I lost a 14 year old family member tonight..

and felt the need to write..

Published on January 2, 2006 By ShadowWar In Home & Family

Well tonight I lost a family member and friend of mine that has lived a great 14 years. His name was Max.

Max died tonight. His kidneys failed him and he went quickly. We noticed he was not feeling well on Sat. evening and I sat with him through the night last night and he was declining in health rapidly. Today I took him to the doctor and the doctor called this evening to say there was no hope. My wife and I went to the doctor and held Max while he was put to sleep.

Max was our 14 year old Orange Tabby Cat. While some may not love their animals like family members my family does. Max came into our lives when he was 8 weeks old or so and was a animal shelter rescue cat. He was always entertaining us with silly cat stuff, like drinking from your cup of water when you were not looking, doing back flips when playing chase the feather on a string. It is amazing how much you come to love an animal. Max was a great cat. He was freindly, loving and would always come running when you called his name.

He was always sleeping with my wife. She would hold him like a little baby and he would purr and just lay there eating it all up. Tonight I had to bury him in the back yard next to his brother who died three years ago. All of this occured in a matter of a day or two. Then there is the explaining to my 6 year old son what it means to have a pet die and what its all about.

I needed to write down how I felt and what happened, it made me feel better. Thanks for reading. Thanks Max for being a great friend and family member for 14 great years.

Comments

terpfan1980

on Jan 02, 2006

As LW says above, very sorry about your loss Shadow. If I could, I'd be a cat person currently, and I know my daughter would be. Unfortunately her brother, and my wife are both allergic, so cats are out for us, and birds are the family pet of choice.

We've lost a few birds along the way though, and as you note, it's like losing a family member, and can make everyone in the family sad.

I hope you and yours recover from the loss soon. Perhaps at some point you'll welcome another pet to the family and provide it with a great home to enjoy as well.

UBoB

on Jan 02, 2006

Very sorry to here this ShadowWar. They trully are members of the family and when they leave us the pain is just as intense.

Rest gentle, Max.

Tova7

on Jan 02, 2006

I am sorry for your loss.

InBloom

on Jan 03, 2006

No other words to say except I am sorry about the loss of your beloved cat.

garsgolfer

on Jan 03, 2006

I experienced a similar lose many years back that took me awhile to overcome. Bear was my 9yr old self-trained Champion Schutzhund Rottweiler that passed as a result of a basketball size tumor in his stomach cavity.

Against my wishes after 30 years of bachelorhood I took responsibility for a ten week old puppy and named him Bear. He contributed more then I could have imagined to what was thought a good life. Bear took a combat hardened corporate shirt bachelor and began the arduous process of bring out what was there from the beginning, a family man.

After many years of taking my best friend everywhere, he left my side for a better place.

Right to the very end even though his muscled body was unable to readjust with the absence of the tumor Bear tried to be himself by making folks engage him....and then he was gone

He touch's my heart everyday. When I thought I was teaching him he was actually teaching me. Unknowingly, Bear left my life prepared for what was to take place a few years later.... marriage and instant fatherhood.

Thank you for sharing and igniting some valued memories.

Dr Guy

on Jan 03, 2006

The loss of a loved pet is always hard. I lost my one and only dog many years ago. He was about the same age. He was just a dog, but it hurt a lot more than just a dog. He was a family member.

KarmaGirl

on Jan 03, 2006

We had to have our Quincey dog put down a couple months ago due to Cushings disease. It was extremely hard, and my husband cried more than when his Grandma died just weeks earlier. They become a part of your every day life, and they give you unconditional love. It's hard to let them go.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts.

JillUser

on Jan 03, 2006

I truly believe pets are family members. The loss of our dog that I grew up with was one of the hardest things I've ever been through and I still think of her. I was caught by surprise by how attached I got to an iguana we had for 10 yrs. He was given to my husband as a gift and I didn't think I would like it. He grew on me and kind of became like a green dog. He liked to be pet and was so much fun to watch. I cried like crazy when he died.

Like KarmaGirl said, they become a part of your every day so they leave a noticeable void when they are gone.

Best wishes to your family.

Locamama

on Jan 03, 2006

I never knew how much I loved my dog until he got out and was lost for over two weeks. Thank God we got him back. For two weeks though I searched and cried my eyes out and prayed that I never saw him run over on the hwy. Everytime I came home and he wasn't waiting for me, it physically hurt. I feel for you.

ShadowWar

on Jan 03, 2006

The last time we lost a pet I found this poem and it really helped me out..

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....Author unknown...

Janders

on Jan 04, 2006

I am sorry to hear of your loss. Peace be with you,

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