Windwalker Maine Coon Cats
Hasta Luego - Until we see you again
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Rainbow Bridge Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together... Author Unknown |
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^ Wellington, five months old |
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^ Wellington, five months old |
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^ Wellington, five months old |
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^ Ranger, three years old |
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| Ranger, eight years old, in the prime of his life. |
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| And we remember when they were young. |
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| ^ Chula one week old |
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| ^ Chula, three weeks old |
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| ^ Chula, six weeks old |
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| ^ Chula, weighing herself |
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| ^ Melchor, eight months old |
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-------------------------- In one of those stars I shall be living. -------------------------- Stop all the clocks, He was my north, my south, The stars are not wanted now; "Funeral Blues" by W.H Auden -------------------------- They are all gone into the world of light, Their very memory is fair and bright, |
| Nothing can replace our lost companions, and the depth of our sorrow equals the depth of our love. With time we accept that they have closed their eyes in peace, to pass into the land of promise, which from here we cannot see, but in which we can believe and which we hope to attain.
The memory of the adorable kitten they once were and the wonderful companion they have been is one of the most difficult parts of letting them go. It's so hard to say good-bye when it's their time to leave, but because we love them so much, we do what we can to smooth their transition. They would love to stay, but they know when they can't get better. We thank them for our years together, tell them we love them, and help them leave with dignity. The last thing they hear is my voice saying their name. This is our page of tribute to our cats that have gone ahead. Hasta luego, until we see you again. |
| Windwalker Wonder |
July 28, 2005 - January 28, 2022 |
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For 16-and-a-half years we shared our lives with this sweet, charming boy. When we learned that Wonder had Inflammatory Bowel Disease, we managed it and he had a comfortable and happy time with us until the sunny January day when he went on ahead. Wonder woke early his last day, in his warm bed on his cot in his special place by the window, and waited patiently for the birds to come. Then he spent the day in his favorite spots in the yard, enjoying the breeze and absorbing the warmth of the sun, until it was time to go. We weren't ready to say goodbye, but Wonder was finished with his journey. Rest in peace, gentle man. You were the most Wonderful cat in the world. |
| Windwalker Tyrone Power |
March 15, 2010 - October 26, 2021 |
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Tyrone was so sweet, whenever you called his name, he responded with a funny little meow, and he loved mind melds, bumping his forehead to yours. He was the best at fitting in to the smallest box. Tyrone was only eleven when we discovered he had cancer. His time with us was finished and we gave him the gift of release from pain to eternal rest. I miss my boy so much. |
| < | Windwalker Sunny |
August 27, 2016 - May 1, 2023 |
He was a gentle, abiding presence in our lives until, when he was just six-and-a-half, he contracted FIP and died of that lethal virus.
May he rest easy now. We will always remember and love our sweet boy. |
| Broadsway Wellington of Windwalker |
April 13, 2005 - June 24, 2020 |
Our brave, beautiful Wellington brightened our lives for 15 years. At left he is two and below 11 years old. The final picture he was 15. He was so sweet and friendly, when people came to get kittens, they would say "Never mind, can we just take Wellington?"
His last years, Wellington suffered from arthritis in his hips and pelvis. We helped him, with medicine and nutrition and the Assissi Loop, but squamous cell carconoma in his mouth was the end.
On June 24, 2020, he spent the cool morning in his favorite places in his yard. Then we said his name and told him we loved him as his vet helped his soul leave his body, which could no longer support it. In the picture below, Wellington is almost 14 and Panama is 11. He and Panama were always together. Now their ashes are mingled. Until we see you again, our sweet, beautiful boys.
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The immensity of loss is measured against the endlessness of time |
| Mainelyclassic Panama of Windwalker |
Panama is one year old in this picture. As cats do, Panama hid the signs of the tumors in his intestines, spleen and kidney. |
| Windwalker Caviar |
| December 14, 1998 - February 20, 2017 |
Caviar was from our first litter. She tapped our leg when she wanted a treat or a hug and slept with us every night. She was 18 years old when we let her go. Our hands were the first to hold her when she came into this world and the last to hold her as she left. We think of you, cuddled again with your mom, son and sister, who have gone ahead. Sleep well, sweet girl. We miss your gentle presence. Wish you were here... I just wish you were here. |
Windwalker Elwood Blues |
June 23, 2001 - August 27, 2015 |
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Our beloved Elwood was 12 in the picture above. He was Caviar's son, and such a gentle man. He never complained, despite radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism when he was nine, and having his rear leg removed because of cancer in the cartilage when he was 12. When he was 14 we found a massive tumor in his chest. Run free now Elwood, on all four legs, as in your mind you always did. |
They say that all good things must end someday |
Windwalker Chula |
| May 6, 2001 - June 29, 2015 |
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"Chula," means "dandy" or "neat" in Spanish, and she certainly was. So pretty; so happy to be with us; Chula chirped and talked, and she had the loudest purr in the house. She would keep us awake, she purred so loud. Chula developed diabetes when she was 12. We thought she had it beat, no insulin needed, but it took its toll on her kidneys. When she was 14, we said good-bye. The last thing she heard was my voice saying "I love you Chula," as she slipped away. |
Once upon a time and long ago My child, my very own, Don't be afraid, you're not alone |
Windwalker Melchor O'Campo |
May 27, 2001 - July 13, 2015 - 14 years |
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Broadsway Moriah of Windwalker |
| December 29, 1997 - February 6, 2012 - 14 years |
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Windwalker Sophie |
| March 15, 2000 - April 4, 2011 |
In October 2010, she developed fibrosarcoma, a very aggressive cancer for which nothing can be done. We loved and cared for her until it was clear she was uncomfortable. On a sunny April day in the garden, our vet gave her the gift of release from pain. Now Sophie lives forever in my heart. Memory. All alone in the moonlight,
- Musical "Cats" Memory |
Windwalker Arcturus |
October 3, 2003 - February 1, 2007 |
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One year, 10 months at left. In a breed known for incredible personality, Arcturus, like his mother Sophie, was a very special cat. He would look directly at me with so much soul in his eyes. When he was a "whole" male, he would sleep at night in a crate in our bedroom. That was so important to him that every evening he sat at the screen door from the boys' wing to the dining room and cried, "Don't forget me! It's time for me to come in!" He sired a couple of litters and then we retired him so he could be with us all the time.
Good night, Arcturus. I'll see you in my dreams. |
We were born before the wind, also younger than the sun - Van Morrison |
Lone Ranger of Windwalker |
August 4, 1996 - August 5, 2011 |
Deeply loved. Irrevocably lost. |
Intelligent, beautiful and dignified, Ranger was my best friend, and part of me left with him. Thank you Ranger, for 15 years of your love.
Ranger is six years old at left and 15 years old above. Ranger would shake hands, give "high five," and, when asked "How tall are you?" stand up and stretch. But his favorite, unprompted behavior was to give us a hug.
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You know how long I loved you |
Love you when we're apart. John Lennon, Paul McCartney |
| Born May 17, 1995. Laid to rest February 3, 2005. |
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When it was clear that it was time, we let him go. We loved him and miss him very much, but we are relieved that he is now at peace, dancing with butterflies and chasing leaves in the warm wind.
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Coonyham Kemosabe of Windwalker |
| January 29, 1997 - December 31, 2002 - Five years, 11 months |
Everyone, and all the cats, loved his gentle spirit. He comforted the girls, cuddled the kittens, and calmed the boys.
We didn't get to say good-bye, so Farewell, Kemosabe. Our hearts are broken, but not as badly as yours. We will always love you, and will see you again some day.
Day is done. Gone the sun.
From the hills, from the lake, |
"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened." |
Windwalker Gatsby - 2004 |
To Gatsby, our sweet, sweet boy, who purred the whole time.
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We loved our Sunny Boy so much. His favorite place to nap was on the shelf of a cat tree, upside-down as in the picture at left.
Loving and sweet, Melchor was super intelligent. If he went outside after a storm, he patrolled the "fence-in" along the top of the fence to see if it was dislodged and if it was, he jumped out of the yard and ran to sit on the front porch, waiting to be let in the house.
Moriah was our first breeding female. Her kittens took her beautiful personality to their new homes and honored their families with the love they learned from her.
She was fourteen when cancer in her mouth took her from us.
Sometimes you share your life with a very special cat. Sophie was that cat. She was my girl. 
Touch me
Arcturus, brightest star in the northern hemisphere. 
Three years, four months old in the picture at right. Very serious here. He knew he was sick. I only sensed it. I can't believe he's gone. I will miss him forever. 
Ranger made sure he was on our bed every night, and slept with his head on his own pillow, purring with happiness to be with us. Gentle and sweet, he gave us kisses and groomed every cat or kitten that came up to him. 
At left, Ranger is 11. We treasured every day with him, until in July 2011, I felt a lump in his abdomen. We celebrated his 15th birthday and told him how much we loved him. The next day, we said farewell.
Toto was our first Maine Coon cat - very intelligent and sweet. We wish he could have stayed longer, but his body failed him. He fought valiantly against cancer of the lymphatic system for more than two years. 
Our beautiful, sweet Kemosabe died a "sudden death" from complications of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.* He was active and happy the day he died, slept in the sun and requested his special treat at dinner, but I missed him at the New Years Eve party. That was so unlike him that when our friends left, I found him asleep, but too still. His heart had failed and his soul had passed quietly away. 
Every day he made us laugh, chasing his tail, grooming our hair to show how much he loved us. If only his heart had been as strong as his love.
Gatsby contracted pyothorax when he was four months old. After three days in the ICU at UC Davis Veterinary Clinic, we let him go.Copyright © 2023 Windwalker Maine Coons