Just yesterday,we laid our friend to rest.His name was George.He graced our lives for 18 years!George was born when My son was just 4 years old.Our old blond Tom cat was like his brother.
He was quite a story,our George.Always there with undying affection,without judgement and beyond any doubt.He was my friend through some of the hardest points of my life.He was lost for a couple years along the way,and found again as if by some miracle in a shelter.
This past november,George was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and CRF.Of course we were devastated by the news.Our Vet was very compassionate and capable,and helped us to make the rest of his days with us as good as they could be.
He fought the good fight,and kept his affection and dignity to the last.when the time came,he was given a tranquilizer,and he simply fell asleep with my son and I by his side.
As guilt ridden as I feel in my grief,I know in my heart we had to let him go.A young heart trapped in a failing body,ravaged by the passing of time,I could not bear to let our friend suffer.I know time will pass,and grief will lessen.We will rejoice in the memories of how he touched our lives,and be grateful,that he will be forever young in a better place.His little nose held high in the morning breeze.I hope he remembers us,as we will remember him,until we are reunited one day.My son has lost a brother,and I feel I have lost a son and best friend.He will live on forever in our hearts and our memories.I know he is happy now.
We laid him to rest in a small clearing in the woods near home.I made him a litle wooden box,and we wrapped him in a blanket with his favorite toys.We said goodbye to him this morning...until we meet again.
We miss him terribly already
Until we meet again George......we love you.
Our lives would have been different if you had not been a part of it.

Reading your story about George...I just broke down in tears and am typing that way right now. It reminds me so much of letting mine go also. You did the right thing for George. That is the only way we can truly repay that unconditional love they give us...is to make sure when it is their time...that we have the strength to let them go. It is so terribly hard to do so. Years ago I asked a vet how to know when and his reply was when they have lost the quality of life and I have used that as a guide. I do know with my Little Guy, it was an instant decision I never wanted to make and all I could tell the vet through tears is I don't want him to suffer (he could hardly breathe due to fluid in his chest that came all of a sudden). The vet was able to say afterwards that she was very glad I made that decision...she saw him in the oxygen tent and she saw his x-ray that day and he really had no chance at any quality anymore...only pain and suffering was ahead for him. I could have had the fluid drained but if it came back 8 hours later, it would have to be drained again and again. I later read on the Internet in a vet paper that his advice was to have a number of people hold the animal down when the draining is done because they will have such horrible pain during the procedure..they must be restrained. I didn't know this at the time...all I knew was there was no hope when the fluid showed up and out of love the best thing I could do for him was let him go.

I had Little Guy over 16 1/2 years..the longest I have had a baby live..and it was wonderful until the end.

I know what you mean about the tranquilizer and that is such a good thing. In 2002 when I lost LIttle Guy's twin brother...I had a mobile vet come to the home and that is what she did for him. There was a lot less trauma to everyone.

I admire your attitude and that you do know you did the right thing for George. Your post and its story is a wonderful tribute to George.

We will love them forever and miss them forever and even though they reside in our hearts forever...I know I would love to hold and hug that baby again and again forever. I put pictures in every room and LIttle Guy's eyes greet me and follow me everywhere..just like he did when he was here. I am so thankful I have those pictures and not have to just rely on a picture in my mind.

I am so glad you had George for so long..that is a blessing in itself. He has been and will continue to be a part of your life forever. He is now an angel looking down and watching over you. What a precious boy.

It can help to share some stories of life with George if you feel like posting them. Pictures always make everyone smile because we know in those pictures they are healthy and feeling their best which is what we wish for them always.

You obviously took wonderful care of your baby and anyone you bring into your home is truly a lucky one. Yes, they do give back that unconditional love and that is priceless.

Take Care and write anytime. We have been there in pain, are there in pain, and will be with future ones but as one "Mom" here said once: The pain of losing him will never ever be greater than the joy of knowing him.

That says it all. You are not alone in how you feel and there are many here listening if you ever feel like talking about things.

Thank you so much for your support.I hope our little guys meet each other...
I have pictures around also.he was always so majestic!It's nice to see his face.

There is a hole in our lives you used to fill.We miss you with all our being.
Until we are together again my friend,we love you....

Your love for George is so easy for me to feel and understand. I had read in your other posting for George about the love and care he and you both knew right up til the very end. Your testimony of how you made a little wooden box and buried him near you in the woods touched my heart deeply.

When two hearts are connected so closely with each other they become forever bonded. Nothing in this world can ever separate or change our feelings of love for them nor theirs for us. Your heart and George's became one long ago.

May you be comforted in having known such a special love in your life and cherish all the beautiful memories you and he made together.

There is so much building inside,I need to try to get some out.
It is so true that we never fully realize how much a loved one means until they are gone.Makes no difference if they are Human or Animal.
We all go through the motions of life,not taking the time to stop and love as much as we should.
I feel so guilty right now.Guilty for all the times I just couldnt be bothered by George when all he wanted was attention.Just going through the motions and forgetting how important he was to me.
please don't misunderstand...I loved George and still do.I would never do anything to hurt him.But still....all the"not nows"...."go lay downs"....."stop bugging me's"...."Shut up your yowling!"
The aggravation of the cat litter trail around the house.....all the little things I'm guilty of.I have been such a fool.
George taught me something when he died.I learned what unconditional love really is.What a painful way to learn a lesson.
I am also struggling with his death.Although His suffering had to end,I was the one who made the decision.When the vet gave him a tranquilizer,it made him gag hard a couple times,and he looked afraid.Soon after,he was so peaceful,and he looked more comfortable than he had for a long time.Pain free.The vet left us alone to say our goodbyes for a while.My son and I stroked him a while ,and looked in his eyes and told him we loved him...and then he was gone.
All the little things that bugged me so much........didn't bug so much after all.I miss him more than I ever imagined I would.
Still I will always try to remember what he taught me,and apply it to all the loved ones in my life,and to pass it on when the time comes to adopt another friend.So much more to say....but it's all jumbled up inside,so I will write more as it comes.
I believe he is happy and forever young now...and I pray he remembers us happily,as I will do my best to remember him always.
I miss my Georgie...

The guilt you are feeling now will pass in time. All of us had said these same kind of things to ALL of our family members at one time or another. We try our best to spread our attention around to all who are involved in our hectic lives. But, we also have other responsibilities that need to be taken care of. Don't beat yourself up over what you did not do. Remember what it was that you DID do. You loved George and he knew it. That is what matters most.

May you find some peace in knowing what a wonderful relationship you and George shared.

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your handsome George. You were very fortunate to have him in your life for 18 yrs. I know it's never enough time, it's amazing how fast the years go.

You were very lucky to have a caring vet to help George through his illness. I know it's hard to hear that your pet is ill. But it makes a world of difference if you have a caring and knowledgeable vet.

I hope that you will be comforted with all of the happy memories you shared with George.

No matter what negative thoughts try to come into your head...remember one very important fact:

You did the right thing for George. He relied on your love to make that decision we never want to make and you did it. You gave him peace which he could not give to himself. You returned his unconditional love the best way you could, making sure that what he needed came first before what you wanted. That is the hardest decision of all. But it is part of the responsibility we take when we open our hearts and our home to these sweethearts and they truly ask of us only one thing....the hardest thing of all.

You did the right thing for George. He is now part of your heart and his love and your love are entwined forever...a bond that nothing...can separate.

Hugs and peace to you. Also remember...crying and venting is very very normal and what makes you feel better to do, do it.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. George's face looks very much like he was an awesome and fun cat. I know exactly what you mean by the regret of not being more attentive. If I could do it all over again, not only would I let Oliver have my Taco Bell trash to clean, I would have bought him his own burritos. One of my best friends was reunited with her siamese after losing him for over a year, miraculously as well. It really makes you appreciate that not only did he grace your lives once, but that even a second time you beat the statistical odds. Eventually, I believe that I'll get a second reunion with my babies and in for you in your instance, a third.

Take care,
Sarah (Oliver's mama)

Great pics! It looks as if George was quite a character...I'm so sorry for your sad seperation from him. But, I believe with all my heart it is temporary.

Thoughts and prayers.
Dayna

I just stopped in to take a look and remember.
It brought on tears just to see his pictures.
I dreamed of him a couple nights ago.I was sitting alone and it was dark.All of a sudden,George walked up to me out of nowhere.His ear was perfectly normal.His fur was perfect and he looked so good.He sat there at my feet,amd i cried and hugged him,and said how muich I miss him.He didnt look up at me... he just sat there with me and purred loudly as I hugged him.I cried more and begged him not to go.Then I closed my eyes, for only a moment,and when I opened them again,our little Sable was there all grown up instead of George....And then it was over.When I woke ,I thanked him for coming to see me and let me know he is alright.Maybe he was letting me know it's ok to move on.
I hope I dream of him again soon.........
Miss you my old friend....

I am sorry for you loosing your George. Be greatful for the many years you had with him. I lost my Sissycat one week ago today. I only had 2 years with her. (very great 2 years) It is so very hard. I wish for the nights that my Sissy comes to me in a dream to let me know she is ok. I have ask for that many times since she passed. Continue to be strong and remember forever.

So sorry for your loss of George. It is very hard, I know.
You said something about losing him for a couple years and then finding him again in a shelter? Wow. That's amazing.
Can you elaborate on that? Sounds like it would be an interesting story.

How wonderful that you got a visit, I have hoped for one with Oliver but think I fear that another goodbye and waking without him would be too painful right now. Some time after my Pumpkin died, I had two non-descript dreams except I remember him being there just contently hanging out in my dream, with his eyes wide open. I enjoyed it a great deal. He was a wonderful cat.

I can't help but say, I love your pictures of George. The middle one is priceless, I love his face.

Your post of george is a very moving testiment of unconditional love and devotion. I am crying so much that I cannot even type because of it. I understand the leave me alone I don't have time for your attention, and I can't be bothered to clear the litter tray comments..... I lived with William for 5 1/2 years with diabetes and there were days when I couldn't be bothered to get up at 8 am and give him his shot in the morning because I was too tired.... But now he is gone I miss this and him so much.... I miss him sucking my hair, and miss him greeting me when I got home from work. I know what it must be feeling like.

However, I also know that you loved george and I can feel this in your post about him. Your love and devotion to him... for years he was lost but then he was found... I cannot even tell you how remarkable I find that story... truly amazing and a memory that I would cherish forever...... You did do the right thing for him.... I know it is hard to hear this right now but you truly did. there is nothing worse than seeing a loved fur baby suffer I know because I have done both.... I have done the suffer to the end till you die on your own and the diginfied end and I would chose the last one because I don't think they want to end their lives in that way.... they can't tell you when its time but I know now when it is and I know that I gave William the end that he wanted.... No more pain... I will see him again just like you will see george again.... I truly believe that they go to a better place and we will see them in anothet world.

peace and hope to you and your family at this sad time.


Williams Mummy ***

So sorry you have lost george but Heaven have gain an angel, oh Wow, he was so beautiful, our hearts are with you in this sad times, please le us know if you need anything even if it is a kind word will be here for you at any time, God Bless you and God Bless your baby George up in Heaven, from Buster and Jorge .