Do you have a pet?

[eddieMX07]

Do you like animals? If so your in the right place. Do you have a pet or pets? If so, post pictures of your little crittler here.

Here is a picture of my pet dog Anita:

http://www.yourfreesurveys.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=2&pictureid=4

[LapisLee]

I had a cat named Alex who died of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), the same disease that I have. I wrote this obituary for him.

http://i30.tinypic.com/2z9mae0.jpg

Alexander the Grey July 21, 1990 – May 2, 2005
“My Best and Most Loyal Companion”

Alex was born July 21, 1990 in Amherst County, Virginia in a three story Hippie House built by friends of mine illegally on top of a 3000 foot tall mountain called Tobacco Row, although that was not what was primarily smoked there. The house was three stories tall with a deck on each of the two upper stories and a Crow’s Nest observation deck about 30 feet up on the roof of the house where four people could sit comfortably to enjoy a variety of activities. Alex made full use of all decks and surrounding 200 acres of forest and streams. We frequently took long walks together.

Alex’s father was a feral black cat with no name known only for his ferocity and ability to evade capture by any and all. His mother was a registered white Persian, named Molly, who had never left the comfort of the indoors until one fateful night when she became the future mother of Alex. She was quite peculiar and known for her odd habits.

Alex lived in the Hippie House for 8 weeks until I brought him with me to 112 Lisa Lane, a beautiful 2-acre estate in Campbell County, Virginia built from greenstone, an exotic green-colored stone found only in Lynchburg, Virginia and Siberia. Lynchburg is unique for having more houses built from this rare and unusual stone than any other city in the world. The house had a front and back deck, basketball court, swimming pool and large garden, all of which Alex enjoyed as he was far too wild to be allowed inside except on special occasions (hurricanes, tornados and blizzards).

Alex never asked much of me and I probably gave him even less; however, he always remained my best and most loyal companion during the five years we lived in this house; although, I showered his sisters, Zephyr (most gentle Goddess of the West Wind) and Clea (from Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet) with more affection, he never complained about anything no matter how cold, windy or rainy it got on the back porch; but, he rarely purred either.

In February 1995 we all moved in (Zephyr died of heat stroke by the swimming pool at age 13) with my parents at 832 Mohawk Dr. and for a brief time Alex, Clea and myself enjoyed a separate apartment where we continued to party on Saturday nights and generally act lazy and indulge our every whim. On the morning Clea was found lying dead in the middle of the street and I screamed so loudly it gave Alex and the neighbors a start I knew things would be different from then on.

Alex moved upstairs and was spoiled so excessively by my parents that he even started to purr slightly; although, he continued to leave for several days at a time on ‘bird watching expeditions’ which was his favorite hobby. We can only hope he wasn’t personally responsible for the extinction of any important species; although, truth be told, the mockingbirds gave as good as they got and Alex had four notches in his right ear and three in the left by the time we moved to our current house (at an undisclosed location).

Unfortunately by this time my father had acquired a Boston Terrier Bulldog, named Mandy Girl New, who was ‘friendly, alert and intelligent’ (except for the intelligent part), and whose main activities consisted of eating, farting and barking uncontrollably at the shadows and wind outside the window (although, not necessarily in that order). Probably the best $700 we ever spent. (Did I say ‘best’? I meant ‘least well advised’.) Mandy would strike terror even in the heart of Alex with her hyperactive running around in circles and constant attempts to pluck at his whiskers. Somehow Alex and myself survived several years of Mandy who is still doing fine and is also grieving at the loss of her friend.

The night of May 1, 2005, which I will never forget, was the night I noticed something was wrong with Alex as he was crying so pitifully and was seemingly unable or unwilling to come into the computer room where I was working (ok, chatting) and Mandy was engaged in her usual activities of farting and snoring. I saw that Alex looked very thin, gaunt and weakened and that he was drooling from his mouth. I checked him thoroughly for injuries but found none. I gave him water, which he drank, and food, which he ate, then petted and consoled him as long as I could until I fell asleep around 5am.

The next morning was perhaps the most glorious day of the year yet. The sun was shining, there was a gentle breeze blowing but Alex still did not appear to be well so I called the veterinarian as soon as I awoke. They had no appointments available until 5pm but told me I could drop him off, which I did, then went to watch a hilarious new comedy ‘Are We There Yet’ starring Ice Cube. Halfway through the movie, which I was thoroughly enjoying, my cell phone vibrated and it was the vet asking to perform blood tests on Alex and I agreed, and then returned to the movie.

Less than 15 minutes later the phone vibrated again and this time the news was far direr. The veterinarian said Alex had End Stage Renal Disease and that his kidneys had stopped functioning and he had only days to live at most. I was simultaneously shocked, saddened and discombobulated, as I had JUST received a kidney transplant 61 days prior for my own ESRD and simply couldn’t comprehend that my best friend in the animal world should have the exact same malady so soon after I had stopped my own dialysis after 13 years of treatment, four hours per day, three days per week. I told the vet I would need time to decide what to do when she explained that for $500 more a catheter could be inserted and Alex could live another 6 months to a year with daily home subcutaneous injections of saline.

I cried so hard I completely ruined the rest of the movie for the other four people in the $1 theater that day and I am sure they were wondering why a grown man would be crying out so loudly during such a hysterical comedy. When I arrived back at home I knew what I had to do. Alex could not continue to live as the next Terry Schaivo and I had to call the vet and ask that he be euthanized. I only asked that he be made as comfortable as possible, that his death be pain free and that I be allowed to say goodbye to him. They said I had less than one hour to get to the clinic and say goodbye before the procedure.

When I got there and saw the grave condition Alex was in I knew I was doing the right thing. He barely recognized me at all. I told him how much I loved him and also that I was sure he was somehow responsible for my having received a living donor kidney, out of the blue, in record time just 61 days prior. He seemed to understand and let out a slight ‘meow’ that didn’t sound too pained. I took several photos of us together and cried some more then signed the waiver and allowed the vet to take him back. Within ten minutes she returned with Alex’s remains neatly packaged in a cardboard box. I was saddened but relieved that he was no longer in pain.

When we got home dad picked out a nice corner of the backyard and proceeded to dig a 3 foot grave while I poured myself a glass of wine and took a Valium to dull my pain; but, strangely, I felt much better than I did earlier when I first heard the news and once again I was comforted to know I had done the right thing, which both my father and the veterinarian had agreed was for the best.

Tomorrow, flowers and a birdbath, where Alex’s ‘friends’ can wash themselves and play will be placed in the little garden and soon a tombstone reading: Alex, July 21, 1990 – May 2, 2005, ‘My Best and Most Loyal Companion’ will also be placed.

Alex I love you and will love you always. You were my best friend and you caused me no troubles whatsoever (except for that one time you scratched me accidentally) and I will always remember the great times we had together. The wine, the women, the parties and your crazy antics that never ceased to amaze and delight anyone that ever met you. Alex you are the true definition of a ‘cool cat’. I look forward to meeting you again and thank you for giving me the gift that has changed me completely and given me another chance at life even though it means I will be without your gentle purr and warm companionship. Rest in Peace.

My dad's Boston Terrier bulldog Mandy died last year from a brain tumor-induced seizure.

http://i32.tinypic.com/29pepaw.jpg

[maplaver]

A tear for Lee's cat :( It happened while reading his story!

My baby is an 8 months old female Shih-poo named Bebinha (little baby in Portugues).

I totally adore her :p

[eddieMX07]

I have never had a cat before, but that story is very emotional.

[jash18]

Very sorry about ur loss Lee :(
I really like cats, more than dogs, since they are more quiet, and do not need too much attention. But I haven't gotten one since i am too lazy, and do not want responsibility for someone else.

Also Maplaver's dog does look really cute :)

[Heath]

What a wonderful obituary, Lee! You wrote that so beautifully that I felt I knew him.

Our 12 year old yellow lab, Rex, was put to sleep Friday night. It's never easy, but he lived a long and happy life. We'll miss him.

[maplaver]

Our 12 year old yellow lab, Rex, was put to sleep Friday night. It's never easy, but he lived a long and happy life. We'll miss him.

I'm so sorry for your loss!

[eddieMX07]

Losing a pet can be hard when your so attached with your pet. My dog was supposed to only live one year because of a heart problem but she is still alive and barking.

[LapisLee]

My cat Clea (named after the Lawrence Durrell Alexandria Quartet character) who died in 1998. I also loved her very much, but one day she wandered out into the street... :(

http://i26.tinypic.com/30veumc.jpg

[DOBIE66]

I have 2 cats that will be five years old. Their names are Bailey "Ditty" and "Sally" Ashes. The have the same mother and were born 4 mos apart.

http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/absofreelutely/10800.jpg

[jness80537]

I have 2 cats, one is black with white paws and a dribble of white down her nose, thus the name Dribbles, and the other one is a dark calico named Sofia who adopted us. And then I have 2 guinea pigs, one black and white named Blackie and one red and white with red eyes named Red (I know not very creative, but had to pick something easy my 3 yr old could pronounce)
Pictures will be coming soon.

[ericmcdonald5823]

I have 5 dogs (4 rottweilers and 1 ciao) 6 cats (all crossbreeds) and a horse.

the rottweilers and ciao make an excellent security system,
If they aren't driven away by the ciao barking, the rottweilers will scare them away.

If that doesn't work.
I do a good impersonation of a psychopath.


Really though,
The neighbors call up when anyone they don't recognize comes our way.
this list has included the PUD guy.
The phone company,
and an electrician to hook up power at the neighbors.

no burglers yet.

[tidyclean]

Wow - Such a Beautiful Story Lee !! I really feel for you and your loss of Alexander. I know how you felt, I have (3) cats myself and they are truly part of the family. Anytime any of them are sick, I feel so bad, they just are like little people to me.

Your story sure hit my heart and I shed a few tears - even though it's been a few years since your lose I know you still will miss him.

Thanks so Much for Sharing this Wonderful Story of your Alexander.

[vwilliams55]

I have a cat named George . He is Orange. I also have a chiwawa spikey. I don't know how to post the pix. I will try. They get along well, but George keeps spikey in check. Lee I am sorry about your cat he was so cute. You be well yourself.

[maplaver]

my baby...

[akira07]

I have yellow coloured cat named myu, and it's so lovely. But sadly, she already died 1 month ago because unknown disease

[LapisLee]

Here is a picture of my girlfriend Tina and her dogs Zeus and Cleo.

http://i27.tinypic.com/5w9gzs.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/308zjg6.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/1z53ipv.jpg

[ansmorris]

My name is Angie & I love Dogs.. I've always loved Dogs..I had 2 for 9 years, but had to leave them behind due to a Separation with me & my how can I say it nicely Bastard of a Husband.. Anyway I miss them so much but I did what I had to do.. Thanks..Ang