Me: Guess what?
You: Chicken butt.
Me: No, really, guess what?
You: I give up. What?
Me: I haven’t seen my Mr. in almost two months.
You: Holy guacamole! Where’s he been?
Me: Rock n’ rollin’.
You: But I thought you were afraid of being alone at night?
Me: Oh yeah, I’m a panicker for sure. I just sorta took a great big breath when he left, and always made sure the TV was always on Disney or HGTV. (a.k.a. my two favorite channels that don’t ever show scary movie trailers.)
——————————————————————————————————-
He’s coming home today, and I cannot wait to finally e x h a l e………..
(And sleep with the all the lights off again.)
The house he’s coming home to is a little different than the one he left though.
On March 31st I had to say goodbye to our cat, Mr. Bean…
It was absolutely heartwrenching.
The two of us had spent a lot of time going back and forth to the vet during March. He stopped eating, and he was dropping weight like crazy. The first time around, they pulled one of his teeth (they said it was infected) and hooked him up to IV to get him rehydrated. The second time around, they hooked him up to another IV, did an ultrasound, and put him on three different medications. The prognosis wasn’t good, but he did show signs of improvement after a few days, so I took him home and watched YouTube videos about how to give cats pills. Three times a day, for the next week, I straddled his bath towel-wrapped body, nervously pryed his jaws apart and forced multi-colored pills inside his (growling) mouth. It was awful. For him, more than me, I’m sure. Eventually, I got him to eat a teeny tiny bit of soft cat food, but just when I thought he might be getting better, he took a major turn for the worse.
He was a shell of a cat the day I called his Dr. with what turned out to be the final update of his condition.
“You’ve done everything you could“, she replied, “It’s time to say goodbye.”
My knees went weak and I felt a huge lump form in my throat. I was afraid to talk because I didn’t want to open the floodgates, but I think she picked up on it because she did most of the talking after that. I listened to her explain the process, and our options, and just tried with all my might not to sob.
The next few days were pretty rough, especially since Kev was gone, but I know Bean was in a lot of pain and I absolutely hated seeing him like that.
He was an amazing and beautiful cat, and we’ll all miss him very much…
…especially the mama that rescued him at a grocery store…13 years ago.
PS- I published this post by Bean not that long ago, and I’ll always smile when I think about all the crazy places he used to sleep.
Glad your hubby is coming home! So sorry for your loss. It’s never easy to lose a loved one, even the 4 legged ones, they become just as much a part of our family/lives as the 2 legged ones.
Aww. It’s hard to watch a beloved pet suffer. We lst our bunny rabbit of 6 years last year, about a month before my hubby’s dog of 10 years died. It was horrible.
I’m so sorry about Bean! Rest in peace, little buddy!
I know how you feel. We have six cats right now but back in 2009 we lost three of them in one year.
At least you’ve got your man coming home, though (:
So sorry for the loss of your kitty. Being a pet owner is tough since we almost always outlive them.
I hear you on sleeping with lights on and no scary movies. No scary movies is my general policy. They are very unnecessary I think. Happy for you to get your husband back. You are a patient woman. Now turn your phone off and unplug the computer and just be. Together.
I am so sorry about your loss. Our pets become our family members and it is so heartbreaking to have to say good-bye to them, but the will be comfort in remembering the wonderful time you had with him.
So sorry to hear about your cat, Mr. Bean. They become a part of your family and it is very hard when you have to say goodbye. Ive lost 2 cats in the last 5 years both to renal failure, having to give then dailey fluid IVs and then finally knowing that it was time to say goodbye. Again I am so sorry.
But happy days, your MR. is coming home!
Take care.
So sorry about your kitty! It’s hard to lose an old friend.
oh, you’ve got me all blubbery crying over your sweet cat. So sorry!
Also, TOTALLY with you on the scared at night thing. I watch Disney channel too (get a little Hannah Montana in) but scary commercial free. What’s WITH those commercials?!
So glad you’re getting your hubs back!! Enjoy the reconnecting!
So sad to hear about Mr. Bean. My heart goes out to you, Kevin and Max too. Bean looks just like our kitty Spencer, who came to live with us a couple of months after we lost our 20-year old kitty.
I feel like you are my kindred spirit with this post. I do the SAME thing when my hubby aka hunkaroonie is away on business. AND we just (7 months however feels like yesterday) let our beloved doggy go onto doggy heaven. I know what you’re going through and I’m sending you strength.
So glad your hubby is coming home soon ….
Hugs friend.
So sorry for the loss of Mr. Bean. I believe there’s a place in heaven for pets who are loved this much! Hope Kevin comes home soon.
Warmly, Michelle
I’m so sorry about your kitty!
so incredibly sorry for your loss. i have four dogs now. when you lose your pet, it is absolutely heart wrenching to say the least. a member of your family has left you. extra hugs with your man and snuggles to celebrate both his homecoming and your loss together. hugs to both of you!
My deepest condolences on the loss of your sweet furbaby. Our Malamute Akira is going to be 10 next month, which is pretty old for a large dog. Two years ago, we discovered she had what is apparently the only slow progressing form of lymphoma. Several months after that, she was diagnosed with canine Cushing’s. It’s been up and down with her in the past two years. Some days she’s doing okay, others she seems to be on a downswing. Lately though, she’s taken a major downswing and we’re not sure how much longer she has to go.
I’m so glad that your hubby will be home soon so that the two of you can lean on each other for support during this sad time. Much hugs to you both.
Kristin
Amazing how attached we become to our pet children. I was forced to put down my dog after 17 years (got him at 15 as a pup) It was heart wrenching. Glad the hubs will be there soon to give you some much hugging and the ability to sleep in the dark!
oh, I am sooooo sorry, pets are the best little souls out there!!! you were a good mama to him!!!!
have fun smoochin’ your husband!!!
Layla & Kevin,
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet little Bean. We get so attached to our little furry friends and I know it’s so hard when we have to let them go. There time with us is way to short. He had a great life with you, and I’m sure he appreciated you rescuing him. My heart hurts for you guys…. :(…
I am sooo sorry for your loss. I have two cats and I can’t imagine being without either one. We have had our first cat for 10+ years so I know he won’t be with us much longer… your story made me cry just thinking about it. Looks like you have collected a lot of photos of Bean – which is good. We are always taking photos of Tom and Elvis…they are forever doing cute and silly things…scrap books can be a very good tribute to those little loved ones. Take care and God bless…
Layla,
I am so sorry about your precious cat. I know your heart has been hurting so badly. I am so glad Kevin will be home now to give you lots of hugs and comfort.
Oh, Layla! I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss…..one of the hardest things for us to have to do, when we love our pets so very much. Remember, that part of the love we show our pets is when we make the heart breaking decision to end their suffering, and let them go peacefully , and in the arms of the ones that loved them the best. You gave Mr. Bean, a wonderful life, full of love, warm beds, and good kitty food…..you were with him till the end……
My heart goes out to you Layla. I have had to put down all three of my cats over the last few years and I know how difficult it is. I still get a lump in my throat just thinking about it and them. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that you gave him a great life and much love. I believe feelings transcend and I still feel the comfort my cats gave me to this day. I know you will be able to also. I purchased a Christmas ornament with the year of each of their passings on it and inserted a picture of them in each one and every year they are remembered and hanging on my tree. Take the time to grieve and then celebrate their memory. Fondly, Elaine
Layla, I know how hard that was because I had to do it alone with three kitties I had that each lived to be 16, 17 and 18 years old and one Golden Retriever who lived to be 13. I had to do it completely alone each time because my husband was out of town or my adult son was off at college. It is soooo painful. It does get better. Mr. Bean was one lucky kitty to have such a caring Mommy as you. I’m so glad your sweetie is coming home today. Hey, we need another video snippet of one of his songs…loved hearing him play the times you’ve posted something before. 🙂
Big Hugs coming your way,
Susan
That’s very sad…I’m so sorry to hear about poor Mr Bean. I can’t imagine how tough it was to go through for you.
Sorry to hear about Bean! So much worse to have Kevin gone at the same time. Glad to hear he will be back home today! Hugs!
Layla, you make me laugh (Chicken Butt) and teary eyed about your sweet cat all in the same post. I love reading your blog and get so much inspiration from your amazing brain. Glad your sweety is coming home…that will make it all better :0) Have a wonderful day, Bethanie
“We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.”
— Irving Townsend
So sorry for your lose of Bean. I know it wasn’t easy as I went through a similar scenario with my beloved Hatteras (Hattie) several years ago. She was our first “baby.” She is missed much even now. We constantly wonder, “What would Hattie have thought or done?” The above is a quote that I took comfort from after her passing. I hope that it will bring the same to you.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is very difficult and I am sorry that you were without Kevin. He is sunning himself is the most glorious spots right now knowing how much he was loved.
SO glad that Kevin is coming home today. 🙂
My thoughts reach out to you during this time.
So sorry about the loss of your good friend.
S
xo
I’m so sorry you had to say goodbye to your sweet cat…pets are so good to us.
Thanking God that you are reuniting with your man today…..
“reuniting and it feels sooooo good!”
Ahhh… so sorry about Mr. Bean. We love our pets so much, don’t we!? We just lost our Mr. Nelson… 12 year old, 140 pound lab. Maybe Mr. Bean and Mr. Nelson are havin’ coffee together, watchin’ HGTV and then takin’ a nap in a warm sunny spot!
Enjoy your memories!
Laurie
Oh goodness! Now I am crying! So sorry about Mr. Bean! We have three cats and I am dreading that day! Sending hugs and prayers your way!
Sorry about your kitty. It’s so hard to say goodbye to a friend. Especially when you are by yourself. Big hugs!
Um…..so apparently we are twins. My husband just left for three weeks on business. It will be lights on all the time and Disney and hgtv. Two channels I don’t ever have to plug my ears, close my eyes and go, “la la la la la” when the commercials come on!
Mr. Bean was so pretty! Wow! 2 whole months without your other half? You are so strong. I absolutely HATE scary movie trailers. I have to close my eyes and cover my ears to keep from having nightmares. Love Disney & PBS. Our fat cat Zoey passed away shortly after I had a serious stint in a hospital. We couldn’t tell the kids she had died because they knew she was sick. Then I was sick and we didn’t want the little ones freaking out about mom dying. anywho, I did blog about her if you care to read. http://tantrumstriumphs.blogspot.com/2009/10/zoey.html
So sorry for your loss, I have only had to do that one time it was with my cat of 14 years and it was the most difficult thing I have ever done! Sorry you had to experience that.
I feel sad just reading this. I can’t imagine how you must feel. I’m sorry. Loosing a pet stinks.
Aw, sorry about Mr. Bean. I love cats and it’s always sad when you lose a pet. I’m glad Kevin is coming home to you today. 🙂
I had tears in my eyes reading this. I myself hate to be alone at night while my husband travels, and I sleep with lights and the t.v. on. I thought I was the only one! 🙂
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Mr. Bean and I wish you a relaxing nights sleep once your hubby returns. I know I just don’t sleep well and once mine is home I sleep really deeply.
I love your blog and all the helpful tips, keep them coming! 🙂
Sorry to hear about Mr. Bean. Hugs to you and Kevin. I bet Max is feeling the loss too.
I’m so sorry for your loss and hopefully take some comfort in knowing that Mr. Bean led a very good life 🙂
I’m so sorry about Mr. Bean. I love my sweet kitty and am scared to death of the day you just faced with your own. My heart truly hurts for you. I’m so glad your hubby’s coming home soon – I know that would help me the most!
Oh I am so sorry. We have a cat now that we might have to find a new home for because he’s not adjusting well to a dog we rescued almost 2 years ago. It’s breaking my heart and I just keep praying we find the right home (but how to do that I don’t know). He’s been in our family for 6 years…since he was a kitten. I totally understand the connection you have to your pets…and the gut-wrenching pain of knowing that you have to make a such a painful decision…even though it’s for the best.
Pets are family. I’m so sorry for your loss…and that you had to do it alone.
hey sorry for your loss and glad your hubby is coming home soon! It’s tuff losing a kitty, no matter how many years you’ve had him.
Well good that your man is coming home. So sorry about your pet. They are hard loses.
I’m so sorry Layla…those little furries worm their way into our hearts and it’s sooo hard to say goodbye (especially when your spouse is away). 🙁 Looks like Mr. Bean had a wonderful life with you and Kevin. I’m glad you’re going to be reunited with your sweetie today. Enjoy your time together.
(((( H U G Z )))) for you Layla. Godspeed Mr. Bean.
Layla,
My heart goes out to you! I went through a similar situation with our cat a few years ago and putting her down was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It gets easier, eventually… I love the picture of him and Max on the guest room bed, it’s so sweet! Isn’t it funny how cats always manage to find even the smallest spot of sunshine in the house? 🙂 Hang in there, thinking of you…
Bless you. I know you’re so relieved. Hugs and kisses you’ve been in my prayers!
I’m so sorry about Bean, Layla! He seems like he was a fantastic little cat! It is so hard to lose a pet, they make are such a big part of our every day lives! I’m happy for you that your Mr. is coming home today.