This morning, I found my old friend Tyler in the barn in a nest of hay. At first, I thought he was sleeping and I guess he was-eternally- for he has gone over the Bridge. I suspect his heart gave out on him as there wasn’t a mark on him. His buddy Crash was close by watching him with sorrow in her eyes.
Goodbye my friend, as you slipped softly into the day.
I remember the moment we rescued you, those memories forever will stay.
Thank you for the head-bumps, the gentleness of your kiss.
I will remember with fondness, how you ran others off with your hiss.
I hope in your final moments, you didn’t understand
And released from your earthen vessel, you freely left this land.
I hope God gave you amnesia and you didn’t feel the pain.
What I know, is life without you, will never be the same.
You were the Alpha Cat the Terrohiss, the one who ruled the roost
Life without your antics will sorely be reduced.
God, thank you for allowing me, the time to get to know
This wonderful, scrappy black kitten whose seeds of love did grow.
Deep within my heart, there is an ache a mile wide.
Along with miles of sorrow, all bottled up inside.
That a feed bowl will stay empty, and a nest of straw will just lay bare-
Because he no longer walks in my life, he now walks within my prayers.
I will miss you old man- Tyler was 14 years old-
I’m so sorry for your loss. Be comforted by the fact that he died at home in “his” territory with his companion nearby. Only your good care and love could have kept him going for 14 years.
It’s so hard to have such endings. You loved him well and gave him a great life, thanks for doing so. My heart hurts with you.
Fourteen years is a long time for an outdoor cat, and dying in his sleep is the way I would want all my cats to go, peacefully, without pain or distress.
I am just so sorry for your loss. I know he was loved and cared for and he knew that too.