Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: LeighK on October 30, 2008, 08:47:51 AM
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Dear folks,
I have some very sad news today. As many of you know my beautiful baby Suzie had been fighting intestinal cancer for the last few months. It breaks my heart to have to let you all know that the last few days her condition has deteriorated considerably. I am going to phone the vet shortly and make an appointment this afternoon to take her along but I fear that she has reached the end of her long and happy life and I cannot bare the thought of seeing her in pain and unhappy. Forgive me any typos, I've been crying all morning and I'm crying now as I type. My one last regret is that she hasn't lived to see my mum visit her in her new home and of course I'm going to have to break the news to my mum which will be a real shock as I've chosen to keep Suzie's illness from her. I considered keeping this news from her for the time being but it will be impossible as they first thing that mum always asks me is "How are Suzie, Alfie and Frankie?" and she is surrounded by pictures of them and we always watch their DVD that I filmed for mum and I know that seeing this would just set me off in floods of tears. Suzie has been such a wonderful cat, the most gentle and loving cat that I've ever had the priviledge of knowing ever since I brought her home to my mum in a cardboard carrier from the pet shop all those many years ago. I'm trying to be brave and do the right thing and I knew that this time would come too soon but it doesn't it any easier and, I fear, today is going to be the sadest of partings. Please say a prayer for our beautiful brave girl and for me to be strong when she needs me the most. I will post later if I can with more news.
Leigh
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Leigh I am so sorry to read this, I know how much she means to you and your mum - a big hug from me, maybe the only thing mum needs to know is that she passed in her sleep?
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:'(
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:hug: :hug: to both of you.
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:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: to you both
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Leigh,
I am so sorry. :hug: to you both, you will be strong Leigh, that's just who you are.
Will be thinking of you.
R xx
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Leigh :hug:
You are right in being brave and doing the right thing for your girl if need be, I will say a prayer for you all today, lots of lurv xx
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Im sorry
:hug: :hug: :hug:
love
Tab
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I'm so sorry sweetheart, I know this will be so hard for you today, but if it truly is her time, then we will be proud that you're being so brave for her, and giving her the final act of kindness :hug: :hug: :hug:
I don't think you need to tell your Mum everything, she will have such happy memories of Suzie, I would have to agree and say that she passed in her sleep :hug:
I hope that she does have more time with you hun, but if not, rest assured that we are all here for you xxxxxxxx
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Oh Leigh I am so so sorry to read this :hug: :hug:
You will make the right decision because you couldn't love Suzie more :hug:
Will be thinking of you
ems
xxxx
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Thank you all,
Your messages have really helped me this morning, I have booked the appointment with the vet for 5:10 this evening and am taking a 1/2 day off of work to spend some time with her. I couldn't bare the thought of being at home this morning. I will post this evening with news.
Thank you all ever so much and a big nose rub from my brave girl.
:hug: :hug:
Leigh
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Oh Leigh I am so sorry to read this - thinking of you and Suzie, I know that you will have the strength to do what is right for her and I am sending you huge cyber hugs :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Thank you so much,
I was thinking a few days ago that I'd like something positive and happy to come from Suzie's passing whenever the time comes. I've decided that, after I get settled in my new home with Alfie and Frankie in the New Year, to adopt another Tabby girl about 4/5 same age as the boys and I will call her Suzie so that her name will live on. I also informed mum some months ago of my plans to have Suzie individually cremated and to scatter her ashes in the garden of mum's nursing home so that she will forevever be close to both of us.
:Luv2:
Leigh
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:hug:
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I am thinking of you and Suzie today :hug: I know that you will be strong for her when the time comes :hug:
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So sorry Leigh :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Leigh, my thoughts are with you at this time.
Your plan to celebrate Suzie's life by opening your home to another needy cat is a truly fitting tribute to your gentle girl.
xChris
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Thanks,
I'll miss her so much when she's gone, especially of a nightime and I will open my bedroom door to the boys, maybe they'll keep me company. I only started to close it because Afie is too boisterous for her although Frankie is such a happy-go-lucky easy-going soul that he's never bothered her at all. Yes, I really want to adopt another tabby girl as I've always really loved tabbies and I think this is a lovely way of turning a sad occasion into a celebration of her life, to give a home to another needy cat so something good comes from something sad and so that her name and tradition lives on, I'm sure that Suzie would want this.
Cheers
Leigh
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so sorry Leigh :hug:
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So sorry Leigh, thinking of you and Suzie.
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So very sorry to hear this
:hug:
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So sorry massive hug for you both :hug:
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Thank you all so very much,
I will post this evening with more news.
I am so proud and touched to know that Suzie has so many friends and well-wishers and your support at this time means the world to me.
Leigh
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Oh Leigh I'm so sorry to hear the sad news. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Maybe you can do a photo album of pics for you Mum to have.
Take care hun ... will be thinking of you.
Sam xxxx
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I'm So Sorry Leigh :'(
Give Suzie a gentle head rub from me
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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I'm so very sorry Leigh. I hope the sun is out today where you are and that you and Suzie spend it peacefully together. :hug:
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I was just thinking what a lovely day it is today, sunny and bright, it is as if someone is smiling down on us from above.
Thanks Sam,
That's a lovely idea, so many happy memories to cherish. ;D
:hug:
Thanks Stu, I will certainly do so, I shall have a few quiet hours with her this afternoon, thank mate.
Leigh
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Sorry to read this Leigh,we are all thinking of you and Suzie today :hug:
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I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, your cremation plans sound wonderful though and absolutely fitting, Suzie sounds like a wonderful cat who has had a great life with you.
My thoughts will be with you this evening, I know how hard it is to make these kinds of decisions as we lost our Lucy to chronic illness, but there is always a point where it is kinder to make sure they are not suffering anymore.
I agree with what several people have said about not telling your mum about the illness, the outcome is the same either way and it may help her not to know the full truth.
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So sorry to hear this Leigh :hug: Will be thinking of you both :grouphug:
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Will be thinking of you and Suzie this afternoon. All the very best. ive been through this .... Cant type any more - going all blurry eyed
:hug:
Wibblechick, Chloe & Mr T : :(
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I am so sorry to read your post Leigh. I hope you and Suzie have quality time together this afternoon to enjoy each other's company. If it comes to the awful decision then know that you are releasing her from pain and suffering and taking it for yourself. Big hug to you both :hug:
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My thoughts are with you Leigh at this bery painful time and im sending lots of :hug: :hug: :hug: to you both
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Thank you all,
I shall be leaving work at 1:30 and will post this evening when I get back from the vets, all I want to do now is get home to her.
Bless you all for your kind words.
Most Sincerely
Leigh
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Leigh,
I am so desperately sorry that you have to say goodbye. I have been through this many times and dread going through it again. Like the others, I will be thinking of you this afternoon and holding Dot that bit closer.
:candle:
C.
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I'm so sorry to hear this Leigh. Big :hug: to you and like others I will be thinking of you this afternoon.
Suzie is an absolute star and will be missed by us all :hug:
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So sorry to read this. I'm thinking of you all :hug:
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So sorry to read this Leigh , I will be thinking of you and your little girl today. It is so hard to say goodbye but we both know you'll see her again.xx
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Thinking of you at this difficult and painful time :hug: :hug: :hug: for you, Suzie and the boys and a special :hug: for your mum.
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Leigh, our thoughts are with you and Suzie at this time.
Your plan to celebrate Suzie's life by christening your new home to another needy cat is a truly fitting tribute to your gentle gir. Agfterall you boys will need the guiding paw of a special taby lady to keep you all in line to pander to her.
Its the hardest thing we do for our furkids and our hearts go out to you
:hug:
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Hi Leigh,
I just got in and saw this. I know it will be a hard day for you but when the time comes, as Ela says "The final act of kindness" shows how much you love her :hug:
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Oh, Leigh. Sending you huge hugs. :care:
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:hug: sending my love to You and Suzie!
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:hug: :hug: :hug: Leigh & Suzie :hug: :hug: :hug:
She is a lucky girl having such a lovely dad to care for her and shower her with love til the very end. Special virtual cuddles and purrrrs from me and Oliver. We love you Suzie :lick:
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I am so terribly sorry to hear this sad news Leigh and what a lovely cat :hug: :hug:
I am sure you have made the right decision for her as it is terrible to watch a cat suffer and as you know she has gone downhill in the last few days, this must be best.
Lots of love
Gill
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Leigh, I am so sorry that you are placed in a position where you have to make this decision. It is one of the hardest ones we have to make when we know and love our animals. I know that you will be strong for her, but allow yourself to grieve. Watch the video one last time with your family beside you, and allow yourself to cry - crying can be a great release and one that is not available to all of us who lose our loved ones. Me and mine are sending you our warmest thoughts at this terrible time ... :hug:
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Dear friends,
Thank you all for your kindnesses today, my beautiful brave girl is now at rest and in peace. Her condition had deterirated further and she was in a very bad way and so I took her to the vets as early as I could. Such a brave girl and a true fighter to the end she clung onto life as long as she could. I held her and stroked her to the end and she's at peace now. I can't type more now but will do so tomorrow.
Until we meet again.
Sleep well my little angel, life won't be the same without you, send me a sign when you get to the bridge baby and play hard with Oli and Scott.
Dad
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:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: Leigh
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My thoughts are with you, Leigh.
xChris
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:candle: RIP Suzie free from pain now. :hug: :hug: for you Leigh
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:hug: :hug: Big hugs Leigh and RIP little Susie x
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So sorry Leigh, RIP Suzie a much loved little lady :hug:
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Sorry Leigh - I have some idea of what she meant to you so can only imagine how you feel right now :hug:
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Leigh ... thinking of you hun :hug:
RIP Suzie sweetheart xxxxx
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So sorry to hear your news Leigh. :hug:
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Thinking of you Leigh............RIP sweet Susie :RIP: :hug 2:
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I'm sorry hun, sending you loads of :hug: :hug: :hug: which I know won't help much, but its all I can do right now :hug: xxx
Suzie will be at the Bridge now, RIP sweetheart, I'm honoured that I had the pleasure of meeting you and got to have a little head tickle :Luv:
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Play hard at the bridge and lots of :hug: to you Leigh, what a heart-wrenching decision to make but it was the right one. Thinking of you both.
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Leigh :hug:
godbless your gentle girl xx
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Oh i am so so sorry :hug:
But you are a brave and wonderful man for showing her the greatest act of kindness and love :hug:
RIP Suzie ......No more pain, enjoy the Bridge till Daddy comes to get you xxxx
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:hug: :hug:
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:grouphug: :candle: :grouphug:
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Leigh, I'm so sorry. Bless you for being there for her. :hug:
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:hug: :hug: :hug: Leigh :hug: :hug: :hug:
Try not to be too sad, Suzie is no longer suffering, and we all know that she is at a lovely place with so many wonderful company, and she will be watching over you from over the yonder, never too far from your heart. And she will be waiting for you and your mum too when the time comes. My thoughts are with you hun. :grouphug:
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So sorry Leigh - you and Suzie shared so much happiness and love - she had a truly wonderful home - thinking of you.
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I am so sorry. Like most people on here I know how you are feeling. You did the right thing but it hurts :hug:
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Oh Leigh, I've only just read all through this thread and have to say can hardly see the screen now - so very sorry to hear about your lovely Suzie, you did the right thing for her but it doesnt make it any easier I know, take care :hug:
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My thoughts are with you Leigh
Rest now Suzie free from pain
:hug: :hug: :hug:
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I am so sorry to hear about Suzie. My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. :hug:
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I'm so very very sorry Leigh :'( It's always so tough but well done for being the best dad she could have had. :hug:
RIP Suzie
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Leigh,
I am so sorry to hear about Suzie but as some of the other posts have said, she is painfree now and she was a lucky cat to be loved so much by her dad :hug:
I think its wonderful that you are already thinking of adopting another cat, I am sure that Suzie would be proud of you for that.
Thinking of you, I hope you get a rainbow soon so you know that Suzie has arrived at the bridge safe and sound.
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Bless you all,
I so wanted to post tonight to express my heartfelt thanks for all your messages, texts and e-mails which have meant so much to me today. It has been a sad day but also a joyous day, by that I mean today has been a catharsis a bearing of my soul, one of life's rarest opportunities to let go and share all that I hold dear as true, honest and worthwhile amongst like-minded friends but above all a time for celebrating the passing of a life so rich, honest and true. To love and be loved is all that we can aspire to and Suzie was the most loving gentle soul I've ever had the privilege of knowing and loving.
And from the passing of life shall become life, the opportunity to open my home and my heart to another gentle soul.
:hug: :hug:
Leigh
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i am so sorry to hear that she had got worse Leigh, but she was lucky to have had such a wonderful owner who did so much for her, and allowed her to go peacefully when it was obvious things were too much for her. And I am sure she will have a helping hand with your next tabby when you are ready - or maybe when you aren't, and if so, she will have been the reason. RIP little one.
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Can't say any more than I did to you tonight on the phone Leigh - I'm still crying now and after reading all these nice messages from everyone my key board is wet through. I'm so glad I met her in July. Also, like you said to me tonight she is well known all over the world because of your video - she will be watched forever. :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv: :RIP: :lick: :catluv: Suzie say hello to my Smudge for me, I'm sure you'll get on with him.
Pic of Suzie below. - God bless darling. :'( :Luv2:
Mary and Bonnnie xxxx
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aww Suzie :Luv2:
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Oh Leigh - I've just read this post now, and I can't see the screen either.. All I can say do is give you a big :hug: and say how sorry I am to read this.
You have the right attitude though, what with your cremation plans and the plan of adopting another tabby girl.
RIP Suzie girl. Please say hi to Persephone for me... now go chase the butterflies together..
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I am so sorry to read this Leigh,please take comfort in that you gave her the best life possible and that you also gave her the greatest gift in the end :hug:
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Leigh
Just logged on to Purrs and seen your post :'( :'( :'(
Lots of :hug: :hug: :hug: for you, Frankie and Alfie.
Play hard at the Bridge Suzie
Sally and Paul
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I'm sorry Leigh, I'm sitting here crying for your loss. She knows you truly loved her :(
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So sorry Leigh :hug:
Rip Suzie
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I am so sorry Leigh :hug:
:RIP: Gentle Suzi, free from pain and loved forever.
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Sweet Suzie, your light will shine forever, blessings upon you x x x
Blessings for you as well Leigh at this time-you have show her such love and devotion to the very end. You have immortalised her in song and rhyme, story and anecdote. I cannot praise your love for all your cats high enough! :hug:
Suzie, chase those butterflies and say hi to Harry (my FIV boy) for me.....RIP little lady :Luv:
i'm going to have to shed a few tears now........
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No words to say Leigh, but many :hug: :hug: :hug: to you.
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I'm so sorry, Leigh :hug:
RIP Suzie. Have fun at the bridge until you're reunited with your daddy. xx
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Bless you all,
I so wanted to post tonight to express my heartfelt thanks for all your messages, texts and e-mails which have meant so much to me today. It has been a sad day but also a joyous day, by that I mean today has been a catharsis a bearing of my soul, one of life's rarest opportunities to let go and share all that I hold dear as true, honest and worthwhile amongst like-minded friends but above all a time for celebrating the passing of a life so rich, honest and true. To love and be loved is all that we can aspire to and Suzie was the most loving gentle soul I've ever had the privilege of knowing and loving.
And from the passing of life shall become life, the opportunity to open my home and my heart to another gentle soul.
:hug: :hug:
Leigh they are beautiful words :hug:
and yes you should celebrate her life :hug:
and yes her passing gives another cat the chance of knowing you as its new forever Daddy, something that Suzie would vouch is a wonderful experience
xxxx
Leigh
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I'm so sorry Leigh, I don't really know what else to say to you because some how I don't think words will help.
RIP Suzie
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Thank you all,
I am going to print out this thread and your lovely comments and include them in a book of rememberance I intend to make. I managed a little sleep last night and was much comforted by my boys, Alfie and Frankie, that took turns to sleep on the bed with me. Today is going to be a very difficult day because I have to make arrangements with the pet cemetary people for Suzie's cremation and, above all, I have the sad news to break to my mum when I see her later this afternoon. Last night was the first night in more than 2 years that I slept with the bedroom door open, Alfie kept jumping down from the headboard onto my pillow and I woke up at about 6AM with a 14lb cat (Alfie) purring away stretched out on my chest which was a shock as I have been used to Suzie's slender frame and Alfie is so much heavier.
Some pics and a poem for my Suze, I think that she's like the meaning of the poem and it's sort of sums up how I feel.
(http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ROCK_ON SUZIE2.jpg)
Thank you :hug:
Leigh 'n Suzie
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:hug: to you Leigh, my oh also sends his best to you - opening your new home to another needy cat is the best thing you can do for the memory of Suzie - we are all here for you
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That's brill Leigh - wish I'd seen your face when Alfie was laid on you - bless his little heart, he knew he had to be there with you.
Mary xx :Luv2:
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Oh Leigh - what a perfect testament to Suzie. It's beautiful. More than anything I've ever read, that's so apt. :hug: :hug:
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that's really nice Leigh :hug:
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Leigh, that poem is wonderful and I'm sure Suzie would appreciate its meaning. :hug: :hug:
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Oh sweetie I am lost for words and crying as I type, I just don't know what to say.
RIP Suzie :hug:
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Morning hun, glad you managed to get a little bit of sleep, and that the boys are looking after you so well. I know what you mean about waking up to a heavy cat laying on you, this is Max's trick as well :Luv: :hug:
I love your poem, and I'm sure Suzie will too.
Good luck when you see your Mum later as well, I know it will be very hard for you to break the news to her, but you can share in your grief together which I'm sure will help in a way :hug: :hug:
Love to the boys, I did have a little cyber-word with them last night to get them to make sure you're ok :hug: xxx
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Hi folks,
The boys were great last night :hug: they were with me all through the night. I always disliked having to shut the bedroom door of a night and wanted all the puds to have 24/7 access to the whole flat but Alfie is so boisterous that it was too much for Suzie and so we had our quality time together all night, that was OUR time and it worked out very well nearly right up to the end. I felt sure that the boys would keep me company as all my puds are lap cats really expecially Suzie and Frankie and Alfie has his moments too so I think that they really enjoyed being on the bed last night and it was lovely to have them to stroke. I rang the pet crematorium this morning and made all the arrangements so that's another sad task accomplished. It will be very hard tonight breaking the news to mum but, as you rightly say, it will be good to share our grief together. The poem is one that I found on the web by an unknown author, I had to search long and hard to find something that fited the spirit of the occasion.
:hug: to all
Leigh
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The poem is beautiful, Suzie would have been proud
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Oh, Leigh. I can tell how much she meant to you and I'm so sorry you had to make that awful decision - I'm sure Susie understood at the end and thanked you for letting her go peacefully. She's sleeping well now, with no pain or discomfort.
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Thinking of you Leigh and sending love and hugs to you at this so sad time. xxx You and Suzie were so lucky to have each other and she will live on in your heart and memories xxx
RIP Suzie - run free at the Bridge sweetheart and send your Dad a sign when you can xxx
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Thank you all ever so much.
I updated my website this morning, particularly this page:
http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/AlfieCat/Leighs_Space.html (http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/AlfieCat/Leighs_Space.html)
Bless you all, I am so proud of her and have so many years of happy memories to sustain me. :hug:
Leigh
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I'm useless at reading puddy poems as I'm always in tears after the first line. I stuck with this one though Leigh and so glad I did. It's simply perfect :hug:
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Leigh, thinking of you at this sad time. I have this poem on my wall, in memory of all my Bridge babies and thought you might like it.
I too, would make a Will if I could write
To some poor, wistful, lonely stray
I leave my happy home
My dish, my cosy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy.
The well loved lap, the gentle stroking hand, the loving voice
The place I made on someone's heart.
the love that at the last
Could help me to a peaceful, painless end, held in loving arms.
If I should die
Oh, do not say
"No more a cat I'll have to grieve me by it's loss"
Seek out a lonely, unloved cat and give my place to him.
This is my legacy.
The love I leave behind.
T'is all I have to give.
Margaret Trowton
:hug:
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:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: Leigh
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Thank you,
That's a truely lovely poem Lesley, really beautiful.
:Luv2:
Leigh
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Oh Leigh, Im so sorry to hear this :(
RIP Little Suzie, send your Dad a raindbow to let him know you have arrived.
So sorry Leigh my heart is breaking for you x :hug:
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Sorry for your loss :hug: x
RIP Suzie
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Leigh, thinking of you at this sad time. I have this poem on my wall, in memory of all my Bridge babies and thought you might like it.
I too, would make a Will if I could write
To some poor, wistful, lonely stray
I leave my happy home
My dish, my cosy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy.
The well loved lap, the gentle stroking hand, the loving voice
The place I made on someone's heart.
the love that at the last
Could help me to a peaceful, painless end, held in loving arms.
If I should die
Oh, do not say
"No more a cat I'll have to grieve me by it's loss"
Seek out a lonely, unloved cat and give my place to him.
This is my legacy.
The love I leave behind.
T'is all I have to give.
Margaret Trowton
:hug:
Made me a bit misty :shy: :Luv2:
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Thinking of you Leigh :hug:
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Dear friends,
Please forgive me not posting earlier, I wanted to post first thing but had to go food shopping as I realised that I desperately needed to buy some food stuffs to keep body and soul together as they've drifted apart a bit over the last few days :). My visit yesterday evening to see my mum went a lot better that I expected. I think we were both trying to be brave for each other and she was trying to spare my feelings but I insisted that we watch the DVD of the boys and Suzie together. I somehow managed to hold it together throughout the visit, I wouldn't have won an Oscar for my perfornance, a BAFTA maybe :), I don't know how I managed it but I did and we sat and talked about Suzie's life with us both and all those lovely memories that we will always be able to share. I explaine again our plans for next week to scatter Suzie's ashes together in the garden at mum's nursing home so that they'll always be close to each other. I also told mum about all your lovely postings and sentiments and she was so comforted by this news , she never knew how much Suzie was know and it gave me great pleasure and pride to explain to her hiow folks all over the world have seen her and loved her in my animation and on the website, again, I cannot stress enough, how much this was of comfort to her. I didn't mention that I am going to have a portrait done of Suzie that will be a lovely suprise when she sees it hanging proudly on the wall of my new home. Mum did say soomething very touching to me last night which meant the earth to me, something that she has never said before, she ssaid, "You are the kindest man I've ever known" :) ;) :-[
Fondest regards
Leigh
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aww :Luv:
was Suzie originally your mum's cat Leigh?
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Hi,
Yes she was, mum had her from a kitten until about three years ago when mum had a fall, was in hopital and then nursing home.
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right I understand the thread more now and the strong connection with your mum, thank you :hug:
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Hi,
They were, or so I always thought, inseparable. Mum lived for Suzie and Suzie was the most affectionate cat I've ever known. When mum had her fall and it was clear that she would never be going home I said I would adopt Suzie. Mum wasn't keen on the idea at first as she thought that Suzie wouldn't be happy with anyone else but she was very happy with me and we had more than two precious and very happy years together and mum came to realise that news from me of our Suzie was the next best thing to them being together.
:hug:
Leigh
PS. On a lighter note, Frankie is trying to beat his all time record of number of times he can jump up on my lap for a stroking session. This record stands at four times in leass that 12 hours but today I think the record will be broken as he's already managed 3 sessions and it''s only 11:30 so In think the record will fall today. :)
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Mum did say soomething very touching to me last night which meant the earth to me, something that she has never said before, she ssaid, "You are the kindest man I've ever known" :) ;) :-[
Your mum must be a lovely person... and I guess we now know where your kindness comes from :) Suzie must be smiling upon you two from over the rainbow :hug:
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Your Mum is justly proud of you, Leigh. :hug:
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Mum did say soomething very touching to me last night which meant the earth to me, something that she has never said before, she ssaid, "You are the kindest man I've ever known" :) ;) :-[
What a lovely thing to say. And she is in a good position to know :hug:
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Glad your mum was ok Leigh - what a lovely thing for her to say