Saturday, March 01, 2008

Bye Bye Albert

Albert the Cat
Spring 1998-February 29th, 2008


This photo was taken just last week in the yard by my Mom. He loved the sunshine.

He came to us when we were first married Spring of 1998. This cat came from the East Vancouver 'tracks' and I fell in love with him upon first glance. He lived in the bush just beside my work building on Great Northern Way. He was small, dirty fur, pink nosed, cute and loved tuna straight from the can. In fact, he would come out of the bushes on my coffee and lunch breaks with the sound of the can opener twisting! He would rub up against my legs and meow at me. I knew he was mine.

I fought for him, as others in my workplace wanted him, but I was in luck and we got him. We brought him home in our first year of marriage. We loved Albert. He sucked on Cliff's ear and had a wonderful purrrrrrr. After being cleaned up at the vet, he turned out to be very white and not grey. He was soft, and was chubby and pure white. Big green eyes and a wet pink nose. He was our first pet and he was loved, and travelled very well to each of our new places that we lived in the last 10 years. When we got him, the vet estimated he was 1 or 2 years old. We gave him a good life.

In his last few years he lived with my in-laws because Albert and the kids/babies were not a good mix for each other. The kids wanted to grab him, and sometimes some of the kids were scared of him. But, just lately the kids have really warmed up to him and petted him in the yard. So touching to see. In fact, Carly said Albert needs a friend so he can feel better.

I am very sorry to report that last night our Albert died. We were heading out for a 9 pm latte last night Cliff, Courtney and I. Cliff backed our van up and there was my sweet Albert lying still in the headlights of our van. I knew he died there. I started bawling immediately, my poor Albert. He had died right there under our van. My heart was broken when I saw him lying there. Thankfully Cliff helped him as he sighed his last breath in Cliff's arms. I am glad he was not alone in his last moment.

Cliff backed the car up for me and turned the van around and said don't look at him but I couldn't stop looking. The sight of him motionless broke my heart. So, Cliff suggested I drive Courtney around the block, and so I did. And I sobbed as I drove around the neighbourhood until Cliff had him picked up in a cozy towel and placed gently into a cardboard box and wrapped him up. What a sad sight to see, my poor kitty lifeless in a box. Unfortunately as it was later in the evening, the vet places were all closed. So, we had to put him outside in a box, and then a wooden box (his old warm resting spot from the backyard) until this morning.

Early this morning my hubby Cliff drove him to the vet to have him cremated. We decided to leave his ashes with the other animals because I think that is what he would have wanted.

We miss you already dear Albert. I hope you get to play with Patchy cat today, and you can bask in the warm sunshine in your happy place.

Love you, and thank you for the warm memories. We will miss you. I am sorry I couldn't tell you goodbye.

Your Family xo

7 comments:

Allyson said...

Well February right up almost to the very last hours lived up to its' horrible reputation. Poor little Albert. I am so glad you went out last night, you would have wondered about it always.

Dad and I had noticed just a few visits ago that he wasn't looking his old self. Nona said he was having trouble breathing yesterday. He was a dear old guy that's for sure. I'm thinking of the children today. I am sure they are very sad. Carly, it's too bad we didn't get a friend for him earlier. You are so sweet.
Title this blog - Sad, Sad, Sadder Saturday. xxxxxxxxxxoooooooooo

Hope Walls said...

Oh, Cathy - my heart is breaking for you. When it rains it pours, hey?

Lots of love coming your way. Albert is beautiful.

Kerry said...

That is so sad. I am heartbroken with you. At the very least he had you there to cross his path and give him a home, food, and lots of love.

The Hoegler Family said...

Oh guys. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure Albert loved every minute he had with you!

Thinking of you!
Love from Hege

Anonymous said...

Oh, you guys... I am SO very sorry to read this sad, sad news... Like A.A. (your Mom) said, February is a horrible month... February was also the month that we ended our dear Pika's pain... I feel for you all. Losing a pet is never easy. They are not "just a pet", they are family. Like you mentioned, maybe Albert, Patchy and Pika are all basking in the sunshine together. Our thoughts and love go to you all. We love you. Andrea xo

Anonymous said...

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

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.

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.

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.

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 pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Love you ~ Andrea xo

Anonymous said...

Oh Cathy, Cliff and kids.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Albert. I know that Albert was your family member. I am so happy that he was able to have such a wonderful life with such a great family. May you always remember the wonderful things about Albert. My sympathies go out to you and your family.
Love to you.