Remembering Tori...

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

For all of LL, friends far and wide.... as I was working on so many things cat related yesterday, worrying over my guy, thinking of others and their kitties, wishing I could help them all. I could not help but remember and think of those that we have lost. So many over the past few weeks. Tori came to mind, our own Warrior Princess. Mannie and I would like to remember her today, and all that her incredible journey meant to so many of us. Mannie asked to write this, he has such a big caring heart....

Hello everyone. It's me, Mannie. I was thinking, the other night, when we were all at the green lagoon, surfing, all us kitties, no matter what our color of the day was. We had a bonfire going, grilling and cooking as we always do, telling story after story as we always do too. Tori, we talked so much about you. We all miss you so much. I remember the KTSS visits the most. We went every night to see you, hold you paw, tell stories, laugh at the antics of our silly beans. You remember? We brought you lavender candles, and spa oils to help you feel better. I hope we made a difference in your life, I know you sure did in mine. My favorite memory is your birthday! Stu and I slaved in that kitchen all day, making the perfect cake: our very first cinnamon birthday cake. It was your birthday, and we wanted you to have the best. And so it was. Remember all the parties? Remember the special seat up front in the bus, lined with the best fleece, that was yours alone? They were the bestest times. I am sorry that you were sick. I have learned so much from your journey: how to be a better kitty, a better soul, and a better soul mate to my bean. You are forever in my heart the warrior princess, never let anything get you down, ever. You are such in inspiration to all us kitties. I will miss you more than any kitty possibly could. I will never forget you - none of us will. I found the perfect spot for you, under the rainbows, with a tree for you to climb as often as you want, with meadows to run in everyday. This is for you, my friend. Your furever pal, Mannie

Barb - this is for you, and for the memory of your special girl. You had written in one of Mannie's Condos about how we are all eternally bound to one another, no matter what side of the veil we are on. That we are. What an incredible bean you are, what a incredible kitty Tori was. She will always be eternally bound to all of us.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Thank you, Mannie and Michelle, for this beautiful remembrance of our dear friend, Tori. I too have been thinking of her and of Barb a lot lately. Every day on the April page of our calendar I look at her picture and remember what a wonderful girl she was. Those were indeed great times that we all had together. And I am so grateful that Tori and Stu and all of our GAs (too many dear names are on the roll) are just on the other side of the veil and can visit with their friends here on so many occasions.

Tori, we love you! In remembrance is life.

Ella & Rusty

 

[Rocket & his Mom]

Michelle and Mannie...tears flowing down here....i too been thinking of Barb and Tori.....

Tori was a true fighter....every obstacle put in front of her she fought hard and with dignity....

we miss you Tori! hope you are enjoying Stu's company and all the other kitties that have left us oh so soon!
wings_cat

 

[Karrie and Maverick]

(((((((Barb)))))))) you and your special girl Tori are an inspiration for many. Tori was a warrior princess. Now that I see her picture in your posts she looks like the brave strong girl I had envisioned. You will always have a piece of my heart. Thank you for sharing your Tori with us. Sending more hugs.

Karrie

 

[Linda and Bear Man]

(((Barb))) You and Tori will always be in my thoughts and my memories.

 

[Barb and Tori]

Hi everybody. Michelle and Mannie thank you so much for this beautiful post remembering my girl. It means more to me than you can even imagine. The last three weeks have been so incredibly hard. Somehow I think I had kidded myself into believing that I was prepared for Tori to go to the Bridge. Logically I knew that it was a real possibility. She had some pretty high hurdles to try and conquer with the diabetes, the pancreatitis and the lymphoma and then the salmonella infection. She fought so incredibly hard and had won so many battles I guess in my heart I thought she could win them all. Of course even the greatest of the warrior princesses gets tired of fighting and it it is the sign of a great warrior to know when it is their time to leave this world and to do so with bravery and and dignity. She did that.

So now I am trying to let go of the hard memories and hang on tight to the wonderful ones. There are so many wonderful memories and many of them have to do with the wonderful family that we belong to here in Lantus Land. Thank you Michelle and Mannie for reminding me of some of them. I will never forget the love and support that the KTSS showed to Tori the last few months. Leaving her to go to work at night was so hard but knowing that the KTSS were there in spirit with her every night gave us both great comfort. It meant so much to picture all our kitties visiting with her, holding her paw and encouraging her . I will never forget the parties especially her birthday party on Canada Day last year. SHe was just starting the Lymphoma journey and that night was so special. I have never felt such love from so many before. And the cake. Tori's special cinnamon birthday cake. To me now whenever the kitchen crew makes one I think of it as her cake. These memories are so comforting and wonderful.

I keep trying to write Tori's story but so far it just hasn't come together yet. I'm working on it though and hope to have it done by this week. I'm sorry I haven't really been around. I've done some lurking but I really want to get back into the swing of things. It just is so strange not having a diabetic kitty after almost 6 years. Funny I dreamt the other night that Tori brought me a kitty that she wanted me to look after. Maybe one day that will happen.

I am getting my son to attach a picture of Tori here for me. It was taken the night before she had her biopsy done. The last time she had all her beautiful, glorious fur. I hope you all like it.

http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n58 ... C00451.jpg

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Oh ((((((((((((Barb)))))))))))), she was indeed such a beautiful girl! You and Tori fought together side by side, it is impossible to believe that she will ever be truly separated from you.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Beautiful Tori. Such a great picture--one to treasure.

(((((Barb)))))

Ella & Rusty (& Stu)

 

[CD and BigMac]

Loved the photo of Tori. I'm so sorry that she had to leave you with a broken heart. But she wants you to remember her with smiles.

A beautiful flower for a beautiful kitty.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

(((Barb))).....how beautiful your words about your Tori and OMG....she was GORGEOUS!! What incredible eyes and her coat color!! I am so sorry for your pain but she is your soul mate and it's so hard to not see her every day...I know. For so long, your life has centered around her even with everything else you have going on. Thank you for sharing her picture.

Michelle and Mannie: thank you for remembering our warrier princess...the one and only Tori. Mannie, you were always the first to show her every kindness when she was sick, the one to rally the KTSS, the one to make the cinnamon cake. How fortunate we are to have each other here in LL.

 

[Karrie and Maverick]

((((((Barb)))))) Seeing Tori in her beautiful warrior princess Glory refilled my heart some this morning. She was strikingly beautiful. Those eyes and her markings are more beautiful than I could have imagined. I will be looking forward to reading Tori's story. I know if Maverick had gone through a period of illness we would have drawn incredible strength from you and your girl. She will always be close to you. Remember that she is pain free and that amazing spirit of hers is free.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

(((((Barb))))) - what a great photo of Tori - beautiful beautiful kitty! I too look forward to reading her story when you are ready. Eventually the broken heart will heal and lessen, the good smiling memories will increase. In the mean time we are all here for you.

 

[mybuddybinks]

Ah, Tori...not a day goes by that I don't think of you.
Whenever I feel that my day is difficult, wonder why I get tested, and not all kitties do,
or i just don't feel my best...I stop and think..."What would our Warrior Princess Do??"
You are my inspiration....you and Barb endured so much with grace and love...
a true legacy for all of us to aspire to uphold.
i thank the powers that be for allowing me to have the honor of being your friend...
and look forward to a day when we all be reunited.

Forever with love...

Binks

 

[Linda and Bear Man]

Barb, what a lovely picture of Tori. She was a beautiful girl. I love her eyes.

 

[Barb & Checkers (GA)]

Barb, what a wonderful photo of Tori. She was inded a beautiful girl; and a very brave warrior princess, as are you.
I would love to read her story, when you're ready to write it.

Michelle and Mannie, thank you, for this thread. It was a beautiful tribute to our Tori. :smile:

 

[Rocket & his Mom]

((((Barb))))
i don't know how i missed the picture of Tori....she is beautiful....quite the princess indeed!!!

may her memories fill your heart even as your heart is broken....know that she knew you did everything for her and she loved you for it....she was very special here at LL too....we will never forget her....she was a true warrior...even til the end....you two had a special bond and no matter how much time has passed i know you miss her dearly....but she is now awaiting until the two of you meet again...until then she is having a good time with all the other GA kitties that were there to greet her and those she had to greet.....so she is not alone....