Happy Birthday Pearl

[WarpNein]

There's been some sad cat related news on this board of late. So to even things out, here's some happy cat related news. As close as we can figure based on the date we got her from a farm back in 1998, Pearl is 20 today.

She took a few seconds out of her postprandial siesta to acknowledge I exist.

And a little later she's alert and ready for food.

[Tesral]

Old kitty. I love the kitties.

[trekriffic]

Wow! 20? Amazing. She looks to be a real sweetheart.

[el gato]

That's impressive any way you look at it. Happy birthday Pearl!

[WarpNein]

I made the decision to put Pearl to sleep on April 15th. While the experience itself was anguishing, once it was over I didn't feel any sadness. There's an emptiness, to be sure, and you never quite love a pet so much as the one you grew up with. But it was time, and she and I both knew it. She took a dramatic downward turn over the course of last week, giving up eating entirely and becoming more detached and lethargic, and I could let her go with no regrets.

[trekriffic]

I made the decision to put Pearl to sleep on April 15th. While the experience itself was anguishing, once it was over I didn't feel any sadness. There's an emptiness, to be sure, and you never quite love a pet so much as the one you grew up with. But it was time, and she and I both knew it. She took a dramatic downward turn over the course of last week, giving up eating entirely and becoming more detached and lethargic, and I could let her go with no regrets.

IMG_20170818_201157164-2.jpg

I'm sad for you right now. You did the right thing for Pearl. Those of us left behind are the ones who suffer.

It's been over 3 months and I still get choked up thinking about Lenny.

[Tesral]

I made the decision to put Pearl to sleep on April 15th.

A year in and I'm still not over Zak. I may never be.

[Xen]

from personal experience it takes longer, a lot, lot longer, to be able to put that sorrow with the good times and mental images you carry with you somewhere in a jar at the top shelf, for safekeeping deep in your heart.

you did you right thing to avoid any further mental and physical suffering, but then, you know that already.

and yes, we're the ones worse off, left on this giant ball of mud and rock.

a virtual toast to all our animal friends, that light up our lives, and then leave the light on, when they pass.

[el gato]

I'm sorry for your loss WarpNein. It's tough to say goodbye to a good friend. But you did right by her. You prevented her from suffering more. That's our primary duty as guardians