With a heavy heart, I write . . .

For the past nine and one-half years, I have enjoyed the companionship and antics of my precious feline daughter, Phoebe.  I knew she was not in good health - overweight and all that go with that - but thought she had a few more months, hopefully years, to entertain her canine brother, Hershel, and me.  I was wrong. 

On January 18, about 10:30 P.M., she had a seizure and died in my arms.  Everything was going as normal until bedtime.  I put her out to potty; she didn’t come right back in, so I went to get her.  She was laying on her side on the garage floor (She normally laid flat on her belly.)  I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom and, as I laid her down, noticed she was gasping for breath and started to slobber.  I started talking to her and sat down, holding her.  Within five minutes, she had the seizure and was gone in less than a minute.  Hershel was already asleep on the bed and didn’t see this tragedy.  

Phoebe and Hershel loved each other, snuggled with each other, slept beside each other, and took care

of each other.  I enjoyed watching them and took many, many pictures of them “telling secrets” and grooming each other.  As much as I grieve over the lost of my sweet cat, Hershel is grieving as much, if not more.  I understand what has happened, but I don’t know how to get him to understand.  It breaks my heart every time he searches for her and then lays down and looks at me with his big brown eyes full of sadness. 

Three weeks have passed since that night, and the pain has gotten easier, and Hershel has days that are somewhat back to normal.  We both still miss our sweet girl.  Hershel and I received sympathy and condolence cards from a neighbor and the staff of the veterinary where they both get their checkups and many well wishes on Facebook.  I appreciate their understanding of how we feel after the loss of “just a pet.”  Pets become our children.   

I have lost several cats, dogs, fish, and birds in my life.  Each one was special.  They cannot be replaced.  Another pet just opens a new space in my heart and fills it with more love.  

So, it is with a heavy heart, that I write this memorial to Phoebe.  She will never be forgotten.  She will always be in our hearts.