Today has been a very difficult day for me. Not only is today the 4 month mark since my sweet Danny boy passed on, but sadly my beautiful Calico cat Tina made her journey to the angels today. I can only imagine what a joyous reunion she must be having with Danny. Tina had been suffering from cancer in her lungs which was most likely genetic according to my vet. She had been getting depo-medrol shots since March and they sort of kept her going and kept her eating, but she wouldn't eat after her last shot yesterday. She was breathing laboriously last night, but when I got to bed she laid down on my body and purred so strong and loud. She enjoyed lying on my chest and purring. Tina snuggled with me last night. This morning she was wheezing again, so I took her to the vet. They put her on oxygen while I waited to be seen with her. I thought of how Mindy had stood in front of Tina's carrier and just looked at her and touched the cage with her paw as if to say good-bye to her friend she had known for only a few short months.

The vet talked to me and suggested that this might be the time to relieve Tina of her suffering. She was down to 6.8 pounds. So I signed the paper with a heavy heart. They sedated Tina and then brought her in to me on a soft, heavy blanket. She growled groggily when the tech brought her in. She never much liked being handled by the vet staff and was always more than happy to strike out at them, but not this time. I held her in my arms, and I thanked her for being with me and for having been so good to me. I told her that Danny was already waiting for her and that she would see him again shortly. I watched as the vet injected the pink-colored liquid into Tina's veins. I patted her softly and told her that I love her. She went quickly and peacefully. Her little body rode with me in the car down to the pet cemetery where I dropped her off for her funeral tomorrow. She will be buried in the spot right above Danny. As I drove down to the pet cemetery with her body next to me I remembered our very first car ride together. I had 'rescued' her from a very smoky pet store. It was a cold January day, and I had just lost my sweet little orange tabby cat. I was going nuts in the empty apartment, so I drove to this pet store where I met Tina. She was in a cage on the floor, and she looked up from her food bowl when I walked up to the cage. I took one look at this cute little face and all I could say was 'Aw'. She started purring when I held her, and so I took her home with me. Tina enjoyed the car ride. She laid down on my arm and looked out the window. She was meowing a lot and so inquisitive. Tina followed me everywhere that day and she enjoyed laying down in my lap. This sweet Calico cat has comforted me and been by my side for over 14 years. She was very attached to me and always anxiously awaited me back when I had to go out. She was a real lap cat and enjoyed snuggling with me on the bed at night. She was smart, not afraid of thunderstorms, playful, and loving. This little cat has meant so much to me and losing her leaves a big hole in my heart.

Oh, Danny's Mom (and Tina's Mom), I am so, so, so very sorry to hear that Tina has ended her earthly journey with you. I had so hoped she'd have more time with you. It is far too soon for you to lose your girl after losing precious Danny. There's so little I can say, but please know you're in my thoughts. I'll ask my Pippin to keep an eye out for a beautiful calico girl and her tuxedo brother.

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. It is such a hard thing to let them go, but so brave. I know you will miss her terribly.

Thanks, Kel. She was wheezing and having trouble breathing and not eating, so there was no point in having her suffer needlessly. It made it a bit easier for me having gone through Danny's passing 4 month ago. I knew what to expect, and I am so thankful that she didn't have to lie on a steel table, but that I got to hold her in my arms as she passed. Even though Tina wasn't a regular patient at the hospital I took her to they still treated her and me with care and compassion. That meant so much to me.

I'll miss not having her snuggle on the bed with me tonight. Very rarely did Tina not sleep on the bed with me at night. I remember how one night a few years ago there was a bad thunderstorm in the middle of the night and I got scared by the lightning and thunder, and Tina snuggled so close to me and purred so loud to comfort me. She was very sweet and loving.

Hi, DannysMom, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Tina. I have walked this road, too, of losing two precious furkids within 4 months of each other. Adjusting to the physical absence of one furchild is a challenge. Adjusting to the physical absence of two or more furkids in a short period of time is traumatic, and intensifies the deep grief.

It sounds like your and your beloved Tina's final journey together was more peaceful for you both, and if this is an accurate assessment I am so very glad. Please try to find some comfort in knowing that indeed your beloved Danny and Tina are reunited together in heaven's perfect garden, and are keeping a loving vigil over you and their sweet baby sister Mindy.

I wish there were some words I could share with you that would take away the deep seering pain of loss you are feeling in your heart, but I know this can only happen as you travel your grief adjustment journey in your own way and in your own time. Please know we are here for you, DannysMom, for as long and as often as you need us. And please know that your beloved Tina's and Danny's sweet Living Spirits are forever with you in your heart and your memories - - they are always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

Thank you so very much for sharing your beloved Tina with us, DannysMom. She is a beautiful little girl, and she is eternally grateful for you being her Forever Mom. Please know you and your precious Mindy are in my thoughts and prayers, DannysMom, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

moon_beam, thank you for your kind words and your support. Last night was very difficult for me as I couldn't go to sleep without Tina. It hurt so much not having her right beside me on the bed. Mindy eventually snuggled up next to me, and that gave me some comfort. We buried Tina this afternoon, and thankfully it wasn't raining, just cloudy. Her little casket was lined with cream satin. That color seemed to match her best. I wrote a few things on the lid of her casket. Her little body looked so peaceful. I feel so drained and exhausted today. I keep looking at Tina's toys and her cat chair and she's not there. I put up some 8X10 photos of her so that I have a visual reminder. It comforts me to look at her photos. This is like the end of an era, with both Tina and Danny gone. I never expected them to pass so soon one after the other. They were my friends for the longest time and while they were both here life was so good. I could count on my babies being there and snuggling with me. Mindy has been taking it well. She is eating and she is very loving and playful. I guess young kittens bounce back fairly quickly from losing their friends, and she really hasn't known Tina all that long.

I know the coming week will be so painful, adjusting to life without Tina, but I am glad that Mindy is here with me.

Dannysmom,
I'm so sorry, I can't say how much for what you are going through. Its tajic, every death, its so sad. I wish I could make it better

Im sorry for your lost i wouldnt b able to imagine losing another one of mi animals. Its also almost been 4 months since my casper has been put down. Your Tina looks like my casper in the face area. im sorry again for your loss

Hesista and EvEf, thank you for stopping by. EvEf I know I don't have to tell you how special Calico cats are. They are so attached to their humans and so protective of them. I do so miss Tina snuggling with me at night. I could always count on that. This little cat loved me and was almost human in her concern for me. She was my friend, my confidante.

It hurts like crazy. I can't even begin to describe how much it hurts. I look at her toys and I start crying. I remember how she would carry around her little crinkle ball and meow so loud while carrying it. She LOVED catnip pillows.

I am so sorry for your loss again DannysMom

As I said in your other post, although it does not make things better, at least now Danny has someone else close to you with him and at least Tina has someone to help her though the change. You and Mindy both need to comfort each other with lots of hugs. Please try and look after yourself although I know it is the last thing you probably care about at the moment.

I really am so sorry. After losing Chewy I cannot imagine losing another loved one.

My thoughts are with you.

xxForeverxx

Danny's (and Tina's and Mindy's) Mom,

I was wondering how you were doing today. It's cold and rainy here, and it almost seems like the sky is crying. How are you holding up? I hope, more than anything, that today is being kind to you and that little Mindy is offering you warmth, comfort and love as only our little tuxedos can.

Tina's casket sounds beautiful. It must have been truly exhausting to bury her, and it sounds like you're generally not sleeping well (understandably).

Please know you continue to be in my thoughts.

Hi, DannysMom, stopping by to let you know you and your precious Mindy know you both are in my thoughts and prayers. I know how it is looking at toys, brushes, collars, etc., that our companions needed, played with, used during their earthly journey. It's another "reality check" that they are no longer physically present with us, and no longer need the items that will always belong to them. I hope you will find comfort in holding your beloved Tina's toys close to your heart knowing they are a connection to you and your beloved Tina. They are her gift to you to cherish until it is your appropriate time to join her in eternal joy.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy kindly, DannysMom, and look forward to knowing how both are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

xxForever, thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words. They are very much appreciated. I've been crying a lot today and my heart is breaking. Tina and I had a very special bond and we were very close. It is so very painful to grieve again only 4 months after losing Danny. I never imagined that I would be losing them one after the other. I always thought that Tina would pass first, and I would have Danny for a bit longer, but it wasn't meant to be. Tina was such a fighter, and she eeked out every ounce of life that she had left, still wanting to get up and down the stairs by herself.

Kel, thank you very much for stopping by and for your comments. Today I felt like I was falling apart. Not having Tina sleep with me at night is so painful. She was extremely attached to me as only the Calico cats are. She could be grumpy sometimes and she hated going to the vet and lashed out at them every chance she got, but to me she was always so loving and protective. She truly cared and worried about my well-being and she watched over me. Tina was so strong. Mindy has been cheering me up with her playful and sweet personality. She is happy and cheerful and gentle like Danny was, and she is also not afraid of thunderstorms (just like Tina). She stays close, yet gives me space to grieve. When she blinks those beautiful golden eyes at me it makes my heart melt, just like I always felt with Danny when he looked at me. Mindy has been talking a lot and enjoying tummy rubs from me. It does ease the pain a bit.

Dear moon_beam, thank you so much for your kind words, my friend. Today I received a card from my vet and also from the vet hospital where I took Tina on Saturday. Two of the doctors from my regular vet wrote comments inside the card, and that was so much appreciated. The doctor who had seen Tina for the past few months always joked how feisty and spunky she was, but he took it as a good sign as it proved that she was still okay somehow. I keep thinking of Tina's first car ride with me. She talked so much as if she wanted to say:"Who are you and where are you taking me?" I told her I'd be bringing her home with me and she settled down on my arm, put her front paws up against the car door and looked out the window. I named her Tina, because something in her face reminded me of my sister.

On our last car ride together her little body was wrapped up in a colorful, tartan blanket from the vet. They had wrapped up her face, but I could see her tail. It was so difficult making that last car ride with her. When I gently took her body in my arms to bring her to the preparation room of the pet cemetery she still felt so warm. I've kept the blanket and I let Mindy sniff on it when I got back home that day. Mindy sniffed on it and gave me a sad look. I think they can tell. Mindy hasn't even slept in Tina's cat chair since.


Tina with her first Christmas present, a little toy elephant.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Mindy are doing, and for the wonderful picture of your beloved Tina with her first Christmas present. She truly has the look: "Make my day - - just try getting this from me now!!!"

Those last car rides - - I do so know how painful they are. Indeed, your precious Mindy knows that her sister is now in heaven's perfect garden with the angels. I'm so glad you gave Mindy the opportunity to sniff the blanket your beloved Tina was wrapped in. And how so very sweet that she hasn't yet ventured back to "Tina's chair". One day she will - - but not yet. This is her way of grieving and honoring her sister.

I am so glad both vet practices have offered you comfort in your sorrow. These are very special mementoes that you can put with your beloved Tina's things - - special toys, blankets, etc..

I know from your post on Danny's thread that you are worried about losing Mindy. Please let me try to offer you some comfort that what you are feeling is very normal. I, too, felt this way with my precious Noah. It has taken me 2 years to feel some form of confidence that my precious Noah and I do have both quantity and quality time together still. He will be 9 years old in 13 days, so the quantity of time is becoming very treasured time. I am so very grateful that I am no longer working so that we have more time together through these next few years (hopefully years).

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy kindly, DannysMom. Please know you and your precious Mindy are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear moon_beam, thank you so very much for your support. I can't even begin to describe how special Tina was. She really tore into that toy elephant. She grabbed it, kicked it, and tore at it. She had so much fun! She would sometimes moan during her sleep, and it sounded almost human. None of my other cats have done that. Tina let nothing slow her down. After she was spayed she almost gave me a heart attack when she jumped from one place to another. She wasn't supposed to do that, but she was okay. She was always so full of life, and she liked nothing more than getting attention from me. The nights without her are so difficult. Mindy comes and snuggles for a bit, but then she leaves. Tina always stayed with me the whole night, and her presence was so comforting.

Thank you for re-assuring me that my anxious thoughts about Mindy are normal. Sometimes I keep thinking "What if she has only a really short life?" and it bothers me. She sometimes sneezes, and I hold my breath every time she does it. I watch her so closely for any signs of illness. I have learned through my experiences with Tina and Danny to watch for the subtle signs and to take them seriously. I almost want to take Mindy in and get her checked out and x-rayed, the whole works. But she has been eating good. She's just a little quiet and subdued.

Tina's regular vet sent me a nice bouquet of flowers. That was so wonderful of them! I've taken my cats there since 1990, and they are sort of like the 'family doctor'.

Dannysmom

The pain is so severe, we all know its like nothing else.
I wish I could bring Tina and Danny back to you
Back into your arms

That's what we all dream of and live and die for

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and the beautiful flowers your "family doctor" sent to you. I am so glad you are finding comfort and support from them in this time of deep sorrow for you.

I can SO RELATE to how your heart stopped after your Tina's "female" surgery with her athletics. Many years ago I had a little girl who did the same thing. When my beautiful Abbygayle had her surgery she, too, would get more active than she was supposed to. At the time I had a kitty playpen set up which kept her and Noah safe during the day while I was at work when they were little tykes. When my girl got too frisky I would tell her that if she didn't settle down she would spend some time out in the playpen. She stopped - - because she enjoyed not being in the playpen anymore. After she got her stitches out I was able to take down the playpen permanently - - a "graduation ceremony" for my Abbygayle and Noah because they no longer needed that "baby stuff."

The memories we develop with our companions during their earthly journey with us are treasures beyond gold and silver. They are precious gems that forever sparkle in our hearts and memories - - always bright and gleaming with the brilliance of eternal love. Thank you so very much for sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Tina with us.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy kindly, and that you both will have a very peaceful evening. Please know you and your precious Mindy are in my thoughts and prayers, DannysMom, and that I always look forward to sharing how you're doing and your treasured memories of your beloved Tina and Danny.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Moon_beam, as always, thank you for your support and comforting words. Today, at 4:54 p.m. it will be 1 week since Tina passed on. This morning I looked at her empty cat chair and started crying. Everywhere I look I keep seeing her in my mind, how she used to sleep in her cat chair, sit on the ledge, or lounge on top of the jungle gym. When Danny passed, there was a lot of shock, anger, and immense guilt.

It is different with Tina. I don't have any guilt, because I know it's not my fault and that I did the best I could. There is no anger either, and no shock. I knew she was slowly dying from cancer, and the time I had left with her was bittersweet. With Tina, the grief is hitting me at a very deep level. She was my faithful companion, always there for me. The bond I had with her was so incredibly special. She could get grumpy (the Calicos are also known as the red-heads in the kitty world), but I loved her nonetheless.

I MISS HER SO VERY MUCH.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Mindy are doing. Yes, the first week is one of many MAJOR "firsts" to endure in this incredibly painful journey. And enduring the deep grief of two beloved companions joining the angels so closely to each other just intensifies the sorrow. As the tears flow, and your heart breaks just a little bit more, please know you are among friends here who are with you, for you, and beside you through every step you take, through every moment of your adjustment journey.

I hope today is being kind to you and your precious Mindy, and that you and your little girl will have a very peaceful evening. Please know you and your little Mindy are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Tina and Danny.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam