I'm so sorry to hear about Loki (what a wonderful, trickster name!), he sounds like he was a magic cat who will be very missed. There's something about sharing your life with these wise animals that makes being human more meaningful, isn't there? I learn so much from my companions, but most of all, about trust and love. It's no wonder that you're devastated at the loss, my heart goes out to you. There is no inappropriate time or way to mourn, best to let it out so that some healing can hurry in.

(((((campanula)))))
Big hug to you dear.

I too extend my sympathy over your loss. Pets make our lives so much richer, and occasionally there is a special one like Loki whose time with us is precious - and his time was much too short.

I hope your partner's back is better soon.
Anita

You have my sympathy. Years ago I lost a beloved kitty to Leukaemia. In the US there is a vaccine. I never want to go through that experience again. What can I say about all of it? Life just deals these punches. We're never ready. We are at least fortunate enough most of us to have friends who care. Thank goodness spring is on the way.

so sorry to hear about your loss----For those of us who have loved and lost our furbabies we all understand how you feel.----It can be devastationg.

Hope your partner has some relief from the back pain----having suffered through two back surgeries I can well understand what that pain can be like---

thinking of you,
Florence

Camp, I know how you feel..But at least my cats lived to an old age. I had a flame pt himalyan..with blue eyes..he adored me and he was gay..lol..he was a femmy little boy..His brother Max was a blue persian and he was so simple..very funny and extra cute little kitty. I have their ashes.

I now have 2 ragdolls..they have blue eyes and are brother and sister.

There is a vaccine for feline leukemia if the cat wasn't born with leukemia..or if they weren't already positive for it..if their blood tests positive for it..then their life will be short.

Camp, I hope the fact that you gave him lots of love brings you comfort. Since he was infected his life was going to be short anyway..at least you gave him a good home..and loved him. A kitty could not wish for anymore than that.

Thank you so much for your kind and supportive messages - it is true, we didn't look for a cat, especially a male one, especially a longhaired black and white one but he came to us as a lost kitten and gave us so much pleasure - he really was a special little cat who lay in wait to ambush workmen, posed for tourists, suffered being picked up by many, many passers bye and actually thought he was the same size as our black and white collie - I used to tell people they were brother and sister and more than one person said 'gosh, really!' Thank you all again. Suzy

Camp -- I hope that, after a little time to heal your soul, you'll find that Loki truly remains with you. You should begin to hear and feel him in quiet times.
They never truly leave you.

Jeri

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, for me pets always are family members. I grew up with cats and dogs, so over the years some of them left for the better place - yet they always stay in the heart.

Also, usually there is another cat waiting to be a master in the house - it won't ever be the same, but it will be special in its own way. :)

Dear campanula. I am so sorry about your little one.
As long as there are people (or animals) that you love, your heart can never be safe. Continue to love. The cost is high, but it's worth it. In time, get yourself a new kitty to love. I had to put down my 21 year old abby "Reggie". It broke my heart. I buried him in the yard and planted a "Perdita" over his grave.

I am so sorry. I know I carry in my heart every pet I've ever shared a life with and lost. It gets easier after time. Cats seem to be cummulative though. I always seem to end up with another a cat that shares characteristics of one that I have recently lost. At the moment we have Shelby who has so many of Moe's characteristics..like yours lots of attitude. He even sleeps on the same spot in the bed. Something of them stays with us-didnt he pick you in the first place?

Camp, I understand your pain. I also lost my 18-year old kitty last year. Just like your Loki, she was also a rescue (aren't they the best?) and would sit by the back door waiting for me to come home. Sometimes I still think I catch a glimpse of her shadow gliding around the corners of the house or hear her soft meow. I hope in time that you can open up your heart and arms to another lucky animal that needs a soft place to land.
Hugs,
-terry

Dear Camp;
So sorry to hear of your loss. One time when I was going through a similar experience to yours, my veterinarian said the following to me: "God lets animals only enjoy life on earth for a short time so that good people like you will be able to love and care for many wonderful animals over the years." I dont know if this will help you but it helped me. I hope you feel better today.
Jeannie

Loki, has died from Leukaemia

I own no pet, but I (vicariously) understand the joy a pet (especially a memorable one) can bring to your life. I am sorry for your loss, campanula......

Very sorry for your loss. My sister had to have her 15 yr old Samoyed put down yesterday (cancer). Oh how it hurts to lose the best friends in the world. Use the comfort of roses to get through this. They help so much.

Blessing and peace upon you, Campanula . . . Loki knew what it means to be loved. Take solace in that, my dear.

Oh, camp, such a sad time. A long time ago when we put down my little Jasmine who'd been my dog for 14 years, I would go in the laundry room and cry. I thought I'd look silly out in the open. The next day I asked DH if we could go to the vet's tomorrow to see if maybe they hadn't had the heart to do it, and we could bring her home. The clock can't be turned back, and losing someone precious just isn't an easy thing to do - very hard for a while. I don't like to think about the end of my two dogs. I'm so sorry Loki is gone. Maybe somehow you can enjoy his memory in the midst of the grief. I hope so.

Sherry

Your Loki sounds like such a sweet rascal. Loved the 'brother and sister' story. So sorry you're having to go through this. It is hard to lose something that loves us so unconditionally. Hope you begin to heal and feel better soon.

campanula, I'm so very sorry about the horrible time you've gone through, but especially the loss of your beloved Loki. The grief is truly devastating for some time, and some remnant of it always remains. What has helped me the most, and others have mentioned this also, is to find another animal who needs my love and a safe forever home. I always pick mature animals who have more difficulty finding a home and they've repaid me many times over with their love, devotion and their very presence. With time perhaps you might want to consider this yourself. For now, please know that we understand and that you have our heartfelt sympathy.

Ingrid

thank you, dear friends

Your loss was Gillie's gain this morning. Gillie was a semi-feral kitten who bonded to Mario and ignored everyone else, including me. Two years ago Mario "moved on" and Gillie, who used to eat whatever Mario was eating, now doesn't know what she likes and drives me wild sometimes, refusing this and that. This morning, after reading about Loki, I broke down and gave her Mario's favorite, people tuna. She loves it. Keep your heart open. Roses needs cats and cats needs roses.

Since my cats are indoor..I keep praying for a feral or lonely kitty to move into my back yard. Hubby won't let me get one..so I have to wait! The neighbors cats move through our property on their way into the green belt, woodsy area behind our house.

Camp, since Loki chose you..it's like she knew you needed her and vise versa. I was so bonded to my passed cats..I was single..and lonely..then I went through a bout of deep depression in about 1996..and they were with me right on the bed..especially Caesar who just could not get close enough to me. The depression passed and I found the love of my life Brian..and life is good!

It's funny about these two ragdolls we have. We were to get one..Then Brian said we could get two so they could keep each other company..The one I picked the male..Oliver (or supersize as we call him) was very very shy. Would not look you in the eye. The female Peanut..was supposed to be his cat. Well she prefers me..and because Oliver was shy Brian worked with him..and Oliver is a one person cat. He likes me okay..but he really really loves Brian. He lays on his back on Brian's lap and Brian strokes his belly and he blisses out. If I call him he ignores me but if Brian whistles for him he comes running!

We also have 2 parrots. A goffin cockatoo..that is a mess..he pulls his feathers out and a perfect little green parrot..they both talk

I have dogs, horses, chickens.....all are dear to me, especially my house dogs. There is a poem I have about horses who have died...the end says....."dont cry for the horses, love the ones who are here". There is another cat out there who needs your love and who will bring you joy.

I am sorry for your partner - I just had knee surgery Tuesday, having a difficult time getting around, my Hortico order just arrived....my boyfriend is going to plant them for me, but it is just now getting spring and it is pure torture to barely get around and the sun is out and so much gardening to do.....my first mare is due to foal soon [a friend is going to foal her out for me] but I feel like I am in prison. Go to the humane society and look for a kitty to adopt - save a life - and let a new friend help you heal. All the best to you and hope your partner is better soon.....
Judith

It is very unfair that Loki was taken at such a young age. He sounds like a wonderful little guy and I'm sure you and your partner miss him very much! I'm sure your collie misses him too.

It's so sad when someone we love is gone. I've lost too many kitties over the years, but I remember and love them all. When I was really down some years ago after losing a great little guy, the vet called me and asked me to take a kitten that had gone home with a few people but it hadn't worked out. He was a handful...and turned out to be a huge Maine Coon cat when he finished growing...but he was a great joy, for many years, to me and my husband.

No one can replace Loki. He was a very special cat with a unique personality. However, he was lucky, because he had you and your partner to love and take care of him. If later, you find another animal to share your love with, he or she will be very lucky too :)

It is so lovely hearing about your animals - i guess it is hard for a non-animal lover to understand the relationships we form but I feel that animals can bring out our better selves. Their loyalty and forebearance is staggering - we do well to learn from them. Reuben's back is loosening up - poor bloke is one of these very tall, thin, flexible beanpole people (unlike me, small and round - we look like a comedy couple)and his back is a recurring problem - I guess there are more than a few of you who suffer and you have all my sympathy. We work as a garden design and build team - I have to do all the humping, shovelling, digging while he faffs about with a spirit level and trowel! The plum tree we have planted on Loki is called a Warwickshire Drooper - he was always an idle little cat and we will eventually be eating him when we make plum jam. It is a renewal of sorts, I hope.

I am so sorry for your loss and I can relate...some cats are what are called 'soul cats' and their loss is felt more keenly..I have had cats all my life and I mourn each one when they die, but the loss of my Horsie almost 2 years ago is still fresh..and I suppose it always be...he had become more than just a cat..and I bet Loki was like that to you. I hope in time you can smile when you think of him...and do listen for him in the quiet times...for they never really leave us.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, my Aunt just lost a young 2 year old cat we called Cody (she gave him the name Keeper, she has a curious naming choices- we would just call him Cody-Keeper) that I found on the side of the road as a kitten two falls ago. Since we have two (elderly) cats they wouldn't have taken a kitten very well, and we gave it to her, who just lost her 18+ yo tabby, my cousin's childhood pet. He was a longhair Maine-Coon mix, we figure this was the case since he apparently died of a sudden heart attack, which Maine Coons are apparently prone to. She's taking it quite hard, as he was a very good cat.

My own childhood cat, which I got fourteen or so years ago when I was six years old, is currently not doing so well, having kidney disease. She was once magnificently overweight (a fat cat, in moderation, is always a good thing) and now is perhaps under six pounds. We might be considering putting her down soon, and the idea doesn't sit well with me at all.

Having experienced the passing of my grandmother, my mother's mother suddenly just last July, and had a health scare with my father's mother just earlier this month, and the possibility of her having cancer, I'm becoming more aware of the mortality of things. It's been an unfair time for a lot of people.

I pray, please try and find some solace in the springtime and the flowers, don't let this single event start the warm season off on a cloudy day. Flowers and plants are some of the most healing things, focus your love and memories on them and they will reward you. Please let them do that for you.

If you really miss having a cat around, I do recommend visiting a shelter to find another to adopt. I don't know about the UK, but in the US there are millions of pets that need homes and would be elated to come home with a person with, obviously, as much heart as yourself. It might help.

- Max

When I put my cats down I stayed with the vet when they did it. My best friend who had cats told me that I would be glad I did. It is very peaceful and I cried and cried..but I wanted to comfort them. If any of you have doubts about doing this, please do. You will be glad you did

I have done that to, when I had the choice....I would never not be with them at that time if at all possible.
The last time, the Vet Tech came and asked me if I was ready for the procedure...I had been saying good bye to my kitty, Megan...I thought that a dumb question...when would you ever be ready??

I am so sorry for your loss. Loki sounded wonderful! I have known the pain of losing pets. They are my children. The only solace was that I still had more at home. My 3 remaining cats are all getting old and I am dreading the days when they leave me. But I am trying to enjoy their time here with me and not think about it.

Suzy, I hope you and your partner are in better health and I send you warm hugs across the miles for the loss of your little prince. He sounds like a splendid companion and I can understand how dearly you love him. Your love for him reminded me of a visit I made some time ago to a friend who passed away last fall of bone cancer. She had a white cat that she cherished and when he died, her husband went to his studio and created a remembrance at the kitchen window that was their cat's favorite perch, looking out to the garden beyond. It was such a tangible act of love that I always want to offer it to friends who must grieve. I hope it gives you comfort.

{{gwi:235366}}

Sue

SS, thank you so much - what a lovely, lovely act of remembrance. Thank you for sharing this.
XXsuzy