My sweet Danny boy, it has been so long since I stopped by your grave. It's still so hard for me to adjust to life without you. I just couldn't stop crying when I stood by your grave today, and I remembered how only a year ago you were still alive and waiting for me to come home after having been gone for a week. You were always the calmer one and when I would go away for a week you just looked at me as if to say:"It's okay, mom. I know you're coming back. I'll be just fine." Seeing you so calm about me leaving always made me feel a bit better. Tina would always follow me down to the door and give me that heart piercing look that said:"Why are you leaving me?"

Danny boy, I always loved your gentleness and your calmness. You were such a laid back, handsome boy. Some day we will see each other again. I still miss you so, my little boy.

This is not a very sharp picture, but it is one of my favorites as it shows a fairly young Danny (he was still a kitten) snuggling with Tina. He even put his paw on Tina's body and proudly looked into the camera as if to say:"This is my lady friend, and I'm so proud to be with her!"

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DannysMom

What a beautiful sentiment to your Danny boy. I totally undertstand the heartbreak of rememberance. What a lovely picture of him and Tina too. I wish mine were that close; very heart warming.

Hi, DannyssMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and the wonderful picture of your beloved Danny and Tina. What a sweet little boy he is!!! And how blessed you are to be his Forever Mom, and to be the caregiver of his earthly journey and the treasured memories you share. Thank you for gift of sharing your beloved Danny with us.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Miss Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship and of your precious girls. Please know you and your precious Mindy and Miss Shelley are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

DannysMom,
A lovely picture...and such a happy memory. Thank you for sharing it. Brought tears to my eyes. Take good care.

sher_mark, thanks for stopping by to read about Danny. Moon_beam, thank you for your post.

As the 1 year mark of Danny's death approaches I find myself crying even more. I cried so hard when I went to the pet cemetery last Sunday. I thought of how he was still with me last September, and how I enjoyed seeing him nap, this beautiful ball of black and white fur. I had no idea that I was going to lose him in just a few months. I can't even stand the thought of listening to a Christmas song, because it just hurts so much. Of all the times to lose him why did it have to be right after Christmas? All the memories of his last days come flooding back, and I don't even want to think about it. Danny had the sweetest "voice". It was higher than Tina's, that's how I could tell them apart. He would sometimes surprise me with a bright and snappy greeting when I least expected it. He was such a happy little guy, and I still miss him so.

Hi DannysMom

I hope you are well today. Wow that photo brought tears to my eyes......good tears with a smile as that photo is lovely and says what you say it is saying.

I know how you feel about the xmas thing. I keep remember december 31st.....our first xmas in our new house had been and Chewy had adjusted better than I thought and new years eve me and my fiance sat curled up on the sofa watching a film with all the cats with use......Chewy taking his place in the middle. The next day I was thinking this is going to be the best year ever. Than the next day everything just falls apart. Now I cannot stand the thought of xmas without him this year.

Danny kept going until after xmas though so he could give you one last happy time with him. He was a very kind and loving cat like that! It will be hard for you this xmas. I suppose the only comfort is knowing you have your other two little devils to try and keep you occupied some of the time. Celebrate xmas for Danny though and Tina. Put there pictures around the tree as well as pictures of your new babies and it will feel like the family is together. Not the same as them being there to cuddle i know.

My heart really does go out to you DannysMom.

xxForeverxx

9 months. Today marks 9 months since my sweet Danny boy passed on. He brought me so much joy and comfort and he is still greatly missed, especially now that the 1 year mark of his death approaches. It will be a quiet Christmas, I know that, as I don't feel much like celebrating. It was Danny's favorite time of the year. I still wish I had caught his heart condition sooner as maybe there was something that could have been done for him. It has taught me to be so vigilant with Mindy and Shelley and to watch for changes in their behavior and routines.

xxForeverxx, thank you for suggesting that I put pictures around the tree. That is a nice way of remembering both Danny and Tina. I did have some Christmas cards made with his photo on the front. He looks so happy, peeking out from under the Christmas tree. I wanted to honor my sweet little buddy who gave me so much love and joy. I often tell Mindy about him.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and your and your beloved Danny's 9 month angel-versary. I can so understand how the upcoming holidays are already becoming a source of stress for you - - for the "most wonderful time of the year" can instead be "the most horrible time of the year" particularly when they are angel-versaries.

Your Christmas cards of Danny and Forever's suggestions about putting pictures around your tree are very heartwarming testimonies to your beloved Danny and Tina - - also including your precious Mindy and Miss Shelley.

As we continue with our earthly journey, particularly after experiencing the physical loss of a beloved companion, we become more aware of how our lives are not the same without the gift of their precious physical presence with us - - even when we are blessed with other precious companions to share their earthly journey with us. This doesn't mean we love them less - - it simply means that we know that a part of us is missing - - the part of our hearts and lives that belong only to our beloved companions who have preceded us to the angels, and that we are still adjusting to the difficult "new reality" that they are now with us through their sweet Living Spirits. How blessed you are to cherish the memories of your beloved Danny's earthly journey - - to be his Forever Mom. Thank you so much for honoring us by sharing your treasured memories.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Miss Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship and of your precious girls. Please know you and your precious Mindy and Miss Shelley are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Danny's Mom,

These are the type of things that haunt me, as well, thinking of how blissfully unaware I was of being about to lose Pippin. My heart aches for you as I read this, and I don't have many words to help - except I understand, and I'm thinking of you.

Kel

Hi DannysMom

You will be honouring Danny by celebrating Christmas with Mindy and Shelley. It will be hard of course but at the same time you will be enjoying Christmas because Danny put that magic into it for you so he would want you to have a nice time and show the other two how special it can be.

You can say you wish you had caught his heart condition sooner but at the same time even if you had it might not have made a difference and also how were you to know? It was Dannys time and Tina has joined him.......so they can spend Christmas together. I am sure it is a warmer time at the rainbow bridge though then our Christmases! No doubt they will playing with the balls off the tree etc without getting into trouble for pulling them off.....as I use to tell Chewy off but at the same time laugh as he loved playing with them.


My thoughts are with you and Danny today.

xxForeverxx

Tomorrow it will be 10 months since my sweet Danny passed on. I can't believe so much time has passed. Sometimes I still think he should be walking up to me any minute now. I can still picture him napping so sweetly on one of his treasured blankets. His memory is still very much alive in my heart and I do miss him very much at times. I still cry when I talk about him, there's no getting around that. It will take more time for me to heal.

xxForeverxx, thank you so much for stopping by and for thinking of me and Danny. I had some nice Christmas cards made with his picture on the front to honor his memory this Christmas. Right now I don't even want to think about Christmas as it just causes me pain. Oh how I wish I could hold him again! I want to rub his soft, fluffy tummy and hear him purr. He was so handsome and gentle and he was truly meant to be with me.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and your and your beloved Danny's 10 month angel-versary. It is hard sometimes to comprehend how we continue to endure through the most excruciating deep sorrow that we will ever know on this side of eternity. And yet we do - - because of the strength of the eternal love we share with our beloved companions. During their earthly journey with us they became the center of our physical universe. When they precede us to the angels, we become their living legacy and continuing beneficiary of their eternal love. The adjustment journey between the two "worlds" is a difficult one, but one that you do not have to travel alone.

I can imagine your Christmas cards are wonderful with a picture of your beloved Danny on the front of them. This is a wonderful way to honor him. Yet I can so understand how you feel about not looking forward to the holidays, for they will be your "first angel-versary without" your beloved Danny and Tina - - and I know how challenging this will be for you, even though you are blessed with your precious Mndy and Shelley. This does not mean you love your precious girls less - - it simply means that your heart is still enduring the difficult adjustment to not having your beloved Danny and Tina physically with you.

Thank you so much for honoring us by sharing your beloved Danny with us, DannysMom. I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I hope you and your precious girls will be safe from any impact Hurricane Sandy may have on your area. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Danny's Mom, today must have been a hard day for you. You, your girls, Tina and Danny are in my thoughts. I don't have many words that are helpful, but just know that you're not alone. Many hugs!

Hi DannysMom

As with Tina's I hope Danny's 10 month Angel-versary went by with not just tears but smiles too. I am sure Danny is trying to protect you up there from this horrible storm you are encountering as he loved you so much and would not ant anything to happen.

I understand how you feel. I think of Chewy laying on the bed with me while I am doing uni work and having a quick break to give him a belly rub etc all the time. The thing I miss the most is his meow. My three don't really meow at all so sometimes it feels too quiet. Danny was truly meant to be with you. I think all the years of love shows you that. He was a happy cat and still is at the bridge. In fact i like to think that those animals that die through neglect go to the bridge and become happy again which means those animals that have had fantastic lives (like Danny, Tina and Chewy) are almost hyperactive as they have happiness added to there happiness.....if that makes any sense at all.....I know I just mumble sometimes.

I hope you are feeling ok today DannysMom.

xxForeverxx

Kel and xxForeverxx, thank you both for stopping by and for thinking of me. October 28 was a difficult day. I could not go to the pet cemetery because of the weather and that bothered me so much as I had wanted to go and pay my respects to Tina and Danny. At a few minutes before 3 I paused in remembrance of Danny and as I looked at the picture of him I just couldn't help but cry. Every time I look at this particular picture it's as if he is still here. His green eyes are so bright and shiny and he seems to be looking straight into my soul.

xxForeverxx, that is so sweet how your Chewy often meowed. My Danny loved to "talk" and he made all kinds of different sounds. He had a high-pitched and very melodious voice and sometimes his voice still echoes in my mind. Chewy must have been so happy with you. He is probably telling lots of stories about his life to Tina and Danny.


Here is my sweet Danny boy relaxing in one of his favorite spots. The little scratch on his nose is from a fight with Tina. He always loved napping there in the early morning to catch the warm rays of the sun.

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I think he's still there with you, Danny's Mom. Just not visible. *hugs*

Hi DannysMom

I hope the pet cemetery was not damaged too much in the storm. I love the fact that Danny was the one who ended up with a cut on is nose. I think when it comes to cats girl power usually rules over the boys! Bless him That is a lovely picture showing how happy he was all snuggly on his rug.

Fudge is still attempting to open the cupboard where I keep their food.........always reminds me of your Danny as you said he was good at doing that! maybe one day Fudge will manage it like Danny.

xxForeverxx

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for sharing this WONDERFUL picture of your beloved Danny with us. Ah yes - - the battle scars on the nose. My precious Noah is also familiar with this from both his big kitty brother Eli and his beautiful baby sister Abbygayle. Although the wounds healed, he still bears a scar across his nose - - although not as noticeable as it once was. He wears it proudly, though, as I know your beloved Danny did as well.

Like Forever, I, too, hope the cemetery was not experience any damage from the ravages of Sandy, and especially your beloved Danny's and Tina's resting places.

Thank you so much for honoring us by sharing your beloved Danny with us, DannysMom. I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Kel, thanks for the hugs and for thinking of me.

xxForeverxx, thank you for stopping by and commenting on Danny's picture. It made me smile to know that your Fudge is trying to open the cupboard where you keep the cat food. What a smart little boy!

moon_beam, thank you also for commenting on Danny's photo. He got quite a few scars from battles with Tina. She usually got him on the nose after he had chased her under the bed and she would get mad at him for sitting there and not letting her come out.

I went to the pet cemetery today and it was such a beautiful day for it, temps in the 60s and real sunny. Tina and Danny's markers looked just fine. I bought two wreaths yesterdays to put on their graves for the Christmas season. I got them on sale and they both have a pretty red bow. I think it will look so nice. I am so glad this cemetery exists and that it is being kept up so well. I am glad there are so many people who care about their little friends. I had a nice conversation with another visitor to the pet cemetery. When I left two black and white cats came out of nowhere and darted in front of my car from the right, but I saw them in time and stepped on the breaks. I tried to check on them, but they seems to be feral as they were very scared and ran away.

I remember last year on Thanksgiving how I didn't even put up the Christmas tree, because I couldn't get rid of the feeling that something bad was going to happen that Christmas. I remember how I had a strange longing to spend more time with Danny and how much I enjoyed being with him. He loved getting brushed. I would always get a lot of fur off him and he would just purr the whole time. He was such a good little boy, and I still can't talk about him without breaking into tears.

This is the first Thanksgiving without Danny. I feel his absence today. Normally I would put up the Christmas tree, put on some Christmas music and let Tina and Danny check out all the ornaments and decorations. It was always such a happy time for us, and I would put a little toy angel next to Danny's blanket on the couch. He always liked having it there. It's quiet here today as I just don't have it in me to put up the Christmas tree or to put on any Christmas music. I miss my sweet little Danny boy. Little did I know last year that he would be gone so shortly after Christmas. It is hard for me to get into the holiday spirit and to be merry and cheerful.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny. I know how much you miss his sweet precious physical presence.

Clinical professionals recognize that the holidays can be challenging - - especially during the first year grief adjustment journey. DannysMom, it is important that you do whatever you are comfortable doing. For example, I do not decorate the house anymore - - but I do have a 4 foot artificial tree in the corner with lights and some clear plastic angels and brass bells with clappers that is up all the time. Occasionally Noah likes to go up to the tree and swat at the bells to make them jingle - - and THIS is what brings joy and comfort to my heart now. You and your precious Mindy and Shelley will discover what brings comfort and joy to YOU - - in your own way and in your own time.

DannysMom, thank you so much for honoring us by sharing your beloved Danny with us. I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi DannysMom

I can understand how you do not want to put a christmas tree up yet. You could do it eventually in his memory though? I am sure he would love for you to show the other two just how wonderful it is and how much fun you and Danny had together putting it up. I know it is hard and of course there will be tears but if Mindy and Shelley enjoy it as much then that will make you smile too.

Danny really was a special cat and no matter what there will always be a part of him with you.

Here is a little poem I found which I think says it all really. It made me cry but it is so true and I wanted to share it with you.

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

xxForeverxx

moon_beam and xxForeverxx, thank you as always for your kind words and support. It means so much to me.

xxForeverxx, thank you very much for this poem. It was comforting for me to read it. This will be a rough holiday for me. I can't think of last Christmas without crying, how I sat in the emergency room being subjected to a Christmas movie on TV while my heart was aching. It seemed to obscene to watch these scenes of happiness as I was crying and expecting bad news.

I think I may put up the Christmas tree next weekend. I do have a real nice one, 6 1/2 foot with multi-colored lights. It would be a good way to honor Danny as he always loved Christmas so much. It was his favorite holiday, and he loved that little doll angel that I always put on the couch next to his blanket. My life changed profoundly after Danny died. His death changed me in many ways. But I am so glad that I had him in my life for over 10 years. I just wished I hadn't always been so busy with work and school.

I used to take little naps on the bed with Danny. I would just lay there next to him and close my eyes for 10 or 15 minutes. His loving and quiet presence meant so much to me. Some Christmases I would read the Christmas story from the Bible to Tina and Danny and they would just sit there and listen quietly. He was such a wonderful cat in so many ways, very loving and sweet.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina. Sometimes the things that we think may cause us sorrow may turn out to be very comforting instead - - such as putting up the Christmas tree in honor of your beloved Danny. Although he is not physically with you, his sweet Living Spirit continues to enjoy the "traditions" you shared together during his earthly journey. The most important thing is for you to do what YOU feel comfortable doing. Remember, if the tree becomes too much for you have up, then you can always take it down again.

I know what it is like to not look forward to the "festive" holidays after experiencing a traumatic event, as you experienced last Christmas with your beloved Danny. Perhaps if you feel up to reading the Christmas Scripture to your precious Mindy and Shelley this year you can do so knowing that your beloved Danny and Tina are also listening intently to every word you read and the sweet sound of your voice.

DannysMom, thank you always for honoring us by sharing your beloved Danny with us. I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina. Sometimes the things that we think may cause us sorrow may turn out to be very comforting instead - - such as putting up the Christmas tree in honor of your beloved Danny. Although he is not physically with you, his sweet Living Spirit continues to enjoy the "traditions" you shared together during his earthly journey. The most important thing is for you to do what YOU feel comfortable doing. Remember, if the tree becomes too much for you have up, then you can always take it down again.

I know what it is like to not look forward to the "festive" holidays after experiencing a traumatic event, as you experienced last Christmas with your beloved Danny. Perhaps if you feel up to reading the Christmas Scripture to your precious Mindy and Shelley this year you can do so knowing that your beloved Danny and Tina are also listening intently to every word you read and the sweet sound of your voice.

DannysMom, thank you always for honoring us by sharing your beloved Danny with us. I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that each of you will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear DannysMom,
I know your sadness about the holidays. Danny and Tina were (are) truly loved. I'm sending good thoughts your way now and will think of you this Christmas too. Take care friend.

Dear moon_beam, thank you for your kind words. I think once I put up the tree I will probably leave it up. It just takes too long to put it up and decorate it, and I'm particular about how it looks. I know it will be a bittersweet Christmas as my dear Danny boy will not be here to celebrate it with me. I did go to the pet cemetery open house on Sunday, and the volunteers made some mini Christmas wreath ornaments and wrote Tina and Danny's name on each. That was so precious! Danny's wreath has a green strip of fabric with his name on it as green was always his color. Tina's is red.

I will hang those on the tree so my two sweet friends can be remembered and honored. The wreaths on their graves still look good despite the rain that we had.

Dear sher_mark, thank you so much for thinking of me. It is truly appreciated. Mr. Danny and Miss Tina were my best friends, and I will always cherish their memory. These little fur-covered angels give us so much love and bring so much joy into our lives.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I'm so glad that you were able to go to the open house on Sunday. How special that the caretakers gave you mini wreaths with your beloved Danny's and Tina's names on them. I know you will treasure these gifts always, and that they will have special places of honor on your tree.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, DannysMom, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's and Tina's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you're doing and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Danny's Mom, I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. I had a rough day yesterday missing Pippin while I was putting up my Christmas decorations, so naturally my thoughts strayed to you, Danny and Tina. I read the cards that the vets/techs sent us after Pippin died, and one said something that makes me cry, but is so beautiful:

"... Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you...
I loved you so...
'Twas heaven here with you."
- Isla Paschal Richardson

Dear moon_beam, thank you as always for your support. I don't know where I'd be without it. Having this board to come to and "talk" to people who love their animal companions just as much as I do just helps so much going through the grief journey.

Kel, thank you as well for your steady support and kind words. We each have lost a very special Tuxedo boy. I can so well understand how reading the cards from the vet/techs made you cry. That was so thoughtful of them. I"m planning on putting my tree up tomorrow, but every time I look at Christmas decorations in the stores I feel the tears coming on. 2011 was Danny's last Christmas and he couldn't even enjoy it much as he was so sick. I remember how intensely I missed him when he was at the emergency hospital for a few days. That first night without him was horrible. I kept looking for him, expecting to see him on the bed or on the couch. It will be a tough Christmas for both of us.

Hi DannysMom

I am glad you are going to put a tree up. Danny will be up there hoping you will and it is a great way to honor him. You never know Tina and Danny's ways may have gone to Mindy and Shelley and they may argue over who gets to sit under the tree!

Those xmas decorations with their names on sound lovely. What a great thing to do for them. What was Danny like with the baubles on the xmas tree? Did they manage to stay on the whole time it was up!

I know how hard this is going to be for you but we will be here for you, as well as Shelley and Mindy and of course Danny and Tina too will be looking out for you from where they are.

xxForeverxx

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I can so relate to how you're feeling about the days this time last year when your beloved Danny was so ill when you share with us: "I"m planning on putting my tree up tomorrow, but every time I look at Christmas decorations in the stores I feel the tears coming on. 2011 was Danny's last Christmas and he couldn't even enjoy it much as he was so sick. I remember how intensely I missed him when he was at the emergency hospital for a few days. That first night without him was horrible." When our precious companions are with us it is so very hard for us to imagine our lives without them. And then when the painful reality begins to appear that our earthly journey with them is drawing to a close we measure every moment forward by how things "used to be" with them by our side.

It is important that you do what is helpful for YOU, DannysMom -- particularly during these "festive days." Remember - - when / if you do put up your tree and if it becomes too difficult for you to handle you can ALWAYS take it down. There are no "have to's" or "should's" that you are compelled to comply with. Your beloved Danny's and Tina's sweet Living Spirits are with you forever. You and your precious Mindy and Shelley will develop your own special ways of celebrating important and special events.

As always, DannysMom, I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's and Tina's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you're doing and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear moon_beam, thank you for your suggestions and your support. I did put up the tree on Sunday, but I had a mini-breakdown as I got the tree skirt out of the box. Danny had laid down on it Christmas Day, and when I held it all the memories of that day came flooding back and I just had to cry and couldn't stop. Shelley and Mindy got real quiet and confused as they saw me cry. Shelley even hid under the bed, and Mindy stayed in the other room the entire time that I put up the tree. I was by myself with the memories of my sweet Danny boy. It was so painful for me putting up the tree and decorating it. My heart was aching and I just wanted to give up.

xxForeverxx, thank you for your comments. My Danny boy was always very good with the Christmas tree. He left the ornaments alone and just enjoyed sleeping under the tree. Danny was always so well behaved and listened when I told him no. He was such an intelligent little kitty boy. How I wish I could hear his sweet melodious voice again. His voice had a higher pitch than Tina's, and he just made the sweetest sounds. I put up his special Christmas angel doll next to the blanket he loved to sleep on. My heart aches looking at the blanket and not seeing him there. I always loved watching him nap and seeing his whiskers and paws twitch.

This has been such a tough week for me. It brought back memories of last year. At work, we had workers do something on the roof and I could hear them trampling and running around up there. It brought back the bad memories of the same time last year when we had roofers here at home and it stressed out Danny so much. They didn't finish the roof in one day and it took them three days to do it. They just were too busy singing and dancing around up there. I think had they hired American workers instead of these people who spoke nothing but Spanish and are probably here illegally it would have been finished much sooner. I just got so angry when I heard the people on the roof this week.

I kept thinking about how it stressed out my Danny so much and probably contributed to his heart failure. He was always such a sensitive cat and didn't like loud noises. When I saw the beautiful pink sunset tonight I just broke down and cried and thought of Danny. He couldn't even enjoy last Christmas, he was already so sick and had spent most of Christmas Eve hiding under my desk. He finally came out and laid down on the tree skirt under the tree. I miss my little boy so much this Christmas. I was not ready to lose him. I was dealing with so much and he was my comfort and joy. Losing him just tore me apart.

It was so hard for me to keep a straight face at our work Christmas get-together this afternoon. Most of my co-workers are men and and I suspect do not like cats. They're too infatuated with their iPhones and iPads and what not. They couldn't possibly understand how much Danny meant to me and how precious he was. Danny had a heart of gold and was so loving and gentle. It breaks my heart that he is not with me this Christmas.


This is where he used to sit in the mornings. He loved having that little Christmas angel doll right there with him.
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Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Sights, sounds, smells - - they are well known to be triggers of memories - - be they good or painful. I can understand how upsetting listening to roofers can be, and I am so sorry that the roof work last year may have stressed your beloved Danny which could have contributed to heart failure. So I can perfectly understand how having to listen to the roofers at work would be a source of painful memory for you.

I do know how this Christmas is one of mixed emotions for you - - the deep sorrow of not having your beloved Danny physically with you while embracing the joy of having your precious Mindy and Shelley to share a "first Christmas" together. This picture of your beloved Danny is so adorable with his Christmas angel. He is a handsome boy, and you are blessed to be his Forever Mom - - to be the privileged one to share his eternal love.

DannysMom, I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's and Tina's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you're doing and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Merry Christmas, my sweet Danny boy. You are gone, but not forgotten. I feel so guilty about trying to enjoy this Christmas with Mindy and Shelley. I miss you so very much today. Your last Christmas was so painful for you. I remember how you were hiding under my desk all day, purring all the time. I tried to lift you out, but you wanted to stay there. I tried to make you feel better by playing your favorite Christmas CDs. I did not know I would lose you just a few days later. It broke my heart to have to let you go. You were my sweet, gentle Danny boy, and I always looked forward to coming home to you. Today you'll be celebrating Christmas with Tina in heaven, and you got the real angels there instead of your little Christmas doll angel. Last Christmas was the worst one I have had.

I remember your first Christmas with me, in 2001. You were still a kitten then, just 9 months old, and so full of life. Christmas was always better for me, because you were there.

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Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your beautiful love letter to your beloved Danny. I'm smiling at his picture lying under the tree - - the expression on his face is so sweet - - he knows he is eternally loved.

DannysMom, I know how much your heart and arms ache to have your beloved Danny, and Tina, to physically hold again - - and how sometimes the memories we do have to treasure can feel so empty because of the physical separation. Still I hope somehow in some way you will feel your beloved Danny's sweet Living Spirit with you to comfort you through these days.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's and Tina's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Moon_beam, thank you for your words of comfort. Today was such a hard day for me. Just a minute ago they were playing the song "Danny boy" on the radio and I couldn't help but crying. I miss him so much today. I have been irritable today, irritable and sad, trying so hard not to cry at work and to keep a smile on my face. I felt so empty when I drove home tonight. I remembered how I visited Danny at the emergency vet last year this day. I couldn't wait to get there. My heart longed to see him like nothing else. They brought him into a room wrapped in a heavy blanket and he looked so sad and ill. I have never seen him so sad and dejected. They left some food and water for me to try to give to him, but he wouldn't take it. He couldn't even lift up his head, he was so sick. I knelt down in front of him and just cried an cried and stroked his soft fur. It hurt me to see him so sick. I would have given anything to make him well. The memories of that day are just overwhelming me today and I am having a hard time coping.

It broke my heart when Danny died and it's like I'm going through it all over again.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I can so understand how you're feeling about the song "Danny Boy" playing on the radio and how it intensified your grief for your beloved Danny. It is very understandable how painful the "angel-versary" of visiting your beloved Danny in the hospital was, and remembering how so very sick he was. I do know how heavy your heart is not having your beloved Danny's sweet precious physical presence with you. Time is not necessarily "healing," but it does provide us the opportunity to eventually adjust to the painful "new reality" that comes when our companions precede us to the angels. I know how much you love your beloved Danny, and I know that as much as you want to hold him again that you are also thankful that he is no longer suffering in his physical body. And I know your beloved Danny is softly whispering into your heart, "it's okay, mom - - all is well - - I am still with you always and forever."

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious girls will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's and Tina's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

moon_beam, thank you for your support. This is just not a good week for me. I have been irritable and restless, and crying off and on. I read over the pages of things they did for Danny at the emergency place. He had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and hepatopathy. They had to put him on oxygen on December 28, his last day. I felt so bad that I did not visit him on December 27, but I didn't want them to have to unhook him from the IV and his medication. I wanted him to get better. But I already knew he wasn't getting better after talking with my regular vet. Danny wouldn't eat voluntarily. It had been something like 4 or 5 days since he hadn't eaten, so he was going into liver failure. I still blame myself for not having known his heart condition sooner. And I still get upset at the first vet who took an x-ray and thought nothing of his enlarged heart. HELLO!!!!! Where did you get your veterinary degree, lady?! From inside a cracker jack box???

I can't wait for this week to be over with. This has been so hard for me going through Danny's 1-year angelversary. I get so restless and sometimes I still want to go and look for him. I can't help feeling this way. It's been really rough having the memories of last year come back and reminding me. I looked at his clay paw print last night and the whiskers that he had lost during his lifetime. I had saved some in a small bag. Danny had beautiful long whiskers. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo and I always told him how well-dressed he is.

This is only some of the stuff they did for him. I've got 4 or 5 pages of this.
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Oh, Danny's Mom - I know the pain you're feeling. And I know very little makes it better. But I want you to look on that bill from the hospital, and notice something: buprenorphine. You probably know this, but it's pain medication. He was kept comfortable. Please remember that. And please remember that Danny knows how very much you love him, and how hard you tried for him. I understand the guilt you feel, but your handsome tuxedo boy would be having none of that, would he? They're so stoic, our little kitties.

Please know that you're in my thoughts right now. I wish I could give you a real hug, because it sounds like you really need one.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I am so sorry this week, and especially today, is bringing so much deep sorrow to your heart. I do wish to affirm Kel's gentle words of comfort to you: "He was kept comfortable. Please remember that. And please remember that Danny knows how very much you love him, and how hard you tried for him. I understand the guilt you feel, but your handsome tuxedo boy would be having none of that, would he?"

I know in time it will be comforting for you - - truly comforting - - to know that your beloved Danny is now completely restored to his former youthfulness - - no more pain, no more suffering. He is happy and contented in the company of the angels as he patiently waits for your appropriate time to join him in eternal joy. But this peace and comfort in your heart can only happen in your own way and in your own time, DannysMom. Although the calendar may indicate that the first year of loss has been endured does not mean that our deep sorrow magically disappears. Please know each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, my friend, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Kel and moon_beam...thank you both for your support. Kel, I could indeed use a real hug. I told myself I would remember my Danny today at 2:54 p.m., but I got so busy at work and I blocked it out. Before I knew it was already 4 p.m. I thought of him on the drive home today. Last year December 28 was a nice and balmy day, too nice for my sweet Danny to die that day. I know...life goes on...but there is a feeling of sadness and emptiness that remains. The sky doesn't seem quite as blue and the grass doesn't seem quite as green. Everything "feels" sort of grayish. He is gone. And I can't believe it's been 1 year. Last year I didn't think it possible for me to go on after he was gone. I was so very depressed and it hurt so much. I put a picture in his little memorial frame last night and hung his last rabies tag in empty space in the frame. The frame says "Faithful companion, beloved friend". I very much feel his absence today.

Kel, yes, I know what buprenorphine is. Shelley had to take it for a few days, and it made her sleepy and not want to eat. So, I really question why they gave it to him since that would have further reduced his appetite along with the load of antibiotics they were giving him. This place literally fleeced me, because they are a money making machine. They are a "referral center" and that's how they make money, to shuffle your furry friend from one specialist to another. I would have gladly paid more as that wasn't the issue, but I question what I really got for all this money. I will NEVER, NEVER take one of my cats to that horrible place again!!! Dr. Wathen was the incompetent one who misdiagnosed him and missed his enlarged heart. My goodness, she should have detected him wheezing. But she was so "set" on diagnosing him with pancreatitis. Probably wanted to go home, because it was Christmas Day.

SHE X-RAYED HIM AND HE HAD AN ENLARGED HEART. Listen to this, I got this from ehow.com:

If your cat is suffering from congestive heart failure your veterinarian will notice the following signs and symptoms during the examination, according to Dr. Welton: irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, crackly lung sounds, muffled heart beats, distended belly full of fluid and enlarged heart and lungs in an X-ray.

Notice what it said? "ENLARGED HEART". How could you miss this, Dr. Wathen??? Are you stupid? She should have noticed the other signs as well. She should have noticed the fluid in his lungs as well, but no, he was probably just another cat to her and she wanted to go home for Christmas Day.

My sweet Danny boy, I am sorry you had to suffer because of this doctor's incompetence. I am sorry I didn't take you to your regular vet on December 23. This is why I am hypervigilant with my "girls" now. I don't want to miss something, no matter how small or insignificant it may look. My sweet loving kitty boy, you are dearly missed today. I know I will see you again one day. I love you.

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I truly can understand your anger at Dr. Wathen. An enlarged heart is truly a serious symptom and should never be ignored. I felt the same way about a vet who did not take me seriously about my beloved Eli, and after two futile consults with this vet - - his regular care provider - - I obtained a second opinion and switched all of my furkids' records to another veterinary practice - - the practice that Noah has had since he was a baby kitty. I simply could not trust this vet again. And when I think of what the previous vet said to me about Eli I can still feel the anger surge - - it is a feeling that never completely goes away.

And with yesterday being your and your beloved Danny's first year angel-vesary I know how much the memories of the events of last year are still so very painful for you. Hopefully in time, as I have found as well, your memories of your beloved Danny will be able to be focused more on the wonderful times you share together - - both during his earthly journey and now with his sweet Living Spirit continuing to share your earthly journey as he always has and always will.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, my friend, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi DannysMom

I am sorry I have not been on over christmas. I did avoid this place at christmas because of how hard it was without Chewy. Of course I know it was harder for you understandably and I can not imagine how you have been feeling. In fact you did the right thing by coming to this site to people who care and really can make you feel not alone. I should have thought about that.

I know how much you want to be angry with the vet and you have every right to be. But it is something sadly we cannot change what happened. And each day we think about the events that happened we take a step back into despair which is something your Danny would not want for you. I feel like the events with Chewy happened to quick and wish the vet had given me more options or I had at least thought about my decision longer. I try not to think about it though as it is something I cannot change however much I want to. I know it is not that easy though especially after so many years with your beloved Danny and at what is suppose to be such a happy time of the year.

I sent my love up to Danny on his angel-versary and I do again today.....extra love for an extra special cat. Always remembered thanks to his loving owner.

xxForeverxx

xxForeverxx, thank you for your kind words. As you can imagine, the 1st anniversary of Danny's death was very difficult for me. Some things I just haven't been able to come to terms with. It's not like I think every day about the incompetent vet who misdiagnosed Danny, but it did bother me on the anniversary of his death. He may have recovered if he had been treated earlier. They left him hanging in limbo for a day, because one of their specialists wasn't going to be in until the 27th, so Danny was suffering needlessly with no resolution for more than a day. What this place does -- and this is what makes me so angry and I want other pet parents to be aware of this -- is they shuffle pets from one specialist to another and this is how they make money. They're just a money making machine, that's all. I'm sure my regular vet could have diagnosed Danny just the same without consulting a "specialist", but it was Christmas Day and they were closed. I can't help that I still get angry with the vet who misdiagnosed Danny. She seems to be more into horses and those kinds of animals from reading her bio, so maybe she doesn't even like cats. She certainly didn't give me the impression that she cared all that much about him. I am not going back into despair...it's just that these things bother me and I wanted to just "vent" on here.

Moon_beam, thank you for sharing with me about your kitty son Eli and how he was misdiagnosed. I am glad that you did get a second opinion. I always like it when a vet is thorough and has a questioning attitude instead of thinking it is just routine and looks like such-and-such. Thank you for understanding that what happened to Danny is very painful for me on his 1st angelversary. Add to that the fact that it's the holidays and that I miss him and probably will still miss him next Christmas. He had been with me for over 10 years.

I wish you could have known Danny. He was so sweet and lovable and playful, just a wonderful kitty boy. He was always so good and listened and never caused any trouble. I sure miss my little friend.

I will continue to post about Danny as the occasion arises, but it will be under the Pet Memorials and Tributes where he already has a topic.
I can't believe I made it through this long year without my sweet kitty boy. My life changed profoundly in many ways after he died. Years ago when my Dad died someone told me that I may take on some of my Dad's personality traits. I wonder if it is the same with our furry friends.

My sweet Danny boy, I KNOW I will see you again one day and what a wonderful reunion that will be!

Hi, DannysMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. When it comes to the holidays it doesn't matter how much time passes - - we will always remember our loved ones - - whoever the life form - - who are now with the angels.

Thank you for sharing your beloved Danny with us, DannysMom. I hope today is treating you and your precious Mindy and Shelley kindly, my friend, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Danny's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, DannysMom, and of your precious Mindy and Shelley. Please know you and your precious girls are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Danny and Tina.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi DannysMom

I thought I would leave you one last reply on here before following you in the pet memorial and tributes page. I will set one up or Chewy after tomorrow too so not to take up space for newcomers but still have our furry friends just as much remembered and appreciated s they so deserve to be.

It must be so hard I always think that if your a vet you should love every animal there is out there. Not pick and choose who your favorites are. Sometimes I think some vets just do it for the money (that is no way a hit at all vets as I know the majority are wonderful but in any job there are always a couple who just do not care as much). I really am so sorry that the whole thing could not have been any easier for you. It is never easy seeing a loved one in pain but to not be able to do anything to help is even worse. You did help him though.....more than you know.....by just trying to get him help and over the years showing him constant love and affection. That is why he rewarded you by being such a special cat. A very special cat indeed from what I have read over the last year about him.

You say you wish we could have known him.....I feel like I did just a little from your posts. I am sure he misses you so much too but you will meet again one day.

See you in the pet memorials and tributes.....and you Danny Thinking of you DannysMom and all your furbabies past and present.

xxForeverxx

I can't believe it has been almost two years since Danny passed away. I can't even look at the Christmas decorations in the streets without being sad and crying. I'm supposed to feel happy, but seeing all these pretty decorations and bright lights really brings me pain. I cried yesterday when I put up the Christmas tree. I wonder if the pain will ever really go away and if I will ever have a really happy Christmas again like they used to be. I put Danny's wreath ornament on the tree and it looks so pretty. It is a nice way to remember him this time of year. I sure miss my sweet, precious little kitty boy.

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