My Sweet Tina, a faithful and loving Calico cat Options

[DannysMom]

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.

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your and your beloved Tina's one month angel-versary. As the deep grief eases we do find ourselves wondering however on earth we have "survived" the agonizingly painful reality that our beloved companion(s) are no longer physically with us. When our companions come into our lives we don't think about the many dangers and different circumstances that may physically separate us from them. And rightfully so, for if our hearts were focused on these thoughts we would miss the joy of the precious wonder they share with us every moment of their earthly journey with us.

It is the joy of this precious wonder that sustains us through the seering pain of deep grief, and which embraces our hearts and memories with the eternal love bond we share with them. It is what brings hope to our lives once again and enables us to try to live our earthly journey in a way that will honor them.

You have done this, DannysMom, by embracing the new joy of your precious baby girl Shelley - - a gift to you from your beloved Tina who knew the heartache you were feeling when she could not longer be physically with you. I know this Memorial Day is a challenge for you, as it is the first major holiday that both your beloved Tina and Danny are not physically with you. The good news is that they are forever in your heart and your memories, DannysMom - - they are always and forever a heartbeat close to you. I hope this brings some comfort to you on this day of mixed blessings.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Tina with us, DannysMom. I hope today is treating you, your precious Mindy and baby girl Shelley kindly, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. Please know you and your precious girls 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