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…
So sad to hear that Harley is gone. Purrz and Prayers for you and your other fur babies. So hard when to lose our fur children, especially when it is unexpected.
I hope your other fur babies snuggle with you to fill in the loss.
Katie.
Thank you for your kindness and prayers Katie Kat, Oreo, Lil Bear and Doobie.
We’re so sorry to hear of your sudden loss. It’s so hard to lose a friend. We’re sending lots of purrs and prayers to you. Alana and Crepes.
Thank you for the purrs and prayers, Alana and Crepes.
On no!! We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Harley! Lots of hugs and purrs coming your way!
Samantha & Mom
Thank you for the hugs and purrs Samantha & Mom.
I’m so sorry. Fly free, sweet girl.
Thank you Brooke.
Oh, Deb… I am so, so sorry. So shocking and so heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending you warm hugs and lots and lots of purrs from the kitties.
(((love)))
GG
Thank you so much for the love, support, and purrs Glogirly and Katie.
We are so sorry for the terrible loss of your beautiful Harley…Wishing your family comfort and peace at this this time of sorrow…Love never dies…xoxo…J, Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat
Thank you for your comforting words, Jacqueline and family.
Oh my gosh, what a shock! I am so very sorry for this terrible loss! Our hearts are with you as are our prayers and purrs. Hugs!
Thank you Andrea – I appreciate your condolences.
Oh, Deb.
I’m so sorry…
Much love,
Kristin
Thank you for your love and support, Kristin.
What a beautiful and sweet girl Harley was, it’s so hard to lose a loved one, the early days are filled with “what ifs” and “whys”, but it will settle down, and then the happy memories can fill your heart again.
Sending you all love and rumbly purrs
Mungo
& The Ape xx
You are so very right, Everycat… the “what ifs” and “whys” are torturous at the moment… thank you for the love and purrs.
I am so sorry to hear of Harley’s passing and I wish so much I could write something that will heal your pain. I am sending love and purrs to you and Dan and the kitties.
Thank you for your kindness and support, Jobi and Fisher.
Deb I am so very sad for your loss of gorgeous, sweet Harley……I know you’re glad you were with her when she crossed the Bridge but so sad for it to be sudden and so unexpected. It’s not easy to lose them EVER but in the blink of an eye is particularly tough. Our hearts are heavy for you but we send hugs and thoughts of happier times in the past and in the future.
Love, Pam and Sammy
Pam and Sam – thank you so much for your heartfelt condolences.
So very sorry for the loss of your sweet Harley girl. It’s always harder when it is unexpected.
Healing purrs and prayers heading your way.
In deepest sympathy,
Angel Normie, Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis
Thank you for your condolences KitKat.
Oh Deb our hearts ache for you. There’s something so incredibly wrenching about sudden loss. It’s deep, intense grieving process that we remember all too well from when we lost Ryker.
You are in our hearts and our thoughts. We send you all our comforting purrs. We know this is hollow and small consolation at this time – and we wish we could ease your pain somehow….
Thank you Maxwell, Faraday, and Allie – we share the pain of your loss of Ryker and thank you for your love and support.
My heart aches for you, but may you find comfort that you were there to say goodbye to Harley and as you said, your voice what what she heard as you let her go… I am forever grateful, that when I lost my precious Bo to HCM, I was there to say it’s ok to go, and to kiss his forehead. It was a year Mike and I traveled a lot and even when I came home from work and he didn’t greet me right away, I thought ‘Is this the day I lost him and I wasn’t there to comfort him’…it was hard. So as the sadness softens for you, I hope like for me, that I continue to find comfort and peace that I was there to say fly free…
Thank you Teri – I am trying to find the comfort in it but right now it is just too soon. I appreciate your condolences.
Deb and Dan It is hard to comment. Words seem so trite. But I am heartbroken for you and despite the fact that you say you have no words to convey how you feel, your profound emotion is conveyed powerfully in this post about sweet Harley. Thinking of you all very much. Love and hugs xoxox
Thank you Carolyn – I can feel your deeply conveyed sympathies from across the pond and thank you so very much.
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Sending lots of love and light your way.
XOXO from all of us at Angel Prancer Pie.
Thank you for your comforting words, Prancer Pie.
Oh Deb & Dan and kitties, what can I say that has not been shared. Your words are still moving and eloquent and I admire your courage to write a brief update.
But Harley did have your loving, warm voice before crossing the rainbow bridge. I think of my poor Pepe Francois surrounded by strangers at vet hospital. I never had a chance to say goodbye. I expected him to come home after an overnight stay.
When the time is right, you’ll know when to pay your tribute to Harley. Don’t rush it. Take your time.
Your fans are always here.
Love
Christine
Oh Christine… my heart breaks that you were not able to give Pepe Francois a proper goodbye. I am sure he knew deep in his heart how much you loved him and I pray he and Harley may meet and become fast friends.
Thank you for your love, support, and kindness – xoxox
We are so very sorry for your loss! We’re sending you BIG Doxie hugs.
Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin
Thank you for the hugs Lily Belle & Muffin.
We are so sorry about your precious Harley. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this very sad time. (((Hugs)))
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Maggie May.
I’m saddened by this loss. As you wrote, such losses occur all over the world, every day. Yet each is as personal as anything can be. Each leaves a wound that never completely heals. The scars on our hearts show the depth of our love, and of our pain. Godspeed, Harley.
John – thank you for your heartfelt and very real sentiment – I appreciate it.