Tribute To Shanti ...

I have created an online photo album as a tribute to my incredible, extremely special girl, who was put to sleep 10 days ago. For anyone who is interested, you can take a look at

http://Avril2814.bebo.com

I am still battling terribly with Shanti's death. I cannot stop thinking of her, and I miss her terribly. I am trying to get on with my life, but the pain and heartache is still so intense. I have cried myself to sleep each night, and am concerned that I am battling like this.

I know it will take time to heal. I guess I have been through so much, having made an international move all alone just less than 2 years ago. And now this ...

I am truly grateful for the wonderful love and support I have had from friends and family, all over the world, and that has helped keep me going when I feel down.

I need to be gentle with myself, I know, and slowly but surely try to move forwards with my life. Austin and Little Patch are being so very special, and are such a great help to me as I try to pick up the pieces of my broken heart

Thanks to everyone here for your wonderful support!!

Love

Avril

My Precious Shanti ...

I am ever so glad to have found this site!!! I haven't even been able to read much of what is being said, but from what I have seen this is a place I need to be right now.

Tomorrow, 4 March, around 13h30, my very dearly loved cat, Shanti, will be put to sleep. I am a passionate animal lover, have had numerous beloved pets put to sleep in the past, yet never have I felt such deep, intense, excruciating pain as this time!

Its a long story but I won't bore you with the details. Briefly, I moved to the UK from South Africa in May 2003, and brought my three very special cats with me. They were wonderful through their quarantine, and settled very well once they were able to come home to me.

Shanti's problems started almost a year ago, and from what seemed to be an allergic reaction to an insect bite she has just become more and more stresed and ill, both mentally and physically. We have never been able to ascertain exactly what the problem is, and it steadily became more and more complex. This week she has deteriorated at a horrifying rate, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the right time to let her go ...

My heart is totally broken. My entire being is deeply, deeply pained. But I know I have to give this final gift of release and freedom to my beloved little girl.

She will be cremated on Monday, and when I next go back to South Africa I will take her home, where she belongs. I will scatter her ashes on a mountainside in Grahamstown, where I scattered the ashes of my beloved husband 15 years ago

I know my pain will ultimately ease, but I will never forget this phenomenal little creature!!

What a great privilege to have been your mommy for almost 9 years, and to have shared your amazing life with you.

My darling Shanti ... your spirit will be set free my angel ... but you will always live deep within my heart ...