It sounds like you both knew what you had in terms of love and affection, and that he’s had a good life. I hope you’re able to hold him again before he passes.

You have my condolences.

Sorry to hear that. I've been there and I know how much it hurts to lose a little furry buddy.

Condolences.

We had to let one our cats go when we were on vacation once. It sucked not being able to be there for him.

He managed to wait for me, and I got to spend an hour and a half or so with him. I had a glimmer of hope that maybe the subcutaneous fluids mentioned one page one might be just what he needed, and that maybe they were used to dealing with pet owners who don’t want to go to the effort and money… until they brought him in the room. That hope vanished. He was barely there. So limp, so weak. He was just hanging on so I could say goodbye. So I did. They gave him a shot to ease his struggle, and he breathed his last at 7:02 PM last night, and I truly feel like I lost a piece of my soul when he laid limp in my arms.

I took him to the crematory this afternoon, and lost another piece. I wanted to bury him in the back yard, but our house is on the market, and we drive away for the last time on the 8th, and my wife wouldn’t have it for all the reasons. Some time next week, I’ll pick up his ashes, and a polished river stone laser engraved with his name and paw print.

With his body, I also gave the lady at the crematory two little knit pillows my mother made for my son that Marley immediately claimed as his own. I don’t think my son ever even touched them. Marley used to drag them around the house and loudly hump them the minute my wife left the house, and in his later years used to aggressively do so right in front of me. I have no idea what that was about, but it was his way, and it was my way to tell him “you’re a sick fuck, you know that, right?” Anyways, it seemed fitting that his harem go to cat Valhalla with him. Marley had more life left in him than those pillows did when I handed the cat carrier over to the nice lady. This makes me laugh. Not a lot of laughs in the last day or so.

When we get where we’re going, wherever it ends up being, we’re going to set up a little memorial to him. My son is taking it better than I thought he would, but you never know with kids. I think I’m easily the most devastated. Typing this was hard. Today was hard. Yesterday was almost unbearable. I’m not going to even get into the lost luggage with a Glock 19 in it and my cell phone getting bricked while navigating to the animal hospital. The world was against me, but God was with us, and gave us each other to walk the road with together until my old friend could go no further. Rest easy until I see you again, Mr. Cat.




Thank you all for the kind words. I’m home alone with this, and I feel really alone with this. The posts helped.

I am glad you made it, able to be with your buddy, and that you saw him on his final journey from this side of the bridge.

My cat, Mr. Paddington Possum(in a box he made his own), always on my desk, sleeping while I work, and using the computer for the most important work of all, looking at other cats...

So glad you made it in time. It’s happened with pets and my parents that it almost seemed like they were waiting for us to say their/our goodbyes and tell them it was ok to let go.

Getting blurry eyes…

God bless.

I am so glad you were able to get back and he was able to hang on until you did.

I too am glad you were able to make it back to him in time. Please accept my sincerest condolences.

Glad you were able to be there for Marley’s final moments. Losing a furry buddy is absolutely one of the hardest things I’ve dealt with. I have no doubt that they take a piece of your heart with them when they go.

I'm happy you got to say goodbye.

Bo, Basement Cat, and Jazmine will look out for him until you two meet again.

God bless you; always.

That's tough.

Maybe something is wrong with me, but from time to time, I think of when I have to say goodbye to my two dogs. I was there when their mother died as well as them. Their dad just died recently.

I know they know the concept of dead and they wailed when their mother died and the bigger dog was sobbing uncontrollably and would have had tears if she could.

But, at least, we can enjoy each other in the present.

So glad you were able to spend the last minutes together! Cats and dogs are wonderful creatures!!!

RIP sweet boy! Never forgotten.

Sorry to hear man. Sounds like he had a good life and was taken care of. About the best one can hope for.

RIP, Marley. Laughter through blurry monitor at your post, Smudge. GLAD you made it home to say "so long" to your little buddy...

My condolences on the loss of your friend.

I'm really sorry for the loss of your kitty buddy. It is a small but important blessing to be able to visit with them before they go. I didn't get that chance with my Moxie and I regret it.

Sorry for your loss, glad you made it to see him.