Well, I just finished burying my wife's cat. I guess that means I won our long war, eh? This was the cat that sent me to the emergency room.

He was a good cat with the kids, he'd let them do anything they wanted to him including dressing him up in doll clothing. His only real problem was that he thought I tasted delicious.

Oh well. My God grant his furry little soul peace, a warm sunbeam, and plenty of tasty man-flesh.

-Blast, strangely feeling a little down but generally okay.

Blast,
I'm sorry to hear this, even if you an Shine didn't really get along, they DO become one of the family

We just had the opposite happen - a good family friend (surrogate Mom to my wife, and my best Man's Mom), and we got her 2 cats. It's easier burrying a pet, but still hurts

Wait untill you get to the next life mate.

Some one is going to be waiting........

Condolences to Blast.

Isn't there a Native American saying that your entry to heaven will be judged by the animals you've encountered in life or something along those lines?

Sorry Blast.
Do something nice for your wife today. (I mean, in addition to all the other nice stuff that you usually do)

EEK!

-Blast

Pets realy do become part of the family and the loss of one does send waves through the household, how are your kids/spouse handling it?

We have had many cats over the past 25 years but I never really bonded with any of them, until the one we have now. It is all about personality (if that word can be used to discribe an animal), this cat actually likes people and shows it.

Mike

Sorry. Is there gonna be a Shine-II???

Look at the bright side Blast. Shine had a nice life with you and your family. I'll bet that cat was more than a little pampered.

Thanks all. Last night at the vet's office I was thinking no more pets. Doing this twice just a few months apart was really hard. The DD's are handling it fairly well, though there has been quite a few tears.

This morning my lab tech showed me a picture of this cute little Siamese kitten in need of a home. Nothing is set in stone yet, but we do still have all that cat stuff...

-Blast

Get a retriever. They don't know the cat toys aren't for dogs.

Whens' the last time you heard of anyone taking their cat to the duck blind?

I really want a dog, but the DW refuses on the grounds that they terrify her. She got chewed up once as a young child.

-Blast

Ouch.

Did she not see what a cat did to you? Seems a bit selfish to me.

Oh well, get her another cat then, and (try to) teach it how to fetch. That ought to get yer blood flowing again.

Either that, or since you've now had a similar experience with a cat, you can both do without. Won't win you any popularity points, but fair is fair.

I had to relinquish my Chocolate lab when I came to the realization that I wouldn't be around enough to take care of him, and the wife wouldn't do what needed to be done for him either. He went to a happy home on a ranch and last I heard is enjoying life with a 16 year old boy.

Shortly thereafter, we found a house in Florida that we wanted to rent that had a no pets policy. The wife's mini dacshund went to a new home. Now we have no pets, no messes to clean, and we save money on no more pet food and supplies. Kinda sucks, but quid pro quo. She didn't want to take care of my pet, and I no longer wanted to pay for hers.

I'm sorry to read this, Blast. I was just thinking about Shine when I came across this book and remembered your own misadventure (for a second I even thought the cover photo had been lifted from your site). Such sad news.

Thanks Christina. Wow, that book cover really does look like a picture of Shine after The War.

-Blast

Do it, Shine would approve. Better, get the Siamese and a young retriever. Nobody should be afraid of a Golden Retriever pup -- it ain't natural.

I'm sorry, man. I know he was your nemesis, he arched you. What would Spiderman be without Doc Ock? Superman without Luther? He was kinda like your Joker.

And don't count the war won yet- we live longer. He'll be back in a new body soon enough. And once they've got the taste, they never let go. Even in the next life.

Sorry for y'all's loss Blast.

Sounds like he was a worthy adversary and trusted friend.

So what you are saying is another unkillable creature hungers for my flesh? Great.


-Blast

Well, it is almost Halloween.

Sorry about the loss of your nemesis. Get the Siamese and teach it to fetch, sit and roll over, just get some good earplugs. Then you can work on getting the dog.

My wife was really, really scared of German Shepherds, then we got a cute little puppy at the local shelter that just happened to grow into a German Shepherd ( ). She loved that dog so much that when the time came we got us another one to keep the kids company.

- Eric

No, what I'm saying is your loved one will soon be returned to this mortal plain, in a new body with freshly sharpened fangs and claws. Won't that be lovely?

*whimper*

-Blast

What he means is:

Shine is coming back as a Cat.

Your coming back as a:

Mouse............

I don't beleive in reincarnation, but if I did, I'd really like to come back as myself.

RIP Shine
Blast, everybody has already expressed in words more than I can convey my sorrow to you.

Mike

P.S. Just watch out next Friday night

I don't know the source for this. A friend sent it to on a similar occasion--

Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved.

I just googled it. The poem is by James Galsworthy.

Thank you. That was a good poem.

-Blast

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Blast I know the Pain.

THE POWER OF THE DOG

There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find--it's your own affair But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!) When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart to a dog to tear!

We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long So why in Heaven (before we are there!) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling

Blast,

All sympathies to the DW and you. Having a lawn sprinkled with the graves of a number beloved felines my DW and I share your pain. But I would wait a bit before adding a new cat to the family so the new member of your family can be his or her own "person".

I make this suggestion with all due respect and based on some personal experience.