Farewell, Mr. Poo Butt Lincoln...

[ichiban_victory]

I'm not sure how in-depth I'll go with this, because the past month hasn't been very easy, but I also feel I ought to write things down, to perhaps someday have a better idea just what happened. The short: on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, we had to put our silly fluffy cat, Lincoln, to sleep.

Comments

[pip25]

I admit I never had pets, so I cannot fully claim to understand how all of this feels, but... obviously, losing someone, be it human or otherwise, who you have known for years, is pretty rough. :(
But as you said, Lincoln did affect the lives of those around him - and though he may no longer be present in the flesh, that fact, that presence of his will stay with you, now and always.

[ichiban_victory]

It's very comparable to losing a human loved one, mostly. I'd say more like losing a child you have cared for, especially if you have no blood ties, as animals are in no way connected to us by blood, but they quickly become part of the family, and they are innocent like a young child, knowing no evil, but only how to love. Lincoln was especially loving, and not only did he tolerate such indignities like being bathed on occasion, he never held it against me, always quick to purr and offer his love, even while looking like a drowned rat. I really will not miss his unfortunately disgusting habits (brought about mostly due to his long fur), but I miss his loving companionship.

It gives me comfort knowing he is not truly gone just because his physical body is.

[cat_summoner]

I'm sorry to hear this, Diane. Lincoln's touched a lot of lives. I've followed your tales of Lincoln and Ralph since you first shared pictures of them as kittens, and the stories of their antics have brightened many days for not just me, but my roommate and I'm sure many others who read your livejournals. I know the pain that comes from losing a pet, and I'm praying that the Lord will bring you and your family comfort. Is Ralph doing okay? I know it can be hard on a cat when he or she has grown up with another cat always around. I know you and I have had our differences, but if you'd like to talk or share memories of Lincoln, my door is always open, and I'm a good listener. I hope that as each day passes, the pain will ease a little more. Again, I'm really sorry this happened.

[ichiban_victory]

Thank you, it does mean a lot to know others care. Ralph's been doing really well, actually, as like me, he's been watching Lincoln decline gradually. I'm pretty sure whatever happened to Lincoln to paralyze his back side was also killing him, as he was very out of it when we woke up to find him in his sorry state. I don't know if cats say goodbye to each other, but considering how bonded Lincoln and Ralph were, and also considering Ralph hasn't once gone looking for Lincoln, I like to think they both knew Lincoln had to go. If anything, Ralph has wanted to be closer to me, and even my husband. He cried when we had dinner around our table the other night (not normal behavior for us), so I pulled out a chair so he could sit with us, and he was happy after that. If anything, I feel awful for having to rob Ralph of his big brother, and constant companion, as now Ralph is alone should I happen to leave for a few hours to run errands/visit family. We'll not be adding a new cat to the household though, as Ralph is very much a momma's boy,