In memoriam…
Yesterday was difficult and extremely sad. Today the loss is really setting in. I’m gathering up the beds and blankets upon which she spent countless hours. I’m washing them and putting them away. This is a trying task. Memories of her romping with our other cat flood my mind. Any minute I expect to see her furry little head peering around a corner with a vociferous request for food. I remember her arrival at our home twelve years ago. We had found her through an ad in our local newspaper: Calico kitten, seven months old, needs loving home. We had been looking for a companion for our four-year old cat and fell in love with Patches upon first sight. Shy and skittish and a bit needy, she had a sweet demeanor and was a lap cat – on her own terms, of course. We expected to share our lives with her for many years. Sadly, her health began to fail several months ago and in the past weeks she suffered rapid decline. Yesterday Steven and I made the decision to let Patches go. We will miss our dear little girl!
Barbara Briggs Designs 
So sorry Barbara, letting go of our wonderful pet companions is very hard.
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Thank you, Marcia. I’ve never had to put a pet down before and am finding that it is just about the saddest thing that I have ever had to do…I just break down and cry every few minutes. I hope tomorrow will be easier.
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Thank you, Barbara, for sharing with us this difficulty. Cats are very special creatures that let us share their lives with them, and when one of them becomes part of our family it becomes very difficult to let them go. Thank you for deciding it was time for Patches and not asking her to hang on any more. I know it is hard, but you did the best thing for her.
I still dream about my Monkey (part Siamese stray) who had his own struggles at the end. Letting him go was very hard, and there are still tears 7 years later. But I wouldn’t have given up those years with the smartest, most creative (and sometimes exasperating) furry buddy I’ve ever had for anything in the world!
Hang in there! You were blessed to have had her for 12 years!
Mary
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Losing a pet, which is indeed a friend, is always hard. Our thoughts are with you. xo
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I’m so sorry, Barbara. I can certainly commiserate. They just don’t live long enough.
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My heartfelt thanks to all those who have been so incredibly supportive. Your kind words and understanding give me much comfort and help to ease the pain. I’m so very appreciative and fortunate to have had the years I did with Patches. Her memory will remain forever in my heart.
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(insert big sigh here)
Steven Briggs, Arbitrator
and
President, Blue Night Productions, Inc. Blue Night Records http://www.bluenightrecords.com
Sent from my iPad
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So sorry to hear about Patches. I know how difficult this is for you.
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Thank you, Gail. The last few days have been really rough for us emotionally, but we’re feeling better with the passing of time. I actually had the best night’s sleep, I’ve had in a while. I didn’t realize how stressed out and worried I’d been about Patches over the past few months.
Our remaining cat, Peek-a-Boo, is doing extremely well…I’ve always suspected that she would be a Queen Bee cat if allowed. She has been sleeping cuddled up next to my face for the past three nights and that’s been a huge comfort.
I’m inclined to think we should not adopt another cat(s) anytime soon. We did Scooter, our first cat, a huge disservice when we got Patches. We thought Scooter needed a cat companion, but that was truly not the case. And when we brought Peek on the scene it went badly and ultimately resulted in Scooter biting me when I tried to break up a cat fight. I ended up in the hospital for four days and then had to have reconstructive hand surgery after we discovered that the bite had severed a tendon in my right hand! Right now, I’m thinking if Peek is perfectly happy being an only cat. Having been an only child myself, I know I didn’t want to share my parents with anyone else.
My heart is lighter today thanks to the kind words and hugs we’ve received from friends.:)
Barbara http://www.barbarabriggsdesigns.com Blog: http://www.barbarabriggsdesigns.wordpress.com Etsy: http://www.barbarabriggsdesigns.etsy.com
Sent from my iPad
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I’m so sorry! I have also dealt with the loss of a very special cat, Jellybean, so I understand 😦
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Thank you, Kris. I think about Patches daily. There are so many things that remind me of her and it is difficult to reconcile that she is no longer here.
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