Kymm, I am so sorry. I hope you're hanging in okay. Your entry was beautiful.

xo Sara A.

-- Sara A. (sara@fauve.cc), February 21, 2001

Answers

Oh no. I'm sure all of us who've lost pets understand the pain you're going through right now. Hug the other cats extra hard too.

-- Stef (stef@stef.net), February 21, 2001.

God . . . I feel your pain. I have 11 cats.

Just last week one of them became sickly. I took him to the vet and had him tested.

He has Feline Infectious Peritonitis. So, one cat at a time, I have had them all tested. All of them are positive. All of them are going to die.

My heart aches for you and your loss. I know my turn is soon to come. (http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/fip.html)

-- Tracey (icemouse@mdvl.net), February 22, 2001.

Kymm, my thoughts are with you. I am so sorry.

-- Gina (piehumble@yahoo.com), February 22, 2001.

Thank you all for writing these great message, the ones that I got at home, the ones here. Writing an online journal is the greatest thing in the world in situations like these. It is so cathartic to write about it, and to do your best to write as well as possible so the people who read will really understand your thoughts and feelings.

And then getting all of these lovely notes from people that I know and love, and some from people that I have never heard of. One girl wrote me and said that she had only started reading my journal yesterday (boy, there's an entry to come in on!).

Tracey, my God I'm sorry about your cats! What a devistating blow, the knowledge that you will lose them all. I have spoken to my three remaining cats and made it perfectly clear that none of them are allowed to even think about dying for at least four years, when Monty will be twenty. If they were going to follow in Milo's footsteps right now, I don't know what I would do. Please know that my prayers are with you.

-- Kymm Zuckert (kymm.zuckert@impath.com), February 22, 2001.

Kymm, I am so sorry. That was a lovely tribute to Milo.

-- Lyn Never (never@never.to), February 22, 2001.

The minute I saw the "no entry today" message on your index page, all I could think was a strangled "Oh, Milo..." I'm so sorry.

If you're not feeling better after a while, you should know that the Humane Society offers free grievance counselling for those who have lost pets. It's a place you can go if you need to talk to another human face, instead of us readers, a face that will never, ever try to tell you that your reaction is out of proportion or belittle how you felt about his death.

Tracey, I have what may be the smallest of consolations for you, but I have to offer it: cats react a certain measurable way when they're in pain (elevated blood pressure, violent aversion to being handled), and to the best of veterinary knowledge, cats afflicted from FIP do NOT feel pain. I lost a sweet, tiny foster kitten to FIP last year, and she did not seem to suffer from anything other than fatigue. She simply grew more and more tired until one day she went to sleep and never awoke. You keep your kitties alive as long as you can without worrying about whether or not they want to be put out of their misery - - you will be in more pain than they will.

Once again, Kymm, I'm so sorry. Try to remember that fifteen happy, healthy years is so much more than most cats get, is close to the outer limits of the Good Life for felines. He had brothers and a big warm bed and, obviously, a piece of your heart.

-- Kim Rollins (kimrollins@yahoo.com), February 22, 2001.

Kymm,

Milo must have been quite a terrific kitty cat. Your entries were very moving. Take care and thanks for your journal.

-- Jon Arthur (rclover4@aol.com), February 23, 2001.

Hi Kymm--

I loved your Milo entries. He sounds so great! Hang in there. I'm sure he's still with you in spirit and you'll see and feel him now and again.

*hugs* Carol

-- Carol (cpaton@networld.com), February 23, 2001.

I had a girl kitty who looked just like Milo that died at the ripe old age of 22. And I bawled my eyes out for days because she was never supposed to die. None of my dogs are allowed to die, EVER.

Kymm, I'm so sorry about Milo. I went home last night and hung onto my dogs for dear life for quite a while. My Mack is 7 this summer and I cannot think of losing him without bawling like a baby. These animals are our family members and I think we should treat their dying the same way we would if it were a person.

I loved your tribute to Milo and I'm so glad he lived a good life with you and died in peace at home.

Many hugs to you...

Colleen

-- Colleen T (triggirl@yahoo.com), February 23, 2001.

On behalf of Sam, Abby, Megan and Finnegan, I'd like to add my voice to the choir and express my deepest sympathy to you, Monty, Elvis and Baldrick. We lost our Katie 6 years ago this past month, far too early thanks to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Your tale of Milo brought those emotions and memories flooding to the surface, reminding me of the hole in my being that suddenly appeared when Katie left us and left Sam an only kitty for a short time. The hurt eventually goes away, but the fond memory and love of that furball remains forever. Godspeed Milo.

-- Ron Collings (rcollings@crescentschool.org), February 23, 2001.

I just happened to follow a link to this site a few days ago, but Milo and the whole sad saga pierced me through to my very heart. What a lucky little guy to have spent his life in such a loving home. I hope your heart aches a little less each day, Kymm.

-- Dyrinda (dyrinda@home.com), February 23, 2001.

Kymm - I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry about your cat. Your entry was beautifully written, and it made me cry. I have a cat and a dog. The dog is almost 12 years old and has started to have age-related health problems, and I try to remind myself that he won't be around forever, but I don't think it's something one can really prepare for.

Once again, my condolences. - Rachel

-- Rachel (bravebutterfly@hotmail.com), February 25, 2001.

Back when I worked a job that allowed time to web surf, I read your journal daily, Kymm. I haven't visited in awhile, but today I had a strong urge to read your page. Oh, I'm so very sorry about Milo. I have three cats and have lost two others. I was so moved by your tribute to him. (And was reminded of what a great writer you are!) I am just sure that Milo slept under your covers with you at least one more time before running off to cat heaven. I hope you get to feeling better soon...

-- Julie (jefjul@yahoo.com), February 25, 2001.

Kymm, I want to tell you I'm very sorry as well. I hope everything is well. And the tribute to Milo in your entries were beautiful.

-- Jen (Winter@nyc.com), February 25, 2001.

i'm so sorry to hear about milo, and i'm sorry i didn't say so before, i was on vacation away from a computer for a week.

i lost the oldest of my three cats this past summer, and i understand what you mean about not wanting a new cat, wanting the 4 you had. i did get a new kitten, and i love him, but it just seems like the set is broken now.

sometimes i wonder why we keep pets, it hurts so much when we lose them. but the love and joy they give us when they are here makes up for it, i guess.

-- nicolemrw (nicolemrw@yahoo.com), February 26, 2001.

Kymm,

I was so moved and felt so badly when I read about Milo. I'm so sorry. My newest relationship came complete with a dog and having not had a pet in a few years I forgot how much joy and love they add to your life. I was walking him today and another dog got loose and tried to bite him and if its owner hadn't intervened I would've killed it for trying to attack my boy. And I've only been around Clive for six months. I can only imagine how you must feel losing Milo after so many years. My thoughts are with you.

Bart

-- Bart Tangredi (btangredi@yahoo.com), February 27, 2001.

Oh, Kymm. I'm so very sorry. Those furred folks wrap themselves around our hearts so completely. You did Milo proud with your lovely entry.

-- Laura (lbhelfrich@yahoo.com), February 27, 2001.