Sanctuary

[SOteric]

You came into my life quietly and without invitation, your whiskered little face pressed up against my window eyeing my knitting basket with a wistful expression.

One hot summer day you found that window casually left open, you made your way in. I found you there. The basket and the knitting too, became yours so much time later.

You looked more like Walter Mathau than any cat should. Old before your time, but scrappy. The women at the PAWS shelter named you ‘Romeo,’ because, they said “he’s a lover not a fighter.” So true. Many abused animals turn violent at little provocation. You were always so loving. You’d grouse and you’d grump as I came up the walk about where I’d been all day and did I know your Friskies were stale. But the moment I picked you up to hold you, you purred like a small fuzzy Harley engine.

There’s nothing you’ve loved more than dinner, a snuggle and a few quiet moments on a sunny day under that camelia bush in the back yard.

I regret your early years were so filled with pain and confusion. It was horribly wrong of those people to hurt you like that. Yours is such a gentle little soul.

You were a gift to that silly frat-boy next door. He wasn’t unkind, but he didn’t pay much notice to you, either. I don’t know why you ran from him and you stayed with me. I don’t know why you looked at me and saw ‘home,’ but I know that your presence in my life gave me comfort in some hard and hurtful times. Not only in that your cranky little face always looked up at me and purred, but seeing to your myriad needs gave me purpose outside my own.

More than anything in life, I suspect we gave each other sanctuary.

Goodnight, little buddy. Yours was such a gentle little soul.



Romeo, 1985 - 2004
Beloved friend and faithful companion

[Zomby Woof]

1. Aw Julsy!!!

:cry: I am so very very sorry... What a beautiful remembrance of a sweetheart. He was so very lucky to have you in his life.

Katy, Kiko, and I send all our love at this time.

[SOteric]

4. Thanks Zomby.

I'm still pretty much a weepy mess about the little dude. They live such short lives.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

2. So sorry.

Adieu, Romeo.

[Susang]

3. How sad for you

I feel your pain, I really do. I have a feeling you'll meet up with him again sometime.

:hug:

[SOteric]

5. Thank you for that thought

I very much hope it's so.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

6. I'm so sorry for your loss.

If I didn't have a house guest I don't want to wake up, I would be pretty weepy myself from your beautiful tribute to a dear friend.

Rest in peace to all the sweet kitties who have given us their love.

[FireHeart]

7. I know how you feel...

Please accept my most sincere condolences. I lost a good friend and companion, and I still grieve. He was a wonderful lad, and a devoted "brother" to me in a time of great need.

Here's a little poem I found--you might already have seen it. It has given me a boost in spirit, from time to time.

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

[SOteric]

20. Thank you for that, FireHeart

It helps to think there is something for him more rewarding and wonderous.

[Quetzal]

8. You're tearing me up

Just remember all the good times you had with him. You'll recover from this.

Sinceramente,
Quetzal

[Armstead]

9. Sympathies

I know how pets can be like family, and it's hard to lose a beloved pet.

[SOteric]

22. It's good to see you again, old friend

Thanks for the kind thoughts.

[DS1]

10. How truly sad

:hug:

[SOteric]

23. Thank you for being there.

Your willingness just to listen is so deeply appreciated. :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

11. Rest in peace, Romeo.

My sincere condolences on Romeo's passing. That was a moving tribute to him.

:hug:

[SOteric]

24. Thanks, sweetie

:hug: I appreciate the hugs and the kind thoughts.

[commander bunnypants]

12. Aw jeez- I am crying now.

Romeo look up Sebastian Cattbutt under that big tree. You two look like brothers. Hang with him and he will introduce you to The Great Spirit. See you among the stars

RIPSebastian Catt 1989-2004

RIPRomeo 1985-2004.

Jon

[regnaD kciN]

49. And, while you're at it...

...look for

Sonya 1977(?) - 1985
Matagot ???? - 1986
Katong ???? - 1994
Panda 1985 - 1996
Bartholomew ???? - 1997

:hug:

[buddhamama]

13. the memories and love

remain. I am sorry for the loss of your friend, Julsy. thank you for sharing with us, very moving memorial.

They who touch our hearts are never truly gone.

love and peace to you both. :hug:

[SOteric]

26. Thank you for that sweet message

I know they've such short little lives, but they really do live forever in our hearts and minds. I miss him, but I keep thinking of the endearing little way he had of reaching his paw up to my face when he wanted more. More scratchies, more treats, more attention. It never fails to bring a smile.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. What a sweet little guy

I am so sorry you are missing him but I am glad you found each other.
:hug:

[SOteric]

27. That he was.

And I'm glad we found each other, too. :hug:

[TXlib]

15. *HUG*, Soteric

I may be a stone-hearted bastard, but I'm trying (and failing) to suck back tears at this thread.

[SOteric]

29. Actually,

your stone-hearted bastardness and subsequent tearing may be a fairly perfect tribute to my crabby-ass little softy of a cat. In a meta-tribute sort of way. :hug:

[livetohike]

16. I'm so sorry for your loss SOteric

That's such a beautiful tribute to Romeo. I hope all the good memories you have will help ease the pain you are feeling now.

[supernova]

17. So Sorry for Romeo and you SOteric

It's so hard to part with our furry friends. One of the reasons I am reluctant to get a kitty is it will be so hard to give him back to God when the inevitable time comes. :cry:

From your writing, you and Romeo had a deep and abiding connection.

:grouphug: :hug: SOteric and Romeo :hug: :grouphug:

[SOteric]

28. I understand your reluctance

but even though I'm in the midst of some stinging pain and grief over the loss of my little friend, I cannot recommend closing oneself off to the experience. Romeo and I are both the better for his having been part of my life. Love doesn't come without loss in this lifetime. It's hardwired that way. The unconditional love of a pet is still a bargain at any price.

:hug: Thank you so much for the hugs and kind thoughts.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. I am so sorry

Your post brought tears to my eyes, and I am not a cryer. I also lost my rescued cat, Catlin, on February 10th. It is very difficult, since this room was her environment since I brought her inside. All my animals are rescue, but I rescued this little cat, myself. I found out that she had been abandoned by a neighbor, with too many cats, she told me 12, who moved, and, apparently this little girl got away from her. I cannot imagine why she never told me, since she was so grateful when I rescued her little Yorkie, on more than one occasion. This poor cat was on her own for far too long and I just wanted to bring her back to feeling safe and secure. Anyway, my heart goes out to you, and your sweet kitty. I truly understand.:hug:

Catlin. She was only 13.

[SOteric]

19. Thank you to each of you for your kind thoughts

I suspect I'll just have to hurt and grieve for a bit, but I do remember the good times, and we were so very lucky to have found a place in one another's hearts.

[Rhiannon12866]

21. It is so very hard to lose a pet

I lost both my cat and dog in the past year, which explains my tears. But I am told that they are always with you. It certainly sounds like this little guy will be.:hug:

[SOteric]

31. Yes, I'm sure he's engraved his little paw print on my heart.

I'm sorry for your loss as well. They do touch us deeply, those little fuzzy critters. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

33. This is truly weird, but that's exactly what the card I got from

my vet's animal hospital said when I lost my Rhiannon. How they engrave their little paw print on your heart. I am breaking up, again, and my heart truly goes out to you and your little Romeo. Thanks for your sympathy, as well.
Rhiannon ;(

[Lars39]

25. So sorry, SOteric.

I'm glad you had each other for such a long time. :hug:

[SOteric]

32. Thank you.

I'm glad we had a chance to share what little time we did.

[tjwash]

30. Sympathies to you.

I know how it feels.

[Bertha Venation]

34. oh, lord

:hug: I am so sorry. :cry:

[SOteric]

35. Thanks, Bertha...

I know the cat lovers of DU feel the pain of my loss almost as acutely as do I. :hug:

[Parrcrow]

36. My condolences SOteric

I'm sure that you enriched his life as much as he did yours.

Sleep well Romeo, you had a good long life.
Consol yourself SOteric you do always make a difference.

[SarahB]

37. I'm so sorry

I'm glad you had so many years with your kitty companion though. That's something I sure you'll always treasure. :hug:

[SOteric]

40. Thank you

I know after I weather my way through the pain and grief of his loss, it will indeed console me that we've had some good years together.

[VelmaD]

38. Oh sweetie...I am so sorry...

for your loss. That little hug smiley doesn't do justice to the big warm hug I wish I could give you right now, but it's gonna have to do. :hug:

If you need anything you just call.

Take good care of yourself.

[SOteric]

41. Thank you, Velma sweetie.

I'll take that hug, fer sure. I might call if I can get to a point where I'm not a blubbering mess.

[VelmaD]

43. You don't have to be...

coherent sweetie. Blubbering is perfectly fine, especially given the circumstances.

You just make sure, if you haven't already, that you find you someone there where you are that you can wrap your arms around for a little bit.

[SOteric]

44. I'm a lucky woman.

I'm surrounded by willing huggers. :7

[SPQR]

39. Good night, sweet prince,

and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

We lost little Garbo a while back, after 15 years...she died in my arms, and we buried on the hill out back. Now Abigail is tearing up the house in grand style, but sometimes we slip and call her Garbo. They never leave, ever.

Thank you for your life, Romeo. And peace to you both.

[SOteric]

42. Hamlet. How fitting for my little brooding cat.

:pals: Thank you for your kind words. They certainly do touch our hearts deeply.

[Laszlo_Hollyfeld]

45. I'm so sorry, Juls, - I just heard.

He was such a little character. I'm going to miss him too. :hug:

[SOteric]

52. Thanks, AF

:hug:

[sir_captain]

46. Condolences

my dog died about 2 weeks after 9/11 and I think I equally upset, callous as that is.

There is certainly something in the unconditional love of a pet that is very lacking in our own species.

[SOteric]

53. No, oddly, I understand that.

Maybe the magnification of the horror of 9-11 intensifies it to the level of numbing out the sensation.

It's hard to grieve the loss of such a pure love. I thank you for your kind thoughts.

[indigo32]

47. What a special guy he was

Cleo, Petey and I send our condolences
:hug:

[SOteric]

54. Thank you

:hug:

[ewagner]

48. What a beautiful tribute Soteric

I am so sorry for your loss.

Tomorrow is four weeks since I lost my Border Collie, Misty. The freshness of that pain makes me feel yours even more deeply.

[SOteric]

55. Thank you. I'm sorry for your loss, as well.

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

50. He chose you....

because he knew you were perfect for him. It's wonderful how animals just know.

I'm sorry for your loss, SOteric; but happy that Romeo had the best you could give him. :hug:

[SOteric]

56. Yes,

I'm comforted somewhat by the knowledge of how much better of we both have been for one another's presence.

[proud patriot]

51. My condolences

beautiful tribute :cry:

[SOteric]

57. Thank you, -

For both kind thoughts.

[SW FL Dem]

58. So Sorry

It is always hard to lose a family member.

[SOteric]

59. Thank you,

He was very much a family member.

[northofdenali]

60. My tears are for you, SO, because your little precious one

is romping in a better place. {{{{{SOteric}}}}} :cry::cry::hug::cry::cry:

All my love, friend - your kitty loved you well, and you, him.

[SOteric]

61. *hug*

Thank you denali, - I know I'll quit hurting so much eventually. He was a one in a million little character.

[wayuphere]

62. Sweet dreams to you, Romeo

may your bowl always be full of Friskies and the mice never get away. These thoughts are from our kitties Cinnamon, Sugar and Sassy here in the Northland.

Wayuphere, the other half of the northofdenali household

[SOteric]

63. Thank you so much,

for sharing the sweet, generous thoughts of your kitties. :hi: