GA 1/21 Cobb Gone to the Rainbow Bridge

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((((Suzanne, Matt, Matty)))) As you, I am totally shocked, stunned, and so heartbroken for you all. Tears are pouring for your loss of your beautiful boy. Mike and I send our very deepest condolences but the words pale in comparison to the loss. We can only send you prayers, love, and peace knowing that you did an amazing job taking care of him.

Fly free, brave Cobb.


The Ridge by Carol Notermann

It’s been such a lovely summer, I’ve been napping in the sun.
This morning, other cats and I enjoyed a long long run.
We chased butterflies together. I climbed high into a tree.
And now I think what woke me up was that small bumble bee.

I’ve yawned and stretched, and still I feel that something has begun.
He’s standing there in robes of white, and telling me to come.
I always run to Him you know, when He comes across the bridge
To see if we’re all having fun and if we’ve checked the ridge.


He gives tummy rubs to all of us and pets and cuddles too
I’m glad to see Him every day, when He comes into view.
Each day He takes a different cat, and chats with them a while
Then off that kitty starts to run. I swear they seem to smile.

But now He’s stopped in front of me. He’s said a name I know.
He said to look out towards the ridge. The sun is setting low.
I start to walk out toward the ridge, and then what’s that I see.
IT’S YOU! IT’S YOU! It’s really you. You’ve come to be with me!

My goodness you are running and I am running too!
You stop to bend, but I can jump and now I am with you.
I feel your kisses on my head, as I did in long off days
You’re holding me and hugging me, and into your eyes I gaze.

And now He’s walking with us, as you carry me once more
We’ve crossed Rainbow Bridge together. We’re here at Heaven’s door.
And He has held it open, and told us to walk through
That from now on and forever, I can always be with you.
 
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Cobb.. He and Booger can travel together and play with bodies unbroken and full of life.. We will see them again. cat_wings>o
 
I send you my deepest condolences on the loss of your precious Cobb and healing prayers for you Suzanne at this most difficult time.
 
My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved Cobb
.
candle.jpg

Lighting a ring of candles in memory of your extra sweet boy.
 
Dear ((((Suzanne, Matt, Matty)))),
Cobb was such a lucky kitty to have shared his life with you. We are so sad that it was his time. Words fail me and tears are clouding my vision, but if you look to the heavens tonight you will see Cobb's brilliant star. He and his friend Booger are gliding on their new golden wings and all of our GAs at the Bridge are waiting in welcome.
Fly free, sweet, brave Cobb. cat_wings>o. You are much loved. Watch over your family and send them a sign that you have arrived safely.

In deepest sympathy,
Ella & Edward, Rusty, and Stu(GA)
 
Suzanne,
I am so very sorry. Cobb is happily playing on the rainbow bridge. He will send you a sign that he is o.k.
Fly free Cobb.cat_wings>o
 
Suzanne, I am so very sorry. There simply are not words when we lose one of our furkids so suddenly. I so hope that all of your memories will be of comfort to you, and your family. He will alwyas be with you, tucked away in a corner of your heart.

Fly free Cobb, and land softly as the bridge. Mannie is there, waiting to greet you. :rb_icon:

candle cat.jpg
 
Oh, Suzanne, Matt and Matty,

I am so sorry. You bet your boots that Ole was there to meet Cobb when he crossed. Together, Ole and Cobb and all of our other sweeties are shooting the breeze, catching up on each of their comings and goings, and making frisky risky plans. We are happy that they have been set free, but will miss them every day. That is the absolute truth. Thinking of you, always.

Rebekah, Alex, Loki, Knute and Make Larry.
 
((((Suzanne)))) I just don't know what to say. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how devoted you've been to Cobb, such a terrific mom. Cobb had a great life with you...you gave him such great care. He knows how much you loved him. I'm just shocked. He's with a great group of kitties at the Rainbow Bridge and he'll be watching over you, I'm sure.
 
I am so sorry for your loss Suzanne. I just wanted to share this story and hope it might offer some comfort.

YOU HAVE CHOSEN TEARS

The little girl stopped. Behind her, kittens were playing, chasing each other and wrestling in the warm sunshine. It looked like so much fun, but in front of her, through the clear stillness of the pond water, she could see her mummy. She was crying.

She pawed at the water, trying to get to her. When that didn't work, she jumped into the shallow water. That just got her wet and Mummy's image danced away in the ripples.

"Mummy!...come back" she cried. "Something's wrong!"

The little girl turned around. A lady was standing at the edge of the pond. Her gentle eyes were filled with love and kindness. The little girl sighed, padded out of the water and walked up to her. There's been a mistake," she said. "I'm not supposed to be here." She looked back at the water. It was becoming still again and her mummy's image was coming back.

"Mummy said it has to be a mistake. She said I wasn't supposed to come here yet."

The kind lady sighed and sat down in the grass. With some gentle coaxing, the little girl climbed into her lap. It wasn't Mummy's lap, but, it was almost as good.

When she started to pet her and scratch under her chin, the way she liked, she started to purr softly. She hadn't wanted to, but she couldn't help it. She missed her mummy's touch.

"I'm afraid, there is no mistake. You are supposed to be here and your mummy knows it...deep down in her heart," the lady said. "She knew this would happen...it always does".

The little girl sighed and laid her head on the lady's leg.

"But she's so sad. It hurts me to see her cry and her human children too.”

“But they knew right from the beginning this would happen.”

“Why? Because I was so sick?" she whimpered. This surprised the little girl. No one had said anything like that and she had listened when they thought she was sleeping. All she had heard them talk about was how cute she was or how smart she was or how big she was getting.

"No, not because you were sick," the lady said. "But, you see, they chose Tears."

"No, they didn't," the little girl argued. "Who would choose to cry?"

The lady gently brushed the top of her head with a kiss. It made her feel safe and loved and warm - but she still worried about her mummy.

"Let me tell you a story," the lady said.

The little girl looked up and saw other animals gathering around. Cats, kittens, hamsters, birds, a lizard, several dogs, puppies and some animals she didn't even recognize, all came to be nearer, so they could hear too. They all lay down near the kind lady and looked up at her, waiting. She smiled at them and began:

A long, long, time ago, the Loving Ones went to the Angel in Charge.

They were lonesome and asked the Angel to help them.

The Angel took them to a wall of windows. They peered out the first window at all sorts of things; dolls, toys, clothes and many other things to hold or use.

"Here are things you can love," the Angel said.
"They will keep you from being lonesome."

"Oh, thank you," the Loving Ones said. "These are just what we need."

"You have chosen Pleasure," the Angel told them.

But, after a time, the Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.

"Things are okay to love," they said. "But, they don't care that we love them."

The Angel in Charge led them over to the second window.

It looked out at all sorts of wild animals.
"Here are animals to love," he said. "They will know you love them."

So, the Loving Ones nodded, hurrying out to care for the wild

animals. "You have chosen Satisfaction," the Angel said.

The Loving Ones worked at taming some of the wild animals.

Many learned to serve the Loving Ones in their daily tasks. Some were just enjoyed and watched, like the birds that came into their yards to be fed. But, after a time, they all came back to the Angel in Charge.

"They know we love them," they told the Angel. "But they don't love us back. We would like to be loved in return."

So the Angel took them to the third window and showed them lots of people walking around or hurrying to places.

"Here are people for you to love," the Angel told them.

So, the Loving Ones hurried off to find other people to love.
"You have chosen Commitment," the Angel said.

But, after a time, many of Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.

"People are okay to love," they said. "But sometimes they stopped loving us or left us. They broke our hearts."

The Angel just shook his head. "I cannot help you," he said.
"You will have to be satisfied with the choices I gave you."

As the Loving Ones turned to leave one saw the last window far off to the side and slowly walked up to look out of it.
Through it she could see puppies, kittens and dogs, cats and lizards, hamsters and well, some she didn't recognize.

The other Loving Ones hurried over to see. "What about these?" they asked.

But the Angel just tried to shoo them away.

"Those are Personal Empathy Trainers," he said.
"But, there's a problem with their system operations."

"Would they know that we love them?" someone asked.

"Yes," the Angel said.

"Would they love us back?" another asked.

"Yes," the Angel said..

"Will they ever stop loving us?" someone else asked.

"No," the Angel admitted. "They will love you forever."

"Then THESE are what we want," the Loving Ones said.

But the Angel seemed upset.
"You don't understand," he told them. "You will have to
feed these animals."

"That's all right," the Loving Ones said.

"You will have to clean up after them and take care of them forever. You will have to love them unconditionally, as you would want them to love you."

"We don't mind," they protested.

The Loving Ones did not listen. They went down to where the Pets were and picked them up. They could see the love in their own hearts reflected in the animals' eyes.

"They were not programmed right," the Angel said. "We can't offer a warranty. We don't know how durable they are. Some of their systems malfunction very quickly while others last a long time."

But the Loving Ones did not seem to care or want to listen.
They were holding the warm little bodies and finding their hearts so filled with love that they thought they would burst.
"We will take our chances," they said.

"You do not understand." The Angel tried one more time.
"They are so dependent on you and even the most well-made of them is not designed to out-live you. You are destined to suffer their loss."

The Loving Ones looked at the sweetness in their arms, and nodded to one another.
"That is how it should be. It is a fair trade for the love they will offer. We'll worry about the rest later," as they each walked away with a new little pet in their arms.

The Angel just watched them all go, shaking his head.
"You have chosen Tears," he whispered.

"So it is," the kind lady told the little girl. " Each mummy and daddy knows when they take a new pet into their heart... that one day it will leave them and they will cry."

The little girl sat up. "So why do they take us then!?!" she asked. "Why would they do it...if they know?"

"Because even a moment of your love is worth years of pain later," she quietly replied.

"Oh....." the animals all agreed in unison, including the little girl and quietly nodded to each other.

The little girl got off the lady's lap and went back to the edge of the pond.
Her mummy was still there... and still crying.

"Will she ever stop crying?" she asked the kind lady.

She nodded. "You see, the Angel felt sorry for the Loving Ones, knowing how much they would suffer. He couldn't take their tears away, but he did make them special."

She dipped her hand into the pond and let the water trickle off her fingers.

"He made them healing tears, formed by the special water here. Each tear holds a bit of all the happy times of barking, purring, petting, playing...and shared love. All flowing together with the promise to love once again.

As your mummy cries, she is healing. It may take a long while, but the tears will help her feel better. In time she will be less sad and she will begin to smile when she thinks of you. Then, she may open her heart again, to another little baby."

"But then she will cry again one day," the little girl said, sadly.

The lady just smiled at her as she got to her feet.

"No. She will love again. That is all she will think about. She will worry about the rest later...as so many already have before her."

She bent down and gave the little girl a pat on her head and smiled up at the others who had been listening. They all lowered their heads and nodded silently back.

"Look," she said. "The butterflies have come. Shall we all go over to play?"

The other animals all ran ahead, but the little girl wasn't ready to leave the sight of her mummy.

"Will I ever get to be with her again?" she asked solemnly.

The kind lady nodded. "You'll be in the eyes of every kitten she looks at. You'll be in the purr of every cat she pets. Late at night, when she's fast asleep, the spirit of your memory will snuggle up close to her and you both will feel at peace.

One day soon you can even send her a rainbow, to let her know you're safe and waiting here...for when it's time for her to come."

"I would like that," as the little girl took one last, long look at her mummy.

She saw her smile slightly through her tears and she knew she had just recalled a happy memory of her.

"I love you, Mummy," she whispered. "It's okay if you cry, I understand now."

She glanced over at the other pets, all running, playing and laughing, chasing the butterflies.
"Mummy? I’ve got to go and play now,...okay? But I'll be around, I promise. Remember me and I'll always be with you.

Hey!...You all, wait for me!!!....."
Then she turned and raced happily after the others.

Author Unknown
 
(((Suzanne)))
I am so so sorry. I have been MIA lately but just happened to check in today and saw your post. I am sending lots of love, hugs, and comfort your way. You took such wonderful care of Cobb and kept him healthy and happy. I'll be thinking of you :bighug:
 
Suzanne - there's never an easy way to lose one of our babies. Sudden death feels like they've been stolen from us; and a lingering condition means we grieve before they're even gone. As my friend told me recently, "I'd rather go through the pain of loss, than never to have known his love." I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'm wishing you peace as you try to make sense of what has happened. Know that your friends here, and Cobbs friends at that bridge, are holding all of you close in our hearts.
 
(((Suzanne))) I am so sorry for your loss. You gave Cobb so much love and devotion and a wonderful home to live in and a wonderful family to be a part of...I am so so sorry.

cat_wings>o Fly free, sweet Cobb and land safely at the Rainbow Bridge. Don't forget to check in on your beans to make sure they're doing ok. They'll miss you always and furrever.
 
Oh Suzanne, my heart breaks for you, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. You and CoBb have been such an inspiration to us all and you filled his life with so much love. Land softly sweet boy, be at peace.
 
I'm so sorry Suzanne, what a hard day, I'm so glad you were able to be with him to see him off - looked after and loved to the very end :rb_icon: fly free Cobb
 
Dear Suzanne

I keep thinking about you and your family and what you must be going through. I found this verse that a friend sent me when I lost my dearly loved mum, but the sentiment is the same and I hope the words bring you some small comfort.

I can shed tears that you are gone
Or I can smile because you have lived
I can close my eyes and pray that you'll come back
Or I can open my eyes and see all that you have left.
My heart can be empty because I can't see you
Or I can be full of love we shared.
I can turn my back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or I can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
I can remember you and only that you've gone
Or I can cherish your memory and let it live on.
I can cry and close my mind,
Be empty and turn my back
Or I can do what you'd want; smile.
Open my eyes, love and go on.

to all those grieving over the loss of a loved one, human or feline.
 
Thank you all for such sweet words. It's been a rough 12 hours. I'm a little shellshocked, to be honest.

On the drive over to the vet I was trying to prepare myself because we all know how much Cobb loved to eat! So completely stopping was very concerning. And he wouldn't eat the freeze dried chicken treats that he begged for after we discovered them. I think he probably would have made an entire diet on those treats, if I had let him.

When I got to the vet, Matt had him in a room. We gave the vet tech his history because the records the other vet sent over were just a summary. They did everything in a back room -- physical exam, urinalysis, blood work -- which was nice that we didn't have to see him getting poked and prodded. Matt had to leave to get Matty from daycare so it was just me and my boy.

It took a long time for the vet to come in -- so I started freaking out a little bit. She could tell when she came in that I was already pretty upset. Cobb's blood work did not look good. His BUN and Crea levels were so high that the machine couldn't even read them. There was another test that indicated kidney function (I don't remember the name of it), but the level of it was also so high that the machine didn't read it. The vet said she couldn't give him the care he needed immediately and we'd have to take him to the ER vet down the road for fluids and monitoring overnight. She said his kidneys were shot. There was something in his urine that also indicated kidney failure -- again, I don't remember exactly what that was. She said he was in a lot of pain when she felt his kidneys as well. I asked her if the ER would be beneficial. Her face pretty much told me what I needed to know. She said, she knew what I was asking and she said that letting him go wasn't a bad decision, especially given his medical history and the amount of pain he was currently in. She said she didn't even know if pain medicine would give him any relief. That pretty much answered my question right there. I asked her what she would do, if this were her cat, and a vet was telling her what she was telling me. Apparently she hates getting that question, but said she would let him go -- especially because her gut told her the ER, while it might help overnight, she didn't think it would actually give us that much more time together. So, I called Matt and told him I had made the decision to let Cobb go. It was the right thing to do.

They brought in a little cat bed and then brought him in, wrapped in a towel. He laid his head down, which he never really did unless he was being petted, and they gave him the sedative. The vet tech left and gave me some time to say goodbye. I just petted him, and told him he was such a good cat, it was okay to let go, how much I loved him, how he had been there for me through the best and worst times of my life and how he was so patient with Matty. I told him that he would always have a place in my heart and I would love him forever, but it was selfish of me to keep him around when he was in pain. That's when he closed his eyes.

The vet said his heart stopped even before she gave him the final injection. I think the sedative relaxed him enough to go ahead and let go. His little body was just worn out. He put up such a good fight for the past two years.

The house feels so empty right now. I don't know what I'm going to do with my time...no more daily injections and spot checks. I'm sure it was just a coincidence, but this happened right after we switched his food. Surely that didn't cause this, did it? I mean, even if the food contributed, to have a 180 in the 24-36 hours after the food switch? Logically I know there's nothing I could have done if his kidneys were done, but I see the food switch and the illness as coming on exactly at the same time and can't help but question what I did wrong.

I know Cobb is okay though. Last night, as I was lying in bed, I heard meowing coming from the hallway -- just as usual. I know it was him telling me to calm down and go to sleep -- he was okay.

On another note, I wish we had found this vet years ago, which kinda sucks because she is right around the corner from our house. She just went to a vet conference and attended a bunch of diabetes workshops to increase her understanding of the disease. She seems to know about acro, IAA, low-carb canned food, not pushing prescription food -- I was amazed at the knowledge she had. She said once a cat reaches 3 units of insulin, they should start consider being tested for high dose conditions, and that was the advice being given at the conference apparently. It's nice to know vets are finally learning more about this disease. I mentioned I was on FDMB and followed the TR protocol -- she said this was an amazing place and the protocol is invaluable, and she wishes every one of her patients that has a diabetic cat would hop on here and follow TR because it she felt it was the best way to regulate them and prolong their lives. So -- kudos to FDMB. :)

I do want to thank all of you here in LL. I know my time with my sweet boy would have been much shorter had I not found you when I did.

Julie, Wendy, Sandy -- I would have been lost without your support and your guidance. You three are an invaluable resource to this forum. I know you three are responsible for Cobb's survival for so long, and I will truly never forget it.

Rebekah and Donaleen -- We kind of traveled that high dose road together for awhile. It was nice to have the company! Your support and advice kept me going these last few months!

And to everyone else: Marje, Sienne, Marilyn, Elise, Dyana, Amy, Anne and Liz, Tricia, Shelly, Chris, and everyone else I know I am forgetting, thank you for your support.

This is such a wonderful place for our extra sweet kitties. It is a wealth of information and support, whether you agree with everyone or not. Please don't let the politics and changes and everything that really doesn't matter get you bogged down. When it comes down to it, the passion of the people on this board is second to none, and there is so much to offer. And there is so much for us all to learn and share.

Finally, Cobb did have a special announcement that he couldn't wait to share with everyone. BUT...you're going to have to wait a few more weeks to find out! ;) (How's that for a tease?)

My love and appreciation to all of you!

~Suzanne
 
(((Suzanne)))

My heart continues to break for you. I had hoped the light of day would bring with it some magical words of wisdom that could bring you comfort. Unfortunately, those words didn’t come.

A couple of years ago, we had to help our Maxi cat pass; her kidneys had finally failed her. It was so difficult to make that decision, and, afterwards, I was filled with self-doubt and guilt. The “if only’s” broke my heart over and over again. In the end, I realized that, no matter what we had done (that day or in the days and weeks leading up to it), she still would have left us. Although we made the decision to ease her pain, God made the decision that it was time for her to come home.

Although my words bring little comfort, please know that we are all here for you. Perhaps Grace Noll Crowell said it best:

To One in Sorrow

Let me come in where you are weeping, friend,
And let me take your hand.
I, who have known a sorrow such as yours,
Can understand.
Let me come in - I would be very still
Beside you in your grief.
I would not bid you cease your weeping, friend,
Tears bring relief.
Let me come in - I would only breathe a prayer,
And hold your hand,
For I have known a sorrow such as yours,
And understand.

Thoughts and prayers continue to go out to you, Matt, and Matty. :bighug:
 
Suzanne I just wanted to say im so terribly sorry for ur loss. my heart breaks. you did above and beyond to make ur little cobbs life comfortable and happy. he'll be playing at rainbow bridge free of pain and suffering as I type. big hugs.xxxx
 
Suzanne,

It took me all day to just write and say how sad and how sorry I am. Every time I start writing I start to cry again. I read Cobb`s condo most every time you posted. So sorry for you Matt, and Matty.

Terri
 
Anna and Terri, thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

No more tears!! Let's all remember Cobb the way he was. A PITA that we all loved SO dearly. He was rambunchous as a kitten -- loved to jump on the bedside tables at night and knock everything off and paw at closed door knobs until you got up to play with him. He was a fantastic older brother to Matty -- patient when Matty went to sit on him or grabbed his tail or a handful of fur. Hissed a bit, but never tried to bite or turn on him. In fact, when Matty was a baby and he was crying, Cobb would come over to see what was going on and look at me like, "uhh, Mom, the baby is crying, quiet him down so I can get some sleep!" LOL. He had tons of nicknames -- Francis Ford Cobbola (Matt is a "Godfather" fan), Mr. Cat, Cobby, Sir Sheds-a-Lot.

I'm sad for me because I don't have my little buddy any more. I'm happy for him because he's not in any pain and doesn't have to deal with the consequences of his disease anymore. So, no more tears! Let's smile -- because while I got to love and hug him every day, all of you also had a little piece of him. What a great community of support and love for my little buddy.
 
Oh Suzanne, no words. Just another thousand tears running down my face. Let's hope Cobb, Booger and Tiki all found each other en route and are now romping happily together in their healthy new bodies at the Bridge.

Until we meet again...
 
You loved your buddy and did everything possible for him. Suzanne, I wish I could hug you in person, but I send :bighug:
 
((((Suzanne))))

Cobb will be missed by many. I hope we can celebrate his life despite the loss. Please consider sticking around. Your help to so many of the others traveling this road has been invaluable.
 
((Suzanne)) I'm crying for you, but yes! Remember him at his best and smile knowing he will never know pain again. <3 May your heart heal soon.

Play hard at the bridge, Cobb!
 
Suzanne, I'm not around much here any more, but I wanted to send hugs. I don't know much about Cobb but he sounds like he was a wonderful cat and I'm glad that he had a home where he was loved and that you took such joy of him. And now I'm going to try to dry my eyes and hug my own sugarkitty.
 
I just saw this, Suzanne, I am so so sorry to hear this. :( Sitting here crying. Sending you lots of love and many (((hugs))). Thinking about you!
Wibke & Pedro x
 
(((Suzanne))) There just aren't words that are adequate....you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. We didn't always post in Cobb's condo, but I followed his journey since we arrived in LL, and Cobb in my mind, has always been this larger-than-life one-of-a-kind kitty. I imagine him taking on greeting duties at the Bridge patiently comforting and guiding new kitties that have arrived. :rb_icon:
 
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