Tiger: June 13, 1997-October 21, 2014

night wing

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(I haven't been on this site for a few months since my cat started showing signs of declining health.)

This past Tuesday, October 21st, I had my lady vet (and one of her assistants) come out to my home on a house call and put my male brown tabby manx breed cat, Tiger, to sleep (I hate the word euthanize) because of the complications of old age. Tiger lived for 17 years, 4 months and 8 days. He was an indoor cat and being inside, he was my constant shadow and a true pet companion. I'm thankful that Tiger chose me as his favorite person during his lifetime.

Because the bond between us was so strong, Tiger taught me what "unconditional love" was. I always put Tiger's needs and wants before my own. I'm really missing Tiger and this house doesn't feel like a home at the moment, it just feels like "a house with something missing in it". I'm not sleeping well at night either. I keep waking up at 2 hour intervals and this is not my normal sleep pattern. It seems when I'm asleep, my unconscious mind knows Tiger is gone and this is the cause of me waking up during the night.

Since I plan on being cremated, I'm having Tiger cremated and his ashes will be returned to me sometime during the middle of next week sealed in a box with his name carved on the box. The reason Tiger is being cremated is because when I pass away, I'm also being cremated. Since both of us loved "water" (me saltwater kayak fishing and Tiger loved playing in water), my wife (and if my wife passes away before I do) or the eldest niece will take my ashes and Tiger's ashes down to the Gulf of Mexico. There, our ashes will be mixed together and than scattered upon the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. If there is another realm of existence, then Tiger and I will be together again.

My wife knows what I'm going through. She had a female lynx point siamese cat, named Woodstock which chose my wife as her favorite person. She too was an inside cat. Woodstock also had to be put to sleep because of the "ravages of time". Woodstock lived with us for 19 years, 6 months and 6 days. Both Tiger and Woodstock always got the best medical care (and food) and this is why each one of them lived long and happy lives.

My wife and I don't know if we'll ever have another cat since we both know we might not out live another cat. My wife's eldest niece is 34 years old and she says we "need" another cat. Our niece said there is another cat out there somewhere that needs and wants a good home. Our niece told us if we get another cat and the cat out lives my wife and me, my niece said she will gladly take the cat into her home where the cat can live out the rest of her life being spoiled and happy.

In closing, "It is said some lives are linked across time, connected by an ancient calling that echoes through the ages".
 

kittymomma1122

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I am sorry for your loss.  That is a wonderful idea. I know a couple who scuba dived, when the wife passed her husband took her ashes to her favorite dive spot and spread them.
 

catspaw66

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I had wondered what happened to you. You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of Tiger. The statement at the end of your post says it all.
 

bgregory

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I am so very sorry for your loss.  It's been just over 2 weeks since I lost my cat companion of 12 yrs.  I know exactly how you feel when you say the house does not feel like a home anymore.  I also experienced this disconnected feeling with my surroundings, and am still experiencing it.  I'm going away this weekend just to get out of the house that no longer feels like a warm, cozy home.  I'm hoping that in time the feeling will change.  How wonderful that you had such a loving companion for so long.  The loss always aches and breaks our hearts into pieces.  This is the price we pay for such unconditional love.  May peace find it's way back into your life when you are able to someday look back and reflect on Tiger with only happy thoughts of the love he gave to you.  God Bless.
 
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night wing

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I didn't wait till Tiger became debilitated. Tiger could still run, eat, had no bowel, kidney or bladder problems, but he was wasting away weight wise right before my eyes. I took him to my vet and had lots of tests done on him. Everything came back, "normal". My vet said "the ravages of time" can't be held back forever. Tiger just lost the ability to efficiently turn food into weight. He was turning into "skin and bones".This is why I have crammed as much living into him and with me, during his last months as I could.

Sunday night, October 19, when I went to bed, he came up on the bed like he always has done during the years I had him since he always slept to the left of me on the bed. But, this time he sat on my chest as I was laying down on the bed. He put is paw on my chin and held it there looking me straight into my eyes. I knew then it was time.

Monday morning, October 20th, I went to my vet's clinic and I made the arrangements for him. The procedure was scheduled at my home on Tuesday, October 21st, at 4:30 pm. Lucky for me, Tuesday was a beautiful sunny day. I decided to give Tiger all the things, food wise, he wasn't supposed to be eating. I went to our local grocery store and got him a huge slice of "rare" roasted roast beef from the meat deli. Also, a few chunks of BBQ'ed chicken roasted on a pit. Since he liked baked potatoes, I got him a small piece and topped it with with butter, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. All day he ate like a king. When he was full from eating, he laid down on the carpet with the sun streaming in through the double pane windows and napped in the sun. I laid down on the carpet next to him and took a nap with him. My wife took pictures of him and me all day long. I'm glad my wife was there with me at the end because she had already went through losing her cat to "old age". In his prime, Tiger weighed 13 pounds and when he passed away, he weighed 8 pounds.

Tiger's last day with me was a good day until 4:30 pm arrived. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have done anything different.
 

di and bob

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You were so blessed to have those two cats, it sounds like you all had a wonderful full life of love and shared devotion. You also have a wonderful niece to tell you she would love another addition to your family if something would happen to warrant it, you don't see that very often. Woodstock and Tiger are safe and at peace now, and both will always be remembered and loved in that special place you have for them in your heart. One day the hole in your heart will heal enough to accept another little love, there are so many that desperately need a home, and you both have so much to offer. Bless you for loving those two so much, and for taking such good care of them, you are truly angels for doing so. I'm so sorry for your loss, please take care and know we feel the pain too when a beautiful cat is lost. RIP beautiful Tiger, Woodstock is waiting to take you across the bridge, you were both so greatly loved!
 
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jcat

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I'm so sorry about your loss of Tiger. The love you shared shows in every word you've written and in the peaceful passing you gifted him with. That love will endure. View media item 243046 for you and your wife. RIP, Tiger. I hope you're with Woodstock, watching over your human family. :rbheart:
 

mnm

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your story was so sweet. It's been 7 weeks for us so I know how your heart is breaking... obviously the process of grieving just has to unfold... and each step will get you to a more peaceful place..... I'm so sorry for your loss.
 
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night wing

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Thanks for the comments from all of those who replied. Those comments mean a lot to my wife and me its much appreciated by my wife and me.
 

goholistic

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I'm so sorry for your loss @Night Wing. You and Tiger obviously had a very special bond, so it must feel like a part of your soul went with him. That is very sweet of your wife's niece to make that offer.

Rest in peace, Tiger. 
 

margecat

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What a wonderful tribute to Tiger.  He lived a long, happy, and loved life with you.  
 

bonepicker

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Thanks for the comments from all of those who replied. Those comments mean a lot to my wife and me its much appreciated by my wife and me.[/quote. Help out an older kitty from the shelter find a home if you are concerned about a kitten outliving you, when you are ready of course. rip Tiger[emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji]️
 
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