My heart felt condolences goes out to each and every one of you here...Today, June 8, 2010 is the 2yr anniversary of when I had to let my beautiful boy go. Tears still flow, my heart still aches..Even though I don't stop by LS much, I will never forget the wonderful strangers who helped me get through the toughest times..I think of them from time to time and I noticed some have stopped by recently and to all who remember me ..HELLO!..and to all who remember my story that got me here, I never did see that sign kitty again. very strange. Anyways,, I hope all of you here find the comfort and peace you need.

I still do voulenteer work at the shelter..It still can be very challenging..I want to take them all home!!...I know it may not sound like much, but I have found homes for 4 of them and 1 dog (i work with just cats)...it makes my heart happy to know they all got good homes...

I now have 2 of my own..They have a condition called Cerabella Hypopalasia which causes them to woddle and fall when they walk. They are very happy and keep up smiling...They like to cuddle with my partner Dave rather than me, which makes me
quite sad..Arthur use to cuddle with me all the time and I miss that the most. Oh well. Maybe Arthur doesn't want me to a fall hard for them like I did for him

I came across this saying recently and would like to share, it immediately made me think of the loss of my boy,

"For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains"...

Arhtur was my joy and the memories I have of him will always remain...Peace, healing, comfort and hugs to all...Ann

Ann,

Glad you stopped by to let us know how you are doing. The volunteer work is something I think would be very rewarding but at the same time heartbreaking. I used to claim I planned to volunteer at a rest home as my Grandmother lived with me the last 12 years of her life and passed away at 100. But then I would deliver flowers to the nursing/rest homes & it was very, very sad and I knew I'd get too attached. Same with shelter animals. Not sure I could do it without it taking a very emotional toll on me.

I went to the shelter once to check on a little white poodle not long after I had lost mine. I litterly could not look at the many, many dogs in the cages other than just enough to see if it was the one I wanted to check on. Fortunately someone was putting a deposit on her just as I asked about her. The way she looked at me I knew she'd go home with me if there was not someone else to take her.

4 cats & 1 dog makes 5 that have homes so it is something to be proud of. I sponsored 1 dog once & in the end 5 dogs were saved because someone came to adopt her just as the rescue group was picking her up & the money trickeled to others needing help to be rescued. The dog I was trying so hard to help ended up on a 50 acre property, got heartworm treatment and the people named her Ginger without knowing I was the one campaigning to save her. So you never know what will come about from your work with the cats. I know you do much more than this little gesture of mine by being there for them and showing them that someone really does care. I love the saying you posted and you do have beautiful memories of Arthur.

Ginger

Thanks Ginger, yes, going to the shelter was something I thought I'd never do..I forced myself at the begining. Like you, I felt so sorry for them, but I looked at it in a different light..They came there, unwanted, or neglected or people just couldn't afford them, but, they are so much better off there, and it's amazing how fast they get adopted. Some longer than others but they all have found homes. And hopefully end up better than when the arrived.

One little guy checked himself in once..They found him sitting on the front stoop and he walked in, made himself at home and lasted apx 2 weeks 'til someone adopted him.. so funny!

I have trained myself to "relax" emotionally around them, and think of the "good". And, if I'm having a bad day, it calms me down so much.

In a lot of ways, it's similar to the the elderly. God bless your grandmother at 100!
So good to hear from you again. Take Care Flossie's Mom...Ann