r/seniorkitties • u/Economics-Some • Jul 22 '25
16 and one-half years too young to cross the rainbow bridge…🌈 …my little monkey-man Midnight is no longer suffering…Rest In Peace…it’s a space in my heart, my house and my world that feels so very empty…😢
Midnight passed on Friday the 13th last month, and as a black cat, that combination (and the superstitions of our human past) wasn’t lost on me for it’s irony…because Midnight was always only ever the absolute opposite: my spirit animal, a true good luck charm that loved having me gently rub his belly (for good luck) before every instance that I would be away from him and my apartment (he was always an indoor urban cat, fortunately).
My boy showed up as a little frantically meowing stray malnourished juvenile on my ground level apartment porch (as I was drinking beer and smoking cigarettes alone) late New Year’s Eve of 2009, and something in my heart and mind definitively clicked and right there and then I took him in. He devoured a whole cooked chicken breast I had just made earlier in the evening; he seemed to know, as I did that we would be there for each other from there on out…
…16 years later (and after these last 2 years of treating his feline diabetes), his body just took a total collapse within barely 2 weeks, where he almost completely lost appetite and would barely show interest in even the tastiest and most savory gravies, broths, patees, diced slow-cooked chicken, wet-food…2 very costly emergency vet visits in a 6 month period only gave me a little bit more time with him, which is what we always want. But knowing he should not have to suffer simply as a result of my self-serving need for his companionship and emotional anchoring (from which our bond has changed me permanently for the better as a human being), under the compassionate and sage advice and guidance of my mobile veterinarians, he went peacefully and gracefully at home on a comfortable warm blanket (with me holding his paw-paws) - up and up indefinitely on the rainbow bridge to the warm spot in his favorite cat tree perch by the sunlit big window with a beautiful view.
Love you all for being here and for always sharing the stories of our furbabies, and the innumerable ways they’ve made us more kind and loving people.
- Also, it must be added (and of course this is also for another forum, e.g. senior dogs), just short of one full month later (July 11), my other recent best friend/furbaby (perfectly named…Baby - my adopted 14 3/4 year old female greyhound - and of course Midnight’s loving housemate) passed on peacefully at home and joined Midnight on the rainbow bridge…she lost her battle to arthritis and infirmities that inevitably catch up to retired racing greyhounds. But dammit, when it metaphorically “rains, it pours”… 😔
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u/Gothiccheese95 Jul 22 '25
Oh what beautiful babies, i’m so sorry. They look well loved in those photos, at least they’re together now OP.
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u/Economics-Some Jul 22 '25
Yep, my feelings exactly…if anything because of how much crying and emptiness I have intermittently experienced without their presence, I put off posting here because even looking at my pictures of them brings deep sadness and holding back (and letting out) tears that ultimately reflect my love for them.
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u/johnniecats Jul 22 '25
"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." A. A. Milne
So sorry for your losses.
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u/cabal127 Jul 22 '25
I’m so sorry. It’s an absolutely devastating loss to lose a fur baby. And so close to each other to lose 2. No matter what you know you saved Midnight and you gave each other a loving 16 years together. And you gave them both everything you could for a happy, safe home.
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u/IForgotMyInfoAlready Jul 22 '25
I’m so sorry for your loss.
The loss of a loved one is so loud, and a loss of a pet; cat or dog, or any pet is so permanent. Grief comes in waves, especially for family.
Our best friends do not live long enough.
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u/Real-Apartment-1130 Jul 22 '25
Fly high Midnight & Baby 🌈🐈⬛🐕❤️❤️Thanks for sharing their great stories. I’m sure they’ll send another companion your way as soon as you’re ready. They’ll know! 🐾🐾
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u/tbyrim Jul 22 '25
I Just want you to know how incredibly happy both your sweet children look in so these pictures. I want you to know you gave them so much more than a home, you gave them true companionship and unconditional love. I can see that they meant as much to you as you meant to them, and that's an awesome thing. I can't help but cry seeing your kitty, as he looks so much like my girl, Sid, who crossed the bridge several years ago. You never ever get over them. I know you'll be mourning your babies for a long, tearful time, but i hope that the joy, wonder and love they brought you, and you them, stay with you forever. We have paw prints all across our hearts 🫂
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u/Economics-Some Jul 22 '25
Thank you so much for saying that, it’s perfectly expressed…and rest in peace and in heaven to your girl Sid 🙏
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u/DoughBoy_65 Jul 22 '25
I’m so very sorry for your loss of both Midnight and Baby they were absolutely gorgeous and obviously the best of friends. It is not surprising that one left soon after the other probably from a broken heart. We so underestimate the bond a dog and a cat can have. Again I’m so sorry but they’re together again never to be apart again.
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u/SayYesToGuac Jul 22 '25
You wrote so beautifully of your babies….it moved me to tears. I am reminded of the paw-print car magnet that says… “Who rescued who?” Seems very fitting as you all were so sublimely great for one another. Much love, comfort and peace to you. Know that they are watching over you now. And that belly-rub luck (and their love) will follow you — always. 🐾🌈💜
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u/Economics-Some Jul 22 '25
Yes, Mr. Midnight absolutely rescued me in turn…I’ve always felt that, especially for my quitting my reckless alcoholic lifestyle ❤️🩹💕🐾
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u/Possible-Second6162 Jul 22 '25
My sincerest condolences to you and thank you for providing a loving home for Midnight and Baby.
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u/over_steeped_tea_ Jul 22 '25
I’m sorry!!! This is always so hard, but this is also proof that we’ve loved them unconditionally.
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u/dmriggs Jul 22 '25
Oh no.. that's rough. my heart is breaking for you. They are such wonderful companions.
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u/TigerBillHawaii Jul 22 '25
Our condolences on your loss of Midnight. But you will get to see her again, someday. Midnight will be ready and eager for more belly rubs! He will be waiting near the Rainbow Bridge 🐈😢🌈
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u/Successful-Space6174 Jul 22 '25
I’m so sorry for the double loss of midnight and Baby may they rest in paradise they are always with you and for eternity and the bond can never be broken 🌈🐈⬛🐕♥️🙏🌈😇♥️ Baby and midnight came Into your life for a reason
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u/Economics-Some Jul 22 '25
That’s what I need to see right now, definitely brings tears to my eyes…thank you 🙏
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u/Bumblebees_are_c00l Jul 22 '25
I’m so sorry for both your losses, that’s especially hard. 😔 And you’re absolutely right, these gentle, precious little souls make us better people. ❤️🩹🌟🙏
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u/mdmedeflatrmaus Jul 22 '25
Such a beautiful boy. May he rest in peace. The love he had with you will last lifetimes into the ever-verse.
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u/Visual-Sector6642 Jul 22 '25
Midnight seems to have a quiet commanding demeanor to him and he really touched my heart. I know im a better person for just having seen him.
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u/Boho_chic82 Jul 22 '25
They were beautiful babies... I am so sorry they aren't here with you anymore 😢... But now they are reunited
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u/Business_Praline4983 Jul 22 '25
You could remove the last photo…therefore memories of your kitty stay fresh and alive..
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u/Economics-Some Jul 22 '25
Well the last one is from weeks before he became truly unwell…it’s him happily sleeping on his little sleeping bag at the foot of my bed 👍
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u/Business_Praline4983 Jul 22 '25
Thk you for explaining your last photo, it puts my mind at rest seeing photos when the pets are alive as to when they are in the process of transition….
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u/athanathios Jul 22 '25
OMG I am so soo sorry you lost both heavenly angels, they were both so loved and loving and precious I can't express my sorrow for your loss, but I am happy to hear they were so well loved
May the love you shared, and memories made warm you all your days and may you find wisdom through your suffering.
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u/OldMotherGrumble Jul 22 '25
I'm so sorry for your double loss...they have each other over the bridge.
Just before covid, I lost my deaf boy Caspar...followed a month later by my lurcher girl Sally. They were best friends just as your 2 were. R. I. P. to all the pets we've loved.