Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only true friends leave footprints in your heart.
~Eleanor Roosevelt
We have returned home without our darling Chessie Cat. My heart is breaking and I am so sad. It was an honor for us to have held this sweet kitty soul in our lives for almost 17 years and it was a blessing to be there when she passed as well. We wrapped her in the blanket that she has been sitting on for the past week on the couch, which happens to be my husband’s and we also wrapped her in my favorite nighttime sweater ~ snuggled in our love and our smells.
I couldn’t bear to bring home an empty cat carrier, even though she has one from MIL which has her name on it. So we wrapped her in the blankies and just drove slowly. I think she enjoyed being able to see out of the windows and feeling the sunshine on her face. She was actively snuggling into my arms, but keeping her head up, watching the world go by and surely wondering if I had lost my mind since she was outside, riding in the car without being in her carrier. She never uttered a peep, but leaned her head next to mine and made sure her face was to the warm sunshine.
I think she knew and being her brave, constant angelic self, she continued to hold our gazes. I held her while she leaned toward my hubby every time he stopped petting her. She wanted us to know that she was there with us ~ and we wanted her to know that we were there for her as well.
I am bereft now ~ saddened by losing my kitty angel, but I am snuggling our other kitty Tiffy as much as she’ll let me. I wonder what she is thinking as her sissy is now not here. I know she knew that Chessie was sick, but watching her today, I don’t see her mourning as much as me. Perhaps it is easier in the animal world, they know that life goes on and she accepts that Chessie is now in kitty Heaven, feeling healthy and happy.
So perhaps that’s what I have to do as well ~ change my thoughts and my perspective. Be grateful for the time we’ve enjoyed Chessie’s presence and now be grateful in knowing that she is healthy and happy in Heaven, continuing to watch over me in a different form. I just have to get my mind around that she isn’t here to purr next to me, but that she’s here in spirit, purring me into health.
Thanks for sharing this time with me throughout the last few posts. Our lives have peaks and valleys in which we travel ~ connecting with others, reading your comments, being grateful for the time you’ve taken to send a heartfelt comment, has helped me. Please know how thankful I am for all of you.
Big Hugs ~ Shine On!
xo
Misifusa's Blog 
I’m sorry. Her spirit may visit you, sending love from beyond. She knows how much you love and miss her.
Thank you ~ I’m praying for a sign ~ we’ve seen 5 hawks in the last 24 hrs. Wonder if it’s her? xo
May her memory be eternal…..Ray
Thanks Ray ~ hugs.
Safe travels xo
I am so sorry to read of your loss. I experienced something similar one year ago with my 16 year old Aussie. I wrote alot about him, which helped my grief. And I also got help from a wonderful site called http://www.petloss.com. Every Monday night there is a candlelight vigil held for the pets that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It’s a beautiful service. Here is a link if it interests you.
Peace to you and your family.
Oh thank you ~ I would love to be there ~ it would make my heart feel better as it is just breaking now. I know she is better, but I am so saddened by all. Thank you so much for helping me. Big hugs. So sorry for your loss as well xo
I am so sorry for your loss. I know firsthand how much a pet becomes part of your family.
xo
Thanks Diana ~ I appreciate you! xo
My heart is with you. Your description of the drive to the vet was very touching…you were all so present and connected. Please, be with your sadness. It is okay – in fact, so important – to grieve and really feel your loss. In good time your perspective will change and the pain will loosen it’s grip on you. May you find all the beautiful ways to keep Chessie alive in your life – indeed, she will always be with you. Sending a big virtual hug to you today.
Thanks Vicki ~ I am mourning ~ and feeling grateful for her presence in our lives ~ and trying to feel her presence now in a different way. Just so sad. xo Thanks for understanding ~ it means so much.
Sharing a connection with an animal–true friendship–is such a privilege. My condolences on the loss of your dear friend.
Thanks Scorchy ~ hugs to you! xo
She was a sweetheart, and I completely get what she meant to you. So sorry hon!
Thank you ~ big hugs to you! xo
Oh, you made me cry…But I am so grateful that your darling Chessie had you to love her for 17 years. Why, oh why, can’t everyone love animals as much as you and I do? The world would be a hugely better place. Take care of yourself.
Thank you ~ you take good care too! I think that the beauty in the unconditional love that an animal brings to our hearts and lives is so priceless. I am so glad we share this as well! xo
Your loving spirit shines through this post. You were blessed to have Chessie, and Chessie was blessed to have you. What a beautiful connection. Prayers for your hurting heart.
Lori, I appreciate your prayers so much. Thank you xoxo
My heart is so sad for you. I’m so sorry for your loss and I know that the euthanasia decision is such a heartrending one. I know your presence both in the car and at the vet calmed Chessie and let her know that she was being cared for and loved. She was so very blessed to have had you to care for her and love her all those years. Allow yourself to feel all the feelings you’re having. I read once that love doesn’t end with death– that is the beauty and power of love. So true. Your love for Chessie was deep and profound and so your grief of her will be deep and profound. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Gail, I know you understand so well. So happy that Bigfoot is ok for now. 19 is amazing! I appreciate your sweet understanding and comment. I’ve learned time heals, but we never forget. I had to be there with her ~ just like she was always there for me. It was a hard decision, but I loved her too much to allow any suffering in her life. xo
I am SO SO SORRY!
Thanks so much. xoxo
I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. She knew how much you loved her. I hope you can find some sort of comfort in that.
Thank you Cheri ~ your sweet comment helps. There was a mutual love there and I miss her sweet presence in our home. But I feel her spirit so that helps. xo
It’s so hard to lose a pet that you loved so dearly. She had the best care in the world and now she is at peace. Lots of love. xo
Thanks Carolyn ~ I was very blessed to have had her pick me for that’s how it happened. I am happy she’s at peace now. xo
I’m so sad for you. This is just heartbreaking, I know. What a lovely life she had, spending it with you. Let yourself feel the grief. There is no way around it. Hugs to you and your family.
Thank you ~ we are all just taking it one step at a time. Big hugs to you. xo
My condolences at your loss, my friend. I’m glad that you at least had each other for as long as you did.
Russ
Thank you Russ ~ me too. She was a great friend and cat. We were blessed to have eachother for so long! xo
May your Chessie angel rest in peace. St. Francis will take good care of her.
{Hugs}
Thank you RoSy ~ I know she’s up there with our other animal friends who have passed too! Thanks for being here with me. xo
Out of such sadness do we need to gain the perspective of moving on with life. A couple of months back, I had mused on this aspect in a post titled ” The other side of Sadness”.
Shakti
Shakti ~ Thanks for sharing ~ I read your beautiful post back in February ~ it is hard to get used to not having my dad nor my cat here with me. I just keep taking it one step at a time. I appreciate your kindness. xo
I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. I know and understand how heartbreaking it is and how little there is that anyone can possibly say to help. I wish you strength through this difficult time.
Thank you so much ~ like your blog name, she had a long life and we were blessed to love her and to be loved by her.
May you always feel her paw prints in your heart.
Oh Louise ~ heartfelt hugs to you. xo
My prayers of comfort are with you…her love will remain with you and what Louise said is so true…you will always feel her paw prints in your heart – that does say it all.
Thank you for the gentle reminders. I do feel her spirit with me. It’s just hard to not see her. Big hugs Patty.
{hugs}
They are always such an important part of our lives.
Oh yes they certainly are ~ priceless souls who teach us to live simply, to love deeply and without resentment and who teach us to just be happy with what we have.
I’m so sorry that you’re having to experience this sadness right now… But you did the kindest, sweetest, most loving thing you could have possibly done for this little angel. And of course, she’ll always be around. That’s how love is.
Thank you for your kind words ~ I appreciate your loving thoughts. I feel her around me, but I still miss her physical presence.
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