Conference misery::feline

617.0. "Goodbye to Henry & Boo" by LJSRV2::BLUNDELL () Mon Sep 27 1993 10:05

    
    I wasn't sure which topic would be most appropriate for this -
    Moderator,, feel free to move if this is not a good place for it.
    
    I am a constant reader of Felines and have written occasionally in the
    past.  Usually I'm just laughing or crying along with you all and
    gathering all sorts of wonderful information and faith in human nature
    from this file.
    
    I had the horrible experience this weekend of losing both my puppy
    and one of my dearest kittens.  Henry was a beautiful, shiny black
    kitty who appeared at my door in the middle of a snowstorm last winter.
    He was just a kitten then, no more than three months old at the most.
    I let him in out of the snow and he padded right over to the food
    bowl, ate forever, and curled up next to the woodstove.  When the
    weather cleared, I took him outside and tried to see if he headed
    for a nearby house or seemed to recognize anything.  He didn't and
    he eventually became my kitty.  He was the quietest most regal kitty
    I've ever had.  The puppy would play with him constantly and Henry
    never raised a paw or made a noise.  He would always wait to eat
    until those with more seniority had finished and he was famous for
    finding the bag of Milkbones wherever it was hidden and climbing
    right in for a snack.  Every day when I got home from work, he was
    in the front window waiting for me and in the winter, he used to
    sleep on my head and when the sun came up, he'd put his paws over
    my eyes as if trying to keep out the light.  He didn't make it to
    Animal Emergency Care in Acton, but I didn't have the heart to
    check for sure so I took him in and they were kind enough to do
    that for me.  After discussing his symptoms with them, etc., it
    appears he was poisoned.  He taught me much about dignity and
    grace and patience - I will miss him terribly - he came into
    my life in such an unexpected way and was so gracious and grateful
    all the days he was with me - I dread going home and not seeing
    him in his favorite window seat.
                                        
    I came home from that experience to a note on my front door which
    read as follows:
    
            Your dog was hit today and died - Call the Dog Dispatcher
            Lancaster Police for info. - UNFORTUNATELY, you WERE not at
            home when this happened.  SOME of us got very upset.
    
    I've substituted capital letters for underlined words, but the
    message is clear.  I don't know which neighbor felt compelled to
    leave this but they have absolutely no clue.  Boo was extremely
    well cared for.  He was fed twice a day, always had clean fresh
    water and I walked him twice (three times on weekends) a day in
    the woods in back of the house where he could run free when I
    took him out there.  He had his own three-season porch complete
    with fresh air, sun & shade, two couches, a blanket he loved,
    numerous doggy toys and loved to sleep on my feet when I work
    on my computer at night.  He learned how to ring the doorbell
    (there's a doorbell inside the porch next to the sliding door)
    when he wanted attention and he loved to play ring-and-hide-and-seek
    almost as much as he loved bury-the-Milkbone.  He was a big puppy and
    very rambunctious. He generally stayed in the yard if he wasn't
    on his run or porch and occasionally wandered next door under my
    watchful eye.  He got out once when I wasn't home and from then on,
    the door on his porch was always locked when I wasn't there.
    Yesterday afternoon I assume he broke through the storm door.
    I was only gone for about four hours and had fed and watered and
    hugged him just before I left.  I can't imagine that this person thinks
    I was not upset by the news and I can't imagine that they feel my not
    being home reflects in any way on the care I give my animals.
    
    I've seen notes in this notes file before where people are concerned
    about neighbors' pets.  Please, please talk to your neighbors.  Find
    out if the animals are actually being ignored or abused and get the
    whole story.  In my case, I've always told my neighbors to let me know
    if Boo was a problem or if they saw anything amiss.  I would have
    been happy to explain to them how well cared for and loved he was --
    and/or solve any discipline problems I was unaware of.
    Maybe then they would have realized that this was a very unfortunate
    accident but that it no way reflects on the care he was given or on
    how upset I am at his passing.  He will be missed terribly and
    never forgotten.

    I am very sorry for both of your losses.  Perhaps you should print
    your note and post it on your neighbors door.  People should never
    jump to conclusions.  Again, my condolences.
    Karen

    I am so sorry to heard ofyour losses.  When they are unexpected and
    experienced so close together it makes the healing process even more
    difficult.
    
    It is so easy to jump to conclusions where the care and welfare of
    animals are concerned.  Although the note you received was not written
    very tactfully, it must have been a terrible experience for the folks
    who found Boo... and I'm sure they were grieving right along with you
    at the time.  Boo and Henry both knew they were well loved and cared
    for, and that is what's most important right now.  They had a wonderful
    life with you.
    
    Sending big condolensces,
    -Roberta
    

    
    My deepest sympathies, losing two good friends in such a short time. 
    I pray that god gives you the strength to overcome this. 
    
    Shaw

    I would like to send along my prays and sympathies too.
    
    *joyce
    

    this is really terrible! losing your 2 best friends in such a way
    in one day yet!  were they able to tell you who brought the dog in,
    or who called about the dog being hit when you contacted the
    animal officer?  ho did the officer find out about it?  it just 
    seems so strange that it happened that way, especially while you were
    at the vet with  your cat who was poisoned!  who would have done that?
    I don't want to upset you, but I just keep thinking of all these 
    questions, maybe having had experiences with weirdo neighbors in the
    past.  gee, I hope you get this solved.
    
    condolences,  denise

    My heart and prayers are with you.   Losing two of your best
    friends must be very tough on you.
    
    Sandy

      
      
      I have no words to express my feelings about what happened to you 
      and your family.
      
      I am sure Henry and Boo are now playing together in a big green 
      field and smiling at you every time you are thinking of them.
      
      My condolences,
      
      Elisabetta
      
      

         I am really sorry too.  I know how good an animal person you are,
    after taking in Diesel/Snoopy.
    
         Hang in there.
    
    					- Andrea

    Adrienne,
    
     Boo and Henry have been added to the Silver Lining Memorial. My
    condolences to yo and yours. Take care of yourself, and take comfort in
    knowing that you DID give them a loving caring home. 
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee (who can't wait for this horrible month to end!)

    
    I've been meaning to get in here and thank you all for your kind 
    words - it's just been so hectic lately.  It really does help to 
    know that there are people out there who sympathize.  Thanks also 
    to Yonee for adding Henry and Boo to the SLM.  It sounds silly but
    I feel like they've taken all your good wishes along with them
    and Feliners are so kind, I'm sure those good wishes will serve
    them well.  Thank you all again.  You made it ever so much easier
    for me to let them go. 
    
    Adrienne