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terra
01-26-2006, 10:01 PM
many, many years ago, a black cat was brought into the SPCA shelter. They named her Charmaine. She was very affraid and hid ontop of a filing cabinet the whole time she was there. The workers at the SPCA couldn't get her down and couldn't feed her or care for her in any way. My Aunt had a friend who worked at the SPCA and her friend told her about this very scared kitty.

They decided that the best thing for her would be for charmaine to go into a foster home away from other animals where it is quiet and peaceful until she could find a new, loving home.

My aunt, took her into her care. Little did she know that she would fall in love with charmaine. As time went by (only a couple of years), My aunt found a man... but he was deathly allergic to cats. She kept Charmaine at her home and didn't consider giving her away until they decided to get married and move in together. Luckily, my mom, being the cat lady that she is, didn't have any pets at the time and welcomed Charmaine into her home with open arms!

Charmaine was my best friend through my teenage years. She comforted me when I was sad and listened when I needed to talk. She was my comfort and got me through some tough teenage times alone (with her) in my bedroom. The years went by, I moved away and got my own place. Still visiting her on odd weekends for a snuggle or two.

She was very content in her cozy home sitting by the fireplace and watching the birds outside.

Charmaine started getting sick and skinny. My mom took her to the vet many times and there seemed to be "nothing wrong" said the vet. A year passed and charmaine started shaking and had an uncontrolable bladder. It was when her heart started racing that it was time to see what was going on with her little body. So, once again she was taken to the vet...this was today. they told us "they couldn't believe she was still alive"... she had kidney failure and it was causing her other organs to fail, along with her heart. They recommended that she be put to sleep.

I just wish i could have done something for her. It hurts to know that she was suffering all this time. It hurts to know that she's never going home again, to sit in her spot infront of the fireplace, to sit in the middle of the kitchen and smell the food smells that surround her. It hurts to know that she's never going to run around the house with excitement in her eyes! She was so alive, yet so sick inside... what strong creatures we have wanting to be with us, to love us unconditionally. They are so special.

I get so sad thinking of the the animals out there being taken for granted. All they want to do is love us.

That is all Charmaine did, was love. And I will never forget that.

Tomorrow morning, I am going to the vet to say goodbye and spend with her, the last hour of her life on earth. I hope I can show her one last time, how much she is loved and appreciated.

Please give your furry friends a big kiss tonight and let them know they are loved.

Take care everyone.

Tara:bcat:

Bowwowmeow
01-27-2006, 12:43 AM
It made me very sad to read this Tara, though it is a happy story too. It is so hard to say goodby to our best friends. And that is just what they are, which is what makes it so difficult and painful. Charmaine was a lucky kitty, and you were lucky too. I will think good thoughts for all of you. :(

Oracl
01-27-2006, 04:20 AM
My thoughts are with you Tara. :(

Charmaine had a wonderful life with your aunt, your mum and you. Try to remember the good times. :)

terra
01-27-2006, 07:52 AM
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I went with my sister this morning to say goodbye.

Considering she was locked up in a cage and there were other cats in the room, she was incredibly happy. She was purring and extremely calm.

I think she's very tired of fighting and is ready to rest.

I still wish i could have done something to help her get better. But, i believe she is sending us a message to take care of other animals as much as we possibly can. I hope my family learns this valuable lesson Charmaine has given to us.

I'm not sure when they are going to put her to sleep, But I will be thinking about her at every moment.

R.I.P. CharChar...

thevegantwins
01-29-2006, 01:10 PM
Sorry to hear that, terra. I'm sad that she had to suffer all that time but greatful she had a family like yours to love her and care for her all those years. I can't even think of life without my kitty, Felíne.

terra
01-29-2006, 10:08 PM
Thank you VT!

I've had my own kitty for almost 2 years now and she's the love of my life aswell. I know how you feel.

Charmaine was put to sleep at 2pm on friday. It was so strange to visit my parents over the weekend and not have her there...

The day of her death, my kitty at home was so affectionate and gentle with me. She could sense I was missing her.

Having a forum filled with loving, compassionate people has helped me so much. In the real world, I'm not much of a talker and don't express my feelings too well, especially with my family. So this has given me such a great opportunity to be open with my thoughts and reflect on charmaine. Thank you everyone.

Bowwowmeow
01-30-2006, 12:40 AM
:hug:

terra
01-30-2006, 08:28 AM
:bcat:

Seymour
07-10-2006, 05:12 PM
Patty, our Queen, has passed away. I don't know exactly what that means, but it is making my mom very sad.

Tiggerwoos
07-10-2006, 05:45 PM
Oh I'm so sorry to hear that Seymour... (((Hugs to you, Bowwowmeow and all your furry family))) from me and my menagerie.

This was sent to me a while back, so thought you and your family may find some comfort in this:

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

thevegantwins
07-10-2006, 06:08 PM
:hug: to everyone in your household, Seymour especially BWM. Our hearts are heavy with Patty's loss :(

Oracl
07-10-2006, 10:45 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about Patty. :sorry: She was a beautiful cat and I know BWM will miss her terribly. :(

Caprita
07-11-2006, 01:11 AM
I'm so sorry to hear such bad news, terra and BWM. :(

R.I.P. Charmaine and Patty.

Bowwowmeow
07-11-2006, 05:44 PM
Thanks everyone. :hug: Thanks for that link, too, Tiggerwoos. It never gets any easier, no matter how many times you lose a loved one. :bmoon:

Phoenix
07-12-2006, 01:31 AM
Tara, Bowwowmeow & Seymour - condolences. :comfort:

As Caprita already wrote: R.I.P. Charmaine and Patty. :smallheart:

Bowwowmeow
07-12-2006, 08:20 PM
Thank you Phoenix.

Gliondrach
07-14-2006, 03:27 AM
My condolences to Bowwow and to Tara. When our loved ones go they leave a little space in our hearts that sometimes aches at their memory. But they have a bigger space in our hearts and in our lives that is filled with joyous memories and warm comforting thoughts. It is those memories and thoughts we must focus on. They can get us through the dark times. Until we meet again those memories give us strength.

Phoenix
07-15-2006, 06:03 AM
That's beautiful, Gliondrach.

Bowwowmeow
07-15-2006, 06:11 PM
Yes, it is, Martin. Thank you. :colors:

Gliondrach
07-16-2006, 07:26 AM
Glad to be of help.

This is a good thread. Many people need to mark the passing of a loved one by mentioning their death or talking about them. Some people might not be able to do it face to face, so writing in a forum can help them.

Bowwowmeow
12-10-2006, 11:17 PM
:bmoon: :bmoon: :bmoon:
Porsche, my very first customer seven years ago, was put to sleep by her family today. She would have been thirteen on December 31, 2006. She hadn't been feeling well for about two weeks, and was losing her interest in food.

I walked her four days a week, and cared for her when her folks travelled. She was like my own dog. My job will not be the same without her.

I love you, Porsche.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/IMG_180.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/IMG_0425.jpg

paul
12-11-2006, 02:36 AM
im sorry to hear of Porsche death.
my heart and thoughts are with you Bowwowmeow.
loverly pictures of her.
:sorry: :comfort:

Oracl
12-11-2006, 03:26 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about Porsche, BWM. :sorry: That must be really hard for you, as you have known her for so long. :(

Keykeypie
12-11-2006, 08:09 AM
So sorry & she looks like such a Sweetie.....

I'm glad she had a good life made even richer by having you for a friend.

Still.....it feels very sad even though we never met.

Bowwowmeow
12-11-2006, 10:11 AM
Thanks guys. :hug:
Its raining, my arm is still bugging me, and I have to go to Porsche's house one last time. I am very blue today. :(

thevegantwins
12-11-2006, 10:16 AM
:hug: I'm so sorry BWM. It's been a crappy couple of months, hey? I hope the new year sees better times ahead for you. :flower:

Phoenix
12-12-2006, 04:27 AM
Condolences on the loss of Porche, BWM.

NYC Rocker
12-12-2006, 08:21 PM
What a beautiful pooch. Look at that sweet sweet face. I am so sorry BWM. :( That is the WORST part of our job, isn't it BWM?
But it sure does look like she had a wonderful happy life with her humans and with you. :) Every animal should be so lucky.

I like to think we will all be together again somehow.

:comfort:

Bowwowmeow
12-13-2006, 10:23 AM
:hug:I'm so sorry BWM. It's been a crappy couple of months, hey? I hope the new year sees better times ahead for you. :flower:


Its been a bad time for you too, though. But there's nowhere to go but up now, right? :)

Condolences on the loss of Porche, BWM. Thanks Phoenix. :nanakiss:

What a beautiful pooch. Look at that sweet sweet face. I am so sorry BWM. :( That is the WORST part of our job, isn't it BWM?
But it sure does look like she had a wonderful happy life with her humans and with you. :) Every animal should be so lucky.

I like to think we will all be together again somehow. Thanks NYC Rocker.
I hope so.
:hug:

Gliondrach
12-18-2006, 11:07 AM
Sorry to hear about Porsche. She looked like such a friendly dog. She had a good friend in you, BWM.

Cherie
12-18-2006, 04:46 PM
I'm sorry for everyone who has lost a companion. :( So sad! I can't imagine what it would be like, but the word "terrible" comes to mind.

(((((hugs)))))