Lost my best 'buddy' this am.

[Rixx]

Turbo....

My 16 yr. old male Cream Point Himalayan died last night. Found him this am when I woke up. He usually meets me every morning waiting to be fed. When he didn't give me my usual morning greeting, I KNEW something was wrong.

How can they bring SO much joy, AND so much sorrow? He was my 'buddy'!! Talking to me like I could understand him....and most of the time I could! He was an amazing cat. Survived an attack from a Bobcat 2 yrs ago, had to have an eye removed...but he was tough. Made it through it like a trooper.

I can remember when he was born like YESTERDAY. I was at work when my 'Mom' cat went into labor... She waited for me to come home before she had her litter. My Wife walked out of the room for a split second, and when she walked in....Turbo was in my HAND. he was the first one to be born. He barely fit in the palm of my hand. Almost 17 years ago.......

I'm hurting pretty bad.......He was a great cat.

Just glad it was something quick, and he didn't have to suffer. I THOUGHT he was doing great. A specimen of health...or so I thought.

Down to 1 cat.....Mom cat died last year. 'Cricket' Turbo's sister is still with me. She too, is 16.

Anyway.....Please give you pet the attention it deserves while you can. You never know how long they are going to be with you. Never long ENOUGH.....


Rixx

[TAPPY]

Oh Rixx - so sorry to hear that....I know how that hurts to lose a pet....
Keep in mind all the good years and times...(16 years was a long happy life)

I have a "Himmy" kitty too !!!!

All pets go to Heaven !!!!

[jtm1631]

Sorry about your loss. It is always a difficult time when a pet passes away.

We had a Himmy when I was growing up. As Tappy says, remember all the joy over the past 16 years.

[Rixx]

He was like a child to me. Couldn't get on the computer without him being 'right there' with me. If I didn't pay attention to him, he'd 'tap' me with his paw till I did.

Sometimes I feel closer to animals than people. I know that sounds strange, but true. If one of my cats didn't like someone, I kept my eye on them. I think animals can really 'sense' what a person is all about. Never saw anything to dissprove that theory, either.

After 17 years ....it's TOUGH.


It's gonna be awful hard for awhile without him. I already miss him sitting here with me. Just getting over losing his Mom now, she's been gone since last July.

I know life moves on, and it will....eventually

Thanks for the kind thoughts......

Rixx

[Avalon]

Sorry Rixx. It's so hard. We lost our 13 1/2 year old pekingnese last year. We called him our little boy in the fur suit. It hurt so much. We swear that we can still hear him walking up the hall. We keep his pictures up and smile. I heard about all the bobcat attacks, we're all from Tucson but live in California now. Father-in-law still lives there. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Nerak936]

Rixx:

I am so sorry to hear this news. The pain you're feeling is for the loss of a loved one. Non-animal people (especially non-cat people) won't understand, but there are plenty of us who do understand. Cats have a special connection with us. They're not as outwardly demonstrative as some other pets, but they have their way of connecting to us in a such a deep, special way.

I had to put my "first born" to sleep in July 2002. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my entire life, even though she was very sick, and it was the right thing to do. I cried so hard for so long.

But as mentioned in the above posts, you've got to remember and dwell on what you had...16 years of love and companionship which was wonderful for you AND wonderful for Turbo. What would your life be now if he hadn't been in your life? You wouldn't be feeling the pain you're feeling now, but you wouldn't have had 16 years of joy. In time you'll be able to concentrate on that. For now, let yourself be sad and cry for the loss of a true friend.

My heart goes out to you. I'll say a special prayer for you and Turbo.

[Terrie]

I love all my "boys". I currently have three. Two are Maine Coons and one is just our Boston Blackie, a stray we took in about a year or two ago. When I had to put my Siamese (Bubs) to sleep in 1994, it about killed me. I still think of him often. He was 17 1/2 years old. He was my constant companion.

Now Brady, "the little one" (who is really the medium one, but used to be the little one--younger, spends time at the computer with me, he plays with the cursor, he drinks beer--pulls the bottle out of my mouth for his sip while we either watch football or NASCAR. If we have a party, he's right in the middle of it, catching all of the attention he can.

Bubba Bear, "the big one" is our guard cat. He is hypersensitive and really only loves us. He tolerates some people for awhile, but only for awhile. He's very threatening looking. He's huge and his mouth and fangs really get them every time. If I went be his feelings about people, I wouldn't trust or like anybody. Now Bubs, the Siamese, was a very good judge of folks and I could really tell who to steer clear of if he didn't like them

Boston Blackie, is a piece of work. He's a bottom dweller. He is the worst jumper I'ver ever seen. He can jump on the bed (it's a stretch, though), and he can jump as high as a counter stool. He's afraid of heights and won't go near the edge of the upper deck. He is so lovey. He actually loves to be held and sometimes gives me a little nip to let me know to pick him up.

Cats are God's gifts to us and we are lucky they let us live with them.

I feel your pain. Remember the happiness and good times. Dream often and visit.........I do.

[Critter]

Words cannot express the grief, it is like losing no it is losing a family member, this poem helps a bit <a href=http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm> Rainbow Bridge </a>

[Beachnutt]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I know how devestated I would be if anything happened to my two "babies".


Note for Nerak: Love the new Av.

[Conanc]

Rixx,

Please accept condolences from another cat lover. We have three of our own (had four and one died a few years ago so we know how you feel). One of our cats was born in our house, too. We still have him and his mama as well as another stray that we took in when he "adopted us". They do bring lots of joy (and cat hair) to our home!

Thinking of you at this time.....

[Lulu]

Rixx, I'm so sorry to hear about your buddy. I don't know what I would do if I lost either one of my boys. Just know that we're all here for you, and it's good to see you "talking" about it.

Take care of yourself...

[TAPPY]

Just remember Turbo is going to be waiting to see you again one day ....you gave him a wonderfull happy long life....

If you like to read check out these two books- (and no I am not some religous nut, these are just really inspirational books for any one who has lost a pet )

Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates

and

There is Eternal Life for Animals
by Niki Shanahan

Both are very inspirational books about our love for our animals friends....
both gave me a lot of comfort when I lost one of my pets.
And of course any book by Cleveland Amory (Cat who came for Christmas
or The Best Cat ever) will lift your spirits....(true Cat Storys that will make you smile) !!!

[dane]

Rixx: I can relate, lost my 16 year himalayan seal point this January (kidney problems), miss him a lot. His brother is still with me and doing fine. I totally hear ya about the computer and tapping for attention, swear mine can even hit the delete key.

Hope things get better, put his pic as your wallpaper and have him at the computer all the time.

Take Care.

[Nerak936]

Rixx: Here's a photo of my dear Gizmo taking a sunny snooze amongst her many toys (I'll always miss her). Whenever I bought a pair of new shoes, I just HAD to leave the box out for her to use - even better if the tissue paper was still inside (to scratch up, chew up, make a mess out of). Do you have a photo of Turbo to share? Would love to see it....

[Rixx]

Well I made it thru another day. Sure do miss him though....

I just wrote abot a 4 pg reply, tried to paste an image....and lost everything in the process. That figures.....Let's start again....

After reading all the responses...I DO feel better.

He was a well loved, well taken care of animal. He had a great life, with not a want in the world. Unlike many animals of the world. People too, for that matter. It breaks my heart when we go 'south' and I see all the neglected animals. It's a good thing we stay A.I. and have PLENTY of food to feed them. Just wish I could take them all home with me. Tried volunteering at a local No-Kill shelter, wanted ALL of them. Had to give it up, or get divorced. One or the other...

As far as the photos....I bought a new comp. a few months ago, had 'My Pictures' transferred to the new comp. WELL, I forgot I had a bunch of images in My Documents too. YEP, most of my cat photos. The old comp is boxed up, and I have to set it back up and transfer via floppy to the new one.

I was looking around and found a photo on the net, that looked JUST like Turbo as a kitten. Spittin' image of him. I uploaded it to my site with photos of his Mom. They are at http://WWW.Pbase.com/rixx/spicemy_cat

I think he was one of the prettiest cats I have ever seen. Nowadays, the Himalayans all have the pushed in faces. Pretty much the 'standard'. It's such a shame too. Creating nothing but problems with their breathing and allergies.

Anyway,,,THANKS again for the support. I really appreciate it.

You guys are a hell of a bunch of people.

Rixx