even after they have been adopted

it's hard when I get the news of one passing.
So far, in 4 years of fostering for Siamese Rescue, 3 of my former charges have gone to Rainbow Bridge
First was Kenya, a 12 year old bluepoint, whom I fostered about 4 years ago. She and her "sister" (not related at all but very bonded) were adopted by lovely people in Minnesota and they lived happily until Kenya was diagnosed with lung cancer and her prognosis was grim. They decided, humanely, to let her go over the bridge.
Then last year I found out one that had been horribly left taped up in a box outside a police station and adopted to a couple not too far from me were letting her out. They lived right on the road and had been letting her outside. Needless to say she didn't survive very long going outside :cry:
and today I got word one of my earliest fosters, Cleo, had to be PTS. She hated me - really hated me, but liked my hubby and she kept his bald head warm at night.
Cleo was with me for 9 months before her special adopter came along (Cleo resisted attitude adjusting). Cleo lived with her adopter for 3 years and was queen of her household consisting of herself and her adopter. Perfect life for Miss Cleo.
Cleo was diagnosed with cystititis last year and recently with diabetes and her kidneys were failing :m13: her adopter humanely decided to let Cleo go to Rainbow Bridge as Cleo got totally stressed out being medicated (which is why she hated me - she had a horrible URI when I got her - snot bubbles and all). She stressed at having to go the vet, being medicated and being messed with in general. Her condition would probably have worsened due to the stress.
So sad - even not being mine I still feel for them.

 

I'm sorry Mary. You did so much for those cats and I'm sure they (and their final owners) appreciated it. At least they all got the forever homes they deserved before their passing.

 

:cry: soo sorry to hear that Mary!!! Remember that you did all that you could do for them and you gave them a chance at having happy lives!!! they are healthy and happy over the bridge playing with all of the other animals waiting to be united with their adoptive families once again!!!

 

I am sorry for your pain. It is sad when the creatures we nurtured and loved pass away.


This thought has given me comfort throughout the years and maybe it will help you too: When people discouraged me from adopting my (then abused and neglected) cat Aries because of sever health problems, I had a choice to make: Take this pet, love it (and run the risk of feeling the pain of loss), or allow it to continue its life without my intervention. Then I thought, “Hey, even if he does die a week/month/year from now...at least we gave each other a better life for having crossed paths than we would have had alone.” I will be devastated when the day comes for my fur baby to go to heaven because I am hopelessly in love with him. But would I ever traded that pain for the joy of knowing the 9+ years of love and friendship we shared? Never!

You gave those cats the love and care they needed, and because of that they lived longer and happier lives. It hurts, but they are better off for having known you. Likewise, you have become a better person from knowing them. I like to think in heaven, animals are given a voice to speak on behalf of those they love and have loved them. Now, you just have a couple more cheerleaders waiting for you!

 

Big hugs Mary! :cry: