Conference misery::feline_v1

2242.0. "Last Will & Testament" by GENRAL::BALDRIDGE (All in a day's work) Sat Feb 18 1989 18:58

    I recently discovered this notes file and am working my way thru
    some 22,000 notes and replies in it.  Last Friday, I reached Steve
    Kallis' Note #165 and read about the loss of his very good friend.
    
    Our oldest daughter and family, who live in Seattle, suffered the
    loss of Bjorn.  Bjorn was once a kitten, born to our oldest cat,
    Ada and he went to live with Jana and Lee when he was 7 weeks old.
    They loved him and enjoyed him for 13 years before he died.  It
    was necessary for them to have him put to sleep as he was suffering
    a great deal.  After his death, their vet sent them the following
    letter that I want to share with the rest of you noters:
    
                LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF BJORN
    
    I, Bjorn, being of poor health do hereby bequeath, to my Master,
    my last will and testament, to be recalled fondly whenever they
    think of me.
    
    The time I have spent on this earth has been a time of joy and
    happiness for me, a time that I will cherish forever.  As I leave
    you now, I take no worldly possesions but instead I choose to keep
    all those happy memories we have made together and the quiet times
    we have shared.
    
    There were occasions during our time together that I may have seemed
    aloof and distant, not caring whether you were around or away, but
    do not be misled by my appearance. It always mattered to me, I
    carefully and secretly watched you from afar, noting you comings
    and goings, hoping the your time at home was greater that your time
    away.  Part of my personality was to maintain my independance, at
    times to the point of being a bit snobbish, but under that sleek
    facade, I was a dependent bundle of insecurities.
    
    I need your love.  I needed your gentle touch of reassurance, but
    mostly I needed you.
    
    Do not mourn for me, for now I am free, no longer tied to this earth
    by pain or suffering.  I can roam the fields chasing butterflies
    an bask in the afternoon sun.  I am safe and secure in the love
    we shared and I will hold you in my heart forever.
    
    No other cat can replace me, but no other cat would try.  You need
    to share your life with another cat, not as a replacement, but rather
    a continuation of the relationship we have started.
    
    Know that I will miss you as you will miss me, but cherish those
    fond and happy memories of me, for they will be with us both always.
    
    Love, Bjorn
    
    P.S. Another cat, Cordell, found them during a rainstorm about a
    month later.
    
    Chuck

    
    
         Thankyou for sharing that.  My kitty (Sharmin) is getting old,
    and in the unfortunate event that she might pass away soon, maybe
    reading this will help.  I am banking that she has at least 10 more 
    years ahead of her, as she is 11 years old now.  Reading how long
    some of these other kitties have lived has made me optomistic. 
    I just never had a kitty this long and wasn't sure on their life
    span. 
         Anyway, maybe an unfortunate furface mom/dad who lost a special
    friend will read your note and feel a little better.
    
     
    

    That was lovely.  I'm in tears in my office, thinking about my dear
    old Lucky.
    
    Mary-Michael

    



    			THAT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!
    
    
    

    As I read the note so many of our animals we have had and lost 
    through the years came to mind. Snif, snif.
    
    Think I will make a copy of it and give it to our vet. They are such
    softies.
    
    Thanks, even though I was in tears first thing this morning.
    
    Barbara

    Thanks so much - even though Susie has been gone for several years
    it still brought tears to my eyes..  I too I'm taking a copy to
    my vet and his colleagues they are such softies that I'm sure they
    will want to use it.
    
    Again thanks.
    

    
    
    	sniff..sniff...does anyone have a tissue?
    
    	I haven't lost a pet..and don't hope to for a long time.
    	Brandi's 4 and Sasha is still a baby...but you never know..
    
    	a beautiful story!!
    
    	JJ

    Now if I can sneak out of here without anyone seeing me, I can
    save myself alot of embarressment, wwwwwaaaaaaaa.......
    
    Ps: what a precious note that was!
    Tina
    

    Thanks for posting that, it's a beautiful tribute for those wonderful
    furfaces!  (sniffle,sniffle,wahhhhhhh!)
    
    Roslyn