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Barnyard Buddies:  Farewell to the Professor...  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 07:20:55 AM
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Ode to an Orange Tabby...
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This is the last of our three cats, Professor Pumpkin...these pictures were taken in healthier, happier times and sadly, today he will go over the Rainbow Bridge where he will likely reunite with his nemsis, Jack Sprat, who passed in November, and Stooka, two years prior. He has been a very good boy--and has had, I think, more than 9 lives to share with our family. I still laugh when I think of him wearing a purple cast (that we all signed--even the dogs) when he broke his toe, falling out of a tree. He figured out that he could use it to konk Jack over the head when he wanted to get to the water bowl and sounded like a pirate walking down the hallway on the hardwood floor. When these critters come to you, however they come to you--you pick them, they show up at your door with trick-or-treaters (as Pumpy did), they win your heart and you get so used to them being underfoot (on the couch, in the laundry basket, or sleeping on a Halloween decoration), that when the day comes that you have to decide "for them" to leave this earth, that they will no longer greet you each morning, herding you to the fridge before you're fully awake, you wonder if you were good enough--were they loved enough? You realize "he's 14?!?", and how quickly time has passed without missing a beat. They get older so much faster than we do, you see. Things remain the same, your home is the same until one day it's not. Today is that day. Think of us today as we give the same loyalty and love that Professor Pumpkin has given to our little family
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 08:02:43 AM
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I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful and handsome fellow.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Sabrena Orr
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Sabrena
Olympia
WA
USA
198 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 08:09:41 AM
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So sorry for your loss. Pets are kindest, sweetest and sometimes craziest friends. Hugs to all of you!
Sabrena, Olympia |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 08:15:21 AM
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Thanks, girls. I'm very much stressing over the appointment this afternoon. It's been....9 years since I've had to be with one of our pets when they were put to sleep. The other two cats have passed on their own, and I'm easier with that, somehow. He's a lovely boy, I'm very sad, but I do know that it's the right decision.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 1:22:14 PM
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Jonni (tears in my eyes), I'm so sorry to hear about the Professor. I have had this unfortunate duty with all but one of my loves. It's never easy but knowing you were with them to the last somehow makes it right. It's your last chance to show him just how much he's meant to you and I think they appreciate it. I'm sobbing for you now so just know I'm thinking of you.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 3:02:59 PM
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| Aw, Professor Pumpkin. I hope this afternoon was peaceful. I'm sure he knew how loved he was. I've never had to do this yet and I'm just dreading the moment already. |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 4:43:34 PM
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So sorry Jonni. He looks like at cat we had as a kid, that always laid on our homework.
I agree too, so much easier when they pass on their own.
Thank God the dog that was my heart, Emily, passed on her own.
Sending good thoughts & prayers |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 5:29:06 PM
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Oh Jonni! My heart and thoughts are with you. I am sure the professor knew he had picked the jackpot of homes to wander into. *hugs*
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wff7Xpc/]
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2012 : 06:39:36 AM
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Thank you so much, girls--it was very hard for me, I'll truly admit it. I came home early from work and asked my husband to leave a little early to go get the girl (and stay away until well after 6:00 so the appointment could be complete, so that I could sit quietly with him, cry if I wanted (and boy, I could not STOP crying!), and Pump crawled on my lap and I just told him all that I remembered. About the night he walked in with those little children, trick or treating, about falling out of the tree, about his love for our old dog, Lily and how they would snuggle together and when she would get tired of him "kneading" her like bread, he would hold her with his paws and nip her nose and she would stay STARK still! He purred and he actually licked my hand. This sounds silly, but I took that as an "it's ok, I understand and I'm ready." I am SO grateful for having him in my life--when I was divorced, he, Jack Sprat and my husky, Lily, would all sleep with me in my full sized bed, Prof. Pumpkin wrapped around my head like a fur hat, or around my neck like a fur wrap. They have always been my best friends and I will miss not having a cat in the house.
Our vet is so wonderful--even the big strappin' young male vet tech cried. He slept away on his couch, on his "purr pad" after eating all day long and sleeping on my lap. I will miss him, but I do know it was the right decision.
Thanks again girls, for understanding. This is a photo of our old dog, Lily, who passed away 9 years ago, and Professor Pumpkin, "her cat". They were very dear friends and now, they're together again.
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"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
Edited by - FebruaryViolet on Jul 11 2012 08:03:45 AM |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2012 : 05:44:33 AM
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So sorry to hear, Jonni. It's always hard to lose a pet. We lost one of our "herd" last year, and we see the effects of old age on both of our other elderly cats. Wish they could live longer. Big hugs to you!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2012 : 06:15:58 AM
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All my sympathy for you and your family. Safe journey and thank you for all of you love Professor Pumpkin.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2012 : 07:37:00 AM
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Thank you so very much. It was weird to come home last night--it was weird coming into the house and not seeing him sidling up to me, looking for supper. The dogs are wonderful, but I do miss a cat around. I'll consider one some day, but for now I'll just grieve and give the pups my love. They also sense the loss and have been out of sorts.
Yes, we want them to be around more--and I realize more and more each day that our dogs are all the same age, so, even though I know what that means, I'll probably never be prepared. Thanks again for all your good thoughts and commiserations.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2012 : 08:33:54 AM
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My heart hurts for you. Hugs.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Barnyard Buddies: Farewell to the Professor... |
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Farewell to the Professor...
