My Cuddles spirit has been freed,

[JMCKUSICK]

Last edited Tue Jul 14, 2026, 02:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I'll post a better eulogy soon.

He was so happy to see me, he actually perked up looked me in the eye and started purring when I rubbed his head with my goatee, as I've done every day for four years now.
I thanked him for saving my life, for the incredible friend that he's been, and for being such an Amazing boy.

I got to let him, hold him, comfort him, soothe him, smell his wonderful breath one more time, and to hear him purr as I spoke to him made me feel ok, he knew it was me, and he knew it was time.

I soothed him with all the usual special noise I make for him, I told him not to be afraid, that Snuggles has been waiting more than two years for him and that there were lots of others waiting on the other side.

I prayed that God keep him and use his special talents to make people happy there, and as I said, to be a storyteller with all the incredible moments he's had.

My little Boy is now free, and I get to celebrate how impactful he has been on my life, bringing me closer to God and to my best self.

I will honor him each and every living day I have left, just like Snuggles.

Someone told me yesterday that pets come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime, and I feel so blessed and honored to have him share his with me.

RIP Cuddles 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[fierywoman]

1. I'm sobbing. Bless your soul. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[JMCKUSICK]

9. I've shared him with all of you for two years now, became he was so integral to my healing and

Recovery, and not to mention y mental health.

[lastlib]

2. What a touching tribute to your furbaby!

They certainly leave big paw-prints on our hearts, as your Cuddles and Snuggles did for you. Clearly, you were a good servant for them.

[JMCKUSICK]

10. Happily so, and yes, I do believe it was my job

To be his best friend, he'd always let me know when he wanted out, when he wanted a walk, when he wanted in, in a very enabling way, my life really revolves around him because he was such an active part of it.

My Petunia is an old woman, and our special moments primarily involve snuggling and napping together, and the huge production I make out of feeding her every day.

Shadow is too new, although we have certainly bonded wonderfully since last December

[Laurelin]

3. I'm glad you could help Cuddles' spirit be free

But I'm sad for you. Holding you in the light.

[JMCKUSICK]

11. Thank you Laurelin.

[Maraya1969]

4. OMG why are you crying? Oh wait.......

[1WorldHope]

5. 😢

[Polly Hennessey]

6. Cuddles you were here for a reason. You gave unconditional love and joy to your pet dad and

to the rest of us a glimpse into the world of caring for each other. We are all better for that little glimpse of you your human shared with us.

[JMCKUSICK]

12. That's very sweet Polly, thank you and yes,, it's true. He did all that.

[KitFox]

7. I started crying reading your tender words. Oh what a life you gave your precious kitty cat. Bless you, dear heart.🩷🩷

[JMCKUSICK]

14. And what a life he gave me,

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Be happy over the Rainbow Bridge, Cuddles.

"Farewell, Master, Yet not farewell. Where I go, ye, too, shall dwell I am gone, before your face, A moment's time, a little space. When ye come where I have stepped Ye will wonder why ye wept." After Death by Edwin Arnold

[JMCKUSICK]

13. That's really beautiful Sinkingfeeling, thank you!

[debm55]

15. John, may the memories of Cuddles be a blessing to you. Fly away from your pain, sweet Cuddles.

[JMCKUSICK]

21. Thank you Debbie, such kind words for him! You are so sweet.

[CousinIT]

16. He'll live forever in that part of your heart ...

...that will always be only his. You gave him the best life and were there with him at the end, so he didn't go alone. Part of you goes with him, too. Part of him stays with you. And nothing can change that.

[JMCKUSICK]

17. Agreed agreed agreed 100%

Thank you CousinIT

[montanacowboy]

18. So sorry for your loss

We just lost our little persian girl 3 weeks ago and its so hard. They are the joy of our lives. May she have safe travels.

[JMCKUSICK]

30. Thank you Montanaciwboy,

I'm sorry you had to lose your baby too.
You're right, it is.

[LoisB]

19. He has become an angel.

[JMCKUSICK]

31. Amen LoisB

[JMCKUSICK]

34. Reminds me of annold twilight zone episode

This angel finally earns his wings helping Poor Carol Burnett as I recall

Cuddles sure earned his with me.

[Endlessmike56]

20. We just lost our 16 year old dog. I know it's hard. Remember the good times

[JMCKUSICK]

22. But but but there were so many

[3catwoman3]

23. And thank you for sharing him with us.

[JMCKUSICK]

35. Thank you 3Catwoman3, It was an honor,

His has always been a story worth telling.

[AllaN01Bear]

24. """

[JMCKUSICK]

36. Thank you AllaN01Bear

[70sEraVet]

25. I'm sorry that we only have these amazing, loving creatures in our lives....

for such a short time, JMCKUSICK.
You have been a faithful caregiver right to the end.

[JMCKUSICK]

38. And what a joyful ride it was

I really have only the very best memories, because he gave so much, knew so much, I think understood so much of what his role was supposed to be, especially if you really believe as I do, that they choose us in the first place.

[bamagal62]

26. 😭

[Ocelot II]

27. RIP, Cuddles.

They say: don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened, and I guess that's true, but we're going to cry anyhow because it's such a hard loss. I've cried harder over my cats when they passed than I did for human family. Thank you for giving him a good life, and let that be a comfort to you.

[JMCKUSICK]

39. Me too, excepting my friend Rory,

It's so hard because they really never judge, never stop loving unconditionally, and they do know just how happy they make us.

[Diamond_Dog]

28. Cuddles will live on in your heart and in your memories.

Please know we are all here for you, JM.

[JMCKUSICK]

40. Thank you Diamond_Dog

You already have been,

[StarryNite]

29. This poem gives me peace in these sad situations.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your words made me cry for your loss and for the ones I've lost too.

It's not the end, it's a beginning...

Adrift! A little boat adrift!
And night is coming down!
Will no one guide a little boat
Unto the nearest town?

So Sailors say — on yesterday —
Just as the dusk was brown —
One little boat gave up its strife —
And gurgled down and down —

So angels say — on yesterday —
Just as the dawn was red —
One little boat —
o’erspent with gales —
Retrimmed its masts —
redecked its sails —
And shot — exultant on!
~Emily Dickinson

[JMCKUSICK]

41. That's a wonderful poem StarryNite,

Thank you.

[MustLoveBeagles]

32. Hugs to you

your special boy got his wings.

[JMCKUSICK]

42. And he earned them!

I think his greatest accomplishment would be that through his love, his consistency and his true devotion, he made me more capable of giving and loving no matter my place in life.

God I miss him already, he really was an angel 😇

[UpInArms]

33. Rest well, dear Cuddles

Hugs to you, my dear John 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂

[JMCKUSICK]

43. Thank you UpInArms,

You're very sweet.

[The Wizard]

37. May the hole in your heart be filled with sweet memories.

you gave Cuddles the best possible life. Before you know it, thoughts of Cuddles will bring a smile to your lips.

[JMCKUSICK]

44. It always has and still does,

I've been accused of making everything about my cats ad nauseum, and that might be true, but it's because they're all I've ever had, and they've always made me happy.

[Dear_Prudence]

45. The love still remains...

Rest well, Cuddles. Take care JCMKUSICK.

[JMCKUSICK]

47. Always, and I know enough to know that our hearts have infinite capacity for love

Thank you Dear_Prudence

[LetMyPeopleVote]

46. It is hard saying goodbye to a family member

I am sorry for your loss

[JMCKUSICK]

48. Thank you LetMyPeopleVote

[Ilsa]

49. Having to wipe my eyes now. I'm so sorry, JM.

I know you'll still feel him around you. They are sweet, special spirits.

[JMCKUSICK]

54. I do and I will, as much as his spirit will be with me, I'll be with him too.

[Niagara]

50. Cross gently, Cuddles

I'm sorry for your loss, John.

In your time of grief, don't forget to ask for a memorial keepsake of Cuddles (ink or clay paw print, or some of fur in a vial).

I can't speak for anyone else, but having those physical memorial keepsakes helps me find comfort and peace after losing them.

[JMCKUSICK]

55. I got two paw prints, one for me, one for Toby

[JMCKUSICK]

56. Thank you Niagara, that note is so accurate.

[SheltieLover]

51. I'm so glad you had that special time with him, John

[question everything]

52. What a touching farewell. You know that he understood your feelings

Lots of love to both of you

[JMCKUSICK]

57. Of that I'm certain.

Thank you Question everything

[Permanut]

53. So many of us have walked a mile in those shoes..

Losing these little treasures is truly heartbreaking.

R I P Cuddles

[JMCKUSICK]

58. Thank you Permanut,

of all the miles we walk, while hard as hell, there are no miles more worth trekking.

[MIButterfly]

59. I'm so sorry, JMCKUSICK

What a lovely tribute. Your words touched my heart. They love you feel for Cuddles really shines through in all your posts.

I know having to say goodbye is the hardest part of having a pet in your life.

What a wonderful cat he was and what a wonderful relationship you had! You saved each other's lives.

[JMCKUSICK]

60. Thank you MIButterfly,

I know we all have our special relationships with our furbabies, I just feel like cats have saved me because they made it safe for me to just be me, without judgement or abandonment.

I know it sounds harsh, but I swear he helped me stay sane through the SSDI stuff as well as my Heart surgery wait.