I put him to sleep yesterday.

@flexghost We had to put Mac, our 15 year old golden retriever, to sleep in November. We had planned on having him put down on the following Wednesday but were unsure if we were doing the right thing. On the Saturday prior, he let us know that it was time to do it earlier. Typical Mac. Took the painful decision off our plate with a smile. His brother Jai, who is a 16 year old german shepherd and retriever mix, misses him but Jai also has dog Alzheimer's so he also is constantly looking for him.

@flexghost I'm so sorry for your loss

@flexghost i am so sorry for your loss … we currently have three dogs, two of which came from very poor quality & abusive situations … the first is only now starting to show signs of being completely comfortable here - that took a year … the second has been with us a few months and the process looks like it might require a longer timeline … it breaks our hearts knowing what they came from & lifts our spirits seeing them slowly enter back into a desirable life, happy & confident the way they were meant to be ️

@flexghost After losing Yuri, my grey cat in 2024, I've started going to a shelter and spending my Saturdays afternoons with cats that probably will never be adopted. Last year, adopted 2 adult cats; a 2 year old black cat (adopted and returned twice) and an orange cat who was at shelters for 6 years. I have 3 cats now, and to see them looking happily at the birds is the best feeling.
All my cats stay in my heart, even if they already departed. I guess we carry them on until we are gone too.

@flexghost My condolences

@flexghost awww, I'm so sorry. Losing a dear friend is always so hard. It sounds like you gave him a good, long life. I grew up with 2 dogs and a kitty, and I've had 4 cats as an adult. All were wonderful, and I carry every one with me. I feel blessed by all of them. Our psyches become so intertwined with theirs. In some ways they know us better than anyone else, and sometimes even better than we know ourselves. Now, I'm starting with kitty number 5-- just adopted her yesterday morning. I would post a photo, but she's still hiding.

Sending peace and strength. ️

@flexghost My daughter and I have adopted, nurtured, and lost many pets throughout the years, including cats and rats. We still cherish and honor the memories of them. Here are two of them, Spooky and Ohjay.

@flexghost

Amber had a rough start - when she arrived at the shelter she'd already lost most of her tail so can't always land on her feet. A chronic respiratory issue, she's effectively mute as her vocal cords are saturated and can't make any noise so she can't meow or howl in defense. She also spent 5 years in the no kill shelter before she came home - mostly isolating in a back corner in as much of a defensive spot as she could find.

Two years later she's still skittish but is comfortable around people and has started "meowing" quietly. She's even had a few audible squeaks recently and kitten like meow noises - hopefully she'll get louder. She's adored and loved, and it's wonderful to see her with guard down snoozing at my feet under the table.

Adopt, don't shop.

@flexghost I’m very sorry for your loss, and their loss too. I have had 2 cats pass away in the past 10 years or so and I carry their spirit with me everywhere I go. They loved me unconditionally and I do for them. I miss them terribly.

Tobi and Frank both kept me together. I have neither now and I’m in the process of losing my family too. It’s gut wrenching but I know I can get through it. And one day I’ll have another cat. Not now, not just yet. But i will, if they will have me.

@flexghost

Amber had a rough start - when she arrived at the shelter she'd already lost most of her tail so can't always land on her feet. A chronic respiratory issue, she's effectively mute as her vocal cords are saturated and can't make any noise so she can't meow or howl in defense. She also spent 5 years in the no kill shelter before she came home - mostly isolating in a back corner in as much of a defensive spot as she could find.

Two years later she's still skittish but is comfortable around people and has started "meowing" quietly. She's even had a few audible squeaks recently and kitten like meow noises - hopefully she'll get louder. She's adored and loved, and it's wonderful to see her with guard down snoozing at my feet under the table.

Adopt, don't shop.

@flexghost

Always hard to lose a furry friend.

A cat who saved my life because she brought me joy and I had to take care of her.

A dog who traveled with and protected my wife all over when we couldn't be together for a long time.

A cat who slept on my shoulder and lowered my blood pressure and often let me know that things were going to be better because he was around.

My best non-human friends doing very important cat and dog work.

@flexghost I miss Brute!, Unagi, and Romana

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

I put him to sleep yesterday. My sweet boy for 15 years. He’d come to me from an abusive home. You could see it in how he held himself those first months, like he was always bracing.

But he figured it out. Not all at once but in small surrenders. Picking up a toy. Playing so free. The way he’d eventually push his head under your hand, asking.

I miss him.

If you have a moment, I’d like to hear about your animals. The ones you still carry with you.

@flexghost we have lost 2 last year - Sheldon in November and my dearest boy Pantha in summer
We had a special relationship and I still miss him very much. Look how he came running with one single call of his name: https://rollenspiel.social/@gorobar/112410919022539127