Murphy has been with me from the beginning. He was there for my first apartment. My first dates with my now husband. My wedding. My babies.
He has been my companion in life even if he gave the world an attitude and struck fear into the hearts of vet techs from coast to coast.
Yes, Murph was an asshole cat…but in a way only MY asshole cat could be. He was so jealous of Aaron for the first several years of our relationship I slept on the COUCH if Aaron stayed the night because Murphy would make so much noise in a jealous fit no one would get any sleep otherwise.
He also would wake you up with meows if he was hungry and swipe at your ankles if he didn’t like you. But he always cuddled my toes at bedtime and never once opened his claws to the kids.
In his last days he endured a new dog in the house and his kitty body’s ongoing thyroid and kidney problems.
For those shaking their heads wondering why all the fuss over a cat…well, to you I can never explain. Because in our home the pets are family, they are woven into our daily lives from the time we bring them in as babies to when they finally leave us in their old age.
He wasn’t just a cat, he was the old, cranky man in our house whom we all loved… and will sorely miss.
I totally get this. I’m dreading the day that my 13 1/2 year old dog makes me write a post like this. And I know there are people who won’t get it. I feel for them.
Good rest and Godspeed, Murphy Brown!
This makes my heart hurt. I’m sorry, E.
I am a long-time cat lady, and I’m so sorry to hear you lost yours. They are family to me, too, and the thought of losing them hurts my heart. He’s lucky he had you 🙂
I am so, so sorry. I hope that the times ahead that you are reminded of him will have you laughing.
Amazing how our pets become such a part of our lives. Sounds like you have some pretty great memories. Hugs and sorry for your loss. RIP Murphy Brown
Great name BTW..love it.
So sorry for you guys Erin…we too dread the day our kids get older.
We had one die a couple of years ago @ 17 1/2 who we’d
Had as a kitten. She’d been thru all the life changes
And moves with us too. Very hard. RIP Murphy!
Xo
My beloved kitty died the day before my wedding a year ago. I know where you are coming from. They are, and always will be a part of our families. It is so tough when they leave us for KittyCat Heaven. Take care.
This hurts my heart so much. I’ve said goodbye to cats before and now I’m dreading the quickly approaching day that I will have to say goodbye to my first puppy kid. I’m glad you have so many wonderful memories of him to keep with you.
I am so very sorry for your loss. We had to let our 15yo Lab go this week too. It’s hard to say goodbye.
I’m so sorry 🙁 I know losing a pet can be as painful as losing a family member–pets ARE our family.
I have a picture of my cat next to my computer. He died when he was 15, several years ago. He was with me though my first job after college, meeting my husband, the birth of my sons (my poor kitty took a lot of abuse from them in his old age). He was the only pet (dog or cat) I ever had who would fetch, yes fetch–he was quite remarkable, but of course, I’m biased.
So sorry to hear that. It was only a few years ago that I lost the cats that had followed me through my early adult life and it felt as though my youth went with them.
All our cats are such a big part of the family.
I can totally understand where your coming from and as Beth put it I feel sorry for those who do not know the love and devotion of a family pet. In our home the pets are family. I love them dearly and I know they love me. I dread the day when I’ll too have to say goodbye to my little ones. It is troubling to me that such beautiful lives are so short. RIP Murphy Brown. rest easy old man – Tell Athena, Artemis, Reba, Shadow, Abbey, Monster, Sakura, Purdy, Naddie, and all the others I’ve lost I love and miss them dearly. I will see them again one day at the rainbow bridge!
This is a different version of the rainbow bridge, but closest one to it. If you have not read it you may want to. http://rainbowbridge.org/
So sorry for your loss , Erin & family …for some of us , they ARE our kids .
I lost my favorite Cooncatt 7 years ago and I still miss him .
Murpy will live forever in your heart …my condolences .
You are not alone brave,kind Erin. My condolences. I said goodbye to my feisty little Betsy in April and it hurts so much still.
http://starrlife.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/1993-2011/
I am so sorry for you loss. My condolences on the loss of your furchild. They truly are a part of our lives and our family.
Oh hon – my deepest sympathies!! We lost our pre-marital best friends (mine dog, M’s cat) a few years back and I miss them both still. Having a cranky little cat that is more old, small, opinionated feline dictator is an experience everyone should have.
Best thoughts and prayers go with Murphy.
I’m so sorry. My Tabby Cat, Tigger, was with me for 17 years. The last 24 months of his life were spent with daily sub.Q fluids, a special diet that he really did not like, anti-nausea meds and a very significant weight loss. He was living with less than 25% of his kidney function. Still, he showed his love to me everyday. No matter what torture I subjected him to each day. He was always my cuddle bunny. Last fall, Tigger let me know he was hurting. I didn’t want to see, but it was clear. I held him at our vets office until the medicine took effect and his fragile body went limp, then I cried. I know how you feel and I’m so very sorry.
I’m so sorry, Erin. Pets may not be human, but they still share our lives with us and leave an emptiness when they’re gone.
When my first Siamese died suddenly (complications from kidney issues), I can still remember getting that call from the vet and sobbing so hard that Aaron had to take the phone away and finish the conversation with them. That cat and I had a special bond. We have two cats now, and while I will be sad when they eventually pass away, no one can take the place of my Mishka.
I hope you have plenty of good memories of Murphy Brown to keep close in your heart.
Such a beauty… such a loss. I feel your pain & understand it. I am so sorry. 🙁
xoxoxoxo
I too consider cats family. So sorry for your loss. Murphy Brown was a beautiful cat!
I’m so sorry. My sweet boy went to the land of cotton candy clouds two months ago, and it sucks. I miss him like crazy. Thinking of you guys as you deal with the loss of Murphy.
*hugs* I’m so sorry. Losing pets is so ridiculously hard. Hopefully soon, you will be able to look back on the years Murphy spent with you and your family with a smile instead of tears.
I’m so, so sorry, Erin. Big hugs to you and Aaron and the kids. xoxo
I’ve lost two kitties in the past year, and I miss them both dearly. They both had those parts of their personalities that were just quirky and I couldn’t imagine living without. Sending you lots of hugs and meows.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Erin. My cats and dogs are family to me too, and to lose one is awful. Hugs to all of you.
I’ll miss him too.
But I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is awful. I know how much you loved him.
I am sorry to hear about Murphy’s passing. Our animals are family members too. We lost our cat about 2 years ago and we still miss her. Just know that Murphy was blessed to have you and your family love him like you did. *big hugs*
So sorry for your loss. Our dog is also family–and dearly loved.
Having a house full of animals (3 cats; 2 dogs) I dread the day when they die. Animals love us in ways that people never can, and vice versa. I feel bad that you and the family are having to deal with the death of your cat among everything else.
I’m so very sorry.
I just had to put my 13 year old dog down exactly a month ago. It was the second hardest and biggest loss in my life. I am so sorry for your loss. This post was great though, may Murphy rest in peace
Sorry about Murphy Brown! I understand what it’s like to lose a beloved cat. They are family members. I know he had a great life with you. Sending a hug.
Angie
You will lose other pets, it’s just a fact of life. But losing that one special pet that was along for the ride through so many of your life’s transitions – that’s the hardest. When we lost our 18 year old poodle I got so many nice notes of condolence but the most touching one was the woman who said she still misses the Golden Lab who was around for the birth of all her children and who was their “second mother” as they grew up. Those holes can’t be filled. You just have to cherish the memories.
Very sorry to hear about your cat. I totally get it, I really do. Our cats, Sam and Dave, are family members – quirks and all.
My first girl was with me from grad school to the birth of my second child and 12 years later I still miss her.
People who don’t think cats are loving have never loved a cat. You have. You KNOW.