Our dearest Tigris

[Bari_d]

Barbara, my heart goes out to you both and to Filou...I have known all of you for so long from afar...enjoyed your stories, photos and updates over the years about Tigris and Filou. What a special, special boy Tigris has been - such a huge part of your every day. Each of our sweet pets leaves a place in our hearts that no one else can fill...a place of wonderful memories which will bring you comfort in days to come. Tears are streaming...hugs to you all from everyone at Cat Happy. I wll write you soon...

Noserubs, snuggles and purrs...Bari, Jim and the Cat Happy Pride

[AmberLee]

So sorry for your loss. {{{gentle hugs}}}

Frolic heartily at the bridge, darling Tigris.

[pomtzu]

I read a peom several years ago that I found to be very poignant. I can't give credit to the author, since several people claim to be.

This is the first verse, and could be for any loved one. I hope it brings you some comfort.




Dear Tigris,

God saw you getting tired,
a cure not meant to be,
so He wrapped His arms around you,
and whispered, "Come with Me".

[rosethecopycat]

So sorry to hear that Siegmar is temporarily separated from his heart kitty.

Hugs to you all and Filou.


Godspeed Tigris, wait for your people at the Bridge now.

[captain]

God Speed Tigris ....

[Randy_K]

I am so sorry for your loss, Barbara. I know Tigris was daddy's little boy so I know this is very difficult for Siegmar.

My thoughts are with you.

[Barbara]

A friend sent me this wonderful poem by Thomas Hardy

Last words to a dumb friend

Pet was never mourned as you,
Purrer of the spotless hue,
Plumy tail, and wistful gaze
While you humoured our queer ways,
Or outshrilled your morning call
Up the stairs and through the hall -
Foot suspended in its fall -
While, expectant, you would stand
Arched, to meet the stroking hand;
Till your way you chose to wend
Yonder, to your tragic end.

Never another pet for me!
Let your place all vacant be;
Better blankness day by day
Than companion torn away.
Better bid his memory fade,
Better blot each mark he made,
Selfishly escape distress
By contrived forgetfulness,
Than preserve his prints to make
Every morn and eve an ache.

From the chair whereon he sat
Sweep his fur, nor wince thereat;
Rake his little pathways out
Mid the bushes roundabout;
Smooth away his talons' mark
From the claw-worn pine-tree bark,
Where he climbed as dusk embrowned,
Waiting us who loitered round.

Strange it is this speechless thing,
Subject to our mastering,
Subject for his life and food
To our gift, and time, and mood;
Timid pensioner of us Powers,
His existence ruled by ours,
Should--by crossing at a breath
Into safe and shielded death,
By the merely taking hence
Of his insignificance -
Loom as largened to the sense,
Shape as part, above man's will,
Of the Imperturbable.

As a prisoner, flight debarred,
Exercising in a yard,
Still retain I, troubled, shaken,
Mean estate, by him forsaken;
And this home, which scarcely took
Impress from his little look,
By his faring to the Dim
Grows all eloquent of him.

Housemate, I can think you still
Bounding to the window-sill,
Over which I vaguely see
Your small mound beneath the tree,
Showing in the autumn shade
That you moulder where you played.

I love the thought that all over the times mankind had friends like this and that over all cultural differences there have been people appreciating their house pets as a person.

[Alysser]

So sorry for your loss May beautiful Tigris RIP.

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Barbara and Siegmar,

I am so sorry for your loss. I understand the depth of your pain and how devasted you are. I wish that sweet Tigris was stilll with you. Although his 13 years were happy, healthy, and full of love, they just don't seem long enough.

I pray for comfort for you, Siegmar, and Filou.

With my sincere sympathy,
Andrea

[Kirsten]

Barbara, my heart sank when I saw your thread in Cat Memorial! I'm still at work, but wanted to check in for a moment to see how Tigris was doing... And now I'm sitting here fighting back tears...

It sounds like Tigris had a very peaceful passing, and it makes me glad to read that he had enjoyed the sun yesterday, and the stars at night. These must be the images that he took with him, and all the love he got from you and Siegmar during his 13 years on earth!

As for Filou... Yes, I think Trude is right, it will help him to understand that he saw what was going on.

Ruhe sanft und in Frieden, lieber, kleiner Tigris!!!
Du wirst uns allen hier sehr fehlen, aber am allermeisten deinen liebenden Menschen!
Barbara, ich denke an Euch!!

R.I.P. Tigris!!
Pet Talk will be a different place without you!

Kirsten