We had to put our 19 yr old cat to rest this morning...

[Avalon Sparks]

Our beloved cat Brandy who was 19 passed on this morning. She had been very sick for a month and she couldn't walk Thursday night as her back legs would not support her. We had just gottan her back from the vet a few nights before that. We took her to the emergency vet clinic Thursday night and she spent the night there getting IV fluids. We took her to our vet Friday morning and she suspected that Brandy had a stroke. She was so weak and so still and could not support herself. Our long term vet said there was nothing she could do.

I called my husband from the vet's office and he came there and we very sadly said our final goodbyes. We held her and petted her and told her how wonderful she is.

It hurts so much, as I'm sure some of you will understand. We were lucky to have her for 19 years but it's never enough time, is it?

It hurts so devastatingly to not be able to hold her again. She was my best friend and she was so brave and strong. Having CRF, she had bounced back several times from illnesses in the past, but this time was different.

We've been greiving all day and talking about her and all the memories. She was our baby, we three were a little family. The house is so still without her and everything and every room holds a memory of her with it.

Some of the things we loved about Brandy was the unconditional love she gave us, her stubbornness, and the way such a supposedly dainty cat showed so much tougness and spirit.

I'll miss her sweet face everyday for the rest of my life. Her purrs and her kitty kisses could turn my stressful days around in a second. It breaks my heart to know that I'll never wake up with her curled up in the crook of my neck again.

I hope someday, somehow there is a place where I'll see her again because this just can't be goodbye forever.

I love you Brandy, you will always be a part of me and Steve.

[LeftyMom]

1. .

:hug:

[roguevalley]

35. I am so very sorry, honey. Hugs to you and yours.

[NMMNG]

2. My condolences A.S.

I know how it is to put a beloved pet to rest. I only hope your pain will be eased by knowing that Brandy's suffering is over. Take care, and keep Brandy in you heart. :hug:

With Metta
Buffy

[auntAgonist]

3. I am sorry your baby is no longer with you in body,

:hug:

but in spirit Brandy lives on!

[Heidi]

4. Peaceful passage, Brandy.

:hug: to you, Avalon Sparks and Steve.

[JackDragna]

5. I had a cat die that was 21..

..and it's hard to let go of a pet that lives so long. The best thing to do is grieve, then get another cat. If you've taken good care of a cat that's lived so long, there are plenty of others that could use some attention.

[Jamastiene]

6. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope I get to keep my Sunday Girl for that

long. She has inflammed bowel disease and goes through really rough times on ocassion. It always scares me. You are right 19 isn't long enough. Sunday is 13 years old. I wish I could make her young again and start over so she could keep living. She's such an opinionated cat. She likes to torture the two younger cats. She likes to show them who is boss around here. And on her sweeter side, she knows everything I say and tries to help my aunt, who has multiple sclerosis, get into bed and other things she has trouble doing. She is such a smart cat. I don't want to be without a cat ever again. I have already made up my mind that if I lose these, I am going to give it as long as I need to let the pain lessen, then I'm adopting again. There are so many out there who need homes.

[hickman1937]

7. Oh dear Lord, I am so sorry.

Nothing I can say will mean anything. I'm just so sorry.

[fizzgig]

8. all my love to you two

and all my speed to her

i know, having had to put down/lost a number of babies, that she will never leave you

it may not be much comfort now, but wait until that point between waking and sleep...you will feel her curled up next to you as i do all those i have lost

she knew until the end the love you had for her and that is a bond that cannot be broken

[WCGreen]

9. I never had a cat that long until Gizmo came into out life...

We had the little guy for 14 years... He was slowing down... Had a bladder infection that eventually took him...

I still think about him five years later...

And yet, I see him in each of the four cats we got to replace the little guy...

We have so much love in our house now, and chaos, that I know Gizmo is happy for us...

[ET Awful]

10. RIP Brandy, you were certainly a gorgeous girl.

And to you Avalon, I can only give condolences and a :hug:

[REP]

11. I'm So Sorry

Knowing that you did the kind and brave thing for her doesn't make losing her hurt any less, I know. But you did.

[RevCheesehead]

12. My deepest, heartfelt sympathy to you and your husband.

I lost one of my furbabies this year, and I know all too well of the pain and loss. Some days were inconsolable. :(

Right now, your emotions are raw, and it will hurt like hell. But in time, you will tolerate it a little better, each day.

Grief and tears are good things, because they tell us how deeply we loved someone. So go ahead and cry, and express all that love you have for Brandy.

I firmly believe you will see her again. (((:hug:)))

[Robeson]

13. I'm so, so sorry Avalon Sparks ....

...Brandy looked like a sweet girl. I'm so sorry....:hug: :cry:

[newyawker99]

14. I am very sorry to hear this.

:hug: :cry:

[xchrom]

15. my thoughts really go out to you.

:hug:

[FLSurfer]

16. I don't really have any words to help out

But I wanted to reply to wish you the best and let you know that there is one more person that is truly saddened for you loss.
I'm sure she had a better life because you were part of it. Bless you guys and stay strong.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

17. I am so very sorry

she was a beautiful cat. And surely after 19 years of "service" she deserves a rest.

[Mizmoon]

18. Your cat was lucky to have great friends like you

I wish all could be so lucky. Bless you.

[kaye45]

19. Condolences

I know how sad this is, a pet's love is so pure and uncomplicated. James van Praagh, the psychic, says our pets are there waiting for us to greet us when we cross over, and that works for me.

[samplegirl]

20. Read this post

my heart was just breaking. I am so very sorry
for your loss. I know what you meant about turning a stressful day around. My cat brings me
so much love.
Nothing can replace the love they so generously
give. She looked like a sweetheart Brandy made it a long time due to your love & affection.
Again I am sorry. Will be thinking of you today.

[LostinVA]

21. Pass on to the Summerlands, little furbaby

Your post made me cry, especially since my own 8-year-old furbaby is sitting on my lap as I write this, purring and kneading me with her little claws. Punkers and I send you heartfelt condolences for the loss of your friend and family member... and your child.

[tiddlywinks]

22. I'm so sorry.

I hope there's a kitty heaven...
and a doggy one, too.

This made me cry first thing in the morning! I had to go away and come back.

[Strong Atheist]

23. .

There are never any words...

so sorry .....

[LaurenG]

24. Oh how very devastating

I have two just like your Brandy. I am so sorry, just so sorry. :hug:

[crispini]

25. Awwwwwwwww.

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug: You'll meet her on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

[Avalon Sparks]

26. Thank you so much everyone~

Thank you all for your thoughts. Steve and I read them and they mean so much to us. Brandy was our only pet and it's the first time we had to help one go to the bridge.

I love DU and all the DUers~ Your words mean more to me are more of a consolation then I can ever express. Thank you from my heart for your thoughts and tears.

I've cried too every time I've read posts about other Duer's and their beloved furballs.

[BuelahWitch]

27. This is late but...

:hug: from me and my kitty Angel.

[henslee]

28. That's a ripe old age for a cat. Bless Brandi and you. And if you

weren't torn up about it... it wouldn't be right. So cry... for now.

[Hugin]

29. I'm so sorry you had to do this...

Losing a pet is hard... But, remember the joy she brought
you!

:hug:

[flamingyouth]

30. I'm so sorry for your loss

What a beautiful cat. It's such a hard thing, losing our fur babies. :hug:

[Avalon Sparks]

31. Thank you again for all your thoughts and kind words.

We are still holding on today, we decided we couldn't 'do' Christmas. We will visit each of our families next weekend as our holiday time.

We just watched a video of her when she was 2 years old. Playing and happy and absolutely the most beautiful, sweetest cat in the world.

I hope she's like that now somewhere...

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. ..

:hug:

[chookie]

33. :-(

I sit at your side at this sad time.

I had my cat "daughter" for 21 years before I lost her to old age. The grief is as fresh as it was the day she passed.

Brandy was a real beauty.

:hug:

[texanwitch]

34. Brandy was a beautiful cat.

I recently last a my kitty, and understand the pain you are going though.

I hope this video helps, it has helped me.

www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html - 3k

[JuneInJax]

36. What a lovely tribute.

I am so, so sorry, A.S.
:hug:
Moni

[In_The_Wind]

37. Rest in Peace Brandy

Brandy looks like my Billie.
She lived 18 1/2 years before I had to put her to sleep.
It was one of the loneliest days of my life so I understand how you feel right now.
I still shed fresh tears over Billie, 20 years later.

I believe we'll meet our beloved pets again.
They're waiting for us just on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

for you Avalon Sparks and Steve

[tavalon]

38. From one Avalon to another

And one animal lover to another, I am so sorry for your loss. And yes, she will wait for you by the Rainbow Bridge. Here's the poem that's from and though it seems to be talking about dogs, I think it can apply to any of our beloved animal companions:



Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[HuskerDU]

39. I am sorry for your loss.

I consider myself a tough guy, but the lil furries really tug at my heart. I love every one of 'em. You are lucky to have had such a wonderful companion all of those years. Peace to you and yours Avalon.

[Avalon Sparks]

40. These days have been hard without our baby-girl...

We've really just been sitting here at the house shell shocked since Friday morning. Very, very sad...

I wanted everyone to know that Duer's tender and understanding words have warmed our hearts and it has been such consolation to come and read the new responses.

It means a lot to us to have this tribute on DU to her.

[serryjw]

41. First Scarlet....now Brandy

this is a tough Xmas for all our furrbabies. I lost Einstein at 17. You have so many wonderful memories. I am so sorry. I know how empty the house was until I adopted Igamoo. Brandy RIP, you deserve it.