Well, I knew this day would come. I guess I was hoping it would be later on, but today we put my our sweet boy, Siddhartha or Sidd for short, to his final rest.
Sidd was found by my friend Deeg on the state hospital grounds. She wanted to add him to her family, but her cat Bill would not allow another alpha male in his home. I only had one cat at the time and welcomed him into our little family. That was in the summer of 1996.
He surprised me one day while I was decorating the house for Christmas. He got up on the table and sat right in the middle of the wreath.

Sidd is named for one of my favorite books, Siddhartha. Sidd almost died when I first got him, and I felt I took a difficult journey with him almost immediately on taking him in.
Sidd was an outside and inside cat most of his life until we moved up here in 2007. He loved being outside in the sun. Here he is in 1998 sitting on my friend Joy’s truck out in the driveway.



He loved the deck at that house so when we finished the one here, he absolutely loved to spend time out there.


He would love to be outside but he loved also being inside where he spent a lot of time sleeping.

It was rare that I would be able to sit in the livingroom without him on my lap, even in this past month. In fact, it seemed like he’s wanted to be with me even more since his health has been declining.

When he wasn’t on my lap, he was on the floor here by my feet or close by.

During our life together Sidd only left me once in 2003 or 2004. I was frantic. I visited the usual places – Humane Society and the pound – and put up posters and knocked on neighbors doors. Then three days after he left, here he came limping to the door wanting in. His physical showed no breaks – evidently he had just sprained his leg. He never wandered far from home after that.
I always wanted him to write a childrens’ book. In fact I had designed the cover and even started on the chapters, but he never got around to finishing it. I told him several years ago, as he approached the age of when kitties usually leave me – 11 years – that he needed to get me to write that book before he left. Maybe I’ll work on it this next year.
In November we took Sidd to the vet for what we thought was an abscess in his mouth. It turned to be a tumor. Doc operated on him but told us that he couldn’t guarantee he could get all of the tumor. After surgery, he seemed to be doing good. Then we noticed that the tumor was growing back and now it was growing faster. We took Sidd to the doc last Thursday and were told that there was nothing that could be done.
He was a big cat weighing in at 17 pounds in 2006. A year and a half ago he weighed 14 pounds. Sidd weighed 9.5 pounds today. He had these sweet puffy cheeks, a great disposition (well, most of the time) and was so friendly. When I took him in for his physical or to board, the vet staff would just love him and go on and on about his cute face. He seemed to win everyone’s heart including Dave’s. See Dave’s post about Sidd HERE.
It was hard saying goodbye this morning. He has been a big part of my life for the last 15 1/2 years. He was my sweet baby, a momma’s boy. But I know now he’s at peace next to Shel.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my Walter this last July and it was heartbreaking. A new little man, well not so little, came into my life in October, but I sill always miss my Walter.
I would love to read that book someday.
Peace,
Ronda
Ronda recently posted..Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Hawthorne!
Ronda, Thanks. Lynda
I am sorry for your loss.
Shared tears and sorrow are with you this day on your loss of Sidd. I still mourn my Brit’s passing in late 2003, a large Maine Coon male that was my baby as Sidd was yours. I haven’t had a cat since, but hope to get one later in 2012, now that we are settled here in Muncie. Your words and photos were a touching tribute.
Lynda, I am so sorry you are having to go through this so soon after losing your other one. Wow. Do you think you will be getting more kitties soon?
Looking forward to our day together.
kathy recently posted..Monday
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I will definitely be watching for his story book.
what a sweet cat! you were lucky to have each other. i said goodbye to my tabby on christmas eve. i find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering, but still miss her terribly. i hope to soon be able to open my heart up to another kitty in need.
kelli recently posted..remembering our fur baby
I’m so sorry for the loss of your fur-baby. It’s never easy. I lost my cat Zipper a few years ago and I have a pic of Zipper where he looks exactly like Sith.
Oh, so sorry about your kitty! In our family, departed pets ” go to the moon”. I hope Sid is playing with other beloved pets there. Look up and see his nice new home. sounds like his old home was a special place, too!
We are never ready to let them go. I’m so sorry to read of Sidd’s passing. I always wish and wonder why our furry babies cannot live as long as us, such undying love and devotion they give us. I’m sharing your broken heart and tears. I know I’m not far off from where you are now. My sweet Glove is nineteen and a half. Sidd was sure a handsome kitty.
warm hugs,
Jaime
Jaime Haney recently posted..New painting of baby barn owl
I’m so sorry Lynda! He sounds and looks like a very sweet cat. He reached such an old age for a cat and had a wonderful life with you all that time. Again, so sorry 🙁
Kristina recently posted..merry christmas
I’m so sorry for your loss of Sidd. He is at peace now, free of pain, and basking in the sun forever. I think you should stitch up an art piece in his honor. It will be therapeutic for you and will make you think of him each time you see it. He might like it, too.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your furbaby! He looks a lot like my maine coon, I too hope to have 15 wonderful year with him. HUGS
Young Wifey recently posted..A Year of Free Stuff
I am sorry about you losing Sidd. I enjoyed reading about his story with you. He was quite handsome.
Diana
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved pet. I know by reading your blog today that he knew he was loved very much. Your memories of him are the most healing power you have. Take care.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your Sidd was absolutely beautiful and Im so moved by his story!
My BIL had a cat ‘Stemper who was loved by all- he would want to be held like a baby and had a distinct meow when he wanted picked up and held. When he passed I was so overcome with grief, it was a senseless accident and couldnt stop worrying about ” his afterlife”. It may sound silly, but it really consumed me. For days, I was in a deep painful state. I went back to class and I went outside for a break. I was thinking of ‘Stemper again and ” heard” his distinct meow! I felt a rub on my legs, just like he would do an looked down to see a very large leaf, but certainly not enough to exert the pressure I felt from a rub. My heart was very relieved and I ” knew” he was happy and in a beautiful place. Sending big hugs to you and love to Sidd.
So so sorry to hear about Sidd. You have had a rough year loosing two of your dear pets. Although many of the pictures you posted are great, I have to say that the picture of Sidd on Top 2004 is my favorite. What a cat attitude!
Hold all these memories close as I’m sure they will bring a smile to your face.
Robin recently posted..Thursday’s Kitchen Cupboard……..12/29/2011
I am so very sorry for your loss. You must be devastated. Praying for your comfort.
Trece Wyman recently posted..Merry Christmas!!
Lynda, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved kitty. Wishing you peace as you remember your years together.
mandy recently posted..peace within
I am so sorry to read of your loss. You certainly gave Sidd a wonderful home, and you were fortunate to find each other.
I understand exactly how you feel when you write that it is hard to say goodbye. I lost my buddy the same way two summers ago, due to an aggressive oral tumor, which I thought was an abscess. I remember the shiver when the vet told me it was a tumor.
Bless you, and peace and comfort to you during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry you lost your sweet cat. I lost my golden last month after only 7 1/2 years. He was my dear Teddy. My sympathy to you.