There Is Hope Out There Afterall Options

[MyMeiko]

Well it has been a little over 2 months since my precious Meiko crossed Rainbow Bridge. I felt like my life was over and that there was no reason for living anymore. I tried to get another cat about 2 weeks later and it was just too hard so we took him back. My other cat started to get sick so we knew that we had to get another one whether we were ready or not. I searched and searched and finally found on that touched my heart about 6 hours away at a shelter. My husband thought that I was crazy but he went along with it anyway. The kitten kinda looks like Meiko which I was worried about a little bit but in the end I think it helped me. It has been about a month now that we have had the new kitten and I can say that he has helped open up my heart again. I still obsess over losing both of my cats now but I think that is to be expected. The new kitten wasn't to replace Meiko, but to be a companion for my other cat, Sasha. She had a hard time accepting him at first but now they chase each other all over the house. There are still many days that I will sit by myself and cry because it does still hurt tremedously. I think in my heart I have accepted it. I still do not think that it is fair that he is gone and when I think about the whole situation and that dreadful day I get really depressed still and cry but I think that is just part of the mourning process. I can still remember him just as if he were still here. I can picture him perfectly and I can still feel the softness of his fur. That horrible day when I lost him, I thought my life was over. I can say to everyone that is feeling that horrible pain that it does get better. The pain will never completely go away I don't think but we learn to accept was has happened and teach ourselves to live life without them. My life changed forever the day that I lost Meiko because now I realize that you can't take any moment for granted and think that they will always be there. Treasure every moment that God gives us with our loved ones because we never know when he decides that it is time. I now feel that there is something to live for and that I can keep Meiko's memory alive by his pictures and talking about him. I have enough love in my heart to share with our new kitten (we still haven't thought of a name yet...any suggestions??) and Sasha. Things will get a little better....there is hope.

[blackjacksmom]

mymeiko, thank you for sharing. i am at the 4 week and 2 day mark of losing blackjack, my beloved dog for 15 years, and have been having a very very difficult time. it is good to hear that things do get better. i'm glad your new kitten is bringing some joy. hey, there's a thought for a name 'joy'. wait, i just looked and saw it's a boy. um...how about 'lighting' since you've shared on this forum??

[5catsmom]

Meiko's Mom,
Congratulations on your new family member - I think it's a wonderful way to honor Meiko's memory, to give what you learned from Meiko to a needy kitty who might otherwise have no chance. It takes some cats awhile to learn to get along, and in the end, some just end up tolerating each other. Of my 5 cats, only 3 get along well, and the other 2 seem to enjoy mostly being solitary in their comfort zone.

I've always thought it was so kind and generous of people at the year or any time anniversary mark to let the rest of us know that there is hope out there. At first it feels like there never will be, and everything that is said is cliche and platitudes. But even at those times, we need to understand, from those who've gone through a loss, that there is a road to healing. I still cry too, from time to time, about my Magic cat I lost in December, and I cry more frequently for Groucho, who died a month ago, and sometimes I cry for both of them together (those are bad days). But I know that where they are, they are safe and healthy, and when I make that journey that they have made now, it doesn't seem so terrifying, knowing that they and Heidi, who left in 2001, will be there to welcome me. It's changed my whole perspective on death and dying.

But enough of that - I'm happy that you are finding hope and sharing that with us - there are so many out here who need to know that. Thanks, and congrats again - Barbara

PS - My hubby, in 2001, also wasn't crazy about driving several hours to pick up our new kitty after Heidi left - now he adores her (I'd never tell him that, though), and he's not even a cat person.