My Helper

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jeff

jeff

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 5, 2003
Messages
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Location
Westlake, OH, USA.
Let's see... 10 years, times an average of probably 1.5 hours a day, plus a few hundred extra for the Bash months. That's at least 6000 hours I've spent working on the IAP and penturners.org. At least 95% of that time I had a helper that most of you never knew about. A little 5 pound, growth-stunted black and white cat named Mitten, who came to me sick and injured in 1996 and has been my nearly constant companion at home ever since.

A few hours ago I lost Mitten to kidney failure after a thankfully short illness.

I've had many cats, and loved them all, but my friendship with Mitten was special. He had a rough start in life and endured illness and surgeries in his youth. But he overcame most of his issues, and I like to believe that he enjoyed life here with me and his brothers and sisters. They say that cats have friends, but no masters, and I only hope that I was as good a friend to him as he was to me.

Over the years, many people have commented on my calm disposition and patient approach to problems, but it hasn't been all me. It's just very difficult to type angry messages when a cat has his paws around your wrist.

Thanks for listening.

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Jeff, my sympathies, I lost my helper a few weeks ago after 14 years but I know you as I have treasured every day with our friends.
 
Jeff, I certainly feel your loss.

My last cat was certainly a very close companion for me and we enjoyed 19 years together. His replacement (who mysteriously showed up as a stray kitten about a month later) is very much the same coloring (all black with white spot on chest) and been with me a little over 12 years now. He always wants out in the shop when I go out there, and last weekend while I was down with a cold spent 50-60 hours on my lap while I rested and recovered in the Lazy Boy.

Not all cats are so close of companions, but when you have one that is, there's sure an empty place your heart when they're gone.

God Bless.
 
Jeff, our close pets bring so much into our lives over the years, each in their own, individual way. They weave their way into our heart, and we suffer a great loss at their passing. I empathize with you at this time, your having had to say goodbye to Mitten today. I am very sorry for your loss. Hopefully you can ease that loss by reflecting on fond memories and times with Mitten.
 
Jeff, I am so so sorry. We have these wonderful friends for such a short time but God packed a lifetime of love in each one. Hug your furkids often and be thankful for each day we get to love them. It sounds like you gave him an amazing life and he rewarded you with his love and friendship.
 
I've got to say I teared up reading this. I've been there a couple of times with dogs and will again soon with another. It's tough but they've had a great life.
 
I am a believer in that sometimes, if we are very lucky, there are little angels who by happenstance or choice come into our lives. And for a short time, both lives become blessed.

It sounds like Mitten was truly one of those special little angels. My deepest condolences, Jeff.
 
Jeff, so sorry for your loss. I too have a friend such as yours. She looks almost like your little loved one. She is now 14 years of age with health problems. I certainly dread the day of her passing and know our sorrow will be as great as yours. Again great sorrow for your loss of such a close friend.
________________________________________
Everyday I'm vertical is a great day
 
Sorry to hear of your loss Jeff. It is always hard to lose a good friend and it seems Mittens was a real good friend.

Wayne
 
Jeff,

Sorry to hear about your loss! Cats are curious creatures...Tina has the same problem with a nearly identical looking cat named "Adrian". He likes to sit on the keyboard whenever she is working on the computer.....

You will find another special cat someday.
 
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I never had any doubts of how we can get so close to animals and vice versa, they can be big, small, 2 leg, 4 leg, no legs and so on. The heart hurts when we lose a special animal friend, they give so much and ask for so little.

They are capable to make us change or be more compassionate towards others, as you so rightly claimed, they are great companion, always willing to please so, losing that long time friend, is no easy task.

I hope you find soon, another animal that is in need of some care and affection and that will fill the whole that your buddy left behind...!

Cheers
George
 
I feel for you Jeff. We lost our car Slinky about 6 months ago. He was a lounger like yours, but was also an outdoor hunter. When he passed due to health, we went shelter hunting for a cat to replace him. After many shelters not finding the personality we were looking for we ended up with 2 cat one of each personality. I can tell you it's not the same, and the dog still hasn't gotten use to one of them...
 
healeydays said:
we went shelter hunting for a cat to replace him.
Click to expand...

We tried that to replace the two we lost this summer. (One was on the couch pawing at me when I was getting ready for work and then I heard him fall to the floor, he passed away right in front of me, the other we had to have put down, he went downhill quickly and I had to make an emergency Sunday visit to the vet as he had a few strokes that weekend due to his kidneys failing and by Sunday he couldn't barely walk. To add to it, they charged $172 due to an after hours office visit :frown:)

Some of the shelters we went to were horrible smelling and one warned us they lost a lot of cats that week due to a sickness. (We have a 15.5 year old siamese runt that was pretty lonely but acceptable to respiratory issues, so we had to be careful).

One day I was out at a farm in back country kansas buying some raw milk and I asked if they had any kittens.. They both smiled as their cat brought one home that day. We waited a week for it to be old enough to take home and the kitten fit in perfect with us. He made himself at home right away.

The key thing to remember is that they are not suffering anymore and the memories they left with us will last forever. :cat:
 
We know what you must be feeling...

Jeff,

Been there a few times. Hang in there. If you're lucky you will be befriended by another wonderful cat.

My little Kinkaid can be a first class pest at times, but he's my pal. I can always count on him to lay down right in the middle of what I'm doing.

Charlie
 
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