With our cats getting older I knew that this moment would arrive sooner or later. Our beautiful alpha cat Tommy stopped eating this weekend. Something told me that this might be very serious so I gave him lots of petting. Monday we took Tommy to the vet. They ran some tests and put in an IV. The vet said that Tommy's liver was shutting down as well as his kidneys. He thought that Tommy had cancer of the liver but xrays were inconclusive. They were going to do an ultrasound on Tuesday. According to the vet Tommy was rallying some and about to use the litter pan when he let out a small noise and collapsed. Apparently a blood clot broke free and reached his heart. He died almost instantly and could not be revived.

Tommy was found in the road 11 years ago by us. He had been hit by a car and was trying feebly to get off of the road. I jumped in front of him and waved a semi around him. I then picked Tommy up and rushed him to the emergency vet. They took out part of his jawbone. He always had a limp after that but was a happy alpha cat nonetheless. Tommy was sweet towards the other cats and was even bonded to our bunny Sir Francis for more than 9 years until Francis' death in January. Tommy was the most intelligent cat we had. He could almost read your mind at times and could understand what we were telling him.

We buried Tommy next to a fig tree in the front yard. Our lives will never be the same now that our grand old top cat is gone. He was greatly loved and the other cats here know he is not around any more. Freddy was his buddy and he has been hiding under the bed a lot since Tommy left us. We will always remember our brave alpha cat. Wait for us across Rainbow Bridge in the meadow with Sir Francis, dear Tommy.

Dear (((((((Ken & Karen)))))))

Ooohhh Ken, my heart goes out to you and Karen at this very difficult time! I am so very, very sorry to hear about your sweet, precious alpha cat Tommy .
Losing a family member can be so excrutiatingly hard..... I know how your heart feels.... broken in so many pieces!



It was truly a blessing that you were there at that extremely crucial time, Ken! I believe it was probably meant to be.....
I'm sure that your beloved adorable bunny Sir Francis was there to greet sweet Tommy at Rainbow's Bridge.
I adore the picture of the two of them sitting on a comfy chair . I always smile when I see that photo -- it makes my heart smile, too!



You and Karen do so much for animals that I often think of you both at "Angels on Earth". God Bless You Both!
Tommy will ALWAYS be your special guy, and will forever live on in your hearts....

If there is anything at all that I can do, please do not hesitate to ask.

Peace, comfort & love to you both,

Denise

when it's like this, we are really losing a person as much as a cat, I know how it is and am crying over your loss, my sympathies to you and your wife and all the family: I strongly feel that there is a destiny, there must have been a purpose for all this to happen, from your finding Tommy on that day to seeing him as he was throughout his life to later in our time. You have made Tommy's 11 years the best possible, where he came from when you found him....still a mystery.....where he is today he radiates the love you gave him back to you and your household. Be still and he will reach you in this love. Take care you and yours, he will be loving you still and more.

I am so sorry for your loss. It's so hard. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sheri

Ken,

I'm so sorry you lost your dear Tommy. I know it never gets any easier, no matter how many times you go through this. Know that I am thinking about you and Tommy.

Paula

Hi Ken, I'm so sorry for your loss. Tommy sounds like one incredible kitty.
You saved him, without any regard to yourself when you waved around the semi.
All of you are better for knowing/loving one another. It will be hard, but it does get better with time. I remember the good times I had with my Bue, and look at his pics everyday.

Take care

Thank you all for your kind words.

Hi Ken,
I hope you are doing okay. you are in my prayers. I can't tell you anything you don't already know but just know that I am so sorry for your loss. It's never fair and it's always too soon.

Tommy looks like such a wonderful and majestic cat and I'm sure he knows how good he had it with you...as well as how good you had it with him. There is no such thing as coincidence, Tommy was meant to be with you.

God Bless
John

Ken, I am so... sorry for your loss of Tommy. He was blessed when you unselfishly saved and gave him such a wonderful, loving, and joyful life. In turn, you too were blessed, for he gave to you all the more. I know how much pain you must be in and my heart goes out to you. Keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. I send to you and your family a huge cyber hug. Take care k9pal

Ken

I'm so, so sorry you lost another one. You are so kind to give a good home to all the little ones, you gain so much love. Tommy sounds and looks so special, I'm so very sorry you lost him.

I'm thinking of you, your family and Tommy

Love

Ken,I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear Tommy.You describe him as such a wonderful kitty,he was lucky to have found you.You saved his life and he remembered that and he knew that you loved him too. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.Please know we are all thinking of you and your family.Sincerely,Renee (Sox's Mom)

Ken,

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you & your brood shared some very happy times with Tommy. I think he was a very special kitty who needed you......& you gave him the love & companionship he needed.

Please, let yourself grieve for Tommy. We're here to talk & listen, whatever & however long it takes. Always know that we are here for you.

Kim

I am so sorry that you are back again to tell us, that Tommy had to go.
You have lost another precious member of your wonderfull family.
It makes me cry.
Yes, remember the good times. I like to look at the furkidspage.
So much love they give us,
I am feeling with you
eva

I am so sorry for the loss of Tommy...what a handsome boy he is. Take care.

Ken, It's been over a year since Nickels passed. I don't come around as much as I used to but every time I do, I notice your posts comforting all of us. I think about how much you carry for each of us and can't help but shed a tear for Tommy and your family. Your are truly a blessing to this board and know that Tommy is in a very special place telling all of our babies that his Dad helps so many of thier pet parents survive until we can see them again. I also want to say that I absolutely think that your Daddy Cat tribute is the most precious thing I have seen on the web. Bless you and your family. I will say a prayer for you all. Michelle

Dear Ken,
I am so sorry that you are back due to the loss of Tommy, what a wonderful boy, he is beautiful.
I might add he looks much like our old buddy Frank, also a yellow tabby too, and he was quite the alpha as well, proud and tough all his years, he was 22 when he died, but you would never have known it from looking at him.
Tommy's story is wonderful, finding him like you did, he was definitely a gift sent to you, how lucky, and his love is surrounding you and your family right now,
Take care,
I am sending lots of love and prayers. Tory, Hrudey and Frank's Momma

ken, i havent been on much lately..but i just saw your post, i am so sorry for your loss. my heart goes out to you and your family. you were so kind and gentle to me when i lost my girls, as other were too here..just know i am thinking of you.
wishing you peace and healing
luv
michelle's kitty

Oh, Ken, I am so, so sorry for the pain you're going through. I hesitate to say "loss" because I'm not so sure we lose our pets, I think they take on a different form which we in our limited capacities don't recognize. I remember when Magic passed, and I discovered this site, which has literally been a Godsend. You were the first person who responded to me that night, when I was in such shock and anguish. I will never forget that outpouring of caring and concern from you, I had no idea, as so many first-timers don't, that people can really go through this pain and not only survive, but be able to share our stories and pain and perhaps feel not so - detached from the world, and be able to perhaps bring a small bit of comfort to others. That being said, you have my deepesy sympathy, you and your family, all those who loved Tommy, including the feline members of the family. You'll all be in my prayers and thoughts. God bless and take care - Barb

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.......terrible to be going through this again for you! What a touching story, how you rescued him from the road.......how lucky he was to have you for 11 years.......and it sounds like he gave a lot back to you, too.....

We're here for you to offer any help we can with this loss.....please know I am thinking of you today......you have been so supportive of others here, I hope we can be there for you in the weeks to come....

Hugs, Misty's Mama

I have just returned after being absent for awhile and read the wonderful comments. You all are truly special people and I treasure each and every one of you. May our times of pain and despair be short and may we always remember how much we cared for our departed furkids.

Ken,

I have seen your handsome cats, Daddycat and Tommy and wanted to send my sympathy to you. So many pets, so much sorrow.

annie's mommy

Ken, I just read your story about Tommy, and I am so sorry for your loss, our pets are our family and it is so hard to lose them. Thank you for your support and comfort about our Burt, it means a lot in this very difficult time for us.
Senka & Scott

Thank you, Scott and Annie's mommy. You know, even with the pain of losing the furkids I wouldn't trade all of the wonderful years of having them for anything. What's important is not that they are gone now but that they were here for years and they made my life a much better one for their loving me.

Ken Albin

Ken. I am so sorry to hear about Tommy. It was one year earlier (9-23-06) that we lost our Big Daddy Steve. I found this site then and you and everyone here were so helpful and supportive. I was even humming the daddy cat song as I buried him.
I wished I had been around to help you through your loss.
You are right about them being worth it. The price of admission, I've been calling it.
Take care, Ken.
michaelT

Ken....you said it all so well, I can't add a thing to that post. I feel exactly as you have said. Your words just entered my heart as a tribute to my Little Guy...and all the others I have had over the years.