It's been a rough week (long post)

[XCashier]

I've been away from these boards about a week. We've been busy as anything.

We're in the process of selling our house. Since it sold sooner than we expected, and hubby and I promised our boss to stay with the job until January, we had to find an apartment that offered a short-term lease and allowed pets. It took a while, but we found a nice one in a nice area. Problem is, it's on the second floor. Wednesday, we had to move a houseful of belongings up a steep flight of stairs. Most of the furniture we'd gotten rid of, but there were still the beds, recliner, TV, a couple of shelves, not to mention boxes and boxes of stuff. Up and down the stairs probably a hundred times. Needless to say, we were incredibly sore.

Thursday, we cleaned what little was left out of the house, and Friday, I cleaned the house itself. Dusted, mopped, cleaned bathrooms and kitchen. The house has never looked this good. And when it was all done, I went out, locked the door...and broke down crying. This was our home for six years, where we raised our son, we had remodeled and remade it the way we wanted it, and now someone else was going to have it and I was never going to see it again.

Yesterday, I desperately wanted some downtime for myself, so hubby took son to the park and I did a little shopping. Driving back home, I got a call from hubby. Our cat Sylvester was extremely sick. I got home as quickly as I could. Sylvester had vomited yellow and green bile and was now lying on his side, moaning, unable to get up. Hubby took him to the vet and had him put to sleep. Sylvester had been his favorite cat, a tuxedo cat like he always wanted, an elegant cat who could be extremely goofy. And now he's gone. :cry:

This has been a very rough week.

[Geek King]

My condolences Cashier. Moving is never easy, and to lose a loved pet is a terrible thing.

There is a short story that has always helped me deal with the loss, and I looked it up for you, and anyone who cares to read it.

FAIR WARNING: This always makes me cry like a baby when I read it, but I feel better, after. I hope it helps.






The Rainbow Bridge --Author Unknown


Just this side of Heaven is a place called The 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 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 or 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 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 to each other 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........

[Barefootgirl]

XCashier, I am really sorry to hear about Sylvester (brilliant name!). He sounds lovely. I had to have my Higgins PTS last year, and it is so painful to lose a much-loved pet.

When that loss comes on top of the stress of moving, especially from a place where you have so many special memories, it can be really rough. All I would say is, be gentle with yourself. Give yourself time to think about the fun times you had in that house, and about the fun times you'll have in the new place. Think about how lovely Sylvester was, look at his pictures and let yourself cry. Give yourself enough time and space to adjust to all the changes in your life.

I know the Rainbow Bridge story is very consoling for many people. i hope it helps. Its not my thing, but the one that always reduces me to floods of tears is the one about what happened at the Bridge on Sep 11, soft sod that i am. It's called Welcome at the Rainbow Bridge and if you read it, have lots of tissues handy. The bit about the fluffy puppy and the Dalmatians makes me tear up jsut thinking about it.