I Miss My Little Guy... Options

[jharbeck]

I have posted in hear before about my little 1 1/2 year old cat Bartelbee when he was diagnosed with dry FIP. I guess I just am sitting here lonely, really missing his cute little face. On Monday of last week his disease finally took over his body. For a month I watched him go from wobbling while he walked to only being able to move his front legs. On Monday morning he couldn’t even raise his head. The Bartelbee light had gone from his eyes. It was the hardest thing I had ever done letting him go. Holding him as he stopped breathing with his little head that had given me so many nuzzles laid in my hand. I couldn’t even see him clearly due to the tears in my eyes. Through my grief, and my tears, I was still able to let him know that it was ok he could let go and that I loved him.

I have three other cats but Bartelbee was my special little guy. I volunteer at a shelter and about a year ago 4 kittens were dumped at there backdoor. One of those kittens was Bartelbee. He was scared and shy but after months of loving him he came out of his shell…we truly bonded. I knew we couldn’t be without each other and as soon as I could I brought him home to be a part of the family. I never wanted four cats but I couldn’t be without him.

So many nights he would snuggle up and sleep on my chest with his little purr going. He would follow me wherever I went. All he wanted was to be near me. He would rub his face against mine anytime I was close. Half the time his forehead was covered in my make-up. He never seemed to mind. I didn’t know that a cat could love as much as Bartelbee did. How can I go on without that?

I feel like I am missing part of myself. I have an empty hole in my heart. I was so strong for him while he was sick but now that I don’t have him anymore I feel broken. I lost the most precious thing in my life and there is nothing I can do about it. When he was sick we would lay next to each other with our foreheads touching and I would just talk to him. My voice always seemed to relax him. I would tell him that I wish I could take this disease from him and fight it myself, that I would do anything to make him better. I guess I just don’t know how to deal with this…to deal with losing him. My home seems empty without my little guy.

[LoveThem]

Janet

You have so many beautiful words and thoughts in your recent post...my boy was named Little Guy..and as you speak to and of Bartelbee...I could feel the same thoughts from me to my boy.

It is all so true. And I do hope the day comes soon when you make that special connection that brings a new one into your home that needs a home and love and has so much love to give..and that it feels "right" to you.

No one ever replaces the ones we lose but helping out their "brothers and sisters" is a way of paying back for their coming into our lives and teaching us so much. And so we keep a new one safe from abuse and their loneliness truly matches ours. It can feel good to hold and hug one again and just know we will form new and special happy memories with this one..but never ever forget or stop missing our special best friend who was like no other.

I'm glad to hear you are going to the shelter to help out. I would not be surprised to hear that one day.....you will look into the eyes of one and know you want to keep doing that...and know any bond that is formed is a gift from Bartelbee...for Angels never forget us and watch over us always.

Take care and write when you feel like it.

Judy