GA Dakota aka Doc - our boy gained his wings

Our extra sweet boy, our 'little old man', Dakota aka Doc gained his wings last night - 'da sugarboyz' are reunited. Our hearts are shattered on the floor. We celebrated his 19th birthday April 1st...we were so blessed to share our lives with him. He was such a special being - When we adopted him already diabetic 6 years ago, we didn't dream we would get to dance with him for so long. He was such a character, so smart, so loving, so good and so bossy when he wanted something. He insisted on his bite of egg every morning altho' he rarely ate it. He insisted on his bite of dog food with the dogs every evening - he DID eat that. He never complained when it was test or shot time, purred thru it all. When his kidneys began failing, he never complained over 3 years of treatment. Soar high sweet boy - thank you for loving us so much.

I'm lost - I don't know what to do - no tests, no shots. That's been my life for so many years. Dang it was hard to click that 'GA'.

Celebrating his life, I want to share my post when he arrived all those years ago - June, 2013:

FINALLY today we OFFICIALLY welcome our newest Blessing - extra sweet 'Dakota'. Dakota is an 12 year old Norwegien Forest Cat or Maine Coon mix - another BIG Boy! Dakota was given up about 4 years ago when it was discovered he was diabetic - rescued by Fancy Cats Rescue in Virginia. Ronda Dalton got him started on insulin, low carb food and began working toward remission. What sounded like a wonderful family stepped up and adopted him. 'New Owner' reports were glowing, he was healthy, doing fine....until they got a call saying they were returning him because he peed outside the litterbox. When they got him back, his diabetes hadn't been treated, he'd been given hard food, gained a lot of weight, poor baby was a matted sick ball of fur. Back to Ronda who's been working for months to get him healthy again. This whole adoption has been one of those amazing 'meant to be' things.

It all started March 25th. My little ISP has all sorts of issues all the time - we went almost 2 weeks without being able to see any pictures on any page. I was checking Facebook as that's how our family stays in touch. Right there on my newfeed was Dakota's DCIN courtesy post. The thing that caught my eye first was his name...our last name altho' spelled really wierd (french) is pronounced 'Dakota'.

I clicked on his petfinder link and THERE HE WAS staring back at me - no other pictures anywhere...just that beautiful one. I immediately heard that silly voice in my head:

"...Alright! You found me! 'bout time!...".

YIKES! I need another cat like I need a hole in my head! I closed down that noisy window! ...but...I had it reopen within the hour.

"...Hi Again! Left in a hurry last time..."

Dang noisy window....I shut it down again...

..but I knew without a doubt it was another case of "meant to be". I showed him to hubby, instead of his normal "pretty cat..." and walk away, he said "where is he?". When I said Virginia, he said "...too far away..". Humm, another huge block in that 'meant to be' wall.

NO NO! I tried to close my eyes to this unfolding, that didn't last long. I emailed Jennifer at DCIN asking about transport thinking "HERE is the roadblock...". Nope, transport paid!

Jennifer emailed Ronda at Fancy Cats...she emailed me...

I said No...

I tried to ignore it all even harder...but found myself looking at his old posts on fdmb realizing I'd seen him before but the time wasn't right for us to connect. Another block in that 'meant to be' wall...

I said NO!!!

After waiting about 2 weeks to let my head talk my heart out of it...didn't work...

I said Yes...

He said "....'bout time slowpoke..."

I said "Welcome HOME Sweet Boy..."

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Here's pics:

The first one that grabbed my heart:



Even likes to sleep on his back - belly rubs appreciated!



The next one to capture my heart:



COMING HOME! He's now in the crate in the back of MY pickup to make the last 2 hour ride home:




He's now been here 8 days, still in quarantine but baby gates are going up in place of closed door TODAY! SHARE OUR BLESSING! DANCE WITH US! Our hearts are overflowing!

 

Sitting here sobbing, Lyresa we love you, we love Doc. How wonderfully fortunate you all were to be able to come together. Treasured memories you get to keep forever.

 

What a beautiful story; my heart aches for you. It is so incredibly hard to say goodbye. Thinking of you with love, Nikki

 

My heart aches for you. Fly free Doc.

 

Lyresa.........................
Words always escape me, but the feels cannot...
the pain... the loss... the willingness to do it all over again in a heartbeat for just one more day.
I'm so sorry.


Fly free Doc... land softly.

 

So Sorry Fly Free handsome boy!

 

Such sad news about your boy. I love the story of his coming to you. He surely had a great life with you and DH. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.
Liz along with Anne, Max and Mason

 

Tears in my eyes... What a beautiful love story with your sweet boy Doc! I'm so sorry for you!

 

(((Lyressa and DH))) I am so sorry it was Doc’s time to earn his wings.

I remember the story of him coming home to you when it happened. Some things were just meant to be. Doc was right, you were his furrever home. Take care of you the next while too. The transition is hard on us beans.

Fly free Doc, send momma a sign real soon please.

 

I'm so sorry to read this Lyressa! Many

Fly free sweet Doc, land softly

 

What a precious cat and precious hooman that found one another. So very sorry that it was his time to go ahead...heart breaking for you...freedom for him. There's a special place in all our hearts for our sugarbabies...I think they carve it out while we sleep...and it only hurts when they leave us to fend for ourselves...sending special hugs to you and your family - fly free sweet Doc - chase those butterflies in that meadow...

 

Such a wonderful story of how he chose you. He waited so patiently and made himself right at home.

Take care of yourselves, it's a hard transition to go through. He is watching over you and will always be with you.

 

I'm so sorry. Fly free sweet Dakota. Sending prayers.

 

I am so sorry Lyressa. Thank you for sharing his story with us.

 

(((((Lyresa & DH)))))

Why does it always have to be so hard? Well...I do know the answer to that. I remember Doc's homecoming. I also know just how silly a Wegie can be. They are very special.

"Cats never completely leave you. They side step time, shrug off death - come at the call of memory their beauty undiminished, their touch as gentle, their love perpetual." Fly free sweet boy and land softly.

 

I'm very sorry. It does sound like he was meant to be with your family.

 

((((Lyresa and DH)))) Oh I’m so very sorry, my friend, to read this about Doc. I’m so glad you posted your first posts about him. I remember when he blessed your life. He was such a happy guy and so lucky to have found his way to you. It was always meant to be. I’m just heartbroken for your heartbreak.

Fly free, Dakota. You da man. Give KT a hug from us all.

 

So sorry for your loss xoxo Fly Free sweet one

 

I am so very sorry for your loss Lyresa

Fly free sweet Dakota

 

I know exactly how you feel. I wish I could say something to make that pain go away but it’s just not possible.

 

Lyresa and DH
I am so sorry it was Doc’s time to go to the rainbow bridge
What an amazing story of his life and what a lucky lucky boy he was to have found you. I’m so glad he was able to enjoy so many years with you.
Fly free Doc

 

(((Lyresa))))
I remember when you brought him home. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was such a sweet boy, and will always be loved.

Fly free, Doc, and land softly.

 

I am so sorry to read this. My heart is for you. If only they would live forever and stsy with us always, but alas it's Dakota's time to fly and soar high and wide.

Land softly sweet boy, I am sure Maui is right there waiting for you with a lovely uniform, err outfit with your name on it!

Ask Maui for time off so you can visit your family and let them know that you are good.

Hugs

 

"YIKES! I need another cat like I need a hole in my head!"
The story of our lives Lyresa but Doc was trying to tell you he needed you. He's checking out Noah and Nigel right now, finding that place in the sun that's just right.
We will miss you Dakota
And for DH and all your other creatures

 

{{{Lyresa and DH}}}

My heart just fell when I heard the news about Doc. It took me back to when KT crossed, and then I remembered the words you share with each of us when we lose one of our dear furbabies: remember, he isn't really gone. You just have to hug him differently. Keep hugging him, Lyresa, and celebrating the joy he brought to your lives. He'll still be right there in your heart, next to KT, where he belongs, always.

Fly free, sweet Dakota, and land softly.

 

I'm so sorry for your pain right now.

How beautiful the story you shared together. Beautiful baby. My heart hurts for you.

 

(((Lyresa and DH)))
I'm am so sorry that it was Doc's time to head to the bridge, I love the story of how he came to find you. I know you're heart will be aching so sending vines of warmth and love your way.

Fly Free Sweet Doc and land softly give KT a head bump when you meet.

 

What a beautiful story, I'm so very sorry for your loss.

 

It is sad to be sharing this sorrow. I hope that your guy and mine both land in a place of joy, and that we both can always draw from the joy they have given us.

 

Awesome and beautiful story, my heart breaks for you

 

So sorry for your loss (((Lyresa))). My heart and prayers go out to you. Dakota was so lucky to have you and DH

 

Oh Lyresa, I am so sorry to hear it was Doc's time to leave you. He was such a beautiful boy, and it was so obvious you and DH loved Doc and vice versa. I had never before heard Doc's gotcha story, and it made me laugh and cry tears of joy. It was obviously meant to be. My heart is breaking right now for the pain you and DH are experiencing. I hope you can take comfort in the memories of that adorable boy who brought you such joy and love. Sending you and DH hugs and vines of comfort, love, and peace during this difficult time. Take care of yourselves.

 

I’m so sorry you’ve lost your precious kitty. He was very lucky to have ended up with you.

 

I am so very sorry for your loss. My Max is an old man too, I've had him longer than I've had my husband. When he leaves it will be devastating. My heart goes out to you!

 

So sorry for your loss - he looks like an absolute sweetheart. We also have a big furry Wegie/Maine Coon/whatever mix, they do love to flop for a belly rub, don't they? It's so hard, even when they've lived a good long life.

 

Dear Lyresa and Bernie,
Doc loved you so much and was such a happy boy to be adopted by you. We will always remember that joyful day when Doc joined your family. Now that his new adventure has begun and he is with KT and all his old pals, it is time for us to celebrate his life with a BIG Yard Dance! Rusty and the gang are there with him at the Bridge and his welcome banquet is in full swing. Keep on hugging your boys and know that all of us here are joining in that BIG HUG.
Fly free, sweet Doc You are much loved.

In loving remembrance,
Ella & Edward, Rusty (GA) and Stu (GA) (and Civvie Gus, who looks just like Doc)

 

Oh Lyresa, I am so sorry to hear that it was Dakota’s time to leave. My heart is breaking for you. I wish I knew some magic words that could help ease your pain.
I lit a candle for Dakota, to celebrate his life, and to help guide him on this new journey.

Fly free, sweet Dakota, and land softly. You are so loved.

 

My heart cries for your loss; thanks so much for sharing your early posting about his coming into your life. M'row just crashed into my life, and I am so much better off for this goofy Maine Coon. Be kind to yourself in these hard times: Doc isn't gone, just transitioned.

 

He was a big beautiful boy with a heart of gold. He was so lucky to have you as a sugar Mom. These big sweet kittehs with their big personalities are such an embedded part of our lives. I wish they could be here with us for longer.

May his gentle spirit fly free, and land softly in your Angel Garden.

 

( Lyresa and Bernie))) I am so very sorry it was Doc's time to cross. What a great home he had with y'all. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.

Fly High, Doc, Land softly.

 

So sorry for your loss! It’s so hard to loose one of our babies! I love the story of Doc’s adoption.