Charlene D’Avanzo: Last week my husband John and I had to put down our cat Rudy, a beloved longtime friend and mate. He was 16-19 years old when he died. Rudy had been with us for fifteen years, so his loss for both of us is enormous.
Rudy traveled with us from Kansas to Maine and was my companion when John returned to Kansas for work. Together we explored the yard and enjoyed late afternoon summer sun on the deck, watching birds high in pine trees. At night he’d jump up on the bed and sleep at my feet.
Rudy was a loving cat and this quote fits him beautifully:
When tomorrow starts without me
don’t think we are far apart.
For every time you think of me
I am in your heart.
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
So sorry for your loss!
What a sweet face! Our animal friends are irreplaceable.
I’m so sorry for your heartbreaking loss.
So sorry. It’s always heartbreaking having to say goodbye to a beloved pet. RIP Rudy.
Heartbreaking! My sincere condolences for the loss of you furry baby.
I am so sorry to read this. Those tiny paws leave huge pawprints on our hearts.
My condolences to you and John, Charlene. Rudy was lucky to be part of your family.
RIP, dear Rudy.
My extreme sympathy and prayers are being sent to you. Sadly, I do understand the extreme loss of your family member. Last year we lost our precious furbaby Snickerdoodle. He was a chihuahua to most but to us he was our baby. He found us when he was barely 6 weeks old and he was 17 years, 7 months and 17 days old when we crossed the rainbow bridge. We are still in the process of learning life without him. Although we know that eventually that we will add to our family again, the time hasn’t came for us yet. Some are comfortable with getting a new baby shortly there after, we just don’t seem to be one of those. We have agreed that until we can love a new family member without always being compared to Snickerdoodle that it was best to wait a bit. Within the last month, I can tell we are healing, but we have talked about it and decided to wait until we take the 2 trips we have planned for this summer. Having never taken a trip without leaving our furbaby with my parents (years ago and all passed on now) or taken them with us, it will nice to take these 2 trips with just the two of us to consider. I mean figuring out where they can stay and then figuring out if “you” want to stay there can be taxing to say the least. However, I see us looking at possibilities come fall because the home has been empty.
Cherish the memories and give yourself time to grieve in your own way. <3
2clowns at arkansas dot net