Tangerine: Responses

Many people have responded to Tangerine's story. I have tried to edit these in a way that will maintain the privacy of those who wrote. Here are some of the responses.

  • I wanted to extend my sympathies on the passing of Tangerine, your family cat. While I have never owned a cat myself, I am close to people who do (dogs too) and appreciate the love a family has for a pet, not to mention the impact of losing one. Besides, I have known you to be a lover of cats for more than 40 years now, and I've always appreciated that in you.
  • He posed so beautifully and gave you many, many happy memories. What a delightful tummy he had! No wonder he loved to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out and show it to the world. But it is never easy to lose a friend, and Tangerine was a special, special friend for a long time. Not long enough, but nothing could be long enough. The longer the bond goes on, the longer you both want it to go on. I am truly sorry that it could not go on forever.
  • I am so sorry to hear about his death, I know that no matter what people say they are just as much “family” as our kids (and for me sometimes more – they never talked back, always listened to me no matter what and were always there for me).
  • I’m so sorry Bill, but I’m sure he would thank you for not letting him suffer. My kids will be getting an extra hug tonight.
  • My sister has a theory about cats. She thinks that for all of us who love cats and have many of them in our lives, there is one cat who is The Cat. For her, it was her cat Will, who saw her through some rocky, interesting times. For me, it was Simon, who was there with me during some pretty tough transitions. For Bill, I would venture that Tangerine is The Cat. Not to hurt the feelings of Scampi, or Cheese, or Minus, or any of the other feline Blinns, but it just sounds like Tangerine is The Cat. [I had never heard of "The Cat", but that's exactly what Tangerine was.]
  • I'm crying. I know how much Tangerine meant to you. I STILL miss my beloved Sagan, friend for 15 years, and it's been 6 years. I know what this feels like. I'm sending you my best prayers, for your heart, and for wondrous Tangerine. May he play in kitty heaven where the grass is tall and green, and full of mice.
  • I know why Tangerine picked you. He knew instantly, instantly, that you would love him unconditionally and with all your heart, just as he loved you. They have such an instinct toward us. To be admitted, as a two-legged, into the Tribe of Tiger is an honor. Those of us who have had such dear friends in the feline kingdom have been given this gift.
  • I am sure my dog, Sybil, is making friends with Tangerine. He has left the worldly stage for a bigger part in a much larger stage.
  • Tiger Lily and I looked at the pictures; I couldn't possibly read anything because I'm trying to not spend so much of life my in tears.
  • I'm so sorry, Bill. I know how it is to lose a beloved pet—my darling Carrie Ann, the Dachshund Princess, my Little Pumpkin, left me on March 14 after 10 wonderful years of love and companionship, at the age of 15-1/2. I still expect to see her waiting for me at the top of the stairs, or to feel her solid warmth against my back in bed.
  • Schroeder and I have dedicated a moment of silence to the memory of Tangerine. How wonderful that you had so many good times together.
  • When you have sufficiently healed, I hope Clementine comes your way; be at peace, Bill—Tangerine still loves you!
  • Thank you for sharing Tangerine with us over the years. I'm glad he was able to hang in there to one last time visit the vet who has kissed him.
  • I have to let you know how sorry I am that Tangerine left. Thanks for the beautiful memorial. It sent me scrambling through all the pictures of all my beloved furry buddies, present and past.
  • Funny how pets become tiny family members in fur coats.
  • My deepest sympathy, to you and all your family -- but especially to you, because Tangerine was your cat (or you were his human rather).
  • I lost my own cat, Emma, a year and a half ago at the age of 17-1/2. One is never ready to lose a friend. I had to have her put down after two weeks of illness. It was most difficult to do it on my own, as I had lost my husband in a car accident two years earlier.
  • Tangerine was a lucky cat and I think you were a lucky man to have him. [I got the better half of the deal!]
  • It's such a hard thing to face, even when you know it's best for him. He was lucky to find a home with you so long.
  • The pictures of Tangerine in the sink (via posting long ago) made me smile. Clever boy that! Jack, the cat who walked into our front door 18 months ago and now lives here, also favors the sink.
  • I'll give Cassie an extra hug for you and Tangerine.
  • My eyes keep watering. I don't know what's wrong with them. When I looked at those pictures, they watered so much that once or twice Tangerine's beautiful orange face seemed to dissolve into a tiny little black one that left so similarly a few years ago, and I could feel the pain again that you're going through now. When you've lost someone so very close to you, that grief never really goes away. It becomes couched in memories and affection, even sleeps for a while, but when it comes back, it only proves that love is fresh and strong as ever. You will always have Tangerine.
  • On the street the average life span of a cat is only 4 years. So you did well by him.
  • It's always so heartbreaking, but especially so for "The Cat" (or in our case, "The Dog"). I hope you are prepared for the ginormous kitty pile-on that awaits you at the Bridge.
  • Stoic, sad, sweet—and immortal. A wonderful and well-told story, however bittersweet. The repeated quiet retreats to the underside of the bed get stuck in my throat. Nothing amiss in going gently with dignity. Thanks, even it did start my day in tears.

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