Thursday, March 09, 2017

Heartbreak

Hello everyone, thanks for stopping by today.

Generally I don't talk about my personal life here, I like to keep my blog for sharing 'artsy stuff'.   But today I have some sad news to share as I think it will be helpful to talk about it.   You may have already seen my Facebook post.

My mischievous 'crafting assistant', our sweet fur boy, went peacefully to kitty heaven on Tuesday.  Our hearts are broken, we miss him so much.







Archie was the coolest cat with a gentle soul, silky fur and of course sometimes demanding.  As a friend said, we were his 'staff'.     He didn't seem to be afraid of anything or anyone, except the big scary vacuum cleaner.   He would tap my face at 6:00 a.m. not because he was anxious for food, but because he wanted me to pet him.    Next he wanted to play as if he was a kitten, he was addicted to the 'laser light'.   We found it so funny and I kept thinking we need to video record him, but unfortunately I never did.  I couldn't understand why he was so fascinated with a laser light that he could never 'catch'.     Jim would walk him along the sidewalk on a leash, people would stop to pet him, they all loved him.  He also greeted dogs that walked by with their owners.    He probably lived with dog(s) in his early years, we don't know. 

We adopted him 11 years ago from a shelter, the vet estimated he was around 2 years old.   Archie picked me as he came up to me right away and I immediately fell in love with his sweet face and friendly personality.  He had health issues right from the start with digestive problems and later developed serious dental disease, his teeth were literally disintegrating.   Almost all of his teeth were extracted in two  lengthy surgeries (a few years apart).  He also damaged a ligament jumping from a high arbor in our previous garden. 

Last June he was diagnosed with early stage kidney disease after pre surgery blood work (2nd dental surgery).   We went ahead with surgery as his teeth would have caused pain.    In July he developed a painful mouth infection, we thought we would loose him, but he pulled through.  A couple of months ago he developed more serious intestinal issues but with some good meds he gained some additional time.    He took a bad turn over the weekend, the last few days were not good.    I wished he could tell me how he was feeling, but his actions spoke to me, it was time to say good bye.   We could not let him suffer and so he went peacefully to kitty heaven at the vet's office.  Our Vet was so kind assuring me that I was doing the right thing for Archie and that we had given him a good life. 

We've been owned by 5 wonderful cats over the last 24 years, a lot of the time there were 3 fur babies sharing our home, but for now we are 'empty nesters'.   

Goodbye Archie, we miss you very much xxx

32 comments:

sheila 77 said...

That is so sad, Shirley.
Sending lots of love.

chrissie said...

Such a sad time for you Shirley and I sure Archie will have had a wonderful life with you.

Take Care

Thinking of you with love

Chrissie xx

cuilliesocks said...

Oh Shirley I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Archiestown, such a sad time for you and your husband. Archie looks beautiful, what a sweet face. He must have been very happy in his adopted family to have lived so long with his health issues, and you will have happy memories to help you through these sad days, hugs Kate x

Sue said...

Lots of hugs Shirley I know what it's like to lose a special member of the family..but he had a wonderful happy life with you and found a loving home..huggles Sue xxxxxxxxx

Sophie said...

Oh, Shirley, das tut mir unendlich leid. Ich weiß wie das ist, eine Katze zu verlieren. Es bricht einem das Herz. Und es wird lange dauern, bis man der Schmerz weniger wird.
Man sieht das Tier an jedem seiner Lieblingsplätze sitzen und laufen...
Das ist eine traurige Zeit.
Aber denk daran, dass es dem Tierchen jetzt besser geht im Katzen-Himmel, und es nicht mehr leiden muss.
Ich denk an dich, liebe Shirley, und ich wünsche dir ganz viel Kraft für die nächste Zeit.
Umarmung von Sophie

Valerie-Jael said...

So sorry to hear this Shirley, I know how you feel! BIG hugs from me, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

I am so sorry for you dear Shirley! Sending love to you!

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Oh Shirley, I'm so sorry to read this news. Our pets are a huge part of our family and leave such a big gap in our lives when they are no longer with us. He gave you lots of love and happiness and you did the same for him too. I've always been a 'Cat person' and I lost my last one a few years back at the ripe old age of twenty two. We got her as a kitten that nobody wanted when our Son was a just a baby and they grew up together. Memories of them are precious and no one can can take them away us. Sending you a big hug and thinking of you, Sandra x

Shona said...

So very,very sorry for your loss. I wish there was such a thing as heart glue. I'd send you a big bottle.
Hugs!

Enny said...

Oh Shirley, how sad, that you lost your wonderful cat, I feel so sorry for you. It must be empty in your house, without your sweet companion. Big hug, Enny

Win Dinn, Artist said...

So sorry to hear about Archie, Shirley. Having that big a hole in your creative space will take some filling. Sending you heartfelt wishes for wonderful memories of him.

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Archie. You had quite cute things to tell us. In particular I like how he pawed at you at 6 am just to be petted. My son lost his dog of 13 years last week and had the ashes cremated. Sending you hugs.

Pat said...

I'm so sorry to hear this Shirley, he looks and sounds as though he was such a sweetie that it is no wonder you are going to miss him. The only thing you can console yourselves with is that you loved and let him go when the time was right so that he wouldn't suffer any more. I love these photos of him which will be a wonderful reminder for you in the future. x

Miranda said...

Hi dear Shirley, did not read the FB page yet but saw your post right now......so sorry to hear the sad news........but as you said it already.... and Archie said it too in his way....time to go....no more suffering.....but going to heaven and looking down to people who has stolen his heart and gave him a great life! Rest in peace dear Archie and wishing you peace of mind and a warm hug, xxx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Beautiful photos of your wonderful Archie. Sending hugs and hope that you will soon be remembering him but feeling less sad.

Hugs Sue xx

Little Artbee said...

I feel so sorry dear Shirley that you lost your sweet beloved Archie. I think Archie had a good time in your home and you have a lot of nice rememberings of him forever. He will live forever in your heart.
I send you big hugs and hope your sadness will go away soon and maybe make place for a new cat.
Dear Greetings
Sabine

Cheryl said...

Dear Shirley, I have read your blogs and have enjoyed your art for quite some time now, and it was today, I needed to comment. I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet pal, Archie. Being a cat lover ( doggies too,) however, I have enjoyed 7 cats, over our 35 years of marriage, currently having 3 cats, and I have loved them all dearly and know how difficult it is to say goodbye. Maybe, we will see you make a piece of your wonderful art, in tribute to Archie. He knew he was loved and well cared for, and I always hope we will all see our pals again. I am sending hugs to you, during this difficult and sorrowful time. When it feels right, I hooe you will be able to have another kitty, to pat your face and sit with you at your art table. Lots of love, Cheryl

Unknown said...

Sorry for your loss. We have sent 2 fur babies "on their way" in the past and know how it feels. It has been 2 years since Tigger left and still miss him.

Aileen said...

Shirley so sad to hear this news. I cant image life without our Jake but know that their lives are shorter than ours. He sounds as though he certainly went through the wars over time but so lucky that it never affected his tempermant. My heart goes out to you both at this time because whether human or animal they are fully part of our lives.

kaybee said...

So sorry to hear about Archie. Perhaps, some time in the future you might try painting him. I've just finished a painting of a friend's cat who sadly is no longer with is. xxx

Crafting Queen said...

Really lovely to see all the photos of your precious boy. My heart breaks for you. Sending lots of hugs.

Gerrina said...

Sounds like a fine furry friend that took part in so much of your live!
Sorry to hear that he left this world, but for a soul like his their is a beautiful please to play now I believe... For now sorry for your loss. Hugs, Gerrina

Donna Ellis said...

Aw, Shirley, my heart is broken with yours. Archie added so much to your life, it's impossible to convey the loss, or even describe it to ourselves, when our dear fur companions depart. They add dimension we otherwise would never have experienced. I'm glad that Archie was gifted to your home, where he spent a happy life, and could never have found a better place or kingdom to rule and reign. Gentle hugs to you, Shirley. love, de

BożenA said...

My dear Shirley, I'm so sorry for the loss of a friend. Each of our pet is a true friend, and I know very well what kind of pain you feel now. I was when I lost a beloved pet I brought home the next, for me it is the best therapy to somehow go through that loss. The new cat will need assistance and care, and although some it will take think. I am with you in your sorrow.
hugs,
BozenA

Mrs.B said...

It's always like loosing a family member when your beloved pet dies, but from reading your story about Archie, you must have lots of lovely memories, he sounds like a real character.
Hugs, Avril xx

Elaine said...

Shirley, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. It seems Archie was always there in the background since I got to know you. It must be very hard for you right now, but you gave Archie a very loving home for many years and devoted care, helping him through his medical difficulties. I hope all your happy memories of your "crafting assistant" will help to support you through these tough times. Lots of love, Elaine xxx

Darnell said...

That was really beautifully written, Shirley. I'm sure it was cathartic for you to write it. You definitely gave Archie a good life and he did the same for you. You can't ask for more than that. Lots of love, Darnell

Greta said...

Leaves a big hole in your heart, I know, Shirley. Fur babies are such a wonderful part of life & Archie was lucky to have found you. Glad you were blessed with him in your lives & I'm sending you a big hug as you grieve.

Shirley said...

Oh Shirley I am heartbroken for you to loose your beloved Archie. They come into our lives and just steal our hearts away. Words can't tell you how sad I am feeling.

All my love and big hugs to you always.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Lucy said...

I was moved to write you about your beautiful kitty, Archie. I am a cat lover as well and I can tell that your cat was very lucky to have such a wonderful, loving home. I can also tell that he was very skilled at picking out the perfect spot to rest. He looks like he loved your quilts you laid out for him. Thank you for sharing your tribute to Archie.

Sandy said...

Hey Shirley - I have really been out of the loop. Missed this post completely. I am so sorry and I do know how you feel. I had to have a cat put to sleep a good month ago and I really miss him. He too was in pain and had intestinal problems. I have two other cats and one is 12 years old and the other is 13. All of my cats have been and are feral cats that we caught in the mountains of North Carolina. Tin, my 12 year old male cat has had the same dental problems. Again - I am so sorry --- it take a long time I think to get over the loss of a loved pet.
sandy xx

Janny's Cards Creations said...

I am so sorry for you. How sad to miss such a special cat. I had missed this post completely. My English is so bad. So I can only write that I think of you. How you must feel, now Archie is gone..
Janny XX