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Today we said goodbye to our dear kitty after nearly 18 years on this earth. (previous calculations were incorrect)

Its been a hard couple of weeks. He continued to eat (although not much) and seek out affection so we held out of hope that he'd 'snap back' but it gradually became clear that he was declining.



At this point I'm just amazed and thankful that we had the time together that we did. I am forever changed.

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Condolences on your loss-we're cat people and three of our four are starting to get up there.

Eighteen years is a good run...

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"Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime."- Lavrentiy Beria

i'm sorry!

he looks sweet!

I’m very sorry for your loss. Cherish all the wonderful memories of your sweet little boy, they will always remind you how lucky you were to share the world with him.

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18 years is a great run. We've lost three since taking on cats, all around 14-15.

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I have a soft spot in my heart for tuxedos.

I worry every day about our two. siblings that are just over 20.

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“A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand.” Seneca the Younger

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I’m so sorry.
My pets from the distant past still appear to me in my dreams, ambling across the room for a hug. They never fully leave us.

Oh, Matt, I am so sorry.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2022 08:57PM by rgG.

condolences to you and yours.
Looks like the stray kitty hanging around my company's parking lot whom I have been feeding from afar (I am horribly allergic to felines)

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SoCal for now.

Sorry to hear this mattkime. This is the problem with pets...they don't live as long as we do so there will always be a tragic ending. I am still not over the death of my dog, which was three years ago. I'm less attached to the cats but it's still hard when they depart this mortal coil.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Oh, mattkime, so sorry to hear. Thanks for sharing the photo of your truly handsome kitty. Tuxedos have a very special place in my heart, and I am glad he was able to share your lives for those years. My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your companion.

I'm suddenly feeling like I haven't said enough about him although I realize words are never going to be sufficient.

He was a very curious, clever, and friendly cat that I found an absolute joy to be with. He seemed to have a good perception of people - which he'd use to steal food among other things. You just sit down, chill, gain their trust until they forget about you and then go for it! For nearly a decade and a half every bag was inspected. Trouble with groceries is to be expected but one time he found a toy mouse, still in the packaging, in my laptop bag and was walking around growling with it in his mouth. He could catch real mice too but the kill bite seemed accidental after much play. He enjoyed the bedtime routine and was a permanent fixture against my legs and feet. He could be direct about asking for attention but was rarely needy. He'd get his pets and then stay, or not. He attempted to 'help' every tradesperson that entered our living space.

I'm sure there are more cats in our future but its going to take some time for me to feel like I'm ready. Its hard to feel open to a new feline individual when I'm still so influenced by the one that just left.

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So sorry to hear this, although I only have experiences with dogs, losing a long time pet is like losing a family member, part of your life that's now missing. Glad you got to share 18 years together.

So sorry for your loss. Sounds like you will have wonderful memories. I have pictures of my now gone cats and frequently talk to them.

good kitty!

Condolences

I'm so sorry, mattkime. It hurts every time one has to go through this. But I have experienced so much love and joy from my pets that I always end up with another.

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That's so sad! We are in an OK state right now with an 18 month old GSD and a (we think) 3 y.o. grey kitty who decided to adopt me, much to my daughter's disappointment. You will always think about your kitty, but take the time to remember and heal right now, no matter how long it takes.

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The arts are not luxuries but assets that give way more than they cost.
--Ronald Tucker on YouTube

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.
--Frank Zappa

So sorry to hear this.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Animals are so special to us.

So sorry to hear of your loss, mattkime! I went through that same experience about 12-13 years ago with my cat Dusty, and I'm still not "over it". That will take time, lots of it - if it ever does!

Dusty lived to 20 years of age and was like yours, a friend and beloved companion, an "alarm clock", "sentry", 'greeter', etc...! I still miss her - and you will yours too! For a long, long time!

It's really amazing how these little bundles of fur and whiskers enter our lives and nourish and expose the more tender sides of our humanity. She had the privilege of yours for a long time.

Hang in there, mattkime!

Sorry for the loss of your buddy matt. 18 years is a long good life.

We said goodbye my Mom's very elderly tabby cat Prissy on Wednesday.

The vet said she had advanced cancer and would likely not live many more days. She went very
peacefully , I brought her home in a little casket so my Mom could say goodbye, and we buried her in the pet cemetery on our property, with a view of roses.

This cat went through so much with my Mom and was the sweetest kitty I've ever met. She appeared at her house as a stray when my Mom was caring for my stepdad who had Alzheimers. She was a wonderful gentle presence for both of them. Then she moved across the country with my Mom and has been with her in recent years while she has dementia.

There is no substitute for the love these feline friends give us.

Condolences to your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

sorry for your loss mattkime.
always hard to go through.
O sends big long purrs your way.

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!#$@@$#!

composed with both pinkie toes

So sorry to hear!

You can tell you really took care of your kitty and gave him a great life.

It was his time, and you did the right thing.

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Mr. Lahey: A lot of people, don’t know how to drink. They drink against the grain of the liquor. And when you drink against the grain of the liquor? You lose.

Randy: What the @#$%& are you talking about?

Condolences from myself and Lizzie (gray Tuxedo).

When you feel it is the right time, please become staff to another loving kitty.

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Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

So sorry about your loss.

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“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in."

I am so sorry for your loss...our pets fill voids in our life like no human can.

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“Live your life, love your life, don’t regret…live, learn and move forward positively.” – CR Johnson
Loving life in Lake Tahoe, CA

Sorry for you loss.

We lost a cat last year. My buddy from New Mexica brought Smokey who used to visit him in the forest of Sierra Blanca. When the fires threatened their cabin, they brought him to us. He hated the Texas heat. But he did seem to enjoy the freeze of 2021. He was having fun in the snow.

He disappeared during the summer. I found him halfway under the shed. I dug a hole, filled it with firewood and gave him a viking funeral. I covered the remains afterward.

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San Antonio, TX (in the old city)


"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
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Sorry for your loss ... he's made it to the Rainbow Bridge for sure.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

So sorry for your loss. It's a hard lesson for your children to learn at their age.

I was hoping that he'd bounce back, too.

So sorry you have to go through this.

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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Eureka, CA

Matt, so sorry for your loss…

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=wr=

Condolences on your loss.


It sounds like his was one lucky cat to have "owned" you for 18 years.

Really sorry for your loss, matt. My first wife and I lost one of our remaining three kittehs a few months ago. He was a sweet boy, and also the most cantankerous (catankerous?) cat we've ever had (I've served a total of 6 cats the past 29 years).

Aslan constantly hassled his "mother" -- an older cat who deserved none of that hassle...I found him and his "brother" with her back in 2008 or so, in the woods, skinny and hungry. He was also known for knocking objects off tables, shelves, etc. But Aslan could also often be just a big love bug.

Just this morning I was going through my bike clothes in a dresser drawer (misplaced my riding shades, I know you'll understand!) and ran across a ziploc bag with a lock of hair and the date of death of the first kit kat my late wife and I found. (Or should I say, who found us?)

The date of death was January 23rd, 2016 and it really took me aback, how long it's been. It seems like yesterday. Her photo has been on my iPhone lockscreen for these past 6 years now; it alternates with our other pets we've lost in that period.

A quick story that some may find amusing about how I became a cat person: upon my first marriage, I matter of factly informed my young wife (who was actually older than me, ha), "I'm really sorry, babe...I know you're a cat person, but we can never get a cat. I'm super allergic, and also...um...you know, we...my family...never had cats growing up, and well...we...I, uh...I just don't like cats."

Jen is all like, "Oh, okay, sure," in her usual charming way.
"Wow, that was easy, and she took it pretty well," said my clearly self-assured 23-year-old self to himself.

A few months later, Karma intervenes. A calico kitten shows up on our porch. I had recently started my freelance writing biz, so I was working from home. This kit kat is cute as a button, even to a guy with a cultivated dislike for cats. I sat with it on our porch swing and played with it for an hour or so before Jen arrived home from her office.

She greets me with great surprise and excitement upon seeing this precious orange, black and white kitteh. I very firmly inform her, "Listen, we can't keep it, but we can find a home for it. We'll foster it until someone adopts it. Shouldn't take long. I have my new Mac and my new LaserPrinter, so I'll make up some flyers and post them around the neighborhood, at the grocery, etc."

Jen looks at me and @#$%& her head..."Are you sure we can't keep it?" I point her to my hands "Um, no, sorry, babe. I really do have allergies, see?!" My hands are beet red and broken out in hives.

So I make up the flyers and begin downing Benadryl. This was way before generic Claritin and all that, and we had crap health insurance. So it was gonna be old-school drowsy for me until we placed this lil' bundle.

Six weeks later, I'm in the living room watching X-Files on a Sunday night. The kitteh, who I now have a love/hate relationship with, is in my lap. (Tonight it was love. Many if not most times, I could not fathom how or why Poekitty behaved as she did. So stubborn. But she taught me all I needed to know about cats. Which was basically...you serve at their pleasure. Just shut up and enjoy the ride.)

So Jen grins, points to the coffee table and says, "Are you gonna put up those flyers or not?"

We both laugh and I roll my eyes. That was the last time we discussed adopting out our precious little calico...who lived to be 23! I like to think she's now in a better place, with her mama, my sweet Jen.

And attached to my hip in his usual spot next to me on the sofa here is our other little kitty boy, a manx who misses his big brother probably even more than we do.

We all send our heartfelt condolences, matt. Keep an eye out, you'll see your boy again, at least once. Maybe even every now and then. I find that they show themselves in various ways. Whether in waking hours, or in dreams.

Either way, he'll always live in your heart.

SteveO - I'm allergic as well, but between zyrtec and living with the creature its zero problem. Although I will sneeze more if I go off zytec.

When I was dating, disliking cats was my only dealbreaker. Not that it ever came to that.

I was seventeen with mine. He was already a year old when i got him out of the shelter. I still miss him. Know how you feel.

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And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.
—Friedrich Nietzsche
Western Massachusetts

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mattkime
SteveO - I'm allergic as well, but between zyrtec and living with the creature its zero problem. Although I will sneeze more if I go off zytec.

When I was dating, disliking cats was my only dealbreaker. Not that it ever came to that.

Ha ha, I went so far as to take allergy shots for a couple of years. These days, it's Zyrtec about 2-3x/week.

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SteveO

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mattkime
SteveO - I'm allergic as well, but between zyrtec and living with the creature its zero problem. Although I will sneeze more if I go off zytec.

When I was dating, disliking cats was my only dealbreaker. Not that it ever came to that.

Ha ha, I went so far as to take allergy shots for a couple of years. These days, it's Zyrtec about 2-3x/week.

In trying to court my SO during out dating phase I too Zyrtec to be around the cat. The med worked to well - I couldn't do anything due to severe lack of energy. All I wanted was to lie down and stare at the ceiling. After a few attempts I gave up for the sake of my body. Now I am content to enjoy felines from afar.

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SoCal for now.