I drove three hours each way to purchase a Seal-point Siamese kitten. When I got there, there were two 10-week-old kitties -- brothers. I spent an hour on the floor with them to decide which one was more sociable. It was no contest -- one was playful and friendly, and the other was moody, suspicious, and well, just cranky. I made the correct choice and proceded to write a check. With the happy, lovable kitty in tow, I was almost out the door when, at the last minute on an inexplicable impulse, I set him down and picked up the other one. That's the kitty that would become my Silas for the next fifteen years. Silas growled most of the way home from Tennessee. And like a new baby, he didn't sleep through the night for that first year. In fact, during that first year, I'm pretty sure he thought his name was "You Little Shit." He tormented my older kitty Molly, and he growled when small children came in the house. Actually, I respect that in a cat. In some ways he was like a dog -- he played fetch, and he shamelessly begged for attention from the cat sitter when I was out of town. And like any self-respecting Siamese, he could talk! I'm fairly sure he cussed me out on a fairly regular basis. He had no qualms about letting his opinions be known. We would also have long conversations, where I'm sure each of us believed the other one knew exactly what was being said. Silas could go from grouchy and demanding to nuzzling my neck while kneading and purring with total abandon in the speed of light. He liked to suck on my hair -- I told him I thought he had issues with his mother from whom he had been weaned a little too soon. He was a hedonistic soul -- he put his all into the pleasure of the moment. Then I retired and went from nearly full-time travel to being at home constantly, day in, day out. Also, I lost Molly, and Silas became an only cat. He liked it that way better. In his old age, he became more mellow; content to just sit beside me. Not demanding affection or food -- just being. Silas in his old age become a companion, and a very good one. And we had three very contented years together. For that more than anything, I am truly grateful. Silas was one-of-a-kind. A clown (once he fell in the toilet), a cranky old man, and best of all, a friend. This morning I had to have Silas euthanized. It was very painful to say goodbye, but it was not a difficult decision. His liver failed, and if he was not in pain, he was at the very least uncomfortable. It was the last kind thing I could do for him. Besides opening my closet door last night. The closet was an ongoing source of contention between us; he loved to nap in my dirty laundry, while I was determined that he not do so. I don't know, I think it was a control thing. But last night, as I realized he was terribly ill, I relented, and for his last night, Silas got his way. I'm glad I opened that door. When Silas came into my life, it was as a possession, a business transaction, paid for with an out-of-state check. But the truth of the matter is that I never owned Silas. He owned me, at least my heart. And I am richer for it. I will miss him terribly. Peace -- Marjorie.
Marjorie, Your post moved me to tears. Anyone who has been fortunate to have had a "Silas" in their lives will feel the same. I too had to make the same decision you did, for my 20 1/2 year old Tigger cat. I was the first one to touch him as he was born and the last one to hold him as he left our world. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. My sympathies for your loss and hope that memories of Silas will keep him close in your heart forever. Janis
Really sorry to hear about him. He lived his life to the fullest (not very many cats fall in to the toilet) and enjoyed life. Although it is difficult to cope with death (of anyone), it seems he had a great life with you.
As someone who lost two wonderful cats, I know what you're going through. *Hugs* to you. Also, check out the [url="http://www.petloss.com/]rainbow bridge[/url] website (warning: embedded cheesy MIDI). I find they're a big comfort.
I am so sorry for the loss of your meezer. Mine is now 14, and a lot slower than he used to be. They are a unique breed sometimes making you laugh - sometimes cry. You can take pride in knowing that you did what was best for him by letting him be at peace. He is not really gone; he has crossed the Rainbow Bridge where he is waiting for you to join him. The Rainbow Bridge Poem 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 Published by Cat Connection. Copyright © 2007 Cat Connection Inc. All rights reserved.
Marjorie, it's perfectly alright for an adult to cry over the loss of a pet, especially one who's been with you for so long, so go right ahead. If it's any help, we're sad too.
My Dear Hubby will still cry when he talks about Chelsea, our beautiful cat that we had for too short a time, really... we adopted her so that she could live her final years in happy retirement, but it ended up being only months, and then she had to cross the Bridge. Love is never wasted, and neither are the tears.
Seemed like the perfect story. Sorry about your loss. It's amazing how empty it feels when someone like Silas is suddenly gone.
You have so perfectly captured your Silas I feel I know him. I always like a cat with dog characteristics. I've known a few. Caesar was my Silas. Only he was a dog, I only had him 10 years and in some ways he was the complete opposite. But he was my forever dog. I'll never forget him. If he's not in heaven waiting for me when I get there, I'm not going in. I'll go where he is.
Having a Siamese myself, they are definitely not like other cats. I can feel for Silas since a few months ago, my boss cat (Spencer - see avitar) was very ill with a coronavirus and would have lost his left eye execpt a specialist vet did a great surgical version of Tom Brady.
I feel for you Marjorie. Leonardo lived with me for 15 years, until he was euthanized in the late stages of bone cancer, 18 years ago. I cried for hours after, and then on and off for days. I buried him in the yard, under a shrub, in a place where catnip grows. I still miss him. He was my constant and only companion for those 15 years.
My deepest sympathy to you. You and Silas obviously had a "meant to be" relationship. I loved your story. I lost my beloved Syd Schnauzer over 3 years ago, just days short of his 17th birthday, and still cry over him at odd times. I can brace myself for his birthday and such, but the icecream truck he loved jingling down the street can still set me to reaching for change to get him a treat, only to realize he's no longer here, and there I sit, sobbing on the stairs as the neighborhood kids run to get an icecream. Nobody ever told Syd he was a dog, and I don't think he knew. He was a lot more than that to me. Never mind that I have 4 other Schnauzers, I still miss my Syd-man. "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." Irving Townsend, from The Fragile Circle
I feel sorrow for your loss. Our top cat is Siamese and he may be joining Starclan soon. I'm reminded of the last page of Barbara Libby's book Old Cat: Remember our stories When bone, fur and tail of me are gone. And share them with some young new mouser. Who will need to know where Blue Jays live And rabbits hide. Someone who will share your couch And bowls of milk. Someone who will be your friend, Although perhaps not as good a friend as I.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings in that post. It was beautiful.
Thank you for sharing your story and sorry about your loss. I would write a long response but something is wrong with my monitor, it has gone all blurred. I lost my Henry (bull terrier whippet cross) who was with me for 14 years just this year. He died in my arms at 8.50AM while I was waiting for the vet to arrive at her surgery to give the injection to end his pain. Sorry.
Sorry for your loss. As I just lost one cat, but gained three in turn, I can understand cats and their owners. As I sit here, one of my three is with me; Balance is her name, since she has no tail (it was forcibly removed by the previous cruel owner). And Balance will follow me around, and is quite protective of me. Her sisters, Ohm and Sine Wave, she does not like. She has 'catitude' that is for sure. I would not trade any of them, nor do I treat any of them different, but Balance seems to have attached herself to me; as if she knows that when I got her from the shelter, and told her I was taking her home because I knew many people would not want a tail less cat, that she had found a home. All cats have homes; we just live in them.
Is your avatar a picture of Leonardo? Or another cat? I love animals but unfortunately spouse has allergies to cats especially. How I miss having a pet to hug on!
Marjorie, so sorry to hear about your loss of Silas. We do really get attached to our pets. We have had many cats through the years (still have seven). Every cat is special in their own way and loosing one is very painful, no matter if it has been with you for months or many years. When we lost Adolph (he was almost 20), my wife wrote a little poem. Maybe it will help someone at such a sad time.
