Monday, September 10, 2007

In Loving Memory: Mr. B, 1995-2007



We've had a very sad and difficult morning. Our wonderful and loving cat, Mr. B, was diagnosed with severe kidney failure and had to be put to sleep. We've had Mr. B since Tim had just turned 4 years old...over 10 years...and I can't imagine our family without him. He was there through all our big family events, celebrations, sadnesses and joys. From the very beginning, he was a shy and very frightened cat. His past family had abandoned him outside and he was thin, malnourished and alone. When we took him in, it took a very long time for him to warm up to us and even hold him. It's been a wonder the past few years to see him really and truly become a friendly and sociable cat. He especially loved our friends, Scott (who was HIGHLY allergic to him), Matt, Jackie, GiGi, Heather and Ericka...those who always gave him a good petting and love when they visited.

It's been even harder losing Mr. B because we lost poor, sweet Little Miss Tubbsie (our angora bunny) at the beginning of the year. Going to the vet today was almost an exact replay of the last time and I had a really hard time holding it together. Ian's always got to be the strong one and I am so grateful for that. He had to go and pick Tim up at school and take him over to the vet....Mr. B was more Tim's cat than anyone else's....and I knew he wouldn't want to come home and find him gone without being able to say goodbye.

Mr. B was a quiet, loving and soothing cat to have as part of our family and I will miss him so, so much. The house feels so empty without him and just "not-quite-right". Seeing Tim break down and deeply cry was almost unbearable for me and hugging him was all I could do to keep us sane. I haven't even told Ben yet.

We've got a lock of his fur and we took him home so that we can bury him in our backyard. I feel a bit angry at the universe that this is the second pet we've lost this year and that our backyard is becoming a pet cemetary. After a whole childhood of not having a pet and losing two in the span of 9 months is very, very hard.

Please send loving thoughts towards Mr. B and his passing on to a better, painfree life with chicken aplenty, catnip socks 24 hours a day and caring arms to hold him when he's lonely. We love you, Mr. B and we'll miss you more than you'll know.

21 comments:

Jackie said...

G, I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear this news. I know your pain, having gone through the same thing twice recently.

He was a wonderful cat and will be truly missed.

Anonymous said...

Oh Gina, I'm so, so sorry! I have no words that will comfort you, but I am sending good thoughts and hugs your way. Give your boys a big hug from me too.

Lapdog Creations said...

Big Hugs G... and Tim too! I'm so very sorry to hear the sad news. I hope you & Tim can go and create a page for MR B over on the Rainbow Bridge site.

Sending good vibes your way ...

Lora said...

Gina,
It's hard to lose a pet!! I'm sorry you had to go through this again. ((hugs)) for all

Anonymous said...

Oh Gina, I am truly sorry for your loss. I know how hard this is and wish I could be there in person to give you a big hug.
Know that I am thinking of you and your family.

Sonya said...

What a way to start the week! MY heart breaks for Tim. I know what he is going thru.
There is not much harder than watching your child's heart break.
I will be sending you strength and hope. Hoping you will be able to find the right words to ease the pain that your family is in right now.

Anonymous said...

I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. The world will always know Mr. B as a sweet and loving cat, a Good Cat. He was polite, curious, and he had a magnificent purr. You and your family welcomed a miraculous gift into your home the day you took him in, and in turn, you gave him something immensely precious. Each memory you have is precious, and there is going to be a resounding void where he is not. Fill it with all the memories and love that you have for him, for you were lucky to have met each other. Celebrate that to ease your sadness, after time it will help.

Anonymous said...

Oh Gina, I'm so sorry to hear about Mr.B. I have no words that will comfort you all. Hugs to all and sending good vibes your way.

Michelle B said...

OH Gina I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. B. Send lots of love and hugs your way. I lost my childhood cat 2 years ago and it is soo sad.

KSee said...

Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Hugs to you all.

Gigi said...

Hugs to you and your family. SO sorry for your loss. Mr. B will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Anonymous said...

What a great tribute to your cat! I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this. Pets are so much a part of our families, it's so difficult when we lose them.

yarnslinger said...

oh no...Gina, many, many hugs to you and to your family...I'm so glad i got to spend some time with him at Ericka's shower. Our little 4-leggeds don't get to spend nearly enough time with us!!

Laurin said...

he was such a sweet little guy. I am so sorry - give Tim and Ben so many hugs they can't move.

yarnophiliac said...

My thoughts are with you and Ian and the boys tonight. He was such a little love. My heart is breaking for you, and esp. for Tim. I hope the love Mr. B gave you all will continue to bring you comfort.

Donna said...

Oh Gina I am so very sorry about Mr. B. It seems like yesterday that we lost our cat even though 2 years has passed. It is still very painful and hurts to even see his picture.

That's the tough part about pets. They just don't live long enough. It hurts more than anything, especially when you have to see your children heartbroken. It just seems so unfair.

Good thoughts to all of you....

NH Knitting Mama said...

Aw, Gina~ I'm so sorry for you all. Losing a pet is so hard... Big hugs to all of you.

Anonymous said...

Gina, I am so sorry for your loss. I only met Mr. B once but he was kind enough to let a closet cat lover pet and cuddle him. My thought go out to you and your family.

YawnOver said...

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty, Gina, it's so heart-wrenching to lose a pet :( Please take care.

Heide said...

I am so sorry for you, Tim, Ben and your husband. I'm glad that you were able to help this kitty out and teach him to trust and love again after being abandoned. You made his life wonderful and that is what sharing life with pets is all about, sharing.

Gina House said...

Thank you all so very, very much for writing such loving and supportive comments about Mr. B. I can't tell you how much it meant to me and my family. You are all wonderful.....