If grief is the price we pay for love, then overwhelming grief is the price for adoration. The depth of our love equals the depth of our sorrow, and the need for a period of grieving. With time we accept that, in passing, every pet returns to its true home.

It is very hard to say good-bye. There is so much sorrow when it is their time to go, but because we love them so much, we do what we can to smooth their transition. We believe they would love to stay with us, but they know when they can't get better and they thank us for helping them leave with dignity, whether it means telling them it's OK to go, or helping them leave the pain, weight loss or trouble.

This is our page of tribute to our cats that have gone ahead.
Hasta luego, until we see you again.

Born May 17, 1995. Laid to rest February 3, 2005.

Toto was our first Maine Coon cat - very intelligent and sweet. We wish he could have stayed longer, but his body failed him. He fought valiantly against cancer of the lymphatic system for more than two years. 

When it was clear that it was time, we let him go. We loved him and miss him very much, but we are relieved that he is now at peace, dancing with butterflies and chasing loose leaves in the warm wind.

From this valley they say you are going,
We will miss your sweet face and your smile,
Just because you are weary and tired,
You are changing your range for a while.

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Born January 29, 1997. Died December 31, 2002 - Sabe was five years and 11 months old.

Our beautiful, sweet Kemosabe died a "sudden death" from complications of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.*  He was active and happy the day he died, slept in the sun and requested his special treat at dinner, but I missed him at the New Years Eve party.  That was so unlike him that when our friends left, I looked for him in my closet where he loved to sleep. He was there, too still.  His soul had passed quietly away. 

Oh, Sabe.  Everyone, and all the cats, loved your gentle spirit.   You comforted the girls, cuddled the kittens, and calmed the boys. 

Always "goofy," at least once a week you made us laugh, chasing your tail, tucked into the smallest cat bed or other funny place.   You were happiest grooming our hair to show how much you loved us.  If only your heart had been as strong as your love.

We didn't get to say good-bye, so Farewell, Kemosabe.  We miss you so much.  Our hearts are broken, but not as badly as yours.   We will always love you, and will see you again some day.

We planted a dogwood tree over Sabe's grave, and every spring when it blooms, we think of him a lot.

* In December, 2000, Coonyham Kemosabe's heart was ultrasounded at UC Davis Veterinary School.  Dr. Kittleson found the left ventricular muscle wall and the papillary muscle thickening:  hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) heart disease.  

The diagnosis of HCM was confirmed in August, 2001 and again by Dr. Kittleson in October, 2002. Sabe died December 31, 2002.

"Sabe" did not come from our cattery.  He was neutered at eight months old and he never produced kittens.  Our breeding cats have healthy hearts, confirmed by ultrasound and registered in the FOMCC database, http://fomcc.org/frameset.html

Day is done, gone the sun,
 From the hills, from the lake, From the skies.
 All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
 
 Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
 May the soldier or sailor, God keep.
 On the land or the deep,  Safe in sleep.
 
 Love, good night,   Must thou go,
 When the day, and the night Need thee so?
 All is well.  Speedeth all  
To their rest.

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Windwalker Gatsby - 2004

Gatsby contracted pyothorax when he was four months old.  After three days in the ICU at UC Davis Veterinary Clinic, we let him go.

To Gatsby, our sweet, sweet boy, who purred the whole time.  

Lend Me A Kitten
I will lend to you for awhile a kitten, God said.
for you to love while he lives, and mourn when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and, should his stay be brief
you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught below I want this kitten to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true.
And from the folk that crowds life's land I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain?
Nor grieve o'er long when I come to take my kitten home again?

My heart replied, "Thy Will Be Done"
For all the joys this kitten brings, the risk of grief I'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve,
Then in memory of him who we loved, please help us while we grieve.
When our cherished kitten departs this world of strife,
Please send yet another needing soul for us to love all his life.

Author Unknown Adapted from Thy Will Be Done by Edgar Guest