Psycho-Babble Grief Thread 332149

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Re: Still no : ( » kara lynne

Posted by Wildflower on May 6, 2004, at 11:01:14

In reply to Still no : ( (fayeroe), posted by kara lynne on May 6, 2004, at 1:51:46

If you're gut is telling you that she's still alive, then she probably is. Chances are that some cat-lover spotted her and took her home instead to the animal shelter. (I hope that you're still calling the shelters just in case...)

I know how connected you were to Alice but just image Alice's joy to come home one day to you and to a new playmate. There are so many unwanted kittens out there that need good homes...and we all know that you're a great mommy!

(((Kara)))

 

Re: no : ( I AM SORRY :( Let's still hope (nm)

Posted by Fallen4MyT on May 7, 2004, at 23:52:30

In reply to no : (, posted by kara lynne on April 22, 2004, at 1:54:06

 

Re: no : ( I AM SORRY :( Let's still hope

Posted by fayeroe on May 8, 2004, at 8:14:09

In reply to Re: no : ( I AM SORRY :( Let's still hope (nm), posted by Fallen4MyT on May 7, 2004, at 23:52:30

Hang in there..remember my friend's cat who came back after two months? Personally, I think she's been picked up by someone...did she have name tags on???

 

No tags, but a microchip.

Posted by kara lynne on May 8, 2004, at 12:20:00

In reply to Re: no : ( I AM SORRY :( Let's still hope, posted by fayeroe on May 8, 2004, at 8:14:09

Yesterday morning The Humane Society called me and said they had a cat fitting my description. It had been found in a nearby city and a woman took it in and took care of it for a month---but she accidentally stepped on its tail (very hard) and it turned around and bit her, so she took it to the Humane Society. The woman said that since it had bit someone it was quarrantined and she could not check the microchip to identify it it was mine. She said it had been exhibiting 'feral' tendencies, which might be because it had been out for a month.

You can imagine how I felt as I flew down there, trying not to get my hopes up but unable not to. Everything matched--someone had kept the cat for a month, and the woman said if the cat were deaf maybe that's why it bit. Alice never scratched but had a tendency bite when her 'boundaries' were overstepped. I had to wait outside the locked facility where they put the quarantined cats that will in all likelihood, be put to sleep. But I could see the cat from the outside and I knew immediately is was not Alice.

Needless to say, heartbroken all over. The attendant came and let me in, and I pet the cat who was clearly male, and he rolled over and purred, and rubbed his head against the cage for more. Two attentendants admonished me for petting him, repeating that he was there because he bit someone. I said he bit because someone stepped on his tail, and I would bite someone too if they stepped on my tail. I said he was obviously a loving kitty, just fine, no problem at all, and they were quiet. He had just gotten lost, took to this woman and didn't like having his tail stepped on. He wasn't Alice though, and I didn't take him home.

I don't understand someone who would take care of a cat and dispose of it once she accidentallly hurt it and it responded naturally. I also don't understand why the woman who called couldn't have told me the cat's eyes were blue (I did ask on the phone) as Alice's are green and it would have saved me a lot of grief. They were all so scared of this 'mean feral' beautiful, sweet, old, lost cat who wasn't mine.

 

Re: No tags, but a microchip. » kara lynne

Posted by tabitha on May 8, 2004, at 14:05:33

In reply to No tags, but a microchip., posted by kara lynne on May 8, 2004, at 12:20:00

Kara, you really have a special way with cats. You brought out that male cat's sweet nature in a minute. I've never known a cat to bond with its owner the way you described Alice did with you. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

thank you (((tabitha)))

Posted by kara lynne on May 8, 2004, at 16:43:46

In reply to Re: No tags, but a microchip. » kara lynne, posted by tabitha on May 8, 2004, at 14:05:33

You made me cry...more!

 

Re: thank you (((tabitha))) » kara lynne

Posted by fayeroe on May 19, 2004, at 15:41:59

In reply to thank you (((tabitha))), posted by kara lynne on May 8, 2004, at 16:43:46

A pspychic in Austin told my daughter that our pets return to us in spirit through pets down the line. I believe her because my scottie came back to me in a little "benji" dog. I think you'll see Alice again, perhaps in another kitty that you adopt and I do pray that you'll adopt again. There are so many of them and so few of us!!!!

 

Fayeroe

Posted by kara lynne on May 19, 2004, at 22:34:57

In reply to Re: thank you (((tabitha))) » kara lynne, posted by fayeroe on May 19, 2004, at 15:41:59

I think I may be near that point, but I'm having some conflict--actual nightmares--about it. My friend dragged me to the save a kitten store and all the white ones had just been adopted, of course. I got attached to having a white cat after Alice, but I hope I can get over that. I made the mistake of visiting the two who were left twice, and then I said I'd take them. One is too little (he was a boy until today, when we found out he was a girl) and I want to take them together because they play together. But I keep thinking maybe they're not the 'right' ones...maybe I should have waited for a white one, or is that just my attachment to Alice? I visited them today and the boy-girl is awfully cute, and I hate to wait too much longer for the 'perfect' cat to arrive. I am getting really tired of coming home to an emptly house, and if I had to wait for my mind to stop its infernal chatter I'd most likely be, well--dead. So maybe I'll take these not as spectacular as Alice kittens, and all my conflict along with them. What do you think?

 

Re: Fayeroe » kara lynne

Posted by fayeroe on May 20, 2004, at 9:16:56

In reply to Fayeroe, posted by kara lynne on May 19, 2004, at 22:34:57

i think that you're such good hearted person that you do feel conflicted about "replacing" Alice..i had to wait before i got another dog after tippy died. then fayeroe and i found each other and it has worked out very well. i'd get the kitties together because you'll soon be rolling on the floor laughing at their antics. remember that i have mikee and timmee the dumpster kitties and they have provided so much laughter and love in my heart and home. i heard my granddaughter tell timmee last night "i love you very, very much".

 

Re: Fayeroe

Posted by kara lynne on May 20, 2004, at 17:33:27

In reply to Re: Fayeroe » kara lynne, posted by fayeroe on May 20, 2004, at 9:16:56

<i heard my granddaughter tell timmee last night "i love you very, very much". >

awwwwwwww!
*clutching hands to heart*

 

There Is Hope » kara lynne

Posted by Rigby on June 15, 2004, at 17:45:53

In reply to My cat is gone., posted by kara lynne on April 3, 2004, at 16:52:39

Hi Kara Lynne,

A few years ago my beloved kitty ran away. What you are writing here was so much of how I felt too. My bargain with "the gods" was to just give me another moment with his weight in my arms--just another moment to feel that heft.

I did everything. I hung up 500 signs, went to the pound, called for him. I even hired Sherlock Bones, a pet detective. PLEASE, if you haven't already--google how to search for a missing cat. Best tips: signs and lots of them, look for her late into the night when it's quiet, she's more apt to be bolder and you can hear her. Had I looked for my baby boy this way I would have found him easier.

The rest of my story is kinda/sorta happy. Twenty six days later he returned. I was wrecked physically from the experience--it took a toll. He was okay though--cats are survivors and yes, generally they DO show back up. And yes, they generally ARE very close--within a block!! Check with neighbors in their garages too--they get locked in.

Since we live in a pretty quiet 'hood and our other cats are in/out and we figured he'd learned his lesson we let him back out again. Again he went missing but this time he got hit by a car--I found him, rescued him but he'd broken his pelvis and his kidneys got hit. We've nursed him now for 9 months but he will go down on Friday. My anguish feels like yours--I can just so relate but with your kitty you've still got a chance--do not give up, do not get too depressed to do anything.

I'm sorry if my message repeats others' advise--I did not have time to read all the responses.

My heart goes out to you. It feels even worse not knowing and imaging your sweet Alice somewhere awful is extraordinarily painful.

One silver lining--my kitty got lost right around a year into therapy--this loss and this impending loss this week have been gateways into feelings I did not know I could access. A special friend, a special kitty can change us forever--can change us for the good.

Big hugs...

 

Re: There Is Hope

Posted by Rigby on June 15, 2004, at 17:58:01

In reply to There Is Hope » kara lynne, posted by Rigby on June 15, 2004, at 17:45:53

Hi Kara Lynne,

I didn't look at the date this happened--early April. So yes, there is hope but this is a long while. However, I have definitely heard of kitties coming back after 4 months even. I told myself I would stop with the signs after about six weeks. I think grieving the loss of a kitty you are not sure what happened with is probably the hardest thing. There are grief support groups--I may join one after we put my cat to sleep on Friday.

Rigby

> Hi Kara Lynne,
>
> A few years ago my beloved kitty ran away. What you are writing here was so much of how I felt too. My bargain with "the gods" was to just give me another moment with his weight in my arms--just another moment to feel that heft.
>
> I did everything. I hung up 500 signs, went to the pound, called for him. I even hired Sherlock Bones, a pet detective. PLEASE, if you haven't already--google how to search for a missing cat. Best tips: signs and lots of them, look for her late into the night when it's quiet, she's more apt to be bolder and you can hear her. Had I looked for my baby boy this way I would have found him easier.
>
> The rest of my story is kinda/sorta happy. Twenty six days later he returned. I was wrecked physically from the experience--it took a toll. He was okay though--cats are survivors and yes, generally they DO show back up. And yes, they generally ARE very close--within a block!! Check with neighbors in their garages too--they get locked in.
>
> Since we live in a pretty quiet 'hood and our other cats are in/out and we figured he'd learned his lesson we let him back out again. Again he went missing but this time he got hit by a car--I found him, rescued him but he'd broken his pelvis and his kidneys got hit. We've nursed him now for 9 months but he will go down on Friday. My anguish feels like yours--I can just so relate but with your kitty you've still got a chance--do not give up, do not get too depressed to do anything.
>
> I'm sorry if my message repeats others' advise--I did not have time to read all the responses.
>
> My heart goes out to you. It feels even worse not knowing and imaging your sweet Alice somewhere awful is extraordinarily painful.
>
> One silver lining--my kitty got lost right around a year into therapy--this loss and this impending loss this week have been gateways into feelings I did not know I could access. A special friend, a special kitty can change us forever--can change us for the good.
>
> Big hugs...
>

 

Thank you Rigby

Posted by kara lynne on July 18, 2004, at 16:05:46

In reply to Re: There Is Hope, posted by Rigby on June 15, 2004, at 17:58:01

Hi Rigby,
It is late-mid July and I am just reading this for the first time, but I am heartened to come here and find your messages. I figured this thread would be as long gone as my cat, but here were your messages when I checked. If nothing else, I appreciate so much that you seem to understand how I feel.

Needless to say my Alice is still missing. I took in two kittens about two months ago, and had a lot of trouble adjusting...despite everyone thinking (myself included) that it would help to have them around. My allergies have been worse than ever before in my life, and I haven't bonded in the way I usually do to any pet that crosses my path. I still miss Alice so much it was almost worse initially, because I would keep thinking how they were not her. But when I went to look for cats, each time the one I was drawn to had just been taken, so finally I took these two instead of waiting. Maybe there was a reason I couldn't get another white cat (even though I wasn't trying to replace her, I still liked having a white cat). Maybe there was no reason at all.

An interesting note: Alice went missing March 31st. One of the kittens I took in was born April 1st. She was found, umbilical cord still attached, by a dog who took her home to his owner, gently tucked into his teeth by the scruff of her neck. This kitten, completely unlike the other one, does very specific things that Alice used to, and has a lot of the same body movements. I have grown much more attached to her, but I wouldn't want to separate the two now...they do everything together even though they're not from the same litter.

I still miss Alice every day. I was mentioning it to my mother the other day and she said, 'Maybe she found someone else she's happier with'. This was not what I wanted to hear. I would like nothing more than to come home and find her waiting for me at the front door, or at least find out what happened to her. Instead I have this little grey and white kitten that the dog saved, lying next to me, peacefully sleeping while I write this.

Thanks again Rigby.

 

Re: Thank you Rigby

Posted by fayeroe on July 18, 2004, at 21:19:14

In reply to Thank you Rigby, posted by kara lynne on July 18, 2004, at 16:05:46

Instead I have this little grey and white kitten that the dog saved, lying next to me, peacefully sleeping while I write this.

I am so glad that you posted, because I was thinking about you last night. I'm really glad that you have the kittens, even though the bonding hasn't been as strong as you'd like it. You saved two kitties from God knows what and we're at our best when we're helping others. I still miss Tippy, Henri, J.J. Smut and others and I grieve a little bit when I think of them. I'm sorry that your mother said what she said. That wasn't nice. And nice does matter....Pat
>
>

 

fayeroe

Posted by kara lynne on July 19, 2004, at 13:17:06

In reply to Re: Thank you Rigby, posted by fayeroe on July 18, 2004, at 21:19:14

Hi Pat,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for thinking of me. Yes, my mother comes out with the most comforting words sometimes.

I'm still on the fence with these not-so-little-anymore cats. One in particular I can't seem to connect with. All her litter mates were fluffy and white, and she's almost as furless as an Abysinnian and multi-colored like a Calico. She's gawky and lanky with huge ears and a wormy little tail, the loudest purr I've ever heard, and she can't keep still. She wakes me up all through the night until finally I have to put her outside my door and listen to her cry. And if I put her out I have to put the other little guy out (who is usually sleeping peacefully) because they go nuts if they're separated. The other is much more fluffy and tactile, and reminds me of Alice (though none can compare) so she's easier to love.

I've already had to treat them for parasites, buy a couch cover and try to prevent the complete destruction of my house. Alice was always more dignified than that, even as a kitten. In hindsight I wish I would have waited for kittens I felt more sure about, but as one of my friends pointed out, it was too painful to come home each day to a house with no animal in it. And if you're an animal person you know how traumatic it is to even go into these places, let alone choose who you're going to give a good life to. On top of that I was still so depressed about Alice I might never have done it at all if not persuaded by the people around me. If nothing else they provide an alternately aggravating, occasionally charming, and constantly post-nasal diversion.

 

Re: fayeroe » kara lynne

Posted by fayeroe on July 19, 2004, at 17:41:23

In reply to fayeroe, posted by kara lynne on July 19, 2004, at 13:17:06

KL: I totally understand about being more fond of one than the other.....but it will even out. The other kitty is probably still fearful about all the changes and is just trying to adjust to it all. I think you were right to get them. Did you know that you can put diatomateous earth in your pet's food and it naturally kills the parasites? Look on the 'net and you'll find tons of info on it!!! xoxoxo pat

 

Re: fayeroe

Posted by LastDyingWish on July 21, 2004, at 20:57:42

In reply to Re: fayeroe » kara lynne, posted by fayeroe on July 19, 2004, at 17:41:23

I dont know if this helps but my moms cat of 20 years is very ill and has to be put to sleep tommorrow. Its pretty hard on me, i grew up with him, he was kinda my pet as a kid,then when i moved out it was just him and my mom. His name is thunder, he was the best cat, one thing ill always remember is when he would run into the bathroom and jump up to hit the light switch and turn it off, usually when i was on the can or taking a bath. I think I know how you must feel. If anyone reads this, please say a prayer for Thunder.

 

Re: fayeroe » LastDyingWish

Posted by fayeroe on July 21, 2004, at 21:19:19

In reply to Re: fayeroe, posted by LastDyingWish on July 21, 2004, at 20:57:42

Oh, I wish I could be with you to share your grief at losing this wonderful old gentleman. He was a smart one, too! Turning off the light is pretty cool....I so miss my Tippy. He was with me 15 years, two months and twelve days. I'll be thinking of you and your mother.....xoxoxo pat

 

((((((Thunder)))))))) (nm)

Posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 0:27:12

In reply to Re: fayeroe » LastDyingWish, posted by fayeroe on July 21, 2004, at 21:19:19

 

THANK YOU.. fayeroe and gardengirl (nm)

Posted by LastDyingWish on July 23, 2004, at 0:13:38

In reply to ((((((Thunder)))))))) (nm), posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 0:27:12

 

Thunder

Posted by LastDyingWish on July 23, 2004, at 0:34:56

In reply to There Is Hope » kara lynne, posted by Rigby on June 15, 2004, at 17:45:53

At 10;30 today Thunder was put to sleep. My mom spent an hour with him prior to his passing, it happened in her arms. She just held him and let him walk around the room, he was very sick and weak. Then she felt it was time. I was leaving school when she told me.. I could barely hold back the tears. She keeps thinking that hes in the closet sleeping.. but hes not there when she checks. Its weird.. all day long the memories that I have of him keep flooding my mind. I miss him, I just wish that he could have said bye, and told us that he was ready to go.
Thunder youll be missed, and we will never forget you. Youll always be in our hearts.
JS

 

Re: ((((((Thunder))))))))

Posted by LastDyingWish on July 23, 2004, at 0:52:40

In reply to ((((((Thunder)))))))) (nm), posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2004, at 0:27:12

You know what else.. Ive neve lost someone that I was close to.. Thunder is probably the first time Ive really hurt over a loss. But I view life differently now.. When i die someday, which has always seemed scarey to me.. a very lonely feeling. But all that I have loved will pass with me, or are waiting. Everything from my time, the people, teachers, family, friends, we all go together. I remember being with some friends at a high school pool and we were all afraid to jump off of the high dive, " you first", " no, you first" Once everyone else goes its alot easier. So what would life be like without all that I have loved ? That would be lonely. Instead, well all be in the pool, together. I love my time, my people, this moment, and it gets to come with me. I guess the scarey thought is that life is going to go on with out me, but its not like that at all. Life, is the people and things that I love. Plus, in a way, Ill be with Thunder again. I dont know, that the best i can do to explain it.
JS

 

Re: ((((((Thunder)))))))) » LastDyingWish

Posted by fayeroe on July 23, 2004, at 6:47:14

In reply to Re: ((((((Thunder)))))))), posted by LastDyingWish on July 23, 2004, at 0:52:40

I know that when my dog, Tippy, died, the first thing he did was go for a walk with my mother. You see, after she had her strokes and was paralyzed, he slept in her room when I was there. He had never slept away from me, but he did that for my mother. She would stir during the night and I would hear him thumping his tail against the wall and she would say "Tippy"....After her funeral he got up on her bed and laid there awhile and then left the room. We'll see all our pets, family and friends when we leave our earthly homes. I truly believe that. Thunder has been restored to health and he's very comfortable now. And, all of my cats are playing tag with him and he's very happy.And Tippy showed him around (Tippy loved cats) and got him settled him. xoxoxo Pat

 

Re: ((((((Thunder))))))))

Posted by gardenergirl on July 23, 2004, at 10:02:44

In reply to Re: ((((((Thunder)))))))), posted by LastDyingWish on July 23, 2004, at 0:52:40

Sounds like a lovely explanation. Please take gentle care.

((((Lastdyingwish))))

gg

 

Kara Lynne » kara lynne

Posted by yoshimi on July 23, 2004, at 17:16:47

In reply to Fayeroe, posted by kara lynne on May 19, 2004, at 22:34:57

hi

I thought about you a lot and your poor kitty.
I just want you to know i have been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing. you and
I used to chat a lot on here. anyways, i hope
you are doing all right. and maybe talk to you
soon.

yoshimi (my new name)


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