[trishguard]

I'm sorry for you loss JV. He was a beautiful cat. Thanks for sharing the photo with the chipmunk.

[7 Wishes]

Don't know why, but I hadn't paid attention to this thread for awhile. Sorry about your loss (and that I took so long to respond). My mom is a huge dog lover and we had 3 dogs growing up and I know she felt just like you did about each one (as well as her last dog, who died earlier this year).

[animalcrazy]

The loss of anything or anyone beloved is a horrible experience, but the other side of the coin is saving a shelter animal equally deserving of love and a good home. Let grief run it's coarse and go and save another animal. It will be good for the soul. I still have my chihuahua and my pigs ashes, they will be scattered at a later date with us. I have pictures of them in my photo album, they will make you smile. Howie is a poster child for shelter rescues, he's a great dog. My heart goes out to you and I cry when my friends pets pass as well. I wish everyone would stop all breeding until these wonderful overlooked pets that are killed every year would find good homes.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by animalcrazy

The loss of anything or anyone beloved is a horrible experience, but the other side of the coin is saving a shelter animal equally deserving of love and a good home. Let grief run it's coarse and go and save another animal. It will be good for the soul. I still have my chihuahua and my pigs ashes, they will be scattered at a later date with us. I have pictures of them in my photo album, they will make you smile. Howie is a poster child for shelter rescues, he's a great dog. My heart goes out to you and I cry when my friends pets pass as well. I wish everyone would stop all breeding until these wonderful overlooked pets that are killed every year would find good homes.

Thank you for the kind words. I don't want to get into a big debate about rescue vs. purebred. Leo was the first purebred and non rescue I've ever owned and I've had lots of animals. I do not feel the least amount of guilt for having him. I am thankful there are breeders out there helping to continue the legacy of some of these great breeds - for the love of the breed, such as the Maine Coon. I'm also thankful for the people who take in rescues and cast aways...and we in fact have a little rag tag girl who was a rescue as well. She's very aloof, and prefers solitude but we love her too.

[Kristin85]

Thank you for sharing the story of how your relationship with Leo began and developed. When times are tough, the unconditional love you receive from a pet really creates a light in the darkness. The pictures you posted of Leo on your shoulders show how much the little guy loved you. It is such a shame that he came out of remission so quickly; hopefully when you are ready for a "Leo II" your next buddy will have the same charisma and character as the pet/best friend you just lost. I am keeping you and Leo in my prayers.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Kristin85

Thank you for sharing the story of how your relationship with Leo began and developed. When times are tough, the unconditional love you receive from a pet really creates a light in the darkness. The pictures you posted of Leo on your shoulders show how much the little guy loved you. It is such a shame that he came out of remission so quickly; hopefully when you are ready for a "Leo II" your next buddy will have the same charisma and character as the pet/best friend you just lost. I am keeping you and Leo in my prayers.

Kristin, thank you. I'm glad you were able to pick up on what I was trying to convey, and you did spot on.

A few days in, and it still sucks but I'm able to look at some pictures now and smile and not well up. As with any passing of "family" it's the hole left behind that takes time to readjust. His bed, dish, "blanky", water bowl etc need to be tossed away or put somewhere etc. (I did bury him with his "blanky" he loved to knit on.) Readjusting my habits and routines such as feeding schedules, litterbox, checking the pet door for access etc also it part of it.

Anyhow, thanks again to all for the replies. Time will move on, hurt will heal. I'm just thankful I had the time I did with him.

[animalcrazy]

Originally Posted by JViello

Thank you for the kind words. I don't want to get into a big debate about rescue vs. purebred. Leo was the first purebred and non rescue I've ever owned and I've had lots of animals. I do not feel the least amount of guilt for having him. I am thankful there are breeders out there helping to continue the legacy of some of these great breeds - for the love of the breed, such as the Maine Coon. I'm also thankful for the people who take in rescues and cast aways...and we in fact have a little rag tag girl who was a rescue as well. She's very aloof, and prefers solitude but we love her too.

There are rescues for pure breeds as well in shelters and foster homes for dogs and cats.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Let's see now...... Betsy and I have two rescue cats, one looks like a siamese, kinda, the other is mostly black except for a white nose. We also have two full grown German Shepherds and one puppy German Shepherd Dog, AND...One, genuine rescue mutt puppy, if there were such a thing as a Bavarian Barrel Dog, Lealu is exactly what they would look like. Like a small Beer Barrel on four stubby legs. She can, with head held high, walk under the German Shepherds. AND....exactly one (1) bitchy bird - a cockatiel, that is not shy about expressing his opinions.

[gmdealerguy]

We rescued our 5 year old purebred main coone from a horror house in Stamford. He is aweso
me and resembles your cat. We have 2.....both rescued. We got lucky as theycare hard to find. Maine coons are great cats. Rescuing is a great way to help out but if you want a purebred,then a breeder is where you need to go. Im all for either way as long as an animal has a chance to have a loving home.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by animalcrazy

There are rescues for pure breeds as well in shelters and foster homes for dogs and cats.

I realize this. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Dusty Rhodes

Let's see now...... Betsy and I have two rescue cats, one looks like a siamese, kinda, the other is mostly black except for a white nose. We also have two full grown German Shepherds and one puppy German Shepherd Dog, AND...One, genuine rescue mutt puppy, if there were such a thing as a Bavarian Barrel Dog, Lealu is exactly what they would look like. Like a small Beer Barrel on four stubby legs. She can, with head held high, walk under the German Shepherds. AND....exactly one (1) bitchy bird - a cockatiel, that is not shy about expressing his opinions.

Thanks for sharing?

Originally Posted by gmdealerguy

We rescued our 5 year old purebred main coone from a horror house in Stamford. He is aweso
me and resembles your cat. We have 2.....both rescued. We got lucky as theycare hard to find. Maine coons are great cats. Rescuing is a great way to help out but if you want a purebred,then a breeder is where you need to go. Im all for either way as long as an animal has a chance to have a loving home.

That's awesome, and yes you are correct it's hard to find specific breeds if that's what you are looking for. I totally agree with your last sentence.

The irony today: I went to finish up his grave site this afternoon and add his food dish as a marker. (I buried him proper but made a stone tomb above ground mostly so scavengers like coyotes won't/can't dig him up and eat him.)

There was a chipmunk living in his stone pile. LOL I had the critter cornered and...smiled and let him go in Leo's memory.