Good morning my DU family,

[JMCKUSICK]

I feel like I'm waiting for a last minute reprieve from the Supreme Court in the case of Cuddles. I'll know for sure in about 45 minutes.

Moments like this are rare and give us a very special opportunity to pay homage not just to our wonderful pets, but also to honor our relationship.

I wrote yesterday that each kitty I've had has made me a better dad to my next one, because for me, they helped me become more human, helped me feel safe in living and feeling the full weight of the joy and responsibility that comes with growing close to someone else.

As a man who grew up in group homes and foster homes, it's turned out that the only intimate relationships that I've felt safe in have been with cats and Rory.

As sad and heartbroken as I am, I am so grateful that I was blessed with a cat as amazing as Cuddles and that he chose me to live and grow closer to.

Please give us a day filled with opportunities to acknowledge and rededicate ourselves to the incredible relationships that are the backbone of our joys and happiness.

Have a memorable day DU,
Love, John

[debm55]

1. Bless you John.

[JMCKUSICK]

3. Thank you Debbie, you're a great blessing to all of us.

[FM123]

2. Thinking of you and Cuddles

and sending you both extra hugs today.

[JMCKUSICK]

5. Thank you so much FM123

[Emile]

4. Good Morning John

[JMCKUSICK]

10. Hi Emile

gonna be a rough day.

[Emile]

11. "If love could have healed him, Cuddles would have lived forever."

Stay strong for Cuddles, he needs you now.

[niyad]

6. Good morrning, John. Continuing vibes for you and Cuddles

for best possible outcome.

[JMCKUSICK]

7. Well, I just spoke with the Vet and there's been no change.

So I'm going in at 130pm to say good bye to my wonderful Cuddles.

[debm55]

8. I am so very sorry for all of you, my friend.

[JMCKUSICK]

9. Thank you Debbie

[SheltieLover]

12. Holding you & Cuddles in loving, healing thoughts

[JMCKUSICK]

13. Thank you SheltieLover,

I'm just devastated.

[SheltieLover]

14. Take Cuddles' favorite food with you. He may not eat, but will enjoy the scent.

When my dad was in hospice, he was unconscious and hadn't eaten in days, but I got him - you guessed it - his fav hot dog loaded with all the goodies - and he started singing!

Scent is very powerful.

I wish I could be with you in person today, John, to offer support.

[JMCKUSICK]

15. I'll do that.

This is so hard, being emotionally stunted my whole life, even though I just went through this with Rory, it feels so new and so raw.

I so thank God that you all are helping me through this.

[SheltieLover]

16. We are all here for you, John. Lean in as hard as you need to.

We've all been through something similar and the feelings are still fresh, even decades later. We stand with you in your pain...

[JMCKUSICK]

17. Sitting here waiting, blubbering is starting

[SheltieLover]

18. Take Shadow with you

[JMCKUSICK]

19. I couldn't, out only carrier was at the Vet with Cuddles.

I just brought him home and laid him out for her to see and sniff.

[SheltieLover]

21. Oh, John, my heart is breaking for you

It's a given for pet parents to lose their babies, but it hurts so damned bad & never gets easier.

[JMCKUSICK]

23. It sure doesn't SheltieLover,

but it's a price I'm only too happy to pay.

Pets are like a credit card with a high limit. If you're frugal with them, you get what you pay for, I gladly maxxed mine out and I'm only too happy to see the bill now.

I mean seriously, If we could buy what pets give us so freely, how much would we be willing to spend?

[SheltieLover]

26. You've just paid the ultimate price, John, & I'm not referring to the vet bill.

[JMCKUSICK]

27. I understand and it's well worth it

[SheltieLover]

29. It always is or we wouldn't knowingly accept gifts from Mother Nature

I know the Cat Distribution System is already working on your behalf.

[JMCKUSICK]

20. I did give my Good boy a taste of churro tuna and he licked his lips.

[SheltieLover]

22. You are an amazing guy, John, & a fabulous pet parent

[JMCKUSICK]

24. If I am, Its solely because I've had my cat kids since the late eighties making me a better

human being every day.

They taught me that it was safe to love
They taught me to look forward to tomorrow
They taught me to be vulnerable
They taught me to be kinder to people
They taught me to have faith
They taught me to play
They taught me to hope
They taught me compassion and empathy,
They taught me about commitment
They taught me that I'd never be alone
They taught me to stand up for myself
They taught me that I had a beautiful heart
They taught me that I was worth loving
They taught me humility

They taught me more than any human ever did.

[SheltieLover]

25. What a beautiful tribute to your kid cats!

Are you doing ok?

[JMCKUSICK]

28. I am, but it's gonna be really rough in an hour when Toby gets home.

He's high functioning on the spectrum, and hew was overcome yesterday, but today hell get to hold him and bury him with me.

[SheltieLover]

30. Healing vibes to Toby as well

[JMCKUSICK]

31. I'll be there with him and for him.

I'll tell you a funny story and another poignant story about Cuddles and then Toby and Cuddles.

We were living with his mom when she found Cuddles and Snuggles during her postal route, long story short, I talked her into keeping them and she agreed. After the first winter, she insisted that they stay outside. All through the next eight months until we moved, we snuck them in the minute she'd leave for work and take them out the back as she'd walk in the front. We never got caught!

What really kind of forced our move was when she insisted we find new homes for them. Snuggles spent the next several months on a farm, until her new owners asked me to take her back because she didn't get along with their other barn cat.
As for Cuddles, we found a lady that was willing to take him and we brought him out to her home. Well, Cuddles didn't like that idea one bit and tore off into the woods close to her house. Toby was beside himself all of a sudden, bawling his eyes out as Cuddles disappeared into the trees. He did not want to give him away but hadn't said a word to that point against it.
On the way home, I promised I would get him back by convincing his mom to let him keep him and she finally did. We went the next day and sure as you could plan it, within one minute of arriving back in that neighborhood where Cuddles took off, Toby found him on his first call. He's been Cuddles "Dad" ever since.
Toby loved Cuddles as much as I did, just couldn't express it as easily. Anyway, almost three years ago we moved into this mobile home and shortly thereafter I went and got Snuggles from that farm and we had a wonderful six months together until she unexpectedly died.

Whatever Cuddles did for me, he surely did for Toby too.

[SheltieLover]

32. Poor Toby!

Heartbroken for both of you.

[JMCKUSICK]

33. Yea, it's been really rough on him

[SheltieLover]

34. I'll bet

People with autism generally do not take change well.