My sweet Cookie,

From the moment I saw you at the cat cafe, I knew you were meant to be my baby.

I had just lost my boy Marshie to cancer, and seeing you there- making aggressive muffins and wanting nothing but love- made the pain hurt a little less. You only had one eye, but that one eye reflected back at me, and it felt like Marshie sent you to me.

When I finally took you home, I knew it was meant to be. You’d make the most aggressive muffins on me, and meow the loudest at dinner time… we’d share a burger together, or cheeto puffs. You were really my little shadow, and you were so good with your siblings.

When you got sick, I was heartbroken that i’d have to let you go just like I let Marshie go, but The 5 months we spent together are something I will cherish deep in my heart forever.

You were truly my bestfriend, and you made such a impact on my life, and your cat brothers and sisters. We all miss you so much Cookie Bear.

Thank you for being YOU. You were truly one of the most incredibly cats i’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I miss you so much. Words can’t describe the emptiness I feel without you next to me every night.

I know we’ll meet again, but i’ll forever be looking forward to the day I see you on the rainbow bridge 🪽. I love you Cookie, rest easy my baby.

Yours,

Hailey

My dearest Princess Lyla,

It’s coming up to 5 days since you left us.

After 12 years of buzz and laughter and life around you, we now wake up to silence, often doing things that became second nature. We side-step water bowls that are not there anymore. We gingerly push doors open lest you are lying just behind. We imagine hearing your footsteps coming to the kitchen to complain about lunch being late …. 10 minutes before regular time…

I wait in my study on Saturday mornings for you to wake up and come rocking up to me saying Let’s Go … it’s Walk time!

It’s an endless list really.

I will continue grieving for you until I can make peace with myself and your passing.

I loved you more than anyone else. And you knew that. You knew I would always make you safe… even from the torture of brushing teeth…

Now you’re gone and all that I can do is pen these thoughts.

So many people say that we should seek succour in that you had a life full of the best we could give you, full of our love and all of our time when we were together. Some people say we should find relief that you didn’t have to suffer more than 2 days.

That doesn’t cut it for me. I wanted both of us to live and be together forever. So there are no discounts for me and I seek no relief on your leaving us. I will live through this pain in whatever intensity it comes each day, and for however long it keeps coming.

The night of 25th June was the last night I spent with you. You were suffering, couldn’t move, couldn’t turn, couldn’t raise your head. I lay next to you on the floor our bodies in touch as I petted you nonstop till around 4am I think when my shoulders hurt so bad that I couldn’t pet you anymore. I only wish I had more strength to go on.

I kept my word and stayed with you till the end, petting and talking to you for those final 3 minutes. Even nonsensical stuff like how you were losing hair. Anything that came to mind. Until you went to sleep for the last time.

How I wish you were here.

Love,

Papa

My sweet Jasmine,

I still am in a bit of shock that you're gone. My mind knows it, but my heart is still processing it. Just two weeks ago everything seemed fine and normal. And then quickly you became sick. You were such a part of our lives these 14 years. You brought such love and comfort to Mack, especially, during hard times and the rough stuff that a teenager has to go through. For me, you were a resource of comfort and peace--when I would have a rough day at work, I could go into Mack's room where you would be in your usual spot--her bed--and I would get down on my knees and cuddle up with you while you were sleeping peacefully. Or, if you were awake, you would see me and greet me with your sweet little short meows to say 'hey, what's up Dad!'

I miss you playing with Ken, even though I know you couldn't stand him. He would try to play with you to get a reaction and you would swipe and hiss at him, and he would bark in retaliation, but I secretly think he loved the abuse. He was notably sad last week when you got sick. And because you were not in your usual state of mind, you rubbed up against him (a dog, yes you did haha!) and he didn't know what to think. It was sweet at the same time.

I'm going to miss hearing the sudden spontaneous gallops from upstairs over absolutely nothing. Or hearing you jump down from your food and water counter when I'm downstairs working.

It's so hard to imagine you not being here now. We've lived in three houses since you came into our lives as a small kitten. Everywhere we have lived you have been in our lives equally. The house just seems so empty. Yes, all four of us are still here and Ken is still here. But it seems so empty. There is a huge gaping hole in my heart now and I don't know if it will ever go away. They say in time it will get smaller, but right now I'm not sure it will. And part of me doesn't want it to, not because I want to wallow around in misery, but because I'm afraid I'll forget you, or maybe forget some things about you. I don't want that to happen. Each morning these past three days when the sun comes up, I feel guilty. Guilty that time is continuing with you. I feel like we left you behind and all alone. We were all there with you when you passed on, with Mack holding you close to her heart. These images will haunt me forever. I keep seeing the life just leave your paws and your body. I know you were in great pain and not very aware of what was going on, but you were still breathing, you were still with us. I don't want to let you go. Just one more time, I keep saying. Hold you and love you one more time. But I know it wouldn't be enough. Just like I know there is nothing we could have done to save you. Money was not an issue, I would have paid for it all, but we knew based on your condition, none of it could have saved you. But I still feel like we just left you. I am so sorry for that. I wish there was some way you could tell me that it didn't feel that way to you.

Fourteen years of memories is a lot to unpack. I keep remembering things I had forgotten about. You used to love to spend 97% of your time upstairs, so these past few days I have been spending 97% of my time downstairs, other than to go upstairs to sleep, just because everything remind me of you. We've been keeping busy this weekend, staying out of the house and doing things as a family. Coming home to the house without you in it is always something I dread. You should be here. I feel you all around. But you're not. I don't know when I can accept that or be ok with that. It is my prayer and hope I will see you on the other side. And I also hope that maybe months or a year from now I can come back here and write another letter to you.

Missing you,

Dad

My sweet Tink,

It feels impossible to continue without you. I can’t believe that even though you’re not here, the world spins, and time still moves forward. Making the decision to let you go felt unbearable and it broke my heart holding you then. You will always be my baby.

Say hi to Mable and some old friends while you rest. I am so sorry for the suffering you endured your last couple of days, I never wanted you to experience that much pain. Keeping you would have been selfish and if anything, I am so glad you are not suffering anymore.

The eight years I had with you are irreplaceable, YOU are irreplaceable. I love you so much my Tink, I will look for you everywhere I go and in everything I do.

Love,

Mama

Dear Shelly,

Hi honeybunnies! Today is a beautiful day, finally after such a long wet winter. Wet spring too but today is a day you would love to run and roll in the grass. It is June 11, 2025. You left us May 30, 2025. Your passing has been unbearable. I am crying pretty much non-stop for you, or for me because I miss you so so much. I'm going to tell you why:

You came to us permanently on March 19, 2016, your birthdate was estimated at October 29, 2014. You were rescued from Arkansas. I don't know what kind of life that was, but I know it wasn't good.

I loved walking you. You were so strong though, and you pulled me all the time. I slowly started to let you off leash. You chased whatever you could, sometimes scaring me when I couldn't find you for a while. You ran across a busy road one morning chasing deer. I felt my stomach drop. You always came back, when you were ready.

We moved to our own place in Holliston. I loved having you sleep with me in the bed, your soft, consistent snoring making me feel safe.

There were so many trails there and we walked all the time. You were much better about coming back and it was great to let you off leash to run and chase. I remember once you crashed your head hard into a tree - but you caught the chipmunk. We were out in rain, snow, blistering hot and freezing cold weather. There were many times you would look at me and I at you and we would turn home. But we always, always gave it our best shot.

Then we met Tim and Pluto and everything changed. The four of us did everything together. Pluto made sure you loved him, and you did. We spent weekends hiking the trails. We ate together, we slept together.

You gave me love, you gave me comfort, you gave me laughter. When I was sad you would walk close to me. There were a lot of walks I cried on and you looked at me and I hugged you. You looked at me when you were uncertain; you would position yourself between my legs for butt rubs; you would get up and come to the door when I got home and we would go for our walk; you loved riding in the car with your head out the window; you would sit in my seat if I had to run an errand and leave you in the car; you let me rub your belly and would push against me with your paw; when we moved in with Tim and Pluto it did not take you long to be comfortable. Again, it was the four of us, every day. We took you two where ever we could. Maine, the Cape, we always found trails. You taught Pluto how to eat an ice cream.

Then Pluto died. We were devastated. If you could have shed tears you would have. For weeks, months, you walked slowly on the trails, you were so sad, it was palpable. It was the three of us, you, me and Tim. We continued doing the same as we always did, the walks, the afternoon treats, the three of us sleeping together. It was just different. The way you would wait on the front steps to be escorted to the car for a walk. I wish I could explain to you just how much you meant, and still mean, to me. Shelly I love you. Nine years we were together. When suddenly on May 30, it seemed you couldn't get up. We brought you to the ER later that evening and they found a burst tumor squeezing your heart. When you came back to us for your final moments you licked our faces, and for that I will be forever grateful. And then you were gone from our lives. Never from my heart. This incredibly painful, empty feeling I have without you. Please, Shells, don't ever leave my heart. I think I did the best I could for you. You had a beautiful, fun, adventurous, loving, safe life and I am grateful for that. I am grateful for you. I love you Shells. This is not a goodbye, but a letter to say what you mean to me, to say I hold you in my heart. I miss you.

Love always,

Mom

Little coco,

It's been 6 months since I lost you and I miss you so much. There is an empty place inside me that as hard as I try to fill it remains empty. That place was yours and will always be. You saved my life . I couldn't save yours , I know that now but that doesn't stop the hurt and emptyness. I still expect to see you sometimes

I miss you.

Jon

Love,

Jon

To Chichi,

To Our Sweet Baby Girl Chichi,

We love you more than words can say. You made us laugh at the funniest things your little body did. You're so smart, beautiful and so full of love. You gave us almost 17 years of yourself with love. You were your daddy's girl. The way you would curl up on his lap where he wouldn't get up so that he wouldn't wake you. The cute way you would bark in your sleep and get the high power zoomies when he would come home. So many sweet memories you left us with. For as little as you were you had the attitude of a lion to protect your daddy. You gave of yourself as a Therapy Dog for 8 years. You would pose for pictures that were in magazines and the paper. You would let children read to you at the library. You gave your all and then more. You were such a gentle soul. Little with a big heart. We will always love and miss you. We will carry you in our hearts with your name on our lips. We will meet you at the bridge so that we will be together again. Thank you baby for being in our lives.

Love,

Mama and Daddy

My sweet Pascal,

I’m so sorry for not taking better care of you. You only had 6 short months with us but everyone loved you so much. You were so full of personality, and letting you go was the hardest decision of my life. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to celebrate any milestones besides your first shed, and I’m sorry that you were never big enough to meet your big sister. She loves your brother and it breaks my heart that she never got a chance to love you. I’m so sorry for the pain you must’ve been in on your last day, and for maybe months before that. I hope you were comfortable when you left, I got to hold you afterwards and I never wanted to let go. I hope you grow big and strong with all the crickets you could ever want in the afterlife.

Love,

Leo

Sweet Boomer,

Thank you for the wonderful 16 years you gave me. You kept me alive when I was at my lowest, and every day I got to spend with you brightened my day. I'm sorry for the mistakes I made. And I'm sorry for the pain you suffered at the end. Thank you for letting me stay by your side, letting me hold your head until the last breath. Thank you for all the joy, silliness, fun, and love you brought to my life. You taught me how to attach and what it feels like to love and be loved coming from a world where I knew little of such things. You were my home, a place where I felt safe. It was an absolute honor to be your caregiver and companion. You're my best friend, and I will miss you more than words can convey. Take your rest now, sweet baby and know you've done the greatest work you ever could - being there for me and being yourself, happy and free. Even though your time in this world may be over, your impact will live on for decades to come. I love you Boomer.

Love,

Lauren R

To My Sons, Logan and Seth,

I love you and miss you both immensely. The one year anniversary of your passing, Logan, was this past February. Seth, your one year anniversary is coming up in May. My soul broke when you each left, and the fact that you both passed away just three months apart only compounds the pain that I am feeling. The grief is unbearable and I am finding it more than impossible to cope.

You were not just my pets. You were my everything. You were my children, my boys. You were my greatest teachers, healers, guides, supporters and most importantly, my greatest loves. For 17 and a half years, you both helped me through some of the most difficult and most challenging moments of my life. You literally saved me. You gave me purpose. You gave me the greatest, most beautiful unconditional love. I miss that... I miss your loves so very much. I need that desperately, especially right now with all the bullshit happening in the world right now.

I look for you everywhere, and I constantly call out your names repeatedly throughout the day no matter where I am. When I wake up in the morning, I call out your names to have you both join your Daddy and me around the house. If we leave anywhere, I call out your names to have you both join us in our outings. When it's time to sleep, I carry the boxes containing your ashes from the living room to the bedroom. I give you both a goodnight kiss and ask you both to join us for mimis time. I ask you to lay down with us and to give us loves and cuddles, and to please visit us in our dreams. Then I lay down, cover myself and hug my stuffed animals that look like you. I pat down my pillow and ask you, Seth, to lay down with me on the pillow, just like you did every night when you were still with us. I pat down on my side and on Daddy's side, and invite you, Logan, to lay down with us on the bed just you used to as well. And as I close my eyes and try to drift off to sleep, I repeat your names over and over and over again, hoping that by doing that, you both will appear in my dreams. Perhaps in my dreams, I can hold you both again, and give you loves and kisses and show you just how much I love you and miss you.

I've dreamed of you both a few times, but your visitations were too fast, too short and too fleeting. It's extremely hard to not see you if even in dreams. You two are my heart, my loves, and I need you both very much. I just want to spend time with you every day in dreamland, and I want to be able to remember the entire dreams. Every day that goes by that I don't have any dreams about you, and that further elongate the time that you have been gone, is a nightmare. Each day that passes by makes it more and more difficult to remember everything about you two. I don't ever want to forget you. I will not, I promise. You two are my Lights. My Guy and my Papi Chulo. Please come visit me in dreams, my Loves, and please continue to visit us in waking life.

We hope to see you both soon, and a lot more frequently. Your Papa and Daddy love you eternally, Logan and Seth.

Love always,

Your Papa and Daddy