Yesterday my significant other pulled the truck into the garage and ran over our cat. This is really awful because the cat (Ginger) was always slipping in and out of the garage and my SO and I have exchanged plenty of harsh words over it. Sure enough we heard a yelp and found him around the side of the house. (His name is Ginger even though he is a guy cat)---we took him to the regular vet and then to the "emergency" vet and now he is at the "critical care" vet all the way downtown. I guess he is in the best place that he can be right now. We got a call that he is definately bleeding internally (his RBC has dropped significantly)--right now they are transfusing him and hoping to be able to do a surgery on him to stop the bleeding and fix his intestines (that they could see in xray are injured). I have been beside myself and I know the prognosis is grim. I can't stop crying. It is so sad --especially sad because he had been an abused cat and he made of friend of me--it was really hard to get him to trust me and love me--but he did. can you say a prayer for my baby??? Can you give me any words of wisdom??? My heart is broken in two.

Dear sweet companion of Ginger:

I am so sorry. I have no words of wisdom. But I will say a prayer for Ginger, and for you and your SO too. Please let us know how the surgery and etc. go.

Love,
Jennifer

Gingers pal,
I am so sorry to hear about what happened! I hope by now you have some good news. I too am praying for you, your family, the vet who's working on him and, of course, for little Ginger. The only "words of wisdom" I have are try not to blame your SO because I can't imagine anything good would come of that. I would think he must feel really bad too.

thank you both for your replies. I understand about not making my SO feel worse about the situation. I told him I felt as responsible as he did because I could have gotten out and checked for Ginger before we pulled in. I know my SO would never ever intentionally hurt Ginger.
I have just come from visiting Ginger. It still is looking bad, but it was so wonderful to pet him. They let me pet him and talk to him. He looked directly at me. He is in an incubator type contraption that is pumping oxygen all around him. He looked much better than I anticipated (although they told me it is "touch and go"). He has to be stabilized before they will even consider surgery and his red blood count is still too low.
thanks for the prayers. Seems kind of stupid to ask total strangers for prayers for my cat..but on the other hand, we aren't really strangers because we are here on this common ground. Thanks again.

I'm so sorry about the accident!!!

I am sending intense prayers Ginger's way.

Please keep in close touch. I like what you said: "we aren't really strangers because we are here on this common ground." So true! We all feel for what each other is going through.

Prayers and love and support,
Little Girl's Mommy, Kathy

p.s. Ginger is handsome!!!

thank you Kathy---thanks so much for your reply. It means alot to me that any of you care--and I know you do. Yes, he is a beauty, isn't he? he is really big. much bigger than you can see in his photo. Did you lose your kitty? I assume so since you are posting here. I am so sorry. I feel heartened to be able to "talk" to anyone tonight who has been in this boat. I know I am lucky to have him at that facility where he might have some chance of survival. They are not giving me much indication of what they think his chances are --but this was a truck that hit him--not just a car but a truck. I went there today and got to pet him and that was just wonderful. In the lobby though one after another were handwritten cards to the staff and it looked like practically everyone of them were about fataliities. very very grim business the "emergency clinic"...I wonder how they can work there..I certainly could not. thanks for the prayers. I really really appreciate it.
Patti

Patti,
I think they can work at a place like that, b/c hopefully they save a lot more than they lose. I hope that's the case, but I agree, it would be hard.

I am saying prayers for your baby. Please keep us posted, and whatever is best is what will be. I pray it's what we all want, for him to make it with flying colors.

Dear Patti:

I am so sorry to hear about the accident.

I am very happy that you got to see your beloved Ginger, and that he was looking "pretty good". I am very happy that Ginger is at a wonderful emergency place, they have a lot of experience dealing in traumatic cases.

You can truly believe Patti, that everyone here is praying for your Ginger - also for you & your SO. Also, there are lots of people who "read" our posts, who may not feel "quite ready" to post yet........for whatever reason..... But, just know that there are A LOT OF PRAYERS BEING SAID FOR YOU & YOUR BABY.....

I am praying that God's Hands are working through the veterinarian's who are taking care of Ginger....

God Bless you,
My thoughts & prayers are with you....
Please keep all of us posted.

Love, Denise PS HE IS SUCH A HANDSOME BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope Ginger is alright and I hope you are, too. Dealing with an ill animal companion is so exhausting...both physically and emotionally. It's hard to think about anything else and your body stays so tense and upset. So, try to take care of yourself, too.

I am sending positive thoughts your way...

What a roller coaster. The surgery went "well" but now he has fluid in his lungs. I saw him today and he looked really horrible. I mean horrible. To be expected after all that surgery but they did make it sound better (over the phone) than the reality. So then I went and saw our regular vet who nicely talked with me during busy office hours. The emergency place has been faxing him information (very efficient) and our regular vet says if Ginger is not significantly better in 48 hours---well you know the rest of the sentence. So more prayers please!!! BIG prayers for Ginger--who has a huge red sign on his recovery room that says "will BITE"---(what they don't realize is that he would bite even before surgery--lol) little meanie.
I really appreciate from the bottom of my heart all your kind thoughts. My neighbor died on Monday --he was only 53!! so, I have felt some foolish being so upset over my cat...after all, the lady next door lost her husband...a seemingly more profound problem... But coming here the sincerity jumps off the monitor --all your posts have made me smile--you are all "cat people" and only "cat people" can empathize like cat people.

fingers crossed for a good outcome

Not foolish at all, not at all. I lost both my parents a long time ago, and I miss them very much. There are people who might not appreciate my saying this, but the loss of my little Hannah is just as painful for me, and I know everyone here understands it when I say that. For one thing, since I don't have my parents (I do have a very good brother), it makes it more difficult and I miss Hannah even more than I might have, I guess, than if I'd had my mom and dad here now. I know they would understand too. It does not diminish my love for them in any way. They would be proud that they raised me with a kind, loving heart.

About the other people who died, it does make you think, especially if you have people in your life that you love. We have to remember not to forget them and to take care to keep loving those we still have. Life is so, so short and it slips away so quickly right in front of our eyes.

Of course, we're all praying for that little ol meanie baby and for you all -- that you will still have him to love too. Keep us updated, please.
Marcia

Dear Patti,

I am still sending good vibes and big prayers for Ginger. Thanks for posting the pic -- he is gorgeous. I stare at it when I pray for him.

Thank you also for keeping us updated. Most of us out here are out here because we've lost someone (or more than one), and I think we are all pulling for you and Ginger the way we would've (or did) with our own...

And don't ever discount your grief. Losing someone you spend hours with every day, someone who loves you unconditionally, someone who depends on you, who you depend on... that is always significant, whether it is a human someone or not.

Love and prayers,
Jennifer

Dear Patti:

Please, like Jennifer said, "Don't ever discount your grief"....

Our beautiful furbabies don't ever ask for much at all..............food, water & love..... And, really, How much these beautiful babies give us in return?????
Much more than one could ever realize (especially those people who won't allow a furbaby in their home; God forbid, because of furniture, etc.....)....

I am saying prayers for your beautiful Ginger......(what a very, very handsome boy.....).....

Even if he is a "lil' meanie"............ We here at LS, we all love him & are praying because he is your very special furbaby!!

Whether it be "an animal" with fur, scales, fins..........a tiny lil' hamster, mouse, rat.............." They are OUR BABIES, AND they are our "family".... You know?????

When a bond is made, THAT BOND STAYS VERY, VERY STRONG.....AND, WE ALL BECOME FAMILY!!!!!

I know that all of you will agree....................when my little Girl Ernestine "could 'SENSE' that I had even 1/2 tear in my eye", she was the first one to come to me..................
"What's the matter mom?????" "Why are you sad???" That little tiny being....she was comforting me; God Bless Her!!!

Well, when you look at their beautiful little faces, how can you be sad anymore???
I'm sure you all know what I mean....

Human people, sure it is awfully sad when we see someone that lives on our Street, or is in the obituaries, and is a young person..... You cannot help but feel terribly sad.....

But, that does not make WHAT YOU ARE FEELING, ABOUT YOUR GINGER, ANY LESS AT ALL!!!!!!!.........

Ginger is a big, big part of WHO YOU ARE!!!!!

WE ALL CARE........I DO!!!!! Please keep in touch and let us know how your baby is doing....

Thanks!!

Love, Denise

Hi everyone. Ginger won't eat and he is pulling out catheters etc. I will go see him in a couple of hours. Yesterday I had quite a bit of hope but the doctor just called minutes ago and her voice was quite "flat". She said I have to talk to another doctor when I get there so I am thinking they certainly have nothing happy to say to me. I am glad I have all of you to talk to. I just cry and cry.
Worse, I am starting to feel alot of anger toward my fella who did NOT mean to do this of course---but I can not help it--I am mad at him. I haven't been able to say that even to myself but I am writing it here because I want it to be outside of me somewhere--on my monitor--on this board. I have said all along it is not his fault but deep down I am so mad at him!!! I am mad at myself too but more mad at him. stupid I know. Somehow in my heart I always "knew" he might run over Ginger!!!! and now the day is here and it has happened!!!!! Why don't I go run over his kid and then shrug and say sorry!!! (he has grown children MY child is Ginger!!!~!!) There is just the two of us in this house and my two cats. Ruggles is my senior citizen indoor and Ginger is my rowdy lovable indoor outdoor. My life fairly revolves around the two cats. Dave has always been wonderful about them but of course I don't think he is nearly as "invested" in them...how could he be?? Well, thanks for listening. off to go cry. thanks for being here.

isn't he beautiful

gorgeous!!

What a handsome beauty!!!

Is he a Norwegian Forest Mix????

Norwegian Forest Mix???? <--yes, I have always thought so--he was a stray, I made him my "project" 6 years ago, just being dumb enough to keep loving him and loving him despite the fact he bit me...! he bit me but I "loved him anyway!!" quite honestly NO ONE else would have ever put up with him and I was "proud" of that!--I felt like a scientist out in the wild, taming a savage beast--what did I know?? I was previously a "dog" person!.. He would bite me or scratch me (and believe me, he is one scary cat when he is aggitated) but I would say sweetly "oh Ginger---you don't want to bite mommy!"; this happened how many times! til the day came and he really loved me--ME! Love triumphed as I kept thinking it would.

he is a big big guy too--17 pounds until this ----he is the prettiest cat so people are drawn to pet him and then he surprises them by snapping at them. We actually got a sign that said "beware of cat"--and people thought it was a joke (and it wasn't). He terrorized the neighbors in their own yard! It's a wonder they still speak to me. Then he got so he hardly ever snapped --I felt proud, like a "mom!" who had taught her child manners---he was starting to be nice to other people, not just me --after his established history of nearly taking off your hand for just trying to pet him.

Well, geez Ginger, he is extraordinary in so many ways. I thought all along I was teaching him stuff, because he was so difficult and no one else would have taken him on--but he taught me much more than I could ever teach him! Like how persistence pays.

I saw him today--he is getting more plasma. The doctor said hopefully he is "healing and sealing". but they are worried about his not eating though. ---continue prayers accepted!---persistence pays, so I can't give up on him --not yet.

He is certainly handsome! I am saying many prayers for you in hopes that he has a speedy recovery. I also hope that he becomes an indoor kitty, or at least is more wary of the garage.

I have really been missing my baby and having your baby to focus on and pray for has helped. So please keep us posted about his progress!

Crossing my fingers and praying hard!

Cindy

Cindy! thanks so much--yes, if I have the wonderful fortune of getting him home--he will be an indoor guy. thanks so much for your kind words!

tribble had many of the same looks as ginger, i always thought it was a maine coon mix but norweigen fits
the bill too. oh, he also was a 17lb biter, enjoyed gnawing on fingers, ankles, etc....got to love them

in regards to the anger, thats normal and i can relate. my wife (now ex) was a young veterinarian and
though tribble survived the intial emergency room stay (he turned 180 degrees), as we walked through
the door of our home he went downhill fast for some reason. we drove to her small clinic and though she
tried to save him, well...it ended poorly. i held some huge resentment there for a while, and it later
came back into my mind during our separation for some reason. with that all said, i believe you will
have to work through the anger in your own way and on your own schedule. embrace the fact that
it was an accident and that will move you along the acceptance continuum all that much quicker.
please let us know how things progress, i am reading this post with anticipation of good news

Thank you everyone. He did not make it. Thank you so much for everything.


Ginger 1995-2004

Hi Ginger, How is it in Heaven? Can you forgive Mommy for hanging on too long? Can you forgive me for not getting out of the truck and looking for you, making sure you are safe, like I did a thousand times before? Why didn't I that day?? I am so sorry. I will never forgive myself.

Remember when you first looked at me from deep inside the bushes on Tillamook street? Was it seven years ago? I thought you were the cat I saw on a "lost" flyer--you looked like that cat "Rudy"--"Rudy?" I asked and you just looked at me, all scared. So I went down the street to the flyer on the pole and got the number and called it--"I think I have Rudy in my yard". "No" was the reply, "Rudy came home and I forgot to take down the flyers". You just couldn't be coaxed out until later in the week when you finally ate something at the back door. You stood there all skinny and shaking, gobbling up the food.
I didn't need a cat but there you were every day and then there was the ice storm so I decided oh what the hell, I wasn't going to let you freeze out there. I picked you up and put you in the laundry room--where you lived for a good long while because I was afraid you would get run over by a car. I "fattened you up" down there in the laundry room, like a Christmas goose. You loved your food and although you seemed pretty smart, that was a busy street and I kept wondering what to do with you. I couldn't just let you back out to an uncertain future. And remember you were very bizarre...Remember how you would bite me when I went in to do the laundry? That hurt! You were so scary sometimes! But for some weird reason I always knew you "didn't mean it"--that became my mantra---you didn't mean it. Soon it became evident that I was the one to take care of you. Who else would take on a project like you? You were beautiful alright and your beauty sucked people in for the first 30 seconds, followed by the scary hiss and a big snap. That's how you got your name. When I decided to keep you Sondra said with authority that you were female and I named you Gingersnap, Ginger for short. When I moved to this house with an extra big yard we let you go out everyday and come in at night. You had the best life here. Aside from some run-ins with the neighbor animals you flourished in these surroundings. We did get a sign that read: "Beware of Cat". Everyone thought it was a joke. I wrote "no kidding" on it. I learned much much later you were a guy but one of my cyber friends advised me to leave your name alone, as there was indeed a man named Ginger. A famous Drummer from England named Ginger Baker. Good enough for me. But it took me awhile to stop myself from saying "oh Ginger, you're such a good girrrrrrrl." It was an adjustment emotionally too, to learn you were male. All along I had cut you a little slack for being a mixed up female. Gender bias, I guess. I got used to it though and started saying "oh Ginger, you're such a good boy!"
I must say I took a real pride in getting you to really love me and trust me. It was so obvious that you had experienced "trouble" somehow with a different group of humans. Aside from being so territorial and wanting to beat up all other cats you just didn't care for people much....I wondered why anyone could ever have been mean to you but that is the conclusion I came to. I kept thinking that I would be so loving and kind to you that you would "get it" and eventually and you did. I am still so proud of that. I often said I felt like Jane Goodall with you--she made friends with the chimps and I made friends with you. No one else could. It made me feel special. Like I had overcome impossible odds. Some people are proud that they can cook or run marathons or garden or whatever...I was most proud that I made you into a friend. I accomplished something tricky and unusual.. I took an unpredictable mean cat and convinced him to be my pal. I would not give up. Remember you shredded my arm and bit me once in the face?! I kept on anyway. "You didn't mean it". (and I really know you didn't!) I was convinced love would conquer all. I wanted to prove that to you and to myself. I did prove it. In the end you did love me. You even got so you liked Dave, and you let him hold you. What a surprise that was!

I know childless people make their pets "too" significant. I know that and yet I could not help it. It was all a runaway train. Knowing you was a runaway train. I had no control over your behavior (well just a little) and I couldn't make them fix you in the end. It was all out of my hands. No amount of hopes and prayers or money could bring you back. I would do anything to have you back, sitting at my feet while I paint a picture. I loved the sound of your bells on your collar. To me that always meant that you were safe, that I knew you were in our yard (where you belonged instead of trying to beat up the dogs next door). Your bells have gone quiet and my heart is broken. Did you know though that even though you were so feisty (even at the hospital) that the young woman who called me to tell me you were gone had a tear in her voice? She saw through your act too I bet. You acted mean but you were so dear. You were a paradox. I thought by befriending you that I would teach you something. It was you who taught me. Lots of people said you were lucky to have me. It was me who was lucky to have had you.

I'll never forget you, my wild puma. my sweet boy.

Oh gosh, I am so, so, so sorry Ginger did not make it. Your letter to Ginger was absolutely beautiful, just beautiful. You sound like just such a wonderful person and cat mommy. Such patience and love.

I am just leaving to for work (I work on weekends.) I will "talk" with you more later. I'll be thinking of you.

i'm so sorry he didnt pull through, he sounded very special. your letter to him was wonderful.

I am so sorry for your loss --- Ginger put up such a valiant struggle!!

Your letter to your Ginger was lovely; but I am still so sorry for your loss.

God Bless you & your SO!!

I'm glad that Ginger felt the love that only you, his mommy, could give...

Love, Denise

I'm so sorry Ginger didn't make it. I was so hoping that he would. He was (and still is) a very handsome fellow. I could tell how special he was. And what a wonderful letter to him!

I'm so sorry Ginger didn't pull through!! For some unknown reason it may have been his time to pass on.

Ginger knows how very much you loved---and still love---him. He knows how hard you tried to save him!! And he knows that accidents happen, mistakes happen (like you not checking for him in the garage. So PLEASE, forgive yourself). If accidents and mistakes didn't happen every day, then we wouldn't be human.

Ginger's body may be gone, but his soul is alive and well. I believe that his spirit is still right with you. And when it's your time to go, you will be fully reunited! In the meantime, try and have the most love in your life that you can. It will be in Ginger's honor!

God bless you. Let us know how you're doing.

Wonderful letter.

I am so sorry about Ginger's passing. I haven't had much free time to be on the board lately but I did read every thread about Ginger and I had so much hope he would make it.

I am so sorry.


Jan

I am so sorry to hear about your beloved friend. I've been checking this post off and on all day hoping to hear that he was recovering. Ginger was so lucky to have such a great life with you as were you to have him in your life. I truly believe that our animals choose us just as much as we choose them. I loved reading your letter and how you two met. I hope you found comfort in writing it. Please keep us posted on how you're doing. We're listening...

Take care,
Jordan's mom

thanks to all of you --You are all like friends --like friends who have "been there" and I am so grateful that I got to come here and share my unhappy story. In re-reading my letter to Ginger I am already seeing that it was more a happy story than an unhappy one. I find myself remembering a letter that a "real" mother wrote to her son who didn't survive in Viet Nam (I know! I know!! how in the world can I equate those two scenarios??lol) well it is in what she wrote---something along the lines of "if I could trade all the pain and heartache of losing you for never having had you--would I? ....NO" and that is how I feel right now. I had much more happiness than unhappiness. The scales are tipped in favor of happiness. thanks again to all of you. My heart goes out to all of you who lost your buddies too. Maybe they are all together right now your buddies and my Ginger. Hope he behaves himself up there.

i'm so so so sorry. i've been following ginger's story everyday, even if i didn't really post. i thought of ginger the other day when i was planting flowers on my Cleo's grave and said a little prayer, and i cried a bit just now hearing your news.

some things i have found in my own journey of berevement:

• it was important for me to put together a photo album soon after cleo died. it helped me to remember that she did have a good home and happy times with us. not just that she had been an abused cat who struggled with life a lot. it also helped to see photos of her when she was not ill or dying in my arms. i can remember her better as she was in life now, not as she was at the end.
• it changes everyday, and feelings come back very suddenly and unexpectedly. it takes time, don't push the feelings away. anger is ok, depression is ok. make sure you have support to work through them. with your S.O.? be honest with him about the way you feel about him being involved in the accident. work through it together, and be honest.
• plan happy things to look forward to (even just from moment to moment). they help you enjoy getting back into life yourself a bit more, and help the future look a little brighter. example, "tomorrow i will look forward to having a day out in the park feeding the ducks." little things but significant.

i hope any of that helps. keep us posted on how you're doing.

Hi, Patti,

I feel stupid, but I am bawling like a baby. In this past week or so, I feel like I've really gotten to know him, and I had SO much hope that he would recover. I feel a very deep sense of loss.

You've been a wonderful mother to that little devil! Thank you for the life and the love you gave him.

I am just so so sorry.

Love,
Jennifer

Hi Patti,

I am late in replying as I have not been able to read the board regularly for a while now. I am deeply sorry for your loss ... it is hard to lose one but especially under those cir%%stances. Try not to blame your SO ... he is probably feeling just as broken up as you are if not just because he knows how much it has hurt you.

You gave Ginger a good life ... he knows it and we know just by hearing about him through you. You did for him more than most people would have done and you were rewarded with his trust which you never violated. Always remember that. Also, try and not get stuck in the I should have/ I could have trap. We are all guilty of doing this but honestly nothing good can come of it ... there is always room for regrets no matter what the situation. Try to remember that you did the best you could for him in every situation and he loved you for it.

I wish I had magic words to take the pain and regret from you ... I don't ...

I am thought deeply sorry for your loss ...

Hugs,
Beth

I really appreciate the advise and the kind thoughts here! I have been a "regular" on another discussion board (it is non-pet related) & of course I wrote about what was going on with me and Ginger for a week--well I have gotten alot of well wishes from them too-- however, on the other board there was one person who left no message at all--a person who often contributes. I have come to realize that she thinks my grief is somewhat over-the-top...after all, Ginger was "just a cat". I confess that "hurts" and makes me feel foolish. But then I come here and every single post is heartfelt. A sauve for the sting. Hey, the man next door died unexpectedly and I know I should be "more" upset about him than Ginger. (but I am not!)

--do you think they somehow "chose us??" ---I really love that thought--like the poster anin wrote about---maybe Ginger chose me. cosmically or something. What a nice idea. You could not have been a better "support" bunch. I could have searched the world over and never found as nice and as empathetic a group of folks. I wish I could have you all over for tea and bisquits in Ginger's back yard.

I too am so very sorry and upset when I read the news. I actually gasped when you said he did not make it, and wept. I'm sure I'm weaping for my baby too. It all feels so fresh and raw. I was pulling so hard for your handsome boy. As someone else said, for whatever reason it was his time, as God only loans them to us.

He did pick you, just as all of our babies pick us. That is why, when I do get another, she (or he) will pick me.

I'm lighting a candle for Ginger tonight. I light one every night for all our babies, and the ones who unfortunately have to leave their humans. It will help them find their way to the Rainbow Bridge where they will play and wait for their humans.

It helps me ease the pain of my own loss. Hopefully, it will ease.

thanks mayabella is that your baby as your avatar? what a beauty. thanks for the candle. I love what you wrote. thanks so much.

Oh my God I am so sorry! I haven't checked the posts since Saturday morning, and now I come here and read this. . .
I totally know where you're coming from about people not understanding how much your cats mean to you. A few weeks ago at work, I was talking to another cat lover about my kitties and how Vanna wasn't doing very well. One of my co-workers was sitting nearby and she had the audacity to say, "I hate cats. They're so annoying." I wanted to punch her in the face but settled for a carefully-chosen snide remark. <_< I guess what I'm trying to say is that although other people didn't realize how much Ginger meant to you, I'm sure Ginger knew how much he meant to you, and that's all that matters. . .

We're praying for you,
Erica

it wasn't just me who cried and cried for ginger here then. i supose what someone else said is right, it's a bit like reliving our own loss too. i supose that's what empathy really is. i love the idea of the candles.

the whole 'just a cat' argument always upsets me and people who complain about how terrible cats are in front of me. they don't have to understand completely, but do they have to be hurtful?

We all cried for your and Ginger, I'm sure. Like Maybella, I lit a candle for Hannah last night, one for all of the Lightning Strike members' furbabies, and one for "all the homeless, forgotten, abandoned abused animals . . ." You can find this website and post a memorial for Ginger at
http://www.petloss.com/

People can be so insensitive. Unfortunately, society here has been largely programmed that "It's just an animal." Those unfortunate people, not to know the love we have known and know. I hope that one day before too long, with the help of people like us and our precious furbabies, all people (I wish) will come to understand that they are so very much more! Again, I want to include Henry Beston's quote to express exactly what I mean, (and I include that near the end of this post).

People say, they can't think, they aren't THAT intelligent, etc. How does anyone know that anyway? Just because they aren't able to speak? Besides that, what's the big deal about intelligence being the most supreme attribute of living beings anyway? What about all the other traits we value or should value so highly, like kindness, gentleness, loyalty, trust, etc?

Here's the quote:
"We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from the universal nature, and living by complicated artiface, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time; fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.

From THE OUTER MOST HOUSE, by Henry Beston. Reprinted by Holt, Rinehart & Winston. Copyrite 1928, 1956

Ah, if only more people understood this. What a much better world we would have!

Izzy, please don't ever feel "foolish" about your feelings for Ginger. We understand and we all care. Again, I'm so sorry you have had to go through so much and on top of that all, to have to bear the insensitivity of some people.
Marcia

Ginger's mom,
Yes! that's my baby as my avatar. This pic was taken so long ago, but that's her looking so sweet.

I hope the coming days will bring you closer to the ease of loss. It will take time and I do not envy the freshness of your pain, but we are here for you. It is still so sad for me and some days so very fresh and raw. That's the roller coaster, but I have faith today, that it will get better. I will never stop missing her, ever. I don't have any magic words for your loss and your pain, other than to grieve, and grieve often. It is healing in itself.

You have my utmost sympathy and compassion.

The candle was lit last night and prayers said. I will continue for all of us.

Gingerspal, I'm so sorry for your loss. I started to read your letter to Ginger but couldn't see to finish it thru my tears. As I just lost my Cuddley Cat yesterday, he was 18 y/o. My heart is breaking right along with yours. I feel so empty, I wish I would of told him more how much I loved him and I told him all the time, but now it doesn't seem like it was enough, I want to tell him more. It's a horriable, horriable pain we go thru. I wish you all the best in your greiveing process.

I am so, so sorry for your loss.

Your letter to Ginger was absolutely beautiful and shows the depths of your love for him (and his love for you).

Hi Patti:

I wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts everyday, and I hope that you are okay.... (as okay as you can possibly be right now!!)

Ginger was such a BEAUTIFUL BOY.....AND, I can tell that he was very, very well loved.....

I am one that really believes that our furkids "choose us", and I believe that Ginger chose you......

The letter that you wrote to your wonderful boy was so heartfelt, and full of love........

Just remember that "you will always have your memories".....No one can take them away!!!

It will be four months on June 5th that our Ernie-Bird was put to sleep..........(she had been so ill and was suffering, and we prayed to God to please take her in her sleep)..... But, we had to help her to the Other side.....

We miss her soooooooo much. I never, ever thought in a hundred trillion years that we would ever get another kitty to love - never mind two................ But, one month after Ernie went to the Bridge, we went to a shelter and saved two furkids, who had been terribly abused by their previous "owner"....

I am happy that you found LS, but sorry that you even had to look for a pet grief site at all....

We are always here for you, and you are wonderful yourself -- reaching out to other's in their time of need.... I think it's the most precious gift that you can give.....

Peace & Love,
Denise