Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Mousetoescamper

(5,173 posts)
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:23 PM Nov 2022

My darling Penelope passed last month

Penelope had nasal lymphoma and rallied briefly with a course of steroids. When she began eating and drinking less and less with each passing day, I knew I'd have to let her go. My vet and her assistant were angels of mercy.

She was a year old when I got her, and her just-weened daughter Calliope, from a rescue shelter. She was with us for 14 years. I'm heartbroken. I think Calliope is grieving as well. We still have each other.

I sometimes look to find her in her usual haunts. Shortly after she died I thought I saw her shadow and felt her brush by me to get to her feeding bowl. She came to me in a dream last Thursday night. She jumped on my lap and was purring. I could feel her warmth and soft fur. I held her close until she struggled. Then she was gone.

It's taken more than a month to finally post this tribute. I just couldn't do it; couldn't find the strength or the words.

I love and miss you, Penelope.

The final photo is of her grave in my flower bed. I planted crocus bulbs in the mound and they'll bloom in the early spring--if the squirrels don't get them first.

Thanks for taking a moment to view this.

Penelope Penelopuss
2007-October 17, 2022





42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My darling Penelope passed last month (Original Post) Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 OP
So sorry for your lost WA-03 Democrat Nov 2022 #1
Thanks for your kind words, WA-03 Democrat. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #2
Penelope was so beautiful! brer cat Nov 2022 #3
Thanks, brer cat. The grief will fade but her memory is indelible. Calliope is a great comfort. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #8
I can't begin to imagine your pain right now. Nothing I can say beyond, good memories are a balm ... marble falls Nov 2022 #4
Thanks for your kindness, marble falls. It's never easy, but it's been a long time since I lost Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #10
so beautiful! Reminds me of our demigoddess Nov 2022 #5
Thanks, demigoddess. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #11
Lady Bast, please take Your little Penelope gently home in Your loving arms, and send peace niyad Nov 2022 #6
Thanks for your comforting benediction, niyad. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #12
A lovely tribute to a lovely cat. I'm very sorry for your loss. Ocelot II Nov 2022 #7
Thanks for the thoughtful quote and kind words, Ocelot II. To lose both within a month had to Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #16
What a beautiful girl! I am sending you hugs mousetoescamper . MLAA Nov 2022 #9
Thanks for the hugs, MLAA. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #17
Penelope was such a beautiful cat. What a lovely tribute you wrote skylucy Nov 2022 #13
Thanks for your kindness, skylucy. The dream is a great comfort. I got to hold her once more. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #18
So sorry for your loss IbogaProject Nov 2022 #14
Thanks for your kindness, IbogaProject. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #19
I am so sorry for your loss. irisblue Nov 2022 #15
Thanks for your condolence, Irisblue. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #20
Her eyes were filled with love for you in that first photo Sanity Claws Nov 2022 #21
Thanks for your kindness, Sanity Claws. She was a sweetheart. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #22
Deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved companion, Penelope. SheltieLover Nov 2022 #23
Thanks for your condolences and comforting benediction, SheltieLover. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #24
What a lovely girl. SlimJimmy Nov 2022 #25
Thanks for your kind words, SlimJimmy. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #30
Penelope looks precious. So happy you got to keep her for so long. judesedit Nov 2022 #26
Thanks for your kindness, judesedit. Looking forward to the spring blossoms. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #31
Beautiful Penelope StarryNite Nov 2022 #27
Thanks for your kindness, StarryNite. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #34
So very sorry for your loss Picaro Nov 2022 #28
Thanks for your condolence, Picaro. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #32
I am so very sorry for your loss of beautiful Penelope. lucca18 Nov 2022 #29
Thanks for your kind words, lucca18. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #33
I am so very sorry for your loss. That is a beautiful memorial you created for her. The wood Ziggysmom Nov 2022 #35
Thanks for your hugs and kind words, Ziggysmom. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #36
I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Penelope. 💔🐾 GentryDixon Nov 2022 #37
Thanks for your condolences, GentryDixon. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #38
Our Condolences ProfessorGAC Nov 2022 #39
Thanks for your condolences, ProfessorGAC. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #40
Oh So Beautiful and Lovely, too. CountMyVote4Reality Nov 2022 #41
Thanks, CountMyVote4Reality. Mousetoescamper Nov 2022 #42

brer cat

(26,281 posts)
3. Penelope was so beautiful!
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:32 PM
Nov 2022

I know there is a huge hole in your heart, but it will heal with time. Penelope's memory will be with you forever.

I'm sorry for your loss, and hope you and Calliope find peace.

marble falls

(62,083 posts)
4. I can't begin to imagine your pain right now. Nothing I can say beyond, good memories are a balm ...
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:34 PM
Nov 2022

... it will become easier.

It's hard to understand how they come to be so much for us. They just do.

Mousetoescamper

(5,173 posts)
10. Thanks for your kindness, marble falls. It's never easy, but it's been a long time since I lost
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:54 PM
Nov 2022

someone so dear to me.

demigoddess

(6,675 posts)
5. so beautiful! Reminds me of our
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:35 PM
Nov 2022

cat named Tonto. The first night we had him,(he was 6yrsold) he cuddled up to comfort my daughter's back which is malformed from scoliosis. And he played with her to make her laugh. I feel he is in heaven on the right hand of Jesus to reward him. He was given up because his owners thought he would hurt their future baby. He never hurt a fly or a bird.

niyad

(119,950 posts)
6. Lady Bast, please take Your little Penelope gently home in Your loving arms, and send peace
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:43 PM
Nov 2022

and comfort to her grieving loved ones.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful Penelope. Clearly she loves, and is loved. She will be there for you when you need extra comfort.

A truly worthy resting place.

Ocelot II

(120,883 posts)
7. A lovely tribute to a lovely cat. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 08:47 PM
Nov 2022

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." - Irving Townsend

I lost my wonderful 17-year-old Milo during the summer of 2020 to the same disease, only a month after my other wonderful cat Jeoffry died suddenly of a stroke. Both of them continued to manifest out of the corner of my eye sometimes, usually in the evening, and I still hear their footsteps once in awhile. Your beautiful Penelope is still with you, too, in some way.

Mousetoescamper

(5,173 posts)
16. Thanks for the thoughtful quote and kind words, Ocelot II. To lose both within a month had to
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 09:10 PM
Nov 2022

be devastating. I'm sorry for your loss as well.

skylucy

(3,854 posts)
13. Penelope was such a beautiful cat. What a lovely tribute you wrote
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 09:02 PM
Nov 2022

about her. So very sorry for your loss. I love that she came to you in a dream.

Sanity Claws

(22,038 posts)
21. Her eyes were filled with love for you in that first photo
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 09:39 PM
Nov 2022

She loved you, no doubt about that. You are grieving but take comfort in knowing that she loved you for all you did for her.

SheltieLover

(59,618 posts)
23. Deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved companion, Penelope.
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 10:04 PM
Nov 2022

I'm so glad she came to you in a dream.

May your precious cherished memories bring a smile to your face & healing to your heart.

Healing vibes on the way to you, Calliope & all. 💓💓💓

SlimJimmy

(3,251 posts)
25. What a lovely girl.
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 10:50 PM
Nov 2022
"One day, all the cats we’ve ever loved will all come running towards us, and that day will be a good day."

judesedit

(4,510 posts)
26. Penelope looks precious. So happy you got to keep her for so long.
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 10:51 PM
Nov 2022

She had a great life. Her memorial will look lovely come springtime. Pets sure do tug at our hearts, minds and souls. They are never forgotten. So nice we can meet with them again and again in our dreams.

StarryNite

(10,827 posts)
27. Beautiful Penelope
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 10:51 PM
Nov 2022

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Just know she is with you still and she wants you to know that.

Picaro

(1,799 posts)
28. So very sorry for your loss
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 10:57 PM
Nov 2022

She was beautiful. I know how much it hurts when you lose a piece of your soul.

lucca18

(1,316 posts)
29. I am so very sorry for your loss of beautiful Penelope.
Mon Nov 21, 2022, 11:09 PM
Nov 2022

What beautiful eyes!
I know that it hard.
Please take care.
❤️

Ziggysmom

(3,575 posts)
35. I am so very sorry for your loss. That is a beautiful memorial you created for her. The wood
Tue Nov 22, 2022, 06:05 AM
Nov 2022

carving appears to be watching over her; did you create it?

She looks like such an angel in those photos. Penelope reminds me of my Mr. Ziggy Piggles who crossed over more than seven years ago. I will always be eternally grateful that out of all the wonderful cats in the world, I had THE one who was absolutely perfect for me, from our first day together to our last.

Sending you and Calliope hugs from Stanley, Sophia and Me, their humble guardian.

Mousetoescamper

(5,173 posts)
36. Thanks for your hugs and kind words, Ziggysmom.
Tue Nov 22, 2022, 06:28 AM
Nov 2022


My late father carved the "wood spirit" on an old locust fence post sometime around 2008, the year I got the cats.
41. Oh So Beautiful and Lovely, too.
Mon Nov 28, 2022, 04:10 AM
Nov 2022

I can see how Penelope's spirit is still with you. What a gift you were to each other and still with Calliope, too. Sorry for the delayed response. I only came across your "Stop and smell the geraniums" a few moments ago. Both are gorgeous creatures.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Pets»My darling Penelope passe...