It so hurts to say goodbye

I haven't been active in years yet the first place I want to run to is TCS.

I am losing it. I knew this day would come. I just can't. It hurts so much to think Lucky will be leaving us. He has been with me through so really tough times. I found him when Mike and were apart. Actually that night Mike came to talk. We sat outside and as Mike(husband) talked all I could hear is this meow. Lucky immediately jumped up my legs. I had Mike hold him b/c I had other cats at home and didn't want to bring home disease. That weekend I was hung over and he ate bagel bites with me in bed.

You cry he is right there to comfort you. He was with Nana for 2 weeks when she was on hospice at home. The only cat out of 7 to lay on her bed with her.

As I think back the last couple months Lucky has been pulling away and Benson has been taking his place on the bed with me. It's like they knew all this time. This house will be so empty without him.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this.  It is such a painful time. 

All I can do is to let you know that I understand what you are going through, and to send you lots of and support.

I'm so sorry, Michele.

  I'm sorry.  You know us TCSers understand.

You know, every time I see that someone is going through this, it tears me up as I read.
You know that so many of us have lost our sweet kitties, it is always so painful, dreaded, and what we would do if we could change it.

Some of us have that truly special one, that irreplaceable cat who somehow helped 'save us' rather than the other way, some call it their soulmate, and these are especially painful when their time is near or has come.

You ran back to tcs because you know, we all feel your pain now, and we are here to support you, help get you through this as best we can.

Big hugs and comfort for you. So very sorry for what you are going through.

The part you mentioned about another cat taking over his spot hurts...... :grphug2:

I am so sorry for what you are going through. Hugs and prayers going your way.

Sadly, I don't know anything I can say other than that I can commiserate.  My companion of nearly 21 years, Smokie, passed away earlier today after a long fight with kidney failure.  Up until the last twelve hours or so, she was still very active, very happy, and in the words of the vet, both "spunky" and "stoic".  But eventually the poor thing just ran out of energy.  Fortunately she let me know the time was coming, and I got to spend the last few hours holding her in my lap, on top of her favorite blanket, petting her in her favorite spots, talking gently with her and comforting her.

We tell ourselves time and again that pets aren't as important as people, and that their losses aren't such a big tragedy.  Those who haven't ever gotten extremely close to an animal - close enough to consider them family or a loved one - wonder why we don't just replace them with another animal, as if they were just a broken appliance or something.  But I know Smokie, just like Ribbon before her, can never be replaced, nor will I ever try.  But I do know that some day I'll be able to add another pet to my life, and take care of them and love them as well as I know how.  I also firmly believe that I'll get to see these loved ones in heaven someday, just as I'll be able to visit my beloved late father, uncle, and grandparents.

This is a difficult time, but oddly, it is also a time for celebration - for it would not be considered such a tragedy if your beloved pet had not touched you so deeply, loved you so richly, and made such an indelible impression upon your life.  One thing I will always remember is that Smokie absolutely KNEW I loved her and wanted the best for her - and she loved me right back.  Little else matters.