My baby boy,,,,you came into my life in 2003 shortly after I bought this house. I would put food outside for you, but you would not let me touch you for almost half a year. My first attempt at bringing you in sent you into a panic---you literally climbed the walls in the foyer, and bounced yourself off the other walls--I quickly let you back out. Then, over time, we made an agreement that you would come in at night and go back out first thing in the mornings. We did that for a while, then one night as I was pulling out of the garage, I saw an orange and black blur go by in my rear view mirror. I got out and saw you and a black cat rolled up in a ball, tearing each other apart. I started yelling for you guys to stop, but you both kept going and ended up in the neighbor's yard. I ran inside and put dry food in a tin can and ran back out and shook it in front of you two. The black cat ran away, and you stood there drooling and panting and I couldn't even get you to focus. You had wounds and I was so afraid of you running away without help, so I just grabbed you and brought you in the house. I put you in a bedroom and called the vet. You were freaking out, but I knew that whatever it took, you needed help. The vet came and treated you--you had several puncture wounds and were a mess. I kept you confined and treated your wounds and gave you meds (although you weren't too happy about it at first). But then by the first week, it was like you knew what I was doing, and our bond began.

Since the sunroom was full of my other babies and the pecking order established, and since you had grown used to being upstairs with me, that is where you stayed. You quickly became boss of everything, and your recovery room became 'your' room. I set up tall cat poles and window beds so you could see outside and be less anxious. You took to it very well. And then you took over my bed :) I eventually had to give you your own pillow to keep you from sleeping on my face :) You were such a lover boy--posing like a human sleeping on the pillow---you were so funny. Then came the 'elephant in the room' thing--you were not the lightest on your feet, and you started this thing of flying down the halls and it literally sounded like elephants. You were a very big boy with long, long legs. Then came my office---you would jump up on my desk while I'd be in the middle of an email, and send it before I was done. I'm sure many people thought I was losing my mind when they would receive them lol. So,,,,yes, you got your own office chair, and would sit next to me whenever I was on the computer. Just so engaged in everything I did,,,,it is killing me how much I will miss you everywhere, but especially at bedtime. So many nights when I couldn't sleep you'd get on your pillow, or curl up in my belly, and purr to put me to sleep,,,oh how I'm going to miss that baby boy.

Everything was great until about 3 yaars ago,,,,you started losing weight and muscle mass, and were diagnosed with diabetes. I was so scared of needles that I didn't know what I was going to do. I researched it all and learned I should also prick you ear for blood before giving insulin. So I figured I'd try to learn that first,,,,boy did that not go well, for either you or me. I would be in tears because I just couldn't do it and was hurting you I think. After a few attempts, I realized if I didn't learn these things, you would die. So I asked you to bear with me and I fought my fears, and learned how to do both. You did okay for a while, but then you developed neuropathy in your hind legs, and were walking on your hocks. You could no longer jump on your pole or the bed, so I put stairs and a chair there to help you, but had to take down your poles so you wouldn't hurt yourself. I would give you leg massages several times a day, and pressure point treatments. And about 6 months later, not only had you gained your weight and muscle mass back, but you were back on your toes on your hind legs! You were able to run and jump again, and were so happy. I couldn't believe the turnaround you made and was so proud of you for going through it all with me and letting me learn and help you.

Then a few months ago you had some tooth issues, and lost two teeth. During that time, you were eating less, but that was to be expected. I helped you with some syringe feeding just to make sure you were getting enough. You were such a trooper. We got through that okay and you were back to eating well. Then a few weeks ago, you started to lose weight and muscle mass again. I though 'oh, maybe the diabetes?', but I always checked your numbers twice daily and did nadirs regularly, so I started to get nervous, but you were still eating. I went ahead and gave you a b12 injection just to give you a boost. Then several days ago, you just stopped eating, and I had the vet come. She said she didn't feel any masses, but that you were jaundiced, and she said it was your liver. I was instructed to put you on certain meds, fluids, and aggressively syringe feed you. So I ordered the meds, and ran out and got the special food. For two days you were such a trooper, letting me syringe feed you without too much fight. For two days you seemed to be responding. Then yesterday, you were still jumping on the bed and walking around, but you started to look really spacey and confused. My heart started to sink.

Last night as I lay in bed after checking you, I heard you cry. You had never done this and my heart started to race. I flew up and went to you,,,,you were lying down, and your head was up, but the look in your eyes was so scary, and I knew you were in pain. I stayed with you all night,,,and in the morning you cried again and when I came up from feeding the others, you were hiding in the space behind the bed. I had to take apart the whole platform to get to you, and this time you could only walk a few steps before collapsing,,,,,I broke into tears and called the vet.

Within the hour it took for her to arrive, you were so weak that you just layed flat out on your side, which you had not been doing previously. Your breathing became labored,,,, you were suffering, and I knew the decision had to be made,,,but baby, I was not ready to make it and it was SO hard to even think about. When the vet saw you, she felt you would not make it another half day, and that you were extremely weak and tired, and she felt along with your liver, that there was most likely a cancer going on as well. When I picked you up again, you were so limp, I just knew you were done fighting, and I held you and said our prayers, and made the decision to let you go. My heart just keeps breaking,,,,I would always kiss you like crazy, and tell you I'd never be able to kiss you enough to show you how much I love you,,,,oh Thomas,,,I just can't take losing you,,,,

I asked your baby girl Precious to meet you at the bridge, and I hope that she did and you are together now. I can only hope in my heart that you're back to your big, muscular self, with no pain and no fear, running in the fields and meadows with Precious. I also asked my mom to give you a hug and let you know it was okay and you were safe. Please know I did my best, and that I will never, EVER forget you and that you will ALWAYS be in my heart,,,,because you ARE my heart baby boy. I love you soooo much,,,,Thank you so much baby for all the years of love, smiles, laughs, and memories,,,,I hope you loved your life with me as well,,,,,Love and Light baby,,,,XOX

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done?
For this--the last battle--cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years;
Please see my need through all your tears.
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please let me go.

I know that now my needs you'll tend,
And stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering, I have been saved.

Do not grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We have been so close, we two, these years,
Please don't let your heart hold any tears.

Would you know my name, if I saw you in Heaven.
Would it be the same, if I saw you in Heaven.
I must be strong, and carry on, 'cause I know I don't belong here in Heaven.

Would you hold my hand, if I saw you in Heaven.
Would you help me stand, if I saw you in Heaven.
I'll find my way, through night and day, 'cause I know I just can't stay here in Heaven.

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please,,,begging please

Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in Heaven

Would you know my name, if I saw you in Heaven
Would it be the same, if I saw you in Heaven
I must be strong, and carry on, 'cause I know I don't belong here in Heaven

'Cause I know I don't belong here in Heaven,,,,,,

10/25/18: Oh my baby boy,,,,how I am missing you,,,every moment,,,everywhere I look. Can't sleep without you purring next to me,,,,can't stand being in my office without you next to me in your chair. This is killing me,,,,
I took you today for your cremation service. They did not have any earlier appointments for me to stay with you and make sure you were by yourself, so the past three days were horrible, having to continually put ice bags in with you,,,,most horrible thing I've ever had to do,,,seeing you like that for days,,,and wanting you back so badly to have just one more hug. All I can hope is that you're pain free and whole again,,,to me, no matter what any pet is suffering from, and how 'right' it is to 'do the right thing', it is still never right to me,,,,I am not God and hate having to make those decisions, but sadly it is also a part of loving,,,we have to endure the heartache to help those we love.
I hope you heard the poem we read at your service,,,please know how much you meant and will always mean to me.
I brought you home and made your place in the memorial area, along with your paw prints and some fur. God how I miss nuzzling your soft ears. Each night since you've been gone I go crazy trying to sleep,,just waiting for your head butt into my belly,,,but it never comes. I listen for your purr next to my ear, which used to calm me down on the hardest of days,,,,but I'll never hear it again. Every time I think I just can't cry anymore, that there couldn't possibly be another drop of water in me to make a tear, something hits me and I cry another river. Although I know your spirit lives on, I will never be the same without you around. I will do my best, however, to get through, as I don't want you to be sad either seeing me like this. But right now I just don't know how to do it. Please, when you get situated and are able, come and help me. I'll never forget how big and beautiful you are,,,,such long, long legs,,,tallest boy I ever had. And such knowing eyes,,,,I always told you I thought you were half human,,,you just knew things,,,,maybe you were my angel here,,,,please be that from heaven as well.
Oh my bubby,,,,time can break your heart,,,have you begging please,,,,, I love you so, so much,,,,
Love and Light my baby,,,,XOX

10/29/18: Thomas, my beautiful boy,,,,today is a week since you've been gone and as you might know,,I am a mess. I can't sleep, can't look anywhere without my heart sinking because you're not all the places you used to be. Your pillow is still on the bed,,,I can't even bring myself to wash your pillowcase,,,,,I know you're probably thinking 'silly mommy,,,I'm here,,,just wash it',,,,but I just can't. I lie there touching it, holding it,,,and crying my eyes out. If you do see any of this, I'm sorry,,,,I certainly don't want you to feel badly you had to go,,,,but you were such a big part of my life,,,,you were my heart baby boy. Please let me know you're okay somehow,,,I can only have faith that you are,,,and please, please know I'd have given anything to make you well. But all I can hope is that now you truly are whole and well again, with no more fear or sickness. I love you with ALL my heart bubby,,,,,Love and Light my handsome boy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOX

11/18/18: Oh Thomas,,,this is the first day since my last visit that I've had even the slightest strength to visit your page,,,,my whole life is upside down without you here. I so long to touch you, hold you, smell you,,,and there's nothing that makes that better. I have no one around me who really understands,,,,right now I can't even see from crying as I write this,,,,such a giant hole in my heart. I recently tried letting Sasha and Tasha come upstairs, as without you here there's no love or life up here,,,,and I felt guilty thinking you might mind,,,so I kept asking you to give me a sign it's okay, but I still am not sure. But at the very least it's helpful to them as they are calmer and are getting some more exercise (as you know, they're both a bit chubby). What makes me wonder is that I found Tasha on your pillow yesterday----it made me happy and sad all at that same time---didn't know if it was okay with you and at the same time felt you invited her there. I guess the part of death to those left behind is that we'll never know any of these answers, until we're on the other side also maybe. I guess the word faith isn't such a small word after all. I'm still doing things like going to change your water and food bowls, or clean your litter boxes,,,, but the worst is in the middle of the night when I wake up or in the morning when I look over at your pillow and you're not there, or when I'm getting ready in the morning and look over at your tall pole,,and you're not there,,,,or walk into my closet to get clothes, and you're not there. I have such love and bonds with all you guys, passed and present, but you to me were half human---you just knew things---and the way you would look me straight in the eyes and just stare,,,so much love in them,,,,it kills me I'll never see that again, only in a photo. Please help me to understand any of this,,,you know how hard my life has been the past year, and I don't understand why God took you now, right in the middle of all this. And right after losing several other babies,,,just way too much loss in too short a time,,,but then to take you, my only friend in the world right now,,,I just don't understand and have anger with it as well. They say He only gives you what you can handle, but I've been telling Him I truly cannot handle anymore, and then He takes you. I'll keep trying to come to terms with it,,,but I'll never, ever, ever, not miss you every second of every day,,,,oh baby,,I hope you still know how special you are to me, and that you are with Precious, taking care of each other and running and feeling well again. I love you with all my heart bubby,,,Love and Light my sweet baby boy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOX

11/22/18: Oh Thomas,,,,I still just can't believe this,,,,one calendar month you've been gone and it feels like just this morning you were here next to me. I'm really having a very bad time handling or accepting any of this,,,you weren't supposed to go yet,,,,so many things are going wrong in my life, but losing you has really tipped the scales for me. I couldn't come to visit on Thanksgiving because I was just so depressed,,,no where to go, so was home alone,,,and although I'm thankful for many things, this year it was hard because of losing you and all the others in such a short period of time. I keep trying to go on because all the other guys need me, and they are doing their best to help me get through each day. Losing any of you just breaks me down, but you had just come back from a long battle and were doing great---all muscular again, all your weight back,,,you looked fantastic,,,,then I blink and you're gone,,,,it wasn't supposed to be your time yet and I'm so very angry I don't know what to do. It also hurts when I think about if you are missing me just as much and if you're sad,,,or if where you are now you are well and happy and that's the trade off,,,none of us know,,,we can only hope. I'd give anything to hold you right now,,,,please don't be sad when you see these tears,,,they are there because of all the love I have for you. I miss you SO SO much baby boy,,,hugs, kisses, Love and Light,,,XOXOXOXOXOX

12/1/18: My baby boy,,,,I can't even function still at times,,,it's so unreal that you're not here,,,,you weren't supposed to go this soon and I can't come to terms with it. I'm sad, angry, deflated, numb,,,all at the same time. I try to focus on all our good times and all the love we shared, and it helps a lot, but I feel so much like a failure I can't stand it. I can only hope you don't blame me in any way,,,I did all I could under the circumstances. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH baby boy,,,, come and touch my nose please,,, I need to feel that. May you always feel and know what a special boy you are,,,,thank you for all the smiles and laughs,,,,miss you so much baby,,,,Love and Light,,,,XOXOXOXOXOX

12/25/18: Hi baby,,,,it's Christmas and I'm missing you and all the others who have passed. As you know, except for my brief visit with my sister every Christmas, since my mother passed all I've had are you guys to cheer me up and get me through, especially you and Precious upstairs attached to my hip and helping with holiday decorating. I saw you everywhere,,,, it is so not right that you're not here. I hope you know I love you so much and always, always will. Merry Christmas Thomas,,,,Kisses, hugs,,,,Love and Light,,,XOXOXOX

1/26/19: Hi baby boy,,,,I'm sorry I didn't come out on New Years,,,I was so depressed and sad I just couldn't bear visiting everyone. I hope you heard me tell you Happy New Year and how much I love and miss you. Love and Light sweetie,,,,XOXOX

2/22/19: Hi my baby boy,,,,today I woke up with such a heaviness in my heart, and then realized today is 4 months since you've been gone. I still cannot accept or believe it,,,,it took us almost a year to get you back into health,,,gaining your weight and muscle back, getting your hind legs working again,,,,you looked and felt great! How can only a short time later you wither away and become so sick,, it's so unfair and I'm still so angry. Still when I pull in the driveway I look up to see you in the window,,,I just wish I knew why you were taken from me so soon, especially after such a recovery you made. I can only hope you know how much I miss you,,,,my heart just keeps bleeding,,,,,I love you baby boy,,,so, so much.
Love and Light sweet boy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXXXXXXX

5/15/19: Oh Thomas,,,I just can't take you not being here,,,I see and hear you everywhere,,,and oh how hard it is to go to bed without you next to me, your sweet eyes staring into mine,,,your purr soothing me to sleep. It still feels like yesterday you were here,,,,,and I still can't accept or understand why you had to go,,,the grief and anger are still so strong, I don't know how to cope. And knowing that you miss me as well breaks my heart even more,,,but I hope you know we'll be together again someday, and that you hear me talk to you all the time, and that you can feel how much I love and miss you. You are forever in my heart my pumpkin,,,,Love and Light my baby,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXXX

10/17/19: Hi sweet baby,,,,I'm sorry I don't get out here much, but seeing all your guys pages is just too much for me to bear lately,,,I hope you understand and know how much I still and always will love and miss you,,,,it's just been tearing me apart. And today, one of your cousins, Asia, went to the bridge. Although you never met him, he is a sweet boy and I think you'd like being friends with him. So look for him at the bridge if you want and say hello, and help him know he's okay. I love you so much Thomas, and still cannot believe you're gone,,,,but I have to hope you are back to health and not suffering anymore, and that is the only thing that has some comfort for me. You will forever be in my heart baby boy,,,,Love and Light,,,mommy,,,XOXOXOXOXOXXXXX

10/22/19: Oh my baby boy,,,today is the anniversary of when you had to go,,,it's already been a whole year and I can't get my head around that, as it truly feels like yesterday,,,I still feel you everywhere and my whole body aches to not see you here. The nights are horrible without you,,,,I can't tell you the last time I slept well,,,I'm just so used to having you next to me. Even though Sasha and Tasha now take turns coming upstairs, and they do their best to comfort me, there will never be another you. I hope you are okay that they do that,,,I just had to do something to try to sleep at night and the pain of losing you was unbearable, and so unexpected---you just crashed out of nowhere and I am still very angry and confused by it. You were like my rock. I hope you aren't upset that they come upstairs now, but I was so used to having you and Precious there I needed company, and they also needed some comfort since they had to be separated because of their fights. But there was always something human about you that I could never explain, and I miss it more than anything. It also breaks my heart that you miss me too, and can only hope that Precious is some comfort to you. But we will all be together again someday,,,, I hope you hear me when I talk to you, and feel me when I 'pet' you,,,,and I can only hope you are back to health and running and playing with Precious again (and licking and biting her head) :) I love and miss you so much baby boy, and you will forever be in my heart. Love and Light my baby boy,,,,mommy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXXXX

11/23/19: Thomas,,,I can't even begin to express how much I miss you,,,you were a part of every minute of every day, and I haven't been able to figure out how to cope with you not being here. From your pillow on the bed, to your office chair next to mine,,,, I just miss you everywhere,,, and the look in your eyes I will never, ever, forget, and will miss always. Like some people have a 'work' husband, you were my 'cat' husband,,and you knew so much,,,I tell people all the time you had to be half human,,,just such a knowing in your eyes,,,oh God how I miss you. I know you have been watching Sasha and Tasha trying to comfort me, and I'm grateful for that,,,and wonder if you have a part in that, especially with Sasha as she's always been so tough, and now she's being my buddy and trying so hard to not be fresh :) But, my baby boy, I still see your eyes, and hear your purr,,,and it sounds silly but I miss how you smelled,,,everything about you was just always such a comfort to me, no matter what I was going through. And as you must know, I'm going through hell right now,,with both losing more babies, but with fighting to not lose our home,,,and oh how I wish you were here to keep me calm, as I can't sleep, can't eat, and cry so much,,and you were always there by my side to cheer me up in your own special way. Sasha and Tasha certainly do their best, and I'm so grateful they are here, but you knew me so well and just had a way with keeping me sane. As I said to Asia tonight, I hope you don't miss me as much as I miss you, because it hurts so, so much, and I'd hate to know you were hurting this badly. But all I can do is have faith that one day we'll all be together again. I hope you and Precious are comforting each other and that you both know how much I love and miss you. You will always, ALWAYS, be in my heart, as you are my heart. Love and Light baby boy,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXXX

1/1/2020: Hi baby boy, and Happy New Year. I'm sorry I couldn't come out here for Christmas---I've been very, very sick the past 3 weeks---but as you know, you all had your stockings up and your Christmas lights hung. I can't tell you in words how much I miss you,,,,but my heart bleeds. Oh Thomas,,,it's been so, so hard without you here,,,it just doesn't seem real,,,like I'm so lost,,,,you were such a constant in my every moment of every day,,,,please let me know you're okay somehow and please know how much my heart aches without you,,, my big, handsome boy. I love and miss you so much my sweet baby boy,,,,,Love and Light,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

10/22/20: Oh, my baby boy,,,how I've missed you so,,,,today it has been 2 years since you went to the bridge and my heart is still breaking, every minute, every day,,,,, each time I lie down in bed, I turn to see you on your pillow,,,but you're not there, and I die inside once again,,, I love all my babies so, so much, but you were my 'cat husband' :) ,,,, I'm so lost without you,,,,,you saw me go through every moment of my life,,joy, pain, happiness, grief, confusion, pain,,,,all of it,,,,and you would just look me in the eyes as if to say 'it's okay mommy, I'm here",,,,, and now you are not and I'm so broken. As you know, Sasha and Tasha now take turns coming upstairs, and they have been a blessing to help with the emptiness of you not being here, and they really try to help me feel better, as if they understand,,,, but poor Tasha is sick, I think with kidney or liver troubles like you, and something is not right with Sasha, but she's in much better shape than her sister,,,but they have only been up here a little over a year,,,and you were up here with me for over 10 years, so it's so hard not to see you when I come upstairs. And you were so 'human',,,you knew things, and you knew me,,,, oh how I miss the sound of your purr, the smell of your fur, the look in your eyes,,your meow,,, and all your funny antics,,,my heart bleeds without you. Sasha now goes on your pole, like she knows,,,I think she likes the smell of you,,,and just last week she started to sleep on your daybed,,, maybe you're calling her there??? I also want to apologize for not coming out here this year,,,,we are going through a pandemic and I was very, very sick in Jan and Feb, and then again last month,,, the world shut down and I have not been able to work and it has been oh so stressful,,,I've been very depressed and just barely get through the days sometimes,,,so please forgive me,,,and please know that not a day goes by without you in my thoughts and in my heart,,,,that will never, ever, change my baby,,,, I hope you are with Precious and that you both are whole again, with no pain, no sickness, and no worry. Please, come visit me and give me a sign when you can,,,,I love you with all my heart and soul Thomas, and always, always, will. Forever in my heart,,,,Love and LIght my baby boy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

10/22/21: My sweet, sweet baby boy,,,,today it has been 3 years since you left, and my heart still bleeds without you. As I wrote to the others, I am no longer going to write a lot of emotional things on your pages, as apparently it gets taken the wrong way by people who read it. But I hope you hear me when I talk to you, and feel me when I send you love. There's not a minute in a day that I don't miss you, and wish with all my heart you were still here with me. I hope you're with Precious and that you are both healthy again, able to run and play. I love and miss you so, so much every day, and you will always and forever be in my heart. Love and Light my sweet boy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

12/25/21: Merry Christmas baby,,,love and miss you always,,,,Love and Light my sweet boy,,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

7/5/22: Hi my baby,,,,love and miss you always,,,Love and Light sweetie,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

10/22/22: Oh my Thomas,,,today it has been 4 years without you, and for whatever reason it is hitting me almost as hard as the day you left. My cat 'husband',,,I so hope you can still hear me when I talk to you and can still feel how much I love you,,,,how I wish you were next to me,,,,my world is so different without you and the others, like I'm just not me anymore. Oh how I miss looking into your eyes,,,Well, that's all I can say out here, like I told you earlier about writing stuff out here. I love you baby with all my heart,,,,and miss you every day. Love and Light sweet handsome boy,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

1/1/23: Happy New Year my sweetie,,,,I'm so sorry I couldn't visit your page for Christmas,,,,it was just so painful, as all of you are gone now and it was my first Christmas alone without any of you, and I just couldn't handle it. I did put up lights and your stockings in the sunroom and house, and hope you visited and saw them. I miss you so, so much, and always will. In my heart, forever,,,,,Love and Light my boy,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

10/22/23: A waterfall of tears,,,,can't believe it's been 5 years without you. I miss you so, so much. I hope you heard me talking to you, and can feel all the love I hold for you. Oh how I wish you were here,,,
I love you Thomas with all my heart, and miss you every minute of every day. Forever in my soul,,,,,Love and Light my sweet boy,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

12/25/23: Merry Christmas my sweet baby boy,,,Love and miss you,,,XOXOXOXOXOXOXXX

Please also visit Asia, Brinnie, China, Comet, Ellie, Gremlin, Jasper, Jettie, Linky, Lucky, Onyx, Polo, Precious, Rambo, Sasha, Skylar, Slater, Squiggy and Tasha.