The Death of a Beloved Pet

WombatWoman

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2000
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My 18-year-old orange tabby cat Garfield died early this morning. Six months ago his elderly friend Midnight passed over the Rainbow Bridge. I wrote a poem about the death of pets, and I will read it aloud as we bury Garfield under the tall trees behind the house.

My Garfield

Creeping, pouncing, bright-eyed with cunning,
He is humbled now by death,
His lithe long body running, running,
Running out of breath.

They are all dead, so many tamewild creatures, yet each night
Out of their backyard graves they come, whole and hale,
And as much mine as they ever were. With secondsight
I see my playful cat, his ambling tail
Flicking from side to side, his whiskers framing
A twitchturned nose, his face lit by flaming
Round eyes like copper buttons on a warm velvet shirt.
Love will not lie forever laden with stone and dirt.

Dear ones all, they asked little, got little, gave much.
(Murmur tickle smile stroke touch)
Ghost pets frolic sadly across my wet, green lawn,
And here on the porch I know
My kitty hears me whisper, low,
And I sense his familiar footfall on the roam
Many backyards away, but always heading home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Goodbye, Garfield. I hope to hear your purr again as I enter heaven.
 

Isla

Elite member
Sep 12, 2000
7,749
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WW

I am sorry to hear of your loss. My own Dr. Indiana Jones, who has chosen me as his human for over 15 years, can't be too far behind. A good cat is an irreplaceable friend.
 

RaDragon

Diamond Member
May 23, 2000
4,123
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From the T.S. Elliot's - TLS of J. Alfred Prufrock:
The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes,
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night,
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.


My sympathy for your recent loss.
 

chess9

Elite member
Apr 15, 2000
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WW:

My sincere condolences.

My first appearance on O.T. was, I believe, to respond to your post about Midnight.


God Bless.
 

AngelOfDeath

Golden Member
Apr 25, 2000
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Sorry to hear that WW. I know your pain I had two cats - a male nameed Garfield and a female named Futte. They where born the same day but was like wind and fire. Garfield lives up to his name...likes to eat, sleep and eat. Futte on the other hand was her own...independent, liked to get attention and was always agry about the food I gave her which just left more to Garfield.

2 month ago they both where outside at night, in the morning Garfield came back hungry as always, but Futte didn't. I was in a hurry that morning and didn't have the time to search for her, and since she did this once in a while I didn't give it much attention. When I came home that afternoon I called for her and toke a long walk calling her name but no respons. The next day I hung up a discription with a picture of her, asked my neighbors but nothing helped. A girl told me that she saw a dead grey cat at the road 300 meters from us, but since both of my cats is/was black I didn't give it that much of attention. After 10 days a spook with a friend of mine who said he saw a black dead cat at that same road 2 days ago, and the description was perfect since he went over there to look. I ran all I could but there where no sign of it since it has been removed. For the first time a cried 'cause I realized that she was never comming back :frown: (This actually makes me sad to tell, but as always it helps talking). I still regret that I didn't walk over that first time to see if it was my Futte. I haven't seen her since and believe she's dead for good...I miss you Futte :frown:.

AoD

 

Tominator

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,559
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Good poem. Sorry for your loss.....the only thing that could fill the void is another cat.....and this is your lucky day!
Our whore of a feline named Smudge had twins....3 sets of twins! 2 black, 2 grey, and 2...well they look like...well you know!

I'm running a special....2 for the price of one! Or 6 for the price of one! Just take one!!! PLEASE!!!

Jut tring to get you to smile....;)

And..oh..I forgot...I take PayPal....
 

snow patrol

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2000
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Hi WombatWoman, he looks like a lovely cat. My cat used to always love playing near water, thought I don't think she could ever swim :) Sorry to hear he passed away - I hope you feel better soon.
 

UG

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,370
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You gave Garfield the best years of his life. You gave him love and nurishment; greatly extending his life span, while diminishing for him life's sorrows and pains.

In return, you permitted him to know, and share with you his own, love and loyal companionship.

Together, you shared 18 good years, and I would imagine that he wishes he could have done for you even more.

Friends, forever. :)

I share your sorrow. :(
 

Yeeny

Lifer
Feb 2, 2000
10,848
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I am sorry to hear that WW. I lost one of my cats, Pumpkin, at the age of 2 last year, when somebody decided to poison her. When I went to the vet to check on her and they told me she was gone, my heart broke. Its always hard when you lose a special friend.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
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Very sad, WW.

I hope that my basset, Fred outlives me because I could not accept his death.
 

PCAddict

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 1999
3,804
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You have my sincerest condolences. I am glad so many people here have made supportive posts and truly understand what it is like to lose a pet. Too many out there don't understand how it feels. I've lost a few special pets in my time, and it never gets any easier. But, the memories are still there. That is what helps. I wish you the best.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
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Man WW, that's really sad. And such a sad poem.

And no, I didn't cry as I read it... but close :(

God Bless You,
Ornery
 

montanafan

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 1999
3,551
2
71
I am so sorry to hear that WombatWoman. :( Just comfort yourself with the fact that you loved that darn cat and gave him a wonderful life. There's no better friend than a pet that knows it owns you.
 

Dan

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,080
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Very sorry for your loss. Great poem. With your permission I'd like to save it.
 

Ariel

Senior member
Aug 1, 2000
744
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WombatWoman,

I am sorry to hear about your Garfield. I too am an animal lover and my heart goes out to you.

Ariel
 

kduncan5

Golden Member
Apr 22, 2000
1,794
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:(


We have two cats and one of their kittens. I know how attached you can become to the beloved kittys.....

Sorry to hear about Garfield. -kd5-
 

Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
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I am sorry to hear the WW...I have four dogs of my own and I would be very sad if one of them passed..


Ausm