Grief And More Grief, Grieving multi-losses Options

[Luna]

I lost Theodore, my 13 year old cat on Wednesday night. he was put to sleep about 5:15 pm. Like so many folks in the same boat, my heart is broken and I miss him so much. I can't stop crying or thinking about him. It's awful. He had chronice renal failure, a common plight of older cats. He was only diagnosed 6 weeks ago and during that time, we were working hard to get him well. I won't go into the details, but even with all the typical kidney disease interventions, he declined and I had to make the decision to let him go.

My dad died 6 weeks ago and my grandmother 5 weeks ago. I expected my little Theo to be there for me like he always has. I was counting on him to help me get through the grief and now it turns out I'm grieving for him. It feels all like to much grief. My older female cat Emily is wandering around the house looking for him. She cries for him and it breaks my heart. I've explained to her that Theo is gone and is not coming back. I toldl her that we loved him but that he was suffering and had to go. I told her that I love her and that we will have a nice life together in time. I let her sniff Theo's collar and she knows he's gone.

Yesterday a woman I know gave me a Calla Lily plant. I decided that I would make a special garden in my yard to honor Theo. It will be called the "Theodore Garden". It's a lovely, cozy spot, with trees and flowers that looks out to the ocean. I'm going to mosaic a paving stone with Theo's name on it and it will lay over the spot where I'll put his urn. There'll be a little bench made out of driftwood, big enough for two people where I can go by myself or with friends to reflect on my special friend. It will be lovely. And the process of making this spot I feel has been healing.

But it's still hard. It's getting late and soon I will go to bed and he won't be there. I'll wake up in the morning and his funny little face won't greet me. My life seems sad now. Lonely. But I guess the operative word is "now". I know it won't always be so hard. I know this because before Wednesday when Theo was put to sleep, I'd grieved my dad for over 5 weeks and I felt myself starting to lift out of the profound incapacitating grief that his death had caused. There was hope. Theo's passing plunged me back in. Maybe the grief is more intense because of dad and grandma, but I really think my sadness for Theo is for him alone.

Theo was a little kitten that chose me in March of 1992 when I was living in Nelson, British Columbia. He was a black cat with white tuxedo and face. He was part manx and was one of the litter that had a full tail. He had a lovely personality and loved people. People loved him. He was always nearby or in the center of the group. Every picture I have around the house, Theo took the photo op. He slept at the foot of my bed for 13 years. He was a great hunter in earlier years and enjoyed ventures in the garden. He and I were close. We depended on each other to always be there, to always come back from our adventures. We had a special understanding between us. The night before he died, I told him that whatever happened, I would not make him suffer. The next morning, I took him for a walk in my arms around the yard so he could feel the sun and hear the birds, just in case he didn't come back from the vet. He didn't come back, but next week he's coming home to that place in the garden.

Joy

[dlima]

Oh Luna my heart breaks for you. I too have had many losses in my life. Both my parents are long gone and my step dad too. My two cats passed within a day of each other last Monday and Tuesday. I can totally relate to that space cadet feeling and the lethargy. I have also been married and divorced 3 times and I now live alone, my daughter is away at college. My cats slept with me every night, and tinky in particular followed me whever I went. I was the only human she really liked. I would shower in the am and there she would be sitting on the top of the toilet waiting for me to come out of the shower. God how I miss her and my millie. I have the 2 new kitties now, but I feel like no cat will ever love me the way Tink did.
Anyway my purpose in writing this was to basically tell you that you are not alone. I have been there and I am there now, but it really will get better. Time is the only healer. And I do beleive we have to feel the pain and truly grieve. There is no way around the pain we just have to go though it to get to the other side. And yes Luna there is another side and you will get there. Be patient with yourself and kind to yourself, and let yourself feel as sad as you want for as long as you want. Life will get better I promise.
My prayers are with you. Hang in there sweetie.
Deb
Mom of Tinky and Millie