Unhappy Anniversary.

[Dangerously Amused]

My sweet boy Buddy died a year ago today, just a week after his bestest friend in the whole world, my little girl Sam died. They came to me at about the same time and at about the same age. They grew up together... ate together, slept together, played together... and died almost together. Both deaths were completely unexpected. My Mom was in the hospital with pneumonia at the time. I spent this week a year ago chasing between mom in one hospital and my babies in another hospital thirty miles away. Not sleeping and not eating, but praying and crying a lot. Mom pulled through okay.

I had Sam and Buddy cremated together and their ashes mingled. They're sitting in my lap just now. You would have loved them.


:cry:



Buddy and Sam:

[Haole Girl]

1. They looked gentle and kind...here is the link in its entirety:

[Dangerously Amused]

2. Oh, thank you.

They were the best. In that photo they are are snuggling on my chest, we three just about to take a nap.

[reyd reid reed]

3. Oh, I'm sorry...

I know it's what everyone always says, but it's true -- they'll always be with you as long as you remember them and love them.

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

7. Thank you.

It sounds dumb, but I still feel a connection to them. I still call my other black kitty "Sam" on occasion, and sometimes I still think I see Buddy out of the corner of my eye, laying on the bed or near my feet.


I didn't know how I would feel a year later, but wow... it's still like it happened yesterday in my heart.


Thanks again for your kind words.


:hug:

[fizzgig]

18. don't feel dumb

they are still there

i still see a number of the kitties i've lost and i swear i've felt them jump on the bed with me in the night

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

26. Thank you for your kind words, kagehime.

And I do believe they are still here. Some people wouldn't understand what that means, but I'm glad you do.

They came to visit me last night in my dreams. That hasn't happened since one occasion shortly after they died. It was real to me and I was thrilled to be completely in that moment with them. What a tremendous gift.


:hug:

[auntAgonist]

4. I can offer

a :hug:

I'm sorry you're missing your furkids tonight. They were adorable.

:hug:

aA

[Dangerously Amused]

8. Thank you, aA.

Your kindness helps to ease the grief.


:hug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. I'm so sorry, DA.

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

9. Hey SA.

Thanks, man. It helps tremendously to have friends nearby at a time like this.


:hug:

[Heidi]

6. Oh, DA . . .

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

11. Aw, thanks Heidi.

I think your and CMW's hugs have special healing power in them, I really do.

Please give Ginger an extra hug for me tonight.


:hug:

[Heidi]

12. gf, I would certainly hug Ginger for you,

if I could _find_ him. He's got a belly full of rare deli roastbeef and he's on morning neighbor-cat-patrol. He is Ginger. Hear him roar. ;)

[faithnotgreed]

10. what an incredibly sweet pair

and a beautifully heartfelt sharing of your little ones

thank you for sharing this
i am honored to have read it and then gotten to look into their faces from the photo
the do look a bit like twins there


im glad your mom was ok

all my best dangerously....
what a sweet and gentle heart to share with those 2 sweet ones

[Dangerously Amused]

13. Thank you so much, faith.

Your words are truly comforting. :hug: I was really the lucky one though, to have them both entrusted to my care.



Oh... James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend" just started playing. Did you plan that?


:hug:

[faithnotgreed]

15. no - it was just off the top of my head~

but perfect song huh
haha

it really does make me tear up to think of them and that photo
it speaks volumes

and i know youre right - you are a lucky one indeed
i know its not easy what youre going through but when i have gone through the mourning and missing i just try to focus on how lucky we all were to be together and how happy i am that i gave them love and home they may not have ever had otherwise (and i KNOW i wouldnt have had if not for them)

here are a few more hugs since we can never have enough of those
and i wish you continued love with sam and buddy

[Dangerously Amused]

27. Thank you, so much, for your compassion and understanding.

Just talking about it with a kindred spirit helps to ease the heartache. Thank you for thinking of them, and of me.


Big hugs to you, too.


:hug:

[retrospective66]

14. Oh, that is so sad

Animals have a bond when they grow up togethor even if they are different species. My 14 yr old cat Lydia lives on but she lost her "brother" and best friend Max (a German Shepard) when she was 8. The two of them were kitten and puppy togethor. It was always so funny to watch them play. In a VERY short time Max outgrew her but was always gentle. One time while playing, he had her entire head in his mouth but she had no fear and he had absolutly no interest in hurting her.

Your "babies" situation kind of reminds me of old couples. Often if one goes, the other shortly follows. I know this is heartbreaking for you but remember they both loved you. Plus you gave them a good home. What more could they ask for?

[Dangerously Amused]

28. I love your Lydia and Max story.

I knew someone in the same situation, the dog and cat would play wrestle and the dog would take the cat's entire head in his mouth. The first time I saw it I was aghast, but my friend assured me they were playing and I saw the cat not struggling, but taking lazy swipes at the dog's head. And after that it was just about the funniest thing I've ever seen.

But you're right, animals' bonds I think can grow as strong as any bond between two sentient beings can be. I believe also that, as you noted, it is entirely possible for one to die of heartbreak. I know many doctors will say it is so and my own doctor does as well. I think this can apply to any incarnation of "love," whether between humans, animals, or even humans and animals. Although the vet named a "cause" of Buddy's death, I think the cause was his heartbreak over losing Sam as much as it was anything else. I think Buddy stayed with me as long as he could, and then he went to Sam. And, even though my heart aches for both of them, it is in some small way a comfort to kow that at least they have each other again. Oh, now I'm going to start crying...



Thank you for your kind words, and I'm sorry to hear about your (and Lydia's) loss of Max. :cry: Hold Lydia close for me tonight.

[SeattleGirl]

16. Oh sweetie.

I'm sorry. To lose to furbabies so close together had to just be unbelieveable sad. :hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

29. Thank you, SG.

Losing them both so close together like that, in unrelated ways, with no warning at all... it all seemed so unreal that I think it put me into a measure of denial for a good while, which made it harder to process the grief. It was one of the most difficult times of my life. And I am - obviously - still not done working through it all.

But feeling your warmth and support helps so much. Thank you. Big hugs to you, dear:


:hug:

[billyskank]

17. Oh DA

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

30. Billy, your concern means the world to me.

Really.

Thank you.


:hug:

[bridgit]

19. my bullshit x husband killed my cats and left them in the yard for me...

some years back; that was a special day too...if he couldn't have me, then i couldn't have the gentle pleasures that made me happy either but hey ~

[lildreamer316]

20. OH!

Bridget!
My GOD!
How did you get through that?
I am afraid I would have lost my head in that situation.
I am so very sorry. What a testament to your strength that you are such a good person....

[Dangerously Amused]

31. What a horrible experience!

I am so sorry for the pain that brought. I can't imagine.


The quality of his remaining life would have been seriously and permanently diminished by the time I got through with him.











Edit: spellling.

[lildreamer316]

21. You

made me cry...what beautiful babies.
I wish peace for you.:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

32. Thank you.

I am sorry to have made you cry, but... I am deeply touched that you cried with me. For them. No words... :hug:


Thank you, friend.


:cry:

[Oeditpus Rex]

22. Aw, DA

How awful to have to go through that. I'm so sorry. :cry:

I'm glad you shared with us, though. :hug: :loveya:


I think I'll go hold Blondie's ashes for a bit. (She crossed over 14 years ago.)

[Dangerously Amused]

33. Thank you, Rex.

Your presence here is important to me. You know that. Thanks for all your support.


:hug: :hug:

[Random_Australian]

23. DA, to you; from R_A.

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

34. Thank you, RA.

You are as sweet as you are brilliant.


:hug:

[xchrom]

24. ...

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

[Dangerously Amused]

35. Oh, that made me cry... it is so beautiful.

Thank you so much for that very special gift. I will print it out and place a copy in their memory box, so those gentle thoughts will be with me and with them always.


You are so kind.

:hug:

[xchrom]

25. ...

Go Joyously into the spirit and the summerland of youth,
Glory once again in your strength. Run free amid the wildflowers.
Sniff the tantalizing smells among the wooded tangles of the forest.
Sleep in the warm sun beside murmuring brooks. And when you weary of the green hills and fields of Rainbow Bridge, follow the bright strand- forged of love which connects us.
It leads to the garden of my soul where a warm welcome always awaits your coming..

[Dangerously Amused]

36. That is so beautiful.

I've not seen that version before, and it is lovely. Very comforting. Thank you for sharing that, and...

thank you for being there for me.


:hug: