Conference misery::feline_v1

    Sorry to hear about Brad.....our thoughts are with you!
    
    Feel free to call if you need to unload....
    
    Lynne (dtn 281-5770 or E-mail)
    

    I'm so sorry about Brad.
    
    Karen
    

      I know exactly how you feel...it is always a terrible trauma to lose
    a much-loved friend. 
    
      I also understand how you cannot let him go...but WHY SHOULD YOU???
    He IS yours, but now he simply stays with you on another level...
    
    
      I'm going to take the liberty to send you something off-line...
    I think at first you will have some tears, but then I think you will
    agree that this is a beautiful tribute...
    
       John Mc

    Thank You JM... It was tearful and beautiful.
    
    I know I cant let go and I wont! I still have pictures everywhere
    and a beautiful statue that my mom had made especially for Brad & 
    Alex. Thank God some things made it.
    
    Sue

    I am so sorry for your loss.  Don't let go, keep him in your heart and
    remember all the good times that you shared.  You are lucky to still
    have another kitty and Brad will open the way for another.  
    
    Lots of hugs and prayers 
    
          from
    
    Giudi + Pippin, Gino & StItCh

    I am so sorry.
    
    I know just how you feel - Percy died a year ago and it still feels
    like yesterday. I still cry for him.
    
    
    Hugs from the UK,
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.
    

    sniff sniff...So sorry to hear about Brad.   Don't ever feel you
    have to let go....that is not true...memories are beautiful and
    should be cherished forever..
    
    All fingers are crossed as well as paws (and we have many of those)
    for a wonderful rest of the year for you!  So happy your fiance will
    be comming home soon.
    
    Goodnight Brad.
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, Barkley, Dewey, Anges, Chloe, and Abby)
    
    

    My thoughts are with you... it is so sad to lose a much loved friend.
    
    Best regards
    
    Sandra, Charlie, Rosie and Floyd

    I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Sometimes it takes a long time to
    be able to accept the death of a loved one, whether it's a human or an 
    animal friend. The traumatic circumstances under which it happened must 
    make it even harder for you. I've grieved long for all my deceased feline 
    friends but the losses I found hardest to accept were my two cats who 
    died of feline leukemia. It just seemed so unfair for them to die so 
    young.

    It is so fortunate that YOU and Sir Alexander escaped the fire! I also
    think it's wonderful that the firefighters cared enough to try to rescue 
    the cats, possibly risking their own lives. 

    Good luck to you and your fiance', and may you find another furface to
    love when you're ready.

    Linda, Misty, Cubby, Tweetie, Toby, Peanut and foster kitty Sunny 

    I can't begin to say how sorry I am for you...........  I have often
    thought about what would happen if I had a fire and I wasn't home.  I
    have 3 indoor kittys and 1 inside/outside kitty.  I also have a dog
    but she spends the day outside.  I know Thunder and Patches would go
    to strangers, but Lightning will only come to me and my daughter and
    DejaVu is too afraid of strangers.
    
    I am so glad that you managed to at least save Alex.  I know getting
    a new kitten won't replace Brad but it will help to ease the pain.
    
    My thoughts are definitely with both you and Alex..........
    
    Sandi and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    Keep all your wonderful memories and love for Brad close to your heart
    and he will never be far away from you.  I'm glad that you and Alex
    made it out okay and my heart aches for you having to suffer such a
    tragedy in your home.  I know that the next furface you bring into your
    life will be a very lucky kitty, for you sound like a wonderful person
    with alot of love to give.  I hope Alex is recovering from his wounds
    and is feeling okay.
    
    Hugs, Prayers & Purrs
    
    Lori...Sausha...Misty Rae...Freeway
                                       

    
    As stated.......Never let go, you couldn't cause Braford won't let you. 
    I had to put down, 4 years ago my first and only dog of two years old. 
    It took over a year for me to stop crying.  I can smile and talk of him
    now and on occasion, maybe something on TV, tears will come to my eyes
    and I will ache for him once again.  I have a place of pictures on my
    wall in my living room of him and will stay there.
    
    I know when your alone, a pet is someone there, just for you.  My
    husband had two hear-attacks 3 1/2 years ago and I had wished Smokey
    was with me then.
    
    I have recently lost my Dad and my cat Scruffy has been my comfort too.
    
    Give yourself plenty of time ------------ share your loss with your
    fiance' when he comes home and if it's right for you, get a new buddy
    for ALex.  It won't replace Brad it will be a new life to share.
    
    Warm Fuzzy hugs from
       
    		Scruffy and the Dudley Road Gang
    
    Carol
    
    

    Much sympathy about Brad...Yesterday I added a note to #2 introducing
    my present cats and talking about the one I lost to diabetes...We had
    to ask the vet to end her suffering...she had already suffered brain
    damage and he could not give us any hope that she would last more than
    a few months.  In hindsight, I wonder if I could have spotted the
    symptoms sooner and treatment could have saved her..He assured me it
    was the most rapid advancement he had encountered.  But...I still hear
    her talking to me at night..six months later..but lately rather than
    bothering me it's been reassuring.  I would have rather had her for my
    cat for the 6 years I had her than not to have had her at all....(BTW
    she was a stray we rescued)  Over Easter we adopted (or he adopted us)
    another black stray kitten...He won't replace her but maybe he'll fill
    the void she left....and hopefully you will be able to accept the loss
    and go on to give your love to another cat or kitten..

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  It's been such a tragic few years
    for you!  I understand what you mean by two certain years being the
    worst of your life!  1988 and 1989 were for me.  Between the death of
    my fiance and my brother.  But during all of that time, I had my
    felines to help me through it.
    
    Keep a hold of the other baby!  Keep him close to you and tell him how
    much you miss Brad.  I'm sure that he misses him just as much!  And get
    him a new friend to play with, run with, and make many more memories
    with.  No, this is not a replacement, but a new life to make that many
    more memories with.
    
    Take care.
    
    Holly, Silver, Pita, Tabitha, Sweetie, Lila, Honey, and Marni
    
    

      The mere mention of the word FIRE is enough to conjure up all kinds
    of nightmares in any cat owner.  Something as swiftly and totally
    destructive that can take the lives of those you love, and you don't
    have any control over it sometimes.  This is a terrible story,  I feel
    awful for you.  And the added stress of your fiance's deployment and
    I'm sure you were worried about him too.
      I lost 3 cats to FELV, having to watch each of them wither away. I
    know how awful it is.  And sometimes you can't even tell other people
    because they don't understand.  They say, "oh for heavens sake, it was
    just a cat".  Apparently they've never lost a best friend.  I still
    constantly think of my 3.  In fact, I was just out putting flowers on
    the graves this week.  This all happened back in '88,  which was a real
    bad year for me.  Luckily, I have 11 cats to help.  They are always
    so supportive.  I always have at least 1 or more cats with me at any given 
    time to talk to no matter what room I'm in.
      Any time you want to talk, you can reach me offline if you wish. You
    are right in saying you can get support here.  We are definately a
    devoted group of cat lovers.
    
                             Bless you, Denise 

    Sometimes I wonder if part of the reason I have so many cats is
    to try and insulate myself from the pain of losing that love.  I
    think it is very different to put an old friend out of her pain
    or to lose a young friend quickly and unexpectedly.  
    
    We put our dog to sleep after 16 years and tho I still miss her its
    very different from what I feel when I think about losing Kathryn who
    was hit by a car just prior to her 2nd birthday.  
    
    I am very sorry to hear of the lost of Brad.  I have added his name
    to the Silver Lining Memorial list for this quarter and he will be
    comemmorated when we make our donation in July. 
    
    In the meantime, I know of a nice Himmy, just spayed, who is looking
    for a home.  I believe the price is $100.  She's at the Pat Brody
    Memorial Animal Shelter and you can contact Kim Trainque at HYEND::
    KTRAINQUE if you are intersted.
    
    I'll never let go of Kathryn - I don't think I could if I wanted -
    she lives right here in my heart and Brad will live in yours.
      Nancy DC

    
    Thanks so much. Really- I love all of you!  
    
    SueJ-Alex & Brad~

    Just to let you know....
    
    Vinnie is finally in NORTH CAROLINA! He flew in yesterday morning
    at 4am...I spoke with him at 5am 8^)
    
    If all goes well-he should be flying into Manchester on Wednesday!
    Alex is excited! He cant wait to see his Dad! 
    
    SueJ & Alex & Angel Brad~
    
    Who IS a burst of Anxiety!  ;^)
    Thanks All.

    OH! How wonderful for you! Finally!!
    
    I'm so sorry about Brad, I've often thought of how I'd feel if I came
    home to find out we had a fire. My poor girls would have nowhere to go.
    I've never lost a pet, so I can't say, "I know how you feel..." but the
    thought alone brings tears to my eyes, as did the stories lately of all
    of the kitties who've met their end. I know NOTHING can prepare me for
    the inevitable day that I'll have to say goodbye to my babies, so I try
    not to think about it. I just hope that when the day comes, I have
    feline loving friends like you all to share my grief with!
    
    I'm sure the comfort of having your husband & kitties will soothe your
    pain, but know you'll always have your memories & that Brad will never 
    *REALLY* be gone!
    
    Hugs,
    Bonnie

    re: .18 - finally some GOOD news.  :^)

    Hi!
    
    	Even better news! Vinnie is coming home tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    	AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    	SueJ-Alex & Angel Brad
    
    	Alex knows something wierd is with me! He has been strange
    	for the past couple days! Its been ever since I found out too!
    	Spoke with Vinnie this morning and told how Alex was acting.
    	He said he knows your acting different! 
    
    	
    

    Oh, ya! they surely can tell how you're feeling. I think I helped my
    girl,TAbitha get better from a fever by staying w/ her w/ water & stuff
    the whole time she was sick. It was quite a bonding time. I think she
    knows how I feel ALL the time.
    
    BOnnie

    sue...
    
    so sorry to hear about brad and the circumstances of his passing.  but
    since you were able to put it down in writing, and share it with us,
    the first part of the healing process has taken place.
    
    glad to hear of your fiance's safe return.  hopefully, you will find a
    new kitty to be new best friend to alex.  take care...
    
    diane, stella & stanley