My precious angel, Kitty Milo McSorley-Bonekovic, left me today, peacefully in my arms, just like he came into the world 15 years ago.

It breaks my heart to share such a sad photo, but even at 5.5 pounds compared to the 23 pound hunter he used to be, you can see the love and devotion this little man nurtured me with for most of my life up until his very last strained breath. I refused to put him down when the Vet said to last Saturday because Kitters wasn't ready yet. But today he was. I picked him up with his 15 year old Teddy Bear, and he tucked his face in me lifelessly with one are around his baby, so we went to the doctor where my sweet furbaby was sent to the angels in my arms. I'm only able to share since Chris medicated me, so I probably won't be around for a while.

Wretched pain - makes no sense, does it?

I'm so sorry! My heart's breaking for you. I know how it feels to love a fur baby. Especially your first. I'm here for you if you need me........Jess

OH LISA!!!!! I feeeeeelllllll so bad! I hate it hate it hate it hate it hate losing a pet Sometimes it even feels worse than losing a real person

15 years - your kitty did have a good run in life - and from the picture he has led a very loving and satisfying life with you.

Go in peace my love

Oh Lisa, I am crying all over my desk. I know how you feel. My kitty looked just like yours. I am so sorry for you.

awe Lisa - Im so sorry to hear of this sad news.

What a beautiful Kitty Milo he was.

Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry. I'm sitting here crying for you, Kitty and Chris. Animals are absolute angels. I can tell how happy he made you for the past 15 years.

Take care,

Leah

Im so sorry.I know it is hard for you. Tears are falling all over my keyboard.

I'm sorry about the loss of your cute furbaby. (Hugs)

Awww Lisa, I'm so sorry. Such a sweet and sad pic. Thank you for sharing. Big (((HUGS))) for you on your sad day.

Your pain is palpable, Lisa. I'm so sorry for your loss.

(This is why I resist my daughters' pleas for a pet. I couldn't face the inevitable pain.)

Thanks, everyone. I drugged myself with Xanax pretty heavily yesterday because I kept thinking of all the things I should have done, like giving him a 2nd can of tuna before going (instead of his 2nd favorites, liverworst & chicken salad.) I'd give anything to hold him one more time, but the truth is, I'm very proud of myself. I hurt, but I feel good because I raised an amazing little boy. He was "abnormal" when it comes to cats. He loved strangers, fetched, was best friends with my bird, jumped out of the car during camping trips then jumped back in after going potty - like a dog. He was trained like a dog, even though I never trained him, I just held him close to my chest the day he was born and whispered in his ear, and I did that every day, got his shots and good medical care, fed him the best (according to vets) and made sure he was inside every night.

Waking up without his tricks and habits makes me ill. He'd sit on the bathroom counter and let me put blush on him. We got ready for work together - he used to jump in my sun roof and try to come with me. Or he'd hide under tables and whack my husband's leg trying to spill his coffee, often suceeding, which was a really fun game. Alex, the pain sucks, but all that love, all those years, I was never alone. Even when I was sick, he'd walk circles around me crying and never leave my side. In the end. Sachi, Kitty Milo, Voodoo & I would just lay in bed snuggling & watching over Kitty.

Losing a pet any other way would be unbearable. I'd never forgive myself if he just wandered off one day, or was hit by a car. But I held him in my arms the whole time, and gave him back all that love he gave me. Sure, I'll be stoned on Xanax for a week, but I feel really good about myself for raising him, from the first minute to the last.

I have an incredible story about him. 15 years ago, a Momma cat was pregnant so my mom put a box on the porch. She also used to put food out for a different wild cat. The day our Mamma went into labor (my Mom's b-day) we saw the wild cat in the box! She was birthing our cat's kittens. So I grabbed the video and watched nature do it's thing. The wild cat birthed three kittens, then suddenly started convulsing. We thought it was dying, but she was apparently in labor herself. Our cat, exhausted, turned around and birthed the wild cat's 3 kittens. After 2 were born, Ryan (my then boyfriend) started saying, "Milo is coming out next." So Milo was named before he was born, and he was the very last baby, born of a wild cat - 3 each. Was kind of weird since the movie Milo and Otis was already out, and my Milo, like the famous one, was the only orange tabby out of the bunch.

Alex, go get her a pet. It's an unconditional love that only their snuggling can define. The pain will eventually subside, but the loving memories will be with me till I meet him on the other side.

But having to face work today sucks - badly.

Awww sorry Lisa, I know you loved him very much.

Lisa I am so sorry.. I sit here crying - It is very sad to lose a part of the family even if they are the furry kind. (((HUGS)))

Lisa, I'm so incredibly sorry. I lost my kitty several years ago but it still hurts to think about it. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet. It's a beautiful thing. And I agree, Alex, let your kids know that kind of love even it if means one day they hurt. It's beautiful for a mom to want to protect her kids from hurt, but knowing that kind of love and yes, that kind of loss, is what makes us human.

Sending big hugs to you Lisa. My heart breaks along with the rest of us in your LBT family.

I'm also shedding tears here for you. Please take care of yourself and know that you're loved.

Oh No!! I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

I was lucky enough to meet Milo when I went to the Vegas bash in '04. He was a sweet, affectionate, and friendly guy who I just fell in love with right away. Even my friend who is allergic and doesn't like cats fell in love with him. He was indeed a very special cat.

When my childhood dog died at the ripe old age of 15, my dad told me a story that comforted me. When pets die, they go to heaven and wait at the gates for you. While they are there, they play and sleep and watch you from above. When it's time for you to go to heaven, they meet you at the gate and walk in with you.

Milo is now in a peaceful place filled with all the cans of tuna he can ever eat. He was lucky to have such a life filled with love and laughter and fun. You gave him the best gift you could give any being.

My heart goes out to you and your family...

Megan