This may only make sense to pet owners. But here goes.
When I was 22 ( in 1991) a friends cat had kittens and she convinced me that my girlfriend and I should have 2 of them. They were cute and tiny and would cling to my shoulders when I picked them up, so home they came. The black and white one I named Chloe and her calico sister I named Ivy. Chloe and Ivy stayed with me even when my girl didn't and moved with me more than a few times. When my wife and I started dating, she had two cats as well. Chaka, who was two years older than my cats and Caleb who was 4 months younger (but had a huge crush on Ivy). Until we had kids ('97 & '00) we were that crazy couple with 4 cats. Once our daughters were born we seemed more like a normal family.
Fast forward to last summer. After 16 years Chloe was the first of the four to go. She became very sick very quickly, and after two traumatic trips to the vet, I brought her home so that she could pass in familiar surroundings. It was hard on the girls, my wife and me. It was the first time we had dealt with death in our family in over 13 years. And the first time we had to explain the details of it all as parents.
Well today at 2:30pm Ivy left us as well. Her passing was much more peaceful than her sisters and the girls were prepared this time. I knew better than to leave the house today and fortunately was home when she passed. My friend Chris stopped by and was actually here with me when it happened and for that I am grateful. 17 years is a long time to have anything. Much less a living breathing faithful friend. We buried her this afternoon, but I can still feel her here. The other cats are walking a little slower tonight. I am sure they know.
Pray that the children are not too consumed with sadness. I am actually thanking GOD for the blessing she was in my family's life but today we are grieving.
Bhek, I understand your lost, I went through this with my grandchildren a few months back with my grand-children's "Spanky". I too blogged on the pain of death and our children having to face it. My prayers will be for you and your family.
Yep, I can relate to this one. I have had to put to sleep two cats that were with me 17 years, I have a cat now that is 17 and is going downhill fast...he is also diabetic and gets shots every day...I know that his time is limited, so I am trying to prepare myself. I don't want to put him to sleep, but will if it gets to that point. The other two that were put to sleep I couldn't stand to watch them dwindle, the one lost control of her bodily functions, and the other one just quit eating and grew weaker and weaker each day...but it was the hardest decision I ever made. We don't have kids, so you can imagine how important these animals are to me...they are my kids.
So, I can sympathize for you and your family, it is rough losing a pet, but only a pet owner can really understand that.
Bhek and Alli, So sorry to hear about Ivy. Carmen is not going to take this well. She loved being over there with the girls and the cats. Give the girls an extra hug from the Williams family.
Hello my brother, may God be with you and your family throughout this time. I too can relate, as I just went through the loss of my KC on December 20th. We were together for 13 years.
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