I was leaving racquetball on Wednesday when I got a call from Candice.  She was very upset.  She said her cat had died.  They had found it in the closet  that morning and couldn't really figure out why it had died.  She said he sleeps in there all the time, but the way they found him, he was wedged between a box and a fan.  He didn't show any signs of trauma so they were really puzzled.
I felt so bad for Candice though. This was her favorite kitty.  She has had him for 7 years and he was her faithful companion.  He slept on the pillow next to her every night.  He really was a beautiful kitty.  So fluffy with amazing blue eyes. 

Candice, Curtis, Megan and Quinn came over and we buried the poor kitty in the back yard.

 

It was very sweet and tender as they all said why they loved Elton kitty.

I know Candice is hurting...wish I could take it away from her.  It's so hard when you lose a pet.  They are like part of the family.  I guess that's the consequences of loving them so much.  I sure believe in the saying "It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all"  That's what our lives are made up of...experiences of love.  If you don't let yourself love something,  you will miss out on all the joy that comes from it.

I remember when mums kitty "mittens" finally had to be put down.  It had cancer and was in a pretty bad way.  It was really heartbreaking.  Mittens was a very special kitty.  (With an extra thumb!) It was mother's companion for many years and these were years that she really needed that companionship. Most of the time, she was alone so it was comforting to her to have mittens on her lap or stretched out next to her on the couch. Mum's health wasn't that great at this time either, but she always cared for the cat.  She would get it soft food when it started having trouble with it's teeth. Then when it started getting sick, she really babied it.  Made sure it took all his medicine (not an easy task!)  and spent whatever it took on vet bills. (luckily, she had a very sweet veterinarian that would make house calls) 

I think caring for the cat gave mum something to live for. She couldn't get out and work in the garden any more and I know she felt like she wasn't doing anything worthwhile.

So when mittens was gone, mum was really sad.  We tried to get her to take another cat but she very adamantly told us that she couldn't have another pet.  It just hurt too bad when they died.

I know there is a place in heaven for all the sweet animals that have brought us so much joy and love.  I look forward to that reunion.