Rich came home last night at 9 and I knew instantly that something was wrong. He told me that our little cat Patches got hit in the road and that she was dead.
I don’t really want to write too many details about how I feel. It would be hard for me to write and hard for you to read.
I’m just so very sad. I’ve been awake since 3 in the morning, thinking about Patches and crying.
When people think of Shanda, they probably think of a busy mom of five. But my mom and dad know, and my siblings know, and now Rich is probably finally realizing, how much I deeply love my cats. I may be busy, but I always have a peaceful content feeling when there are cats about the house. It always feels right to pet a cat, and to have one purring next to me.
I’m going to miss my mighty little hunter, and the gifts she left me at the door. I will miss her loud purr, and the cute things she used to do.
When the children are awake later on this morning, I’ll have to break the news to them. David especially loved Patches, Patches was his very real friend. Grace also will be very sad, Patches was her baby.
Pictures for the kids, because I know they will want to see them today~
She was born in our previous house, and spent every day of her life with us~
Patches is climbing the tree in this picture. Angie is her mother (the gray one) and disappeared almost a year ago. We still have Spot, he is outside right now, as soon as he comes home I will be comforted somewhat.
Patches caught a frog once, which disgraced her mother.
The kids all held Patches this way, which I thought looked so uncomfortable. Patches was usually happily purring, though. I used to say, “Patches!! Sit like a lady!” and the kids would laugh.
She was a patient kitty~I always think of pairs figure skating when I see this picture:
Patches left us a fish once~I still can’t believe she caught one~
She even wanted to catch a duck~this is why I began thinking of her as “The Mighty Hunter”
But most of all she was just plain sweet-as-a-kitten-can-be.
ouch, ouch, ouch, it hurts.
EDIT******It’s now about 8:15 and I told all the kids. I told each one separately. Jacob took it the worse, he said, “What???” and cried that was it. The rest of them didn’t say much. I just talked to them about how I loved Patches, and we would miss her, etc, etc.
Turns out THEY are comforting ME. I was actually chuckling a little bit over their passionate conversations over breakfast. . .not a word about Patches, instead they are discussing what kind of cat they will get next, what color, and what they will name it. Everyone has their own opinion. Last I heard, it was to be orange with white feet, and they will name it “Hobo”. Although, Grace does NOT like that name. And Ethan would prefer a Siamese, with blue eyes and long hair.
Now they are gathering up all their stuffed animals and playing with them upstairs. They are dealing with it in their own way, and I’m sure I will find them in tears on an off throughout the day.
However, at the moment I am “left to weep alone”. (I write, with a half-hearted smile). . . . . . and I’m thankful for my happy little gang of children. They seem very secure and resilient, which is a comfort, and makes it easier for me.
Good to be Home 
Shanda, I am so, so, sorry! I feel like crying too. I am sad for your loss…
Loosing a pet is like loosing a little piece of your family…I know Madelynn still grieves her pets that have died…and the girls still faithfuly tend the graves of their lost animal friends. I’m sure this will be a hard day for you all.
Oh Shanda, this is so sad! I’m sorry for your loss. Patches was obviously a WONDERFUL addition to your family. I know you will miss her so… It’s great that you have so many beautiful pictures of her to remember her by. I will be thinking of your family today and will pray for comfort for you all…
Oh dear. That is sad.
Patches and your little one look like Calvin and Hobbes.
i’m so sorry for you Shanda! Those pictures of Caleb with the cat are just priceless…I bet you are so glad you took them.
I’m truly sorry. She was a beautiful kitty.
You’ve had a tough week!
I have a love for cats too. We have a tomm who we named Spaz. He is an outside/inside kitty. Our street is pretty busy most of the time and I often worry that he will get hit. I just say a prayer every day I let him out and I tell him, “Stay away from the road!” So far, that has seemed to work.
I’m so sorry for your loss. . .I would be crying buckets too. I have a kitty whom I’ve had for 13 1/2 years, longer than Tim and I have even been married. I got him from a little babushka (old lady) at an open market in St. Petersburg, Russia, when we lived there. When we moved back to the States nearly 10 years ago, I begged my husband to let me bring him back with us, and he reluctantly agreed. My cat is so dear to me. . .I love holding him and cuddling with him. He loves all of our family, but I still think he loves me the best. I took a wonderful picture of him with our oldest son when Sam was just a baby. I entered it into a photo contest with our local paper and they published it! It’s a classic and still hangs on my wall, but I don’t think I can post it because it wasn’t taken with a digital camera. Your pictures are priceless. . .
I’m SO sorry about your cat. I love cats and I remember losing my beloved cat when I was a child and how hard that was. Now after probably 15+ years my dh let me get one last December….I had been wanting another one for so long! I love your pictures, especially the “figure skating,” high chair, and the second one. ((hugs))
I am so sorry Shanda 😦 She was a good cat. You have a lot of great pictures of her and lots of wonderful memories.
hugs to all of you…I know how you feel. My mom’s cats become family. I remember when I was in high school and woke up around 4am to my mom crying hysterically….I just knew my dad had been killed. Turns out her cat had gotten run over, and she went into a terrible depression. And right after my dad passed away she had to have her 10 y/o cat put to sleep and that just added to her already miserable state.
So, I know how you feel! I always enjoyed seeing pictures of Patches stalking animals, and the fish one was my favorite!
OH no, I am so very sorry. I will be praying for all of you. It hurts so bad, I know. When I was 12 we had to put our dear Golden Retriever to sleep. She was very old and sick, but, it was so hard. I pretty much thought that my life was over; it was the hardest thing that I had ever dealt with!
She was a great cat; I can’t believe how patient and calm she always was when being toted around by your little ones! I am sure that she will always have a place in your hearts, but there is still room for love for a new kittty, too
I’m so sorry about your cat. I remember our dog getting hit by a car when I was a child and we were so sad, especially my mom, who took it the hardest. We all would just choke up and start crying at different times and my brother and I gave our allowances to our dad to help pay for a new dog. It was only a few dollars, we thought it would really help. My dad gave in and bought us a new dog which really helped to relieve the sadness. I will be thinking about your family today and praying that God will comfort you.
I’m so sorry about Patches. I know you and your kids loved that cat. That is so sad. I wish I could give you and all your kids hugs today.
I am sorry, Shanda! Pets really do become a member of the family and it is so hard when they are taken from us. Not to minimize your loss,but as I was reading your post I was also grieving for Stephen Curtis Chapman who I just learned lost his 5 year old daughter to an accident.Her older brother was driving out of the driveway did not see her. She was struck by the SUV and died shortly after. Members of the family witnessed it. “Lord, help this family with the comfort only You can provide.” ((((HUGS))))to you Shanda. I love you.
Oh Shanda, I am so sorry. She was a beautiful cat. I think animals really do add something special to our homes and I know she will be missed.
Well, I was already crying, but this just set me off even more…I’m so sorry about your kitty. She was such a sweetie. You know how much I love cats, and how much I love my own, so I totally understand your sadness. I hope it eases a bit for you today.
Awwwww….what heartwarming, loving pictures of your Patches. I feel for you and your loss. Bless your hearts- he was a gorgeous kitty.
So sorry. What wonderful memories you have, though.
I’m so sorry! I know this sounds silly, but I believe in the new heaven and new earth we’ll have our pets back. God created them originally for our enjoyment…why would He recreate them for the new world? After all, isn’t this place just a shadow of what’s to come??? I do hope you’ll see Patches again…or a new and improved version of her? 🙂 I hope you have a happy day.
I meant “why wouldn’t He recreate them?” Woops!
Oh Shan . . . I’m so sorry to hear about losing your beloved cat. Patches was such a great cat and I loved the memorial you gave her on xanga. What touching photo’s. I love cats too and I think I’ll always want to have cats around the house. I’m always tempted to have more than just two that we have now. . . maybe someday. Do you think Ethan has memories of Blue? The visual picture I got of what he wanted was Blue. He was a beautiful cat! I hope you have a great day and weekend! Love and HUGS!
Well, you don’t have to be brave around me – I’m right here with you crying and my heart breaks for your loss. I am still missing my own cat of 18 years that died 2/15. I’ve been considering getting a new cat, but I can’t find one that “feels right” to me.I’m just so very sorry, sweetie. I’m glad you have pictures and that your children are dealing with this sad news. But I SO understand your torn heart.
I’m sorry to hear about Patches. That is very hard when you loose a pet, we have lost 2 pets and it is not easy. The pictures you posted of her are all very good. She knew she was loved. That was nice how she let Caleb carry her around like that to:)
Thanks for sharing the pictures of Patches….they make me smile after the sad news. I know, she knew, she was very much loved and cared for.
Oh Shanda, it doesn’t sound at all silly or trite to me that you would grieve for your cat, and I am so sorry!!! We (that is, my parents and siblings) have a cat, Socks, and a Golden Retriever, Sadie, that have been with us for years and years. Both pets have TREMENDOUS personality and we are all so very attached! It has often occurred to me just how heartbroken we would all be if something happened to either one of them. If you’ve had an experience like that with a pet, you can understand and empathize for someone else grieving a loss. My poor 25-year-old brother lost his beloved dog about a year ago to antifreeze poisoning; this grown man cried and cried – the dog had slept at the end of his bed every night, welcomed him home from college classes and work each day and been his constant companion. My brother lost his spunk and personality for a while, he was so traumatized! Eventually his fiance bought him a new puppy and he came back to himself! A loved pet can make such a difference in one’s life! ❤ (hugs) ❤
Oh Shanda, I am SO sorry to hear this news. I am praying for you today and pray the Lord will wrap His loving arms around you and let you feel His warmth. (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
Sorry to hear of your loss. It’s so hard to loose a beloved pet! You cry so hard. They are really our children also. I will remember you in my prayers today.
Why am I crying over your cat? Big huge tears and a knot in my throat and everything!! I know how you feel about your cat. I have a cat with a huge personality. She is 11. They are amazing creatures. I do hope your heart begins to feel better as you cherish your memories. Hugs to you my sweet sensitive friend!
Aw sweetie, I am sorry to hear of the loss of Patches. She looked like a sweet and loving kitty. I love how patient she looked with the little ones. Sending you big hugs as you mourn the loss of your dear furry friend. It does hurt. Praying for comfort,Melody
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about Patches. Pets are a part of the family and when something happens to them, you have to grieve. (HUGS) to you and the kids. I know today will be difficult. Suz
I’m sorry to hear about your cat. I’m not a cat person myself, but I remember when my dog died and how horrible that was.
Hi Shanda…I’m so sorry about your cat. That is so sad. I love cats too and I had lots of them growing up. I love all the pics of your beloved cat. My children were like that with our cat. We got him when he was a kitten and they treated him like a baby. When he got older he would expect to be held like a baby. He would turn over onto his back it was funny. I feel sad right along with you. Pets are precious too. My son worked at this one place where truckers on those big semis would come in and leave loads of metal to be crushed. Anyways, this one big guy on this semi had a little dog a small poodle type dog someone hit that dog and that big man was crying over his loss. I don’t mean to make you feel any more worse but there are lots of people who really go through something when their pet passes away unexpectedly. I hope you are feeling better soon.
I hope your son is better too….omg I couldn’t believe that picture of that spider bite. Do they know what kind of spider it might have been? I had trouble with spiders last year, but they were daddy long legs and some non poisonous spider but it was ugly enough to make you think it was poisonous. I hate spiders! Can you tell?
Your kitchen picture made me laugh. Thats how my kitchen looks I think mine is really bad after the children are done in there. Grace on the counter….thats funny!
God Bless You!!
now that is a sad thing….I like cats too, and would be mighty sad if our “louie” were gone….your pictures of Patches remind me so much of Louie.
I am sorry, very sorry for the loss of Patches to you and your family ~ she looks like a peach of a cat ~
I know how heart-wrenching it is to lose a family pet…I have lost 3 dogs in my lifetime…and all of them were members of the family…It made me want to cry when you said how you had to tell the children when they woke up…As I sit here, I can see a poster of pictures I made with pictures of our 8-year-old Mutt, Charkie…he had to be put to sleep because of Addison’s Disease…just the look in his eyes is one that will make me cry even today…6 years after his death…k…I need to go to bed…before I really start crying this out…But, I think its good that your kids are optimistically thinking of another cat that they can love…
Oh, dear Shanda, I am so sorry. May God comfort you. Lovely to see the great pictures of patches through the year….a little adventuresome one and obviously loving! Cuddle up with your sweet ones. We are on a local vacation at my Mom’s ….though still “doing school”….so catching up a bit….so glad to read that Davy is alright! Sending you hugs and love,Jenny
Just dropping in for the first time. So sorry about your furbaby. I lost one of mine in Dec and am still not over her. Little hunter is right, those are awesome pictures and your children are adorable. Take Care. And again so sorry.
I am so sorry Shanda! I thought of you today. I went to a couple antique stores with my sister-in-laws and kept seeing Fiestaware. I would think….”I wonder if Shanda has this piece?”.
awwww…i’m so sorry
Oh Shanda! I’m so sorry! What a week you’ve had! I’m only now catching up with it all. Pets have a way of comforting us in ways humans can’t. I’m sorry you lost such a great comforter and friend. She was an absolutely beautiful kitty!! Grieve and know we’re praying for you guys!
We had to put our wonderful black and white cat to sleep a couple of months ago. I got to hold him when they put him to sleep. Even writing now, brings back tears because I miss him. He was a vibrant, full of life, cat who had kidney problems that gave him some problems, but physically he was still a crazy cat who at 8 acted like 1. I completely understand where you are today and I will be praying for you. My kids took it different ways too. My 8 year old son still will say, I miss Zorro. We have not decided to get another cat and although we have one (who is not all that cuddly), I would love to have another cuddler like Zorro. He would kiss and he would paw your face so tenderly. You never realize how much they mean until their gone…….I am feeling your pain today….
I am praying for you!!!! I do understand!!!! and I am hurting for you greatly…I still get extremely sad about my one precious cat and friend Africa. I will be praying for you Shanda!!! and the kids!!! Love and hugs, Carilyn
Here I was commiserating with you over the loss of your precious pet. Then I came to the picture of the figure skating and now I’m rolling with laughter.
i am so sorry! i have lost cats before and i know the pain. it really is horrible. my heart grieves with yours.
I’m so sorry about poor Patches — the photos memorialize a wonderful kitty, and he’ll be missed for a long time!
Praying for you Shanda! I do know and have been through it! It is heartbreaking and my heart is so sad for you today!!! and the days to come!! I will praying for you extra!! Love and hugs!!!! I am crying as I look through the pictures and remember the sadness and pain! Praying!~Carilyn
Oh I so understand! We have been through that pain before and it is tremendous. They truly are family members.
I am so sorry about your kitty. I know they can be wonderful friends. I don’t know what I would do without my two. I’m praying for you.
I’m so sorry about your cat, Shanda. I love the picture of Patches in the high chair and the ones with the kids carrying her all crazy. Grieve as long as you need to.
Wow this has been a hard week for you Shanda! I am so sorry to hear about patches! The pictures made me miss a cat I have never met.
So loving how the kids cheered you.
You have a good bunch of kiddos Shanda!