Thanks for your support...

[AlisonK45]

It is with great sadness I must announce that we had to take Lucy on her final ride to the vet today. They think she may have had cancer. Whatever the problem was, it was something underlying that was causing her liver problems. It would have just kept coming back no matter how many times we "fixed" it. Lucy has not been herself at all this past week and I felt as though she was pleading with us to let her go. She would stay in the same spot all day, staring off into space, never really sleeping.

We are incredibly heartbroken right now, she is the best cat either of us have ever had. We are now faced with the task of breaking the news to our son, who is still at school.

I find solace in the fact that she is at peace now. When they gave her the anesthesia and she fell asleep, she looked more comfortable than she has in a long, long time.  We opted for cremation and a clay paw print.

I will still be sticking around this community, I do have another cat, and I would love to keep up with everyone here. You've all been wonderful to me during this time, and for that I thank you. <3

[AlisonK45]

Everyone that meets my son tells me he has an "old soul" lol. Sometimes I swear he's a 90 year old man. He's very wise beyond his years.

Thanks for the kind words :)

[Jade59]

Oh my, your story about the ornament gave me chills.  

Each time you write about your son, I fall more in love with him.  What a sensitive, loving little boy he is.  I am deeply impressed with how you've handled this with him, as well.  You are pretty awesome yourself, Alison.  

I am happy you decided to stay with us!

[dominosarah]

I have ornaments on the tree for all my babies too.  I always hang the small candy canes on the tree.  Now that Snickers is gone some of them come up missing!!   That was HIS tree and he perched his butt under the tree and if the dogs even got close they got swatted in the head!!  I can still see him all fluffed up under there!!

[AlisonK45]

Thanks everyone. I love that rainbow bridge poem, it always make me cry the "good cry" too :)

My son wanted a special ornament to put on the christmas tree for her, so yesterday I went to my favorite personalized ornament website (Bronners.com), and searched "cat ornaments" and wouldn't you know, the VERY FIRST ornament that popped up was a grey tabby cat holding a heart, and the sample name on the heart was "Lucy". If that's not a sign, I don't know what is.

He will be ok. Every once in a while during the day he goes and picks up her clay pawprint and holds it, and puts his finger in the indentations, studies it... He always puts it back down and comes over to me for a hug after. I told him he can still talk to her, and that she can hear him. He wants to go to Build a Bear and make a special Lucy bear and of course I am happy to bring him to do that.  

[dominosarah]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  This is always so painful and it is even harder when there is a child involved.  I am so glad you have let him talk about Lucy and see the cards.  Children need to grieve also and this is healing for him.  Lucy lives in a very special place in your heart and always will.  I still see my magnificent boy peeking around the corner at me and it always brings a smile to my face.  May you find comfort in your memories of Lucy~

[CML2014]

To Jade and Pip,

I think your post were really very thoughtful. I think they will mean quit a lot to Alison and son---especially her son.

The Rainbow Bridge ALWAYS make me cry!

....and you know I am right in there with you, Pip, seeing  our beautiful kits  still visiting us.

Ya know Allison, I felt just like your son---when I lost my mom, still do..... "  I can not wait to go to Heaven to see my mom again" ......of course I am pretty much near the last rung of that heavenly ladder. Your son will have many more years to experience the wonderful kinds of LOVE there are in this world. I hope he Has a life full of wonderful loving journeys!

Give him big HUGS from all of Lucy's friends here!
CML

[Piparskeggr]

Tell your son that Lucy will always be part of the family, her spirit will watch over him and if he is very lucky, he might see her watching out of the corner of his eye.

I truly believe I see kitties around the house who we are no longer feeding.  I believe they remain just as curious about us as when we could hear them purr contentedly.

[Jade59]

Hi Alison...not only do You miss Lucy, but you have to watch the heartbreak of your young son.  Those cards are great, aren't they.  I'm sure one of them included the Rainbow Bridge poem, but if not, I will post it below.  I love it, I've been reading it for years, and it still makes me cry.  Not a sad cry though - I think you know what I mean.    

I hope it takes another 80 + yrs for your son to meet Lucy again.  No matter how long it takes, though, Lucy will be waiting.  

Sending hugs and comfort, and thinking of you both~


Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[AlisonK45]

Hi CML, It's tough because I know we did the right thing for her and she is at peace now, but we all miss her. Breaking the news to our son was awful, he was completely heartbroken. Then there's just so many reminders. When I wake my son up in the morning he always says "I miss Lucy" because she used to help me wake him up. I'd head to his room and Lucy would run in ahead of me and walk all over him purring. Plus I have many friends who have sent us sympathy cards (did you know they actually make a line of sympathy cards specifically for people who have lost cats??) and my son insists on reading them all and they always make him cry.

We've explained to him that Lucy is an angel in heaven now, and that excited him. But now he keeps saying "I can't wait to go to Heaven and play with Lucy again". Oh you can wait, kid. You can, and you WILL.

[CML2014]

Hi Allison,

How are you doing since losing little Lucy? I must say what you went through took me back for a few days, so I am sure it will be slow going for you.

Please know we have lost many a beloved lit and are here to support you when ever you need to talk.  

Sincerely CML

[KittyCatLover23]

I am so so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is. *hugs*
And I am glad you will be okay to get another one when the time is right. The only con of owning a cat is when they have to leave us :(

[Piparskeggr]

Oh dear, so sorry to read this...you did so much to try and help Lucy, I am sure she will be a guardian spirit over your household.

[opus88]

Im so sad for your loss Alison, it breaks our hearts everytime we need to make this call, but like the others stated..we do it out of love and nothing more. I agree they never really leave us, we'll think of them daily and often just 'feel' their presence right there on our shoulder telling us 'you did the right thing for me, momma'
God bless you both, and RIP little Lucy. Im am happy you will one day open your heart to another kitty and that you intend to stay with our little group of kitty parents...♥

[CML2014]

Allison,

So Lucy was telling you her time was up  and you had done all the best you could for her.

Yes, we do see it in their eyes....and they know we love them so much we will listen and help them pass on to a pain free existence. Sometimes the MIRACLE is knowing when it is time.  Lucy and you had a strong enough bond for the suffering to stop!

They never leave us Allison, their spirits just wait for the right time to make themselves known to us. Perhaps Lucy will come back to you by way of a cat you may one day feel a kindred spirit with. Open your heart again and let that little one in.....she/he will be so like Lucy, you will know it is right!

God Bless you and Lucy!
CML

[Jade59]

Oh Alison, while I suspected this would happen, I am still in tears for your loss.  Thank God we have the option to give our pets this final act of love and kindness.  I feel the deep love in your words your family had for Lucy.  She was a darling little girl.

I am so very sorry for your loss.  

Hugs to you, honey.  ♥