Monday, March 24, 2008

Farewell Pepper

This is our little Pepper, my daughter's faithful friend of almost 17 years. He had to be put down today due to a terminal illness, and our hearts are heavy with the loss of one of the best cats we have ever known and loved.


He was our little bright eyes, thin smart and agile, always a gentleman in his manners, very cool and elegant, always attentive and alert.


His favorite activity was watching the birds and trying to catch errant leaves as they flew by the window in autumn. He would lay for hours purring in the sun of the windowsill, his fur warm and glistening in the light.


He loved to sleep and could find a comfy spot anywhere -- on our beds, on a chair, in a shoebox box in the closet, on top of the couch, or in the circular top of his cat stand.

Sleep well Pepper. We will always remember you! You made our lives better by sharing your life with us.


"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France


16 comments:

Just A Girl said...

Oh, I'm so sad for you today. How terrible to lose a furry friend.

There's a lovely poem about losing our pets and seeing them at another time. It's called the Rainbow Bridge.
My heart is with you and your daughter.

Kathleen Grace said...

Pat, I am so sorry to hear that you lost Pepper. I have always had cats and they become such a huge part of your life. They are cuddly, loving companions and I know you will miss him. I am sorry.

CatHerder said...

Im so sorry for your loss. I have lost many (3 in the past 4 months that were over 20 yrs old and terminal) and although we knew it was coming, its NEVER EASY! so so sorry for your loss

Rosie's Whimsy said...

My heart goes out to you, Pat! The pain os losing a faithful companion goes deep. We who love our furry friends know the loss you and your daughter are feeling right now. So sorry. ((hugs)) Rosie

Rue said...

Oh sweetie, I'm so very sorry for your loss. It's always so hard to lose one of our furry babies. My thoughts and heart are with you and your family.

Rue

Junie Moon said...

I'm so sorry you've lost your dear beloved Pepper. It is indeed heartbreaking and my own heart goes out to all of you.

Vee said...

Thinking of you and your daughter today. It's never easy saying goodbye to a beloved pet.

I once had a cat who could've been Pepper's twin. Her name was Cleo; she was well loved. I still miss her, but my memories of her are very sweet.

Lenka said...

Oh, no... I am crying now ... How sad...I am SO very sorry for your loss, Pat. I know how hard it is ... I wish I can make you feel better, but I don't know how... Oh, Pat, my thoughts and best wishes for you and your daughter!





xoxoxoxo

Lenka

Twiggy said...

That's so sad. I really sympathise, our guinea pig Miss Peaches died last Thursday, so I put a little piccy of her and her sister on my blog. Remember the nice times
Twiggy x

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Dearest Pat, My heart hurts for you and your loss. When my old beloved Sheltie, Brandy, died at 21yrs old we received a card from the mortuary that told about "we will meet them again in heaven someday at the Rainbow Bridge where they romp and play until we get there to be with them again". I can hardly see for the tears I share with you. Love and hugs, Sherry

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thank you all for your kindness and understanding. My daughter and I greatly appreciate it!
We lost a great cat but we are grateful to have had him as part of our lives for so many years.

Pat

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. He is a beauty. He looks as regal as a panther. It hasn't been quite 2 weeks since my beautiful Lab Sam passed, so
I really feel what your going through. I don't know if you've ever read this before, but I found it last week when I was searching for comfort and it really helped me.

NATIVE AMERICAN PRAYER FOR THE GRIEVING

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still -
in each new dawn

~~ Author Unknown ~~

It sounds like Pepper will be in the autum leaves that blow. I hope you and your daughter, find comfort and peace, as your beloved Pepper has.

Louise said...

I always get very upset when I hear of the loss of a pet, I am especially fond of cats, and I understand how much you are going to miss Pepper. But the decision you made was the right one, as you would not have wanted him to suffer unnessarily, and I am sure Pepper would have known that you loved him very much x

Susie Q said...

Oh dear heart. I am so sorry for your terrific loss. He was a beauty. My heart is with you and I know your pain all too well.
Our pets are our family...they make our lives so happy and remain a part of our hearts and spirits forever.
All of us who so love our fur friends know this pain and we share your loss with you. I send warm and loving hugs.
Sue

Kathy said...

Losing a beloved member of the family is never easy. My heart goes out to you both as you grieve the loss of your pet. It's good to know you have a place to share your pain and hopefully be comforted by the words of blogging friends. Peace to you. Kathy

jb said...

I'm very sorry for your loss. I just stumbled across your blog. This story about pepper just made me cry. I had to put my cat down last year it was terrible and I was upset for weeks.

Peace
JB