A sad day comes tomorrow.

[Bilko44]

Our pet cat, a 12 year old male will have to be put down tomorrow. Ollie is a black and white long hair who suddenly lost his use of his rear legs last week. Initially he was diagnosed as severely bruised from a possible fall by one vet, lyme disease by another and finally, and correctly, FIV--Feline HIV by the third vet. Through all of this, Ollie has kept his wonderful spirit and loving faithfulness to my wife and I.

He is now unable to walk or patrol the great outdoors and is totally defenseless from any other animals. He is in great pain when we move him or he attempts to walk. What hurts is that he still has all his wits about him and is as friendly as ever.

So tomorrow morning we go to the vet, feed him his favorite snack, turkey meat, groom and brush him and be there with him when the vet, a caring compassionate lady, gives him the injection that will put him into a final peaceful sleep.

Today, I dug his grave in our yard on a hill overlooking the rose garden and tomorrow he takes up residence with two other fine cats that have also been companions in the years past.

We will cry and our hearts will be broken, but he has lived a full life and will be remembered by us as a wonderful companion and pleasant company on those tough days when things weren't much fun in the human world in which we live.

And life will go on and now Ollie will live in our memories.

Goodbye, Ollie Cat. Rest in Peace.

[Tulsa]

That is so sad.

My schnauzer is 11 and I have no idea what to expect but "when" is becomming a constant thought. He's such a great buddy of mine, and my wife, oh my, I just have no idea how she's going to handle it when it's his time.

You and your wife are great souls indeed to eliminate the misery of your pet. It's such a difficult thing to do but it's the right thing to do.

I'm not sure I'll ever understand why GOD gave us such great and wonderful companions but made their life span so short when compared to ours...

[d mowery]

I feel as been ther , You never forget pets

[slotter]

Geeze, that is sad, Dennis. I'm so sorry.

The reason my wife and I met, btw, was because I put my dog and friend down when she turned 14 and couldn't see and was unable to walk well. I was afraid she'd fall into the pool and drown and brought her to the vet for his opinion which was to put her to sleep. I still feel pain from it -- but, it was the reason I met my wife. (That's another story!)

[luckydog]

Samson was 7 in October, I would be lost without him

My condolences in your time of sadness!!!!

[RKnarr01]

It's really amazing how well the bond is between pet and person. My chihuahua and pomeranian are only about 1 so i have hopefully another 12 years or so but like Tulsa said they're just my little buddies. Bilko sorry to hear about it i had to have my Sheltie put down about 2 years ago and it was a terrible thing.

[Lazarus]

I am sorry to hear of Ollie. It is never good to have to put a pet down. It is one of the hardest things to have to do but you know it is for there best. On 9/11 as we listened to the tragedy that was happening that morning as we worked I got a call from the vet. That night after work we did what was best for my friend. A loving grey tabby that loved to take a shower and play in his water dish. I have had to put to rest a number of pets just to have to leave them behind when I move. I buried my cat on state land off of a walking trail. I can see the grave stone up on a hill side when I drive by to go park. I visit him every spring and at times through the summer. Every year the flowers come up around him. This year my son will be old enough to go with us.

[johntofva]

I am sorry to here that Dennis. Your words were both beautiful and moving. It sounds like you have made a wonderful tribute to Ollie in your yard. We have always opted also to bury our pets in our yard. Placing a small statue of an angel, a bird bath and feeder to mark there place adds comfort to us.

May God be with the two of you tomorrow.................

[arbycoffee]

Dear Lord, I am so Sorry Dennis, I will cry with you.

[dattia]

I am so sorry that you are in this sad situation. You are showing a great deal of compassion in making that painful decision. Our pets truly become beloved members of our families. You are saying goodbye to Ollie with all the love and respect that he deserves. Peace and comfort to you.

[Eddie]

Very sorry about your family member. Wishing you all the best. Just remember the wonderful life that he lived and much sorrow will be eased.

[logicprobe]

I feel your pain, my friend.
You've come to the right decision with both your head AND your heart... although I know from past experience that your heart was the last to agree.

[scooby_doo_m2002]

I am very sorry to hear about Ollie cat. May the good Lord look down upon you and the family in this time of loss and lift you up and help ease the pain. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow as you go through this very tough time.

[Tulsa]

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the
scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead
for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of
the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was

broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch
that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate
looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got
closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought
right up."

The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came
to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never
been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree
and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned
hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then
he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was
standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road
said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope.
That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave
their best friends behind."

[Tony Junior]

I'm so sorry, Dennis! It would kill me to have to put down one of my faithful children.

[arbycoffee]

A thought of Ollie today

[drcrippen324]

Ollie my thoughts will be with you and your owner ....

[sacpinplayer]

I'm very sorry for your family's loss, Dennis. Take comfort in knowing you have provided Ollie with a wonderful life.

[Sid]

Rest in peace.. Ollie..

[scooby_doo_m2002]

A thought of Ollie cat and his family.