Lost My Leo Of 15 Years Options

[macgrl]

Well I made it through my first day back to work, I was very busy for most of the day and that did help. One of my co-workers shared her story about accidentally running over her favorite dog and how that tore her up for a long time. That had me holding back the tears, but it was good to talk about how much we loved our kids.

I told Al to check out the bookmark for this site and it would help him. He has been out only a couple of weeks from back surgery and nothing to do but sit home all day and think constantly about it. It actually felt good to get away from the house and he cannot do that yet.

I told him that maybe sometime by spring, or when we are ready to, we can bring home another little tom. I reminded him a good part of his 'special' character was all the care and attention that he gave to him. He talked to that little fuzzball with the big paws and ears like he was a little person from day one. I liked the comment about them 'meeting us half-way within the bonds of communication', the only time they probably do that in the wild is to vocalize to mate or fight. They talk to us for our benefit, and thinking about it probably theirs too because they enjoy just being with us and communicating too. It was a rough morning, he always said his 'good mornings' to us and the absence was there and it hit us hard.

I am still trying to remember the heartwarming and fun moments to replace the memory of his illness yesterday. It is already becoming clearer to us that we did the right thing, I just never expected it to be so sudden and to have to make a quick decision. I wish I had a little longer to say goodbye, without him being in pain. He did seem pretty happy Sunday so I got to just keep that in mind when the negative haunts me.

[Moose Mom]

macgrl

I'm happy to hear work went okay, that can be hard. It is good to talk about how much we loved them, with anyone. I don't work outside the home and I think you are right, it's a little harder on us. We just sit were they were and think about it all day.

We got a new little boy about a month after Moose left us, he is a joy. Doesn't make us miss our Moosie boy any less, just gives us something else to think about.

When I start to focus on my boys last awful moments I just try to gently think about the good times. They still come back to me.

In the end it's hard but overall they give us so much joy. The pain is small and the joy is huge. We just miss them.

Love

[deedee]

I am sorry for your loss. Even when you are expecting it, it is still a hard thing to do.

You kept your end of the bargain. You promised Leo a good life, but you also made the pact to give him a good death. You were strong enough to keep that unwritten, unspoken promise and spare him from spasms and pain. How loving that was! Even though it hurts like heck, you did it through your tears. Leo was blessed by you. You were blessed by Leo.

[Macguy]

Hi


This first week has been really hard on me. I had back surgery(spinal fusion) and cant leave the house. Every where I look I see him. I was thinking that maybe I should get another little boy. just to get my mind off of Leo. I cant go on its too hard right now!

[Moose Mom]

Macguy

It's just so hard, being sick and not being able to leave the house just makes it so much harder. A new baby might help, a 'kitty fix' can. I have health issues and don't get out much. It's so hard to sit around and see where they were and think about them. I try going out to my yard but I see him everywhere, his little face.

I lost my best friend and kittycat, Butch 10 years ago. My heart was shattered, I couldn't stand to be in the house were he died, and I couldn't get away. Just 4 days later I went to the shelter and brought home a little girl kitty, Autumn and she saved my life. Many people will tell you to wait, and it good advise, but sometimes it's not. She made me laugh every day. She put her claws in my heart and made me stay here, made me love her, helped me heal. A new little boy might be just what you need.

We got a new little boy kitty, he's a hoot! I forgot how much energy a kitten has, how amazed they are at every new thing, how delighted they are to be alive. I feel awe every time I look at him and think he has only been on this earth 5 months. His little warm body is so precious to hold, so fragile. He sleeps on my lap at night and puts his little warm nose on my hand, I can feel him breathing. It's a good way to be able to go on, to want to live.

Thinking of you

[AlleysMama]

macguy

I know how hard this must be for you. If you want to get a kitten, then you should. Only you can decide if you are ready for that. He won't be your Leo and you have to remember not to blame him for that and not hold it against him. He won't look the same, he won't act the same. But he will be special in his own little way and I'm sure you could grow to love him.

Its been two months since I lost my Alley and there will never be another kitty in the world like her, but when I'm able to have one, I will get another one. I just can't imagine life without one.

[Macguy]

Well we picked up Leo's ashes yesterday(Boy was that HARD) and in some small way it helps to know he's home. I just couldn't see them dumping his ashes in some hole some where. He belongs here at home. Even if we just put him in the ground he's home! He would have wanted it that way! I hope it does sound morbid but it makes me feel better knowing he's here too. We started to look for another little boy. He cant replace Leo no cat ever will. But he can help me to get over him. This sitting at home all the time is going to drive me nuts. I need a little kitten to get my mind off of Leo. I think(hope) Leo wouldn't mind. Thanks for listening it REALLY helps. In this world there are pet owners and the poor people how have no Idea of just how close one can get with a Wee Beastie. It helps to know there are other people like yourself that can love an animal and get that love back. Thank you guys!

[Macguy]

I forgot to say this yesterday was also my wife's b-day. Needless to say it wasn't very happy. She didn't even want us to sing happy b-day to her. Its been really rough on her too!

[AlleysMama]

Macguy

I'm glad that Leo has come home. Even if you decide to bury or scatter the ashes, you can still keep a little bit out to put in a keepsake locket. There are many you can find online to hold a small amount of the ashes, so that you always have him close to your heart. I'm so sorry this happened during your wife's birthday. I know how hard that must be. I lost Alley a couple weeks before Christmas and needless to say, the holidays were filled with tears instead of smiles for me.

I think Leo would approve of you taking in another kitten. He knows he was special just as you know it and he knows he will always have a special place in your heart no matter how many cats you have in the future. I think it would be wonderful for the little kitty that you take home though, because he would be getting a loving home where he is loved and taken care of and that is wonderful. I know he won't be Leo, but he WILL distract you some and in time you will come to love him for his own special qualities. I think having a "new life" is a natural way to try to heal from a sudden death in the family like that.

Good luck, whatever you decide and we are always here to listen if you want to talk about Leo and share some more stories about him.

[Moose Mom]

Macguy

I'm glad you have Leo's ashes home. For me, getting the ashes back was a good thing. My baby was home, safe with me. My hubby and I went together to get them and I held the box close to my heart all the way home. I can put it in his favorite places, like in the window in the sun or in the bedroom when we sleep. When I am really lonely and sad for him I still hold him close to my heart.

I think a new guy would be just great in your house. So many need the good home and love you guys can give.


macgrl

Well happy birthday anyway honey. So sorry it was a sad one.

Love

[Macguy]

You know its really amazing how much these little Wee Beasties understand whats going on! Nala another cat we have has really been a big help. Its like she knows what we're going through and in her little way is trying to help. She's a good little girl too. You can always count on your pets to help you out when your really need it. God Bless her little heart! Thank god we have more then one cat!
The other cat we have (Sugar) is a good little girl to. But She's the type you love on her terms. You know, pet me, love me, OK thats enough. I'm still going to get another little boy. I just like the Toms
I really like the att*itude they have. Leo kept all the Toms away from the house. That was his job. Or so he thought. There was one day I went out on the front porch and the whole porch was covered with black and white fur. I mean everywhere. And only one very small bit of Leo's fur. Leo did his job. The fur on the other cats tail never grew back. Leo told that other tom that this was his house. That cat never came back and he lived two houses away. Pretty good for not having front claws.
Thank you Moose Mom And AlleysMama You have made this easier. And have been a BIG help.

[macgrl]

I would also like to say thanks as well.. he makes it sound so dire but my birthday was not all too bad. We are both dealing with our grief in different ways, for me the ashes are of little or no comfort. I am glad to see him more involved with the other kids, and Nala has been more attentive and lovable than usual. We went out to a mobile pet adoption event at a pet store, a few older females but that was it, got our border collie a nice doggie coat on sale. It was good for him to get out a little bit and it did not hurt him physically too much but he was depressed when we left. I think he was hoping there would be some little guys available. I kind of did, just something wonderful to happen to fill his void.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, I did have a nice walk today with my dog Katie, the sun felt good.. it might have been twenty degrees out, a heatwave after the temps we had this week.

Al makes Leo sound like such a meanie, he did get in a scuffle with the neighbor tom on our porch but he was so sweet about sharing the house when we adopted kate this summer. The last couple of years there has not been any toms around so he had a happy retirement

[AlleysMama]

macgrl have you tried looking on petfinder.com ? I don't know where you live, but I know you can put in your zip code and have it search an expanded range and it will list all the cats in your area shelters. Maybe you could find one in a nearby town or something. I know its not really "kitten season" but there are still young ones out there. I look at that site nearly every day, but I cant get one until I move in July

I'm sure Nala and Sugar are grieving too for Leo so its good that they are getting some extra attention right now.

Good luck in your search and keep us posted.

[Moose Mom]

Leo's daddy and mommy

It is amazing how much the little ones we have left understand. I have often thought we, as a society, really sell our little ones short. The know and remember and understand so much. They communicate well too, if we take the time to listen. We have a little girl kitty too, Autumn. She has been such a huge help since our Moose passed. She is sort of a 'stand offish' girl but she was a real 'lap cat' after Moose went. She is back to her old ways, but it was wonderful while it lasted. In general I think that girls are a little more independent, and boys a little more loving or cuddly.

I'm glad the birthday was at least a little happy, even in our sorrow we need to find the joy we can. I'm very glad if I helped, every time I help someone else, it also helps me. I believe we are all connected. I'm sorry you didn't find a boy this weekend but I'm sure one is on the way. Ask Leo to help. I also want to recommend petfinder.com. We didn't find our new guy through them, but they let me know there were little boys out there at a time of year I thought there would not be.

Love

[macgrl]

Well we were searching on petfinder, there were some ones that were about a hour drive away from where we live. Got a response from a local classifieds board from a person who has a 11 week old male kitten, sounds promising. Hope he is healthy, dont care what he looks like just that he is healthy and likes the company of people.

Yesterday was one week since Leo left us, I woke up in the middle of the night and could not get back to sleep for three hours. Just thinking things through. So tired at work today and I am having a hard time keeping my eyes open just to type this.


Been going through old pictures of when Leo was a young guy and reminiscing with the kids and hubby. That feels good to have a laugh about how skittish he was when he first came home. I remember when he stepped on some newspaper on the floor and was so frightened by it he flew a couple feet straight up into the air. It was then and there he was christened with the name Leo..The Chicken-Hearted
Later on he would qualify to be Leo The Lion-Hearted but when he was just a wee thing he got scared so easy.

[AlleysMama]

I know how hard those anniversaries are.. one week... one month, etc. I was glad to have pictures of Alley to look through and have set up framed pictures all over my apartment of her, so I can see her sweet face no matter what room I'm in!

Are you going to go look at the kitten from the classifieds? 11 weeks sounds like the perfect age to bring a little guy home and I'm sure he will be beautiful. I've never seen an ugly kitty, so that's a given! Please let us know how it goes and if you bring him home we definitely want pictures! I think Leo would be pleased for you to have another little guy to help you.

[Moose Mom]

macgrl

After one week things started to get a tiny bit better for me, not so much shock I guess. It's still hard, and some nights are just bad. Hard to shut the mind off I know.

Our new baby, Majik, was 10 weeks when we got him, it's a good age. 10 to 12 weeks and he is still scared of some things. Guess that goes with being a kitten. Now he's a big boy of 5 whole months. I hope you guys find something soon, I know it will help your H.

Love

[Macguy]

Well it's been two weeks now. And even with the new little boy, who really helps, I still shed tears over Leo. Leo and I were very close. But our new little kitten(Cosmo) is a BIG help. And he's getting his little claws into our hearts. If you'd like to see a pic of him go to New beginings. A Valentine.
He helps and some times I get mad because he's here and Leo isn't. But I dont hold that against him. It's just that I miss Leo sooo much. Its like losing a child. You get so close to them. Well I've got a Wee Beastie that wants some attention right now so I'll see you later.

[Moose Mom]

Macguy

Your Cosmo is just too cute! What I find is while the new baby helps, he puts your mind on his needs, you still have all the same feelings of grief. A new kid doesn't change how you feel about the one you lost. He can make you smile and laugh again, a very good thing.

Love

[Macguy]

Well today is one month since Leo left. Its been real hard. There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of him. We were looking at some pics of Leo. He really had a good life. That helps. And so does Cosmo.