Conference misery::feline_v1

    Oh dear.  What a sad way to finish a late night catching up with
    FELINEnotes.
    
    I am SOOOO sorry to hear of your loss.  Nothing but time will
    lessen the pain, but there are (at least) two comforting thoughts,
    I think.  First,  Rascal died quickly.  Secondly, you didn't 
    mention how long he had been in the family, but no doubt he
    had a very wonderful happy life with you.
    
    I really don't know what else to say.  When I lost a 9 month old
    kitten (slowly, alas), I was devastated.  Would burst into tears
    at the strangest times as something-or-other reminded me of her.
    I think that the tears and talking with friends were a helpful
    catharsis.  But it took time!  I still miss her, and selected as
    a cattery name a variant of her name to treasure her memory.  I
    was also touched (and astonished) a few weeks later to learn that
    my vet had made a small donation to Cornell Vet School in her
    memory!  You might want to do that, and treasure the letter they
    send in her honor while thanking you.
    
    Best wishes for all of you,
    					Penelope

    Dear Janet, Jeff, and Merlin--
    
    I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.  You are right--this is a
    wonderful file to learn from, laugh & cry with, and get support
    and friendship from.  
    
    I am convinced that everyone--human and animal--that we love goes
    permanently to a place in our hearts.  That way they are always
    with us, and always part of us.  That way you won't ever really
    lose Rascal.  
    
    Please remember that you are not alone, and also that we are all
    here for you.  
    
    Jane
    

    We are all very sorry to hear of your loss. Your special little
    kitty will always be with you in memory, and you can never lose
    those wonderful times you had together.
    
    Sometimes you never realize how much they mean to you every moment, 
    until the quiet settles in. You are lucky that you have another kitty 
    to help you share the pain.  Rascal had a very happy life with you,
    and I am sure that he is now, somewhere, very grateful to you for
    that, and that is something you can take comfort in now.  
    
    We each have different ways of dealing with the grief.  My first
    kitty has a little marker and some flowers in my parents garden
    on the Cape.  I also have two other kitties now that have stolen
    my heart.  But at the family gatherings, we will still sometimes
    say, "Gee, do you remember the time Lucky...." and we laugh. And
    somewhere in kitty-heaven, Lucky purrs.
    
    Rascal will always be with you in spirit.  And someday, when you
    can laugh about his antics, he will purr too.
    
    Tearfully Yours,
    
    Mary-Michael, Niniane and Charm

    I am really sorry to hear about your loss.  My first cat, Snowball,
    was hit and killed by a car when I was in high school, but unlike
    Rascal, he died a slow and painful death.
    
    Somewhere in this notes file is a paragraph that says something
    like, "it is not the quantity of a cat's life that matters, but
    the quality of how he lived it."  I remember taking comfort in this
    statement back when Chauncey disappeared and people were telling
    me to make him an indoor cat if and when he returned.
    
    Chauncey still goes out, and will always go out.  When I see him
    outside chasing leaves and bugs and basking in the sunshine, I realize
    that to take the outdoors away from him would be like giving him
    a prison sentence.  Take comfort in the fact that you gave Rascal
    all the good things a cat could ever want - which is more than most
    cats have in a lifetime.  And I know that somewhere out there, Rascal
    is thanking you for it.
    
    Our thoughts are with you,
    
    Roberta, Chauncey, and Nikki
    
    
    
    
    

    I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.  I know how I would feel if I
    were to lose either one of my cats.  Its just like losing a family
    member, because they mean so much to you.  Your note brought tears
    to my eyes.... its so sad to lose something you love and cherish...
    at least you have memories, something you'll always have.
    
    Our deepest sympathy,
    Erin, RumTum & McCafferty

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Although I've not lost a cat
    to being hit by a car, but have lost one to a haying machine and
    I  lost Quizickle to feline leukemia and the pain was enormous.
     But like others in the file, time heals the pain and the funny
    things they did and the joy they brought us remain forever.  Rascal
    will be with all of our cats we've lost and watching over the ones
    we have now.
    
    Take care.
    
    Pat and Schnitzel.
    

    So sorry to hear of your loss.  I have lost many a cat, but never
    one to a car.  It hurts - but as past noters have said, remember
    the good times and know in your heart that Rascal was well cared
    for and loved.
    
    anna/zildjian/spunky
    

    I'm sorry to hear of your loss too.  I lost my best buddy of 7 years
    to feline leukemia in January, and tears still come to my eyes 
    occasionally when I think about what a sweetheart he was.  However,
    it does get better with time, and though I STILL miss him, at least
    I know that wherever he is not he's not suffering any more.
    He will always hold a place in my heart, as I'm sure Rascal will
    in yours.
    
    Hang in there,
    
    Joy/W.W./??

    We were all very sorry to hear of your loss.  
    
    E.T. & the kids

    condolences from
    Fran, Peter, misha,mozie,jemma,abby and lil
    

    It's nice to remember him.....the way he was....I truly believe
    cats have nine lives....
    
    Take Care,
    
    Bobbi
    

    Pookie ,Happy,and I send our sincerest sympathy,

    Rickie, Stosh and I all wish you condolences for your loss.
    
    

    We are sorry to hear of your loss.  The other notes have said it
    so well... Regarding your question about ceremonies, I don't know
    what note that is.  Note 842, however, is most eloquent.  The people
    in this conference are wonderful - as people  - and most certainly
    to our animal friends.
    
    Our thoughts are with you,
    Denise, Buffy and Buddy

    About ceremonies - a friend of mine lost her cat, Berry, to a car.  Her
    special way of dealing with her loss was to buy a tall candle and light
    it each night. This was her special time with her departed feline
    friend.  When the candle was gone she knew it was time to get a new
    kitty.       
    

    Janet, Jeff and Merlin,
    
    I can't say how sorry I am to hear about your loss.  Our thoughts
    are with you.
    
    Mary, Honey and Chauncey

                           -< We're all very sorry>-
    
    May you have comfort to know Rascal will be watching over you and
    your very dear friends.
    
    Our thoughts and tears are with you.
    
    Samantha,Angel,Budd and their dad........

    Everyone has already said it but I'm saying too.
    
    I have also lost some of my babies in various ways and also know
    what you are feeling.
    
    Time (and new babies) help ease the pain and only let the good memories
    remain.
    
    Sandi (Lightning's & DejaVu's mom)
    
    

    I lost my Cassie last month so I know what you are going through.
    I'm so sorry.
                    

    
    
    I would like to thank everyone for the notes and mail messages. The
    support given in and through this file is just wonderful. 
    
    Jeff, Merlin and I are doing better. We had to get through a lot
    of "firsts" (first morning, first evening, first weekend without
    Rascal) which were very painful. But we have managed.
    
    It still hurts a lot, but it is no longer the raw pain that is was.

    My thanks to all of you for your help and support.
    
    janet, jeff and merlin

    It's been several months since I've been in this file and besides
    trying to catch up on LOTS of unread messages I wanted to let everyone
    know the good news....
    
    Jeff and I have a "new" Rascal. It took a month or so before we
    could start looking for another kitty, but we found one that has
    just made our lives full of laughs and smiles again.
    
    In memory of the Rascal we lost, we got another Maine Coon, same
    coloring and named him Rascal. He has become Jeff's buddy and is the
    life of the household. He and Merlin run around the house like
    tornadoes and get along just great. Infact, he exercised two pounds off
    of Merlin the first 2 weeks! He has a purr that sounds like a super V8
    engine and is very chatty.  He loves to nuzzle and will follow you
    around the house. I forgot the amount of energy a little kitty has! The
    house feels more complete again, having 2 furfaces. 
    
    After sharing the tears with you, I wanted to also share the smiles.
    Thanks again for all the support provided by you wonderful people!
    
    janet (and Jeff, Merlin and Rascal II)

    

    congrats on the New Rascal!  I am sure that he will live up to his
    name.
    
    Holly