Jan - I am so sorry. I almost could not read this thread as I know how very hard this is. As Jen said, let your memories comfort you and know that you and your sweet kitty were both well loved.

They become such a part of our lives, our family. I cannot imagine the day when we no longer have *the pup*.

I'm so very sorry - thinking of you.

tina

she's beautiful, I wish pets would live forever; I wish you strength and courage.

So sorry Jan. (((hugs))) it is so hard to lose a furbaby.

ooooooo, that's so sad to hear. You have my deep sympathies. Just this morning I was thinking how my two older ones will be 14 in the Fall. I keep asking them to live long, long lives. She's beautiful, and so very, very lucky to have had such a long happy life in your loving home. It's unbearably hard to let them go. They're like children and the best of best friends.

Here's another poem you've surely read before.

Oh, Jan...I am so truly sorry.

When I saw the post's title, I was hoping against hope that wouldn't be the subject. You've been so sweet to me while I've been going through Arwen's spaying. I'll bet you were the best furbaby's mama, ever. :)

My last dog's name was Pepper and I slip, once in a while, and call my kitty by that name.

You'll be in my thoughts.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a furry friend.

Many many thanks for your kind hearts and wishes.

We're having a good weep here -- even the DH. And the other cats are unusually quiet.

Jan

Thinking of you with moist eyes.....it is so awfully hard, I know. Maine Coons are such dog-like kitties....high praise meant. She was a beauty!

Many hugs and tears to share with you, far-flung sister of a different mother.

I have been where you are, and it's a terrible heart-wrenching pain. I'm so sorry...

To My Beloved Owner:

To have loved and then said farewell
Is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head,
Fed me my favorite treat and returned the love
That I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly,
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you grieve not for the loss
But rejoice in the fact that we lived,
Loved and touched each other's lives.
My life was full and you
Were the biggest part of it.

Here, the grass is always green,
Butterflies flit among the flowers and
The sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump and play and do all of the things
That I did in my youth.
There is no sickness, no aching joints,
No regrets and no aging.
We await the arrival of our lifelong companions,
And know that togetherness is forever.

You live in my heart as I do in yours.
Companions such as you are very rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself.
Give it to another like me and then I will live forever.
For love never really dies,
And you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Love, your pet in heaven

((Jan)) I'm so sorry for your loss. 18 is a very long life indeed. I have one sitting on my lap right now that's 18. You know she had a wonderful life in your loving home!

Where are those broken hearts from our old MSN when you need one....

Jan I know how you love your fur babies - what a good life you gave her. It doesn't ease the ache at the moment but Pepper was a lucky cat.

*hugs*

Their lives are so short but so full of love and wonder. They are a special gift in our world.

((((Jan)))) I'm so sorry to hear about Pepper! I'm sure she knew you loved her. She had a great life while she was here.

It's so sad. I'm sorry.

I am so very sorry for your loss, Jan. You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

{{gwi:1514106}}
Girly Comments & Graphics

Another hug from another animal lover. I know the pain you are feeling.

I am also here with tears in my eyes. It is a unique relationship we have with our animals...and strange that we have to usher them to a better place sometimes. I am not sure how we manage, except that they bring us so much joy while we have them. I wish you all peace.

(((Jan))) and DH...and their beloved fur-siblings

I feel your pain
I weep with you
For our sweet, sweet ones have gone
To a peaceful place just on the other side
And they look down on us from above
Smiling all the while
Sending us their love and thanks
For allowing them to be who they are
To take that special place next to our hearts
And they loved us ever so much, and we loved them even more
For in our memories
They will lay near us once again

I'm sorry. I know how that hurts your heart.

Jan, Just reading this makes me teary eyed. I have lost some fur kids and since they ARE my kids, it hurts so badly.

The others do know, as you can see. When I had to put down my sweet first Brittany, Rudder, at almost 14, I brought Willie and Sam to the emergency vet with me. When we got home, Willie, who was blind from diabetes, went into the dining room, sat down and pointed his muzzle to the ceiling and howled. Ruddie hadn't come back home with us, and he KNEW.

Some day in the future, your memories of Pepper will bring only smiles....

I'm so sad for you Jan. I'm sure your Pepper is looking down from pet heaven at you and is thankful for all the good care you gave him. Hugs to you and your DH.

I'm sure Pepper is saying "Thanks for all the love." Hugs to you and all the other furbabies.

I'm so sorry for your loss. 18 years is amazing, she was well loved and taken care of.

I just stepped back in to say that all of your kind remarks and gentle thoughts remind me of all of the reasons that I simply love this group.

Many thanks and brightest blessings on your hearts and hearths. Your souls truly shine. And much love to all furbabies out there!

Jan

I am so, so sorry to hear of your sad news. You gave Pepper a wonderful life and family.

Jan, I am so sorry to hear of your beloved Pepper's passing. Take comfort in knowing that you gave her a wonderful life filled with security and love, and she knew that she could always trust you to do the best for her, no matter how hard the choice. One final time you acted out of love for her, and did what was best. She rests in peace, but the memories of times you shared means that she is with you always.

I ignored this post for as long as I could. I had a feeling it was about a favorite pet and I knew I would be sad and wordless. I am so sorry about Pepper. May she rest in peace. What a great life you gave her. Another (((hug))) coming your way.

(((Pat))), To many of us, our pets are our furkids and our love for them goes deep. I know without a doubt, that Pepper had a wonderful life with you and your family and that her passing leaves a big hole in your hearts. I'm so sorry for your loss!
Lynn

I'm so, so sorry . . . we had to let go of our 13-year old Golden in December 2007 and I'm still missing him. How pets enhance our lives! What a blessing you had her for 18 years . . . hugs to you.

What a lucky cat to have been cared for so well. I am so sorry that you had to lose a good friend. I'm looking at Pepper with tears in my eyes remembering a good furry friend I had a few years ago.

(((HUGS)))

((((Jan)))), my heart goes out to you on the loss of your beautiful Pepper. They always leave us too soon. May you find comfort in your memories and in knowing that a long and happy life for them is as good as it gets.

My heart goes out to you, Jan.. and to your DH and other kitties. I hope you all find peace in the love and memories of Pepper's long and beautiful life.

Sending you love and hugs.

My sympathy.

Red

I too avoided this post for a bit because I knew what it had to be about. Please know that I have been where you are, and I'm sending (((hugs))) to you.

beache

My friends.

I am very overwelmed by all of these very kind and loving thoughts! I know you will understand when I say that my DH wept over all of these messages. "such really nice people" is all he could say.

Today I am cleaning up the house -- house guests are arriving tomorrow -- and the hardest thing to do was clean up her cat hair -- and throw away her toys.

Trying to be upbeat!

But Toby and Ivy keep "looking" for her. Toby wandered out to the garage and sat on her spot for ages -- and then wandered around trying to find her.

Jan

Jan, I don't normally go on the conversation side so I just read your sad news today. I am so sorry. I know how hard it is. I had to let one go 4 years ago and it still makes me sad to think about it. I'm sure you were a good kitty moma.

Pepper lived to be 18 because she received such wonderful care and love from you, be glad and not sad, she loved you as you loved her. I know the love of a cat, I have my Grace and there is just nothing like a little kitty kiss.
The poems you received are so lovely, I hope you copy them and read them for awhile, they will give you comfort. May Pepper rest in peace.
You put a smile on your face knowing Pepper loved her Mom!

So sorry to hear of your loss. Hugs to you.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Love to you.

Eileen

I am so sorry for your loss.

Oh, Jan ..... These four legged children just wiggle their way into our hearts and bring so much joy and companionship when we have them.

I am soooooo sorry.

Scooby

I am so sorry for your loss. When I saw Pepper's picture, I felt a stab in my heart. You were so fortunate to have Pepper for 18 yrs. I lost my Main-Coon last summer at 9 years of age. They are great cats to share your life with.

Hugs to you Ms.Jan....Princess Posie sends her sympathy too.

Jan,

My two maine coons are my dears, and so sweet that my two Westies love them, too. My heart goes out to you for your loss of Pepper - I've admired her photos and know you will miss her heavily. We all send our sympathy and know she will be much welcomed at Rainbow Bridge.
Heidi

Very very kind of all of you to note her passing.

Can't believe I can still tear up over Pepper. But I do.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage (three cats here now)

Pepper is just beautiful. We had a cat that was mostly Maine Coon, and she was a wonderful cat. The day we had her PTS my DD (5 at the time) lamented that she wished she didn't love her cat so much, because it hurt so much that she had died.

There is just something so special about a treasured pet. She will truly live forever in your heart.

One of my favorite books for children about death is about a dog who died, but whose (child) owner feels comforted that his dog knew every day how loved he was. The same is true for Pepper . . .I can just tell she knew she was loved.