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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 14, 2013 0:59:56 GMT
Kerouac, shelters/rescue facilities in some places like to visit nursing homes with animals. It's been a very successful endeavor. Maybe you can find out which ones in your area do that.
Cool idea, Questa. I'd completely forgotten about the smaller creatures that wind up in shelters.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2013 15:18:04 GMT
So sorry to hear about Roscoe.....
Years ago while working in the mental health arena, I and several others attempted to implement a "pet therapy" program in an effort to help facilitate a neutral nurturing and unconditional method for patients who had difficulty expressing themselves interpersonally and feeling safe. We came really close, we even had a slab poured on the grounds of the hospital for a kennel. At the last minute the plug was pulled with some bureaucratic BS red tape and we had to abandon the project....
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2013 17:05:02 GMT
Kerouac, shelters/rescue facilities in some places like to visit nursing homes with animals. It's been a very successful endeavor. Maybe you can find out which ones in your area do that. I have been in contact with an association for years ("Parole de Chien") but have not managed to get a visit. And of course just one visit would be next to useless.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 3, 2014 19:33:45 GMT
My Renzo (age 18) is "calling" a lot. He gets anxious when I go out (today when I was taking out the recycling bin). And wants to be fed at 5am...
I wonder if he's beginning to lose his marbles...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2014 19:51:48 GMT
Whatever happens, we can all tell from what you have said about him that he has a happy life with you and absolutely excellent food. So if he is coming to the end of the line, he will probably leave happy -- and leave you with a hole in your heart.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 4, 2014 2:19:36 GMT
That is true, but why on earth are our cats treated more kindly than my mother or yours?
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Post by htmb on Mar 4, 2014 2:55:12 GMT
Lagatta, my old cat did a lot of calling out for me during her last couple of years. She also went through a period when she seemed to be constantly hungry.
One of the reasons for the calling out seemed to be a decrease in her hearing. I can only imagine it contributed to her insecurity and attachment to me. Our familiar routines seemed to be the most comforting for her, as well as just knowing where I was at all times.
However, there were a few times when she was calling out for more complicated reasons, such as a bladder infection, and antibiotics were necessary.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 14:01:16 GMT
Not my favorite thread to post in as I have an even more heightened sadness about our creatures than I do about humans. Perverse as that may sound, those of us who feel this way will understand. I've posted about my husband's cat "Grazie" and his having gone blind 6 months or more ago. Initially he adjusted well and we were ok with that. But, in the last few weeks it has become more and more evident that he has lost other capabilities and the time has come for us to let him go in peace. It's a very sad and delicate situation, however, my husband was the first to express the sentiment that "it may be time". And so, it will be soon,soon, but, not spoken anymore about an actual time. Grazie and T. were a "team" and given T.'s very recent loss of his brother and last immediate family member, I am feeling more sad about this than I have been in a very long time...
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Post by htmb on May 31, 2014 14:12:02 GMT
A very difficult and sad situation, for sure, Casimira.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 17:50:50 GMT
I completely understand how animals who loved us can be more important than humans when they disappear. Most animals loved us unconditionally, whereas our fellow humans -- even parents, siblings and offspring -- have loved us conditionally.
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Post by mich64 on May 31, 2014 23:08:08 GMT
Oh Casimira, I am so sorry to read about the health of your dear Grazie. Enjoy as many cuddles and hugs as you can. It is hard to put into words the feelings of the sharing of love and how the relationship makes you feel every single day they are with you.
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Post by tod2 on Jun 1, 2014 15:25:14 GMT
I send a big l o n g hug to you Casimira. It's damn hard but as you know, we don't stay sad forever. Take heart that Grazie's little body is also tired. He may also want to go home. You have been a wonderful and I think of you at this very difficult time.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2014 15:44:56 GMT
Thank you good people. It's a welcome comfort and I do so appreciate having a milieu to share.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2014 15:47:16 GMT
Be gentle with yourself and your loved ones, casi.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 2, 2014 22:29:02 GMT
This of course brought tears to my eyes, not only because I'm a sucker for wee beasties (I was horribly upset when bixa's little dog went missing) but because my 18-year-old tomcat Renzo is visibly slowing down. Sometimes he just seems catatonic (horrible pun) then he springs back to life.
It is hard on Mr C (casimir?) especially given the recent loss of his human bro. I'm sure you'll make the right decisions, but it will be hard.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 20:11:54 GMT
Well, off to the happy hunting grounds Grazie went this morning, peacefully in one of his favorite spots. I told him there would be big big rats and all manner of critters up there for him to hunt down. One last purr he gave us. We buried him under the fig tree.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 20:14:27 GMT
The remaining live rats will probably gather around the grave under the full moon to give homage to the passing of a worthy enemy.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 3:11:30 GMT
casimira, I'm so sorry. He lived a good life.
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Post by htmb on Jun 4, 2014 3:38:52 GMT
So sorry, Casimira.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 4, 2014 4:05:23 GMT
Me too, and I feel for Mr Casimir, for the loss of his feline bro. How old was Grazie?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 12:36:31 GMT
Thank you again good people. Grazie was 15 years old. He did indeed had a good life. We have 2 other cats, Rosalie who is 23, and Sadie who is 13. All 3 survived Hurricane Katrina. We evacuated with our dog PoBoy thinking we would only be away for 3-4 days max leaving adequate food and water After the levees broke we were beside ourselves and freaking out about the well being of them This was the case with many, many other people. Gratefully, we had a contact that was stationed here with the National Guard and he was able to gain access to our home and he along with a few other people we knew came by to feed them. The cats fared well and when we returned 7 weeks later there they were, The sidewalk in front of our house was littered with empty tins of tuna, salmon, vienna sausage etc. Because they are indoor/outdoor cats they also had access to prey upon their critters of choice. T. and I marveled at how good they looked. I can picture Grazie out hunting for the days meal, dragging it in through the cat door to share with his sisters. If it was a rat the sisters would complain saying "rat again"?
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Post by tod2 on Jun 4, 2014 14:06:53 GMT
My thoughts are with you. A bumper crop of figs is sure to appear
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Post by mich64 on Jun 4, 2014 16:45:43 GMT
My sympathies go to you all Casimira. I am sure he gave you many memories of love.
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Post by questa on Jun 4, 2014 23:53:48 GMT
My thoughts are with you and your family as well.
A few weeks ago my son's Golden retriever died suddenly. He was old and really ready to go, but it still came as a shock to my grandchildren Zoe (9) and Josh (7). My son wrote this and left a copy for each child, then had them read it aloud to him. It was a letter from their dog, Cosmo.
To Dear Zoe and Josh
This is a note to say thank you. You guys have made my life a wonderful time and I have been a happy dog because of you two. When I was born I was just a small bundle of fluff. I stayed with my mum until I was old enough to move in with your mum and dad. They looked after me and made me comfortable and happy even though I chewed on their furniture, and poo’d on their floor. They still loved me, protected me and made me happy.
Then one day when I was about 1 year old I remember your mum and dad bringing home a small pink bundle of noise called Zoe. Everyone made a fuss about how cute the new baby was, and although I couldn’t see her too well (because she was always up in a bed or in her mum and dads arms), I thought she was pretty good too. After a little while Zoe started to be allowed to play on the floor. She still couldn’t move too much but she was great to watch and smelled pretty nice most of the time!
About a year later Zoe began to move around pretty well and made her way over to me on the mat many times. I wasn’t sure at first, but soon realised she was exploring and there to play with me! I thought this was wonderful! I already had two best friends, and now there was a third!
She used to pull my ears and pat my nose and I would sniff her and lick occasionally and she would giggle. One day I was standing on my mat and Zoe came over to me and grabbed the fur on my side and pulled. I didn’t know what was going on at first, but then I realised she was using me to balance as she stood up! (This was something that she had not been able to do many times before!) I stood as still as I could while everyone watched Zoe standing up and hanging on to me for balance. I loved helping you to learn to stand and walk!
About a year after that, mum and dad bought home another little bundle from the hospital! The family was expanding rapidly! They told me this one was called Josh. He was very cute, and smelled good too, but he was a lot louder!
Now it was REALLY interesting! Josh was soon allowed out to play on the mat with me and Zoe had learned to walk and was charging around the house playing with everything including me. I liked to play lots of games with Zoe, and very gentle games with Josh. (I could crawl up to him, and sniff him then put my chin on the floor next to him and he would pat me.
Zoe soon grew into a beautiful young fairy which is when I became the fairy horse. Zoe would sit on my back and we would pretend to race around the garden doing all things fairy. Josh would play cars with me and we used to sit on the mat and mostly I would become the road for cars to drive on. (Even though my fur would sometimes get caught in the wheels of the cars!)
We have moved from the Coromandel Valley house to the Slanty Shanty, then the Halfway house, then back to our beautiful home. All the time you guys made me feel comfortable, safe, warm and loved. This is all a pooch like me can ask for!
I have been so very lucky to watch Zoe and Josh grown in to beautiful, smart young people. We ran and played, chased balls went for walks, rode bikes and green machines. There was magic potions made in my food bowl, and dressups that gave me all sorts of things to think about. We still played our games right up to now, with both Zoe and Josh being my special vet, and giving me love care and attention, as well as food and drink just yesterday.
My life seems to be short but it is a long time for a dog, so I want you to remember that I am very very happy, and I am so lucky to have spent my life with you.
What I mostly want you to know is that you two have given me a truly wonderful life. I could not be happier! So therefore you do not need to be sad for me! I love you all very much because you loved me! One day soon you guys might get another family dog. If you do I want you to love him as much as you loved me, and make him as happy as you made me. If you can do this he will be a very lucky dog! Dogs deserve good families like you.
Thankyou again
All my love for ever
Cosmo
It was accompanied by a paw print and 2 photos of Cosmo, one in a Superman dress-up cape. This certainly helped the kids deal with their loss.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 5:40:41 GMT
That is a really beautiful letter, questa.
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Post by tod2 on Jun 5, 2014 14:56:36 GMT
Yes, it really is lovely and a well thought out solution to the inquiring minds of children. A month or so ago when my Sebastian died on the operating table, my youngest grandson asked me where he was. I said he had died because he was old. Immediately he asked to see the cat and I had to do some fast thinking and said he was buried under a rose bush. I was mistaken if I thought that was the end of the questions because my grandson then asked me to take him to the rose and show him exactly where Sebastian was. After that he never mentioned anything again.
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Post by mossie on Jun 5, 2014 15:14:46 GMT
Very moving, both of you. Pets assume real personalities in peoples minds and children especially can be deeply affected by their deaths.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2014 11:47:06 GMT
Well, off to the happy hunting grounds Grazie went this morning, peacefully in one of his favorite spots. I told him there would be big big rats and all manner of critters up there for him to hunt down. One last purr he gave us. We buried him under the fig tree. ((hugs)) casi Sorry to hear this. I buried my dear cat at the back of my yard about 8 years ago now. And I cried my eyes out when she died. They become so much a part of us and our lives.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2014 15:45:23 GMT
A very moving letter Questa. That you for sharing it. And, thank all of you again for your condolences.
This morning it hit me very hard. My husband is quite often on a job during the wee hours and we take turns depending on who is the first to awaken and feed the beasts. They hear one or the either of us coming downstairs and greet the one of us at the foyer door. Grazie was always the most vocal, in fact, I have never known a cat to be so vocal. This particular morning was the first time for me. I even went so far (out of habit) to put out three bowls, and, then realized there wouldn't be three to feed. I stood there and bellowed, not hysterically, but certainly bordering on sobbing when it hit me.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 6, 2014 16:51:29 GMT
You miss the sounds of their feet, their groans, moans and panting, the thumping up and down the stairs, the flop down on a pillow, the lip smacking while eating and drinking, but most of all, the sigh when they are stretched beside you enjoying your stroke on their fur.
Casimira, I had our Jacob's bowl and food pail sitting in the same spot for more than a year, I could not bear to remove it and cried when I finally did.
Hugs.
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