Z PetZ

1
Z PetZ

• These pages are in honor of the pets we love. If
  you thought you were crazy about your cat or dog
  and especially if you just lost your best
  friend-animal, check these people out it helps!

2
Dedication

• These pages are dedicated to Rock, the Gentleman
  Cat, who died on the morning of August 3, 2003 at
  the age of 17 years, and all the wonderful crazy
  people who care.
• (much thanks to Matt IHZP for this photo!)

3
Tux- (Road King Dan)

• July 10, 2003- I cant remember why Dan sent me
  this picture of his kitty, it was just a normal
  day of cat lovers trading pics, discussing
  airbags and how best to carry pets in a car.

4
Keith F

• Sometime after midnight August 2, I asked
  everyone to pray for my cat Rock, I had just left
  him at the Animal Medical Center.
• August 3, 2003, 244 am
• Rock, and you, are in my prayers.

5
Paisan

• I am so sorry about your kitty. I will say a
  prayer for him! I am a cat lover and I will keep
  you in my thoughts and prayers as well.
• All the best,
• Tony

6
Lolly, the friend I have known the longest- since
I was 11

• I wrote to ask all my friends- and even people
  who dont like me- to pray for Rock to pee. This
  seemed really absurd and embarrassing. But thats
  life. We find out that sooner- as in animals,
  and later- as in humans, a lot of living has to
  do with going to the bathroom.
• So very very sorry to hear this.....you have done
  all (and more) that was humanly possible...let us
  pray for pee....

7
Brad and Nancy Y- ZZTopsdown

• Don't feel like you're asking too much from your
  circle of Z-friends. Nancy and I lost a beloved
  kitty earlier this year, and she was the nicest
  little cat who meant very much to both of us.
  Her problem was a recurring bladder issue in
  which she would form bladder crystals and then
  couldn't pee, plus a colon thing where it didn't
  push the poop along, so she would get impacted
  and need an enema every 6 weeks. So, we spent a
  lot of time praying for pee and poop! We helped
  her survive 3 years of this, including a couple
  successful rounds of the rehydration routine
  (because after a trip to the vet for all the
  "fixes" she would get pissed off and not eat or
  drink anything).
• We sure hope Rock pulls through. If he does,
  cherish each day with him, because you never know
  when he will get tired of the treatments and lose
  his will to live. It happens in cats, just like
  people. If he doesn't make it this time, rejoice
  in the love he gave you for so many years and
  know that his suffering is past. Either way,
  we're thinking about the both of you. PEE, ROCK
  !

8
My cousin Bill

• Rock is and will be in my prayers. He is such a
  wonderful cat and buddy.
• love ya
• bill

9
My friend Joanne in Alabama

• I loved him too. What a cool cat. I will miss
  him too.
• See, Rock was always a better host than me. When
  my friends would come to stay with me, Rock would
  stay with them all night and keep them company
  while I was off doing whatever.

10
Mike P

• I'm not a non-believer but certainly haven't
  practiced prayer to the degree
• that I know should but I will think a kind
  thought for your "old sick cat as I understand
  the way one develops such a bond to animals.
• Take care,
• Mike

11
Rory

• At 10am August 3, 2003 my cat joined the rest of
  the animals in heaven.
• My condolences. Losing something so close to you
  is always hard, but hopefully he had enriched you
  with the memories that will last you a life time.
  Hang in there Rachel...!

12
Betty M

• So sorry to hear of Rock's passing. Our animals
  are so dear to us. You will always have great
  memories of him.
• By this time I am beginning to wonder how I am
  ever going to manage, with or without the great
  memories everyone is telling me about. How did
  anyone ever get through this? I barely got
  through one night without him, and that was
  because I thought I might bring him home.

13
Nomer- my niece

• I am so sorry. I was just thinking about Rock
  the other day, actually (and you too!!) I
  thought he would be the cat that lived forever..

14
Y2Kguru

• I am sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved
  cat, Rock. The loss of a friend and companion of
  so many years is especially hard. Over the many
  years I have had to deal with the loss of so many
  animal companions. I clearly remember each of the
  cats, dogs and horses of my adult years and more
  dimly remember the fish, turtles, parakeets, cats
  and dogs of my childhood. Each gave me great joy
  and in return were loved and cared for by me. All
  part of the Great Circle of Life!
• John
• In the last year or so I lost my Mom and three of
  my best friends, and had a couple health scares
  myself along with 9/11. The great circle of life
  was everywhere.

15
Margo

• Rachel, I'm so sorry to hear the outcome. Rest
  assured that probably nothing you would have done
  differently would have made much difference.
  Celebrate the wonderful long time you had
  together. I wish the timing had been different
  and I could have given you one of Michel's cats.
  I have one of them still with me and I couldn't
  give him up. (He's sleeping on my feet right
  now) I trust you will find another soon to share
  your life with, can't take Rock's place, but
  maybe can ease the pain. And you will be giving
  some poor kitty a new wonderful life!
• It all happened so fast, I thought that I had let
  Rock down, I should have gone to hospital
  sooner/ read up on the Internet/paid closer
  attention/questioned the vet... Here was Margo,
  my new friend, I met because her ex-husband
  Michel was my friend and one of the three who
  died this year. Michel knew a lot about cats, it
  was Margo who got me to take Rock to the
  hospital. What a weird world.

16
Carl, Ratdaddy Catdaddy

• Dean (Rocks Daddy) and I set out to the animal
  shelters just to see if maybe there was another
  animal waiting for me.
• I am sorry you lost your cat Rock. Anyone who
  loves pets understands your pain. I think you are
  doing the right thing in getting another pet. He
  (She) will never replace Rock but your new fur
  ball will help heal the sadness you are now
  feeling. I wish you well and am truly sorry for
  your loss.

17
Enter Freddy

• Great cats and kittens at a happy no-kill ASPCA,
  our first stop. Second stop found us Freddy. So
  many special things about that meeting. The way
  he looked at me and put his head in my hand
  probably most telling was when he hid behind a
  desk out of reach, I tapped my nails on the floor
  and he came right out to chase me. I knew he was
  my kitten. It took over 90 minutes to convince
  the staff to release him to me. They wanted me
  to come back another day! Uh uh! Either I was
  taking this kitten home or I was staying there
  overnight!

18
Rob L

• I was so saddened to hear about Rock - and so
  heartened to hear about Freddie. Kathy and I are
  about as "cat people" as you're ever going to
  find and it was less than a year ago that we lost
  the first cat we gave a home to. Pinky was with
  us for 15 years and we loved her dearly.
• However, anyone who shares their lives with these
  animals knows that if ever there was a creature
  woven into Karma and the universe - it's the cat.
• The cat is part of your heart, the cat is part of
  your soul.
• The cat is.
• While you might think you went in search of a cat
  the truth is the cat found you. I don't
  "believe" in much stuff but as far as I'm
  concerned, cats are cosmic. I'm sure you've got
  a lot of love to give Freddie and I'll bet he's
  got lots to give back. And wherever Rock is, he
  approves.
• peace,
• Rob Lang

19
Betty M

• Congratulations to a new Mommy! You and Freddie
  will make each other very
• happy!
• I was occasionally terrified. What if they were
  wrong? What if I was a terrible mother and
  couldnt handle any cat except Rock? Rock made
  everything easy. He was just about the perfect
  cat. He just didnt attack my plants or scratch
  anyone. He was totally cool. Even people who
  dont like cats liked Rock. What if ..?

20
Bill Z

•  I'm so sorry to hear of Rock's passing over the
  'Rainbow Bridge'.  His memory will live forever
  in your heart.
•  
• Freddie will certainly bring you much joy and
  happiness.  Of course he will be much different
  from Rock. 
•  
• Sherry and I have four cats and two dogs.  I
  would strongly suggest finding Freddie a play
  mate.  It will make life much more enjoyable for
  him.  Especially when you are away.
•  
• My thoughts are with you.
•  

21
Dax- my friend in England

• Oh Rachel, I am so sad to hear about Rock. But
  he had a wonderful life and a wonderful mother.
  I do know how you feel, having been there too,
  and they are all missed terribly.
• But long live Freddie (sure it isn't Freddy
  Sessler come back?).
• Lots of love to you and Dean
• Actually, it is Fred Sessler, another one of my
  friends lost recently. For some reason the
  kitten just reminded me of him.

22
Paisan

• I am so sorry for your loss. I would be
  devastated.
• Good for you! I am sure Freddie will be happy and
  Rock will keep him in line from above!
• If there was some tuna in it, Rock would help.

23
Kathy B- Hellrot Kathy

• Was so sorry to hear about Rock. Know how
  devastating it is to lose our four legged
  children. Freddie will help you with that. But
  Rock will always be with you in your heart. My
  thoughts are with you.

24
Cousin Lisa

• I'm so sorry I only just read your emails about
  Rock. He certainly was "always a gentleman", and
  I know you will miss him. He was a truly trusted
  and trustworthy friend. I hope Freddy can help
  fill a little of that spot in your heart that is
  dedicated to Rock I am sure he will also find
  his own place there.

25
Joanne

• Good for you and Freddie. I love you, strong and
  lovable woman.
• I borrowed the confidence my friends have in me.
  Obviously they didnt know how really bad I was,
  how Rock made me look good. Every time Fred fell
  on his head or nearly killed himself a hundred
  different ways I thought I had really screwed up.
  Something else really strange was going on, when
  I called Freddy by name, he came right away.
  Like a trained dog. We fell asleep the second
  night on the couch with him upside down between
  the crook of my arm and my stomach. Every second
  I was missing Rock- but then Fred would nearly
  kill himself and it would distract me.

26
Beth

• I am so sad to hear the news of Rock's death!
  But, I am happy to hear about your new joy
  Freddy!
• I'm thinking of you!

27
PeggyB

• A little poem for you in memory of Rock.
• 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...

28
Dax

• Hi darling You did what you thought best for
  Rock, and you loved him dearly, never forget
  that. He was an old cat, actually at 17 that is
  pretty old for a cat what is it 7 human years for
  each cat year, so if you work it out (my math is
  not good) so it is (my mind is doing cartwheels).
  Had to get the calculator out 119 so as you
  can see, he lived a long life. Rock is probably
  looking down from Kitty heaven thanking you for
  giving another Freddy a good life.
• My mother always said don't have animals because
  the eventually die what kind of a thing is that
  to say, so don't have children, don't do
  anything? In the meantime she will be 92 this
  month and is still going strong. So what the fuck
  does she know.
• We are having a heat wave here, it is 100
  degrees, and as you can imagine, everyone is
  huffing and puffing, trains must slow down,
  tracks expanding, and all those pure white
  bodies laying out in Hyde Park, getting redder
  and redder.
• It is so hot, even the dog didn't want to go for
  a long walk.
• Lots of love to you and the Fred - I know you
  will love him to bits. Did you ever read a book
  about a cat called Noris (or maybe it was Norbet)
  anyway this cat went everywhere with his owner,
  even to Paris, apparently every hotel that the
  cat visited loved him, and always prepared
  special meals for him. And this book was written
  by a guy who did not like cats.

29
DaveT

• I often think of that morning that Rock woke me
  up, licking my face. Or the way he made me feel
  welcome, purring beside me. He was quite a
  guy.You gave him a nice comfortable home. I'm
  glad you found Freddie
• Rock was crazy about Dave. I mean crazy!

30
Cathy O- Purple Cathy

• Rachel, I never met your friend Rock, but I now
  know him. We are all God's creatures and he is
  romping around the clouds with his eternal
  Father. He is playing like a kitten w/no worries
  or pain. You have lots of love to share w/your
  new baby(s). Thanks for being one of the lucky
  ones that sees the love that cats/dogs share
  w/us. They are truly God's gift to us.

31
Vladimir- in Israel

• That was one fucken lucky cat - who found you as
  its care-provider on this planet. Rock is in
  heaven now smoking some catnip and scoping out
  the new playpen!!!!

32
You helped me- August 6,2003

• I gotta say thank you some how and get it to
  really stick- let you know you did something
  really special, helped me in a way that is hard
  to define. Part of how you helped is the sheer
  numbers of gorgeous emails, because I was
  fighting off feeling like some kind of a freak
  for being so totally crushed by the death of one
  old cat. I might be crazy (no doubt) but I have a
  lot of company here.
• Freddie wont let me spend much time on the
  keyboard
• Lesson One for Rachel Its normal for people to
  love their animals and to fall down like a big
  oak tree when those pets die
• Lesson Two It will never stop hurting.
• Almost every letter spoke of the love of life and
  pain of loss of their pet,whether it happened 20,
  40, 60 years ago or last week. This gets split
  into those who hurt so bad that they cant bear
  to receive another animal, and those who love an
  animal again, even though they know, with
  certainty, they will hurt again in precisely the
  same manner.Im not brave. I didnt get a kitten
  because I can handle the pain again 20 years from
  now, or whenever- God forbid- Freddie gets sick.
  I went looking for an animal or two because I
  needed some life in my house other than me.
  Something I cant schedule or control. Something
  to make little noises so than when something goes
  creak in the night I will think its the
  animal, not a robber. I didnt adopt Rock, he got
  left at my house and I let him stick around
  because he paid rent. He paid rent by making me
  laugh, saving me in shrink bills and by
  entertaining children who came to visitwith their
  parents. He was also my hot water bottle. He
  became my best friend, constant companion, hat,
  handkerchief and teacher. He was also a good
  judge of character. He was, most of all, my
  teacher. He taught me about kindness and
  unconditional love, forgiveness and priorities
  and most of all, grace. I was a shitty student.
  '''''''/ (that's from Freddy)I was never a cat
  person. It didnt occur to me that he would
  become the center of my life until it was way too
  late. He got sick once and I went nuts with
  worry, then I knew really I was in big trouble.
  One day he was going to die and I had no idea how
  I could stand the loss. Natch, I started
  arranging everything in an attempt to cheat
  death.I did actually cheat death for a while
  there, or so I think. 4 years ago I was told
  that Rock would be dead soon, and then I lived
  just about every day appreciating him. That part
  was good. I dont care, especially now, that some
  people gave me a hard time about choosing my cat
  over travel, over overnight stays (I would only
  leave him twice a year for trips over a day,once
  in May and once in September, that became
  Homecoming.) I worked hard to cheat death, used
  all my intelligence, connections, research to
  beat the system, and Rocks new vet called him
  The Miracle Cat.

33
Lessons

• Another lesson learned from Rock, that even when
  the wonderful reliable vet says it is something
  simple and not to worry, look it up anyway.
• Lesson Three for Rachel
• The only way to avoid the hurt of losing what you
  love is to either never love anything or die
  first.
• On a normal day Rock would appear just about now
  and remind me by his unaffected demeanor that all
  of what I was pondering was missing the big point
  as he would plop down and start cleaning himself
  or ask to be scratched or paid attention to.
• Its about living. Its about making sure there
  is food for me, Mom, and its about getting up
  each day and cleaning oneself and finding a sunny
  spot to lie about and enjoy life. Its about
  attention, which is something you can only get
  from the living. I told ya, this cat paid rent.
• So I took care of the basic necessities, food,
  water, shelter and Rock took care of the
  essentials, play, joy, beauty simple
  togetherness, love. Like standing together in
  Union Square after September 11, it is just about
  being together.
• Until death fucks it up.
• Lesson Four for Rachel I might not understand
  death, but there is something about new life.
• Rock was ridiculously handsome, he looked like a
  stuffed animal, perfect. What if my crippling
  pain would take over my mind and perversely
  intend to replace Rock with some poor kitten
  that couldnt possibly do such a thing. How do I
  honor Rock best, by smashing up his food plates,-
  especially his South of the Border food bowls-
  burning his papers and toys or by letting a new
  cat have these things?
• Even when Rock was alive, like when I had him in
  Florida, being in this
• house without Rock SUCKS.
• (Funny, one reason I didnt see Michel before he
  died was because I would not leave Rock alone to
  go visit Michel. I have no regret about that, at
  least a human can understand and reason and talk
  on the phone. Also a human makes their own
  decisions about their health care, life and
  death.).
• I live alone. Everywhere I look I see Rock. I
  tried to memorize his faceand every place he
  loved for these last years, another futile
  attempt to hold on to him.

34
Thank you

• Again you helped- in the ways that I really
  needed. Even though the gremlins of timing shut
  my email off, there were all of you, in such mass
  quantities encouraging me to look for another
  animal. Believe it, I took your advice with me
  like a life preserver. Most important was
  something like you will know when you meet your
  next animal. Hard to describe our joy in the
  car with the kitten. I hadnt even brought a
  carrier because I had no idea if we would be
  successful in finding him or even if it would be
  a cat or what size. They lent us a carrier. One
  stop for kitten food and his favorite litter and
  then we had to come home. Every moment he was
  fighting the cage, sticking his paws through
  reaching out to me LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME
  OUT. I do not know how we could have made it into
  the house without Freddy.
• Nearly 17 years of returning home to Rock,
  calling his name, usually with him waiting by the
  door, sometimes meowing and scratching feverishly
  at the door to see me. If I had doubts about
  keeping Rocks belongings and toys, they were
  smashed when Freddy ran to the toys and made
  himself a bit crazy playing with everything.
  Slowly I began to realize that it had been a
  while since Rock had really played with them.
  Everything was new and utterly wonderful to
  Freddie. And then Freddy would do much of what
  Rock did, reminding me as I began to stress about
  losing Rock, whether I had made the right choices
  for him, Freddie would come and step all over my
  keyboard (I wonder where he is now, this is the
  longest he has ever let me type) meowing for
  attention, and scaring the daylights out of me by
  disappearing. I better pay attention to this new
  life! Freddie doesnt need much. No need for
  daily pills, did he even need me? Rock had nearly
  17 years of a very good life, only momentary
  problems and he died, against my best efforts. I
  do not understand why Rock had to die, really. I
  do see how Freddy is a new life that needs and
  deserves love.Life spans. I have one too. In
  about 20 years, (if I am very lucky and God
  forbid something happens to this life in my care
  before his normal life span) I will be in this
  spot again, brokenhearted and still missing Rock,
  and then also Freddie.
• So this is how you helped me, you who have loved
  your animals and sympathized with me, letting me
  know that its fine and normal and human to be so
  completely in love with an animal, letting me
  know that the pain of the loss you carry every
  single day- and that its fine and normal and
  human to carry that around, and to continue to
  love animals and humans, even knowing that you
  are setting yourself up for this kind of pain.
  Life is wonderful, and it is temporary, spending
  20 years of it loving and being loved
  unconditionally is a helluva good way to deplete
  the account.

35
Carl- Ratdaddy Catdaddy

• God Bless and love Freddy. He looks just like my
  "Kitsey" that I had when I
• was a kid. I love tabbys. I feel that "life"
  comes in 3 stages. In the
• first stage we are conceived and carried by our
  mothers, warm and secure in
• her womb. The second stage is frightening. We are
  expelled from this warm
• safe security and thrust out into the harsh
  world. We contend with terror,
• fear, happiness, love and sadness. This is the
  stage we are in as we read
• and write these e-mails. The third and last stage
  is death and depending on
• your beliefs can be eternally ever lasting. I
  know what the third stage is
• for me and I do not fear it. I am sure some
  people mentioned the "Rainbow
• Bridge." I hope and pray that when my time comes
  I will be reunited with
• all of my furry friends as well as family and
  friends. I cannot imagine
• anything else otherwise. I'm going to give my two
  dogs Brittany and Tara a
• big hug right now. Have a good weekend )

36
Paisan

• I wanted to share something with you. Have you
  ever heard of the Rainbow Bridge?

37
Dreams

• August 7, 2003
• Last night I dreamed that I had both cats here,
  Rock and Freddie. It
• was all very normal, they were both in the
  kitchen waiting for food, just being my cats. I
  remember thinking, "Why was I so worried about
  bringing another cat in the house with Rock here,
  everything is fine, Rock doesn't mind and they
  can keep each other company."
• At that point Freddie started punching me with
  his paw to wake me up because his food bowl was
  empty.

38
Todd- my neighbor

• I was sorry to hear about the cat. It's never
  easy to lose them. But your attitude is the right
  one. Look onward and upward and enjoy Freddy.

39
Jake- Elaina B

• Sorry to hear of the loss of your old pal Rock.
  Having walked that path many times myself, I find
  great comfort in remembrance of all the ways my
  cats (dogs, horses, bunnies) comforted, loved,
  vexed and entertained me. Glad to hear you are
  open to a new soul to pick up the twine with
  which Rock no longer plays. Posts a few pics when
  you can.
• The spiffy black cat picture is of the late,
  great, Jake (one of the Mews Brothers). Like his
  namesake, he has passed on.

40
Lisa 1

• I'm sorry to hear about Rock. He was a great
  cat. I send you my thoughts and prayers.

41
Shrewdi Rudi- (Roxana)

• Just reading both your posts and a prayer to
  make you feel better. I know how you feel and
  just remember the good times with Rock. When I
  lost St.John/dog last April , it was tough.
  Several months later , Shrewdi Rudi was in our
  possesion.
• He is 15 months old now we've made new memories
  and the old ones are always with you. Feel
  better.
• PS. I hope St.John does not spot Rock , before he
  gets acclimated at the Rainbow's
  end..ruf.ruf..meow.meow..

42
Cathy O

• A short story about Mr. Reilly. My 12 year old
  best friend. Several years ago, I was in an
  accident and was home for 6 months. I was semi
  mobile but was going crazy just couldn't relax.
  
• One day I decided to whatever Mr. Reilly did as
  he was the most relaxed being I had ever met.
  Well, the next day we woke up, took a nice long
  stretch, got out of bed and went to the bathroom.
  Next we went to kitchen for a little water and
  another long stretch. Then back to bed for our
  morning nap. I already felt relaxed doing as he
  did. Around 11 we got up, stretched again and he
  licked his paws, I washed my face and hands, and
  proceed to get some food. He ate, I ate and we
  went to lie down in the living room, he in a
  sunbeam on the floor and me in a sunbeam on the
  couch. We slept for about two more hours, all
  the while I was becoming more and more relaxed.
  Around three in the afternoon, as the sun was
  going down, we had another snack, drank some
  water, stretched and walked around the house, up
  and down the stairs, just checking everything out
  and back to bed for our afternoon/evening nap.
• By the end of the day, every fiber of my being
  was totally relaxed, thanks to Mr. Reilly. I
  felt I was in a semi-coma. He was a lovable,
  playful best friend and taught me a very valuable
  lesson. Relax, all will come to us in its own
  time. Lay in the sunbeam every now and then.
• Mr. Reilly has been gone for a few years and
  Murray the doxie and Paddy Boy the Pug now share
  our home. Lots of love to go around. God
  blessed us with these special animals.
• Have a great day and enjoy your new kitty

43
Dax

• Hi Darling Got all your emails. You have to
  stop agonizing, as I said before Rock had a great
  life, and you loved him, that is what you do with
  animals. You just love them while they are here
  with you. He was lucky to have you, other people
  would have abandoned him (fuckers).
• I also agonized over my cats, but they all lived
  a good full life, and probably would have died
  much sooner if they would have been in the wild.
  You did the best darling, and don't forget it.
• Glad you had the dream, Rock is fine in kitty
  heaven, probably with his family, although
  animals never remember their mothers, fathers, or
  siblings. Perhaps that is better than humans. I
  don't know.
• Kisses to you and the Fred, lots of love to Dean
  and you daxxxxxxxxx

44
Kathy Ice Blue

• Rachel, remember that Freddie has never been a
  cat before, so he's trying things out. He's also
  training you to his liking--he probably feels
  that Rock did a lousy job! But maybe he'll get
  it right. He's also never had a house before--and
  he's a bright curious kitten. You'll have to see
  how his personality develops. Remember, Rock was
  a senior citizen the last many years. He was
  probably happy to sit and keep you
  company--Freddie is just learning about life.
• Most of us don't start out as cat people.
  They're just so much easier than dogs--but
  there's the tradeoff, they are much more
  independent. Each and everyone of us feels that
  their animal is the most special--and no one can
  convince us otherwise. One of my good friends
  breeds and shows Persians. I get her failure to
  thrive and otherwise health impaired babies. Some
  have been the most incredible animals. We all
• have stories.
• You have to go through your grief process for
  Rock, nothing but time will make it better. Keep
  remembering that Freddie is Freddie and will be
  very special in his own way and time, but he will
  never be Rock.

45
Brad Nancy Y

• Glad to hear that you're working through all of
  the emotional issues that go along with a loss
  and recovery. It's a real roller coaster, but it
  sounds like Freddie is going to be a wonderful
  friend.
• After we lost Neelix, Nancy took a few weeks with
  just the two boys, Wooleybear and Kramer. But
  then she hit the shelters and came home with
  Briget, a beautiful, petite grey and white
  shorthair with a heart of gold and a kitten's
  curiosity and unbridled love. So life goes on,
  we had a circle of friends to help us deal with
  losing our little problem child with special
  needs, and we now have a new bundle of joy who
  fits wonderfully into our household.
• So.... no apologies needed! Enjoy Freddie.
  Learn all about him while he learns all about
  you. And savor every day you have together )

46
Paisan

• Hows the new kitty? I hope you are doing well and
  Freddie is doing just as well. I am one of the
  rare guys that loves cats more that any other
  pet! One of my kitties gives me a kiss every
  night. Never two though. I don't know why.

47
Y2Kguru

• You just have to go into having a pet with the
  realization that you're probably going to outlive
  that pet. Of course, as I get older, the odds are
  beginning to shift to the side of the pet.
• We currently have a parakeet that showed up at my
  front door last year (pretty amazing since we
  live on 5 acres) and a cat that also muscled it's
  way into our lives.
• We are down to four horses, three of which are
  getting a bit older.
• Enjoy Freddy and keep Rock's memory in your
  heart. Just as with our Human friends, our pets
  are never really gone if we remember them.

48
RichC

• It happens tot he best of us!
• Getting older, that is.