My Sweet Tina, a faithful and loving Calico cat Options

[hesista]

Dannysmom

How are you today, I was thinking of you,

You know I am going through this intense pain also for the death of two of our babies.

Mother is another word for love

[DannysMom]

Hesista, thanks for thinking of me. I am weighed down with grief. It feels as if there is a heavy stone sitting right inside of me. I try not to cry in front of Mindy as I don't want to upset her. Last night I broke down crying when I looked at Tina's toys: her little elephant, the worn out rattle mouse, and her favorite of all the little crinkle ball that she carried around while loudly meowing.

Nighttime is the most painful as Tina's warm little body is not beside me, keeping me safe. Cats are nocturnal animals, but Tina adjusted herself voluntarily to rest with me at night. In the summer time she would always snuggle so close to my chest, lying upside down with her back resting against me.


Gentle eyes that see so much,
paws that have the quiet touch,
Purrs to signal "all is well"
and show more love than
words can tell.

Graceful movements
touched with pride,
a calming presence by our side.

A friendship that
takes time to grow.
Small wonder why
we love them so.

Author unknown

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Mindy are doing, and for the wonderful poem. Oh so very true - - thank you so much for sharing it with us.

I'm smiling at how your beloved Tina would snuggle close to you. There is very little that can match the comforting presence of our companions snuggled close to us - - feeling the softness of their fur next to us, the warmth of their body, the rythm of their breathing, the little twitches of their body as they're dreaming. It's one of those moments when time seems to stand still and all is right with the world.

Right now it feels as though NOTHING is right in your and your little Mindy's world. It feels like it has been ripped apart by the physical losses of both your beloved Tina and Danny - - and that it will never be "right" again. I promise you, DannysMom, someday when you least expect it you will be thinking of your beloved Tina and the deep sorrow will not feel so intense. You will be able to look at her toys and smile as you cherish the memories she shared with you and her little sister during her earthly journey. And your heart will be comforted in knowing that your beloved Tina continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has, and always will.

Until this time comes, DannysMom, please know each of us are here for you to comfort you through the difficult days, to share with you the not so hard days, and to celebrate with you the better days. Please know you and your precious Mindy are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you both are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[hesista]

Moonbeam is right, it feels like the world is not right nor ever will be. My world is so broken and crazy feeling.

I love that poem, it tells it all.

[DannysMom]

Today it's been two weeks since my sweet Tina passed on. This past week in particular has been so bad as I've been crying so much. I miss her so very much at night, because she is not there to snuggle with me. She always comforted me and kept me safe. I can't even begin to put it into words how much I miss her and how much it hurts to be without her. No more greetings at the door or at the window, no more snuggling and watching movies with me (she liked Action and Adventure movies), no longer hearing her meow while carrying her little crinkle ball in her mouth, no longer watching her play. It's just been so incredibly painful to be without her.

[Tom's Dad]

DannysMom

I am, as always, so sorry for your loss of your precious Tina. Two weeks isn't a very long time at all, I know I was still a mess so soon after losing Tom. I would take my lunches at work (when I was working) and walk around the building so nobody would see me crying. It will take time, but the healing does come eventually. I just know that Tom was there to welcome Danny, and later Tina and the three of them are at peace at the Bridge. I hope you and your fur kids are well this evening.

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. During my grief journeys it never ceased to amaze me how time continues on - - doesn't miss a beat - - and I feel how incredibly wrong this is for in my heart I feel the world should stop and acknowledge that a precious life is no longer a part of this earthly world. So I know how it is for you, DannysMom, as you and your little Mindy endure through each of the angel-versaries of your beloved Tina.

The evenings are the hardest, DannysMom. During the day we have work and errands and projects that keep our minds occupied - - even though it is a great struggle to stay focused. But when the evening arrives we are faced with dealing with the inconsolable reality that our beloved companion is no longer physically with us - - and so our hearts break anew. I believe it is Gretta's Mom who said in one of her replies that every tear we cry is like a flawless diamond in a infinite circle of love. These diamonds are a part of your crown, DannysMom, that your beloved Tina, and Danny, will put on your head at your appropriate time when you join them in eternal joy. They are collecting your tears of love, and are holding them close to their hearts where they are transformed into the flawless jewels of eternal joy. Each of us here are sharing your tears and holding you close in our thoughts and prayers in our attempt to offer you comfort, support, and encouragement in your grief journey.

Thank you so very much for sharing your beloved Tina with us. I hope today is treating you and your little Mindy kindly, and that you and your precious little girl will have a very peaceful and cozy evening blessed with the sweet Living Spirits of your beloved Tina and Danny to comfort you. Please know you and your precious little Mindy are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you and your little Mindy are doing, and your treasured memories of your beloved Tina and Danny.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Pippin's Mom Kel]

Danny's Mom, I just wanted to wish you a happy Mother's Day, even if two of your babies aren't here with you. I know you miss them dearly, and it must be so hard for you right now. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you.

BTW, my cats left me a Mother's Day present this morning... *someone* had a cling-on that I later stepped in after I got out of bed (Ahem.) Thanks, cats, but you really didn't have to...

[DannysMom]

Danny's Mom, I just wanted to wish you a happy Mother's Day, even if two of your babies aren't here with you. I know you miss them dearly, and it must be so hard for you right now. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you.

BTW, my cats left me a Mother's Day present this morning... *someone* had a cling-on that I later stepped in after I got out of bed (Ahem.) Thanks, cats, but you really didn't have to...

Kel, thanks so much for thinking of me and stopping by. I cried so much last night over Tina and Danny. For the longest time we were such a happy little family, and now they are both gone, and it feels my world is shattered and I am trying so hard to pick up the pieces. It hurts like crazy, and sometimes I get very depressed. It is not the same without them. Mindy has been a comfort, and for that I am glad.

[DannysMom]

It's been three weeks today since Tina passed on. I am still struggling so much to get through the grief. Last night I had trouble sleeping again and just cried and cried and cried. I think of the last few minutes we had together here on this earth, and they went by so quickly. She was so groggy from the sedative, and I held her little body on my lap. Under tears I told her what a good cat she has been and how much I love her. There wasn't enough time to tell her all the things I wanted to tell her.
Last night I thought of how I met Tina. I still remember it so clearly, how this little 3 month old kitten was sitting in my car, looking up at me and meowing. And I was so happy to take her home with me. I wish I could rewind the last 14 1/2 years and just go back to that January day in 1998. Tina always greeted me by the door in the evening. She would wait for me in the window and do a little dance when she saw me return. She snuggled on the bed with me every night, and she was interested in everything I did. Anyone who's ever had a calico cat knows how special they are and how attached they get to their human. Tina hated being separated from me. When I went on vacation I would feel so guilty for leaving her. She was always well taken care of, but the look she would give me when I said good-bye and closed the door always broke my heart. She always talked up a storm when I came back as if to say:"Where have you been and why did you leave me?"

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I am so smiling at your treasured memories of your beloved Tina. I can so relate to your feelings of leaving her "When I went on vacation I would feel so guilty for leaving her. She was always well taken care of, but the look she would give me when I said good-bye and closed the door always broke my heart. She always talked up a storm when I came back as if to say:"Where have you been and why did you leave me?" " I, too, suffered with "separation anxiety" whenever I had to go out of town for a few days. I could hardly wait to get back home to my furkids. Once we got passed the "where the heck have YOU been?" it was a glorious reunion!!! I can just see your Tina standing with her front paws on her hips tapping one of her hind feet giving you the "it's about TIME you came back home, mom!!" greeting. Our furkids surely do know how to lay on the guilt trip, don't they?

I hope today is treating you, your precious Mindy and baby girl Shelley kindly, DannysMom, and that you and your precious little girls will have a very peaceful and cozy evening blessed with the sweet Living Spirits of your beloved Tina and Danny to comfort you. Please know you and your precious furkids are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious girls are doing, and your treasured memories of your beloved Tina and Danny.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[xxForeverxx]

Hi DannysMom

I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling right now after losing two of your fur babies. 14 and half years of joy Tina had wi you and she could not have had a better life. A life filled with love and care.

They would both want you to concentrate on Mindy now although of course that is so hard as you need to grief both your Danny boy and Tina. You can do that a little by loving Mindy though.

I bet you have loads of pictures of them? I try to look at photos of Chewy when I am down to make me see how happy he was when he was with us. Sometimes this has the opposite effect and I feel very sad as of course I want to be taking more photos of him....but I would rather have those photos then nothing to remember him by.

I hope you are being treated kindly today DannysMom.

I send my love up to Danny and Tina and Chewy and everyone else's fur babies.

xxForeverxx

[DannysMom]

xxForeverxx, thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words! It's good to have you back here as I have missed your presence here on this board.

Today it's been 4 weeks since Tina passed on. This past week has been difficult for me as it's still very painful to think about her. I do indeed have many photos of her, and when I look at them I always start crying. There are so many memories and stories that go with these photos. I have put some of the photos in her pet remembrance journal. Just a few days ago I looked at a video that I took of Tina, and I was happy and sad at the same time. I wanted to reach out and pet her. Seeing her come to life again on video and seeing her beautiful green eyes was both comforting and painful. It's painful, because when I see her I want her back. The photos that I took in the last few months of her life are some of the best ones. She looks so sweet and fragile.

[DannysMom]

Today marks 1 months since my sweet Tina passed on. It is very hard to think of her and not start crying. I miss her very, very much. I never thought I would lose her so soon after losing Danny. She had a bout with pneumonia in January and I had to hospitalize her for 3 days. Those 3 days without her were so hard. She could not get enough of me after I brought her back home, and she talked up a storm, telling me how much she had missed me. I thought things would get better, but I had no idea that 2 months later she would be diagnosed with cancer. Those last few weeks with her were precious. I told her all the time how much I loved her. Tina was always so concerned about me and always ready to comfort me when I was upset. She was a sweet and loyal friend who would anxiously wait for me in the window. I miss her so much today.

[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

[DannysMom]

Yesterday it was 5 weeks since my Tina passed on. Last night, for some unknown reason, I got hit by a wave of grief. I remembered the day that she died, how everything just sort of crumbled and fell apart. I remembered how they put her on oxygen at the vet hospital, and how I sat there in the waiting room for almost 2 hours. I longed to be with Tina. She never liked being separated from me, and I just wanted to be with her so much. I think I knew that our journey together was coming to an end. My sweet Tina. It hurt so much to see her struggling to breathe and wheezing, and yet trying to be strong and to keep going. I remembered how Mindy sat in front of Tina's carrier and gently put a paw on the door and she just kept looking at Tina. Remembering this awful day just hurt so much, and the memories kept flooding my mind. I cried and cried. I just want to hold her again. This little girl cat loved me so much, and I loved her. I miss her, and my heart aches.

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. My heart is aching with you, my friend. Even though we may have other companions in our lives our hearts still miss the one(s) who are now with the angels. This doesn't mean you love your precious Mindy and Shelley less - - it simply means that your heart continues to love your beloved Tina, and Danny - - as well it should - - for love is a living, growing, enduring presence. It is the physical absence of your beloved Tina that is grieving your heart so painfully. I hope somehow you will each of us reaching through cyberspace offering you both our individual and collective comfort, support, and encouragement as you travel your grief adjustment journey.

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

[DannysMom]

Dear moon_beam, thank you for your support. And you put it so well by saying that missing Tina and Danny does not mean that love Shelley or Mindy less. And having two "new" cats doesn't just magically wipe out the pain and the grief that I'm feeling over having lost Tina and Danny. Tina was so very much a part of me, and we had a very strong bond. Tina was always there for me. Shelley is a different cat. She is not a "lap warmer" like Tina was, and she likes to play more than anything else. I was so used to having senior cats, and it takes some getting used to adjusting to two very young cats. I just can't expect Shelley to behave the same way Tina did and to just instantly have the same strong bond with her. It takes time. I feel like my heart is split in two. One side is grieving, and the other is rejoicing at the youthfulness of a sweet, young cat.

I was so blessed to have had Tina and Danny with me for many years. I had gotten so used to being with them that I simply didn't think about them not being there one day. It was just inconceivable that our happy times should one day come to an end. I remember all the vet visits that were just routine, and I was happy and carefree, knowing that I wasn't the one sitting there crying or carrying out a dead, beloved cat.
When I look at Shelley happily chasing after a toy ball I remember how Tina used to do the exact same thing. I had to roll that ball for her over and over again when she was young. And boy, could Tina jump high! She used to jump on top of doors. And Tina was so headstrong, always complaining when she didn't get her way. But she was also incredibly loving. This little cat meant the world to me.

[moon_beam]

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for sharing your wonderful memories of your beloved Tina. I am sooooo smiling at your Tina jumping on top of doors - - my Eli used to do the very same thing!!!! One of my many nicknames for his was Tigger because he sure had springs on his feet and a bounce in his tail. I can just see both your beloved Tina and my beloved Eli participating in the heavenly Olympics!!!!

It is a part of youth to focus on the physical abilities. It is when they begin to mature that their focus begins to understand the balance between play time and snuggle cuddle time. This time goes by so quickly. I know your beloved Tina and Danny are so thrilled that you have your precious Mindy and baby Shelley with you for companionship and comfort.

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

[xxForeverxx]

Hi DannysMom

moon_beam always puts everything so well. It must be hard after so may years with her and Danny for that matter. I mean I was blessed to have Chewy just 3 ad a half short years and I was inconsolable and I thought It was harder for me than someone who had had their baby many years........but that is a silly thing to think and this site has made me realise this.......after all those years together of course it is going to be just as bad if not worse for you. I think Danny and Tina both had a part to play with your new babies coming into your lives. They new that you had so much love to give and would not have been alright on your own.

What a life you gave Tina. The best life she could have possibly had. I think it is good that Shelley can also remind you of things your Tina did. It is another way to be able to remember her all the time.

I hope you are being treated kindly today.

xxForeverxx