Topic: Had To Say Goodbye To Our Fur Baby
- Posted on: Oct 4, 2009 06:33 am, edited Oct 4, 2009 06:38 AM by LindaLou53
Posts: 520
I wanted to share this with other animal lovers out there. I know they will understand.
We had to say goodbye to a beloved pet just last week. Our precious Boo Boo Kitty made her way to Rainbow Bridge following a year of unexplained weight loss and finally a rare cancer diagnosis 6 months ago. She was a rescue kitty we welcomed to our home in the Fall of 1993. We don't know exactly how old she was when we got her but at least 6 months at the time. She must have been getting close to 17 years old when she passed.
We love all our pets and they are each unique in personality and demeanor, but Boo was such a bright, intuitive, affectionate and totally mischievous little soul that there will never be another like her. Always demanding the center of attention, but in such an adorable fashion that no one could deny her.
She was the best companion of my husband, who was never really a pet lover until Boo came along. He had polio at 5 years old and used to walk with heavy iron leg braces and crutches until finally switching to a wheelchair exclusively about 25 years ago. Most dogs would bark and cats would run away from him so he never really had a close relationship with a pet before. Yet his heart was won over within the first moments of Boo's arrival to our home, when she immediately crawled onto his big chest, wrapped her paws around his neck and began purring her acceptance of her new family. From that moment they were inseparable and shared a lifelong bond of love and affection, mixed with mutual joy as they practiced the art of "play battle". Boo hiding and pouncing on my husband from all possible angles of attack until he would pin her in his arms, smothering her with hugs.
As her battle with cancer caused her body to waste away, tire more easily and struggle to control normal functions, she still remained our loving, affectionate, ever present companion who continued to insist on being the focus of our attention. She spent long evenings cuddled in our laps, telling us it was ok to just sit and enjoy our time together, the chores and schedules could wait...our time together was limited and thus more precious.
We are so grateful to have had the honor and blessing of sharing our lives with our beautiful Boo. The pain of parting is so sharp and intense, we continue to see her in our minds eye around every corner, in her favorite sunny spots and waking us in the mornings with her soft paws upon our cheeks. As much as it hurts now, the years of shared love and memories make it all worthwhile. Someday we will cross that Rainbow Bridge, warmly greeted and surrounded by our precious companions who wait for us there now.
Some pics of our little Boo Boo Kitty:
Boo's gorgeous eyes
Precious Boo
Sleeping Boo
Princess Boo
Diagnosis: 11/21/2005, ILC, 5cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 1, 23/23 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
| Posts 1 - 24 (24 total) | |
|---|---|
|
heatherpalm… Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,779 |
Oct 4, 2009 06:49 am
heatherpalmerton wrote:
I am so sorry to hear about your precious Princess Boo, Such beautiful pictures. Our animals become such a part of our lives. They are just like our kids. I have a Jack Russell named Colby. She has been with us for 10 years. Thank goodness still doing very well. She has given us several litters of puppies. We have kept 2 Jack and Maddi. May Princess Boo be at peace, Heather HEATHER PALMERTON
Diagnosis: 1/18/2008, Stage IV, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
lexislove Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,942 |
Oct 4, 2009 06:51 am
lexislove wrote:
I hate loosing a pet. I lost my 13 yr old Stafforshire Terrier this past June to bladder cancer. He went real fast. Too fast. I miss him. Sorry for your family's loss... Dx: Sep 2007, IDC 8cm, 0/6 nodes, ACT Chemo, R Mastectomy, 1 yr Herceptin, 28 Rads,Currently on Lupron, Tamox & Zometa. Exchange Sx Fall 2009, BRCA -
|
|
DenverDiva Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 193 |
Oct 4, 2009 07:18 am
DenverDiva wrote:
Oh, what a beautiful tribute to you Boo. Animals are so much more than companions to us. They are little furry blessings. May you enjoy her memories. Best, Susan "So little to do, so much time...strike that, reverse it." Willy Wonka
Diagnosis: 5/6/2009, ILC, 1cm, Stage Ib, Grade 2, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
mumayan Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,304 |
Oct 4, 2009 07:24 am, edited Oct 4, 2009 07:26 AM
by mumayan
mumayan wrote:
Oh wow Linda Your Boo looks so much like the kitten I have now.I too recently lost my 14yrold kitty his name was gump. I missed him so much that a few months ago my daughter brought home this little baby girl.Her name is Cora.She is now a part of my heart.Even her eyes are the same colour as Boo's
Diagnosis: 4/23/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage IIb, 2/15 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
|
lovemyfamil… Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 339 |
Oct 4, 2009 01:04 pm
lovemyfamilysomuch wrote:
Dear Linda, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet kitty. What eyes!! She was lucky to live with such a loving family. In sisterhood, xo Diagnosis: 10/14/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 2/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
33skidoo Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 99 |
Oct 4, 2009 01:22 pm
33skidoo wrote:
My pets have made all the little disappointments in my life bearable. They are good for the soul. I know your pain well. Dabbing at the tears in my eyes.... (((((hugs)))) Diagnosis: 8/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 1/1 nodes, mets, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
|
Dejaboo Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,109 |
Oct 4, 2009 01:29 pm
Dejaboo wrote:
Im so sorry to hear that Boo has gone to wait at the Rainbow Bridge. She sounds like One of a Kind. So special. What a Wonderful tribute to her. Im glad you all had alot of years together with lots of Fun & games. She was lucky to find you & your dh...And you were Lucky to rescue someone so special. Even with all those years & Memories. it is never easy. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your Husband. Pam Dx 3/7/2008,DCIS, IDC-1.2mm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-,HER2+,Lump/SNB-4/1/08, Bilat 5/22/08, EX 9/22/08, PFO & ASA heart Closure 12-29-08, July 09-RAVH, Nov 09-NOLA-SGAP-to fix PS Mess Up-Symmastia!
|
|
Arizona Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 |
Oct 4, 2009 06:49 pm
Arizona wrote:
I am so sorry for your loss of Boo Boo Kitty. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Karyn I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn't last long.
|
|
Isabella4 Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,846 |
Oct 4, 2009 07:11 pm
Isabella4 wrote:
Linda. So very sory about Boo. At times like these it really brings home to us just what our pets mean to us. To me they are my life, if I didn't have my cats and dogs around me I wouldn't want to carry on. I can imagine a life without people, but NOT without my pets. I lost 2 Daxies last month, within 2 weeks of one another, and its still so raw. Even tho I have many other dogs around me each one has a special place in my heart. I too am looking for them in 'their' special corners of the house and garden. The other dogs know, but don't understand that their friends have gone. Some dogs form inseparable bonds, and really do grieve, I can have quite a time with them when their special companion just vanishes. I had one little dog that took ages to settle, she always curled up with a very tiny cat I had, must have thought it was her baby, they would lay entwined with one another a good part of the day. She wandered back and forth constantly going back to the bed they always shared, and looking outside in the sunshine hoping to see the little cat sprawled out, I couldn't tell her in any way her friend was not coming back. In the end I just had to move the bed away. You know, it might sound not the thing to do right now, but give it a few weeks, and go right out and get another cat that wants a home, there are thousands just waiting for such a fantastic home you gave to Boo. (((((Hugs)))))) Isabella. Diagnosis: 5/14/2003, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/26 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
leaf Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,944 |
Oct 4, 2009 07:45 pm
leaf wrote:
Boo sounds like she was a very, very special cat. She was part of your family. My condolances. If you're going through hell, keep going-Winston Churchill
|
|
hollyann Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,391 |
Oct 4, 2009 08:57 pm
hollyann wrote:
I am so sorry you lost your precious Boo.....I lost my precious Miss Kitty a few years back...She looked very similar to your Princess Boo.......Thank you so much for sharing your fur baby with us...... Hugs and love, Lucy also dx with DCIS grade 2 er/pr + her2 neg
Diagnosis: 1/15/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage Ib, Grade 1, 0/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
cheryl58 Joined: May 2006 Posts: 564 |
Oct 5, 2009 12:58 am
cheryl58 wrote:
Oh, Linda, my heart goes out to you and your husband. It is so very hard. I am sorry you have to feel the pain of her loss. Just try to remember how special she was to you and how special you both were to her. It sounds like she had a life filled with love and comfort and really that in itself is special. Just try to fill the hole in your heart with all the memories and cuddles that you all shared. I am sure she was a very happy kitty during the life she did have. |
|
LindaLou53 Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 520 |
Oct 5, 2009 03:13 am
LindaLou53 wrote:
Thank you all for the kind thoughts and sympathies. I knew you all would understand. Life is full of loving and letting go....it still doesn't get any easier even when the loss is anticipated. We still have one more kitty left, Socks, who is almost 17 years old also but so far she is in good health. It helps to love on her as we miss our Boo Kitty. She is appreciating all the extra attention :) Mumayan: Your Cora looks SO MUCH like my Boo.....you are right! I hope you have many long healthy and happy years with your new little girl. Lexislove: Sorry to hear about you losing your terrier recently. Bladder cancer is what my Boo kitty had. It was called Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) and is much more common in dogs than cats. We had Boo on chemo for just over 4 months and it initially slowed the tumor growth down, but then it was no longer effective. We decided to stop the chemo just over a month ago so she could feel more like herself and enjoy what time she had left. The tumor began growing more rapidly. She was in diapers because of involuntary peeing but as long as she was peeing we knew her bladder was not obstructed. The morning we decided it was time to say goodbye was when she woke with a dry diaper and was constantly trying to pee but unable. Ultrasound showed that the tumor had totally obstructed the bladder and there was nothing else to be done. Isabelle4: So sorry to hear about the loss of your 2 precious dogs so close together. That must be so very difficult. I am sure that at some point I will find another little kitty to love, but for now we are giving all our attention to our Socks kitty who deserves some one on one time. She had to take second seat while Boo was sick and now it is her turn. Here is my Socks Kitty....she and her brother Puff were born feral in the woods behind our house in 1993. It took me almost 9 months to catch them and get them to the vet for shots and fixing. It took another year before they would allow me to pick them up.They finally ventured into our house a year or so later and made friends with Boo who was strictly an indoor cat. They ended up being mostly indoor cats, occas still going out to the woods to hunt. We lost Puff in 2007 at 14 years old. Lost my black lab Libby at age 15 last summer and now Boo kitty. Our family is shrinking.....but still the memories and smiles of the good times remain.
Life is not measured by how many breaths we take...but by the moments that take our breath away!
Diagnosis: 11/21/2005, ILC, 5cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 1, 23/23 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
|
Gitane Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 829 |
Oct 6, 2009 12:25 am
Gitane wrote:
Your loving post about Boo Boo Kitty touched me deeply. It makes me happy just observing my cats' joy and innocence in life, their willingness to trust, their ability to understand our moods and give us what we need. I am so comforted by them. My home, my life, is enriched by their presence. Life is measured by our "moments" as you say in your message. Hugs. G. Dx 8/18/05, Pleomorphic ILC, multifocal, multicentric, G2, 1/9 nodes positive, OncotypeDX 23, ER+ PR- Her2-
|
|
DFW Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 241 |
Oct 6, 2009 06:51 pm
DFW wrote:
I lost my Dixie last month. She was a rescue cat also. My late husband brought her home from his job after she had been dumped. She loved going outside, I was reluctant but sometimes she just kept begging so I would give in. She got into something that took her life, She loved flowers, would pick the buds off and play with them for hours. I had her cremated, have pots of flowers around her urn and picture....The Bible mentions, lambs, adders, wolf....so I think we will be reunited with our beloved pets. My sympathy to you, it hurts soooooooooooooooo |
|
dreamwriter… Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,587 |
Oct 8, 2009 06:51 pm
dreamwriter wrote:
I am so sorry. Those fur babies are so much a part of us. I understand your loss. I lost a Maine Coone cat to breast cancer... it was a matter of dignity for her... she was always a dignified cat and I had to wrap her in a dress to keep her from gnawing... then after Jasmine passed one of our brother and sister pair developed liver disease;. He was put down before he could suffer more. But we still miss them. Laugh until it really IS funny.
Diagnosis: 12/20/2005, 6cm+, Stage IV, Grade 3, 18/18 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
portiasprou… Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,042 |
Oct 8, 2009 08:02 pm
portiasproudmom wrote:
I'm so sorry for your loss, Linda. Losing a furbaby just breaks your heart, doesn't it? She was such a beautiful girl! We lost our little dachshound, Tinker, in February. She had cancer as well. What a loyal companion she was while I was going through chemo. Wherever I was, in my bed or on the couch or recliner, she was right there with me, looking up at me with love and concern in her eyes. Hugs and prayers to you and your family. Karen Diagnosis: 8/27/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
Sue-61 Joined: May 2009 Posts: 212 |
Oct 8, 2009 08:20 pm
Sue-61 wrote:
My condolences on your great loss. I love my past pets and still miss all of them dearly. This is odd. When I was diagnosed w breast cancer, my rescue dog (who somehow with her presence managed to get me thru the death of my husband 3 yrs previously......and she was not the brightest dog I ever had) also was diagnosed with nasal cancer. NOT FAIR! I read somewhere that dogs and cats "take away their owners' cancer." I guess my first thought was.......what??????? My prognosis is supposedly excellent. My poor little Nibbles was euthanized last March. I hugged her everyday and thanked her for helping me thru my husband's death. She was part spaniel and kind of looked at me with those (pardon me.......dumb) spaniel eyes as if to say "what you talking about, Momma?". I will always wonder if Nibbles offered me a better prognosis. I will miss her forever. I have had golden retrievers in the past that were SO SMART we had to spell in front of them. But I will always love and remember and thank that rescue girl who was ALWAYS there for me when I needed a really good friend. And will forgive her for peeing on the dining room rug. Many times. Sue Sue-61
Diagnosis: 12/15/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
apple Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,304 |
Oct 8, 2009 08:22 pm
apple wrote:
you paint a lovely picture of your Boo Boo Linda Lou - she sounds so loveable. Diagnosis: 5/10/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 3, 4/9 nodes, ER+ |
|
BinVA Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,690 |
Oct 10, 2009 03:31 pm
BinVA wrote:
Dear Linda, I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Boo Boo. Our furry buddies are so close to us and loving and comforting. I lost my beloved BoBo, a huge black retriever, two months ago, and my heart is still broken. He was my baby. I understand your sadness over losing BooBoo. Sending you a big hug. love, Bren |
|
WendyInCali… Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 168 |
Oct 10, 2009 11:49 pm
WendyInCalif wrote:
So sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful kitty and fantastic photos. I know what you are experiencing, it is a very sad time indeed. DX 3/07, G1, S1, IDC, Mammosite RT.
Diagnosis: 3/25/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
|
slotzie7 Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3 |
Oct 13, 2009 02:52 am, edited Oct 13, 2009 02:53 AM
by slotzie7
slotzie7 wrote:
Hi Linda: So very sorry to learn about the loss of your fur baby. We too lost our cat, "Ruby Tuesday" about 2 weeks ago from diabetes. Ruby looked EXACTLY like your Boo Boo. Just seeing your baby's photo reminded me so much of her. We miss Ruby terribly as she was such a sweet and loving pet. My condolences to you on your loss. Karen |
|
regina26 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 1 |
Oct 13, 2009 03:45 am
regina26 wrote:
your story has touched my heart.she was a very special cat you was very blessed to have know just a loving soul. |
|
melissa1518… Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 130 |
Oct 21, 2009 10:47 am
melissa1518 wrote:
Like many others, my furry ones ARE my children- I have been a dog lover and had many cats too over the years- they love us, comfort us without words, are constant compaions and what a wonderful thought to see them all lined up waiting for me at Rainbow Bridge. Yes another reminder to enjoy the life we have and not worry about the one we we want or think we want.I have cried many tears over the loss of my pets and God willing will have a pet until the very end of my life. Those rescue animals rescue US- how tricky is that? HUGS to you for your loss- and Peace to Kitty BOO- Melissa
Diagnosis: 9/10/2009, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER-/PR- |
