July 4, 1986, George the first

My 10-year old black shorthair had been gone for some time after they had let him out (days) which was very strange. I was away in boot camp, MCRD San Diego. George and I had been inseparable until I left for the Marines, and my Dad had told me in letters that he was spending longer periods outside, probably looking for me.

Our platoon was given the privilege of making a call home for July 4th... my Mom sounded a bit choked up. My Dad wasn't available to talk... he was out.

I found out later that my Dad had just found my cat on the side of the road, a couple of miles from our house, and when I called, he was burying him in the back yard. They didn't want to burden me, knowing the pressures I faced in training.

Geez... over 25 years ago, and it's hitting me hard to write this, just now. I've been through a lot since then... married twice, two kids, I've survived cancer. Maybe that's why. I'm dealing with a flood of emotion I pushed back when I was younger. Now that I'm older (and hopefully wiser), I see no good reason to bottle it up any more.

I don't mean to bum anybody out... I've seen a lot of loved ones pass away. It's tough to know you'll never again see the people (and pets) you cared about, but I've also learned from those experiences. I learned the value of those relationships.

Treat the people and pets you hold dear as well as you can, and enjoy the time you share.

FIrst off, thank you for serving our country.

There is no time limit on grief.  Like you, I still mourn kitties I lost over 30 years ago . Please don't think it is odd.  And try not to discount ever seeing our loved ones again, humans and fur kids.

Until we know for certain, I choose to believe we will be reunited.  You certainly loved your kitty so very much. I think that the thread of love still is attached to our loved ones. 

God bless you and your little friend.

Thanks. I personally believe I will see them again... I guess I should have qualified it as "in this life". Too many young people tear through life, taking the hits in stride, never realizing the real impact, often realizing, too late, that they have done things that they regret.

I'm lucky to have made it a basic tenet of my life never to say things to my loved ones that I'd regret if I never saw them again, That small consistency in the way I tried to treat those around me has served me very well over the years.

I am so very sorry for all you have gone through.  It sounds like you have had some really rough times but you have a great attitude towards life and love and that is heartwarming to behold.  On the note you ended your post with, I also make an effort to live my life in a way that if I should die this very moment I have no unfinished business.  Those that I love know that I love them.  I don't have any feuds going on.  I don't expect to suddenly die in the near future, but nobody ever does.  I have made an effort to live my life like this for many years now and it serves me well.  If, God forbid, something happens to me or to someone I love, I don't have all these unsaid "I love you"s that will torture me forever. 

Hugs,

Amy

Thanks for the words, they express my sentiments very well.

There are sometimes reasons to get angry, but these days, the bar is set pretty high. I just don't feel like wasting the time or energy to fly off the handle (as I used to when I was younger), and I'd rather spend that time letting people I care about know how I feel.

It's a shame when people take the other path, but sometimes we just need a little reminder to help us.

The fact that you're writing about him and still feel his loss is a real tribute to George and the human-pet bond.

As Tricia says, your writing about him and that shows he's still alive in your heart 

George

Thanks for the kind words.