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Joined: May 2008
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He was a stray. A beautiful, loving, smart, wonderful cat who picked my house and us to love. We called him Maui after reading that the most talkative breed (which I joked was probably his distant ancestor) originated from the Egyptian Mau cat. Our Maui loved to talk. I thought I'd never be as close to a cat as I had been to the dogs we'd loved and lost over the years but he made a place in my heart all his own just like each of them had. Our house was soon full of his toys, love and laughter.
The first time I took him to the vet they checked his teeth and thought he was around eight. Today, Monday May 9th, when my husband and I had to take him to the vet for the last time to say goodbye, he was a ripe old age fella of around 16. Seems like no matter how many pets we've loved, when some old age pet illness eventually takes us to that final goodbye - it hurts so badly.
There's a big hole in our house and in our hearts tonight that our buckets of tears don't fill. He's in a better place with no suffering. But oh how we miss him. He brought so much joy to us all these years just being the gregarious loving individual he was. We are thankful for the time we had. And so amazed how fast that time flew by. There will never be another cat exactly like Maui. We will never forget him.
Positive thoughts/prayers for me and my husband from other animal lovers on here who know the pain of loss we're going through are most appreciated right now.
Thank you.
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Thanks for writing that Josie.
Part of the pet becomes us and part of us becomes the pet.
With sympathy. Cheers.
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I don't know what to say in occasions like this. I feel for you but my emotions don't always connect with language.
I buried a stray that found us in our yard over 15 years ago, and I still say "Hi Rodney" when I pass the tree that was a sapling as I mow the lawn.
The hurt will fade, and the nice memories will eventually make you smile again.
Sorry for your loss.
Bob
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
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They give us 10 to 16 wonderful years filled with so many memories and good times.....and one of the worst days of our lives.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Positive thoughts and prayers for you and your husband in this time of pain. Sorry for your loss.
Charlie
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Pets become part of one's family and having to say goodbye is very painful.As already been said the pain will diminish in time but memories will last your lifetime.
We here feel your pain. You are in our prayers
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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They give us 10 to 16 wonderful years filled with so many memories and good times.....and one of the worst days of our lives. This is so true. My thoughts are with you Josie. Tom
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The cure for a heart broken by the death of a beloved pet is a new, warm, fuzzy puppy. Nothing will ever replace the pet, but a new puppy comes really close and will take your heart for a ride once again.
Well worth the pain of losing them eventually.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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We had to put down two dogs within thge last year and it really hurts even though you know it was the right thing to do.
After I returned from the vet I vowed "No more pets! I can't go through this pain again."
A few weeks later my daughter brought home a 7 week old dashound/terrior mix. Luna is sleeping in my lap as I write this on my tablet.
The hurt is still there but the emptyness is gone.
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Hi Sundance. I am usually a brief "lurker" on the forum as most questions I have seem to be asked and answered by other members. However, this post needs a reply. As a dog lover, and a pet owner I can certainly empathize with you. Over the years I have had 7 big dogs (currently a Golden Retriever), 12 cats, 1 horse, and two goats. All these animals were an integral part of our family and every loss was deeply felt. It appears you have some very fine memories. My thoughts are with you. DennisD
There are only 3 kinds of musicians: those that can count, and those that can't!
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We had to put down our beloved Alexandra (Alex) back in 2013 (she was a half Cocker Spaniel/half Border Collie mix) at the age of 16 because of advanced arthritis and the inability to use her rear legs. Before that, Muffin, our beautiful calico cat lived 17 years, and accompanied us on several moves from Georgia to Ohio to Virginia. She stood up to any dog in the neighborhood (she was not declawed), was able to open our front door (by stretching up and pulling down on the latch with her paws - my wife blamed me for leaving the door open), and received extra treats from the firefighters at the station just up the road from our house. We just got a new dog two weeks ago (now that we have settled in to Florida after moving from Virginia) from the Mobile Alabama Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) - she was staying at the "Arfanage" . Charlotte is a Black Mouth Cur/Labrador mix with a completely different temperament and personality from Alex and we are just overjoyed to have a dog again. My thoughts are with you Josie, as even after several years we still think of Alex often. Our pets are truly a very special part of our family.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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My husband (who also read this thread) and I want each of you to know that your response here has helped us as we go through this.
God bless you.
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My sympathy goes out to you.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
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First, my heart goes out to you. I've always known you to be caring an compassionate person. When you are someone who embraces emotions there are great highs, and great lows. So I am very sorry for you loss. I noticed you mentioning he was a stray. That means you turned a very uncertain way of life into the best years your pet could have had! I know both of these feelings all to well. It's been 13 years and I still focus on the great years I gave to a rescued animal over the loss of that animals years later. Remember the happiness you gave with your generosity! Now, I have to admit something that stopped my heart. I originally misread the thread to say "Final Goodbye To Our Beloved PAT Today" so, on the bright side, we still have Pat here with us! Again, so sorry for your loss. For me, some of the best memories come from the times when they were sassy? Look back and laugh when you can
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Josie,
your eulogy was very well written, and it perfectly expressed that odd mix of present hurt and remembered good times that needs an outlet when pets leave us. I know you and your husband are feeling pretty empty, and I hate that you are experiencing loss like this. Like Notes Norton, I never know what to say.. but what YOU said was perfect.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. You are strong. This will pass.
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Josie,
We're cat people (have had dozens over 40 years), and really feel your pain. Talking cats are special, and their loss is hard. Take comfort in knowing that you will see him again.
You are both in our prayers.
Regards,
Bob
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I feel the hurt too. Years ago we picked up a Sheltie terrier mix from an organization called the Amanda Foundation who rescues dogs from the shelters. We named her Mandy. I had to put her down a few years ago at the age of 16 and that was rough.
Some months later we're having brunch at an outside café near the beach and people are allowed to have their pets with them outside but not inside. A group of folks sat down at the next table and had a dog with them so we started talking. Turns out the lady is the vet who has her office right up the street. Her receptionist already had 4 dogs and she just picked up another one, a 6 month old female Jack Russell mix and her mom put her foot down and said no more so guess what? We've had Peanuts for 4 years now. 12 pounds of love and licks. Who can also get quite excitable like a Jack Russell will...
Why people go to breeders just baffles me. With very little effort you can get whatever type of dog or cat you want from rescue organizations and vet offices. They allow you to meet them, play with them, take them home for a day or two, whatever is necessary for you to really get a feel for the pet.
And of course everybody knows mixed breeds are usually much healthier anyway.
Bob
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