An emotional gripe

[admin]

When we take on a pet, I believe we sign an unwritten contract that we will give them the best life we can possibly give them, and in return they will be wonderful loving pets. The downside is that the contract is a short term one and eventually our pets will die.

It's so bloody hard to let them go when it's their time isn't it?

Mum's cat is a year younger than Harley (she's 16) and is on her way out, she probably won't last past this morning. She's a sweet little thing who mum has had for 12 years, taking on a poor abused young cat and making her into a bossy madam with the most annoying miaow ever.

Sid/Babe/Spoilt Bitch - you will be missed.

Safe journey to you.

Rhiannon and Martin

[wyrdewood]

But what a lovely contract. In return for food and shelter we get unconditional love and a true communion with another species. I have had cats since I was born and cannot imagine my life without them in it. I even had a cat when I was homeless! I grieve terribly when one of them passes on but carry a wealth of wonderful memories. Having more than one cat, at any one time, has always helped as the remaining cats give solace.
My thoughts go out to you and yours.
BB
Julian

[admin]

Mum will find it hard without a cat. They will swear they won't have another one, but I think one will turn up somewhere in the next few months. (Or I'll turn up with one unannounced.)

Yes, it is a lovely contract and a very hard one when it comes to the end of its term.

My own cat, Harley, is 17. He's been through an awful lot and each day with him is precious. He even has precedence over humans when it comes to bed-space. Many is the time we've ended up huddled on a foot of bed because Harley want's to stretch out in his sleep

bb
Rhiannon

[moonsmith]

I am sorry that she is grieving and hope that the happy memories will sustain your mum. And yes - when the time is right the next pet will arrive.

but

I'm not sure about the contract. WE certainly commit to care for a pet when we take it on. I'm not sure that there is any obligation on the part of the animal. They may appear to be committed but we can have no expectations.
If its warmer, safer and the grub's better elsewhere a free pet may not think of any commitment. I literally loved old Yogi - a hymalayan bear and cared for him every weekend that I could - I would never go into his cage - he would have eaten me.

Of course I'm talking generally, about the vast range of pets that we have had. I'm certainly NOT going to start a cat versus dog bun fight here - it would be as facile as the gender of car drivers

An axolotle is absolutely fascinating - it lies static at the bottom of its tank pointing one way when you go to bed and in the morning IT MIGHT BE POINTING THE OTHER WAY! Goldfish give us a pleasure created by us - not them.

I think that the contract is totally one sided - we are contracted but the [free] pet is simply trusted.

That does not mean that I don't take enormous pleasure from having owned representatives of every class of vertebrate and a few more outside my own phylum.

[Butterfly]

A subject close to my heart at present! May her passing be gentle, ......i'm starting to blub again...., i do miss my Penny(01/09/07), as i'm sure your mum will her cat, yet i am falling in love with my ratties!
Some pets/companions will be sorely missed, unreplacable and fondly rememberd, yet i couldn't possibly imagine life without any atall! xx

[celticwolf]

I hope that all concerned are not in any pain now and in the future whether it be phusical or emotional. You are all in my thoughts!

Celticwolf

[poshfrock]

My friend Pat's cat died last week, he was 21 years old
I wrote her a poem, from me to her, but im sure she will not mind if i share it with you.

hope you like it.

BB Posh x



MY DEAREST MOTHER, FRIEND OF MINE.
YOU LOOKED AFTER ME WHEN I WAS SMALL, NOT MUCH LARGER THAN A FLUFFY BALL
YOU GAVE ME A HOME AND LOOKED AFTER ALL MY CARES AND NEEDS
YOU LOVED ME LIKE NO OTHER COULD AND I FELT IT IN MY HEART
WE SHARED OUR TIME AND OUR LIVES TOGETHER
WE WERE NEVER FAR APART.

BUT THE YEAR’S ROLLED ON AND TIME TOOK ITS TOLL
MY PAW’S BEGAN TO ACHE
MY EYE’S COULD NO LONGER SEE YOUR WONDERFUL SMILING FACE
YOUR LOVING VOICE CAME AS A DULL WHISPER TO MY EAR’S
PAIN BECAME TO CLOSE A FRIEND
THE GODDESS WATCHED FROM WAY ABOVE AND THOUGHT IT ONLY FAIR TO TAKE ME INTO HER LOVING ARMS
SO SHE COULD LOOK AFTER ME THERE

DON’T CRY FOR ME MY MOTHER DEAR
FOR I AM NO LONGER IN ANY PAIN
I RUN AND PLAY AS IN MY YOUTH
I SEE THE WORLD ANEW
THE BIRD’S ARE HERE SINGING AND I HEAR AND SEE THEM ALL WITH GLEE.
I’M WITH THE GODDESS, MY MOTHER DEAR
AND SHE IS LOOKING AFTER ME.

CLOSE BY HER I WILL STAY
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN AND I CAN SIT ONCE MORE UPON OUR LAP AND PURR
I KNOW THAT NO PUSSY COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER LOVED FROM KITTENHOOD TO OLD AGE

SO DO NOT GRIEVE FOR ME, MY MOTHER DEAR
YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE ME, BUT I WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND
THANK YOU FROM YOUR SPECIAL FRIEND
UNTIL WE ME AGAIN
LISTEN FOR MY SWEET MEOW AS A WHISPER ON WIND !

[Rie]

That poem made me cry. Pets eh...you give them all the love in the universe then they go and break your heart. I wouldnt be without a dog, cat or any pet in the house. All mine come from rescue centres. At least when they depart from this life I know that I have taken them from a life of uncertainty and given them a safe, secure and well loved home. My heart goes out to you all who have lost a furry, featherery..or scaley loved one. XxX