I had a horrible Friday, simply awful and tragic. While pulling out of my driveway to go to work I discovered sweet Slyvester laying in the road. He'd been hit and killed just moments before. I quickly pulled over and picked him up to carry him home, where he would be safe until we could bury him. You can well imagine how devestating this was. I stroked him and spoke to him even though he was no longer in this world then my son and I prayed over him.
I tried to go to work, crying the whole way there and my assistant manager sent me home. She's an animal lover as well and knew the pain I was in. At home my son and I talked about how much we loved Slyvester and how best to break the news to Caroline. Early afternoon I went to pick my husband up from work and we stopped at Lowe's to purchase some lumber in order to build a nice box for Slyvester.
Early evening found my two guys building in the garage. And awhile later Caroline's Mom and her Mom's friend Robert arrived. My husband, son, Caroline and me all wrote special messages of love to Slyvester in his box and placed items that were special to him in it. His cushion Caroline made, his food dish my son had bought him, a rose from our yard, ribbon from his favorite toy... My guys dug a hole under our big tree outside my kitchen window, the tree Slyvester loved to climb. And we all held a memorial service for him in the gently falling rain. My son said a few words, followed by me and then my husband. Caroline threw the first spadeful of dirt into his grave. What a brave girl!
Perhaps some would think this was alot to do for a pet but in our home, our pets are an important part of our family. Slyvester meant the world to Caroline and Caroline means the world to us. I put a metal cross on his grave to mark it and will make a wooden plaque soon with his name. This was our Friday, very sad and tearful.
Slyvester
Beloved Kitty
October 24, 2004
~
October 24, 2008
11 comments:
Oh girl, I have big ole' tears rolling down my face. Our pets are much more than animals to us also....they are a part of our family and our life. I am so sorry you had to find your beloved kitty like that. Slyvester is now running over the Rainbow Bridge with all the other animals in heaven.
Oh, I am so sorry. I hope you had a peaceful weekend.
I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Sylvester. Our dog Jake is so loved in our family...if anything ever happens to him, I'll need to take a leave of absence from work. I'll be devastated.
I'm so sorry! I'm in tears now. I understand the pain that you're going through. We've lost pets in the past and it's just awful. I think the burial you provided will help your family heal faster. :-)
Awwwwwwwwwwww. You made me cry. Poor baby. And he died on his birthday. How sad. I've lost several cats and one special dog. It's hard. We always have funerals, too.
Hey girl,
Stop by my blog when you get a chance, you have been BOO-ed!♥
I am so so so very sorry. This is heartbreaking to read about, let alone live through. From one animal lover to another.. you're in my thoughts today.
We are so, so sorry to read about this loss. Losing four-footed family members is so difficult. Hope you had a peaceful weekend and time to reflect on sweet Sylvester.
blessings,
kari & kijsa
My heart aches for you...I share that same experience when we lost our kitty Shadow (my son's kitty) he was discovered in the same way you discovered Sylvester. I didn't run out before my son found him. Like you he pet him. I know your sorrow. With time you'll find comfort and refuge in the cherished memories you shared, especially the funny antics our kitty's do. Remembering will bring back a smile to your face.
Sara
Thanks so much for what you guys did for us. it made faceing it so much easier.To see how welltaken care of he was, and all the love he got, just made accepting it less of a struggle.
-love the girl
We are so sorry to hear about your loss! Slyvester sounds like a wonderful cat.
Have a blessed and wonderful weekend!
smiles, kari & kijsa
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