My cat, Riley, is gone. This is a tribute to you, my buddy.

[Bake]

Riley O'Malley. White cat with a little gray cap on his head. Rescued from a cardboard box on the side of the road, 7 years ago.

I never really liked cats before Riley. He was special. A lot fo cats are aloof, but not Riley; he loved attention. When he got a broken leg as a kitten, I took him to the clinic where he'd drape himself over my shoulder while we waited for the vet. Every day, for years, when I'd pull into the driveway, he'd be sitting in the window watching for me. By the time I got inside, he'd be up on the kitchen counter to greet me, leaning as far out as he could without falling. He loved to sit right next to me on the arm of the sofa, or on my desk, wherever I was - that's where Riley was.

Oh, Riley could be one condescending cat! From his safe altitude on the counter, he'd sneer at our dogs. And then he'd proceed to push stuff off the counter. But he was my buddy.

Anyway, Riley got sick. Really sick, and he wasn't going to get better. And I had to make the decision to let him go. I still feel crappy about that, even though I know it was the only decision to make.

I brought Riley home yesterday. That's when it really hit me. Now his ashes are in a beautiful little mahogany box on a shelf in the living room. And I miss you, buddy.

Bake

[VenusRising]

1. I'm sorry for you loss.

What a hard decision you had to make, but you gave each other a better life.

:hug:

[dropkickpa]

2. I'm so sorry

Who'd ever believe that something so small holds such a big piece of our hearts? :hug:

[ceile]

3. So sorry, Bake.

Our fur babies give us so much joy that it's hard to let go when the time comes. I'm sure you made the right decision.
RIP, Riley.
:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

4. Sorry for you loss, but happy that you had such a wonderful friend

in Riley.

:hug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. R.I.P., Riley.

[Phillycat]

6. Oh, I am so sorry.

This brought me to tears, because your Riley sounds so much like my Prince Charming in temperament. PC is just like that, wants to be with me every minute and is so affectionate. I don't know what I would do without him! I am so sorry for your loss. Prince Charming and I are mourning for you.

[redwitch]

7. so sorry for your loss.

He had a good life with you though, all a kitty could ask for. RIP Riley.

[Bake]

8. I didn't think it would hit me like this.

But it has. I guess I'm just getting old and soft. With our kids pretty much grown, we are just total nuts about our pets - they run the place, we're just the caretakers.

Thanks to all of you!

Bake

[ThomCat]

9. I'm very sorry.

:(

I hope you have some good photos and great memories. :hug:

[montanto]

10. Sorry to hear of your loss.

always makes me sad to think of someone losing a cat.

[Beausoir]

11. A very beautiful tribute. Sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

He was lucky to have you.

[applegrove]

12. RIP Riley

[cwydro]

13. It's horrible to lose an animal

Hugs to you. I've been there. A pet is a member of the family in every way.

[Beer Snob-50]

14. I am so sorry

i know how hard it is as we put down one of our cats a couple of weeks ago also.

[xchrom]

15. for riley...

Eternal Spirit, we bring you our grief in the loss of riley and ask for courage to bear it. We bring you our thanks for riley who lived among us and gave us freely of his love. We commit our friend and companion riley into your loving hands. Give us eyes to see how your love embraces all creatures and every living thing speaks to us of your love. Amen.

[Bake]

16. That's beautiful.

Thanks,

Bake

[xchrom]

32. i didn't write it.

i got it at belief net -- but it's uncredited.

i collect poems, prayers about people and their animals because it's a grief we neglect in our society -- i lost my old boy sport a few years ago -- and i miss -- ache for that old dog every day.

honour that relationship -- it's a rare and wonderful thing.

byt the way -- i had sport cremated{kept his ashes} and buried with my dad back in october.

my dad used to walk him when i was at work.

now they are walking together.

[kedrys]

17. I'm so very sorry

Thank you for providing Riley with such a good home and a wonderful life.

[Parche]

18. CAT

I feel your pain, I lost mine 4years ago.........and am still mourning and empty in that respect.
---------------------

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[cwydro]

19. I like that...

my mom always says I'm going to be mobbed...so many animals have shared and still share my life.

[Madspirit]

20. I am so sorry! RIP Riley. n/t

[stuntcat]

21. do not "feel crappy"

Riley was so lucky that it was you who found him and helped him through life, right up til the last you gave him peace,
he was lucky to have You!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. Riley sounds like a sweetie

I'm so sorry for your loss... :hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

23. my heart goes out to you

losing a beloved pet is just as hard as losing a beloved family member.

[Bake]

24. Thanks to all of you.

Pets don't ask for much - food, water, attention, love. And they give back so much more.

We named this one Riley because when he meowed that's what it sounded like, by the way.

If you find yourself in a similar position, losing a pet, I can recommend Pets at Rest (they have a web site and affiliated locations all over, I think). They did a marvelous job, supplied the urn/box, even returned a fur sample and pawprint with the cremains. We didn't want to bury Riley in MS because the clay is hard to dig and because we may not be here forever, so we wanted him with us. And the thought of him being part of a mass cremation, well, we just couldn't do that. We couldn't just discard him.

Thanks, all, for your kind words. DUers are THE BEST!

Bake

[swag]

25. Hey, I'm so sorry. He sounds like a great friend.

Take care.

[electron_blue]

26. Sounds like a wonderful kitty.

Thank you for sharing your memories.

[graywarrior]

27. That is so sad.

I am sorry, Bake. I don't know what I'd do if I had to make the same decision about my cat.

:hug: :cry:

[DainBramaged]

28. Someday he'll be there again

My heartfelt condolences:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Shine]

29. It's hard to lose a beloved animal companion.

My thoughts are with you, bake. I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm sure Riley knew how much you loved him. :hug:

[grace0418]

30. I'm sorry to hear about Riley. I know how hard that is.

He sounds a lot like my Frankie, and I love him so much it makes my chest hurt. So I know when it's time for him to go I am going to be a wreck.

:hug:

[Bryn]

31. I know it's so hard

I have 5 cats that I love very much as well as my dog. Whenever I lose my pet I grieve badly for a long time. Going to www.petloss.com helped me a lot to get through the loss which was 3 times in the last 7 years.

The hardest thing is to put down your pet rather than they depart on their own. I know! I was riddled with guilts, but later on I know now I did my best so they wouldn't suffer.

You have my deepest sympathies.

[judaspriestess]

33. I am soooo sorry for your baby

being gone physically but his spirit will always be with you. My baby is in a beautiful urn in my living room too. :hug:

[haf216]

34. I 'm so sorry for your loss.

Peace to you and Riley.

[Missy Vixen]

35. I am so sorry for your loss

Riley chose you. You were his family. Before you know it, Riley will send you another cat to love. You may not think so, but we've experienced it. We had to let go of our boy Merlin in September of 2001. He had cancer. One year later, Mojo came into our lives. Another year later, we got his brother, Oscar.

Here's to the next cat who will choose you, and here's to Riley, who adored you every day for the past seven years. :toast:

Julie

[Blue_In_AK]

36. I'm very sorry.

I lost my little Julie right after Christmas. You don't really realize how much you love them until they're gone.

[ThatsMyBarack]

37. It always makes me sad when a cat dies.

:cry:

[u4ic]

38. I'm so sorry

Riley sounded like such a special kitty.

:hug:

[lavenderdiva]

39. oh dbaker41- I'm so very sorry for your loss

Riley sounds like such a special kitty. From your story, you can tell Riley loved being with you, and the two of you had a very special bond. Even though your decision was very difficult, you did the loving thing. Our babies work their way into our hearts and never really leave. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in this difficult time :hug:

[Mz Pip]

40. What a wonderful

tribute to your furry friend. So sorry for your loss. Rescues are special. They are the lucky ones and they bring us luck in return.

He was lucky to find his way to your kitchen counter. You gave him a wonderful life and years of love and friendship.

RIP Riley.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[flamingyouth]

41. I'm sorry for your loss.

It's hard when we lose those close to us.