topic Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge" in Pet Lovers

Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:08:09 GMT

For just over 2 yrs now, my 18 yo "Cuddles," (kitty), has been a "good 'Do Bee,'" .... the last 2 yrs of which, she's been on "life extending treatments." prescribed by my extraordinary Vet... (ex: SubQ every othr day, assorted RXs, as needed)..

During these last 2 yrs, I've watched my "Cuddles," & my "Sweetie" (her adopted, rescue'd, younger sister "kitty"), come to terms with one another... playing "hide & seek," & taking turns playing "it" with "tag" .. both having a blast!

After numerous "false alarms," during these 2 yrs, I suspect today, or quite soon, is the *real* start of her journey to "Rainbow Bridge."

Her whole life, she's been as an extraordinary kitty, devoted, loving, love-able.. sharing purrs just about constantly.. Purring while she's falling asleep, beside my pillow, ... or purring while on top of my sleeping body.. .. even purring thru "our special time," while I'm giving her her SubQ fluids sessions, while all the time, smothering her with hugs & kisses, petting & squeezes.

As with all my many kitties, during my lifetime, "Cuddles" has been extraordinarily special to me.. Each kitty, "in their own special ways."

I will horridly miss my "forever purring," "constant attention-seeking," devoted, "wanting devotion & hugs," loveable, loving kitty, "Cuddles"....

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

catter70 — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:33:57 GMT

Sorry to hear this. Our pets are our families and the loss is always terrible. Been thru it several times. But in the end you must do what's right for your Cuddles. Will be thinking of you.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

DSD2 — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 21:04:00 GMT

How wonderful that you and Cuddles found each other! What memories you have built over the years, a closeness most cannot imagine.

Your words show your great love and devotion. And while love is essential, it is the care and the respect with which we treat our beloved fur children as they approach the end of their lives that is equally important. We want to do everything we can to keep them with us, to erase their pain. And now, as her time is growing short, you realize the time is upon you. I pray she is pain free and experiences peace when she passes as she begins the next journey until you are reunited.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

Mombo1 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:34:32 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior My first kitty was also named Cuddles. She was 18 years old when she passed.....this was 40 years ago.... Pets have such a special place in our memories.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

Sharbou — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 01:05:16 GMT

I am so sorry--what a beautiful tribute to your Cuddles!

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

ECBG — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:46:04 GMT

Your post is so loving, I know you were a sweet, loving mom to all of your little ones.

I'm so very sorry. This is what I imagine if I may share.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

Sammycat1 — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 18:44:30 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior

No matter how much time your beloved Cuddles has left, the stretch of time she's had has been filled with nothing but your love, a love that lives on in your heart.

It's never enough time with them, is it? Just try to enjoy her and not let her sense her sorrow. She is attuned to you and wants to feel your usual love and care like always.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:31:50 GMT

@catter70 @DSD2 @Mombo1 @Sharbou @ECBG @Sammycat1

What incredibly kind words you shared with me.

Your wonderfully supportive words tell me that sharing this "heartbreak," abt my beloved, late "Cuddles," was shared at just the right place, here.

I find myself in two modes since I lost my "Cuddles"... isolating, or crying, (or both)..

And I know,that isolating is not a good idea, not healthy at all, esp after 2 yrs of "COVID careful",.. so this is my first non-isolating...

Everything had stopped here, at home, for the last 2 yrs of Cuddle's "Life Extending Treatments."

.. so looking around here, there's much to do..and Isolating is very inopportune.

And, my remaining, last kitty, "Sweetie," wants to know why I've stopped giving her that yummy "Sheba" kind of wet food, these last 2 yrs, & instead, back to dry food out all the time, like the "old days."

Thank you again, kind folks. You have supremely helped my road to healing, in a way that only fellow "pet lovers" can heal.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 16:30:43 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
Your post is so loving, I know you were a sweet, loving mom to all of your little ones.
I'm so very sorry. This is what I imagine if I may share.

~~~~~~~`

BTW, @ECBG The wonderful pic you posted, above, has become my new Screen Saver, in honor of my 'beloved," heaven sent "Cuddles!" TY!

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

ECBG — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 16:39:12 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior

When I used to talk to our sons about animals passing, a similar picture was what I described to them when they worried about a squirrel on the road side or had lost a pet.

I can't wrap my mind around a world where love and goodness cease to be when there is a loss, even if it only makes our heart richer.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:00:28 GMT

I'm not really coping well without my sweet, lovable, affectionate "Cuddles."

It's been 4 weeks, & I've hardly slept since Cuddles passed away.

When I'm finally tired enough to lay down & try, .. I cry till I drop asleep.

.. Cuddles slept with me each & every night. If she hadn't already raced me to bed, in anticipation, ... she'd come running when I merely whistled the song, "Bless the Lord" (by Andraé Crouch). That was always her "bedtime" queue.

She'd lay up against my pillow, my head inches away,

She & I "spooned" ourselves to sleep, lovingly entwined with one another..

My hand traced up her underside, & rested on her little tummy, cupping the soft, "angel hair" of her most vulnerable "belly."

We were both 'safe" when we were curled up with one another. Her cont'd purring, & my sleep breathing, was like the softest, synchronized, "sleep hum," lulling both of us off to the "deepest of dreams."

I can hardly sleep without my Cuddles, & only when my body finally succumbs to fatigue, usually after maybe 2+ days

And I know, realistically, I cant keep this up.

Life was somewhat on hold for these 2 yrs of Cuddles "Life Extending," cuddling, & Im supremely grateful for that additional time of our mutual happiness.

... Now, I need to get back to "real life" things, including my own health & well being as the priority...

.....but I'm *stuck*

Today, it occurred to me to scout for something i can use to help me sleep, maybe cuddle with...

Even tho I know it's not my real "Cuddles," (nothing ever could be) .. I ordered an Amz "Kitty" today, that at least by the pic, looks somewhat similar to my r/l tuxedo, long haired "Cuddles".

Maybe cuddling with "AmzieCuddles" will help me cope, perhaps, help me get some healthy sleep, (at least, in the absence of any other ideas I've come up with).

Hopefully, this "AmzieCuddles" will arrive soon, & she'll be soft enough, & I can "pillow spoon" with "AmzieCuddles" as usefully adequate...

.. Altho, nothing like my real "Cuddles," ... I miss her so

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

MyShadowLove — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 17:40:57 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior ...I am so very sorry about your precious "Cuddles"...I understand exactly what you are going through as, just yesterday, I had to make the decision also that it was time for my very precious "Shadow" to cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

Thanks to Shadow's fantastic Vet and Vet Asst., they helped me greatly in making the difficult decision...Shadow was 18-1/2 years old and had been dealing with kidney disease and Pancreatitis for approximately the past four years...It became very evident that it was now time to "let her go".

Like you, I am a mess!...Right after making the appointment, I broke down and sobbed uncontrollably and allowed myself to just let the feelings flow and let it all out...I called my twin sister and, thank goodness, she was home and she allowed me to continue sobbing while spewing out all of my grief and she sobbed along with me.

When I took Shadow to her Vet, I took along her very favorite cuddly throw and we put that on the table and she snuggled right up into it...Normally, when I would take Shadow to the Vet, like most animals, she would fret somewhat and not be happy about being there at all...However, yesterday, when I layed her down on her throw on the Vet table, she just snuggled into it and rested...The Vet Asst. then shared some beautiful words with me...She said..."Your Shadow is letting you know that it is okay and that she is ready to go."

When I got home, it was all I could do to bear to walk into our home and face the empty, void feeling that I knew would be awaiting me...I managed to have a small bowl of chicken soup and that was it...I barely slept and, when some sleep did come, it was only after I took one of her stuffed kitty toys and snuggled with it...My husband said that I could snuggle into him, but I told him it just wouldn't be the same...lol... (just adding a little humor here).

I am very aware that it is going to be a very difficult time for me and so I am just doing the best that I can, while allowing the grief to flow, and keeping in mind what a remarkable, beautiful, loving bond that Shadow and I shared together and that I also loved her enough to know when the time had come to let her cross over the Rainbow Bridge peacefully...I hope that, by sharing my story with you, it will help you get through your grief also.

Be gentle with yourself...take care of yourself...and, also, you mentioned that you have another cat..."Sweetie"...so hold onto her for comfort and love...as she needs you very much also and can sense your feelings and you can both help each other through this difficult time.

My heart goes out to you!

added note:...I'm sorry that this came out somewhat long, but I had a hard time condensing it.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 18:47:30 GMT

@MyShadowLove

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner.

I'm still not doing as well as I'd hoped...

Clicking on your post was the best I could do earlier.

I totally understand how it feels to lose yr beloved pet, "Shadow." It hurts beyond comprehension, as u & I well know,... Heck, I'm even crying my eyes out now, typing this..

I wish I could have squeezed for one more, one last "Cuddles" hug... but then another.. and another...

Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly grateful to have stretched out her happy life by 2 more happy yrs, ..... I just wanted even more

I gave myself a couple, few weeks, after "Cuddles" passing, to adjust, & "get back on the stick," and pick up some of the chores/tasks that have been lagging.

I was bringing in an item from my car, when one of the beloved, friendly Dog Walkers approached me.. But after a few minutes of chat, we started toward my house, & I PASSED OUT! Thank goodness this kind Dog Walker caught me, helped me back in the house.

I guess these past 2 yrs I've been operating on total adrenaline, trying, somewhat to also integrate, tend to some of my own "medical issues," at least enough to keep me going, ... to keep "Cuddles" going.

I dont know just when I'll be able to be "normal" again.

Your loving care for "Shadow" and my loving care of my "Cuddles," makes me know we have a lot in common.

I hope you & memories of yr beloved "Shadow" keep you warmed & filled, until such time as you & "Shadow" are united once again...

Take care @MyShadowLove

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

GinaV24 — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:34:32 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior I'm so very sorry to hear this sad news about your Cuddles. What a wonderful companion and love bug. It's never easy to say goodbye to them. My deepest sympathy and hugs for comfort to you.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

GinaV24 — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:40:40 GMT

@MyShadowLove I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Reading it made me feel so sad for you. It's very hard. I've said goodbye to many well-loved pets and it is so hard, even when we know it's the "right" time.

Your vet and vet asst sound so wonderful. I'm glad that Shadow was not afraid. You loved her and she loved you.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 18:18:31 GMT

@GinaV24 Thank you so much for your kind words. Seems loss of the physical part of love is it's own kind of empty.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 19:33:30 GMT

@MyShadowLove

I think I might be imagining things...(I'm not surprised).

I thought I'd read a prior comment of yours, of which, two items stick out to me about this "imagined" post from you.

I thought I'd read about "Cuddle's" "body just gave out."

WOW. That was SUCH a healing thought & comment. Cause in my mind, I've been torturing myself about "what more could I have done??" "What'd i miss that I could have done? "but "her body just gave out." relieves me... so much!! THANK YOU!!

Also, I "imagined" you asked about "Sweetie." "Sweetie" loves being "scratched hard," which is not in my nature. So I dug up my old "cat brush," but it was worn out. A few months ago, I kept researching for a replacement "cat brush," .. y'know the brush that doesnt have those little "balls" on the end of the bristles. I found 'em... bought two different ones for "Sweetie" SHE LOVES THEM! Gives her that right kind of "rough/hard" scratching/petting she likes.

"Sweetie" is my first, very "emotionally (& formerly physically) damaged" kitty, of all the many kitties I've had.

.. Other "adult kitties" I've adopted came from "loving pet parent" coworkers, so those kitties didnt come "damaged" in any way.

I rescued MY newly named "Sweetie" from former neighbors that have a history of a series of "suspicious damaged things" that happen to their "pets," then their pets are shuffled off somewhere. These neighbors have a "deadbeat" history, so many Vets wouldnt take any of their pets anymore.

I didnt realize these neighbors had a new cat until I found a cat that had escaped from their house, & I found her climbing up the bricks outside their house, then she fell into their rose bushes below. OUCH! I scooped her up & knocked on their door. Sure enough, it was a new kitty of theirs, they claimed "someone" wanted to adopt her. hmmmm

They said, part of her history is that she was owned by a series of "long haul truckers" & she was neglected, esp of food. She was thea absolutely SKINNIEST adult kitty Ive ever, ever seen!!

.. "Cuddles" was supposed to be my "last cat" cause I'm getting older, too old to provide good care of cats when they get elderly & sick.

I asked the neighbors to hold this cat for one day, while I slept on takiing it. I made an appt with my terrific Vet the next day. This cat was sooo "passed around, with prior owners," she tried hard to "charm" my Vet, in an attempt to try to get the Vet to adopt her.Was amazing to watch!

My newly named "Sweetie" checked out, so I brought her home here to integrate with my other kitty/s.

Sweetie slept in my arms for a solid few days!! There was absolutely NO PROBLEM integrating her with the other kitty/s whatsoever, (which NEVER happens, at least in my history.of added kitties)! "Sweeties" only issue was with food, understandably. I had to try to convince Sweetie that she'll never worry for food here..ever. (I think abt now she's 80% convinced.)

("Cuddles" taught "Sweetie" how to "break into the big bag of dry food here," which also helped Sweetie) Cuddles liked to "break into" newly arriving bags of food.

I think Sweetie is overweight, & I'm not sure how to deal with this, given her history with having been starved. I dont want to put her back into her past damaged history of hunger.

Sweetie LOVES .. "mushing" (kneading) on my chest/breasts, esp thru soft, fuzzy 'bathrobe/cape" type material. But I'm trying to teach her "no nails" or "be soft" cause she has "pulls" on anything of mine that she "mushes at." .. My past cats/kitties learned this fast. Not sure abt teaching this to "Sweetie." So far, I'm wearing only the same "robe/cape" so Sweetie's "pulls" stay isolated to that one "robe." .. But I want to change robes/capes! heh I keep all my kitties nails trimmed. They "earn" an arm/paw massage after "nail cutting," if they like it.

Sweetie, (given her history of abuse, & my experience of no history of abuse in a cat), & I are trying to figure out how to offer her her most wonderful life here.

.. She's a "short hair" & my experience is.. Long Hairs often LOVE "LOVE" affection. Short hairs are a bit more stand-off-ish abt being consumed with loving gestures. I have to continue to figure out her "love language." heh

So this is a "long story, long" (as opposed to "short")

I'm soo amazed that ppl in "Pet Lovers" select the most incredible, exactly perfect, "right words" (or pics) to comfort other Pet Lovers, incl with loss!

@MyShadowLove Thanks for your loving compassion & sharing thoughts I'd never even thought of... like "her body just gave out." Was soooo comforting to me! *hugs*

(PS.. Im having "computer mouse" problems.. so my typing/access to my puter is troublesome & "goofy")

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 19:46:22 GMT

"Sweeties" .... OWN, BRAND NEW, "Litter Box" just arrived today! All her OWN!!

My friends tell me "when they die, they want to come back as a cat of mine." heh

I certainly hope so! Love'em

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 19:56:08 GMT

@MyShadowLove How are you doing? You're in grief also, abt yr beloved "Shadow.".. What's going on?

You're so kind to me, & my grief. I'm wondering about you too.

Re: Is today, my "Cuddles" date w/ "Rainbow Bridge"

MyShadowLove — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:09:10 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior ..I can assure you that you definitely were not "imagining things"... however, my post that you are referring to was posted on your other thread titled "Ginger Tabby Kitty -Sweet Doppleganger"...What happened was that I went in to edit and shorten it, but...Poof...away it went...lol...Also my wording was diffferent from what you remembered...I'll try to be more brief in what I stated.

When our precious furry blessings become elderly and sick, we do all we can, with the help of our wonderful Vets, to care for them and to also be sure that their quality of life is still maintained....However, there comes a time when they let us know that their bodies are just becoming so very tired and they are ready to "let go and cross over the Rainbow Bridge"...So, along with the guidance and compassion of our wonderful Vets...and, as difficult and heartwrenching as it is for us to let go, our last act of love is to make sure that they go peacefully.

The plush stuffed cats from your other thread are adorable and I'm sure that "AmziCuddles" will help to comfort you during this time...You are also blessed in that you have your precious Sweetie, who found her way into your loving and caring home and I'm sure she will also help you greatly... in Cuddles' memory...as they definitely are in tune with us and can sense all of our feelings.

Take good care and be very gentle with yourself...