'I'm sorry'...

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I think he has come back to let you know he is ok now and to let you know he will always be with you. He wouldn't want you to feel guilty for setting him free. He probably wants to thank you for all your love over the years. I do think sometimes after a death, the ones left behind, are granted a visit from their loved one.
I'm sure my Dad visited me after his death. Take it as a very special gift and a sign he is well and happy now, and still loves you a lot.

Oh LA - I'm in tears now - he's telling you of his love and you can let him go - wish him God Speedxxxx

Lynne

.. he won't be there for our nightly snuggle...

This gets easier, right? The pain goes away eventually?

Why does doing the right thing have to hurt so damn much??

L-A, you've been through a lot of things to deal with... :(

His picture fell from the book shelf... I'm sure they are still around for a while, to make sure that you're alright. I know it may sounds weird, but when I came home after I had to put my Katz to sleep, there were some familiar noises and sounds in my rooms as if she was still there...

If the pain ever goes away? Well, I would say the nature of the pain changes with the passing of time. The emptiness goes away eventually, also the feeling of disbelief, and one day - it can take a while - you might realize that you remember the good moments you shared with your little cat boy and then there will be a smile on your face coming from these memories, and not only tears - still bitter sweet, but warm and full of love...

Kirsten

This thread brought so many tears to my eyes also. It was really hard to read because I can feel your pain. Your Smudgie is one of the most beautiful and unique cats I have ever seen. The pain won't go away, but it will ease into the back of your heart. Hold your other kitties closer than usual tonight and know that your Smudgie is running free at Rainbow Bridge. You two will be reunited again someday.

Oh L-A my heart goes out to you. So much has happened in your life and now this. Yes gradually the pain does go away but you are left with a lifetime of precious, wonderful memories. Your
Smudgie was one beautiful cat. The markings on him are so gorgeous and unique. Now when i think of my Rainbow Bridge furbabies, it brings a smile to my face cause i was blessed to have them as a part of my life.
When my Captain, male tabby, died in my arms of a stroke, in his final moments, he looked up at me and meowed, and i told him "It's ok baby, you sleep now and rest in peace." I still believe that when he looked up at me and meowed, he was thanking me for the wonderful life i gave him and for being there with him in his final moments.
So when Smudgie's picture fell, i believe it was his way of thanking you for the wonderful life and love you gave him and for letting him rest in peace.
You did the right thing L-A cause you didn't leave your beloved Smudgie to go on and suffer as he would have.
You and your beloved Smudgie are in my thoughts and my prayers.

L-A
I am so sorry for you, and I understand: I lost my precious Liza about a year and a half ago to kidney cancer. It was a difficult decision to put her down, but I know it was the kindest thing to do. Please have no doubt that you also did the best thing for Smudgie.
I was looking at his pictures and he is indeed beautiful and unique.
You will see him again someday!
And right now he is at the RB, no longer in pain. Probably running around having lots of fun and having tuna for dinner!

Our thoughts are with you,
yorkster, Kedi, Wylie, & Scout

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Originally posted by L-A.
.. he won't be there for our nightly snuggle...

This gets easier, right? The pain goes away eventually?

Why does doing the right thing have to hurt so damn much??

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The deep heartache of loss is the purest evidence of a deep and abiding love. While the pain of goodbye can only be comforted by time and grace, the opportunity to have experienced such a love is eternally precious. Those who know that kind of loss have also known that kind of love, and as such are ever blessed.

L-A.

I'm so sorry to hear about Smudgie. You did what was right. It's hard to make those kinds of decisions for our pets. They cannot tell us what is wrong.

Smudige was a beautiful cat. I LOVE his little nose! My cat Marina Mar had to be euthanized in November because of an immune problem. She was only 2 1/2 years old. But the bond that we had was priceless. I miss her unique purr and the way she slept on my chest.

It does get easier but you never stop missing them. I did a memorial to Marina Mar in the Rainbow Bridge site. It helped. They also have grief chats you can participate in with others that have gone through the same thing.

You and Smudgie are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna