Pets Press is starting a new feature called Pet Remembrances to honor the life and loyalty of pets that have passed, but live on in the hearts of their loved ones. We welcome your submissions. Please send your Pet Remembrances to: petsweb@ledgerpublications.com. Include one quality photo along with a brief story (300 words or less please) and we will print them as space permits in addition to posting them online. Submissions may be edited for space.

MISTY RYAN
1/1/91- 8/3/07

Our beloved angel has gone to rest in peace after a along life. We were blessed for almost 17 years to have her in our lives and to have her unconditional love. We will miss her nuzzles, our hugs and her gentle touch. She will live in our hearts forever.

OLIVER CRONAN
A.K.A. (BUTTON-NOSE)
1991-2007

As I began to write this article , I just
can’t help saying that Oliver was not
just any other cat …..he was my best
friend.

Oliver was a cat that was always comforting, loving, and always seemed that he was talking to you!! (MEOW-MEOW!!)

I called Oliver my little Button -Nose because his black nose looks like somebody sewed his nose on to him! Also he had doll like eyes , and a sheep-like meow !

Oliver’s life was not an easy life at first.He became a Orphan at a young age when a neighbor decided to move and could not take him along. Weeks passed by and Oliver began to show up at our door step looking for a place to stay, and as they say … the rest is history! We took Oliver in along with his sisters Mothercat and Buggy. We began to take care of him, feeding him and giving him plenty of love and affection.

One day , my neighbor Carol announced that her cat Spooky had died. So with Oliver in our care we decided that Oliver could be cared and loved by both houses at the same time!!

So years went by,and so Oliver was not only our cat, but Carol and Her
husband Ray as well!!

BOY: OLIVER WAS LIVING A LIFE LIKE THE KING OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

All of these people that were caring for Oliver could not stop from hearing the dreadful news that Oliver was diagnosed with skin cancer.

It was upsetting news. Over and Over again we bought Oliver to our local Veterinarian clinic to remove the cancer on him. However as some cancers do disappear, Oliver’s cancer came back.

Oliver’s cancer and treatments lasted 2 years of his life. The last months were difficult to handle, but Oliver lasted with no signs of pain,and ate and drank regularly until at the end he was fed with a syringe.The last day was a sad day, he couldn’t walk anymore.

Oliver was indeed a cat that lived a long life of 16 years of love, and affection, and will always be remember as our little OLIVER OUR...LITTLE BUTTON NOSE!!

"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye"

First off, I wish to send my sincerest sympathy for the Salvatore family who lost their two dogs and cat.  I recently had to put down my best friend of 20 beautiful years, "Spaz" who was a beautiful grey cat.  As he just turned 20 years old, I had a feeling the end was near.  I took him to the vet for tests, just because I couldn't believe how he still acted like a kitten at that age.  The vet called and said "Yes, he's in great shape for a 20 year old cat".  I said, "Are you sure we're talking about SPAZ?" We laughed, and I was relieved that nothing was found.  How quickly things change.  About two months later after the vet visit, Spaz went under the bed and began making loud, drawn out meows like I've never heard.  I knew it was the end.  I picked him up and realized he had paralysis in his hind legs.  I knew this symptom from having had the great experience of working at a vet for a summer.  I knew it was a blood clot which had reached his leg.  I knew it was just a matter of time, and my boyfriend and I rushed Spaz to the Cheshire Animal Hospital at 10pm.  I mentally prepared myself for saying good bye as they had Spaz in the Intensive Care Unit.  How do you say good-bye?  The veterinarian came out and informed us that it was indeed a blood clot, and medically, yes, there could be procedures to make him comfortable, but I knew it was only the inevitable.  He was in pain and I couldn't bear to see him go through another episode.  I knew the next time Spaz would definitely not survive and the trauma of this would be much worse than this episode, hard to imagine even that again.  So with the assurance from the veterinarian, we decided that it was time.  It was quick and we were with him to the very end.  We kissed our buddy and thanked the staff for being so kind and patient and loving with our pet.  Spaz lead a cat's dream life, and for that I am so grateful.  Twenty years for a cat is a long time, and now he may rest in peace.  Just remember you're not alone in the grieving process.  Seek out loved ones to talk about the good times and funny stories about your pet.  There are some good books that will help you with the process of grieving over a pet.  Don't hold it in; cry; it helps.  Just know that you gave your pet the best life possible.  Kiss and hug your pet everyday!   Thank you for the opportunity to submit this; this too is part of the grieving process - writing and hoping to reach others who are going through what I am going through. 
Sincerely,
Karen Cables
Southington

In Memory of Pocahontas, Elmo and Fluffy

On May 31, 2007, our two dogs, Pocahontas and Elmo were killed by a speeding vehicle on Rt. 185 in Simsbury. The tragedy is that the person who hit our dogs did not even slow down or stop. Our family is grieving as Elmo and his sister Pocahontas were more than just family pets, they were our walking and camping companions. Elmo was full of life and protective of his family.Pokey was a very laid back loving dog. She was very motherly and took Elmo under her paw when he was just a pup, and they were inseparable ever since. Our dogs were loyal companions and were always there when we needed a smile. Our cat, Fluffy had to be put to rest that same afternoon. Fluff was a loving cat to those she knew, otherwise she was very protective, almost an "attack cat." She was a house cat and loved to try to sneak outside every now and then to snack on grass. She is sincerely missed by our family though she was loved and had a great full life. She is no longer suffering and is in peace with her two dog companions, Elmo and Pokey. Our home is in fact empty as are our hearts as all our family pets are gone. In their memory and in our prayers we know that they are at least together.
– The Salvatore Family

Milan Ryan (1990-2006)

"Our Special Boy"  
No one could have loved  you more.
We were blessed to have had you in our lives for almost 17 years.
Not a day goes by where you aren't missed.
Rest in peace and know
how much you are loved.

Mothercat Cronan (1989-2006)

I like to start off by saying that Mothercat lived her last years of her life with courage and strength.

Over the past year, I found out that Mothercat went blind. My family and I did not know what caused Mothercat to not see anymore. As a result, we went to our local Veterinary clinic, to find out the cause of her blindness. It turned out that Mothercat, went blind due to high blood pressure and a detached retina in both eyes.

It took a while for Mothercat to adjust to daily activities like eating, drinking, and walking. However becoming blind did not make Mothercat stop from living her life. Some cats might have been upset and disturbed with becoming blind, BUT NOT MOTHERCAT!

When Mothercat ate her food, she used her sense of smell to determine that their was food in her bowl. She also used her whiskers for the times that she wanted to walk around the house, or around her fenced in pen that I put up in the yard for her to walk in. Mothercat seemed to enjoy her life despite her blindness! However I noticed that something was going wrong with Mothercat's health.

About nine months ago, I took Mothercat to her local Veterinarian for a check-up/exam. As a result, Mothercat was diagnosed with Kidney disease/kidney failure. Month by month, Mothercat showed no signs of weakness, pain, or lack of strength. She continued her daily life as a cat would be...Happy ...sleepy...playful...purring...walking... And just being Mothercat ...my little girl!!!

I continued caring for Mothercat until it became the time for her to pass on. Mothercat passed away at the age of 17 years old. I will always cherish the memories I had with my little girl...Mothercat.

Love might be blind, but not for Mothercat. She felt love all around her, because it showed for 17 years!

Maggie (1990-2006)

She was the best companion one
could ever have!

"Ms. Maggie" came to be as a Sheltie rescue dog after nearly a year of surviving on her own.The vet determined she was close to 10-years-old.

After a fairly quick observation, the vet also suggested she would make a
good therapy dog. In the six and a half years we had together, she touched many lives. She did become a therapy dog with "Therapy Dogs, Inc." and visited with residents of Cobalt Lodge and other live-in seniors. She has been on TV and flown as carry-on baggage to Florida as part of her involvement with EVE'S FUND, Inc. (End Violence Everywhere). She helped raise awareness about pets and domestic abuse. I was not her mother or her owner. I was the woman she lived with and loved, and we did amazing things together. I, and many others who
also loved her, miss her terribly.