FIBERGUY

I “met” Ray Whiting on-line about 9 years ago when I joined the Scribe Tribe, then a group dedicated to the art of journaling. He was the “other” token gay man in the group besides me. He has lived for many years in New Orleans and I learned through a friend (who still keeps in touch with him) that when Katrina hit he had not evacuated, primarily because he refused to leave without his dog, Hazel. Through the days that followed, we waited in horror as little bits and pieces of Ray’s story would get to us through his cell phone calls to his daughter in Houston. Ray has finally been evacuated to Houston to be with his family. He’s got a blog up and he’s writing frequently. He has much to say and many stories to tell. If you want to read some of them, go to his site, http://www.raywhiting.com//MyLife/

OK, you gotta check this out for yourself.

http://homepage.mac.com/whump/ujname.html

Yours,
Brother Cutlass of Desirable Mindfulness

(OK, I admit the humor may be lost on those unfamiliar with Unitarianism, but try it anyway.)

Here is the list of resources published in a local pet lover’s newspaper:

Animal Humane Society Pet Loss Support Group – 763-522-4325

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hours a day)
800-946-4646
Enter PIN #104-7211 then your phone number. The call will be returned promptly.

College of Vet Medicine at University of IL/C.A.R.E. Pet Loss Helpline
877-394-2273

Grief Recovery Hotline
800-445-4808

Iowa State University Pet Loss Support Hotline
888-478-7574

UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Loss Support Hotline
800-565-1526

Animal Love and Loss Network
www.alln.org

Animals in Our Hearts
www.animalsinourhearts.com

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
www.aplb.org

Argus Institute for Families and Vet Medicine
www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu

Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
www.vet.cornell.edu/public/petloss

Eternal Animals
www.eternalanimals.com

Gardens of Memory
www.gardensofmemory.com

Grief Healing
www.griefhealing.com

In Memory of Pets
www.in-memory-of-pets.com/pet-loss.htm

Kindred Spirits
www.hsus.org/kindred/index.html

Pet Loss
www.avma.org/care4pets/losspet1.htm

The Pet Loss Grief Support Website and Candle Ceremony
www.petloss.com

Rainbow Pet Memorial
www.rainbowpetmemorial.org

I can’t vouch for any of these sites – I haven’t checked them out yet. Just thought I would share them in case you or anyone you know might benefit from this info.

As a tribute to my furry friend, I thought I would post some pictures taken of him soon after I got him. He came home with me only a few days after the 9/11 tragedy. Those who knew him knew that he made himself completely at home in my house (as these pictures clearly attest) from the moment he arrived. He even started answering to his new name from the time I brought him home (his prior owners had boringly named him “Kitty”).

My worst fears about Jasper’s prognosis were realized this morning. When I woke up, Jasper was crying from downstairs and didn’t come up like he always does and I knew something was wrong and rushed downstairs to find Jasper on the floor, the back half of his body completely paralyzed. Ever since the last episode, I knew this day was a possibility. But you’re just never ready. I rushed him to the vet and long talks with the doctor about his continued prognosis, his worsening heart disease, left me with the difficult decision to make. In the end, I decided that Jasper was too good of a friend, too much of a love, to allow him to die slowly in bits and pieces as these clots from his heart broke off and stole his life bit by bit. I held him at the end and he was purring loudly and nestled his head in my arm as the doctor gave him the shot.

I feel like I’ve lost my best friend in the whole world, the one who listened to every complaint, endured with patience every bad mood, and always was there to love me and anyone who came into our home. I am bereft. This house is going to be so lonely without him. Who will cuddle quietly next to me now when I lay down to rest?