Comments for Dammit

Dammit

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:40:52 -0600

Rest Stop's heart just gave out, Beth just called from the vet. We've lost another of the Interior Guard. All the founding Furry Ones are gone. He got his name because I was traveling up to Fort Leavenworth from Fort Sill for a conference. I stopped at the I-35 rest stop at Ottawa, Kansas, where I was met by a little orange-and-white furball, who immediately started yammering at me, and did so all the way to the rest room. He stopped there and waited for me to come out, and started yammering again, all the way back to the truck. Then he showed me how proficient he was at catching beetles to munch on. I asked around, and someone who'd been there all day (it was night) told me that the kitten had been there all day. So, I left a note to contact me if you lost a kitten, scooped him up, put him in the truck, and we went off to get a litter box and such not at the local Wal-Mart. And I discovered why he was probably at that rest stop. He screamed and yowled. I can just imagine a Dad telling the kids 30 miles down the road - "Oh? We left the kitten? Gosh kids, we don't have time to go back and get him... maybe he'll be there on the way back." Or something like that. Yesterday morning he was fine. Feh. Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance sing a soul to the Great Hunting Ground and Tennis Ball Chasing Facility. See you at Piddler's Green, Rest Stop. Give my best to Sebastian, Little Guy, Mickey, Whiskey, Shadow, Ninja, Gabby and Little Girl - The Founders of the Interior and Exterior Guard, you're all back together again.

Comment from brat on 2009-04-08

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:31:31 -0600

I am so sorry. I know it never gets easier.

Comment from Colin on 2009-04-08

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:07:52 -0600

Condolences as well, you know when you get an animal, that their time is short, but they give you great joy when they are here. I miss the cats and dogs I shared my life with and I watch my daughter snuggle with our cat, knowing that one day she will have to share the pain of loss. But the gift they give us is worth it.

Comment from HomefrontSix on 2009-04-08

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:09:03 -0600

I am so sorry :(

Comment from Leslie on 2009-04-07

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:59:37 -0600

They are with us for to short a time. They steal your heart and then they break it.

Comment from JimC on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:52:29 -0600

John,

Just saw this. I am sorry for your loss. Its hard to lose any of them but this one chose you.

Comment from MAJ Arkay on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:50:06 -0600

Condolences to you both. He's up at the Rainbow Bridge now, playing with all who went before. One day, when you get there, he and all the others will bowl you over with joy at the reunion.

Must go blow nose now and pet my own elderly cat.

Comment from Lamigra on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:27:50 -0600

Condolences to the residents of the Castle. I sent a link to MiLady Marian, and she says, "I don't need any sad cat tales, thank you kindly. You give him my condolences and tell him we'll ship him a replacement." Of which we have a plenty, some housebroke, some near to feral, if I don't get them caught...I have buried far too many four legged family members in the 12 years we've been at this location. Worst of all was my beloved Gold Dusted Ace, a Chow cross, but the only thing about him that wasn't Chow was the gold flecks down his back.

Comment from ry on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:49:43 -0600

Gaw-damnit. Resty was a bud. He was a kitty of great heart, BB. I'll miss him.

Comment from Justthisguy on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:23:50 -0600

My most earnest, sincere, and somewhat weepy condolences. As you said, Dammit! Will pour libation.

Comment from RightGirl on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:43:02 -0600

I loved having that sweet kitty curled up at my shoulder while I sat on the couch. He will be missed for sure.

Flea, I too have something in my eye. Must be allergy season.

RG

Comment from Flea on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:28:28 -0600

I would write something supportive but I seem to have something stuck in my eye. Very sorry to hear about this. :-(

Comment from Miss Ladybug on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:43:19 -0600

Condolences. I lost my cat, Sophia, just over 2 years ago. I hate to think of the day when I will lose my dogs, Abby & Tipsy (littermates, and 12 years old), and my cat, Junior (10 years old)...

Comment from MaryAnn on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:51:26 -0600

I'm sorry to hear this, guys :-(

Comment from LT Rusty on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:47:06 -0600

They're in good company there with my Ranger, Mickey and Sadie.

Comment from Barb on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:46:53 -0600

Damn, I'm so sorry! It's so hard that we get to spend such a short time with them.

Comment from Josh on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:35:23 -0600

I'm so sorry to hear that, losing two cats within a few months must be heart wrenching.

I've had a few health scares with my two cats over the [long, by cat standards] years. I'm lucky enough that they're both doing well right now, but every day I remember to treasure my time with them.

I suppose you can't escape the cycle of life though...so maybe it's time that the Castle adopted a few more homeless kittens?

Comment from htom on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:15:07 -0600

My sympathies, John and Beth.

Comment from Robin from Anchorage on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:51:57 -0600

I am sitting here at work crying for you, and knowing I am crying for myself as well. It is amazing how much we can come to rely on these small furry cat and dog children always being there- yowling for attention, tripping us on the stairs, begging for that last piece of you sandwich. We raised whippets for many years, and ended up keeping a puppy here and there, either because we couldn't part with them or because their first home wasn't the right one. In the end, we moved to Alaska eight years ago with a five generations comprising over a dozen dogs and four cats. Now, it is slowly time to pay for the years of joy with the time of sorrow. We lost our two original whippets at 17 years old a few years ago. Last month, we lost our beautiful, gentle alpha male dog (my husbad is the actual alpha male for the entire pack) to cancer. Our next old boy is in the final throes of lymphoma now as we struggle to keep him well fed, happy, and comfortable. Even the belief that it won't be heaven unless these loved ones are there doesn't comfort us in the face of raw grief.
In time, though, it will be the memories of the joy you shared that will be Rest Stop's (and Hobie's and Sandy's) final gift to us. Hold on to those memories and it will temper the grief.

Comment from BillT on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:05:12 -0600

Several friends at FG fancied cats. When he crosses the road, he'll get ears skritches...

Comment from olga on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:53:15 -0600

((((hugs))))

Comment from AFSister on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:40:23 -0600

*sigh*

My parents lost their dog, Maggie, a couple of weeks ago. They're family, ya know? Sorry you're going through this again, John and Beth.

Comment from NevadaDailySteve on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:38:18 -0600

It only hurts because of the pleasure they've freely given us. My sympathies are with you and yours. Don't believe those who say they're only pets, they're family and you miss them just as much as you do your two-legged kin.

Comment from KCSteve on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:14:42 -0600

My deepest sympathies.

Like you I'll know if and when I reach Heaven by the ones there to greet me.

Comment from Pinch on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:13:29 -0600

John,

I'm with ya, brother. My 13 yr old boder collie mix, Lucky, was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago after surgery to remove a splenic mass. We're enjoying these weeks with him now until he begins the downhill run. They are family.

Pinch

Comment from Neffi on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:56:53 -0600

It'a always tough, but it's the burden we assume when we bring that li'l furball home. A damn shame, John- Rest Stop, meet Ginger, Spike, Neffylimbs, Ranger, Binty-La, and Squeaky...

Comment from Flag Gazer on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:32:10 -0600

My condolences - and I hope they enjoy playing with Mischa, Casey, Tyler, Wagon and Mona....
So much joy has been added to our lives by the love of these faithful furry ones.

Comment from fdcol63 on 2009-04-06

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:20:26 -0600

My condolences to you and to Beth, John.