Leonardo is now at the Bridge

This morning I sent my precious Leonardo the the Rainbow Bridge.

He has had arthritis for a long time and yesterday got so he could no longer walk. His vet had given him a pain shot before and it helped but this time it didn't.

He could not even stand long enough to go to the bathroom. It broke my heart seeing him drag himself around with his front legs.

I knew this day was coming but how I prayed it wouldn't.
They gave him a seditive and I held him until he went to sleep, telling him how much he is loved and about heaven.

It would have been easier for me to have my heart ripped out while I'm still alive than do this.

Please dear friends pray for him and me. I'm not sure I can take this.
Thank you for your love for my boy all these years.
connie

I am so, so sorry. :(

Chester and Grandma will also notice poor Leonardo is gone. I hope the three of you can share some hugs.

Knowing you did the right thing for Leonardo does nothing to help the hurt.

We PTrs will "take this" with you...we'll do whatever we can for you.

{{{{hugs}}}}:love:

ETA: Leonardo's 18th birthday pic in 2008
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...do000_5107.jpg

A couple more of Leonardo - found at the age of 10 days and given a long and wonderful life by MOFF:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...do000_2945.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...do000_2748.jpg

Leo at 16, needing lots of naps (and having an adorable face to accompany them!)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...do000_2722.jpg

Leonardo the ET!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...do000_0720.jpg

And finally - "kissy, kissy, kissy!" :)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...do000_0660.jpg

I am so sorry to hear about Leonardo. I had no idea your boy was failing so much. :(
It never gets any easier to make the decision to let them go, but you did the right thing for your precious Leonardo.
Rest in peace, gorgeous boy. Watch over meowmie for us. :love:

{{{Hugs}}}

:(

Bless you for having the strength and :love: to do what was best for Leonardo ...

He's now free of pain and enjoying a romp at The Bridge.
I''ll bet Boots da Kat has found him and they're Budddies already.

{{{Hugs}}}

Thank you all so much.

Poor boy almost made it to 19. He was 18 and 10 months old. His vet said he was equal to 102 if he were human.

Sometimes life just stinks.

I'm so very sorry. Leonardo is free from his pain now, but it hurts so much to be left behind.

RIP, Leonardo. Run free at the Bridge, and please let your meowmie know that you'll be watching over her.

After putting our Norton to sleep two weeks ago, I can tell you, it is not easy. But when our dear cats are in pain, losing their dignity, or worse, allowing them to go in peace is the LAST gift we can give them. I would give anything to have Norton or any of our Rainbow Cats alive, but they had to leave...I will keep you in my prayers...Sleep softly, dear Leonardo...

Sweet Leonardo of the stripey grey fur
So many years you graced this earth
With your presence and your purr
But time moved on, as it always does
And pain came, despite the care and the love
And your momma's heart is sore now
She loved you so very much
Please send her purrs and nose rubs
As you watch her from above
Play nicely at The Rainbow Bridge
Until that one fine day
And know that, though she misses you
We are glad your pain has forever gone away.
You're in her heart, and always will be
Sweet Leonardo, solid gentlecat grey and stripey

Oh dear Connie, I'm so sorry about Leonardo :(
It is so terrible to make a decision like that but in this case it was the best for him. I know it hurts so bad, but I pray with all my heart that Our Lord will comfort you.

Now Leonardo is not in pain, he's running and playing hard, watching over you.

RIP Leonardo.

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( He had a wonderful loving home with you for many years and I'm sure you'll see each other again some day. Now he's painfree and most likely running around and playing up at the Bridge. RIP Leonardo.:( Please take care. (((HUGS)))

Dang it, I can't type...LES big time......

See ya at the bridge, little one.:(

I'm so sorry for your loss. Leo looks like a very sweet kitty. May he rest in peace. My Annie I'm sure will be there to comfort him.

My prays are with you.

Melissa

"I'm so sorry" seems so little to say at a time like this, but it is from the heart that I say it. Major LES after reading Karen's poem to dear Leonardo. I will light a candle for both of you. Your boy is at peace - may you find peace also.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karen

Sweet Leonardo of the stripey grey fur
So many years you graced this earth
With your presence and your purr
But time moved on, as it always does
And pain came, despite the care and the love
And your momma's heart is sore now
She loved you so very much
Please send her purrs and nose rubs
As you watch her from above
Play nicely at The Rainbow Bridge
Until that one fine day
And know that, though she misses you
We are glad your pain has forever gone away.
You're in her heart, and always will be
Sweet Leonardo, solid gentlecat grey and stripey

---

MAJOR LES....:(

Connie, I'm so sorry about Leonardo, but you know he told you it was time to move on. Please don't ever second guess that decision; you did what was best his whole long life.

Peace to you, and Godspeed to Leonardo. Drift in and check on your Mom once in a while, sweetie. Say 'hi' to my baby Jamara, she's a grey gal about your age - she'll show you around! :love:

Connie, this is such a sad time for you. All of your PT family know the pain that you're experiencing and we're here to shoulder some of it for you. Leonardo was such a handsome boy and because of you he lived a wonderful life. You did the last act of kindness for him and for that he'll love you even more and will show you just how much upon your reunion "one fine day", as our Gary would say. RIP, handsome Leonardo and peace to your mom. :love:

I'm so sorry about Leonardo. You gave him lots of loving.

:( Oh Connie I am so sorry this had to happen.. I am in tears right now.. Bless both your broken hearts now.. Godspeed Leonardo to the Bridge.. May the PT Angels be carring you thru the Golden Gates of RB.. May both of your broken hearts heal in time.. RIP Leonardo..

Oh Connie, my heart breaks for you. Yes, Leonardo is now comfortable, no more pain - and probably romping around meeting new friends.

But what about you - you are left with this huge hole in your heart because of his loss.

It really "is" as though your heart has been ripped out while you are alive.

I know your pain - I have been there - and I would like to take some of it away for you.

I would wrap my arms around you and comfort you if I was close to you.

LES - go ahead - shed those tears and let that release comfort you.

I am so very sorry.

Godspeed Leonardo.....you were so loved. My heart goes out to you, Connie.

Oh, Connie I was so sorry to hear your sad news. :( {{hugs}}

Leonardo, you will be forever in your meowmie's heart. Rest peacefully until you meet again.

Connie...I'm in tears as I write this:(:(...I am so very sorry about your Leonardo:love:...A year ago yesterday we said goodbye to our beloved Billy:love:, so I know how you are feeling right now, and I wish that there was something that any of us here could say that would lessen your pain, but unfortunately there are no words for that. Just please know that we are all with you today and are sending up prayers for you and for your Leonardo. From what you wrote, it sounds as though it really was his time, as hard as it was for you to make "the decision". Those of us who have had to make that decision sympathize completely with you...Even when it is obvious that the time has come, it is never easy. Just know that you did the right thing, that Leonardo is out of pain now, and is happily playing in the warm sunshine at the RB. Cherish your memories of him, and know that he will always love you:love:. Our thoughts and prayers are with you...God bless...

Judy

Oh Connie.... :(

I know how you have been dreading the day you would have to do this... Just take comfort in the fact that throughout all the years he couldn't of been loved more, and I am sure he knows it.

You did the right thing for him.

Have fun at the bridge Leonardo... we will all miss you :love::(

((Hugs)) Connie....

I am so sorry about Leonardo. :( Please take comfort in the fact that he is now pain free and running around on all four perfectly functioning legs.

Hey Leonardo, a good friend of mine recently went to the bridge to pick up his kitty, Groucho. Maybe he's still there and he will give you some love. He's the big guy that makes everyone laugh. :)

RIP Leonardo

Connie I am so sorry. Just like for ourselves we would hope that one day they pass in sleep. It is so hard to see them suffer and to know it is us who have to help them to the bridge.
Sending all my sympathies.
Leonardo will wait for you.

We are so sorry to hear about Leonardo Connie, hes long been a favorite here at the Found Cat Hotel.
Its sad when we lose our Companions after years of sharing our lives, they are so small but they do leave such a big hole in our lives when they go.
Leonardos got his wings of Silver and Gold and hes going to a Big Leonardo picnic at an ancient Catle in Bavaria where Leonardo will be Guest of Honor.
And Leonardo will let you know that he's with you Connie, the love you shared can never die.
And you will be together again one day as the Animal Angels enjoy the best this world has to offer.
One Fine Day.

I'm so very sorry. {{{{{ hugs }}}}} to all of you.

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP dear Leonardo. You will be greatly missed.

Connie, I am so very sorry. What a beautiful, loving, cherished fellow. So hard to say farewell.

LES here too. Prayers and candles for you and Leonardo.

Love, {{{{HUGS}}}, and ~~~~~~PURRS~~~~~~,
Pat and cats

Take comfort in the fact that the love you two shared will never die.:love::love: They live on in our hearts and are still very much with us. I have gone through the pain you are feeling right now, and my prayers are with you.

Dear Connie, I'm so very sorry to read of your loss of Leonardo. :( He really was such a special boy. I know you have a huge hole in your heart now, but Leonardo will still be there with you. You have freed him of pain and suffering and I'm sure he will romp around with he other kitties at the RB.
Connie, I hope it will be a comfort for you that he had a good and long life with you. :)

Rest in Peace sweet, Leonardo - you will never be forgotten. :love:

Big ((((hugs)))))

I am so very sorry.:( Leonardo was a very handsome boy and I'm
sure he will be missed.:( He lived a wonderful life with you. I had never
seen his baby picture. Rest well sweet boy.

MOFF,

I'm so sorry to hear about Leonardo. He was beautiful.

RIP sweet boy! Play hard at the Rainbow Bridge.

I am so terribly sorry to hear of the emotional pain you are feeling right now,it is so hard to let our loved furbabies go, you gave your sweet Leonardo a wonderful life and did the very best for your kitty that you could, Rest in peace little one and play hard at the Rainbow Bridge, thinking of you at this very sad and difficult time, i hope we can all give you some comfort through the tough time ahead.:love::love: and Hugs to you.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i..._sympathy4.gif

Deepest sympathy my dear friend. :(:(
We all feel your pain....you are not alone.
Hold on tight to sweet Chester and Grandma....they will help comfort you.

{{{hugs}}} and :love::love::love:
slick xoxo

I am so sorry to read about Leonardo. I know this is a difficult time for you right now, but please remember he is now happy, healthy, and painfree at the RB waiting for the time you will be together again.

I am so very sorry to hear this. You had many, many years of loving memories built with Leonardo. These will help you through the most difficult days ahead. Know that you do not walk or grieve alone.

Johanna

So Sorry to hear about your Beautiful Boy Leonardo.
((((HUGS))))
Rest in Peace Leonardo :(

Thank you all so very much. You love and support mean more to me and my boy than you will ever know. :love::love::love:

Karen, your poem is beautiful. Thank you!!! :love:

We are sorry for your loss. Leonardo was a beautiful cat.

We are in the same position with our 19 and 20 year olds. The 20-year old still manages to get around, but don't know how much longer she can hold on.

I'm sorry that you are separated from your dear Leonardo now.
He could not have asked for a better life on this earth, than with you.

You will see each other again, at the Grand Reunion.

Godspeed, Leonardo