I know there is another board for missing pets, but there is no one there and it seems a lonely place. I'm already so lonely without my beloved Teensie.

Last fall we had to euthanize our Yorkie DeeDee we had for about 13 years. A week later we visited a pet store and found Teensie. We did not plan to bring home a kitten, but we were very glad we did. Even my husband, who didn't grow up with pets, and never really bonded to one, fell in love with her right away.

She turned out to be the best kitten I ever had in my life. I absolutely adored her. She was very sweet and loving and loved to cuddle. I let her go outside, but she never went far. She was a creature of habit and came and went from the house several times a day. In the evening she would always come in, and if she hadn't, as soon as I called her she would come in. That is something I was never used to a cat doing.

Last Saturday she did not come in. I knew right away that something was wrong because she was always within calling distance. She has not returned since then.

She is wearing a collar with a tag with our phone number and we are in a small rural community where people know us. No one has seen her.

I've looked everywhere for her. My concern was that she was locked in a shed or garage that was opened on Sat afternnoon. I've asked all the neighbors to open their sheds, I've looked inside the windows to all the weekend homes, called through the cracks in those sheds, garages etc...

I've searched drainage ditches and the wooded areas in case she fell from a tree, I've looked in the water (we are on the cove of a lake), I 've searched in boxes and bins and even trash cans that might have that she could have fallen into.

We do have wildlife here, but most are not out during the day. I've seen no stray dogs that might have hurt her or chased her.

It's as if she vanished into thin air and I'm devastated. Although I've had pets all my life and loved them fiercely I've never been as close to any animal as this precious kitten. I am beginning to give up on ever seeing her again and to console myself with the belief, that for whatever reason I was meant by God to only have her in my life for a brief shining moment.

I think I could deal better with her loss if I knew I was doing the right thing. I am afraid to stop looking because if she is trapped somewhere my failure to find her could result in her death. On the other hand, continuing to search and failing to find her day after day is only pushing me further into a deep depression.

I pray for my kittens safe return, but I have lost my hope that will happen.

I will say prayers for the safe return of your beloved Teensie.

I feel very badly for you, and I do hope that she comes home. She has a tag, and that is great. I believe that should someone find her, that you will receive a call.

Please don't give up yet on finding Teensie; people in this world are generally nice, and if they see a kitty (especially with a tag), someone is sure to pick her up and call you.

Put fliers up, an ad in your local paper, call the shelters in your area if anyone has dropped of a kitty.

I am thinking of you, praying.....

Love, Denise (Muffins)

add my prayers too - hoping Teensie shows up soon. I'm so sorry that you first had to lose DeeDee (that's my Poms name - Dede - we had to put her down yesterday morning and now to lose Teensie, too, that is heartbreaking.
It's good that Teensie has a tag - and I hope someone finds her and returns her to her family. You're right, the not knowing is awful - please take care and keep us posted. ((((((( teensie and family )))))))))))

lori

don't give up hope that your kitty will return...you never know when a miracle will happen. I live in a fairly large city and my best friend lost her cat. Everyday she looked for Bobby and three months later Bobby was returned to her. Healthy and well cared for. In fact it was hard for the "rescuers" to give Bobby back to Kim. So don't give up hope!

Tracey

Here is her photo. You go to the link and put in the #4821

www.SeeThisItem.com

I've not found her yet, I'm convinced that someone has taken her because there is no sign of her anywhere.

Oh, I'm so sorry that you haven't found your baby yet! She is so adorable! I wanted to send along my prayer's as well. I hope that she is found safe and sound! I'll keep my finger's crossed that you will be sending along some good new's very soon!
God Bless You; Cheryl

here is a picture of your Teensie for all to see

)
lori

Thank you to all of you. I tried to post some words of support on some other threads. I thought that if I could reach out to others, as you have done for me, it would help me to reach past my own grief. But every time I tried I found my own words so full of sadness and pain, I fear they would be no comfort at all.

My own grief is desperate and endless. While I still bear hope that Teensie will return it has been a week now and there is no sign of her at all.

I am afraid to stop searching. Will I stop in the day or the hour or the minute before I would have found her? Will I fail her when she needs me most?

Every day I go out again, my hope renewed and my resolve strengthened by my desperation and my need. But there is no sign of her, none whatsoever, and my grief and hopelessness returns. At the end of every search it's as if she died again and I pour my heart out to the empty lifeless pillow.

I grieve for her. Then I feel foolish. Maybe in the next moment I'll see her at the door and all of this will just have been a silly over-reaction and she was nearby all along. Perhaps she just chased a squirrel too far and became lost. Maybe I'm just too impatient and maybe I should have more faith in God.

That's it, I'm sure, I tell myself. And then they cycle repeats itself.

From my experiance, grief and loss in general- death or otherwise- DOES have a cycle that repeats itself. I believe that every person is a unique and beautiful individual, but that most people deal with certain things in very similar ways. I haven't been a member here that long at all, but some of the posts that I have read about other people who have lost their pets have described a lot of the things that I have felt lately when my cat died.

There is nothing wrong with grieving for your missing kittten at all. In ways, to have a pet missing is worse then if they were to die. I understand that there are most likely countless scenarios running through your head. You mentioned that she has a tag with your phone number on it though... and like other people have said, that is a wonderful thing. If anyone finds her, they will call.. because they will know that she has someone who cares about her very much, someone who thought enough to protect their pet in just this kind of situation. You are doing the right thing and handling it the best that you know how. There is nothing wrong with that at all. Everyone here at this website has spent some time crying into a lifeless pillow...

My only advice to you is to keep your head up. You are doing the right thing by searching as much as possible, and your baby most likely knows that you are looking. Your kitten is probably looking for your home as well. I know it is hard to be patient, but put your faith forward and try. I am sure your baby will come home when you least expect it.

This week is getting easier. It still hurts and I still look out the window all the time expecting to see her, but my heart doesn't feel as raw. I put ads in both the local papers and I haven't given up, but I've decided I can't live for her return. I have to get over losing her and move on.

A few hours ago the phone rang and the caller ID said it was the animal shelter. My heart fluttered with hope and I grabbed up the phone as fast as I could. She was responding to an old message I'd left days ago.

I hadn't cried all day. I think it was the first day I hadn't since she vanished. But I broke down when I hung up the phone. I still miss her terribly.

I would like to get another kitten, to perhaps ease the sorrow a bit and give me something to focus on. But I'm reluctant. I really want to have another kitten, but part of me feels like that's giving up on Teensie. Part of me feels like it's not really fair to a new kitten either. I'm not sure I can love another kitten without comparing it to Teensie all the time. I'm not sure I want to love another kitten that much because it hurt so much to lose her. I guess I should wait a little longer at least.

I think of you very often and I'd hope that Teensie had come home; or you found out where she was.....
I am really very sorry....and, it must be in some ways worse than a death, because of the "unknown"....

I can only hope and pray that someone is taking great care of Teensie, and perhaps someone just took her; the latter I have a real problem with; but people aren't always that nice..... I feel very bad for you.

But still, don't give up hope on her....really... I read about a dog a few years back and he travelled miles & miles to his home...(someone had taken him in their car about 40 miles away).. Very unusual....

Of course you miss her terribly; she was family....and you love her very, very much!!! And, if someone had the nerve to "steal" your Teensie, it makes me so angry!!!!

You wouldn't be "giving up on Teensie" by adopting another kitten; but, I know that you know a new kitten would in NO WAY be a replacement for Teensie... No new "furbaby" could replace your beloved Teensie.. There is no right and no wrong in this area -- you have to do what your heart is leading you to do...

When our Ernestine was put to sleep on 2/7/2004, I swore I would NEVER, EVER, EVER GET ANOTHER ANIMAL - I wouldn't and couldn't .... I didn't want to leave myself open to the pain of "loving and losing"....but, here Ben & I sit with two kitties that we rescued from a shelter....

Lucy is 5 years old and Yoda is 6 years old and they are so loving, beautiful, most of all, they are very, very grateful. Their
"owner" dropped 5 furcats off because his house was too small and he didn't want them anymore. I think they may have been abused because of the ways that they react.....But, they're doing so well....

Ben & I are thrilled.... NO ANIMAL WILL EVER REPLACE MY ERNIE, but these "furbabies" are so different from her....
In so many ways, and already, 3 days into them "owning us", we've fallen head over heels.... They are our "purr babies"..


You will really know when the time is right....you'll just know.... Believe me!! Miracles still do happen; Teensie may find her way home, or you'll get a call.. don't lose hope; but, you'll know what to do. You're heart will tell you!!!!

Still, I am very sorry about Teensie and I still hold out hope that she's coming home...

God Bless you!!
Love, Denise

p.s. we're human...we have the capacity to love, to have our heart broken and to love again. I don't know how.. That's the way our Dear Lord made us!!!!

Has there been any sign of Teensie yet? I was hoping to log on tonight and find a delightful story about you finding Teensie. I sympathise with you deeply. I had my beloved Sheltie put down last Saturday night. Zip was so bad that I couldn't be there when they put him down, the vet said that we'd never make it in time. Zip was already very bad, on the brink of death. I had to have him put down without my even being there!!! It is still killing me that I wasn't there. But, the down side of it is, I didn't see him, and didn't really say goodbye to my baby. So, I catch myself day dreaming of the vet calling me anytime now to say that Zip is really actually ok, and that I can come get him!! I know what you mean when you say that your heart flutters with the ringing of the telephone. But take comfort in the fact that your story is the only one whos' can end like that. Mine never will, it'll always be just a dream. A shadded dream. Good luck, and NEVER give up on Teensie. And no matter what, don't ever forget Teensie. keep posting here, and let us all know what happens. We'll be here for a shoulder to cry on!! Zippers Mom

"Give it to another like me, and then I will live forever. For love never really dies"---Ken Conover

Still no word of Teensie. I think about her every day, but it's not as hard as the first week, when I spent most the day crying. I've decided to keep trying to find her, but to move on as well.

I don't know if any of you do this with your babies that are passed or missing, like Teensie, but I talk to her in my heart. I don't know if it' s my imagination or if she's really there, but it's comforting. I really feel like she's a part of me and always will be, no matter where she is.

I've decided to bring home another kitten. I found one at the shelter today that seems very sweet and affectionate. I'm going to pick her up tomorrow after she gets her shots.

Thanks everyone for all of your support.

I think that's wonderful news that you'll be adopting a new kitty from the shelter....

God Bless you Always....

Your Teensie will always be with you, and YOU ARE RIGHT....... Your little Teensie is right where you said that you talk to her..... she's in your heart, and she always, always will be!!!!

And, Teensie will ALWAYS BE WITH YOU..... I've always believed that, "One thing that we will always have is our memories....... AND, THE GREATEST THING ABOUT MEMORIES, IS THAT THEY CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY!!

THOSE VERY SPECIAL MEMORIES OF TEENSIE & YOU, THEY'LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU. Forever... Please don't ever lose sight of that..

You are doing a very beautiful thing.... you are saving a beautiful little furbaby from the shelter, and you'll be giving her a wonderful, loving home..

I hope that you will still come around the site, because we all care about you very much....we want to know how you are doing, and of course we want to know EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR NEW BABY...

Keep us posted, okay??? Love, Denise

Well I did bring home a new little kitten and it's a complete disaster. I cried all day. All I see when I look at this kitten is what I lost and can never have again. I miss Teensie more than ever.

This kitten yowls and meows ALL the time. She won't snuggle up for attention but walks around and claws and meows. She's hyper and won't settle down.

My other cat has growled and hissed at her non-stop and doesn't want to have anything to do with her.

I think I made a terrible mistake. I'm thinking of taking her back. She's very cute and should find another home easily.

I'm not usually such an emotional wreck, in fact, I'm usually the calm, rational stable one. But I'm a mess. I should probably not have gotten a new kitten so soon.

Hi there!

Sure, seeing this little kitten will bring back the thoughts of Teensie. If she is just a little kitten, what she is doing is what new kittens usually do. Especially in brand new surroundings...

She's nervous, and the reason she is clawing is because that's what she did for comfort; while nursing, which wasn't too long ago. Kittens tend to do that for awhile....

She won't snuggle because her environment is all new to her; so I don't think she'll do any snuggling just yet. Usually kittens like to check everything out first; she's probably going from room to room, meowing. It's just what kittens do, and it will take some time and a lot of love for her to settle down.

She will look for you when she wants that attention. She's probably terrified right now as well, because you have another cat that growled at her (but, that's a normal reaction to a new kitten in your home).

If you can, try & settle in for the evening, or at least try & relax.....stay in a room where the little kitten can see you...
If the kitten senses that you're uptight, it might make her a little more nervous.

If you have another room, perhaps you could put your older cat in there for the night, while you & the kitten relax....

I'm just giving you suggestions, because I can hear your frustration - it's very early in the morning, and there isn't much you can do about the situation right now except to try & relax....

I will definitely say a prayer to St. Francis as soon as I stop posting, that the kitty will know that everything is okay and the both of you can try & relax, until morning.....

Of course you miss Teensie, but this is a brand new little kitten that you got from a shelter, who truly needs a home... It just takes some time for a kitten to adjust.
This is a new kitten, with a new little personality (which will take time to develop)....so she is different from Teensie.

We all know that you miss Teensie very much. In adopting a new kitten, it's not to replace Teensie, but to love a new little one.

If it is too early, you will know. It's not a reflection on you at all, you just weren't ready & you didn't know until you brought this little one home.
If you think you're going to be up all night, try writing a list -- the Pro's & Con's of keeping this new kitty.

I am sorry that you are under so much stress, I'm really at a loss to suggest anything else....

God Bless you,

Denise

muffin said it a lot better than i ever could!

Hang in there Slapfish....you WILL feel normal again..i promise!


If you just can't bring yourself to keep the new kitten, are there any friends or relatives that might be able to take her? Coworkers perhaps? Maybe putting some energy into finding a home for her will refresh your spirit a bit. I'm a firm believer of good things coming out of bad situations. If i hadnt lost my Dante a couple of years ago, i wouldnt have been able to adopt my furfamily i have now


Sending hugs your way sweetie
Nyte

I'd give it a few more days to see if it pans out. I am in the same boat as you are, I want another dog, and I love the Sheltie breed, but will getting another one remind me of my Zip? I hope that you can find solace in your own heart before you look to another pet to help. I don't think that getting another pet will help to ease the pain of losing another. But, the question remains...When is the right time after a "loss"? I'm really hoping this will work out for you. Were you looking for a cuddly one? Those really are the best, aren't they? Let us know what you decided, and we all hope you find your Teensie! If not, then I hope you find a way to ease your suffering, the unknown is awful!! I don't really know too much about cats, I've only had one in my whole life. Give the new one some time, maybe she'll come around. It took our Westie dog quite awhile to get used to us. But we kept him anyway because we knew we could give him a good home compared to what he had. Keep your head up. Good luck to you.....Zippers momma

I almost took this baby kitten back yesterday. For some reason her presense made me feel even more helpless and hopeless than ever before. I guess it was kind of like admitting I would never see Teensie again and that was hard to bear.

I'm glad I took everyone's advice and decided to give her a little more time. She's quite different from Teensie, but is very sweet and loving in a different way. Her constant yelling and meowing was bothering me, all of my other cats have been very quiet and I wasn't used to it. (man is she NOISY!)

Anyway, after spending a little more time with her I decided that her new name just HAD to have something to do with her meowing. I kicked around a lot of names, and last night we watched American Idol together. I thought several of the top contestants names might be good, but somehow she didn't seem like a "Fantasia". This morning I was thinking about it again and her new name came to me, DIVA.

So I now have a new little baby who LOVES to sing.

I still miss Teensie terribly and I'll never forget her and I pray every day that she will be returned to me. But Diva is helping to ease the pain of losing her.

Hi Slapfish:

Good for you....I loved reading your post. And, "DIVA"... WHAT A PERFECT NAME.... very fitting!!! She's just a kitten (? how old is she??) -- maybe when she gets a little older, she'll quiet down a little bit.

I know that your heart is still all broken up & aches for Teensie; mine definitely would too....But, I haven't given up on little Teensie, and I know that you haven't either. I'll continue with my prayers for Teensie's safe return to you.....

It was great to hear that you & Teensie spent quality time together last night watching "American Idol"... The bonding has started between you & your new furbaby.....

I wish you lots of happiness & love with Diva... God Bless you!

Love, Denise