In Memory of my Casey "Bubba Dude"

All my sympathy to you in your loss of Casey and the difficult decision to let him go. I lost my Genevieve on April 15, 2000, to cancer and had to make that awful decision too. I think I know how you are feeling now, kinda hollowed out and numb? The grief is gone now (it took a long time), and now I can remember her with love and laughter and gratitude for the eleven years I had her. Casey sounds like a cat unlike any other-- (like Genevieve). My husband and I were going to wait til autumn before we looked for another cat, but the house was so empty that a month and a half later we found Archie at the Humane Society, Bill three weeks later at Feral Feline Rescue, Dinah a month after that at Last Hope, and finally Mau last August (he came as a foster, but quickly became a member of the family). They're all Siamese Crosses, like Genevieve, and I love each one with all my heart.

My sympathy for Casey's departure--May God bless you and send you another wonderful cat to dry your tears and make you smile again.

Sincerely, Kay

Thanks Noahsmommy and Kay. I have good days and bad days. The hardest ones are at night. Last night was pretty bad. I'm so used to having Casey on my pillow purring next to me. It lulled me to sleep.

I kept having visions of him dead on the vet's table after he left me. I'm having a hard time because when they gave him the shot, the vet tech held him down. The poor guy's front legs were bruised from all the needles he had to endure during the x-rays. My one regret is that I wasn't able to hold him and let him know everything was okay while the shot was being administered.

I was a little surprized because I THOUGHT they'd have given him a tranquilizer first to calm him down before IT happened. But they didn't. It just all happened so fast. I was able to hold him and talk to him before the shot. But it's so important to let your furbabies know that they are not alone and it's okay. I never got that chance. :( :( :( It's too late now.

My heart hurts.

oh Donna, Casey knows!!!!! He knows you did all you could and he knows you loved him then and you love him now. Grieve for him but do not feel guilty. He really does know. Time will make the pain more bearable and the memories more special.

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Originally posted by jenluckenbach
oh Donna, Casey knows!!!!! He knows you did all you could and he knows you loved him then and you love him now. Grieve for him but do not feel guilty. He really does know. Time will make the pain more bearable and the memories more special.

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I couldn't agree more. I know that your "Bubba Dude" knew very well that he was one loved kitty and wasn't alone. I think the guilt is a normal part of the grieving process, but please don't beat yourself up over it. He was a very loved kitty, and you showed that by making the ultimate sacrifice for his good - not your own.

<hugs>

I cannot believe I missed this post. :( :(

Oh Donna! My heart just breaks for you. I'm so sorry to hear about Casey. May he rest in peace.

I know it's hard and only time can ease the grief.

If you ever need to talk, feel free to call me.

Zam send purrs to help comfort you.

Dear Donna , at first I also had that bad feeling when I heard that my Sydney had died while we were on vacation .... I also was so angry with myself because I wasn't there when he needed me ; but after a while , and with the help of all Pettalkers , I realised Sydney has always known that we loved him dearly , and that he was not at all angry with me !!
Hang on , Donna , it will take some time , but it will heal !!

The vet wouldn't let me hold Gennie either at the end, and she was so sick of needles and vets that they had to hold her down too. That's what hurts, cuz I'd already made arrangements for a vet that makes housecalls to come to our home when it was time, but that vet was on vacation when Gennie got so bad. While the vet was administering the shot, I had my face pressed to Gennie's neck and was whispering to her how much I loved her and always would. I was supporting her head with my hands and when I felt her go limp I knew she was gone. I wanted to have her pass away at home, because she didn't need the stress of another trip to the vet. Also (it seems a only a little bit weird in retrospect), if she passed away at home, I was hoping that her spirit would visit me from time to time.

Something that helped me at the time and still does when I feel lonesome for Genevieve is to sit by her grave (in our back yard) and talk to her about anything at all, and tell her once again how much I always loved her and always will, and that she will always be missed. Even a simple thing like that helps. Tell Casey that it hurts not to have been able to hold him when he went. Tell him that you miss him every night and all day long. And be sure to let yourself cry, for heaven's sake! A couple of times I went for a car ride in the country all by myself so I could sob and wail like a banshee with grief. I would have panicked my husband if I'd acted like that around him, but sometimes you need to let it out.

Be GLAD you can feel so deeply about other living creatures, and be PROUD that Casey had such a love-filled and happy life with you.

The grief will diminish little by little, and soon you'll be able to remember him without so much pain.

I hope this feeble advice helps. Please let your Pet Talk friends know how things are going for you. In memory of Casey,

Sincerely, Kay

Hi all - i'm new here and don't know how much I can "drop by" per se - however I've read about everyone's great dedication to their cats -

I lost my cat "Taffy" of 17 years (old cat) - Calico/Persian/American bobtail mix it looked like...On elvis's birthday Jan 08,02 :D I'm a firm believer that in some senses, a pet is brought to us for a much deeper reason than to be a household ornament.

My cat died twice that night. (No kidding).. The night she died - she came up to me and started to meow unmercilessly until I picked her up and held her where she quit breathing several times, drooling and just got the "glazed" look... She was lifeless - gasping for air every so often and wouldn't respond to my petting her. Out of nowhere......she started to breath again - at first irratically, then it regulated and she came back. She seemed ok for quite awhile after the incident - I stayed up late to pet her, love on her and she even ate some chicken.

About 4 am the same thing happened where she came looking for me again - meowing like crazy........going through the same fit, only this time growling and crying .........*sigh* I petted her and cared for her and as corny as it sounds to some I whispered in her ear as I cried "If you have to go now, i'll understand..."

she died....never in my life had I experienced a pet death at this magnitude....fish don't count for me................

I'm not ready for another cat - I still have one whose now seemingly starting to notice taffy missing, because she's sure a lot more friendly than she used to be....and meow's a lot more and seemed to be more lonely now, than before - understandingly so --------------------------- I'm used to "loss" in life, however anyone have suggestions for being supportive to my other cat? She's 10/11 y.o and I don't want her to get into bad habits from TOO much support.

Regards
Winterskiss
RIP Taffy 4/1985 - 01/08/02

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Originally posted by Winterskiss
I petted her and cared for her and as corny as it sounds to some I whispered in her ear as I cried "If you have to go now, i'll understand..."

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I'm sooo sorry about Taffy's having to go. And the above doesn't sound corny at all, and I'm sure you'll find it doesn't to any of the Pet Talkers here.

As for your other kitty, she is definitely noticing Taffy's not being there. The only thing I can suggest is another kitty for her, but as you're not quite ready for that yet, just give her attention when she needs it, but don't overdo it. It's possible that you are being more attentive to her to help deal with Taffy's loss yourself.

Hang in there, both of you, and as they say - it will get better with time.

RIP sweet Taffy. :(

It's definetly not easy to keep a stiff upper lip at work - when you don't feel that others around you will be ok with someone just blubbering at work - especially where i work.......... A lot of "Brass" per se....................... Hate cryin around anyone anyways heh

welcome to winterskiss! It is very hard losing a beloved pet, a member of your family. Keeping a stiff upper lip usually works best when you keep busy, but take a break or have a lull and it is hard to control the tears and the feelings. We, ALL, here at PT know this sorrow and can sympathise with you. And it will get easier, but don't feel guilt over your emotions even when others do not understand. And I think you can papmer your other kitty without her becoming spoiled, after all, she is grieving too.

Yea, I know what you're saying - however I guess that's *my* problem that I don't want to look "unprofessional" or ridiculous ---

I don't know when i'll feel it's right to get another pet, because honestly what i went through is NOT something i want to experience again.

I had a cat that went "missing" 10 years ago while living in California desert (my guess the coyote's got her) - and that sucked..........Taffy was HER partner in crime -

thanks for your support, i *DO* appreciate the understanding