tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post2999614164085884322..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Goodbye, CameoAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-4818759416131928822017-04-26T16:43:40.416-05:002017-04-26T16:43:40.416-05:00I know it's horrible, but it's all we have...I know it's horrible, but it's all we have. cubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788126579896276199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-43005615180467939982017-04-26T09:41:24.095-05:002017-04-26T09:41:24.095-05:00Hobbes passed away at about the same age as our Ca...<a href="https://mikesamerica.blogspot.com/2008/03/mikes-america-blog-assistant-passes.html" rel="nofollow">Hobbes</a> passed away at about the same age as our Cameo.<br /><br />Might I ask the cause?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-82652516496135626602017-04-26T09:38:39.596-05:002017-04-26T09:38:39.596-05:00Mike,
I remember your Hobbes!Mike,<br />I remember your <a href="https://mikesamerica.blogspot.com/2008/03/amidst-sadness-comes-gladness.html" rel="nofollow">Hobbes</a>!Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-44383960098738851992017-04-26T09:35:59.215-05:002017-04-26T09:35:59.215-05:00Cube,
I know that you understand. It's horrib...Cube,<br />I know that you understand. It's horrible! But never having them is horrible, too.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-52754037249615801382017-04-26T09:35:24.336-05:002017-04-26T09:35:24.336-05:00Mark,
Thank you for your concern.
I've lost...Mark,<br />Thank you for your concern. <br /><br />I've lost pets before, of course, but this time my grief is so intense. My underlying health problems are, no doubt, a factor. This pain syndrome makes the grief worse, and grief makes this pain syndrome worse. Being at this stage of life -- Hardly the Golden Years! -- is also a factor. None of these factors are something that I can change.<br /><br />Not having Cameo's morning greeting -- as I did for nearly 16 years -- is painful beyond description. Even though I now that our decision to euthanize her was the right decision. As the vet pointed out, we could do lots of things <b>to</b> her but nothing <b>for</b> her.<br /><br />We have two cats remaining: <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWIrLHB-0kg/UG_1i9QBG3I/AAAAAAAAFE8/z4gJHuWyO3Q/s1600/Amber%2Bin%2Bher%2Bbed%2B3.JPG" rel="nofollow">Amber</a> (age 5) and <a href="http://alwaysonwatch3.blogspot.com/2011/11/mighty-huntress.html" rel="nofollow">Mysti</a> (almost age 18). Mysti is quite feeble but still enjoying life. Still, we know that at any moment Mysti may crash and have to be euthanized.<br /><br />When Mysti leaves us, we might get a kitten -- if my health permits. Mr. AOW, of course, cannot take care of a kitten.<br /><br />Amber has never been an only cat, so I'm not sure how she would react to that status or to the arrival of a new feline in the house. Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-65908701496040864562017-04-26T09:03:28.121-05:002017-04-26T09:03:28.121-05:00Your grief is understandable. We always grieve aft...Your grief is understandable. We always grieve after the loss of a pet. IMHO, the best thing you can do now to help you get over your loss is to get yourself a kitten. That will help you a lot.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13121015125677979408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-12534113695413642512017-04-22T07:34:40.946-05:002017-04-22T07:34:40.946-05:00I'm sorry for your loss. I know how special Ca...I'm sorry for your loss. I know how special Cameo was to you. Z mentioned her 'soul mate cat', well I know the feeling too. I lost my beloved Kinky in November. I miss her everyday and always will, but I tell myself that I'll see her again one day. That thought helps me deal with my grief. I hope it helps you too.cubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788126579896276199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-16142757721283157712017-04-22T01:39:30.281-05:002017-04-22T01:39:30.281-05:00Easter is so often a time of such sadness. The onl...Easter is so often a time of such sadness. The only joy we find is the promise of the Resurrection.<br /><br />I know your pain all too well!Mike's Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262938295909490454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-34016681378770791182017-04-19T14:42:26.475-05:002017-04-19T14:42:26.475-05:00Z,
Thank you for understanding. Cameo was indeed ...Z,<br />Thank you for understanding. Cameo was indeed <i>my 'soul mate cat'</i>!<br /><br />I knew that the terrible day of losing Cameo would hit me hard. But I didn't expect it to hit me <b>this</b> hard. <br /><br />For me, grief seems to get worse as I get older. <br /><br />The wind has gone out of my sails.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-50157442984197211862017-04-19T09:52:00.109-05:002017-04-19T09:52:00.109-05:00AOW...Heart broken for your loss. You mentioned ab...AOW...Heart broken for your loss. You mentioned above that Cameo was your heart car...my Marcello was my 'soul mate cat'...he lived till about 19 but I'll never get over missing him....these 16 yrs later. He 'got' me...and I, him. It was perfectly weird. <br />I adore my new "Blues" but she makes me see every day that Marcello was "rocket scientist smart,"...let's just say she is NOT :-)<br />So I even more understand your pain....those cats come around infrequently.... you were so lucky and blessed to have Cameo....and I am SO SORRY.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-74324636480260551392017-04-19T09:49:08.899-05:002017-04-19T09:49:08.899-05:00Hi, Finntann...so sorry about your Shepherd! SO S...Hi, Finntann...so sorry about your Shepherd! SO SO SAD. The fellow across the street trains/shows Australian Shepherds...Glenn Morton. He's pretty well known in that field. I'm so sorry for your lossZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-12009062265713807372017-04-19T07:31:32.722-05:002017-04-19T07:31:32.722-05:00Stogie,
Thank you, my friend. I have those PhotoS...Stogie,<br />Thank you, my friend. I have those PhotoShops saved in multiple places and will always treasure them.<br /><br />I took tons of photos of Cameo. She was not camera shy. In fact, she wasn't shy about <b>anything</b>! A true alpha cat!<br /><br />After what we went through with a previous cat's suffering (Honey Bunny, 1978-1997), I have promised every subsequent kitty, "I will not let you suffer." We euthanized Cameo before her suffering became too awful. By mere hours, according to our wonderful vet. <br /><br />I will be ever grateful to Dr. V. for coming to our home on Easter Sunday evening to prevent the terrible suffering that was right around the corner. It is possible that I would have shattered her lower righ jawbone the next time that I have her a pill. That would have been awful!<br /><br />It took three injections of barbiturate to euthanize Cameo. She had such a strong will! Her will was one of her most enduring traits, and her strong will was apparent when she played with the ornaments on the Christmas tree. I'll never forget how she removed the ornaments from the lower branches, <b>then gathered some of her own toys and tried to affix them to the lower branches</b>!Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-18970433526235487982017-04-19T07:12:03.156-05:002017-04-19T07:12:03.156-05:00Finntann,
Amber continues to search for, but not c...Finntann,<br />Amber continues to search for, but not constantly.<br /><br />We are grateful that Amber still has her usual appetite.<br /><br />Flame point Siamese kitties are beautiful. We had one for a long time: Honey Bunny (1978-1997). She and Cameo shared many character traits -- including bonding strongly with us and incredible intelligence.<br /><br />Sorry to read about you Australian Shepherd. Mr. AOW's Digger didn't live as long (1955-1969). Digger had a heart attack from the joy of seeing Mr. AOW returning home from boarding school.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-40056046144615930472017-04-19T07:08:04.635-05:002017-04-19T07:08:04.635-05:00TC,
Raven?TC,<br />Raven?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-88108728146931615552017-04-19T06:01:36.206-05:002017-04-19T06:01:36.206-05:00My deepest and Sincere Condolences My deepest and Sincere Condolences Mr. Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02208092450642530948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-26160681946680704302017-04-18T23:44:25.822-05:002017-04-18T23:44:25.822-05:00I just have my one cat. He's coming up on 5 ye...I just have my one cat. He's coming up on 5 years old. Black fluffy monster, half Maine coon. Most loving critter in the universe.(((Thought Criminal)))https://www.blogger.com/profile/17311656184275255223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-24156875460164236832017-04-18T23:04:39.585-05:002017-04-18T23:04:39.585-05:00My condolences, I know what you're going throu...My condolences, I know what you're going through. We had to put down our 14 year old Australian Shepherd today due to advanced degenerative myelopathy. Our two Siamese (a chocolate and a flame point) are distraught looking for him. Finntannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234170229108668040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-74201727003672174432017-04-18T19:10:25.848-05:002017-04-18T19:10:25.848-05:00It was my privilege to Photoshop Cameo from time t...It was my privilege to Photoshop Cameo from time to time, and I grew to love her too, though we never met. I loved your story about Cameo and the Christmas Tree, how she loved to play with the ornaments on the tree, and how you used a water spritzer to dissuade her. May God bless Cameo and keep her safe until the day you can be reunited.Stogiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05852841950131130696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-17567980897727136072017-04-18T18:55:27.186-05:002017-04-18T18:55:27.186-05:00PS - Cameo is a real beauty..PS - Cameo is a real beauty..Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-14961669733587392282017-04-18T18:55:03.069-05:002017-04-18T18:55:03.069-05:00We have Stanley who has moved in living the good l...We have Stanley who has moved in living the good life, KitKat on the back deck, and then we have our domesticated dudes - Handsome Howard, Little Bear and Lodi who do not go out without a jail break because it is a dangerous environment for cats who are not street smart.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-10536792370313582662017-04-18T13:40:17.033-05:002017-04-18T13:40:17.033-05:00Waylon,
Yes, it is only right for us to outlive ou...Waylon,<br />Yes, it is only right for us to outlive our pets. But outliving them is so painful for us humans!Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-30410623661449183922017-04-18T13:39:10.219-05:002017-04-18T13:39:10.219-05:00FT,
I love "The Rainbow Bridge"! May it...FT,<br />I love "The Rainbow Bridge"! May it be so! Cameo would indeed come flying to meet me. We shared such a special bond.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-87490730221477535802017-04-18T11:46:38.318-05:002017-04-18T11:46:38.318-05:00Sorry for your loss, AOW. It's always sad when...Sorry for your loss, AOW. It's always sad when a loved pet dies but it's expected since we normally outlive our pets. It would be even worse if we didn't.Waylonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08533895509055020394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-36902222288130982512017-04-18T10:37:52.426-05:002017-04-18T10:37:52.426-05:00I thought you might like this, even though it'...I thought you might like this, even though it's been around for a long time.<br /><br /><b>________ The Old Man and His Dog ________<br /><br />An old man and his dog were walking along a winding country road enjoying the scenery, when suddenly it occurred to the man that he must have died. He remembered dying, and realized, too, that the dog who was with him now had passed away and left him many years before the two of them met again on this strangely beautiful setting. <br /><br />Wondering where the road would lead them the old man and his friend continued walking.<br /><br />After a while, they came to a high, white wall along one side of the road that stood atop a hill. It looked to be made of the finest marble. The wall stood far from the road, and was broken only by a magnificent white arch beautifully inscribed with the letter H at its crest. The arch gleamed in the sunlight as though it must be made of mother-of-pearl, and the street leading to the gate looked as though it must have been paved in purest gold. <br /><br />The old man was happy to think that he must finally have reached Heaven, so he and his dog walked toward the gate. As they got closer, the man noticed a shadowy figure in a cowl seated at an imposing, beautifully carved desk.<br /><br />When finally he felt he’d gotten close enough to speak, the old man called out, "Excuse me, but could this be Heaven?"<br /><br />"It is, indeed, sir,” the figure answered.<br /><br />“Oh my Gosh!” the traveler exclaimed excitedly, then asked, “Would you happen to have some water?”<br /><br />"Of course, sir! Come right in, and I'll have some ice water sent right up." The hooded gatekeeper gestured to his rear, and the huge gate began to open.<br /><br />"May my friend please come in too?" the man asked, gesturing toward the dog, "he's awful thirsty too."<br /><br />But the the shadowy figure answered, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets here."<br /><br />The man thought about it a second or two, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back toward the road, and continued in the direction he had been going earlier. <br /><br />After a while, the pair reached the top of another long hill, and came to a dirt road which led to a rustic farm gate. There was no fence, and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, since grass had grown up tall all around it. Approaching the gate, the old man saw a middle-aged man in overalls just inside sitting in the shade of a tree reading a book. <br /><br />"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. “We are very thirsty. Could you by any chance give us a drink of water?"<br /><br />“Oh sure. there's a well right over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home."<br /><br />"How about my friend here?" the traveler said gesturing toward the dog.<br /><br />“Oh course, he's welcome too, and there's a bowl for him and a cup for you right by the well.”<br /><br />They walked through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned well with a nice clean cup right on the rim, and a good-sized bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog first, and then took a good long drink, himself. When both were satisfied, the pair walked back toward the reader, still sitting under the tree waiting for them, and asked, "What do you call this place?”<br /><br />“Why this is Heaven," was the answer.<br /><br />“My, that's confusing," said the traveler. “Did you know there's another fellow down the road who said that his much fancier place was Heaven?”<br /><br />"Do you mean that place with the golden street and the pearly gates?"<br /><br />"Yes, it looked beautiful."<br /><br />"Nope. That's Hell."<br /><br />"Doesn't it bother you for them to use the name of Heaven the way they do?"<br /><br />"Nope. I can see how you might think so, but frankly it saves us a lot of time. They screen out all the people willing to leave their best friends behind. We wouldn’t want them here.”</b><br /><br /><br />~ Anonymous (gently emended by FT)FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-25853760604875419432017-04-18T08:28:18.982-05:002017-04-18T08:28:18.982-05:00A. Wellwisher said
Just this side of heaven is a ...<b>A. Wellwisher said</b><br /><br />Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.<br />When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.<br /><br />All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.<br /><br />They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.<br /><br />You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your friend, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.<br /><br />Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....<br /><br />~ Author unknown Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com