Said goodbye to "Twist" this morning...

[Navy Chief]

Here's a few more from Twist's early years. When we first got him, he had a litter mate named, "Petey", who unfortunately didn't live long.... In the first picture, Twist is on the right; Petey on the left.

 

[joe bob]

My sympathies Chief. Always tough to lose a pet.
We lost our dog of 18 years last year.

 

[stovall]

Thanks for sharing the images Pete. As a veterinarian I definitely understand your pain. Our little friends are such a big part of our lives. You are definitely in my thoughts. Take care!!!!

 

[Daveroo]

just wanted to say,the part about placing twist on the table,and him cuddling with you the night before,breaks my heart,the first cat i ever had was a hand me down from when my sister went to jail for awhile,so i was given her 3 month old "Bandit",she was a "cool Cat" for sure,really made an impression on me as to how loving cats can really be.she had been hit by a car one day while i was at work,took me months to rehabilitate,with a vets help ofcourse.her tail had been paralyzed and the vet wouldnt take it off...at one point,id walk to my favorite watering hole from my apt,beer was the most important at that point in my life,and bandit would sit in my front window and yowl,,im sure she could see me as i walked down the narrow trail and into the woods....well one day the landlady decided she coudnt stand it,and let the cat out of my apt,same reason bandit got hit,well i was BS'n with my friends and a buddy says...dave?..yer cats here...i looked and she meowed and jumped up on the bar...after that we would walk down to the bar together everyday...she always beat me home though...lol

anyway...she became really sick,and would his and bite at me,but the day i took her to the vet to have her put down..she was vomiting what appeared to be stool..well i laid her on the table,she immediately stood up on her back legs and wrapped her front legs around my neck..and cried....i ended up bursting out in tears and i couldnt stay...even now i can hear her yowling as i left that building....still hurts me to know i didnt stay when she needed me...

 

[simulloyd]

Chief,
I share in your grief. It is a hard thing losing your favorite cat.

 

[Penzoil3]

My condolences chief. I know how you feel. They're family.I lost my 15 year old Aussie Shepherd earlier this year. Stayed with her all the way at the vets, and cried all the way home.
It's funny, the young dog stepped up, and suddenly began doing everything exactly the way she had done it. It's like he was saying, it's OK Ma, she trained me right I've got this.
Darn, crying and typing...
Sue

 

[Navy Chief]

All of your condolences do help. This morning was rough. Even though Twist was sick, he would run around (until the day before I took him to the vet). Each morning he would run in our bedroom, and "announce" his presence with the characteristic Siamese meowrrr! So this morning I really missed him trotting in to say hello....

Twist was not a stray, but two of our three remaining felines were. My favorite singer, Michael Johnson, performs a song called, "Oklahoma Stray". I apologize in advance for the sound quality, but the lyrics to the song really choke me up. Michael J's guitar playing is really good as well. Don't know why I felt like watching this video this morning, but here it is, and the lyrics:

"Oklahoma Stray"
Baby, once in Oklahoma I took in a stray cat
Well I came home from work one day, and there she sat.
But someone long before me had injured her so much, 
although I fed her for a year, never did we touch.
Some hearts truly, maybe some hearts truly, truly break.
Well I swear nobody chooses to live a life alone, 
but I guess trust drains away when hearts cut to the bone. 
God forbid I lose you, 'cause baby, come that day, 
I swear I'll be just another Oklahoma Stray.
Some hearts truly, baby some hearts truly, truly break.
Nothing is more gentle, 
nothing is more fragile, 
nothing more in danger, 
nothing more courageous than an open heart.
Baby once in Oklahoma, well I took in a stray. 
Then one night I found her on the roadside where she lay. 
And then at last I held her, and then I dug a grave. 
I cried for her, and cried for all the hearts love could not save.
Baby, some hearts truly, baby some hearts truly, truly break

 

[Odie]

So sorry to hear of your loss NC. They aren't just pets, they are our 4 legged kids, our buddies, our pals, our stink-pots, all rolled into one package. Don't worry, one day
y'all be reunited at the Rainbow Bridge.

When our beloved Whitey passed 12 years ago, it hit the entire family hard. I went three months and I could not bear being
the first one home and not having a feline friend greet me at the door. The next Saturday I went to a local shelter and adopted Raztus the cat as a kitten. He didn't take Whitey's place,
he just picked up where the Original Big Sweetie left off.

Give yourself time to grieve for Twist, and then on down the road, maybe you'll find his spirit in another four-legged friend.

 

[Navy Chief]

Thanks Odie,

When our other three cats have gone across the "Rainbow Bridge" to join Twist and Chief, we plan to travel some (hopefully via military airlifts) and then consider adopting a full grown cat from the local shelter. We both agree about not wanting a kitten. Way too much energy, and we just don't think we could keep up with one.

I wil love to have another Siamese, as their personalities are so entertaining. Not that other cats aren't great companions, because I know better. But I also realize that finding a pedigreed Siamese in a shelter would be almost impossible. However I know there are rescues dedicated to almost every breed.

I am doing much better than I had thought I'd be, after losing Twist; most likely because we have the other kitties to give love to...... NC

 

[Bushpounder]

Sorry to hear this, Chief. I remember it wasn't too long ago you lost another one. I like your idea of travel and then settling down with another one. It's too empty without them.

Don

 

[Odie]

Thanks Odie,

When our other three cats have gone across the "Rainbow Bridge" to join Twist and Chief, we plan to travel some (hopefully via military airlifts) and then consider adopting a full grown cat from the local shelter. We both agree about not wanting a kitten. Way too much energy, and we just don't think we could keep up with one.

I wil love to have another Siamese, as their personalities are so entertaining. Not that other cats aren't great companions, because I know better. But I also realize that finding a pedigreed Siamese in a shelter would be almost impossible. However I know there are rescues dedicated to almost every breed.

I am doing much better than I had thought I'd be, after losing Twist; most likely because we have the other kitties to give love to...... NC

You are correct about the energy level of a kitten! Raztus was like living with a flying squirrel! He had no fear of leaping from perch to perch. He's settled down a lot in his maturity but there is still a lot of kitten in him. Glad to hear you are doing well.

 

[WarHorse47]

NC,

Sorry to hear of your loss, but glad to hear things are getting better.

 

[CP1207]

Thanks Odie,

I wil love to have another Siamese, as their personalities are so entertaining. Not that other cats aren't great companions, because I know better. But I also realize that finding a pedigreed Siamese in a shelter would be almost impossible. However I know there are rescues dedicated to almost every breed.

I am doing much better than I had thought I'd be, after losing Twist; most likely because we have the other kitties to give love to...... NC

We got a Seal Point Siamese, along with two of her kittens from a shelter so it can be done. The black kitten we got with her had all of the characteristics of his mom, the grey none. Might check with your veterinarian if you don't have to have all the coloring, ours had a couple of ideas for determining if a cat has Siamese in his DNA. Start with a nystagmus test. Yes, the test used to determine drunk drivers also may indicate the presence of Siamese- they can have slight sideways eye movement which apparently no other breeds have.

 

[Navy Chief]

My previous wife and I had a cat rescue when I lived in TN. We had all sort of cats: black, calico, orange tabby, and one all white cat. We noticed a weird thing, which was that the black cats hung around with each other, as did the tuxedo colored cats, etc.... The all white cat was ostracized, as were the weaker personality females. And all the black cats had similar meows (voices); as did the other color cats. The tuxedo cats, just as Siamese cats, were very vocal. NC

 

[jbtate]

So sorry for your loss, Navy Chief. I lost my 2 year old cat Chennault to a pack of hunting dogs last February, and I'm trying to prepare to find another companion this Spring. They are always with us. Hope you find peace and comfort.
jbtate

 

[Navy Chief]

This is a picture of "Cedric". He is the alpha cat. So much so, that we have to give him a liquid form of Prozac, prescribed by our vet. Without it, Cedric attacks the other cats quite often. He would go after Twist, especially, causing him to always be on guard, poor thing. We put a bell on his collar, so the other cats could be warned he was coming. Cedric is a sweet cat, just a bully. He likes to get on my lap while I drink coffee in the morning, but I have to put a towel on my lap because Cedric drools when he purrs......

 

[Bushpounder]

I drool when I purr. It's OK.

Don

 

[Blackbird686]

Sorry for your loss, Chief. I too have lost several animal friends over the years so I feel your pain.

Hold their memories close to your heart, and they will always be smiling at you...

BB686

 

[Navy Chief]

Sorry for your loss, Chief. I too have lost several animal friends over the years so I feel your pain.

Hold their memories close to your heart, and they will always be smiling at you...

BB686

Oh I do, most definitely. Every animal friend I've had has figured greatly in my life; most recently Twist, and a few years ago, my beloved Rottweiler "Chief". Although losing them is always so painful, I cannot imagine life without them. I do have some friends who don't have animals, because they travel frequently, and I do understand that. But it is a conscious choice. My wife and I can't afford to travel much, so for now we are quite content to be homebodies with our cats. Because our remaining cats are older, it may not be long before we lose another, but I am thankful for every day with them all.