Had our older cat put down this morning.

[rurallib]

He was a pound kitty, so we didn't know how old he was for sure. He was at least 15.
His health just went downhill fast the past month.
We have had many cats and dogs, but this one was special - extremely friendly and naturally comical. Always, always moved slow no matter what was going on.

We had great years and great memories. Thanks, Nate, for sharing your life with us.

[Brigid]

1. He looks just like the late Hamlet . . .

my kitty who will be there to greet him at the Rainbow Bridge. RIP, Nate. :hug:

[Phentex]

2. Beautiful cat!...

I know how much it hurts.

:hug:

[GoCubsGo]

3. I'm sorry.

I'm going to be having to do the same with my older kitty soon. He looks a lot like Nate, only with a dirty, black nose and a white chin. He's been going downhill for a year. It sucks. Big hug. I wish all pound kitties (and pound doggies) could have as good a home as the one you gave Nate.

[hifiguy]

4. I lost my rescue kitty last August

Worst day of my adult life and I cried every day for weeks. He got me through the hardest times of my life. After things turned around for me, he was gone within a week. I guess he wore himself out carrying me there. At least he had five comfortable and dearly loved years for the last of his 16.

There's another rescue cat in my life now, and he's very special in his own way, but it took a while for me to be ready for another furry friend.

He looks like he was a real sweetie. Safe passage to Nate.

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

5. Safe passage to Nate.

May he be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, rurallib.

[ellenrr]

6. he's a beauty...

sorry for your loss.

been there.

[bigwillq]

7. RIP Nate

:(

So sorry for your loss. :hug:

[stuntcat]

8. Peace to beautiful Nate

It sounds like y'all were so lucky to have each other :hug:

[yellerpup]

9. What a beautiful boy.

He looks smart. He was definitely lucky to wind up with you. You'll miss him for certain, but you did the compassionate thing. :hug:

[RebelOne]

10. So sorry. I know the grief of having to put down a beloved pet n/t

[Amerigo Vespucci]

11. So sorry, rurallib...

...I've done it twice. My third cat is at the halfway point of the expected lifespan of an indoor cat who's spoiled rotten.

The health of my other cats also turned quickly...like falling off a cliff. It was heartbreaking, but over the course of 15 years, I loved them both to the best of my ability. I'm sure you can say the same for Nate.

:grouphug:

[rurallib]

12. Thanks so much to all of you for your thoughts

Mrs. Lib and I have spent most of the day second guessing ourselves. Or at least re-running the last couple weeks.
Bottom line is we did the best with him while he was alive. We have great, great memories.
And that is what I wish for you all also.

[Flaxbee]

14. It's so awful to second-guess; I do it all the time about my beloved Tommycat

who I probably should have had put to sleep as he was failing, but didn't.

You do what you can, and love them dearly. My husband and I still talk about Tommy every day, and he died over 2 years ago. We have wonderful memories, too.

Rest in Peace to sweet Nate; I hope he and Tommy are hanging out enjoying catnip somewhere sunny and beautiful. :hug:

[musette_sf]

13. godspeed Nate

[Tikki]

15. Sail On Sweet Nate....

Love found you and you returned it with devotion and fun.....
RIP kitty



The Tikkis

[Ikonoklast]

16. Thank you for giving Nate a good life.

He will be waiting for you on the other side of The Bridge.

[MiddleFingerMom]

17. Safe passage to Nate... and peace, strength & acceptance to you and Mrs Lib.

.
.
.
:hug:
.
.
.

[Bossy Monkey]

18. So sorry. So long, good kitty Nate. Handsome fella he was n/t

[Curmudgeoness]

19. I am so sorry to hear this. Lovely kitty. Long life with you.

It is always hard. :hug:

[GoneOffShore]

20. A beautiful boy. I'm so sorry. N/T

[Faygo Kid]

21. You're the best. And I think you know it, and should. Lucky cat.

We do that, too, adopting older dogs and cats with otherwise no chance and hoping to get five years out of them.

It's never easy to say goodbye, though. We're down to two cats and one dog, all rescued and elderly, but pretty feisty. We hope to make it through 2011 - maybe even 2012 - without a loss. Last couple of years have said goodbye to many; most recently the Beebs, last November, whose pic is below.

But then in the past two weeks I lost a beloved former boss to cancer at a young age and last weekend my last uncle, whom I loved dearly. Life has its price. Please go out and treat yourself to something special this weekend. You deserve it. Here's the Beebs:

[applegrove]

22. vibes

[emilyg]

23. So sorry.

[csziggy]

24. Nate looks like two of our rescue kitties, Bob and Stubbs.

Both were bob-tailed cats. Bob was a found kitty that a local shop was asking for the cost of his shots as an adoption fee. Stubbs showed up at the farm as a tiny kitten. She demanded attention even when she was smaller than the hoof of the horse whose legs she was trying to climb. They were both tuxedo patterned, dark grey and white with golden eyes, just like Nate.

[TuxedoKat]

25. Ah so sorry

for the loss of your beloved Nate -- he was one beautiful kitty.

[Forkboy]

26. Losing our fuzzy friends is tough.

Sorry for your loss, but happy for your memories.

[onecent]

27. It's clear Nate was loved. I lost a 14 year old cat named

Bugsy last year....a grey persian and how he loved to be brushed. Hugs to you!

[dgibby]

28. Looks just like my late Lucy.

She was a wonderful cat, too. Maybe they'll become good friends on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. :hug:

[Lindsey]

29. I'm really sorry you lost Nate. It sounds like it was a wonderful

15 years for him and for your family. This is just my belief - so, having said that, Nate's at The Rainbows Bridge. I'm sending good vibes to you and your family.:grouphug:

[dixiegrrrrl]

30. There are pets, then there are the very very special ones that will break your heart forever

when they go.
I have had both, usually at the same time, as I do today.
Very sorry for your loss, rurallib.

[47of74]

31. Sorry for your loss.

[raccoon]

32. What a lovely cat. Sorry for your loss. nt

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. I am so sorry for your loss. Nate is a beautiful boy.

:hug:

[rurallib]

34. Once more, thank you all. Your good wishes really helped

Nate was special.
We still have one more rescue cat to care for us. But I think she needs a companion.