I picked up Holly's ashes today

[MIButterfly]

They're in a nice little wood box. I also got a little clay plate with her paw print and name on it. Sigh.

When I was leaving the house with my purse on my arm, I wondered "where am I going?" and then I remembered.

A friend called me to see how I'm doing and we had a nice chat.

Martini and I went went upstairs to get her medicine and instead of turning left to go into the bathroom, she turned right and started running, the little rascal! She made me laugh.

I called her "Holly" twice today.

And so it goes.

[Nanuke]

1. How nice to honor dear Holly.

[MIButterfly]

11. Thank you, Nanuke!

[Ocelot II]

2. My condolences for your loss of Holly.

I have a few of those little boxes and pawprint plaques, too. It's hard...

[MIButterfly]

12. Thank you, Ocelot II!

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Holly, you are now in a place of love 💕 forever.

[MIButterfly]

13. Thank you, Polly Hennessey!

[underpants]

4. ❤️

[MIButterfly]

14. Thank you, underpants!

[George McGovern]

5. How sweet your little rascal made you laugh. I'm glad it goes.

[MIButterfly]

15. Thank you, George McGovern!

[TomSlick]

6. We recently had to have a cat put down.

For the first time, I decided that I'm past digging pet graves.

We had the little guy cremated. I had every intention of burying the urn using a post hole digger. Now I can't bring myself to do so. The little urn is pretty and doesn't take up much room on a shelf. I'm getting sentimental in my old age.

[3catwoman3]

9. For what it might be worth, in a different thread about pet loss...

...a few days ago, I shared this idea on terminology -

"In our family, we have chosen to call this most difficult decision "liberating the spirit."

I came up with the idea because it has a gentler feel to it than all the other usual terms. Put to sleep isn't accurate - we wish they were only sleeping. Euthanize sounds cold and clinical. Put down sounds harsh.

It helps a little.

Please know this is not criticism, just a thought that I found to be a bit of a balm to a grieving heart.

[MIButterfly]

10. Thank you, 3catwoman3

I like liberating the spirit much better.

Your kindness is appreciated.

[MIButterfly]

16. I'm so sorry for your loss, TomSlick

It never gets easier, does it?

[TomSlick]

20. No. It does not.

I tell myself that the price we pay for our pet's love is their shorter life span. The love justifies the grief.

[SheltieLover]

7. Martini worked her kitty magic to make you laugh.

Please be very gentle with yourself as you heal.

Healing vibes on the way to you & Martini.

[MIButterfly]

17. Thank you, SheltieLover!

[SheltieLover]

19. 💞

[JMCKUSICK]

8. Hugs to you and Martini MIButterfly

[MIButterfly]

18. Thank you, JMCKUSICK!