Saying Goodbye to Harley – Parting is Such Sorrow…
Harley was a ray of sunshine in our lives and her beautiful coat and sweet disposition always reminded me of a carefree field of sunflowers…
It is with extreme pain and despair that I write to inform you our beloved Harley crossed to the Bridge this past Tuesday. It was completely unexpected and as a result I am truly having trouble communicating with any sense of peace or comfort but I felt that you all needed to know, as I know you loved her for the sweetheart she was. My grief is just too raw and too profound right now for words – the road Dan and I have been traveling of late has been extremely difficult – I feel we have each aged a hundred years in the span of mere months and losing our darling baby in the midst of it all is a hard cross to bear and I am incapable of rationale thinking and eloquence at the moment.
I will just say that we did what was best for her. She had undergone a grave epileptic seizure and I honestly can’t write about it – I tried, but I just can’t. Not now anyhow. The words won’t come out and those that do are a meaningless garble of detached and confused sentences and I just don’t have it in me to open my feelings on this one at the moment. All I can do is take comfort in the fact that she lived in a loving and happy home and never once did she go a day without knowing how much we cared about her. She was an absolutely darling girl who didn’t have a mean bone in her body and she always had a friendly meow, or two, or three, for anyone who cared to converse with her.
I know they say to look for the happy moments in life and I firmly believe in that mindset, but since she was one of those happy moments, it will be difficult to move on without her. I am grateful for her sake that she is at peace and that Dan and I were with her in her final moments. We got to tell her how much we loved her and we got to say goodbye. She heard our loving voices and she was not alone. It wasn’t how I wanted it and it isn’t fair, but surely we all know that life is not always easy, fair, or just.
Our Harley looks so peaceful here… Dan took this photo of her just a few days ago and we had no idea what was in store for us all…
I don’t understand why she had to be taken from us and I probably never will, but I never understood why my sweet golden retriever puppy, Bailey, who was only two years old died of cancer or why my dog Meadow got hit by a car. These things happen every single day, all across the world, and if I must find comfort, it is that Harley will now be with Bailey and Meadow as well as with Mr. Jazz and many other fur friends who will gladly open up their paws and hearts to her in a happy and glorious welcome.
Time will march on and the pain will lesson. It won’t happen quickly but I am grateful for Dan, my kitties, and my friends and family who are such an important part of my life that will help me heal. Harley will forever remain in my heart and as someone who has loved animals her whole life, I know only too well that they are with us for borrowed time and that we have to love them for however long or short the amount of time we are blessed to have with them is. R.I.P. my darling girl… the couch will never be the same without you on it next to me… Until we meet again, I love you…
This picture from 2010 is one of my favorites because it is so Harley – she loved the couch so much and here she is surrounded by Zoey and Mia – they all look so happy and content…
Oh Deb, I’m so sorry. Please don’t worry or even think about how you feel or should be feeling. You need to grieve Harley’s sad and sudden loss, so just let yourself do so. Your heart will heal bit by bit on its own time, however long that is. You and Dan and the kitties are in my thoughts.
Janiss – Thank you for your comforting comment – I truly appreciate it.
The most wonderful thing is Harley lead the best life, filled with lots of love, and passed out of this life surrounded with the same love!
Quinn, Carol, and Catitude – she sure did lead a wonderful life and I am forever grateful of that. Thank you for your kindness.
So sorry to hear this news! I just had you all on my calendar page and I’m heartbroken at the loss of Harley. Sending comforting purrs to you all.
Julie, Tinker, Anastasia, Chopin, and Bridget
Thank you for your condolences Church Cat Kitties.
Oh God Deb I am so sorry,Take all the time you need to grieve,and Believe me when I say I know exactly what you are going through,I went throught the same thing with my first Rabbit Caramel,he had seizure for about a year was on meds for it then one night he had a big one started to come out of it then it would start again,it was so awful,I had to hold him while he was helped across,and a peice of me went with him that day,that was the hardest thing I had ever done and I thought I would never get over him But I did and by that time we had my second Bun Thumper.Thank you for give Harley the most wonderful home,Hugs and Prayers Rachel and Speedy
Speedyrabbit – you clearly do know my pain and I thank you so much for your words of comfort and support.
We share the sadness on the loss of your beautiful girl.
Thank you for your kindness Zoolatry.
We are so sorry to hear this news about Harley. We send you comforting purrs, gentle headbutts and hugs.
Wally, Ernie, Zoey and the mom Sue
Thank you for the purrs and support Island Cats.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Purrs of comfort and love.
Thank you for the purrs of comfort and love Scylla, Socks, Tuiren & Fenris.
I’m here to pay my respects to Harley and send comforting purrz to you and Dan and the rest of her fursibs. Losing a family member is never easy, especially when it’s unexpected. Fly free, Harley.
Thank you for stopping by to pay respects to Harley – we appreciate it Cathy Keisha.
Oh no! We are so sorry to hear. Harley was lucky to have such loving people with her-
Thank you for your kindness and support Cheysuli.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss…
Thank you for the condolences Michelle.
I grieve along with you. much love, allia
I know your heart is aching with mine, Allia – I share your pain and my thoughts are with you.
Deb, so very sorry to hear of Harley’s sudden passing. Like all that commented here, she did have the best of homes. Full of love and happiness. RIP sweet girl.
Thank you for your condolences Deb C.
We are SO sorry for your loss. I know words are little comfort, but we are sending you our love and prayers.
Hugs,
Oskar, Pam & Family
Your prayers and comfort are very much appreciated – thank you Pam and Oskar.
We’re deeply sorry for Harley’s sudden loss and our human understands, from personal experience, the utter shock, disbelief and devastation.
Sending you gentle purrs and universal Light, and wishing Harley godspeed.
Peace.
Nicki, Derry and Kim
I am so sorry you know the loss the way I do from personal experience, Fuzzy Tales. I appreciate your kindness and support.
We are so sorry for your loss. I know your pain…
You, Dan and the kits are in our prayers of comfort.
God’s Speed, sweet, kind, beautiful Harley.
Thank you for your prayers and words of comfort, TK.
We are so very sorry to read of Harley’s untimely passing
Hugs
Madi and mom
Thank you for your hugs Madi and mom.
We just heard about Harley and wanted to come by to offer our condolences.
We’re sending you soft, healing purrs and hugs at this sad time.
The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon
Thank you so much for your condolences Florida Furkids.
Deb, I am SO sorry to hear of your loss. Harley was very lucky to have you and Dan as her humans. Sending you much love and many purrs from Bev and Sophie.
Thank you for your kind words and purrs Moggiepurrs.
We just heard this very sad news.
We are so sorry and send you comforting purrs.
Losing a beloved kitty is hard, so be kind to yourself.
More than 6 months after losing Tillie, it is still hard to look at her pictures.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ
and the Mom
Thank you Georgia and Julie – we are sorry you are grieving as well and our prayers go out to Tillie.
It is with great sadness that we send our condolences during your time of grief. Mom knows what it is like to lose kitties so young, especially when you think they are in good health. We know your memories are vast and will comfort you in time. That final photo is so beautiful, and we are sure brings great memories. Sending all our purrs and prayers, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Mom Janet
Thank you for your comforting words and support Kitties Blue – as always, we appreciate your friendship.