Farewell to a Dear Friend, Smooch in Kitty Heaven

Smooch the cat, farewelled at 2 pm Saturday 27 January.
By Val
@valmnz (17099)
New Zealand
January 26, 2018 8:46pm CST
This afternoon we said our goodbyes to Smooch the Cat. He has been the best friend any family could have, but now aged about 17, his frail body just didn't want to cope with life any longer. Many of you came to know Smooch over the years, through different online sites. He was the sort of cat who won everybody's heart. When we realised his time had come we took him to the vet. He's lived a long incredible life. We could have opted for treatment but there was no guarantee at his age that he would recover. We chose what we believe was the kindest decision for him. Now he's suffering no more. Tears are flowing here, but we have so many wonderful memories. Rest in peace Smooch, dear friend.
28 people like this
27 responses
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (12590)
• Ireland
27 Jan 18
@valmnz That’s so sad. I wonder did he know he had international admirers?
5 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
He was certainly used to me lining him up with the camera. My laptop crashed recently and I lost most of my photos of him. Thank goodness I can retrieve some from myLot
5 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
@JudyEv our son informs me he thinks I have some on the cloud. He is currently repairing my laptop but I'll know sometime soon.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325584)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jan 18
@valmnz Oh what a shame to lose your photos. That must have been pretty devastating.
3 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111124)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Jan 18
Aww, I so sorry he had to leave you, now he will be your guardian angel. It's what I believe all the pets I've loved and have passed on are.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
I think he knew what was happening as we took him to the vet. We had a good goodbye. They come to us, enrich our lives and move on don't they.
4 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111124)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Jan 18
Yes they do @valmnz I've learned so much from all of mine and I still miss each of them. One veterinarian once told me not to be so sad, Prissy was 16 and ready to go so my helping her so she would not suffer was a kindness and that I should remember that if not for me, in this case you and your family, Prissy would not have had such a long life. It didn't comfort me right away but after losing several pets to old age I finally understood what she meant.
4 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
@rebelann I couldn't let any pet suffer to satisfy my own need to have them with me longer.
3 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
27 Jan 18
i glad we "saw" him one last time last month. i came to know how long other people's pets can live because of sites like mylot.
3 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
27 Jan 18
@valmnz it will be a big change for you, then.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
@hereandthere we've always said a home needs a cat. Who knows if there will be another.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
This will be the first time in the 46 years we've been married that we've had no cat.
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Anna
@LadyDuck (457847)
• Switzerland
27 Jan 18
Tears are also flowing here Val, you know how much I loved Smooch. You took the right decision, why to make him suffer for days with only a little hope that the cures would have helped to live longer. Rest in peace dear furry friend.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
Dear Smooch, he brought pleasure into so many lives.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457847)
• Switzerland
28 Jan 18
@valmnz You are right, we all had pleasure looking at his photos and reading about his adventures. He has been an Internet star.
2 people like this
DianneN
@DianneN (246525)
• United States
27 Jan 18
I'm sooooo sorry. Tears are flowing here from your loss.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
Thanks Dianne. So many people here have known Smooch for a long time. And for those of us who own cats, we know how special they are.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
29 Jan 18
@DianneN thank you Dianne, tis a bit strange here at the moment. Lots of daily habits and routines will now gradually change.
2 people like this
DianneN
@DianneN (246525)
• United States
29 Jan 18
@valmnz Yes, they are extremely special. Again, I'm so sorry.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325584)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jan 18
I was so sorry to hear this. You will miss him terribly. However the last kind thing we can do for our pets is to stop their suffering. Smooch was such a lovely cat.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
We just knew his time had come. I wouldn't like to be a vet, coping with tearful pet owners
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
@JudyEv he was young and very nice. I think he was grateful wed made the probable decision before we went.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325584)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jan 18
@valmnz They must find it very hard sometimes. At that point they're sort of treating both the pet and the owner.
1 person likes this
Dominique
@dodo19 (47045)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
27 Jan 18
I'm really sorry to hear about your beloved friend. It's always sad to lose a friend like that.
2 people like this
Dominique
@dodo19 (47045)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Jan 18
@valmnz I can imagine it does. A pet becomes the member of the family, and it does feel weird without them.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
@dodo19 I keep expecting him to walk in.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
He was a young cat when we moved here nearly fourteen years ago, so the house seems empty today.
1 person likes this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Jan 18
17 is old for a cat. I think that you did the humane thing. Glad you have a lot of memories.
2 people like this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Jan 18
@valmnz ....You must have taken good care of him.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
Yes, we've been amazed at how long he lasted.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
@celticeagle like most New Zealand cats he was an outdoor cat. Amazing hunter. Very active
2 people like this
Always smiling
@allknowing (130066)
• India
27 Jan 18
The worst part of having pets is this. Sorry to hear this. You will miss him and life without him will be so different for a while. Hope you will get over it soon.
2 people like this
Always smiling
@allknowing (130066)
• India
28 Jan 18
@valmnz We animal lovers go through this and more pets we have more we have to face this though inevitable. I can well understand your loss. I am too attached to Preiti and just do not want to think she will not be in my life forever.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
Thanks. The house is empty today. His little doggie friend came over this morning and seemed confused when he couldn't find Smooch.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
@allknowing how old is Preiti now?
2 people like this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (57809)
• Centralia, Washington
27 Jan 18
Smooch was handsome and loved. I'm sorry for your loss.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
Thank you. He has been an important family member
1 person likes this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (57809)
• Centralia, Washington
27 Jan 18
@valmnz He had a sweet name. My last two feline elders, Godiva and Samyot, lie in a little grove behind my house.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
@sallypup we've had Smooch cremated and his ashes will join another cat in our garden.
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Nanette Piotrowski
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
27 Jan 18
I know it hurts so much @valmnz . I have had 5 that passed since December 2016. They are like our kids. I'm so sorry about Smooch. But yes, he is in a better place.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
The house seems a bit empty today.
1 person likes this
Nanette Piotrowski
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
28 Jan 18
@valmnz I know. You expect him to come walking around the corner at any time and you'll even call out his name.
1 person likes this
Susan
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
27 Jan 18
I am so sorry to hear of Smooch's passing. It is unbelievably hard to lose a well loved pet. Just keep the good memories close at hand.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
Oh yes, it's been a chance to remember other cats too.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
@HazySue yes, we've always been able to tell when the time has come with our pets.
1 person likes this
Susan
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
28 Jan 18
@valmnz I think the kindest thing was to let him go and stop his suffering.
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John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Jan 18
We will miss Smooch.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
He did seem to have lots of friends on here.
1 person likes this
eli
@pitsipeahie (4277)
•
27 Jan 18
I've grieved for the loss of my dear purrfriends too. The last was 2014 and it took me 3 years to have one again, a gift from my uncle actually. I miss them, each are different from the other, each has their own personality. They all added joy to my life. But they have to go and cross the rainbow bridge Now I just think of them as my furry angels watching over me always. I feel you. I feel your loss. RIP dear Smooch
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
Thank you Eli. They become such a part of your family, don't they.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
1 person likes this
eli
@pitsipeahie (4277)
•
27 Jan 18
@valmnz Yes they really are! And there's this hallow feeling in your heart when you lost your pet because you love them too....
1 person likes this
simplyme
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
27 Jan 18
Oh! Sorry my friend I know the feeling of letting go of a dear kitty in our family
1 person likes this
simplyme
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
28 Jan 18
@valmnz Yes my friend
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
But at least we know he is out of his misery now.
1 person likes this
allen0187
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
27 Jan 18
Sorry for your loss. Smooch will always be remembered.
1 person likes this
allen0187
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
27 Jan 18
@valmnz indeed, he did.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
27 Jan 18
Thank you. He won a lot of hearts
1 person likes this
Toni
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
27 Jan 18
I'm so sorry about Smooch. You did what's best for him and though it's difficult, sometimes we just have to let them go. Smooch will always be a part of your family and will always be loved.
1 person likes this
Toni
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
28 Jan 18
@valmnz It takes getting used to.
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Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
The house seems a bit empty at the moment.
1 person likes this
Sanjeev
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
28 Jan 18
Sorry for your loss. I understand how difficult it is best the loss of our pet when it remained with us for 17 years like a family member.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
You come to love them so much, don't you!
1 person likes this
Belle Starr (Iz)
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Jan 18
I am so sorry and I am sending a hug, we have lost two of our dogs in the last year and understand very well the heartbreak involved.
1 person likes this
Belle Starr (Iz)
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 Jan 18
@valmnz Dogs do have a different relationship with their owners usually but animal love is animal love and we still feel the pain of loss.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
From memory dogs are even harder to lose than cats - they are so much bigger
2 people like this
Anne Marie Guyer
@LeaPea2417 (36428)
• Toccoa, Georgia
27 Jan 18
Sorry, that is sad.
1 person likes this
Anne Marie Guyer
@LeaPea2417 (36428)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jan 18
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Jan 18
Thank you.
1 person likes this