He was just an ugly old street cat.

[hamsterjill]

His name was Allyster, and he gently passed this morning in my arms at the vet's office. He'd had a long battle with kidney issues, mouth issues, and some other things. He came to me in 2009. Just started hanging around in the backyard with all of the other rescues, hungry and mean at first. But eventually moved in with my brood and decided it was okay if I petted him and carried him around once in a while.

I'd like to think he had good care, and he had vet care when needed, but he always looked straggly and ugly. He never got beyond that. Never looked like anything but an old, ragged street cat. But I loved him very much. And I will miss him.

No more pain. No more limitations. No more weakness.

Until we meet again at the bridge, my dear baby...

[shenmue]

1. I has a Sad

[hamsterjill]

9. Thank you.

[Guilded Lilly]

2. You were his blessing.

I lost three of my beloved felines within two years. Two, Sam and Zoey, were approaching 20 years and my soulmate, Tom who was "adopted" into my home from my college aged son finding a no pet apartment, was only 10. His physical heart wasn't as strong as his amazing spirit.

Holding them in my arms during their passing on was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.
Ever.
But it was my honor as well as my pain.

White healing light to you.

[hamsterjill]

10. It was my honor as well.

My honor and my privilege that he picked my house to let his guard down, to feel safe, and to live his life out.

It is so hard to lose them. Kudos to you for having so many with long lives. That is a real accomplishment. I've been in rescue for many, many years, and I've actually only had two make it to 20. It is rare. It takes commitment and a lot of ingenuity. From the bottom of my heart - thank you for obviously taking great care of yours.

[Bayard]

3. Even the ugly ones

Nuzzle into our hearts, don't they? I'm typing this now with a kitty in my lap.

Know that you gave him a good, and much longer life.

[hamsterjill]

11. Yes, they do.

We don't see the ugly. We see the soul.

Thank you.

[fleur-de-lisa]

4. I'm so sorry for your loss . . .

You are an angel.

[hamsterjill]

12. Thank you for your kind words.

n/t

[MuseRider]

5. Bless your heart.

I hear ya. I am so sorry.

I have 4 male cats in my house (yes it can be a mess at times) 2 were rescues as kittens but 2 were dumped here. One I got to be friendly when he was around a year old. The other had lived in my barn for about 6 years before I was able to get him to let me pet him. He then followed me to the house and about 6 months later was able to move in. His ears are tattered, his fur is odd and just looking at him you can see his gene pool was not the best. I love the little stinker to death and he loves me.

Allyster (cute name) knew how you loved and cared for him. Those that come in late are really grateful and faithful. Somehow they are the hardest to lose.

He is free now. I may be agnostic at best but I have to believe in the bridge. With all my heart I have to believe they are waiting. He is there and waiting for you.

[hamsterjill]

7. If anyone deserves a shot at a heaven, it is the fur-babies!

n/t

[TygrBright]

6. You exchanged great gifts with Allyster, and his will be with you forever. n/t

[hamsterjill]

13. That's a truly neat way of looking at it.

I like that. I'll probably be stealing the comment at some point in the near future.

Thank you.

[Hoyt]

8. My buddy says, "THANKS."

[hamsterjill]

14. Give your buddy a hug for me.

We all must hold them close for as long as we are allowed. May your buddy and you have many, many happy years together.

[R. P. McMurphy]

15. I want to go to the bridge.

There have been a couple of scruffy ones, who never had another friend in this world, that chose to give me their love and trust. I am honored to have shared my life with them. They have made me a better person.

It was exactly two years ago on February 5th that I had to say goodbye to my beloved Onyx. My heart aches and I miss her so much.

I grieve for you and Allyster. I hope you have an eternity where you can be together in your favorite places and where you can talk to each other and he will know how wonderful and special he is to you. Bless you for loving him.

[hamsterjill]

17. I want to go, too, when it's time.

There's already a brood there waiting for me, and that will be where I belong.

Yes, it is indeed an honor when they choose you to trust. They hand over their life to you because they can sense that you will cherish them and take care of them. Wow...what an act.

Until such time as you and Onyx are together again, my thanks to you for loving her - - - and for remembering her.

[KT2000]

16. RIP Allyster

a grand old street cat that could melt a person's heart.
Peace to you - his angel on earth.

[hamsterjill]

18. Thank you.

Yep - my heart remains melted.

Thank you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. RIP, Allyster.

There are no ugly cats; Allyster may have been scruffy but he was beautiful like every last one of them. Thanks for loving him.

[hamsterjill]

20. Exactly.

As I said up thread - I didn't see his scruffiness; I saw his soul.

Thank you for your kind words.

[Runningdawg]

21. ...............