Meltdown. Tonight I held Harry to trim a claw - the same way I held Richard

[bertha katzenengel]

when he died on Saturday.

Richard liked to be held like a baby in a towel. A wet towel. He'd come into the bathroom after the water was turned off in the shower and he would beg to be wrapped in the wet towel. :) So cuddled, he made biscuits and purred like mad, the very image of the contented cat.

Since he loved it so, that's how I held him as the vet euthanized him. He hates to be at the vet so I wanted to calm him. He was calm. He was purring. And then he was gone.

Tonight I held Harry that way to trim a claw - it's the best way to hold Harry for that purpose. I looked down into his face and remembered looking into Richard's face as he died. I have played it over a million times since Saturday morning, but to hold Harry, his litter mate, and feel the warmth and weight in my arms again, and to see those eyes, made the memory more vivid.

It was the most amazing and precious and desperately heartbreaking event in my life, and I don't know if I'll ever get over it. I don't think I want to get over it.

[redwitch]

1. I have never had a cat who would like to be wrapped in a wet towel.

Richard was a rare kitty. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

3. Art imitates life

You made me laugh.

All during this episode of grief and joy, I have been remembering lines from "Steel Magnolias." Most especially the graveside scene, where M'lynn is hysterical and says she wants to hit something, and Claree grabs Weezer and says, "HERE! HIT THIS!" I have never laughed so hard in a theater as I did at that.

[crim son]

2. Your post about losing Richard made me think very hard

about how we adopt our pets and love them completely while knowing full well we will surely lose them. I'm terribly sorry about Richard, bertha. :hug: :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

4. thank you, crim

the knowledge of the coming loss doesn't deter us from loving them.

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. I imagine that you made his life fantastic. Don't mourn..

Celebrate, you gave him a wonderful life. He died in loving arms. Nature took over.

[Callalily]

6. My cat passed

away shortly before Christmas. Sometimes I think I feel her at the foot of my bed, or think she'll be coming around the corner. Grieving takes time. Embrace those fond memories. Richard lived a good life with you. You were blessed to have him, and now you are equally blessed to have Harry.