Grommit

[bartfull]

You know, it's funny how folks on an internet chat board can become such good friends. So you folks are the first ones I've told this to.

 

My kitty died a couple of hours ago. Yes, her name was Grommit. She was 16 years old and moved out here to South Dakota with me 11 years ago.

 

She's been fading the past few months. Lost weight and all. She was still eating and drinking and jumping up on the bed to wake me several times a night. She was still under my feet all the time and purring and happy.

 

But last night when I got home she seemed to be in pain and couldn't walk much. Her feet kept going out from under her. She went into her favorite spot on the bathroom rug and lay down. I sat up and petted her and talked to her most of the night. She seemed to quiet down (I think the pain was in her legs). When I got up this morning she hadn't moved so I stayed home and repeated the petting and talking. She was unconscous but I think she knew I was there.

 

About one o'clock this afternoon she took her last breath. I wrapped her in an old shirt and left her there and came to work. (I've got to give lessons this afternoon.) When I get home tonight my "son" is coming over with a shovel and we're going to bury her in the yard.

 

She was my best friend for the past 16 years and I'm going to miss her so much.

 

Guess it's time to buy an alarm clock.

[Gemini]

I am so sorry, bartie.    Been there, done that with 2 previous kitties I have had and there will be another time for me with the present kitty, but not for a long while as Sophie is not all that old.  I think it is a gift when we can be with them in their last hours and although hard to go through, it is still a comfort emotionally to be there for them.

 

May Grommit rest in peace and the memories you have of her last a long time. 

[kareng]

I'm sorry Barty!  

[icelandgirl]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Our fur babies are such a big part of our lives and losing them is very painful. I have 3 human babies now, but my first baby was a big fur ball of love. I still miss him 11 years after he passed.

I hope that your 16 years of memories with Grommit will comfort you in this time of sadness. (((((Hugs))))

[mamaw]

So sorry for your  loss.... I lost  my  16 1/2  year  old  kitty in April....I too am  an animal  lover &  my love  for  them  runs  deep...  Grommit  knew  you  were   there  even  if  Grommit  couldn't respond  ..... and  I'm positive  that  kitty  knew  you loved   him..

Down the  road  I hope  you  adopt  another to give  a  loving  home   to...  there  are so many  that  never  see or  feel  love....

hugs  to you

[psawyer]

So sorry to hear this. Over a period of twenty years, we have been owned by seven cats. One is still with us; she is 10-1/2 yo. We said goodbye to our 15-1/2 yo tortie a month ago--her kidneys were failing and she had stopped eating. They are part of the family. Hugs {{o}}

[kerrygirl15]

I'm really sorry about your cat bartfull...x

[GF Lover]

Big Hugs Barty !!

[ravenwoodglass]

Not much I can say but (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))).

[caro7]

So sorry about your Grommit, many hugs to you today.

[cyclinglady]

I am so sorry for your loss!

[Gemini]

So sorry to hear this. Over a period of twenty years, we have been owned by seven cats. One is still with us; she is 10-1/2 yo. We said goodbye to our 15-1/2 yo tortie a month ago--her kidneys were failing and she had stopped eating. They are part of the family. Hugs {{o}}

Oh, my!  Isn't it the truth that we are actually owned by our cats?  

[mommida]

Big Hugs to you Barty!

 

Grommit was a very lucky kitty to have you to love! 

[bartfull]

We had a bad thunderstorm last night and I got up to comfort her (she was so afraid of thunder) before I realized she was gone. And then like a fool I felt bad because she was outside in the ground and I couldn't hold her.   

 

Anyway, I packed up the four cans of catfood and half a bag of dried food and gave it to my neighbor who has three kitties and not a lot of money this morning. I've decided I won't be getting another one. At 61 years old, if I get a kitten it's very possible it will outlive me and then what would become of it? And if I got an older kitty I may have to go through this again. We have a great no-kill cat shelter in town and I'd love to give one a home but instead I'll make and extra large donation in Grommit's name.

 

Thanks everybody for understanding. You are some of the best people in the world and that's the truth!

[nvsmom]

((HUGS)) I'm really sorry Barty.    It sounds like Grommit was quite a sweetie.

[ravenwoodglass]

Maybe you could find time to voluteer to hold and pet some of the kitties at the shelter if you have time. You obviously were a great pet parent and your kitty was so lucky to have you to love her. It could help heal your pain a bit to spread some of that love around to the kitties there while they wait for their forever homes. Some shelters also need foster parents for animals that for one reason or another need a home environment. Perhaps that might be something you could do when your heart has healed a bit 

((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

[bartfull]

That's a great idea, Raven. I don't have time in the summer but once I start taking a day off a week in the winter I could do it. (Unless I break down and DO wind up gettng one.)

[ravenwoodglass]

That's a great idea, Raven. I don't have time in the summer but once I start taking a day off a week in the winter I could do it. (Unless I break down and DO wind up gettng one.)

I didn't think I would ever get another dog when I lost my Pooh Bear. Then I found a little Dashound would severe allergies and lost my heart to her.She is a pain in the butt as I have to cook for her even on nights when I have no energy to cook for me but I am so happy to have her in my life. 

Sometimes they find you too. Shortly after I lost the mother kitty to the one in my avatar I pulled into a parking lot after a heavy storm. I heard a kitten crying and under a bush was a little girl kitten. She was shivering and so forlorn. There were no footprints anywhere other than where she was so someone pulled in and just tossed her out of their car like a piece of garbage. She is the sweetest thing and even though I had two elderly kitties at home she wasn't going anywhere but home with me.  

When the time is right for you, if it is, you will find some little furball that will need you to brighten it's life as much as you brightened Grommits.

[bartfull]

Hey Raven?              

 

Thank you, and great big (((((HUGS)))))