The Pet Loss Companion: Conversations on Grief and Healing

The Pet Loss Companion: Conversations on Grief and Healing

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The Pet Loss Companion: Conversations on Grief and Healing
The Pet Loss Companion: Conversations on Grief and Healing
"Chris and I Have Our Own Way of Grieving but We are Being Kind to Each Other."

"Chris and I Have Our Own Way of Grieving but We are Being Kind to Each Other."

Lisa, Mario, and Luigi's Story

Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio's avatar
Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio
Feb 26, 2024
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The Pet Loss Companion: Conversations on Grief and Healing
The Pet Loss Companion: Conversations on Grief and Healing
"Chris and I Have Our Own Way of Grieving but We are Being Kind to Each Other."
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Dear Ken and Nancy,

My name is Lisa & I am part of the Pet Loss Companion listeners.   I want to start out and let you know I'm very appreciative for your podcast.

My story is titled  "Two Little Kittens"

My name is Lisa & I am the proud cat mama to two little kittens - Mario & Luigi.    I'm not sure when Mario and Luigi were born into this physical world but they came into my life December 17, 2009.   

April 21, 2009, my house burned down.   I was at home in the morning getting ready to head out for a regular work day.   I played downstairs with my cat MIssi and my then husband's daughter cat, Tipsy.  Tipsy and Missi were part of a blended family.   Missi, about 8 years old and Tipsy perhaps 7 years of age.  I never really knew her age.  I gave the cats a pat on the head and headed out.   Little did I know that within hours, my house would burn and these two innocent lives lost due to smoke from the fire.  It was awful.   Somehow, I managed to get thru this grief and move forward with life.  

My college age daughter was not at home that day.  My former husband's children didn't live with us as they were college aged too.   It was just our home that we spent a year plus remodeling. 

As the months moved on, life began to get a little easier and we purchased a replacement home.  My daughter, home from college, asked me if I was going to get another cat.   I recall telling her that I didn't want another pet. It was too hard to say goodbye.   The same day I had this conversation with my daughter, a friend of mine had called me to say she had been at the local vet with their dog and noticed 2 cats up for adoption.  She said they were so cute and was insistent that I go look at the cats.  I told my daughter if she wanted to come with me that evening, we'd stop by that Walker Animal Clinic.

I can see myself walking thru the door of the vet clinic.   Up the ramp and to the right, by the large picture window, was this large metal cage and inside, 2 little kittens.  One was white with black markings - looked like Snoopy the dog, and the other kitten, the most beautiful cream color with hues of sand colored tan and the most beautiful blue eyes.    I told my daughter they are kittens, and they are boys.  I never have had male pets and never two kittens.   But, after the vet techs took us back to a room where we

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