Tigg, my best friend 13 year old maine coon mix cat

by Julie
(Michigan)

Hi, my name is Julie. It has been a little over 1 year since we had to make the decision to let my best friend Tigg of 13 years go to heaven. If there is ONE thing I know, is that I would not want to be in pain, but on the other hand I still find it extremely painful to let him go. In many ways, I haven't let him go, I planted a tree in his memory last summer. It actually is pretty cool. It is a dwarf weeping larch which looks like a puffy cats tail. I know Tigg would want me to be happy, but still 13 years is a long time, lots of memories. If I can help anyone dealing with pet loss, I would say, talk to a friend. Talking is good. When you are at work, just tell yourself, hold it together, count the hours if you have to, then call your friend, or talk out loud to your pet on the way home. It doesn't matter what people at work think of you, they didn't have that close relationship with your pet. My boss at the time thought I was crazy, so I was just quiet, did my job, went home, spent time with my family, went back to work and told myself "I can do it!"
Tigger was there when we brought our child home. He paced back and forth when she was sick. He was my nurse cat. He had such expressive eyes. He had a tiny meow. A gentle giant. A big purr, and a heart of gold, I know my loved ones in heaven are keeping an eye on him running around chattering at birds in heaven, and one day I know we all will be reunited. But until then, I have to have faith that he is sill looking down on me, and will never let me go either. Such a special bond. No words can really honor him. Thanks for listening.