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Posted by: wchamilton Jul 30 2010, 03:27 PM

After all of the support, sympathy and help you all have given me the past several days I thought I'd pop in here and actually introduce myself.

*ahem*

My name is William Clay Hamilton, but I go by Clay. I'm 38 years old and live in Chenango Forks, New York, and I work at a hospital here doing technical support. I'm married and have been with my wife since we were in high school, which is going on 21 years. We have an 18-year old son who's about to start his third semester of college.

We've always had animals. We have two lab huskies (we call them purebred Huskadors) named Miya and Takoda, and until this past Sunday we had a Doberman/Shepard/?? mix named Winston (RIP). We also have two black cats named Angel and Nala, but they literally are so identical looking that you can't tell them apart.

In our spare time my wife and I are avid video game players and we like to watch movies and are avid readers. I also play a bit of bass guitar and fancy myself to be an amateur photographer... I'm also a huge military aviation nerd; my wife and I took a weekend trip to Washington DC in May to see The Blue Angels.

Here's a picture of us that was taken last year at Disneyland.



And here's a sample of some of the pictures I took at the airshow in May::

Posted by: LS Support Jul 30 2010, 10:53 PM

ok, i re-opened this post.

Posted by: moon_beam Jul 31 2010, 12:45 PM

Hi, Clay, this is a great idea. I'm moon_beam and live in the beautiful Blue Ridge / Piedmont Mountain region of South Central Virginia. If you look at a State map and find Roanoke, Rocky Mount, and Burnt Chimney (if it's shown) and then look for Smith Mountain Lake and the Booker T Washington Monument State Park and put a pin in the middle that's pretty close to where my humble abode is - - a little house in the woods. I love being out of the city and in a more country setting.

I am the only "human" in my household which now is just Noah, my little kitty man who is 7 years old. If you read my posts about Abbygayle's Journey and Oslo you will see our journey that has brought Noah to being the sole survivor in a household that once had 4 furkids.

I currently work for a home health provider as an office slug - - paper pusher. Been pushing paper for about 40 years now, and to say I'm not enthused about my job would be an understatement, but it's a paycheck. I like photography but am not very good at it. I love your pictures of the Blue Angels. I have seen them perform many times when I was growing up in the Washington, DC, area, during Armed Forces Day at Andrews Air Force Base. I've also seen the Canadian Snow Birds and USAF Thunderbirds perform. They are amazing!!!!

I also enjoy boating, but don't have much opportunity for it and don't have the money for it. But I love to watch the sailboats on the lake and movies that have sailing / boating as part of the story. I like being ON the water, but not in it since I don't know how to swim. If I were to ever take a cruise and the boat foundered for some reason I would definitely be fish food.

I looked up Chenango on the atlas and it looks like you're in beautiful Adirondack Mountain territory. When my mom was alive we would take trips to beautiful Upstate New York -- Lake George, the Finger Lakes, etc.. One visit we had a tour of the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and I thoroughly enjoyed a glider flight at the Ithaca Flying School. It was a BEAUTIFUL flight - - I thoroughly enjoyed it and still remember it as though it were just yesterday that it happened - - it's been close to 30 years since that trip.

Again, Clay, I think this a great idea, and I hope that this will catch on. Again, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Winston. When there is a loss the dynamics of the household change, and that change is very painful, particularly in the beginning - - both physically and emotionally. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: Brutus Aug 1 2010, 04:30 AM

Hi Clay, great pics.

I live in Michigan, me and my husband and my two dogs, Radar (10 yr old mix) and Tanga (2 yr old rat terrier). I am an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA, my husband is as well, but we work at two different facilities and live in between them...only 9 more years until retirement...yah! Brutus was our first born, we don't have any children.

I enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, camping, snow skiing, tying flies. Just about anything outdoors basically. We are originally from PA and moved here 13 years ago for our jobs.

I love all animals and have had quite a variety...horses, goats, chickens, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, raccoon, bunnies...basically you name it and I've had it over the years...now it's just the dogs. We bought a "camp" last year that we spend our weekends at so I had to downsize from the hobby farm I had. I was tired though, so it was good thing, all I did was shovel pooh it seemed like. lol

That's about it,
Sonya

Posted by: moon_beam Aug 1 2010, 08:11 AM

Hi, Sonya, just read your intro. I worked for the FAA for 13.5 years - - most of them at the DC headquarters and the last few at the Atlantic City, NJ, research and development center before moving back to Virginia. I was then and always have been a paper pusher - - office slug. Some of the people thought I "should" become an ATC but I knew I would never be able to handle that type of job. You and your husband have my deepest admiration for what you do.

Sounds like you have enjoyed the company of many precious creatures in your life. I wish you and your husband the best in your continued employment, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: Cheryl83 Aug 2 2010, 04:45 AM

Okay...

My name is Cheryl (as you all know) and I will be 27-years-old on Thursday. I live, and have always lived, in Liverpool, United Kingdom ("Home of the Beatles"). I'm engaged. My fiance and I have been together for 7 years, but I've known him for 9. We were best friends before we became a couple (we still are best friends). I'm due to start University in September to study for a BA Degree in Criminology. I'm excited, but a little nervous - it's been 8 years since I was last in education, and I'm worried I've lost too many of my brain cells It's a tough course, but I do look forward to the challenge.

Well, that's the basics. Anything else you wanna know, just ask

Cheryl xx

Posted by: Brutus Aug 2 2010, 09:01 AM

If anyone would like to be friends on facebook, my email is sguidish AT yahoo.com....look me up!

Posted by: Cheryl83 Aug 2 2010, 09:06 AM

QUOTE (Brutus @ Aug 2 2010, 03:01 PM)

Posted by: moon_beam Aug 2 2010, 01:27 PM

Hi, Cheryl, -- thank you so much for "introducing" yourself. Well, I guess I should tell you - - in my much younger years during the height of the "British Invasion" I, too, was a Beatles fan. I still am but on a different level - - as age has been added through the years. I still enjoy hearing their songs whenever they come on a radio I may be listening to - - find myself tapping my toes and nodding my head to the beat. I never was a "groupie" or a "screamer" - - I preferred to actually LISTEN to their music and learn the lyrics so that I could sing along rather than obscure their songs with screaming.

Best of luck in your upcoming education. When I graduated high school I worked for the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics Administration - - or whatever it's called these days - - in the lab where the seized drugs were brought in for &%^ysis. I typed the reports from the chemists, arranged the court appearances of the chemists when cases came to the court docket, filed, - - typical office slug stuff.

Keep us posted as to how things go, okay?

Hope life is treating you kindly, Cheryl.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: Cheryl83 Aug 2 2010, 03:22 PM

QUOTE (moon_beam @ Aug 2 2010, 07:27 PM)

Posted by: Gretta's Mom Apr 23 2011, 06:01 PM

Thank you for getting this started, Clay. I'm Gretta's mom, Jeanne, and I live in Saint Paul, MN. Today is the two-week anniversary of my taking my sweet girl to the vet school hospital, never to return. I'm the factotum for the president of a small manufacturing company. Which means something like the old cereal commercial "Give it to Mikey!" Actually I DO like my job. It gives me a lot of freedom to work all over the company - trying to apply new learning and do thing better. I'm only a few years from retirement - for whatever that means. Bobbie, who also posts in this forum is my sister. She taught me everything I know about living with and loving dogs. I moved to a huge, old fourplex specifically so I could have a dog. Gretta is my only "dog master" as an adult. She was a rescue at age 9. She adopted me at an adoption event and we were inseparable for three and a half years. She came to me for a reason - to teach me some things that I'm not even sure what they are. And now she's decided that the bird has to be pushed out of the nest and go solo. SO she got on the bus and left (not literally, of course). I firmly believe in the next life. And it could only be heaven if all our loving animal friends were there with us.

Sorry for rambling on.

Gretta's mom, Jeanne

Posted by: Patty Jun 27 2011, 12:09 PM

Hi Clay:

I am Pat, Punky's mommy. Punky is a sweet, loving domestic short haired Tabby.
In the last few years she has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and was put on Tapazole. She was doing ok until recently. Now her
kidneys are starting to fail, she has lost weight and won't eat. The vet gave me liquid vitamins to give her. I suspect she also has mouth ulcers now because when she attempts to eat something it sounds like clapping. I feel so helpless but I make her as comfortable as possible. I don't have the heart to put her down yet.

I am originally from Bethpage, NY and now live in Richfield, NC. My mom and I picked Punky (Pumpkin) up at a shelter on Long Island on Halloween 1997. She was the cutest and liveliest of the kitties. She won our hearts from the start and has been the best cat ever. As sick as she is she still goes to her litter box and never pees or poops elsewhere. Punky has always been talkative but lately she is so depressed.
I believe there is a special place in heaven for animals. Please pray for her with me. I am posting a picture of my sweetie.

Thank you all and God Bless your babies too.

Pat


Punky licking my son, Matthew's head.

Posted by: Cheryl83 Jun 30 2011, 03:28 PM

Hi Pat,

Sorry to hear that your sweet Punky isn't doing too good. I love the picture of her, she's adorable. I will keep her in my prayers and thoughts. Perhaps, if you're feeling upto it, you would like to start your own thread telling us all more about your Punky. You will probably receive a lot more support that way, as not many people actually check this thread.

Thinking of you,

Cheryl x

Posted by: moon_beam Jun 30 2011, 04:29 PM

Hi, Patty, thank you so much for sharing your precious Punky with us. Chronic Kidney Failure is very debilitating over a period of time. In my much younger years I had a very precious little kitty succumb to kidney failure. It was my first experience with euthanasia as well. When the "time" arrives you will know, Patty, and you will have the strength and courage to ease your precious Punky's journey home to the angels.

Please know you and your little Punky are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: Kristina Jul 26 2011, 08:54 PM

Hey everyone

I am recreating my post that got lost during the board mishap.

I am Kristina. I am 30 (31 on August 10th!) and I live in Northern Kentucky, about 5 minutes south of Cincinnati, Ohio. Aj is my husband, we have been together for almost 8 years, married for almost 2. We lost our beloved black Labrador Retriever Dixie on June 30th. She was 10 years old and my number one girl.

We have two cats and a dachshund/corgi mix named Macy. She is 9.

I am a full time student majoring in History. My goal is to get my Masters in Public History, with my focus being Historic Preservation. Yes I am a huge nerd. I would love to either restore old buildings, or do something along the lines of historic artifacts.

As for my free time, well before it always revolved around Dixie, regardless if I was actually free or not. She was my whole world, so now I have tons of time and nothing to do with it until school starts back in August.

I figured I would introduce myself properly, as I plan on being around here for a long long time to come.

Posted by: cowboy Jul 29 2011, 08:47 PM

Hi everyone my names Thomas. Im 34 and live in the St Louis area working as a dental tech. As far as my interests go I am having to figure that out. For the last three years its been spending time with my dog cowboy and watching tv. Now that hes passed I need to find other things to take an interest in. Anyways its nice to meet everyone.

Posted by: CarissaP Sep 1 2011, 08:43 AM

Hello

I just joined my name is Carissa I am 20 and live in the UK England (for university/work/living with partner) and Wales (my mum and pets home, my birth place, the place I go back every two weeks maximum gap between visits, my true home)
I am a final year philosophy student, hoping to get graduate training job in marketing when I finish university-I say hope I mean have to for money its not my true desire, my true desire is to move back in with my mum forever and stay there forever and live with my pets and mum forever.
I live with my partner of 4 years 8 months in a city an hour and a half away from my Welsh home in england. very nice flat, nice area we can barely afford but its still not wales and no pets allowed. Not that I'd replace mine but you know what i mean!

My interests are listed on my profile.

My pets are not dead. But they are very old and one is 'sick' in a way. I fear when they do die I will not cope ....

I was raised to believe they are my brothers and call them my brothers and that they are sentient people and my family.

They certainly seem not your average animals but more about that in another thread.

I have lost one pet once but perhaps a separate not introduction story. it was many years ago.

I look forward (in a way) to telling you about each of pets, including death of one and whats wrong with the living ones and maybe more about why for their species they are so odd and not like any other animals I have ever met. I am a great animals lover though and studier of animals ethics.

I am here because my pets are not dead but will some day die maybe this year, maybe next year maybe in 3 years (probably no longer due to age) but because the way I was raised and how close we are and my views on their sentience i love them more than anyone even humans close to me and I live in constant anxiety and fear of their demise. I almost cannot get on with my life. When I am away from them I feel life is meaningless.

I hate non animal lovers. THose who think animals are less important than people are not worthy of life in my view. I know I'm an extremist but I'd gladly save an animal I'd never met over a human who was a casual friend and I'd murder so many to save my brothers life as a mother would for her child.

I need friend who understand the most important part of my life and a support network so when they die as we all do I won't top myself.

My brothers are called Pierre and Takhisis. Maron was a hamster now dead.

Posted by: corinnajane Dec 8 2011, 08:41 AM

Hello everyone!

Well, my name is Corinna but most of my friends call me CJ. I am older than people think. I live in Victoria, Australia, quite a way away from you guys!

I am a singer and have done all sorts of vocal work. I've been in innumerable bands and sung in almost every style possible... Except heavy metal. Yet. I have done tonnes of recording and gigs and all that sort of thing. I am proud of my voice and my brain.

You are welcome to check out my stuff by looking up Corinna Jane as a Page on FB, but, be warned, there is another woman, much younger than me, with the same name. I think she lives in England.

I am also happy to add people as friends on FB, to my personal profile.

After many years doing assorted jobs and gaining various degrees, I am now teaching singing and doing all sorts of music-related jobs. It's great to be doing what I love!

I have always loved animals, and, when I was very young, my Mum brought home a kitten that she had rescued from some rotten boys. Apparently they were throwing this tiny black kitten over a wall for "fun", over and over again. I wasn't supposed to bother the kitten, but after one look, I fell in love and we were pretty much inseparable from that point on. That was my darling Blacki, who thankfully never showed any signs of harm from the terrible abuse she had suffered. She lived to be 18 before her kidneys failed.

Since then, I have had a range of companion animals, but cats have always been in my life. My current darlings are Tepper, Trilobite, Lamington and Matilda. They are all reasonably young animals. I always adopt animals that are strays or in shelters and give them a loving home with a wonderful garden in which to play.

I haven't married, so my darlings keep me happy and not lonesome in the slightest. I am a little bit militant about animal rights. Anyone who deliberately hurts animals is scum, in my book.

I came across this website when I was mourning the loss of my boy, Leonine, who was poisoned, and I'm forever grateful to the people on here who helped me cope with that sad situation.


It's nice to meet you!

Posted by: TakodaMyLove Dec 27 2011, 11:11 PM

Hi, my name is Aggie. On Christmas night, my dear baby German Shepherd, Takoda, got loose. She was a very skittish dog and very mistrustful. My friend, who owns a cat, had invited me and Takoda to her house for dinner, since I was alone for Christmas. As I got to her house, I asked her if it was safe to let Takoda off the leash, fearing that the cat had not been safely tugged away. I took Takoda off her leash when my friend told me that it was, indeed, safe to do so. Little did I know that my friend had left the door to her backyard open. Takoda bolted for the yard and, before my friend could close the gate, she had slipped out and was gone. We searched and searched to no avail. That night and the next day we posted flyers all over the vicinity where she was last seen. A good samaritan saw the flyer and called to let me know that Takoda had been hit by a car and died instantly. As it happened over the holidays, nothing was open, i.e. OSPCA, animal control, etc. I was told by the good samaritan that they saw 2 police officers standing over my baby's body, but when I went to the station, they had absolutely no record of it. Knowing Takoda is dead is already tearing me apart. Not knowing where her body is can only be described as constant torment. I just want to bring my baby home. I still have not been able to locate her.

Anyway, that is my story.

Posted by: Snicky's Mom Jan 27 2012, 11:54 PM

Hi everyone, My name is Jennifer and I live in Dallas, Texas (born and raised here!) I have been a flight attendant for American Airlines for 25 years. I grew up with dogs, but when I began traveling, it was easier to take care of cats while I was gone. My first love (Scooter) died in 2006 at 18 and Chloe, 17 just passed on Jan 1 2012. I still have my 3 1/2 year old cat Snickerdoodle (Snicky) who is now my only child. I sometimes volunteer at Operation Kindness, a no kill animal shelter. And when I can I like to be outdoors hiking or running , although Texas is awefully hot in the summertime.
Bless all of you here. We are bonded together in our sorrow, happiness, and deep love for our companion animals. xoxoxJennifer

Posted by: autumn leaves Jan 30 2012, 04:31 AM

I'm Jerry, 53. Live alone in Pa, never married, no children. I rescued my first dog in 2000, Autumn, and she only lived a year before she had kidney failure and I had to put her to sleep. Got another mixed mutt, Sydney (had just taken a vacation to Australia) and after 2 short years, he was hit by a car and died in my arms. Started to think I was not the dog owner type, but I gave it one more try and along came Zoey, a baby girl border collie mix.
We were the perfect "odd couple" match. I just wanted to watch TV and eat, she was non-stop and wanted to eat. Since she was the lady of the house, she usually won-out, and I got a lot of excercise thanks to her. We spent almost 8 years together, (she picked me when she was 1) and our bond was so strong, especially since I spent almost every day of her life with her.
2 months ago she just woke up with a limp, and after seeing multiple doctors and taking an MRI, found out she had Nerve sheath tumor and it extended into her pelvis. The doctor did not think I should opt for the surgery, it was expensive and this tape of case frequently reoocurs after a few months. I was still going to try to ride it out and see if I could get a more positive response about whether she could be happy after surgery, but she quickly became weaker, had problems breathing, and could barely walk.
I now think maybe I should have waited, but I deceided at that moment, that I should let her go. I think I did the right thing for her, but I want to have that decision making moment back again, if only to give her one more kiss. Some days are not too terrible, others are. She has only been gone a month. I started a relationship with a girlfriend pet owner about the time this all began, and she has been wonderful. Pet owners just get it, you know?
I'm so glad I found this site, I hope I can share in a way that will make someone else feel better. I know I already feel better with the responses I have received since a few days ago when I came on. Thank you,
Jerry

Posted by: nicola Mar 4 2012, 10:17 AM

I'm Nicola 34 from Ashford.Kent.
I love cats and my 11 year old cat Lucy was put to sleep on 11th January. 2012.
We now have a pedigree British shorthair kitten Sophie.
She's 14 weeks at the moment.

Posted by: GhostsInSnow May 12 2012, 11:23 AM

Hi everyone
I'm Hannah, 24 from West Midlands in the UK
Currently live with my parents as the indecisive me decided (after training in catering) that I wanted a career change so I'm back with them until I've got through College and University.
Had mice, rats, rabbits, cats and dogs as pets.
Currently have 3 little mice, 2 Puppies, 2 Rabbits and 4 rats. We got the puppies on Christmas eve as our 12 year old dog had been put to sleep because she couldn't walk or breathe properly.
Lost a few pets over the last 7 months due to old age mainly or illness that's been brought on by old age.
I joined because I had to have my beautiful kitty put to sleep on Friday 11th May
I can already see that this is a wonderful place with so many caring people and I have already received a bit of support since posting last night so thank you

Posted by: advocate May 16 2012, 04:29 AM

R.I.P.

Enya Pood
Born Thanksgiving 1995
Died May 8th, 2012
17 years old
Female

My blog about it:
http://popcornonthefence.com/wordpress/

I am still in shock. Pood was my first official pet as an adult. I am having a really hard time getting through the grief. I got her ashes last night, along with some other things. I just keep thinking it is all my fault. What could I have done differently to save her life? I am going through her diagnostic tests from that night. I am trying to find out how come she died because if it was something I did wrong, I don't want my other cat to die the same way. I was thinking it was a diabetic emergency, but the ER vets did not consider that. She might still be alive if I had fed her correctly. She was eating Friskies Shredded Turkey and Cheese when she had a sudden collapse. I should have held her rather than put her into that plastic carrier and rushed her to the ER. After Googling later, come to find out, maybe I should have rubbed some honey on her inner cheek. It's too late now. We all assumed it was a stoke, and that she would not have a good quality of life, even with treatment. Now I kick myself, because it might have been a diabetic coma. Please teach yourselves the difference, and get proper food. Fancy Feast Appetizers are made in Thailand, btw. Buy American-made food for cats if you live in America. I am considering the raw diet, but I am petrified. I normally feed Angelo Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets which is a high-protein and low carb diet.

But I don't want to make the same mistakes with Angelo. I am so distraught. I am so distressed and I am scared and paranoid.

Posted by: leejaye May 16 2012, 05:44 AM

Dear Advocate, I am so sorry we had to meet this way, and so so very sorry for the loss of your Enya Pood...You can ask yourself so many questions after something like this...should i have, would it be better if? i should have known better...Research the food issue, check with the people on this website (there is a lot of knowledge here, and it may help with some of your fears for Angelo), the one thing i know is that you did everything you thought was right for Pood, and Pood knows this still. Please come here whenever you need to, this is such a hard road, it helped me immensley when i lost my Mischief girl (17 yo, cancer and complications from nowhere), i hope it can help you too, sending you huge hugs, Leejaye

Posted by: moon_beam May 16 2012, 10:24 AM

Hi, advocate, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Enya Pood. This grief jouney is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Enya Pood. The good news is that your beloved Enya Pood's sweet Living Spirit is forever with you in your heart and your memories - - she is forever a heartbeat close to you.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Enya Pood with us, advocate. I am so glad your precious Angelo had a good check up at the new vet. Please know each of us are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please know you and your precious Angelo are in my thoughts and prayers, and loook forward to knowing how you both are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: advocate May 17 2012, 01:19 PM

Leejay and Moon Beam, I can't thank you enough for your kind words and support. We had our memorial this morning. Angelo seems a tad bit frightened, or angry. I think it is because I have moved Pood's things around, like Pood's big fluffy blanket that was on the couch. I feel just terrible because I did not show him her body after she died. The night I left with her in the carrier, she was unconscious, and Angelo did some inspection of Pood before I left with her. But I don't know if he knows that she is dead and won't come back. Sometimes it appears as if he is looking for her as he meanders through my apartment smelling for her. It makes me feel so terrible. It all happened so fast, and I did not know that I was suppose to bring her body home before cremation. I considered it later after I Googled about it, but they freeze the body before cremation, and I didn't think it would be a good idea to bring her frozen body home once I found out about it. Do you think he knows she is not coming back and that she died? Or is he going to continue to look for her and hold some resentment toward me because I took her away? They were together for 13 years. She was dominant, and he was always so submissive and intimidated when she went into fits, like if another cat walked by outside the patio, Pood would throw a fit and take it out on Angelo for some reason. But he always forgave her. Sometimes I think he enjoys his new dominance, but mourns at the same time. Is there anything I can do to help with this situation? I feel so powerless. I have been reading up on cat body language and we have been sending lots of eye kisses lately. I am giving Angelo lots of treats and special attention. Is that all I can do?

Posted by: moon_beam May 17 2012, 01:45 PM

Hi, advocate, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Angelo are doing. I can so relate to your situation with your precious Angelo as I experienced the same thing with my precious Noah when his big adopted kitty brother Eli joined the angels in 2006. Noah knew that EIli was very ill. He had spent most of the week in the vet's office fighting off an infection and high fever. Got a call from the vet early Saturday morning that his fever had broken and that I could bring him home. He was NOT the same Eli when I got him home - - I think as they pushed fluids through his body to try to break the fever they blew his bladder. After an a very difficult weekend, I took him back to the vet first thing Monday morning at which time he was released from his failing, frail, painful physical body. At that time I did not know I could bring him home, so the last time Noah saw his big adopted brother was when he left with me for our final journey together. Noah was inconsolable, and looked for Eli EVERYWHERE for a very long time. It broke my heart to see Noah grief so deeply. I told him every chance I had how sorry I am that Eli could not come home again, and how proud I am of him (Noah) for the very best little brother to Eli. The good news was that Noah continued to eat normally, drink water okay, and take care of his personal needs properly.

I hope these suggestions are helpful for you, advocate. It is so heartbreaking when we see our companions also grieving for their housemate. Your precious Angelo will be okay as long as he has your continued love, support, and comfort.

Thank you, advocate, for sharing your beloved Pood with us. I hope today is treating you and your precious Angelo kindly. Please know you and your precious Angelo are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you both are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Pood.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

It took Noah a long time to grieve for Eli. Noah is now the sole survivor in a home that used to have 4 furkids - - after Eli joined the angels in 2006, his big doggy brother Oslo joined Eli in 2009, and his sibling baby sister Abbygayle joined Eli and Oslo in 2010. Oslo transitioned home to the angels here at home, and after Abbygayle was assisted in her journey by her vet, I brought her home immediately so that Noah could pay his last respects to her - - which I think helped him.

So, from my experiences the only thing you can do is continue to give your precious Angelo extra attention and affection. As long as he continues to eat his food normally, drink fluids okay, and take care of his personal needs properly he will be okay - - in time. Comforting your precious Angelo will also help comfort you - - and vice versa. If I may caution you - - don't change things too rapidly. Noah slept on Eli's comforter for over 2 years before I noticed he no longer visited it. After I made sure that he no longer slept on it, that is when I washed it. And I did the same thing after Abbygayle joined the angels. Try to keep something of Pood's that has her scent on it for Angelo.

Posted by: advocate May 19 2012, 02:43 PM

Thank you Moon Beam. Your generous offerings mean so much to me. Angelo has stopped going to the bedroom window bed to sleep. You see, it use to be that Pood always slept on this one pillow over to the right. A little over a month ago, Angelo started sleeping there, and Pood claimed a spot next to there, but she would mostly jump onto the wardrobe in an attempt to take his spot. The other day, I peaked into the fort and saw Angelo laying with his head on the pillow, but his body where Pood laid last. He had his nose in a certain area of the pillow and was breathing in her scent. He has not returned to that area since the other day. I took a picture, I will have to post it somehow.

Angelo and I are still grieving very deeply, and have reached a quiet, slow phase. It is like things are moving in slow motion. I catch a glimpse of Pood out of the corner of my eye once and a while, as I am sure he does too. He also lays at the bottom of the patio curtain, but not directly where Pood always laid...he is either on one side or the other, but never in that exact spot.

One thing he did that was amazing was he laid in a spot he never laid in before. There is a spot between the kitchen and living room where I put up a corner face rubbing contraption. Pood was the only one who used it, Angelo never touched it. Well, Angelo laid right there, starting at it. His eyes would open wide and look, then his eyes would close. That was the other day. Then today when he walked by the contraption, he smelled it, then rubbed his cheek on it. Then later on when he walked by it, he swiped his tail across it. He would never go near that thing, and I still don't know why. I suppose it was Pood's territory. Angelo never liked to rub his face on the corners, maybe because Pood was always the dominant cat, even though she was much smaller than him.

Anyway, thank you for sharing your heartfelt stories with me. It really helps me to understand what is going on right now.

Me personally, I had to move Pood's pictures out of direct sight. It is difficult enough to hold back the tears just from thinking about her. But sometimes when I think I am getting better, I see her picture and break down all over again, on the floor, wailing, assuming it was all my fault, why didn't I just pick her up, hold her, and let her die in my arms rather than toting her off to the ER...playing her death over and over again in my mind.

I am still in the process of accepting that it was a stroke and I was powerless. I mostly am having a hard time because not only did I handle it wrong (I should have just held her), but also, I don't want to mess anything up the second time around with Angelo. But I had no idea how serious it was...I thought she could be saved. It all happened so fast and suddenly.

Pood actually saved my life a couple of times. Once, I was moving across the country and my car caught on fire. I wouldn't have known there was a fire except Pood came running up into my lap and clawing at my chest (I didn't have a carrier at that time). When I pulled over, my car was smoking and there was a small fire under the hood, from a blown power steering or something, I don't recall what the mechanical failure was.

Thanks again Moon Beam.

Posted by: leejaye May 20 2012, 08:15 PM

Dear Advocate, My heart hurts so much for you and Angelo - it's so hard to negotiate this new world with a great big hole at it's centre, these first weeks are so very very hard, I don't think I have ever felt anything like it in my life (sounds strange but I don't think human losses affected me as deeply as the loss of my girl). Like you, I kept catching glimpses of my girl and then the pain was all new again - I wish i had better words for you, but please know that i am thinking of you and Angelo and Pood, and hoping today is just a tiny bit easier, Leejaye

Posted by: lytlewren Jun 5 2012, 12:48 PM

Hello all. My name is Rheva, I found the forum while looking into options regarding osteasarcoma for my best friend, Hiway the Lab. I would simply like to say thank you all for being here. I've lost two other friends this past year, Mimi was 16 and Ami was 15, a flat coat retriever and a sheltie mix. I feel so terribly alone and am very grateful that this forum is here.

We live in Oregon in the Columbia Gorge. I'm lucky to be here. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world, IMHO, and very pet friendly.

Posted by: Sea Witch Jun 12 2012, 12:28 PM

Hi everyone: I live in western Canada, married, sort-of retired, grown kids, and 2 French Bulldogs, 10 and 5. My older dog, Thibault (T-bo) is not doing well, and I'm preparing myself for the possibility of having to put him down. So I searched around wanting to find a forum with kind folks who understand the grief of the loss or impending loss of a beloved pet.

My younger dog was my husband's dog first, so I haven't known her as long or have the same relationship with her as I do with T-bo. Anyway, he's been plagued with health problems his whole life but most recently, last week, fell off a friends deck about 3' up (where there was no railing) His back was already in bad shape, and now he's having weakness in his hind legs and difficulty walking. We're going to try some steroids this week and see if that will help with the inflammation. I am trying to keep a level head and remain clear on what I'm doing for him and his quality of life, and what I may be doing for me just to stave off my grief. I have already told my vet, no more specialists, and no more surgeries, but I don't want him in pain.

So that's why I'm here. With a heavy heart, I just wanted to find some like-minded people who understand what I'm going through, and I hope I can lend some support to others.

Posted by: anxiousgeek Dec 2 2012, 08:28 AM

Hi everyone, my name is Rhi and I live in Wales. I just lost my cat Micky a couple of weeks ago.

Posted by: LPC Aug 7 2013, 05:14 AM

Hello, I am British but have been living in France for the past ten years. My wife and I had the joy of having Puce live with us for several glorious years. We had, and still have, a very strong bond of love. You can see her photo in my avatar.

In summer 2011 she passed over, but she soon made her continued existence known. My life and views about the afterlife have changed greatly as a result. I now dedicate my retirement years to helping grieving pet owners via my website. I offer this service as a gesture of thanks to the Universe for blessings received.

Posted by: eskie2002 Aug 10 2013, 01:10 AM

Hello all,
I am Sue. I currently reside in Colorado. I am a mom of an American Eskimo named Daphne. I lost my previous Eskie 3-months ago (May 7, 2013) to fungal lung cancer. Her name was Samantha and she was 10-years old. Daphne is 4-months old and I am greatly enjoying and loving her. Daphne was to be a gift to Samantha from me, but Samantha could no longer hang on to wait for Daphne’s arrival, as Daphne was just a wee (newborn) puppy. It has been a long time since I had a puppy and a person awakens quickly to the puppy stages. Since the loss of Samantha, I find myself being over protective of Daphne. I do not want anything to happen to her as it did Samantha. I had no control over Samantha acquiring her cancer, but yet I feel guilt. These furry children are special. I do miss my Samantha so much. I still cry nearly every day; view her photos, and her video. When I see her video, I have to giggle as she did so many funny things. I thought the days of crying over Samantha would end, but not so. Some say it is to soon to stop the tears from falling and it will take a long time to overcome it or I may never stop crying for her. Samantha was a precious child to me. She was always at my side in happy times and in sad times. It is funny as when I cry for Samantha then Daphne comes to my side and licks the tears from my eyes. They really do feel our pain and want us to feel better. Once Daphne dries my tears, I have to smile at her, give her the biggest hug, and tell her how much I love her. I tell her I wished she could have met her big sister (Samantha) even for just a short time. Samantha would have loved and protected Daphne.
Anyway, I am 53-years old and grew up in northern Minnesota. Have traveled a great deal since being a former military spouse. I am now divorced although I am not saddened by it. I am a retired nurse and mainly worked in critical care for years. I am now disabled due to wear and tear on my body. Daphne greatly helps me with my disabilities by her just being there with me every day. She helps ease my physical pains.
I look forward to meeting many folks on here and share our endeavors. I hope you all are doing well even though we have lost furry children. It saddens me when I know that you all have lost furry children, but know you all had a great many joys with them. Even though they are not physically present, their spirits are with us at all times. I still speak to Samantha every day as if she was next to me and I do believe she is.
The grieving process is by no means an easy road. These furry little children are just that…they are our children.
I am an animal lover. I will go to any lengths to save an animal. I used to rescue and did railroads for animals to get them to their new loving safe homes. I wish I could save every animal. They give us all such love, joy, and expect nothing in return but love.
Daphne and I want to say hello to all and to hang in there. We are thinking of all of you and your furry children that are with you in spirit.

Sue and Daphne


The first photo is Samantha
The second is Daphne
I hope I have their photos in proper order. If you see the little puppy that is Daphne. The other is of Samantha

Posted by: Princessmommy Aug 13 2014, 10:26 PM

Hello Everyone!!!

I just joined tonight my name is Mayra. I'm 33 years old I'm a wife and also a mother of 4 wonderful children. I was born and raise in Ventura California but I now reside in the state of Joliet Illinois. I'm a wife and mother of 4 wonderful children who happen to be the world to me. I recently lost my baby girl kitten princess on (June 16, 2014) due to a car hitting her. I still remember like it was yesterday that she was brought into my life princess was a street kitten I actually saved her from my neighbors dog when he was trying to attack her. This dog was attacking her bad so my heart was hurting that I decided to get her out. Well that very instant that princess was in my arms she brought a lot of joy into my whole life. I still remember that it was in winter time and since I live with my mother I didn't know if she wanted me to keep her in the house or not. So We had to leave the poor thing outside in the cold in order to ask permission. I did made sure that she was warm in a blanket before I left her outside. Then in the very morning without me telling my mother her heart completely melted as soon as she saw my baby princess out in the back porch. She immediately carry her into her arms and brought her inside an thats when the whole story started with my baby princess. We began to care for her because she was seriously hurt because of that dog biting her. Every day we feed her bath her and gave her all the love anyone could give a beautiful baby calico kitten like she was. before princess arrive into my life I never knew I was a pet lover an how much love a pet could bring to someone's life. Day by day my love began to grow for my princess and I was practically her mommy, her legal guardian because she was always by my side. She was a very cuddling kitty that also loved to play with all my kids. she was never a cruel animal like most of them are. She was always whiling to give all from her to my whole family. Until that horrible accident happen on June 16, 2014. That day I was not home an this happen at night when I return home I couldn't believe my eyes I still remember I didn't park my car right and immediately rush out of my car running because I saw a cat in the middle of the road not wanting to believe it was my princess. As soon as I approach her I immediately let out a huge scream it was my baby princess the one lying there with one of her eyes pop out I immediately broke down into tears pick her up hold her in my arms wishing that she was not dead and still alive. I began to scream please princess please come back to me baby girl Please tell me that this is all a dream that you are still with me. But She was not moving or doing anything at that very moment I didn't want to leave her sight or have anyone take her from me.

But apparently my husband took her from me and I was screaming and saying noooo!!! you cannot be gone princess at that very moment I didn't know how to react I was in a complete shock just by looking at my baby girl with one of her eyes pop out. It was one of the most horrible things I could ever experience in my whole life not even a human being hurt me as much as my princess did. Now I blame myself how can I didn't do anything to save my girl by taking her to a vet to have her check. Maybe if I took her She would of still be alive by now, but at that very instant I didn't know what to do but break down into tears and until this day even though it been 3 months since I lost her. I can't find peace or comfort that she is no longer with me. My family doesn't care of what I'm feeling now not even my husband. I'm completely alone in my grief process I feel so lonely that ever since that happen to my girl I been trying to reach out for help but unfortunately I been unsuccessful. I don't know what to do or who to turn to in order to help me with this healing process this whole experience I'm facing right now is causing me a lot of stress in my personal life. I have no friends to even talk to or just to say hey how you are doing today. I'm just so depress I wish my family was able to understand how much I'm hurting right now. All they say is hurtful things and tell me you are over reacting she was just a cat sooner or later you will buy another one. How can they say that she was not just an animal she was my baby my best friend my everything and I can't seem to live without her. I'm going crazy right now I'm even seeing my girl everywhere I go her scratches in the door, meows, her little face in my room, I even feel a presence trying to get in top of my bed in the middle of the night. I'm so miserable right now that nothing seems the same I'm even losing desire of the things I just to enjoy before help!!! The reason I decided to join this website is because I saw the word pet loss and I immediately thought that maybe in this place I was able to receive some kind of guidance or support in helping me with this loss I'm going through right now. I'm not sure if others are experiencing the same loss like me, but if you guys are I'm so sorry my heart goes out to each and everyone of us who are going through a loss or had one before. I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post my story if not let me know where I'm able to post it so that people are able to read it and provide me with at least some feedback. I can't take this pressure pain anymore I need some help from anyone in here in how to feel better an what to do when this type of things happen. thanks for reading

I will like to share a picture of my princess so that everyone is able to meet her I hope I uploaded right and everyone is able to see it. if not let me know thanks everyone.

Sincerely,

Mayra

Posted by: Charleen May 31 2015, 06:34 PM

Hello all. It would seem that there have been no posts in quite some time, so let me be the first of 2015! My name is Charlene and I live in Canada. I have a terrific husband aand 2 beautiful daughters, and 2 furchildren - Chaplin, and Big Jim. Chaplin passed 15 days ago, but he was returned to me 3 days ago in a little cedar box which I keep on my bedside table.
Having had dogs and cats all of my life, I've been through the love and inevitable loss, but it has been different with Chap. This hurt is so much bigger and it's overwhelming. I can't wait to go to work in the morning (I manage a Hallmark store) because it is so difficult to carry on my day inmy home without my Chaplin. Ive only known our home with Chaplin - he and my husband came as a package deal 13 years ago.
This is why I am here.

Posted by: Amy0515 Jun 26 2015, 12:32 AM

My name is Amy and I am 45 years old. I've just recently lost my first dog (a week ago) and I'm truly grief stricken over her loss. I am happily married and have two children and one grandchild. I also have a sweet kitty I rescued 9 years ago whom I love dearly.

I'm trying to deal with my overwhelming grief over the loss of my precious Fluffy. I am trying to take thing day to day and trying to cope. I'm having a hard time.

I'm hoping and praying to find support here to get through this.

Posted by: Cris-dogs Sep 8 2015, 10:33 AM

Hi I am Cris.

I am currently almost 45 years old, and for most of my life have been single. I have a hard time getting close to people, but on the other hand, I have extreme empathy for dogs, to the point I worry about my friends dogs more than they do.

I've lost three of my own dogs in the last three or so years. Sally passed about three years ago after 11 years with me, Beau disappeared last November (assumed dead), and Fred died a week ago traumatically.

Each loss has seemed unbearable in the following days, weeks, but somehow life goes on, and the pain and loss somehow heals. Each time I couldn't imagine ever climbing out of the dark hole of sadness, but somehow I come out into the light again.

I set up an account here last week out of desperation to talk to someone about the loss of my buddy, Fred, just 7 days ago.
But it was just too painful to even talk about, so I started reading other people's posts about their losses.

I cried over and empathized with so many people's stories, and realized I wasn't alone at all.
It's so hard when the loss is so close and the wounds of loss, anger, sadness, depression rend so deep. When the quiet in the house is deafening.
Looking outside myself and my experience has shown me in the past and now that having empathy for others
and trying to help them makes my own pain less sharp, it gives me perspective.


It's great that this forum exists, because in my opinion, the best medicine for the torturous grief of loosing a furry companion is talking with and empathizing with others that have been through the same thing. For people that don't have support- live alone, seniors, lack of understanding in your social circle- this might be one of the few life lines available.

Grief feeds on itself. It's a vicious circle that keeps dragging you back into it. In my own experiences, the best way to break out of this is to focus outside myself, to GIVE, to console others, to offer my support. If we don't take care of each other, who is going to?

I wish all of you peace in your time of loss.

Cris

Posted by: Necce Nov 11 2016, 06:34 PM

Hello everyone, I'm Zoe, I'm 30 and I write from Italy.

I had the luck to grow up in a family of animal lovers and I've always been blessed with at least a pet at my side. Naturally I've also lost many pets over the years and found ways to cope: talking, writing and painting mostly.
But recently I experienced the loss of a very ill kitten I had found just a couple of days prior and that shook me more than I thought was possible, the injustice of it more than anything else. I started to look online for comfort, to understand my feelings and I came across this website, I read several posts, especially one about another kitten that left this world too soon and I felt less alone, I knew I had found a special place.

So here I am, happy to meet you all.

Posted by: Rocksy May 15 2017, 07:56 PM

Hi, I have being trying to post for some time . I am new do not think that this is going to get me any help..last post being so long ago I hear there is place for me on mondays. Pls adv

Posted by: samanthamj May 19 2017, 09:53 AM

QUOTE (Rocksy @ May 15 2017, 07:56 PM)