Conference misery::feline_v1

      I certainly understand this. Animals form extremely strong bonds to
    each other, and it definitely has an effect on them. I have two pups
    currently that are from the same litter, and I DREAD the day that one
    of them passes on, cause I KNOW the other one will not be far behind.
    These two are SOOOO close to each other...they lay on top of each
    other, sit and lick each other's faces...GOD!! It's gonna be hell when
    it does happen...hopefully not for about 14 years!!
    
      There have been cases where one animal actually dies of a broken
    heart when his/her best friend goes...
    JM
    
      (I know you said in CANINE that you wanted to wait before you get
    another dog....and I respect that. However, I learned that if you try
    to REPLACE a friend that has gone, you will always be critical of the
    new one, because there is NO WAY a real friend for 12.5 years can EVER
    be replaced. The new pup must be allowed to dig his/her OWN den in yuor
    heart, and the den that your former pal dug 12.5 years ago should be
    left intact, and kept sacred in memory of her. I have about 10 of those
    dens in my heart currently, and will undoubtedly have many more before
    I go to meet all of my babies that have gone ahead..
      I sympathize with you and I know your pain...I've been through it
    three times in 1989...and it NEVER gets any easier!! But it DOES get
    better with time...  Hang in there...)
    
    JMcD

    
    This poem is believed to have been written by Roy Orbison, and it was
    sent to a DECcie by Roy's wife after his death.  It seemed that it
    would be appropriate in this note.
    
		TO THOSE WHO LOVE AND 
		THOSE WHO LOVE ME

	When I am gone, release me, let me go-
	I have so many things to see and do.
	You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.
	Be thankful for our many beautiful years.

	I gave to you my love.  You can only guess
	How much you gave to me in happiness.
	I thank you for the love you each have shown
	But now it's time I traveled on alone.

	So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must.
	Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
	It's only for a time that we must part
	So bless the memories within your heart.

	I won't be far away, for life goes on
	So if you need me, call and I will come.
	Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
	And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
	All my love around you soft and clear.

	And then, when you must come this way alone,
	I'll greet you with a smile and say-

				Welcome home!

The note was signed, "Thank you for loving Roy,   Barbara Orbison."

                                      

       WARNING: Emotional content...be prepared with the Kleenex when you
                read this....  
    
    
        I know this belongs in CANINE, but I think it's "emotional
    principle" fits most any much-loved friend, be it cat, dog, or whatever...
    
              
                          WHERE TO BURY A DOG.    
       
        We would say that there are various places in which a dog may be
    buried. We are thinking particularly now of a hound who, so far as we
    are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This dog is
    buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its
    proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave.
    Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or
    gnawed at a flavorous bone, or lifted head to challenge some strange
    intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. Yet it is a small
    matter. For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps
    through yuor dreams--actual as in life--eyes kindling, laughing,
    begging...it matters not at all where that dog sleeps. On a hill where
    the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he
    knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pastureland, where
    most exhilerating cattle graze. It is all one to the dog, and all one
    to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost...if memory lives.
       But...there IS one BEST place to bury a dog.......
       And..if you bury him in THIS spot, he will come to you when you
    call...come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death...and down
    well-remembered paths...and to your side again. And though you call a
    dozen LIVING dogs to heel...they shall not growl at him...nor resent
    his coming...for he belongs there. People may scoff at you...who see no
    lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall...who hear no
    whimper...people who may never REALLY have had a dog.
    Smile at them...for YOU shall know something that is hidden from
    them...and which is well worth the knowing....
    
      The one best place to bury a dog is in the heart of his master...
    
    
      (Author: Ben Hur Lampman; 1925)
               

    I understand what you mean about cats mourning the loss of their
    friend. Pookie has been behaving very strangely since Percy was
    run over. She spends long periods outside and then comes in and *cries*.
    The noise that she makes is heart breaking. She and Percy were sister
    and brother and were quite close - they did have the odd scrap now
    and again ;-)
    
    We will wait for a while to see how we feel before we think about
    getting another cat. I really don't know how Pookie would react.
    
    If we weren't so far apart, perhaps our two could get together and
    keep each other company!
    
    Lisa plus lonesome Pookie.
    

    I know, too that cats grieve.
    
    When Yoni, one of my parents' cats had to be put to sleep last summer, the 
    one left alone, Purdie went through a very strange phase.  She seemed to
    keep looking for Yoni and became aniti-social at one point, preferring to 
    stay outside on her own.  She lost a lot of fur and looked very unhappy.
    She lost a lot of her former vitality.  Only now is she beginning to act
    normal again and return to her former lovely self.
    
    Karen (and Georgie)

    Brandy's name has been added to the Silver Lining Memorial list.
    I am sorry for your loss and hope that the pain of remembering
    will decrease soon so you can enjoy the memories you have of her.
      Nancy DC

    
    I too am sorry for your loss.  Time will heel and when it does you will
    find another friend to share your life with.
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Val 

    
    	In the article I read about the Last Post they mentioned
    	two Siamese, Amos and Andy.  They were 15 years old and 
    	were brought there after their owner passed away.  They
    	were heartbroken over the loss of their owner that they
    	died six days later, one within and hour of the other.
    
    	They loved each other and their owner so much, they didn't
    	want to live without them.
    
    	sniff...
    
    	Sorry for your loss of Brandy...
    
    	JJ
    
    

    Re: .8
    
    Oh how sad!
    
    Bonds that are established between animals and humans are so strong.
    
    With my own situation - Otis was never really one to purr and didn't
    like to be cuddled.  Since he was sick - and had to stay in the
    hospital for two days - he purrs all night long now and nestles 
    himself in the crook of my arm during the night.
    
    We both appreciate each other more.
    
    Love them while we can...
    
    M