i am pleased to announce a new addition to the lightning-strike family:

he has no name yet (tho he has been called "chubs") and is the product of a tabby tom mixed with a persian queen. the vet (my ex wife) says he is a scrapper and should be a large cat, much like my tribble was. had not planned to get a new kitty, but she sent me a picture and well, i am a total sucker for male tabbys

my family will need to see if anyone is severely allergic, so this will be a one-week "trial" and we are to pick him up on Sunday. better photo to come, but here is one sent to me via a camera phone:

R.I.P. Freaky April 20 2006 - January 16 2007.

You don't have to be a sucker for a male tabby to be a sucker for that little face!! He is a doll! His eyes are just beautiful. I am so glad that you have finally decided to bring in another furry family member. I'm sure Tribble is thinking 'what took ya so long !'. I'm sure that 'Chubs' (which is pretty cute if you ask me) will live the life of a king. I am truly happy for you both! Congrats! I can't wait to see more photos...
Kim

Oh Marc i am so pleased for you, im sure Tribble is dancing for joy.

Chubs is adorable you lucky thing you.

Love Sue.

ps is he going to be a moderator

What an adorable little guy! I can understand why you took him.
Send more pics!

Congratulations on the new addition to your family. I hope that he brings you a ton of fun and many wonderful years of companionship.

thanks everybody!

i am picking the lil guy up on sunday, fingers crossed my wife's allergies don't kick up enough for us to have to bring him back. that would not be fun. photos coming, you can bet

Hi Marc & Family!!

What a precious baby boy !!

I'm thrilled for all of you and will say my prayers & keep fingers crossed that there are no furcat allergies in the household!!!!

More pictures when you can.....

I know that Tribble is smiling down from Rainbow's Bridge with his approval .

Love, Denise

Uh oh! Marc's 'sucker light' is on. Congratulations and I don't blame you a bit for grabbing this jewel up. What an adorable face! I hope everything works out well allergy-wise. Please post more photos as soon as possible and let us know how the rascal is doing.

All the best,
Ken Albin

Have you decided on a name yet? and how is he getting on, no allergies i hope.

my wife has grown quite attached, and he to her as well. few complaints about sinus problems, but no allergies per se. so i think he is a keeper!

his name is Freaky and he is an unusual kitty, very brave and acts like he owns the place already (ok, i know that is not that unusual). he loves to eat dog food, which i thought cats hated. freaky is also very polite about his claws, which suprises me as well, tribby used to make my arms into hamburger (a young man's kitty, go figure

freaky does bring back fond memories of tribby, even after all these years. but he is not tribby, thats for sure, and when i try to compare the two it most often ends in my disappointment. i think tribby was a very special animal, and none other can compare. but freaky is a fun kitten, just as kittens should be

Guess hes got your heart allready though eh

sad to say, i took this little guy to the hospital late last night. he may have FIP or a bad liver. he is at our vet now for tests, etc. 8 mos old and he could die soon. what a tragedy. i wait 10 years to get another kitty and now this happens

Oh no! What a darling kitty, I really hope he pulls through this and doesn't turn out to have a serious problem.

I'll be thinking of you and freaky, hoping for the best. Please keep us posted.

Dear (((((((((Marc & family))))))))))

Oh Marc, I'm so sorry! I'll definitely be sending prayers & healing thoughts straight to your little guy......
Please keep us informed of how he's doing, and how you are getting along, too - okay? Miracles can & do happen.....

Thinking of you & your family at this very difficult time.....

Peace & Love,

Denise & Ben

NOOO!!!!! I refuse to accept that anything bad will happen.
All my prayers are with you, Freaky & the rest of the family.

Love,
V

Oh no! You, your family and Freaky are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love
Lori

the Dx is FIP. so tonight around 6pm the family is visiting freaky at the clinic for our last goodbyes. my wife will probably stay behind for the euthanasia, sadly i can no longer handle these type of things in my life.

i think this is a sign that having a pet is not to be. we will wait a while and consider carefully if we are to adopt another kitty.

moved this to the appropriate forum, thanks for understanding.

I don't know what the appropriate forum would be, but if you need to move this, I apologize for the inconvenience.

I am so very sorry for the loss of this beautiful little guy, and for the pain which you and your family are suffering through. It just seems so inconceivable that this could happen after you waited so long to bring him into your family. I am certain that he had the best family and the best love any kittie could have - if that's any small consolation. "Sorry" just doesn't seem adequate enough to express my feelings, but you, your family, and of course little freaky will be in my prayers.

This board has been such an incredible blessing to me, and through it I have found such a source of comfort that at times I'm convinced it's practically saved my life. For this to happen to you all and freaky just breaks my heart, as I know it does yours.

I'm just so terribly sorry. God bless. Take care - Barbara

I'm so sorry this happened. It doesn't necessarily mean that having a pet isn't meant to be though. I don't know what it means. Maybe it doesn't mean anything. Maybe its just horrible bad luck that you happened to choose one who didn't have long left. I wouldn't take that as a sign to give up though.

Poor Freaky, may he rest in peace. I'm glad, as I'm sure Freaky is also, that he had a loving home for his last days. Maybe that was your purpose here, to give him that home, so that he would know the love and comfort of belonging somewhere, before his time was up.

My thoughts are with you.

Marc,

I'm so sorry for the tragic loss of your beautiful kitten. But, like my Mack's, or Copper's ,or Chelseas cancer it is a random tragedy. FIP IS A DISEASE, NOT A DESTINY. I don't believe the universe uses the deaths of innocents to manipulate human choices.
This is the choice we make to open our homes and hearts to these vulnerable short-lived being, a grieve when their life is over, or to spare our hearts that pain by forgoing the joy.
I know you are devastated right now, but ask yourself if you would really have missed the the pleasure of Freaky's company, and what would the last few months of his life had been like it you had?

through my tears,
Dayna

Oh no, just no. This just sucks. I'm so so sorry for you and your family. I agree with AlleysMama, I'm glad and I'm sure Freaky is too, that he had a loving family for as long as he had on Earth. He was loved, and warm and fed and happy. Now he goes to be with Tribble. I wish I had better words. My heart is breaking too.

You, your family and Freaky are in my thoughts
Lori

So very sorry for you untimely loss of Freaky.
You above everyone have helped us all here by starting this site for us to remember our furbabies. It seems so unfair to get so attached and then have to let go so soon. I believe everyone (including Furbabies) come into our lives for a reason and even though Freaky"s life was short I am sure he touched yours so much. Thanks for all you do here and my sympathy is with you.
Joanne (raggs Mom)

thanks for the kind words my friends.

i am on my way to the clinic now to say goodbye. seems like ive been here before. knowing that this site is here to help everybody, and now including yours truly, is a comfort for sure.

wife and i talked about a new kitty, but not for a while. not 10 years, but not right away either.

I am so sorry for your untimely loss. It is so tragic. I am very new here. I just lost my Molly yesterday. It was unexpected and so upsetting. I feel your sorrow. This sight has been a such a source of comfort.

Your Freaky and family are in my prayers.

Kim

There are no words to describe how deeply sorrowful I feel over your loss of little Freaky. I hope you can find the comforting love that comes from everyone here like I have whenever I visit your site. I usually light a candle for T.C. every Friday night, but I will light a special one tonight for Freaky and ask T.C. to help watch over your little one and for those who are grieving for their lost furbabies. I am feeling especially sad tonight.
Thinking of you with love and prayers, Kathi

I would just like to say that I am so very sorry that this happened to you and your family.I agree with the others when they said that at least little Freaky got to know what it was like to be loved and to have a real family around him.May that sweet boy rest at the rainbow's bridge with the rest of our beloved pets.I am just heartbroken for you and my thoughts and prayers are with you tonight.I want you to know that this site has been such a blessing to me and so many others.We come here for support and understanding and I would be lost without it.It has gotten me thur some very rough times since I lost my own boy Sox.I am truly grateful for it and I am sure there are many others who feel the same way as I do.We're all here for you now so please let us know if we can help in any way.God Bless. Sincerely,Renee (Sox's mom)

Dear Marc, I just want to pass my thoughts your way to offer support at such a difficult time. Your little cat is so cute, and was lucky to have found you for his last few months. Little Freaky is in our thoughts and prayers, as well as you and your family.

I wanted to tell you how helpful your site has been, I am so grateful to have found it and it has been such a source of support to me, going through my loss as well. I have learned so much from the people sharing and supporting each other, and many mention how life is crazy uncertain and a crap shoot in the end. No one knows what will happen when we adopt any pets. I understand your feelings, I am not sure when we will be able to again either. My husband also couldn't be there either for the last moments

Remember the blessings he brought to you and your family.

Best Wishes, Tory, Hrudey's Momma

Dear Marc,

I am overcome with sadness for you and your family in a way that words cannot even begin to express. You've been here for us for 11 years, please let us be here for you now.

Love,
V

thanks again for the kind words. the event came and went quickly, with me and my 10yo daughter crying the most. all of us (5) played with freaky and held him. he appeared to be very at peace and smiled, albeit weakly.

im sure tribby is playing with freaky, they would get along pretty well

Rest in Peace little Freaky. I'm sure Tribble and my Alley and all the other kitties that have crossed over and glad to have you with them now.

Even though your time with him was short, it sounds like he felt very loved and smiled to let you know that he was going to be ok.

Paula

My heart goes out to you and your family Marc, you waited so long to trust your heart again and i know that freaky had the best life albeit so short he could not have hoped for a better family to have help him in his hour of nead.

I pray you will be able to open your arms again soon to another furbaby you have to much love to give to not have a bundle of joy around.

Love Sue

Dearest Marc and family,

I'm just sick about your sudden loss, and all my sympathies are with you. Who would have expected such a thing to happen after you'd finally decided to give it another go?! You and Freaky both deserved much more than this. Everyone's right though, in believing that little Freaky's last while here was spent being part of one of the best families ever ~ a family so dedicated, loving and compassionate that THE very best animal loss message board was originally created because of the love for another treasured family member. And now Freaky is part of this illustrious clan. Despite your sorrow now, you did a very good thing, in more ways than one and made such a positive difference in Freaky's short, but finally-loved life. I, as well, will light an extra candle in Freaky's memory tonight. I'm so terribly sorry...

marc and family,
i am so sorry for your loss of little freaky. words can not express how sorry i am. i only found this site in sept and you helped me sign in and got me started with this site and for that i am forever grateful to you. i just cant beleive this happened to you.
i'll will say a prayer for you and your family and most of all for freaky, i will also light a candle, please know that i am sure tribby and freaky are romping freely in rainbow bridge and they are also joined with all of our fur babies there
take care
michelle

a snow globe for freaky for the holidays, his death anniversary is in about a month so thought this would be a good way to say hi to him again. i made this at the pepsi cola fight hunger page, the more people that make globes the more money they will donate to Second Harvest. visit the site (and see freaky's animated snow globe) here.

Well, you've gone and done it again! Your helping others living in disturbing conditions. You are also a wonderful role model to your children. Thanks so much for sharing the Pepsi Snow Globe site. Freaky is in Heaven watching over you and I'm sure he loves his snow globe. There was a reason he was sent to you. I truly believe that the special souls that are here for the shortest time burn brightest in Heaven.

I'm so proud to be a part of the Lightning Strike Family though it is something no one would ever choose if they didn't have to. I'm unable to afford counseling, and when I did go I came away not feeling any better. The site you have created has done far more for me than a year of therapy. I've also directed others to it, if only to read and feel comforted. I know so many people locally that have suffered losing thier furbabies this year. I wish the world was full of people like you. It would be a wonderful place.

Thanks so very much for caring so much about others. Hoping you and your family have a wonderful and Blessed Holiday Season.

Michelle

I just read through your entire thread for the first time and I am in tears over what you went through with Freaky. I am so very sorry for your losses of both Freaky and Tribble. I think that the snowglobe is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful little soul and I admire you for all that you have done. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this website and for helping us to find therapeutic ways to share our beloved babies' lives and to heal. Like Michelle, I am so very proud, too, to be a part of this.

Wishing you peace this holiday season,
Stephanie

Marc,

I am so sorry that you all had to say goodbye to Freaky. We always take a chance on having much pain in our lives when adopting a new one if things do not go the way we would like to see them go. Don't give up on the idea of adoption, though. I would take the pain again in a minute knowing that there is so much love out there waiting to be found. It really is worth the occasional anguish to have a beloved furkid who becomes a part of the family. I wouldn't trade in all of the happy memories of life with my departed furkids for any amount of money. Those who hide from the pain will also never experience all of the joys that await us. I am glad that you haven't given up on the idea of adoption forever. There are so many furkids out there who so desperately need a good home like yours. Giving them that love is the most fitting tribute I could think of for the furkids you have lost. I know I probably am 'preaching to the choir' here but it is something we all need to be reminded of occasionally when the bad times arrive. Take care and may you and yours have a good holiday season.

All the best,
Ken Albin

thanks for the kind words guys, i am glad the site was able to help but, as always, am sad that you had to find it. as long as i am alive the site will be alive. hopefully one of my kids will take it on some day when i can no longer manage it

I am truly sorry for that loss my friend. It is a wonderful tribute to a beautiful animal. I simply cannot accept the fact though that having a pet is not to be, having this pet may not have been meant but I just know that YOU were meant to be a Gaurdian of one of God's Creatures. I know that this creature is now at peace and I pray you have found peace in all of this as well. I know there is a creature out there waiting for you!!!!.........I hope you have had time to "reconsider" these thoughts.

You know I totally agree with xrayspex. You and your family have too much to give not to open your home and hearts again. We all know the pain of loss is terrible. I still say the words of one of the moms here: The pain of losing him will never ever be greater than the joy of knowing him....is something to think about.

Each baby I have lost in my lifetime opened the way for another to be a part of my home and my heart. I don't regret having any of them. I would have kept them all forever alive if I could but it was not meant to be.

I know Freaky was very young and that is 2x horrible if that's possible. My husband brought home a puppy years ago. She was learning to use the newspapers and was very young. She got sick and we found out she had Parvo and died in pain. She was just wandering the streets and no one wanted her and she was so sweet...I named her Candy. We only had her a week or so. So I have been there with young ones lost also.

There just are not enough animal lovers created and we just can't afford to lose even a single one. I hope you are able to open your home and try again....a baby will be forever grateful to you and it really does help the healing process.

Hope you have a new beginning soon. The snow globe is beautiful and so are both your babies.