My Poor Little Kitten!

[Belgarion42]

Well, it's over, at least this side of Heaven. Yesterday afternoon, Smilo breathed her last. It happened at home, and we'd spent most of the day sitting with her. We'd talked to her for a couple of days, and made sure she was as comfortable as possible. We'd told her how much we loved her a lot, and both had a chance to tell her all the things we wanted to.

About an hour before she passed, we were sitting on the floor with her, petting her and talking to her. At one point, my wife had been rubbing her head, and Smilo used one of her front paws to move my wife's hand off her head, but left her paw in it. I put my hand down next to Smilo, and she put her other front paw in my hand. We didn't know it at the time, but I truly believe now that she was saying goodbye. After that time she didn't really move, and didn't respond to anything, though she was still breathing. Her body was still there, and there was still some functioning, but I think that after she held our hands with her paws, her spirit was gone. Any pain or discomfort her body may have had during that next hour, I don't think she was even aware of.

Now comes the next hard part: moving on. I know there will be grieving (we've both already cried a lot). We spent a lot of time cleaning and reminiscing today. (For those of you that watch Survivor, we kind of did that "final tribute to fallen comrades" for her. We went to each area she frequented, picked up her things from there, decided to either give or throw it away, and remembered her enjoying it, playing with it, sleeping with it, etc. It was a nice time.) Tomorrow we both have to go back to work and try to resume "normal" life, even though things are different now. We will never forget her; we know that.

Please pray especially for my wife, Faye, right now. Whenever she thinks about Smilo ,the things she remembers first are this past week. It's hard on her.

Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and understanding.

- Randy


R.I.P Smilo Dawn Crane; 2/14/1992-6/8/2008.

[Syndrome]

Prayers coming your way from my household.

[hobie16]

I can't think of a better way to go than to be with those that love you. You did good. Good on you.

[felinefan]

Please accept my condolences on the loss of Smilo. From the pictures, he almost looked like my old cat Cleo, though he was a Manx, and had more white on him. Very pretty cat, though. Whenever I hear of someone losing a cat that's younger than my 17 year old Tripod, I feel both a bit guilty for having a healthy (though hyperthyroid) kitty, and grateful that she's healthy. I know it's hard to think of replacing Smilo right now, but since you obviously have so much love to give to another deserving kitty (aren't they all?), when the time comes I know you'll find another kitty to love. Smilo was very lucky to have such loving kitty parents for so long.

[Mayonnaise]

Condolances.

8^(

[Purpura]

Condolences and a hug for both of you from my husband and myself.

[Whazzup]

I'm so sorry to hear about you losing your kitty. You did everything you could and it was just Smilo's time to go. I'm so glad you had a chance to say goodbye. I was on vacation when one of my cats had to be taken to the vet and put down - that was awful!
Only time will help ease your heartache, and some day you'll be ready to give all your love to another kitty.

[February]

I can't think of a better way to go than to be with those that love you. You did good. Good on you.

What hobie said.

Smilo knew more love in her lifetime than many people will ever know. . . and was so blessed to spend her life with you and Faye. I'm so very sorry that your time together has come to an end. Thinking of you both and of Smilo. . .
I wish I could be more profound but between reading your post about saying goodbye to Smilo and the poem TPW wrote for her grandmother today I'm unglued.

hugs
Bru

[Elena (aka: Bubble Lady)]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]i'm so sorry...we lost our last kitty to that awful disease too...and she was the last of our kitties...i have terrible allergies to them, so we never got another...and this was after having them for over 25 yrs...

rest easy knowing that your smilo is in a happier place...and is waiting for you (but tears are being shed for you and your wife)[/font]

[Princess Susi]

=^.^=

I am sending hugs to you both right now. I can relate to your wife...It was hard for me to get past the last week of Orion's life and finally get to where I could remember all the good moments. I hope you can feel my arms encircling both of you.

Don't be surprised by a visit from Smilo! We have had many visits from Orion and it makes me feel better to know that he is still with us in some ways and that he is okay.

You will go through this time at your own pace. I got so much love and compassion from my friends here and it helps to talk about it with people who understand. This IS a tight knit family here and we support one another and try to help each other as much as we can. I am praying for you both and sending all the love and hugs I can for you. We all are. Just know that you gave Smilo the best life she could have ever had. That is what matters that she had the greatest, loving time here with you and Faye.
I am with you every step of the way. Maybe Smilo and Orion have become acquainted and are friends and are just sittng in heaven talking about when they will get to play and cuddle with us again.
Hugs to you and your wife!
Susi

As an aside: My Angora Tawny was born in 1992 as well and she has some issues now as well, severe cataracts in one eye and she did have thyroid problems til we got her the iodine treatment. She is the love of my life and I noticed that she is slower than she used to be, but I hug her everyday and tell her how much I love her. That is what we can do while they are still here on earth with us. They then go on to the next level KNOWING that we gave them all the love we have and that we WILL be with them again someday down the line to hug and cuddle again. They KNOW that and so do we. It is comforting that we know that we will be together again. =^.^=

In the meantime, watch for little signs from Smilo, we have had a few from Orion. These moments make you smile and let you know that they are still aorund you and letting you know that they are always with you.