I will make an attempt to honor one of
The Best Cats Ever -


Mr. Nicholas


It has been many, many months since Mr. Nicholas crossed the bridge.
I thought it would be easy for me to write about him now,
since some time has passed.
As I look back over the tender email and posts that I received
from my internet friends, I find that I still cannot think of him without tears coming.
I have posted them below.
They are the most tender and loving emails anyone could receive, and I thank each of you for them
as they have been a comfort to read thru the years.

~ __________________________ ~

I had other pets, when my neighbor called and asked me if I wanted a little tabby
kitten she had gotten to replace her cat that had been killed
before she took it to the pound, I said 'NO!' and it took me
about a minute to get to her house with my hands held out to receive this tiny tabby boy :o)
Oh, he was a messy little thing, and later found out he had come
from pretty bad surroundings.
We went to the vet, who said he was disease free, and he
became a part of our family.
This was around Christmas time. (Hence the name *s* Mr. Nicholas)
As the older, and very loved, other pets crossed the bridge,
Mr. Nick became more and more precious.
He would fetch, and loved to run over furniture to chase his
toy. If it went under the chair, that was even more fun!
He was an inside cat, but could go out on a harness. He loved
to sit under a tree and watch the world go by.
He didn't feel it right that I should go into the bathroom without
an escort and would chatter at me while waiting *s* I never did
find out what he was talking about, but he was very serious.

One of his favorite snacks was tomatos. When I made myself a
sandwich, he would always get a yummy slice for himself, of
course chattering the whole time I cut the tomato.
All of our cats are the smartest in the world, but Mister was
actually very smart! He understood many words and would react.
He slept on my bed and I would hold his tail, he'd pull it
away, only for it to lay on top of my hand so I could hold
it again. We'd go thru this little process every night until
I dropped off to sleep with him protecting me and guiding me
through good dreams.
Mr. Nicholas liked to sit on the big old 48" screen TV that
my ex left here. I may turn it on once a week, if that often,
because there is a small one in my bedroom that stays on 24/7.
If I ever did watch that big old thing, it was without a remote,
as it didn't come with one. Nicholas would jump up on it and
hit the on/off button with his back foot and I'd fuss at him
grumbling about having to get up and and turn
it back on (or off) and give him a kiss on his sweet head while there.
He'd just look at me and blink those beautiful eyes.
One day he seemed to having some trouble breathing.
I took him immediately to the Vet.
She told me to wait outside the room while she x-ray'd him.
She called me back in the room after an eternity.
She found cancer in his belly area.
She said nothing could be done for him .. She said it had gone too far ..
How could I let this happen ..
Why didn't I see it ..
Why didn't he show some sign of pain ..
He's the best cat ever! He can not have cancer!
My head was swimming, heart pounding, knees weak...
This cannot possibly be happening! Not Mr. Nicholas!
She said his lungs were surrounded by fluid.
She said she could probably drain the area and give him a few more days
A few more days???

A FEW MORE DAYS???
She gave me the name of this thing invading my boy's belly
To this day, I don't know what she said.
YES! Drain him, do anything you can **tears**
She took him to another room for yet another eternity.
My precious Mr. Nicholas came back with his sides shaved,
with the ugly thing still in his body, but less fluid.
I brought my boy home.
He's breathing better now, still the next day and he's breathing
so much better! He's going to be OK, she made a mistake!
The following day he seemed tired, wanted to be alone
He was telling me he was ready, even though I was not.
We made it through that day with lots of pats, love, and kisses.
That afternoon, I told him that he would soon be crossing the bridge.
He would be well again, he would eat all the grass he wanted,
and he could run after butterflies.
I asked Mr. Nick if there any way that he could give me a sign, just
a little something to let me know that he was OK after he crosses the bridge?
Anything will do, a little meow, maybe chatter? A brush by my leg?
Let me know you got there and all is well.
My precious boy just looked at me and blinked, a long loving blink
Later that night, he was in a room alone, his choice,
struggling for breath. I told him that I'd sit with him, and told him
'you will be able to breath, you'll see. I'll help you.'
We all know that is not possible, no matter how hard we try
it's just not possible.
It is 10:00 PM.
I cannot watch him struggle, I call the Vet, she meets me.
I hold my Mr. Nicholas while she injects him to make him go into a
deep sleep and then while she gives him the lethal injection.
This cannot be happening.

The next morning I took one of the best cats ever to the crematory.
The loss I felt driving home, I cannot describe.
That night I went to bed, tired, sad, and lonesome.
Timothy jumped up on the bed and laid down in the exact spot
where Mr. Nicholas would lay every night.
He brushed my hand with his tail.
Next morning I got up, went to bathroom and missed his chattering
so, so much ..
More **tears**
I went into the living room..

.. THE BIG OLD TV WAS ON! ..
Mr. Nicholas had given me a sign...
He's OK and I'm sure, one day, I'm going to be OK.

MAY I GO?

May I go now?

Do you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.
I want to go. I really do. It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you, too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.


~ __________________________ ~

After I posted that I helped set Mr. Nicholas free from his pain
and get his Angel Wings,
he is running free, chasing butterflies,
waiting for me.....
I received the sweetest notes!
Below are some of those posts and emails.
Thank each and every one of you for your kind words,
your prayers,
and the good feelings that you've been sending.
I love you all...
Bobbie

~ __________________________ ~

I am very sorry for your loss. Yes, the tears do eventually stop, but you will mourn the loss of your friend, and you should. It just is never easy to lose one of our furrkids, I know what you are feeling and I am sorry. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of Jack, but over time the tears don't flow quite as readily and the pain in my heart isn't as strong. But I still miss him, as you will miss Mr. Nicholas. (((hugs)))
~ __________________________ ~

Oh darling, you have my prayers This is so sad...My heart is crying with yours.
~ __________________________ ~

Time will help to ease some of the pain, but Mr. Nicholas will always live in your heart. I'm sure he's smiling on you right now, knowing how well loved he was. *tears*
~ __________________________ ~

Oh Bobbie, I am so very sorry It's always worse when it's sudden. The tears will stop after a while, but the memories never will. The special ones stay with us forever. Fluffy {{{hugs}}} from my whole gang.
~ __________________________ ~

I am so very sorry to read this..... and sad to read that Mr. Nicholas had to leave you so soon. What a week for you, Bobbie. I am sending sympathy and hugs from afar. I am truly sorry for you your loss of your very special kitty. ***Tears***
~ __________________________ ~

I'm so sorry I had hoped you would have more time. :-( My prayers for you.
~ __________________________ ~

Oh Bobbie sweetie......*****tears***** I know how much you are hurting right now and nothing can take away your pain. Just know how much we all love you here. Of course you will miss Mr. Nicholas. The pain will never go completely away but I promise you, it lessens over time and gets replaced with happier memories. The best cat I ever had was Caeser and he lived to be 19. I will never have a cat like him, he loved me and would follow me all around and sleep in my arms. He was a complete lover boy. He died in 1991 and I still ache for him. Mr. Nicholas is free of pain now and I sure hope my Caeser, Hershey and Marble are chasing those butterflies with him. I am crying with you Bobbie. We all are. P.S. Give that sweet Gracie a hug and a kiss from her Aunt and tell her to take real special care of her Mommy over the next few days. I suspect someone needs a lot of loving. ((((((HUGS))))).
~ __________________________ ~

I'm so sorry. I'm in shock, it was so sudden, I can't imagine how you must feel. There will be many stunned and crying people on this board today, you are not alone. We will miss him with you. *tears*
~ __________________________ ~

Oh Dear Bobbie...my heart aches for you. Please accept my sincere condolences. There is not much to say, except I know how much it hurts...and it hurts for a long time. But you were blessed with Mr. Nicholas...and he was ever so blessed to have you. **tears**...
~ __________________________ ~

I'm so sorry, Bobbie.... My heart is aching with sympathy for you. I know how much you loved him, & how bad the pain is now. They leave a hole in our hearts when they leave us. I'm glad he didn't suffer much. You did the loving thing. More *tears* & a big (((hug))). I'll be in touch with you later.
~ __________________________ ~

((((HUGS)))) and ***tears***...> Bobbie, My heart is breaking for you and Mr. Nicholas...I am so terribly sorry... you must be devastated, it hurts so much. Please know you both have not left my thoughts....I am so saddened to read this today, so sad for you...my prayers go out for you both...I hope time and his sweet memory will bring you comfort. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}Love,
~ __________________________ ~

My regards to your loss. Prayers. No words can ever express the loss, only the heart can express it the most. My heart, though it not be yours or Mr. Nicholas was not my furkid to know; I can only feel what you do. For I have been there. And one can always be sure in due time we will do all so again. But I can say this. Your love gave him a world of joy and bliss. And when he left this one, he took that love with him. Allow your self to feel pain, but also let yourself feel joy. God allowed you and Mr. Nicholas paths to meet; and also to part. But he parted in knowing love of this world, and to take it with him to that the place God he has for them. I feel your loss, and give you prayers. The tears will stop and then turn to drops of joyful memories. Peace be with you, and peace to Mr. Nicholas as he looks upon you and says thank you.
~ __________________________ ~

Oh, Bobbie...I am so sorry....((((hugs))))
~ __________________________ ~

Bobbie, my heart goes out to you...You gave him a wonderful life and a peaceful crossing. the tears will stop and you will remember him with love and joy. For now, I'm crying along with you. The tears will stop with the joy and love... you'll come to feel, knowing Mr. Nicholas is not gone from this earth or from your heart for eternity...you simply can't see him right now. He's helping all the Angels paint the sunrises and stirring up the colors of the Rainbows to make smiles on rainy days.Many hugs dear friend.
~ __________________________ ~

I'm so sorry, Bobbie. *tears* Please know I am here for you through your time of sorrow. ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) and **tears** My candle is lit.
~ __________________________ ~

Many tears here too. I will light a candle for Mr. Nicholas tonight. ((HUGS))
~ __________________________ ~

Oh Bobbie, I'm so sorry!............. I'm sorry you had to go through this alone. ((((((hugs))))
~ __________________________ ~

Oh, Bobbie, I am so very sorry.. This is the hardest thing to deal with for me. I know how you feel. **Tears** and many ((Hugs)) coming your way. If you need to talk, just mail me...anytime. Peace to Mr. Nicholas on his journey. May you always find your way, beautiful boy.
~ __________________________ ~

This was so sudden! Bobbie, I am truly sorry. **tears** ***tears*** and (((hugs))) I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. He will be missed and your love will always be there. Treasure your memory of him as he will live on in your heart.
~ __________________________ ~

More tears....I know how hard this is. Let the tears flow. They are healing.Hugs to you and a gentle farewell to your sweet boy.
~ __________________________ ~

****TEARS**** I'm so, so sorry... I know, I know. I wish I could be there with you right now. {{{{HUGS}}}}
~ __________________________ ~


How wonderful! Your love for Mr. Nicholas will always be such an important part of your life, and Mr. Nicholas knows that.
I hope you're feeling a bit better today
*hugs* and purrs
~ __________________________ ~

Indeed, all is well. :) nm This is so wonderful and so loving and soooo cool! and I'm So Glad you shared it with us.*happy tears*
~ __________________________ ~

That is so wonderful...to have a sign that he is ok. I wish it could happen more often. It made me teary eyed too. It's such a wondeful story. It's great to know that he is still with you. More ((((Hugs)))) to you.
~ __________________________ ~
Tears filled my eyes as I read this... Mr. Nicolas is giving you a powerful message... and it's wonderful. (((((((HUGS))))))
~ __________________________ ~

That is wonderful. I asked Jessie to give me a sign that she'd be okay, too, and she did, in a dream.
~ __________________________ ~

Reading that gave me chills!...It's so wonderfully comforting when the signs are so immediate and definite. The other cats always know when we need special handling too. Bless them all! Hoping and praying that your heart heals a little every day, and that soon you will feel more joy at having shared his life and less sorrow at his passing.
~ __________________________ ~

Hugs,Love never dies. He'll never be that far from you and one day you and he will be together again.I'm glad you are ok.. I cried up a storm last night when I saw that post. If it bothered me that much I couldn't begin to imagin how much pain you felt. He was my Kats age and that is too young to leave us.. Yes that was a wonderful sign from him!
~ __________________________ ~

I think you will heal slowly but steadily. You have your feet on the ground. I just came here and learned about Mr Nicholas' leaving for the Bridge. Here is something I wrote when Sweet Baffy left for the Bridge. It helped me: No one is lonely at the Rainbow Bridge
where kitties go when they depart this place;
for there?s a meadow down below the ridge
with flowers and wild butterflies to chase.

Now pain no longer clouds their brilliant eyes;
no illness dulls their shiny coats of fur;
but they are followed by our deepest sighs
and we are haunted by their rumbling purr.

Our memories of carefree days gone by
may dry our tears when we can think of those,
and maybe after some time, we can make a try
and find comfort ? another furry nose.

Until that day we share our grief with friends:
whose hearts reach out, whose caring never ends.
^^^^^^^^^^^^

I hope you remember the happy times you had with him. He will always be in your heart.

I know how you feel, my friend.
Margy
~ __________________________ ~

I'm am so very sorry to hear about Nicholas. Rene had told me about him last week. You are such a wonderful person ! I know it hurts like hell but you took care of him to the very end.
~ __________________________ ~

All animals should be so lucky! Know my heart aches for each of you.
~ __________________________ ~

Your spirit is strong your body is not and so we must say goodbye. Though my heart breaks and my throat aches with each crystal tear I cry. Your roots have grown strong and deep in my soul despite the short time that we shared But you will go on to a wonderful place knowing that somebody cared. Though I could not do much to help or take the pain in your stead I did all I could and held you close my arms, and my lap, your bed. Your path changes now my beautiful one, and you must travel it on your own. I've friends waiting there on the other end to lead you finally home. And someday, my love I'll be once again beside you, and calling your name and our paths once again, forever and more will be joyfully one and the same. Until then, dear boy, know that I would have moved the heavens and earth. Play hard every day, chase rainbows and stars Enjoy your brand new rebirth. And when my time comes to break free of this world I hope you'll be waiting for me. To greet me at last and show me the joy you've found in eternity. ...sabrina
~ __________________________ ~


Do the tears ever stop?

~ __________________________ ~

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