In memory of Janis and Raven
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I didn't expect to come back on here so soon with another dose of bad news but since you guys are obviously pet lovers as well as coaster lovers, I guess it doesn't matter.
As many of you know, my kitty Raven suddenly passed away on Feb.6th He was only 18 weeks old. I regret to
inform everyone that my other kitty, Janis, suddenly passed away this past Saturday night. She was 9 1/2 years old, and was my baby.
She absolutely meant the world to me.
I adopted her, or should I say, she "adopted" me in September of 1993 at Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia. I was a few months out of college and had been thinking about getting a kitten for a long time. Hell, a year before I went down to a tattoo parlor on South Street and got my first and only tat of a black kitty. Granted I got the tattoo a year before gettng Janis but it looks just like her.
Anyway, while strolling through the mall I came upon a pet store that was going "out of business". I also noticed there were four of five black kittens in the front window. I said what the heck! I went inside and asked if I could hold a female I had my eyes on. The guy picked up what was to be Janis and put her in my arms. She looked up and me, meowed, and then took off down the mall. The guy who
was helping me ran down the mall after her. I was laughing at her and said "She's mine! That's the one!" She was 8 weeks old and full of life and energy. She was meant for me.
After he successfully chased her down and brought her back, I took her home. I remember stopping
by a KMart on the way home to pick up some food, a litter box, and a few other things.
Once we got home I sat down and she jumped in my lap and started purring and I fell in love.
The rest is history. She has been with me since. She has followed me everywhere. She was solid black with green/yellow eyes but with a siamese body and a burmese personality.
Janis was a funny cat, and would always do anything to make you laugh, especially when she got really excited and would just all of a sudden take off like a bolt of lightning. She was small, sleek, and very fast. She was also very vocal, and would tell you exactly what was on her
mind all the time. She had several type of "meows" and I knew what each one meant.
When she got really fiesty she would make a "barking" or a "Hmph!" sound that would always crack me up. Her favorite things to do would be watch the birds out the window, chase the laser pointer, and play in the catnip that I would give her about once a month.
I would always put the catnip in a bowl and watch her dig through it like a dog and bury her head in it. Those of you who have given your cats catnip know what I mean. I would roll in the floor laughing when she reacted that way. It's hilarious.
Over her life she had lived with several other cats, mostly roomates' and has always enjoyed the company. Once of her favorite buddies was a cat named Simba, who belonged to a friend I lived with for a while about 7 years ago. Those two were nuts together. There was one time I heard something going on. I walk upstairs and these two had a live mouse and was batting this poor thing back and forth like it was a ping pong ball. It was the funniest thing in
the world although I almost felt sorry for this mouse. They would leave it lay there and as soon as it would try to get up and get away they would pounce on it again. It was so funny. My old roomate and friend cried when I called her yesterday with the news.
When I adopted Raven back in November I chose him partly because I knew Janis would like him, and I was right. Those two became very good friends and I was relieved to know that she liked him. They were hilarious together, sorta like Beavis and Butthead. I know they liked to tease the gerbils quite a bit, and wrestle like crazy. Janis could kick his ass though! They had this big sister/little brother type of relationship that was just so funny to watch. He would follow her around and annoy her, then she would smack him. Then you would find them sleeping together, and Janis licking him. It was so dear.
Janis died late Saturday night. I came home from work and found her. Unfortunatley there was absolutely nothing that could be done to save her, just like Raven. Sunday I took her over to my parent's home. They have a little hill behind their house that has become a mini pet cemetary.
I have three other animals buried there that I had as a kid. One is my dog Candy, another was a kitten named Tinker that had been killed by a car, and a hamster whose name I forgot....I think it was Ringo.
Anyway, my dad helped out and we put her to rest. The ER vet that tried to save her had placed her in a nice little casket, which was appropriate. My dad thanked me for deciding to bring her over there to be buried since he and my mother considered her part of the family and loved her dearly.
My dad also said that he wanted to make a cross for her, and put stones and bricks around her grave.
It is very peaceful there and it's the best thing I could have done. I had only wished I had decided to put Raven there now (he was creamated by the vet after I had to have him put to sleep.)
Those cats meant the world to me, and I loved them both dearly, as I have with every pet I have owned since I was a kid. Janis especially was my baby. She was everything to me and now she is gone.
Both of my babies were taken away from me within a little over a month and it is not ****ing fair..
As far as the cause of their deaths, I will keep that out of the forum.
I just want you all to give your dogs and kitties and whatever animals you have extra attention for me,
and never EVER take them for granted.
Janis was a very special cat and my best friend and I know I will see her again someday at the Rainbow Bridge along with Raven. I know they are happy together and are playing in fields of catnip with an endless supply of fresh turkey and tuna and all the laser pointers they can handle.
I am sorry to let everyone down like this but I know you guys love your pets.
On a brighter note, I do have one, possibly two kittens that I have "marked". A good friend of mine has a neighbor who's two cats just had a litter each.....five days apart. The one cat had five, the other had three. Out of the oldest litter I picked out one, or should I say it picked me. I
didn't really check to see what the sex was but I believe he/she will be a torti like it's mom. The little thing just stared into my eyes and said "You are chosen.....you will take me home!" That all that happened. :-)
After visiting another friend yesterday and telling her about getting another kitten she asked me why I just didn't get two. I thought about it for a while and realized that wasn't would a bad idea. She reminded me that if I adopted two of them they would already know each other and
would grow up together and I would not have a need to go looking for a playmate. It makes perfect sense, so be looking for an announcement soon!! The kittens were born about two weeks ago so it will be a little while before they are ready to come home with me. And yes, more than
likely they will be named after coasters! I have about ten names I would like to use, and I will let every
know as soon as I get the kittens.
Nothing on this earth will ever replace Janis or Raven. Both had their own special personalities and were loved by many, many people. I do feel like I need to go on though, and I know both ofthem, especially Janis, will want me to adopt again. My chest hurts from the pain and I don't think it will ever get better anytime soon, but at least I know they are in good hands now. God has them now and is playing with them.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. A good friend of mine reminded me that coaster season is coming up and it will give me a chance to SCREAM!!!! and let out my stress over this.
Thanks for listening.
-Tina
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Feel The Adrenaline....
www.intenserides.com
--Sean
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm
That is a very touching and beautiful tribute to Janis and Raven. I know how much you cherished those kitties and how much they loved you and how spoilt they were too - deservedly so. They will always be remembered over here as they were part of our wee gang.
Take care mate, we're thinking of you.
Jim and Chloe
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I feel for you...geez, I don't know what I'd do if two of my "family" of pets died within a month of each other.
That was a very touching post/eulogy you did for Janis and Raven. I was *this close* to tearing up. (Thank God for being at work, or I would have.)
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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...
Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)
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I'm not an enthusiast, I just play one on message boards.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I started crying when I read it because I have a black cat who is 14 years old and everyday I wonder when I will come home to find that she passed away. Whenever she acts the least bit sick I freak out. I have had my cat since I was in first grade. I do not know what it is like to lose such a dear friend but I know the pain you are feeling. I'm very sorry that another cat lover is going through this pain, but yes you are right they both would want you to adopt again.
Take care and update us on your two new kitties.
Sarah
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"Know thyself!"
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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson
I truly know exactly what you are going through. As someone that lost two cats within a month of each other last year, I know it is very difficult, and at times, very unbelievable.
I know the heaviness of what is going on with all of this is something that you really could not have prepared for, but I hope you start to feel better very soon. Those kittens will bring you a whole new look on life, with a lot of happiness included.
I once had a cat that lived to be 23 years old and didn't want to see him pass, but he was in bad condition and had to be put to sleep. I still think about him all the time as well as the other two cats I lost last year.
Losing a pet it something that you will never get used to, but dealing with something like this can be made much easier thanks to friends that care, and possible a nice scream on a coaster.
I know there are a TON of things going through your mind right now, but just remember that no matter how bad things get, you will always have friends that care and that can relate to your loss.
-Sean
R.I.P.
Janis
Raven
Tygr
Oscar
Felix
As a pet owner I know how attached you can get to these furry bundles of joy. I wish I knew the right thing to say....I am sure Janis and Raven are in heaven (all pets go to heaven right)
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Party goin on in the corner.....gotta be California!
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Joe Barnett
Forum Moderator/Editorial Writer
www.pkiunlimited.com
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Shaun Rajewski
CoasterLine
http://www.coasterline.com
Teenage Ninja said:
If you think 2 cats in one month is bad try 5 cats 2 birds and a dog in one day. That stinks. Atleast you got to spend 9.5 years with Janis.
I hope that was a joke? Cause if that really happend...WOW
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If you haven't rode Raging Bull in the back row you haven't lived. The feeling on that first drop cannot be explained in words!
My profile has a picture of Fred when he was a kitten, he is an 18 lb. bruiser now.
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SCREAM with me... in 2003!
Tina, I'm really sorry to hear this- I love cats. :(
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Track Record: 164
Favorite Wood: Phoenix at Knoebels
Favorite Steel: Millennium Force at Cedar Point
Our other cat, Terence, is turning 13 this Spring, and it will be very very hard when we lose him. But he has brought a tremendous amount of joy to our lives, as I can tell that Raven and Janis did for you. When the time is right, and you decide to get your new pets, just realize that you are giving them a LOVING home where they will be appreciated and cared for. That is the best we can do to repay them for what they bring to us...your cats were well-loved, and they knew that. I know that doesn't *make it all better*, but it is important none-the-less...
bill, dedicated animal lover...
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Rob
"Some people spend an entire LIFETIME wondering if they made a DIFFERENCE. The MARINES don't have that problem." -President Reagan 1985
Like I said when we first heard about Raven, my cat is up there in years, had her since I was 9, and I cannot imagine the thought of her passing, although inevitably she will. I can only hope that when she does, we will meet up again some day. My thoughts are with you.
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