just a cat

In reply to triumph7 :

Even if you're not a cat person, time spent with a purring cat is the best time. Sorry for your loss.

In reply to triumph7 :

I'm sorry for your loss, triumph.  But cats sometimes don't show you what's going on until it's too late.

AAZCD-Jon (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to triumph7 :

Even if you're not a cat person, time spent with a purring cat is the best time. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks!  This guy was a big mane coon and acted a bit like a dog.

A few weeks back we lost our buddy Benetton unexpectedly. Had had a minor bit of nasal congestion, saw the vet, had injections for an antibiotic and a steroid, was getting better...  We had no real signs. We left for an overnight trip and when I got home he was laying on the bedroom floor like he was just taking a nap. I didn't realize until I reached down to pet him... He was only 8. Right before we left he was chowing down and actively playing with the other cats. 

He had a few extra pounds, but always came trotting to curl up on the bed with you as soon as you laid down. Just the best kind of lazy guy. 

Making things harder is our kids, 4&6. They were devastated. The younger one doesn't understand. He was the cat that was the most patient with the kids, would let them pet him, even snuggle. 

This took us from 4 cats to 3. 

Well, to help with the boys, we wound up welcoming a new addition. 

Meet Tommel. If you wonder on the name, it's Norwegian for thumb.

He's 3, he's extremely patient with the kids, very playful, good with other cats...  And if you look closely, you will realize he can count to 12 without his hind paws. Yup, polydactyl with 6 claws per front foot.

He can never be a replacement. He has helped with the kids though.

As for our other cats...

Cooper, our old boy at 11, but still a kitten at heart. He's my buddy, usually following me around.

Enzo, 4, who strangely is obsessed with beer. He will try to steal your beer from you, especially blue moon. 

And before Tommel, our most recent newcomer Lilith. About 8 months old and settling in nicely. 

My father died yesterday evening. Ninety. I wish that we could have spent more time together when he was healthy. Here are some cat pictures from this morning.

Oh that is tough. I am so sorry to hear about your father. I lost mine on 12/27/18 and I still miss him every day. So many things I'd love to be able to sit down and chat with him about. Sending love.

So am I. Mine passed away at eighty-nine. It's a very deep loss, but it seems we all have to go through it unless we die first, which is something I wouldn't wish on any parent.

Just don't let anyone tell you how you "ought" to feel or grieve. And don't forget what an amazing community we have here, if you should happen to need anything.

In reply to triumph7 :

Sorry, its awful when they go

In reply to AAZCD-Jon (Forum Supporter) :

Oh , Man, you have my condolences

My condolences. My Dad passed in 1990, a few months before I turned 24. I'm 58 now. It never doesn't hurt, but it gets better.