Remembering My 2 Childhood Friends...

pinksugar

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I haven't really had a chance to fully talk about this outside of my family, but this seems to be like the place to do it.

Last year I lost my two childhood cats- Harry and Hermione (big fan of Harry Potter growing up). I got them in 5th Grade when I was 10 years old. I lost them when I was 23- they were 13 at the time which I thought was a good lifespan for indoor-outdoor cats. I had been begging my parents for a kitten, and finally my father relented. Of course, instead of just one cat, I came home with two because of course they needed a friend.

Hermione went first. Her health deteriorated quickly in her last year with her final weigh-in at 3 lbs when she'd been an 8 lbs cat. She was a feisty girl, very talkative, and very attached to my dad. I was always happy when she let me pet her because she wasn't overly friendly, but she was incredibly intelligent. We still don't know what killed her or why her health went down so fast. She saw the vet numerous times and had many tests run, each one inconclusive. I still remember the night I had to make the decision to put her down. I'd been on the computer when she completely lost control of her bowels. I had to put her up while I cleaned up, and I broke down realizing I'd finally lost the battle because there was nothing more I could do for her. I don't regret what I had to do, but I hate that she suffered so much as I tried everything I could to get her healthy again.

Harry followed 6 months later. He'd lost both his front fangs over the past few years- he'd always had dental and nasal issues (he was an orange tabby). He was a calm, chill cat who ruled the neighborhood. When I got my other two kittens, he let them know he was the boss but he never instigated fights. They lived peacefully together until his passing- at the time, I'd moved out to go to school, and my parents told me over dinner that they'd had him put down because his respiratory issues were getting worse. I imagine something bad happened, but I was spared the details. I still haven't fully been able to cope with not being able to say goodbye.

They both accompanied my parents when they walked their dogs and really enjoyed their time spent as indoor-outdoor cats- playing, hunting, nature..., though after the stress I'd gone through worrying about them when they wouldn't come in during bad weather, worrying about the possibility of mean people, and of wild animals, I made the decision to make all future cats indoor-only. 

Even now, I still really miss them and think about them a lot. I wish I had more pictures of them. They were amazing cats. But even so, I'll always remember them in my heart.
 
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pinksugar

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Thank you so much. :[ I live with the knowledge they were the best childhood companions I could have asked for!
 

di and bob

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They always leave a huge hole in our hearts when they leave, and only time will help to ease the pain. It sounds like they had a wonderful life full of adventure and love, please don't dwell on the passing, but celebrate the love you shared with them, I know they would want it that way. Harry knew you loved him, you can tell him goodbye now, he will hear you as your hearts are bonded together for eternity. Please accept my condolences and know we are here to listen, it helps to have someone to talk to that knows what you are going through. Bless you for loving those two so much, I wish only good things for you in the future. RIP Harry and Hermione, you were greatly loved and will be forever remembered!
 
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pinksugar

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Thank you, jcat.

And thank you, Di & Bob. I was honestly in shock when my parents told me. I really think something happened that they don't want me to know about as I come from a family of animal lovers and we have only euthanized when the pets are distressed and in pain (or, in the case of our 14 year old toy poodle, the decision was made because his health had deteriorated and was having to visit the vet at least once a week due to issues). The last time I'd seen him, I knew he was have respiratory issues, so I think he might have been unable to breathe by that point. 

I know they had a good life, and I know that I loved them both very much. I always regretted not spending more time with them and bringing 2 new kittens home- I always wondered if I somehow contributed to their health problems by adding stress to them. But I never neglected them. I really do miss them both so much. Even now when I visit home, we talk about the animals we've had over the years. Whenever the toy poodle comes up, my mom starts crying as he was her baby and very attached to her. Pets really do bring a lot of love in your life and take a piece with you when they leave. But it's worth it, in my opinion, to give them a good quality of life they wouldn't have otherwise.
 

mnm

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aww...we just never know how long we will be allowed to bless our pets with love, but the point that we indeed have given them that love is the bestest gift ever to them. I'm so sorry for your losses and good for your family for taking them in and giving them a life they deserved! :)
 
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