Lightning, my cat, may be gone for good.:-((
By blackbriar
@blackbriar (9076)
United States
June 26, 2007 4:55pm CST
Hi, my friends. Last night I called for Lightning to come in and he was no where around. Didn't think much about it cause he's spent nights outside several times. Well, this morning he still wasn't around and just asked my daughter if she seen him since he has always walked with her to the end of the drive every morning during school (she's in summer school now). She said no and called him when he didn't show up while she was waiting for the bus. I have a heavy feeling in my heart now that he went off to die somewhere during the night. He never leaves the yard except to follow me when I walk to the neighbors house. He was tested positive 2yrs. ago for heartworm. A time when the experts realized that cats were getting them as well as the dogs so I never bought heartworm preventive for my cats. When they told me, I immediately bought enough for all my cats for a year. I just wish I had known about it sooner cause he would still be with me now. The vet said cats could live a long time with heartworm. Just depends on the animal and their health. It was just until 6mo. ago he started losing weight even thou he ate like he normally did. He also was throwing up more and not just from hairballs either. He knows he is sick and will die sooner than he would have. Him not hanging around out in the drive like he always did since we moved here 7yrs ago and not being anywhere in the yard or woods surrounding our place tells me he went off somewhere far to die. I told my daughter this and she started crying like I am now. For those of my friends that don't know, I've helped his mom give birth to him 10 yrs. ago and then bottle-fed him after she died giving birth to his siblings. He has been a medical case for the first 7yrs of his life with one thing or another. He is a very special cat to me and breaks my heart that I didn't have the chance to tell him goodbye and give him a huge hug and kiss b4 he disappeared. It is going to be hard going to sleep at night w/o him curled up next to me in bed for a long time. Thanks for letting me express what I'm going thru right now, my friends. Death of a loved one is very hard, especially when their your kids...2 or 4 legged.
3 people like this
9 responses
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
27 Jun 07
Oh hon I am so sorry. I am hoping against hope and praying that he will come back to you and that he will be ok. I have a couple of cats that normally don't leave the yard, but every once in a while will disappear for a few days. I am hoping that is what Lightning did. I feel for you hon. And I am here for you like you were there for me when Meg passed away. If Lightning did leave to pass away, know that he is up there with God and my sweet Meg running around and having a great time while he is waiting for you. Big hugs to you my dear friend.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
Thank you for the hug, Kat. Lightning never ever left the yard for more than an hr. and even then, he was just across the street in the ditch where it is cool or he would wander in the woods a lil way but I would see him out there. He never went so far as not to lose sight of the house just in case I went somewhere cause he loved going with me whereever I went. He even meowed back to me from whereever he was at whenever he heard me call him. That's how I know he didn't just wander off somewhere unless it was to die. If he did indeed die by now, then he's up there in heaven for sure with my 2 Labs just waiting for me to rejoin them later. Soon he will be crossing Rainbow Bridge to happiness again.
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
(((((((((((((((((((Kat)))))))))))) thanks very much for another hug. I'll never forget them, ever. I know Meg is up there as well happily playing with Briar, Shady, and Lighting as well as all the other animals that have crossed over.
1 person likes this
@moomincat (321)
•
27 Jun 07
Dont be to sad. Cats adopt us and share their lives but they are still animals. They have their own ways and habits. If thats how Lightning wanted to end his days quietly and in a place of his own choosing Im sure you loved and cared for him enough to allow him to do that. Prehaps he did it for you. It would have been very traumatic for you if he continued to deteriate and you had to have him put to sleep. I had to do that for my cat and it made me sad for weeks wondering if I had made the right decision. I dont think I could do it with the cat I have now he is thirteen years old. Although you wouldnt beleive it he has just jump up the chimney this moment.He made his own decision in his own way.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
That's just it. All my animals have always given me some sign that they are ready to die except Lightning. I've been busting my brain thinking 'Did he give me some sign he is ready and for some reason I didn't see it?'. Hurts me more not knowing where he is than to be with him when he goes. I believe you that your 13yr. old cat did that. Lighting may have been 10yrs. old and sick but he was still fiesty and would wrestle with Tigger (avatar pic) endlessly. I'm sure Tigger will miss him as well once he realizes Lightning isn't in the house and goes looking for him. Tigger is recuperating from his romp in the outdoors a few days ago. Snuck out of the house only to come back few days later with his back leg hurting him. So he's not being very playful right now but once he's recovered... Anyways, thanks for responding, moomincat.
1 person likes this
@moomincat (321)
•
27 Jun 07
Its very sad but there is no gain without pain. You obviously get a lot of companionship from yours pets and care for them dearly. It is painful when we lose them. But life wouldnt be so enriched without them.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
So very true, moomincat. After I grief for a while, I look back and realize I'm a little stronger with each 'child's' passing.
1 person likes this
@Penguinsangel (3498)
• United States
27 Jun 07
I am so sorry to hear this. :( I wish too that you'd be able to snuggle him and love him before he went. I hate that he went away to die, its so much easier to know they are gone, then to keep wondering.
*big hugs* Thinking of you and your daughter
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Thank you, Penguinsangel. I created a new discussion on Lightning's update. My hubby found him under the porch on Wed. and took him to the vet. No improvement over the weekend so he did end up going to sleep one last time in my arms and now is resting in his fave place out back. We believe a cougar attacked him, breaking his spine near the base of his tail. He was paralyzed in his tail and back legs. Unable to stand up let alone sit. He's already crossed Rainbow Bridge and is waiting for me on the other side with my 2 Labs.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Jun 07
Losing a loved pet in any situation is never easy. they become an extended part of the family. I only hope for the best. But seems Lightening may have left to be free of his troubles and not bother you with them maybe. I held my beloved Spooky in my arms when she was euthanized. I cried my eyes out so badly. I hope things come out for the best for all in this. God bless.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
I sure will be, Grandpa Bob. I know these woods like the back of my hand since I walk in them couple times a week just to enjoy the peace and serenity coming from them. That's why I mentioned putting my boots on. I'm not about to surprise any snakes and not be protected. lol
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I feel sorry for you and your cat and agree that losing a loved one is hard. I myself have experienced two losses last year, my dad and my beloved 14-year-old cat, Tabitha, so I can relate.
But at least you gave Lightning a good home and lots of love and attention. Also, he's in a better place right now. You and him will be reunited in that place and be happy forever. God bless you and your poor cat.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Sorry to hear about your dad and cat crossing over to the other side. I lost my Lab last Sept. due to just plain old age and he now sits on my mantle next to his sire. They are special to me as well. I've had numerous animals thruout my life but only my 2 dogs and Lightning have touched my heart so deeply as to really feel the loss. Lightning was spoiled rotten and knew he was special to me. Once I cross over, I know he will be waiting for me right along side my 2 Labs. Thanks for the response, scribe.
1 person likes this
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
27 Jun 07
I am so sorry to hear this, I will hope for the best and that Lightning will return to you. It is very hard to lose an animal that you are so closely connected to. I lost my black lab this way, shortly after we lost our daughter to SIDS. I was already a basket case, and when Spooky took off I searched day and night for about a month. We lived in the country and there were many places that I could not get to, and it broke my heart that I could night find him to give him a burial. You just have to remember that you gave him a very good life, and all the love that you could give him and you ensured his health for the years that you had him. Animals do have a way of knowing when it is their time, and I hope that your Lightning comes back instead of it just being his time. Just so you can say goodbye. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
lol That's ok. Tigger is a wild stray that I received from a fellow mylotter to tame. He knows he's in his forever home now and is totally happy pestering his big sister.
1 person likes this
@ohcourtneystfu (72)
• United States
27 Jun 07
My cat ran away a while ago, it really sucked. I'm sorry :/
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Jun 07
Sorry to hear about your cat, ohcourtney. Thank you for the response.
