Remembering Sam:(

[Sundance]

I am so sorry for your loss of Sam, especially when it seemed he was going to live longer than he did.

The Rainbow Bridge legend always makes me cry, but I truly believe there would be no heaven for us without our beloved pets, so I like to think that the ones who have passed before us are playing gently and waiting for us to cross with them.

You did absolutely the right thing when it was time to say goodbye to Sam. You hugged and kissed him, held him, and stayed with him until he was gone, and he knew you were there and that it was okay to leave. When you think of him sleeping, remember how peaceful and pain-free he was once again. It's so hard to let one of our pets go, but it's much harder finding them after they have passed on alone and scared.

When I read these messages in the Cat Memorial, they always bring a flood of emotions, usually accompanied by lots of tears, and sometimes I just can't read through them and have to go back later. (I'm very emotional, too!) It's okay for you to feel sad that Sam is no longer with you, but you probably have photos of him when he was healthy and happy, and you must have great memories of his life with you. It hurts a lot now, but it will get better. When I have to say goodbye to one of our pets, the tears seem like they will never stop, but eventually I can remember good times and look at their photos without crying so much. Some days are harder than others, but the tears do stop. We have planted a memorial garden in our backyard. It's on a sunny hillside and is covered with flowers and evergreens. We are buying engraved stone markers for each of our beloved pets who have gone before us. It's a beautiful, peaceful place to remember our furry friends.

I often reflect on the relatively short life of our pets compared to ours. I believe that if Duke, the cat I inherited from my mom, had lived as long as I might live, I wouldn't have known Billy, the happy-go-lucky guy who has brought so much laughter and joy into our lives. If Blackie had lived as long as I might live, I probably wouldn't have known the love I receive from Jess, Jinx, Midge and Sofie, all adopted from the local shelter, and all with emotional, medical, or physical needs that made their chances of adoption, even survival, almost nil. Both Duke and Blackie gave us the opportunity to care for older, diabetic, hyperthyroid cats, which led to adopting insulin-dependent Chloe, whose diabetes is now controlled with diet alone.

The loss of one life can bring you the gift of another, and when the time is right, you will know it. The hole left in your heart by the loss of Sam gives you room to love another without ever forgetting Sam and the wonderful times you had together. I hope you will soon find peace in remembering Sam and the joy he brought into your life.

Rest in peace, Sam, and play gently at the Bridge until one fine day when you will cross together.

[Slash]

Thank you so much carole and sundance!
Today I am feeling a little better, I know my pal isn't suffering anymore and I'm sure he's safe on Rainbow Bridge.

[carole]

I am glad to hear you feel a little better today, each day will be different , you will have your semi good days and your really bad days, just know we are all here to help you through them and comfort you, do you have a pic of Sam that you might like to share with us, of course this might not be something you feel you can do just now, but would love to see your lil friend when and if you feel up to it, now take care and GIANT HUGS.

[Cataholic]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know, like most on here, the frame you are in right now. These first days are near impossible. Time helps, losing the sharp edges of the last few minutes helps, and eventually....life seems to go on. We lost our 10 year old girl in July, and it is still very tough, especially for my son. But, it is better. We love them as much as we can for the time we have them. It is just never enough.

Sam was much loved and will be sorely missed.

[Slash]

I always have pictures and I love seeing pictures of him healthy - takes my mind off of him when he was sick. This was Sam, healthy, a year ago Tuesday(October 12, 2009).

This pic is of Sam this past May Victoria Day weekend...his eyes used to go massive when he saw birds - it was his favourite thing to do... watch birds on the couch at our trailer I always thought he would look pretty in snow.


Hope you enjoy them, if you'd like me to post pictures of my others cats, then I will more than welcome add some..
Once again, thank you for getting me through this tragic time with loosing my friend

[Catlady711]

So sorry to hear about you losing Sam. It's always heartbreaking to lose a dear pet. We all understand what you're going through.

You're going to have rough days where the pain inside feels really bad, but as time goes on you can remember just the happy times with your pet. You'll always miss them, but with time you are able to move on past the grieving point and be able to function again.

For me I tend to spend a whole day going through pet pictures and making a slide show with music on my computer (or a pet scrapbook in the old days). I cry most of the time I'm doing it, but for me it seems to help. Sort of like making a memorial of the pet and getting some of the tears out of my system. Usually after a week or so I can talk about the pet again without bursting into tears every time and just enjoy the happy memories I had with them instead of the sad ones. It gets a little easier each day, but I always miss them.

We've all been there and share your pain and grieving is different for each person, we all grieve in a different way. Some people do not get a new pet for a very long time, some get a new one rather quickly. When and if you're ready for a new companion you'll know. Some people make videos, some people post pictures, some people just want to not think about it for awhile. Never let anyone tell you that any one way is right/wrong. Do what works for you.

[Slash]

Well, I hope this doesn't sound too silly - but I'm in the RC(radio control) hobby... which are hobbygrade RC's.
I am making a rock crawler, and Sam always kept me company when I started the build(a little over a month ago)... always used to pet him when I was figuring stuff out, etc
I got the idea of dedicating the crawler to my cat - he was always there for me and I want to remember all of the good loving times I had with him.... even if that did mean him biting at my boxes!!!LOL

[catmandu]

I am sorry about your Sam , he is such a Handsome Happy Cat.
He has his wings of Silver and Gold now , and is a member of Our Awesome Angels Army who travel the World visting all the great places.
When you have a chance to dine out silently pray for Sam to be there and he will be there with you sharing your meal quietly at your side.
I will ask My Siamese Sam and his wife Precious to introduce themselves and together they will buffet it up at Kings Buffet Tuesdays.
Sam will now start his search for a place where you and his Famiy can be with Our Awesome Angels Army in Paradise forever.
One Fine Day.

[Sundance]

Your idea is not silly at all, Slash. The time you spent together with Sam will always be a part of your rock crawler, so why not dedicate it to your furry friend?

Thank you for posting the photos of Sam. He was indeed a handsome fellow, and I can see why you miss him so much. I hope every day is easier for you and that you will soon smile again when you think of Sam and all the hours you spent together and all the ways he entertained you. I would love to see photos of your other kitties when you feel up to posting them.

Sam is safely waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge
while he plays gently with all of our Rainbow Bridge Pet Talk pets.