My beloved cat, Softie, rest in peace

Catman Dude =^-.-^= · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2007, 06:49 PM

I got my beloved cat, Softie, in 1988 or 1989 as a kitten from neighborhood kids who were trying to find homes for about 4-5 kittens. I wanted a tabby but my mother thought that Softie had the most beautiful golden eyes which she did. So that is how I got Softie. Softie was a black and white cat and you could see tabby stripes on her black tail in the right light.

Softie had a stretch routine I've never seen of another cat. She would like “kick out” her back legs one at a time. There are a number of unique things about Softie but I'd like to keep them to myself in her memory.

Softie lived a looong life. I had to put her to sleep today, June 14, 2025 at 5:15pm at Beach Pet Hospital. She lived about 18 to 19 years, most of it in good health. It wasn't until sometime the past year to year and half that Softie couldn't jump up on my bed anymore. She developed a tumor/cyst sometime last fall/winter. She began to get weaker to the point I knew she was in pain so today I put her to sleep, 5 ½ months since my mother's passing. I lost two of my biggest loves in such a short time. I wonder if there is some significance in that my mother was the one who chose Softie in that they died in such a short time from each other.

Anyway, I loved Softie very very much and I really am going to miss her bigtime. She was a very good cat and I hope that God allows beloved pets to be with us in heaven.

Good bye, my sweet kitty. I love you. Puurrrrrmeow!

Timothy Bell
Virginia Beach VA

bartongrl1 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 05:00 AM

Thats one pretty cat, and its so sad that you lot Softie. I know what thats like, I had a German Shepard for 9 years, I was devastated when he died. My husband was a cross country trucker at the time and Zippy was my protector and my pal.

skinski · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 05:38 AM

Losing a pet can be tough...the wife had a Miranda Pug named Dottie that we had to put down when she reached the age of 14.......

Catman Dude =^-.-^= · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 02:43 PM

Thank you very much, Bartongrl, for your comments. I'm sorry you lost your Zippy. Was it recent?

Yes, it is tough indeed, Skinski. 14 years is a long time for a dog. Pugs are cute.

I had a realization today. Softie has seen me through many things in my life. She has seen me through the death of my mother and afterward. It wasn't until early last week that a bit of mild depression/grief lifted and I felt a bit of sunshine coming back into my life. That was when Softie turned for the last time for worst. She still ate good but drank alot of water. She didn't drink any raw milk anymore though. I realized that her mission for the last few months of her life was to see me through the grief....which in large part ended last week. God was watching over me and her.

Here's a picture of her "praying" a few years ago. She was actually sleeping this way.

She used to do this all the time.

bartongrl1 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 05:07 PM

Thats really an adorable picture!

No, I lost Zippy about 2 years ago, but I really miss him alot. He was an exceptionally well behaved dog and very well trained. In fact he was trained to silent commands. But he had seperation anxiety and if I took him in the car with me, and I went into a store, I had to park where he could see me or he would take my rearview mirror off and lay it on my seat. Like he was saying, "that will teach you to leave me alone." lol

I have since taken in a small female shepherd mix. She was a stray, and it took me 2 weeks to make friends with her but shes been here since. Shes also a very smart dog and a lot of fun. But no animal will ever take the place of Zippy.

By the way, Zippy was a purebred shepherd and his full name was Zippy Maxwell Young.

My daughter has a registered daschund and his name is Maxwell Von Sausage. What a name rofl.

Catman Dude =^-.-^= · #6 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the comment on Softie's prayer picture.

Sounds like Zippy was indeed a very special dog. Taking the rear view mirror down! That's funny!

Well, tonight's a little hard.....the emptiness of the spaces where Softie would usually be is .....sad

I might just need to drive around in the night for awhile.

SirWilliam58 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 12:23 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss Catman, It's tough losing a pet, they become so much a part of the family. I too lost my best friend beatle when I was younger. I have 3 dogs and 4 cats now, Each and everyone of them are special and have thier own personality's.

Catman Dude =^-.-^= · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 08:34 PM

Thanks for your kind comments, SirWilliam. You're blessed.

It was hard the last hour before the vet appointment to put her to sleep. I spent time with her, petting her, telling her how much I love her and that I was going to miss her very very much. I let her walk around outside one last time right before we left. I could tell she enjoyed being outside walking around and it was hard for me knowing what was coming so soon. She walked right back into my apartment on her own to get a drink of water and I let her drink one last time. Then it was time to go... it was one of the hardest things I ever did. She settled into the box lined with a soft blanket and a black t-shirt she rested on before she went outside. She went out of this life purring as I continually petted her. Then my precious kitty was gone.

I take comfort in the fact that Softie had a wonderful long life with happiness and contentment and an owner who cared for her deeply. She is buried in her blanket, one of my t-shirts, her favorite play feather- a long white one, and my obituary of her printed out and placed with her.

Do I love cats or what? =^-.-^=