I cried for the 1st time in 60+ years today!

[Otterhound]

Ya done good !

[Gmountain]

The hardest thing in the world is to lose a pet, but he passed on knowing that he was always safest with you. It's a cruel part of nature that we outlive our furry family members. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[ishtar]

I have been through a series of gods... I mean dogs, sorry. Pets are so different from humans and generally are a lot more innocent and loyal. It is hard to part with them.

I have not gone long without a dog. When my first dog I had as an adult died, it was very emotionally difficult. About four months after he died, a friend showed me an ad for a pair of dogs that needed a home and I agreed to consider the thought of getting them and got them. At first, I wasn't the best social animal, not really accepting the two new creatures with me, but I came around and fell in love with them.

Now I look at my current dog, Wendy, and I like to think that she is a vessel holding the spirits of all my earlier pets, and a conduit to sharing my love, through her, to them.

Crazy, and I am kind of agnostic, but I like to believe this.

Sorry for your loss. Your buddy would be glad for you to get another pet, I am sure.

Hang in there.

[catdaddy]

My condolences for your loss. I've lost many a four legged friend over the years. It's never easy. Never.

[Daniel Grenier]

Folks, thanks for the support and good wishes. Much appreciated.

It is now the day after. My wife is still crying. She barely slept and can't quite function yet. I am "better" today but there is a strange emptiness in both the house and inside of us. The impact that this little creature had on us is just not something we had expected when we first got him 17 years back. He actually was our first real pet and this kind of loss is new to us and it has hit us like a ton of brick.

We expect our little guy will be back home in a week or two. He'll just be in a different form but we already get some comfort knowing he'll be with us again - so to speak. We had this amazing Artist do a pencil drawing of him 6 or 7 years ago. He was able to perfectly capture his likeness and even his personality in this stunning sketch (sort of a Michael Hedges of the pencil drawing, this Artist is). We are glad to have that.

Thanks again for the thoughts folks, and tell your pets you love them.

[deltoid]

I've had 2 grandmothers pass away and my mother passed away, but I've never cried so much when I had to put my cat down a few months ago. I'm welling up now just thinking about it.

[Nyghthawk]

My sincerest condolences. I have felt that pain. Blessed be.

[Chickee]

I am so sorry for yours and your wife's loss. Loosing an animal is just so hard.
Go look for a new kitten or adult cat as soon as you can. It's our job to care and protect these little souls. It's obvious you both understand the relationship between animals and humans. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

[leew3]

Daniel,
so sorry to hear of this loss. May you be comforted by the long history of great memories and the knowledge that your pet was deeply loved.

[AmericanEagle]

Originally Posted by Daniel Grenier

\
Sounds just weird and crazy for you guys who never had a pet, I know, but for those who do/did, you know what i’m talkin’bout. Our friend here tnfiddler sure knows the feeling having just lost his dog. It’s something special and very unique.

Anyway, sorry for the long rant but I had to get it out.

Thanks for listening.

I completely understand.
A few years ago, we had to put-down our snowshoe Siamese cat.
He was such a handsome and amazing cat, my favorite companion.
He was only 9 years old, and got cancer bad. My whole family cried our eyes out until literally we had no tears left. It was horrific. I still miss him very very much.

[sayheyjeff]

Thinking of you and your loss here too. We suddenly lost our 3rd in 4 years about 18 months ago. Torn up again. Found after a trip or two to limit time in the house looking for our old pals, we joined a rescue organization called PetConnect. Now we (mostly) foster kittens (we adopted 2 of the little ones). Had 13 adopted into new homes in 14 months. Still have our 2 and 2 12 week old fosters in the house. Expect the 2 adorable tortie fosters will be adopted in the next few weeks. Then we will get some more. Feels great although I get pretty attached to each and every one. Haven't forgot our old friends, but it's really nice having a house full of animals. A day at a time.

Jeff

[Guitars+gems]

I'm sorry, Daniel. Your cat sounds like he was a real Mr. Personality and I know it hurts to lose him. Been there many times, holding the cat while the vet gives the injection and waiting till he takes the stethoscope from his ears nodding that it's all over before we let the tears spill and the sobbing deepen.
Seventeen years is a long time to have a little cat person in your life, witnessing and participating in all that happens to and around you, supporting or celebrating you and the family accordingly. And when they go, the home is changed, definitely. Something has been subtracted. You think about feeding him, and then realize he's not there. You wait for him to jump onto the bed for his nightly massage, but he's not there. You look for him in the sunny window sill he loves, but he not there. His absence takes a while for to register, and you feel that pang of loss every time that you remember, he's not there.

Each time we've lost an animal, my husband has said, that's it, no more pets. It hurts too much to lose them. But a week or so later, there we are cruising the shelters because we have an opening. And every new cat or dog who has joined us has added their unique style of life, love, fun and comfort to our home. Maybe soon you and your wife will feel up to cruising the shelters. There are so many wonderful kitties waiting to become part of your family.

[Dru Edwards]

Hi Daniel, so sorry for the loss of such a loved one. Pets make a considerable difference in our lives and really do become our best friends and family.

[kathyson]

One of the cruelest things in life is not having our furry children live as long as we do. So sorry for your loss. I feel your pain.

[jojobean39]

That sucks, man. I’ve got a flat faced cat of my own- a blue Persian. I’ve had him for 13 years and he’s like a member of the family.