Conference misery::feline

    Tina...you gave her your best and she knew it!  After losing my
    Tamba my initial reaction was "it hurts too much...why do I
    have cats".   But quickly you come to realize that the love you
    share in all the years....and the memories you will remember..
    will override the pain you suffer when they are gone. 
    
    19.5 years...is a very long time and Tiga is now at peace in
    heaven with many of our furry friends.          
    
    Sandy

    Tina - We just went through this same thing with our 19 year old cat,
    Jinxie, a couple of weeks ago (note 330).  You will always have wonderful 
    memories.  Nobody can ever take those away.  What a wonderful 19 years
    you must have had with each other.  
    
    You're in our thoughts.
    
    Pat Beaudet    

    Tina,
    
    19 1/2 years how wonderful that you had so many memories.  The holidays
    and special occasions and just the everyday antics that make us love
    them so much.  You gave her years of the best and love and those
    feelings will help you through the pain of losing her.  I'm so sorry
    you had to lose her it's always rough.
    
    You're in our prayers.
    
    Kim (Morticia, Alpo, Adelaide, & Misha)

	So sorry to hear about Tiga's passing - she sounds like a wonderful
	cat!

	Sandy, Smudge, Tas, Jenny C.C., Beau and Spike

    May she remain in your heart forever.
    
    ng

    Tina, I read your note with tears in my eyes.  I'm so sorry about Tiga. 
    She had a long and happy life with you, and you have precious memories
    of her.  I hope that will comfort you.
    
    Steffi, Misty, Lizette, Misha, & Marnie
    

    Tina-
    
    we're so sorry to hear about Tiga.  
    
    Michele & Nippa
    

    Tina-
    
    Our condolences...
    
    Lynne & Rusty, Casey, Pepper, B.K., Nique & Moochie

    I'm so sorry to hear about Tiga.  You have been very brave to put her
    well-being first even though it causes you such pain to lose her; 
    that's what love is all about.
    
    Karen, Sweetie, Holly, LB, and LGC
    

    Sorry about Tiga.  I've been in that situation several times and it
    never is easy.  I'm facing the same situation with two old dogs right
    now.  And when the time comes, I hope I can make it easier for
    everyone.. my dogs and my husband who is very attached to them.  Our
    thoughts and concerns are with you.
    
    Gloria, Tai Tai, Figaro, Jessica and Babe
    

Oh, Tina, I wish I could make the pain easier.  Tiga loved you and the only
thing she would have asked for in return is that you give her the dignity
she deserved.  She'll love you forever for making it so easy on her---even if
it's so hard on you.  We're here for you, even if it's electronic shoulders!

Mary

    You loved her and she loved you....  That is all anyone can ever hope
    for in this life-time.  She may be gone but the memories are there 
    forever.  Just picture her now in pain-free, worry-free heaven, romping
    with all our blessed friends.
    
    Sandi and the Storm-troopers  (all 8 of them)
    

    Sandi said it - "you loved her and she loved you". You have so
    many wonderful memories of her and they will pop up at times
    when you least expect them- when you are driving alone in the car, 
    when you are reading, and  in your dreams too. She'll always be with 
    you because she has a special place in your heart.
                                                            
    But I am sorry that you have to experience the separation and loss- 
    it hurts. We are here for you.
    
    Pat

    
    Tina,
    
    I too had tears reading your note.  You had a terrific friend
    for many years.  And..she is still a terrific friend, though
    now all HER friends are kitties.  A wonderful life you shared,
    may you both go on in life appreciating the time you had 
    together.
    
    You did the right thing.  
    
    Warm regards,
    
    Eedra

    Thanks to all of you who comforted me on and off line. We buried 
    Tiga under my Dad's apple tree where many of our past beloved pets
    have been buried. When I arrived, my family was there for the burial
    services. My dad made a nice grave marker and my sister gave me a 
    book about the silly things cats do. They are saps for animals too. 
    
    It was hard to let go, my life will be forever changed without her. It 
    is a feeling I can't very well put into words but I feel a little 
    out of sorts, disconected from the world these days. Time heals I know.
    Only a true cat lover could know what I have gone through, that is why 
    I felt comfortable posting my feelings here!
    
    She is gone.............but..............not forgotten.
    
    Tina
    

    
         Sorry to hear of your loss.  Most of us in this file understand
    completely the emptiness you feel.  But knowing it was the right thing
    gets you through.
    
         Our condolences,
    
         Denise and the gang of 10

    Boy, can I understand ... just yesterday I had to make a decision to
    put my friend Wumpkin to rest rather than watch her suffer.
    
    Nothing can erase the pain, and nothing *SHOULD* -- after all, if you
    didn't love each other so much, you wouldn't feel anything at all at
    Tiga's passing.  The pain isn't welcome, but it IS necessary, so that
    you can truly stop and take special note of this fur person's place in
    your life before you move on.
    
    Thank you so much for entering your note .. and for being honest about
    your feelings here.  Be gentle with yourself while you're healing.
    
    /June

    June, I'm very sorry about Wumpkin.
    
    Karen
    

    June..
    Wumpkin lived in a special place...with a special person who I
    know loved him dearly.  The pain hurts...but someday only the
    beautiful memories will be remembered.   
    
    Wumpkin is now in a VERY special place watching over you.
    
    Sandy
    

    June,
    
    We spoke in person, but I would also like to express my condolensces
    here.
    
    Wumpkin knows you love her and made the choice that was best for her. 
    It is never easy to lose a friend, but time has a way of changing the
    pain and grief into happiness and good memories.  Allow yourself that
    time.
    
    Take care and give Harry a big hug for me.
    
    -Roberta
    

    Thanks for your messages -- it's going to take me a while to get over
    this cat -- she was very special to me.
    
    Harry is puzzled and lonesome, but even though I'm pretty sure he has
    no idea what ever happened to his lifelong "roomie," he is beginning to
    expect more cuddling and snuggling because he's the only one there ...
    when I left him this morning, he sat in the window and talked as I
    walked out the door .... he seems to be very vocal in his loneliness.

    Oh June,
    
    What a loving and wonderful tribute you wrote for Wumpkin.  I'm sure
    she realised just how much you loved her when you chose to set her free
    from the pain.
    
    I hope when you look into the sky tonight, you hear her purring her
    thank you.
    
    Cherish the memories and eventually you will smile through the tears.
    
    Our sympathy....
    
    Kim (Morticia, Alpo, Adelaide, Misha, Moose, Beth, and Tina)

    I'll place bets that Harry knows EXACTLY what is going on...
    
    Tiki & Rico were hardly seperated in the 5 years that they were
    together (pretty much Rico's entire life), and whenever Tiki was taken
    to the vets, Rico was OK, but whenever we mentioned Tiki's name, Rico
    would run to the door, like, "Are you going to bring him home now?"
    
    However, when Tiki died, Rico reacted completely different.  He started
    to LOOK for Tiki IN the apartment.  He curled up next to a stuffed
    animal that looked like Tiki.  Whenever we mentioned Tiki's name, Rico
    would just howl, and either curl up, or start the search again.
    
    Rico's mourning was almost harder to bear than our own.  Even the
    acquisition of a little sister (Alex) only lessened it a little.
    
    Keep giving Harry the extra cuddles...he's lost his roomie.
    
    Our definite heartfelt sympathies...and I'm sure that BOTH of your
    furballs feel that you made the right decision.
    
    K.C., Leigh, Rico, Alexandra, (Tiki)

    My deepest sympathy to you both, Tina and June. No matter what ripe 
    old age our feline family members live to, it is never easy when they 
    go. Tiga and Wumpkin were lucky cats to have such caring, devoted moms.

    Linda

    June,
    
    I am so sorry to hear of Wumpkin's passing. She must have been an
    adorable cat to have had such a cute name!!
    
    Feel proud that you did the best thing for her, that you were
    unselfish enough to reward her with the rest she so deserved 
    after all the unconditional love she gave you in the past.
    
    Memories last forever........
    
    Tina
    

    Well at sometime all cat lovers come to the time when this decision
    has to be made and it's NEVER an easy one...  
    
    In reading all the notes here I have become refelective of the
    times I have been in your shoes...and it's something that cannot
    be described to anyone who isn't an animal lover..or hasn't been
    through it....  Like Sandy M said..when it happens you don't think
    your heart can allow it to happen again...but then you meet some
    little helpless furry face..that is in dire need of love and
    shelter..and you find yourself in the situation again where a hard
    decision could POSSIBLY have to be made..and the more time you spend
    with your furry face..the gladder you are that you took the chance...                                                          
       
    They bring such joy....Take Care..
    
    Kathie and her 3 furry faces----Callie,Cuddles + Festus

    RE:  .26
    
    
    Well said....  and ditto.
    
    Nan