My Dearest Dante

[furrykidsmother]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank God he didn't suffer. It sounds like you had very wonderful times together. Remember the good times, know that he loved you and know that he is at peace at the RB now! RIP sweet Dante!

[catmandu]

When The Pet Angels come To The Sherwood Forest Mall,for an all out attack,on The Food Court,Dante,as Cat Of Honor,will get the First Choice,of where to eat,and will have the Other Pets serve him,and have a Wonderful Dinner,at Marienbads.Dante misses you,but is with Mr Scrappy,Pouncer,and Buster Angel,at The All Night Party,at The All Pet Saturday Night Drive In Movie Party.

[Randy_K]

I didn't realize that Dante was quickly moving towards the end of his life. I had noticed some slowing down recently; he didn't play with the intensity he had, didn't run around the house as frequently but I dismissed these as both products of the sudden higher temperature and his advancing age.

When we went to the vet on Thursday evening he was having some breathing difficulty and he was slightly dehydrated. They put him on a saline drip and gave him oxygen which all seemed to help. In the morning they took him off the oxygen so they could X-ray him and once complete he started having breathing problems. They gave him oxygen again and a few minutes later his heart failed. The post mortem review of the x-rays showed a dark spot on his pancreas which may have been cancer.

Tuesday evening we were sitting on the couch together while I watched the evening news. Dante decided to go out onto the balcony and within a second or two of him going out the door a cat fight broke out. Within a few seconds I broke the fight up and the strange white cat bolted off the balcony while Dante ran to the bedroom. How the cat even got up on the balcony is a complete mystery since it's 14 feet (4.3 meters) off the ground with nothing to climb up. Dante was, of course, upset but recovered his composure in about a half hour then spent the next hour and a half by my side. I had closed the screen door to the balcony right after the cat fight and he sat at the screen for quite a while late in the evening.

He had no physical injuries from the altercation but I suspect the stress from the fight did him in sooner than the cancer would have. He may even have had a minor heart attack from the scare. He quickly declined within the next day and a half although I thought the lethargy I saw Wednesday evening might have been from standing guard all day. It wasn't. It continued into Thursday although I got him to eat some food on Thursday morning and he perked up a lot. By the time I got home early Thursday evening (I bailed out of work early) he wasn't doing well at all. We went to the vet at that point.

The vet offered me the option of having blood drawn and taking him home to bring him back in the morning or to hospitalize him. He would have died at home that night and I would have never forgiven myself for not having given him the chance that he may have had at the hospital. I did sign off on the DNR given that he's about 10 years old and FIV positive, two large hurdles to overcome in desperate times. Only thing is that I did promise him I'd bring him home.

Just after he died the vet at the VCA Animal Hospital called me with the terrible news and asked me if I wanted to see him. I told her I'd be there shortly. I was escorted to a nicely furnished, softly lighted room and in a few moments a woman carried Dante in wrapped in a pink blanket and laid him on the couch next to me. Poor baby. I sat with him stroking him for a while, said goodbye, kissed him on the cheek a few times - something I have done a few thousand times in the last three years - tucked the blanket in around him and told the attendant that I was ready to go. I asked them to hold him until I decided what to do. I did promise to bring him home.

I talked to a pet mortuary in the Marina del Rey about cremation this afternoon. It's affordable so I asked them to pick up Dante. The guy who runs the business lives nearby me and said he'd bring the ashes in a satin covered box to me as well as a plaster paw print of his right front paw in a few days. At least I can keep my promise to bring him home.

I can't believe how much I miss him.

[rg_girlca]

Oh Boy, words escape me right now, but boy are the tears flowing.

I was okay until I read the part where they had brought him to you wrapped in a blanket and laid him beside you. I'm glad though that you got to see him, no matter how hard it was, and was able to kiss him goodbye.

Bless you for keeping your promise and bringing him back home.

My heart goes out to you as I know how much you are missing him.

Rest in Peace dear Dante and watch over your meowmie.

[kimlovescats]

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Dante was a beautiful kitty, and he was very well loved in his last years. Thank you for taking him in and showing him the kind of attention and affection that he so deserved! Hugs to you during your time of loss!

Kim

[Barbara]

I had to come back. I am so sorry. When Tubby went to the Rainbow Bridge, Debbie said how much she was missing the things he did- even when she had not like them too much when he was alive

Now Filou being sick (kidneys, not yet life threatening but we all know it's not reversible ) I even love when he tries to wake me up earlier on Sunday mornings, putting his paw in my face

Our cats are so individual- they all have their special ways. It is so heart breaking that once they go, some of these ways are lost forever- the only place to keep them is memory.

[catcrazylady]

My heart is just breaking. The tears are flowing and I can't think of anything to say.
Please know that you are in my prayers and I hope the pain in your heart eases soon.
It's obvious that Dante was a very special boy and close to your heart. He will never be forgotten and the beautiful words that you have written about him is a great tribute to his life.

Rest in Peace sweet Dante.

[sirrahbed]

I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful Dante It sure sounds like he had loving care until his end and then even beyond.

It is good for you to write about him here as we care for you and I know I am happy to read about your memories.

Those little things that are kitties do are so endearing and I read your sadness at missing them. ((((HUGS))))

[QueenScoopalot]

I'm so sorry your dear Dante has died. He was a very lucky boy to have been found and loved by you, although it's never long enough. He knew he was loved, when his former owners obviously didn't care enough to look for him, or prevent him from getting FIV. Hold on tight to the wonderful memories of your lovely boy until you meert again. RIP Dante.

[sasvermont]

Oh my gosh Randy, my heart goes out to you.

I lost two good buddies within a few days of each other a couple of years ago. Both cats were young. I still think about it and them and still shed tears over it.

I hope your time with Dante will comfort you when you feel lonely for his behavior. Please remember how much you gave to him. He was so lucky to find such a wonderful home and such devotion.

You will be in my thoughts.

Sallyanne

[rkidsrcats]

Dante was well loved - that is so obvious.
We too are sorry he is no longer with you. What a lovely companion he was. Your photos and words are truly a wonderful rememberance of him. Such a sweet soul.

[rosethecopycat]

What a special boy you had in Dante.

He waits for you.


Godspeed to the Bridge, Dante.

[*ABYCAT* Alice]

Randy, I'm so sorry you lost your sweet little Aby friend Danté. He was a very special cat.
{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS!!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
//Alice

[Killearn Kitties]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your special boy, Dante. He sounds such an affectionate character. He was an absolutely beautiful cat and the pictures of him sleeping are wonderful. He obviously new he was very loved and safe with you.

I'm glad that Dante did not suffer for long. Rest in peace handsome boy.

[Randi]

I'm so very sorry you have lost Dante. He was a beautiful and special boy. I'm glad he lived with you during his last years, it's obvious how much you loved him - and he loved you back. Treasure the memories and keep him in your heart forever - I know you will.

Rest in peace, sweet Dante, you will never ever be forgotten.