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Re: Jimmy
Thanks, Naut. And that's probably true about cats. The old saying is "Dogs have owners, cats have servants." But my wife and I see the love and devotion from our own cats every day, so it wouldn't surprise either one of us if any of them acted as Candy has acted. Of course, one of us would have to die to test this particular theory, so we'll just 'assume' for now . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 14, 2014 at 8:02 AM
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Jimmy
Great story! It's particularly interesting because cats, unlike dogs, are not said to be very close to their humans! And kudos to your wife, of course, for helping to look after those kitties...
posted by
Nautikos
on April 14, 2014 at 6:22 AM
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Re:
Well, to be honest, Annicita, we actually don't know if that late husband had any family other than his wife. There may have been children involved, but regardless, it was painfully obvious that Candy loved him dearly! Not sure how that might work for anyone else who doesn't live near their family's cemetery . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 14, 2014 at 5:49 AM
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Re: Re: Re:
posted by
JimmyA
on April 14, 2014 at 5:47 AM
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awww what dedication....nice to know if you have no family that your pets will come to your grave
posted by
Annicita
on April 14, 2014 at 5:02 AM
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posted by
Kabu
on April 13, 2014 at 7:03 PM
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Re:
Thanks, adnohr. Like I always end up telling my wife . . . we can't save them all! But, whatever we can do surely helps! I know we always lament hearing about one person killing another person ( or a group of people ) but nothing can be as heart wrenching as someone hurting, abusing or abandoning a poor, defenseless animal! I see the devotion of our cats to us on a daily basis. How can someone walk away from that with no emotional attachment at all is beyond me . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:42 AM
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Re:
It was a unique, but inspiring tale indeed, C C T. My wife has always had a soft spot in her heart for any animal that seems to be 'down on their luck,' and will do almost anything to help. She once got a correspondence from a mid-western farm about some horses that were going to be sent to slaughter unless a certain amount of revenue was raised. My wife sent a substantial sum, and the horses were spared some horrible fate. As a token of their appreciation, they named one of the horses after her, and sent her a picture. It took me forever to get her to stop crying . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:39 AM
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Re:
I don't believe I recall that particular tale, lovelylady, but I would never laugh at such a story. It sounds totally feasible to me. Many animals have given a lot of people certain types of inspiration to accomplish many things, and it doesn't surprise me to hear of someone's dog inspiring them to walk! And you're right. As callous as it may sound to some people, I too believe that the soul of an animal is probably much more beautiful than most people's! They give such unconditional love, and only want love in return. There's no better deal than that! I hope Lovebug returns home soon . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:31 AM
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Re: jimmy
You're quite welcome, jean. It seems to have become apparent to my wife that many of these cats were probably not just 'strays.' Certain clues lead us to believe that they may have simply been abandoned by some unfeeling person, which is a terrible fate for any animal, especially one that at one time did have the luxury of a 'home life.' I'm sure we will continue to bring food and water to these poor cats until there aren't any left. But knowing my wife, she'll just go out and locate another group of strays, and the cycle will begin anew . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:26 AM
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Re:
Thanks, Carolyn. Yes, it is a bittersweet story. When we first started to go to this cemetery fairly regularly ( our friend's father and grandparents are buried there ) and first spotted this 'cat colony,' there must have been close to fifteen cats residing there. One by one they began to 'disappear' ( not including the few we took home ), and now it's just Candy and two or three others. But she is such a friendly cat that I know my wife will never abandon her. One day we're hoping to find her resting on that tombstone so we can finally discover who her previous owner was . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:22 AM
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Re:
They do indeed, FSI. I have heard of similar tales of different types of 'animal devotion' before, but never one that involved a former owner's grave! Something tells me that when it's Candy's 'time,' she'll be found lying right there with her former owner . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:17 AM
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Re: JimmyA
It is indeed, Sir Wiley, and thanks. As sad as this tale may be, it's also a pretty good reminder of just how special the animals in our lives truly are! My wife still misses the various cats who have come and gone throughout her life. They touch our hearts in a special and unique way . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:14 AM
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Re:
I can understand that as well, Kabu. When my wife and I were first married, she had 3 cats who were siblings ( 2 females and a male ), and they were practically inseparable, eating together, sleeping together, even bathing together. When the male died, the two sisters would mope around crying, and then settle together on the kitty bed that was his favorite. Heart-breaking indeed . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 13, 2014 at 9:12 AM
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Thank you for doing what you are doing, Jimmy. So many animals are neglected or abused and yes - they do have emotions, most of them much truer that those of some humans. A wonderful but sad story of devotion.
posted by
adnohr
on April 12, 2014 at 11:45 AM
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Well that is really nice of you and your wife to think of those animals who probably would not make it without your help. A lovely tale of devotion and an instinctive sense that revealed the faithful cat's owner's last resting place.
posted by
C_C_T
on April 12, 2014 at 11:03 AM
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Did you ever read my story about my dog Pete, Jimmy? He died when I was just about seven years old. If it hadn't been for Pete, I'd probably have been confined to a wheelchair. That dog loved me so much that he taught me how to walk. People always laugh when I tell them that story, but it's the absolute truth.
Animals have beautiful souls. Much more beautiful than those of human beings most of the time, I think. And yes, we will all meet again one day.
My Lovebug is still missing...
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on April 12, 2014 at 8:53 AM
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jimmy
what a heart touching story, and how wonderful to know there are more people in the world like you and your wife that care for animals. i feel we are resposible for caring for the animals that God put on the earth. thanks for this wonderful story.
posted by
jeansaw
on April 11, 2014 at 7:39 PM
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what a good, bittersweet story. thanks for relaying and so good of you and your wife to take care of those critters.
posted by
Carolyn_Moe
on April 11, 2014 at 7:07 PM
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A powerful story you got there, Jimmy. That is something how she goes to her owner's grave...Yes, animals do have emotions.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on April 11, 2014 at 5:04 PM
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JimmyA
You wrote a very heart touching post my friend, such love from an animal is special.
posted by
WileyJohn
on April 11, 2014 at 2:57 PM
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This really hit my heart too being as I am as soft as your lovely wife over all the animals. and I had a story where my second son had two cats. The male died young and ws buried with honoir in the garden. Their female cat used to break my heart by sleeping on his grave every day.
posted by
Kabu
on April 11, 2014 at 1:38 PM
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