Goodbye Joey
With a very heavy heart we decided yesterday that Joey could not go on.
Joey was our cat for 15 years (got him as a very young kitten) and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer last spring. At that time we decided to let him have a very risky operation to try to save his life, only one doctor in the Netherlands was willing to do the operation and for a while it seemed to have succeeded. However end of the summer the cancer came back and he was given only 3-4 weeks, that turned out a lot longer….. up until this morning when we called the vet to let Joey sleep.
Joey Doorhof a few years ago.
For some people pets are just pets, for us they are a vital part of our family and we are therefore very sad and will miss him dearly. As everything with Joey he did it his way, ignoring the 3-4 weeks notice and just put up the fight with our help to stay with us as long as possible, we agreed that as soon as he would be in pain we would help him, luckily he never was in pain but yesterday midday he was loosing his balance more and more (that started a week ago), and he did not eat for a few days now. Tonight he still slept with us but fell out of bed and clearly was at the end of his fight.
Joey was unique, we always called him baby because he did not grow a lot, although he ate like crazy. When Annewiek or I walked to ITC he would always follow us like a little dog and always wanted to be close to us, if we were watching a movie, or sleeping as long as he could be close it was ok.
This morning we buried Joey close to our house in our garden so also now he is close, but in our hearts he will always be as close as possible.
Today and tomorrow no photography blog…. sorry.
I am very sorry for your loss. I too am a pet owner and my wife runs a dog rescue here in the states. I know it was a difficult decision. In my thoughts and prayers, Todd Badeaux
Frank and Anneviek, I am so so sorry for your loss. I know you guys loved Joey with all your heart. He is resting in peace now. Thinking of you during this time.
Your friend
Julie
Thanks Jules. Much appreciated.
Veel sterkte!
Sterkte, Frank, voor jou en voor je huisgenoten. Groetjes, Laurent
Veel sterkte Frank. ik weet dat did een moeilijke tijd is. Neem een paar dagen vrij van alles en denk aan de goede jaaren dat hij heeft gehad met jullie. rest in peace little joey.
Ag Frank that’s sad man, really sad, he was like your child I can so relate to that we had two and we have only one left, they are our children. My thoughts are with you guys
Thanks, Tim.
They really are special, and you realize even more so when they are sick or gone.
It’s always sad to lose a pet, especially after 15 years …. good luck …
Het is niet allemaal rozengeur en maneschijn in het leven. Dit zijn van die momenten dat je jezelf terug wilt trekken. Fijn dat je dit met ons deelt en we wensen jullie veel sterkte toe met het verwerken van dit verlies.
Respect and my sympathy.
We have a 16 year old dog, also called Joey. Last year he had his gall bladder removed. A risky operation on a old dog, but our vet was confinced it would succeed and he was right, Hopefully he can enjoy an few more years of his life.
Frank, I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. Like you, our family treats our pet as a member of our family. Only pet lovers can appreciate your deep grief. I hope it’s not too long before your heavy heart is lightened by the warmth of his memory. RIP, Joey.
We will always have his memories, and those are good ones, he was really special. That makes it even harder. We still have another cat Dio so he is getting a lot of extra attention now.
Frank, really sad to hear that news and we feel your sorrow. We did the same with a beautiful dog Checkers – the family all got a chance to say goodbye – then the vet did their business. I went back later in the day to bring her home, and the bag was still warm – we all cried. I too buried her in the yard and she is still nearby.
Now our house is busy with 4 cats.
Be well.
We let the vet come to our home, he hated going to the vet so we wanted to not burden him with that. He fell asleep in his favorite place in our serre, the cushion he always slept on during the day.
Hi Frank. So sorry to hear this. Losing a pet is terrible. Know exactly how you’re feeling so sending you best wishes to get you through this very sad time.
Thank you so very much.
Frank, the sentence “For some people pets are just pets” it is true just for people that do not own pets, unfortunately for pets lovers pets are truly a part of their family and losing one of them is just like losing a family member so dont’t be afraid to show us your feelings 😐
Sad times Frank, sorry for your loss
I’m sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss. Joey was obviously well loved and cared for. Pets are part of the family for all of us that have them. We have 4 cats, the oldest is 19 yrs old and has been in renal failure for the past 2 yrs but she continues to soldier on, so we are lucky to have her every day. Take care…
I hope you can enjoy her for a long time.
Sterkte Frank en Annewiek!!! Respect….. Liefs MoniQue
Thanks Monique.
My sympathy guys,
Max
Thanks Max.
I’m so sorry.
Thanks.
My Comments echo all of the others. Sorry for they are not pets but are family. I shed a tear or two reading this for you as I know you did also. He is in no pain and will always be with you. God Bless.
Thanks Thomas, much appreciated.
I see Joey in a few shots in videos making his way through the studio… A real pal and ‘right by your side’ kinda friend.
There are no words to say to you and your wife…
Yeah, we left him in those shots on purpose. He loved doing that.
Pets are your children.
Oh my god. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s hard to loose a pet but you’ll always remember the happy days you’ve shared.
arhh bless, what a beautiful picture
What an adorable kitty. So sorry, Frank. I’ve lost a few over the years. It’s always hard, but I’m glad you had “extra” time with him, and glad he had such a wonderful life. Guess I’ll be working on a book with you later this year. Good to know you like cats, too.
I love all animals great and small.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you both in this sad time
YES THEY ARE FAMILY MY LAST CAT WAS 18 YRS OLD,NEIGHBOR POISONED HER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE RETURNED THE FAVOR TO LADY. IT WILL TAKE A WHILE, YOU WILL ACQUIRE ANOTHER I RESCUED A OLD TOMCAT FROM WORK MISSING HALF OF ONE EAR. TAKE CARE BEST WISHES DENNIS IN LAS VEGAS
My most sincere condolences to you and your family Frank. I had the same decision to make on Valentine’s Day 2008 concerning my Chocolate Lab King Henry of Oranje, toughest thing I’ve ever done, God bless you and yours.
Mijn deelneming Frank en Annewiek. Ik begrijp wat je nu doormaakt. Jullie beslissing was moedig en absoluut de juiste. koester de mooie herinneringen aan Joey. Het zal tijd vergen om er overheen te komen. En wie weet komt er ooit een nieuwe Joey de herinneringen aan baby levendig houden.
Sterkte!
My heart goes out to you and Annewiek for the loss of your dear Joey.
I know how much pets become a part of your family and I am so sorry for your loss. Joey was lucky to be so loved.
Verse for those whom may
have lost a pet. We just lost our Westie this past spring
Bob Adams
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that
pet goes to 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 to them, who had to be 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 quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the
green grass, his legs carrying him 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 the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
thanks, very nice