I said goodbye to my sweet Boudicca, this morning

[Siwsan]

I could tell she was ready to go, but it's still hard for me to LET her go. She was sweet, full purrs and personality, VERY feisty (typical tortie) loved scritches and really loved whipped cream. I gave her one last treat, just before we left the house.

I like to think she's now getting those scritches from my sister. Picturing Boud sitting on Chris' lap gives me great comfort. My sister though Boudicca was a stunning cat - and she was.

So, this afternoon I'll drink a toast to my friend.

[redwitch]

1. She had a good kitty life.

I am sorry she had to leave you.

[Siwsan]

40. She was a rescue from appalling circumstances

We were worried she had gone feral, despite being 100% indoors. But she took to me and my house, immediately.

[MuseRider]

2. Morning and mourning tears all around.

I am so sorry. It always hurts so much. One day you can remember all the wonderful times without tears. Until then you just have to wait it out. It is incredibly hard but you did the right thing and I hope you can draw comfort from that as well. Your sister will enjoy the company. Many hugs to you and RIP sweet, beautiful kitty.

[Siwsan]

41. My sister was the one who pointed me in Boudicca's direction

Under other circumstances, I think she would have taken her in. She already had two very active Jack Russells, and nobody thought that would be a good mix.

[Tikki]

3. Hugs to Siwsan...

Boudicca knew she was loved and you knew she loved you.
What a great experience in our life to have fur babies there with us.

Tikki

[Siwsan]

42. Thank you.

She was a cat with a big personality and a bigger heart.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I'm sorry for your loss.

[Siwsan]

43. She is the first I've ever had to say goodbye to, like this

Even when you know it's the right thing to do, the responsibility to make that decision is a heavy load.

[Fla Dem]

5. So hard to say good-bye. You enriched each others lives.

[Siwsan]

44. That is so beautiful!

Thank you.

[Scarsdale]

6. Pretty, pretty girl.

So sorry for your loss. Torties are special, I had one and was so sad when I had to put her down. So very sick. That girl was 10 lbs. of feisty! Proved daily that "dynamite comes in small packages" Treasure the many happy memories.

[Siwsan]

45. Feisty is a Tortie attribute, for sure

I could pet and scritch her, all day, but she had a short tolerance for anyone else.

[NewDayOranges]

7. Dr Seuss said: Don't cry because it's over -

SMILE because it happened...

I hope you will soon be able to remember your sweet Boud without tears...

[mjvpi]

25. Thanks for that. Perfectly concise.

[Siwsan]

46. How lovely!

I'm day 2 into the tears, but my little tuxedo cat, Sophie Stinky Toes, is doing her best to distract me.

[catbyte]

8. I'm so very sorry, my friend.

[Siwsan]

47. Thank you!

I knew I could count on my DU friends for some comfort.

[irisblue]

9. Boudicca 🕯️

I am so so sorry, it hurts so much.

[Siwsan]

48. It really does hurt - more than I expected

I've had a whole lot of losses, over the past 4 years, and this came on the heels of losing my cousin and uncle.

[COL Mustard]

10. It's Always Hard

Because we love them so much.

[Siwsan]

49. And she gave me love, right up until (and maybe past) the end

[kag]

11. So sorry, Siwsan.

I'll hug my kitties a little longer today (even though they'll pull away and go about their business). Take care.

[Siwsan]

50. That's what my other furball, Sophie Stinky Toes, did. 'Enough of the hugs. Where is my treat?'

She's a good distraction from grief.

[gademocrat7]

12. Condolences on the loss of your beloved Boudicca.

[Siwsan]

51. Thank you.

[pazzyanne]

13. Condolences to you on the loss of a wonderful friend.

I have my first tortie, and she is also awesome. She looks a lot like your Boudicca, she is also feisty. Halle just turned 7 and have raised her since she was about a week old. My being her Mom never gets in the way of her asserting herself. I know I would desperately miss Halle so I have an idea how you feel about your tortie. Prayers in the wind for you and a peaceful crossing of the Rainbow Bridge for Boudicca.

[Siwsan]

52. I definitely have a new appreciation for the uniqueness of the Tortie

She could go from fierce to sweet in the blink of an eye.

[tblue37]

14. Beautiful girl. I am so sorry. I have 4 cats now, and have always had cats

(as well as other pets), so I know how much you are hurting right now.

[Siwsan]

53. I still have my little Tuxedo, Sophie Stinky Toes

I'm going to take my time in deciding on another pet. I might try fostering, but not any time soon.

[tblue37]

60. You might not have a choice. Whenever I lose a cat, I soon end up taking in a new kitten

that I had not gone looking for. It's as though my lost cat has sent me a kitten or young cat to help me deal with the loss. When my 20-year-old Gabby died, I ended up choosing a kitten from a rescue group to keep my other cat company, but then a month later a friend called to ask if I would take a tiny feral kitten that had been found where she worked.

Some years later, as the oldest of my three days was hearing her end, a friend ended up with unplanned kittens from her cat that had gotten out a week before being spayed. I adopted one of them, so I still had three when my Lila died at 18+ years.

Then, 5 years ago a feral cat started following me on my walks, so I ended up adopting him, too.

My sister, too, always ends up unexpectedly encountering a new kitten whenever she loses a cat. Once,just a few days after her old cat had died, her son and his fiancee found a kitten sitting alone right outside the place where they worked. Naturally they gave the kitten to my sister.

If a homeless cat or kitten suddenly appears on your radar, you will probably adopt it, even if you hadn't planned on getting another cat so soon.

I hope the lonely place in your heart is filled with another precious friend soon.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

15. K&R

I too have had to say goodbye to a good many pets. It never is easy tho.

[Siwsan]

54. I like to think she spent her time, with me, in a state of contentment.

I still expect to see her, sitting in the hallway, right in front of the doorway to the kitchen.

[WinstonSmith4740]

17. So sorry.

Helping them cross the bridge is so tough, but sometimes just the best thing you can do for them.

[Siwsan]

55. I knew, from her face, it was most definitely time.

She had one last burst of energy, at the vet's, but both the technician and the doctor assured me I was making the right decision.

[47of74]

18. Sorry for your loss

It's never easy when the furry family members leave us for the bridge.

[Siwsan]

56. Thank you

We have to do what's best for them, not what we think is best for us. Definitely one of the more difficult decisions I've had to make.

[area51]

19. I'm so sorry.

[Siwsan]

57. Thank you

The support from my friends on DU has been like a balm to my spirit.

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. So sorry. I have a tortie who also loves whipped cream and is personality plus

and VERY feisty.

[Siwsan]

58. All I had to do was take the whipped cream can out of the fridge - she'd come running

Same with picking up a can of tuna. Don't know HOW she knew, but she did.

[Bayard]

21. I'm so sorry, Siwsan

I mourn my lost ones everyday, but I do that because each one was so special.

As was your Boud, so special.

[Siwsan]

59. She definitely was special

She loved to greet guests, but tolerated them for just so long. She might hiss at an adult, but if a child got on her nerves, she just ran away. For which I was always grateful.

[lillypaddle]

22. What a sweet face

RIP Boudicca & for Siwsan

[Siwsan]

61. Thank you.

When I'm ready, I'm going to print out a few photos and frame them.

[LiberalFighter]

23. Looks sweet and satisfied.

[Siwsan]

62. She had a good life

We rescued her from an awful situation - the house of a drug addicted hoarder. When anyone came into that house, she would burrow into the debris so they worried she had gone feral.

But, once they got her out of that house, and into mine, she immediately adjusted and became a very social kitty.

[LiberalFighter]

85. Dogs aren't any different.

The right environment and people can bring the good out of them.

[JudyM]

24. A well loved, well lived life....

So sorry for your loss, she looks like a real sweetheart, Siwsan. Hoping your heavy heart will soon feel mostly gratitude and peace rather than this wrenching pain.

[Siwsan]

64. She gave as good as she got, on so many levels.

Thank you!

[Ohiogal]

26. Please accept my deepest sympathy

I know how it feels to lose a pet. May her memories warm your heart forever.

[Siwsan]

65. Thank you.

There's definitely a void in the house's energy, today.

[emmaverybo]

27. She looks so contented and loved. Deepest sympathy.

[Siwsan]

66. She was a great observer of household activity

And a fierce guardian of the property, via her observations through the window. She had NO tolerance for any stray cats wandering past her line of sight.

[emmaverybo]

96. Oh. She guarded you all. Thank you for sharing this.

[spooky3]

28. Condolences to you.

Sweet kitty.

[Siwsan]

67. She was sweet. And quite a character.

I already miss her head 'boops'.

[MLAA]

29. 💐✨✨💫😸🌷🌷BOUD🌷🌷😺💫✨✨💐

[Siwsan]

68. I like to think she's in the land of endless tuna and whipped cream, now

And cat treats. She did love her cat treats.

[Maraya1969]

30. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Siwsan]

70. Thank you!

I feel like I've done nothing but grieve losses, over the past 4 years. My mom, sister, aunt, cousin, uncle, and now Boudicca.

[nocoincidences]

31. What a gorgeous girl.

Very sorry she had to leave you, but it's good to know she will have your sister to greet her.

Wonderful fierce name for her, too.

I had a large yellow and black garden spider named Boudicca back in the Seventies.

[Siwsan]

71. When she was rescued, her name was 'Autumn'. Nah - just did NOT fit

Since Torties were sacred to the ancient people of Britain, what better name to give her than that of a Warrior Queen.

[Jack-o-Lantern]

32. Some people dream of angels... You held one in your arms.

[Siwsan]

72. That's a wonderful way to remember her

Thank you!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

33. RIP, Boudicca.

She'll be greeted by my tortie Alice at the Rainbow Bridge. She had a great kitty life with you.

[Siwsan]

73. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the guardians of the Rainbow Bridge were Torties!

They would tolerate no nonsense, other than that caused by themselves.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

82. Tortitude lives on!

[Skittles]

34. ...

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -

I loved you so -
'twas Heaven here with you

~Isla Paschal Richardson

[Siwsan]

74. I absolutely love those words!

I'm going to copy them down for future use. Thank you!

[femmedem]

35. It's so hard to give them that last act of kindness.

I'm sure you gave her as much love and comfort as she gave you.

[Siwsan]

75. Unbelievable hard. It's difficult to not second guess

Would another day or two have been too much, or too little. I just had to go with my gut feeling, and the vet and the technician both told me I had made the right decision. She was failing, she wouldn't get better, but was not yet in pain.

So she went with my hand petting her off on to her next adventure.

[Phentex]

36. So sorry...

she was beautiful.

[Siwsan]

76. Thank you. She was a beauty

I still catch myself looking for her.

[ChazInAz]

37. Our cats bless our lives for such a short time!

There's a prayer in Egypt's Book of the Dead. When the time comes, I send my little partners off with it.
"I stand at the Gates of Dawn. Behold, I am young again forever, and at play on the Isle of Reeds."

[Siwsan]

77. That is exactly how I picture her, right now

One of the hardest things was watching her coat lose its luster, and her energy fading away. Thinking of her being full of energy, again, somewhat eases the pain.

[wendyb-NC]

38. Sorry

She knows you loved her and will shine down on you from her heart.

[Siwsan]

79. Thank you

She had a comfortable, content life.

[drmeow]

39. Oh, my, what a beauty!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Siwsan]

80. Thank you

Torties are special. And, of course, she knew it!

[Gothmog]

63. It is so hard to say goodbye to a loved member of the family

I am sorry for your loss

[Siwsan]

81. This was my 6th loss, over the past 4 years.

The first five were humans, but this loss is no less painful

[redstateblues]

69. So sorry. Thank you for taking such good care of her.

I lost both of my furry friends this year. Mr. B and Daisy. I still miss them terribly

[Siwsan]

83. They give us so much in return, don't they

Probably more than we give to them.

[redstateblues]

97. They teach us so much

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

78. Sorry to hear... may you find peace and comfort in your sweet memories of her.

[Siwsan]

84. Thank you

I want to start working on a nice little memorial stone, for her.

[RedParrot]

86. My condolences on your loss n/t

[Siwsan]

89. It is most definitely a process

But I've had so much support, for which I am so grateful.

[Blue_Tires]

87. At times like this I just try to focus on

all the fun times we had together... I loop them over in my mind like a highlight reel...

I'm so so sorry for your loss..

[Siwsan]

90. I was just remembering how funny she was, when she broke into the catnip

She had a look of. pure bliss.

[MontanaMama]

88. What a gorgeous girl.

I’m very sorry for your loss.

[Siwsan]

91. Thank you. The photo doesn't show it, but she had beautiful amber colored eyes

Absolutely stunning.

[demmiblue]

92. I'm so sorry, Siwsan.

The connection with our beloved furry friends is just so deep.

Letting her go, in the physical sense, was the best gift you could give her (a lesson I learned the hard way).

[Siwsan]

93. A friend told me, if I watch for Boud to send a signal, I'd know when it was time.

Yesterday morning, for the first time ever, she was hunkered down, beneath a chair. And, for most of Sunday she was either sleeping, or engaged in what I describe as the 'thousand mile stare'. So, I knew she was starting to suffer.

And, I know if it wasn't the time, my vet would have told me. The vet clinic I use has been so helpful and supportive. The clinic is an independent, local business that has been in the same location for 62 years. It's a no frill structure with a staff of human angels.

[Laffy Kat]

94. Hugs to you.

You gave her a wonderful life. And, yes, torties are the best.

[Siwsan]

95. The are unique, that's for sure

I was allowed liberties, such as touching her tail or scratching her head for more than a few seconds. Others got the 'hiss' when they crossed that mysterious line.

She gave my brother a LITTLE leeway and would always come running when he came to visit because he always fussed over her. Another way I knew it was close to her time was that she didn't come running to greet him, on Friday.

[Niagara]

98. Sweet Dreams to you, Boudicca

We will never forget your sweet smile.




I'm sorry to hear this, Hugs to you, Siwsan.