A Sad Farewell to Luna (2004-2016)

Our Beloved Cat Luna

It is through tears and with the heaviest of hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved Luna. She passed away quietly and peacefully this afternoon.

Since suspending treatment, I have endeavored to keep her happy and comfortable and surrounded by love. The cancer continued to spread and over the past week it was clear just how much pain and difficulty she was in. It was my last gift to her to let her go and be free of the pain. Knowing that, it hasn’t made it any easier to say goodbye.

Luna and I were an inseparable team for over 11 years, years filled with love and fun and adventures. Over time, we became very in tune to each other’s emotions and needs, and have given one another strength and comfort through many challenges and crises. Indeed, she would always be able to instantly when I was sad or in pain, and come over to sit on my chest and provide comforting and healing purrs. This time she isn’t here to do that. Fortunately, I have friends and family, and this wonderful community around CatSynth to draw on. Thank you all for wonderful support you have given during the past year and a half, and beyond.

I am still processing what happened today, and only beginning the grieving process. I will have much more to say over the course of this coming week and in the weeks after that. For now, I leave you some music that speaks to this moment (including the track from Blackstar that we shared on Friday), as well as a modified Mourner’s Kaddish that I will be using, with both Hebrew transliteration and English translation.

RIP Luna (November 30, 2004 [est] – October 31, 2016)

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Mourner’s Kaddish (Modified)

Yitga-dal v’yit-ka-dash sh’may raba,
v’yam leech mal-chu-tay,
b’alma deevra chi-roo-tay,
b’chai-yay-chon uv-yo-maychon, uv-cha-yay d’chol bayt yishvay tehval,
ba-a-ga-lah u-viz-man kareev, v’imru oh-meyn.

Y’hay sh’may ra-ba m’va-rach l’olam ool-ol-may ol-may-yah.

Yit-bar-rach v’yish-ta-bach, v’yit-pah-ar v’yit-ro-mam,
v’yit-na-say v’yit-ha-dar, v’yit-a-leh, v’yit’halal
sh’may d’kud sho b’richu;
l’ay-la min kol bir-chatah v’shee-rata,
tush-b’cha-ta v’ne-cheh-mah-tah, da-a-mee-ron b’alma,
v’imru, oh-meyn.

V’hay sh’lo-mo ra-ba min sh’may-yah,
v’chay-im olaynu v’yal kol yishvay tehval
v’imru, oh-mayn.

O-seh shalom bimromahv.
Hu ya-ah-seh shalom.

Aleynu v’yal kol yishvay tehval,
v’imru, oh-mayn.

Mourner’s Kaddish (Amended) — An English Translation

May it be magnified
and may it be sanctified
Your great name

in the world you created according to your will.
May the world establish and fulfill

in your life and in your days
and in the life of all creation

soon
and near in time
and say, Amen.

May your great name be praised
forever, and ever and ever.

May it be praised
and may it be blessed
and may it be glorified
and may it be upraised
and may it be elevated,

and may it be honored
and may it be exalted
and may it be extolled,

the name of the Holy One, Blessed Be,

beyond all words of praise, words of song,
words of blessing, and words of comfort
that are uttered in this world,
and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all G-d’s creation; and say, Amen.

May G-d who creates peace in the celestial heights, create peace for us and for all creation; and say, Amen.

Originally posted here]

49 thoughts on “A Sad Farewell to Luna (2004-2016)”

  1. Amanda, we are so sad to hear of Luna’s passing. The love the two of you shared was special, and will live on for all eternity. Thank you for loving her so much, and for sharing her with all of us. Hugs, purrs and prayers.

    Fly free, Luna. We will love and remember you always.

  3. I’m so sorry to hear about Luna. I remember when I first met you that I’d just lost Sweet Praline and how supportive you were. Luna and you had a very special connection that will last a lifetime. My thoughts are with you as you go through this tough time.

    Paula

  4. I was so sorry to read the news on FB and now this post. It is so hard to say good-bye to a beloved furry. My you find peace in the memory of the love you shared. A warm hug.

  5. So sorry about Luna. She was beautiful, a lady. It’ll be tough for a while, expecting her to be there, when she’s not. Time can lesson the pain. Please lean on your friends and family during this time. Thoughts and prayers go out to you. Big hugs. ((((((((((((Amanda)))))))))))))))))

  8. Oh Amanda, we are so sorry to hear this news.
    We know the bond you two shared was strong and letting go is hard.
    We wish we could help with the pain you feel.
    Sending you mush love and comforting purrs.
    Luna was indeed a beautiful and special kitty.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ
    and mum Nancy

  10. Farewell sweet Luna – we will miss your sweet face on the computer. We always loved you from afar, Healing vibes to your family.
    Godspeed little beautiful one…
    Angel Perfectly Parker’s family.

  12. I am so very sad to hear of Luna’s passing. My heart goes out to you. Deep purrs of healing and comfort to all who loved her.

  13. Dear friend…I remember the first times I encountered your blog, you and Luna.

    A long time ago, in a lifetime far away, for both of us.

    The beauty and grace of Luna so finely complimented the beauty and grace of the instruments you blogged about and the music and art you created and shared.

    Her presence complimented perfectly the contributions CatSynth made to to 3 of the earliest and best of the pet blogging sharefests, all about cats, Carnival of the Cats, Weekend Cat Blogging, and Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos, for many years.

  14. You two were a very special pair. Luna made so many friends thru your blog and will live on in all our hearts. Sending love and healing light to you as you grieve and get used to life with Luna.

    Cheri and cats

  17. We are so sorry that Luna had to leave you but just know that she knew so much love from you while she was with you and that is worth a lot. We certainly send hugs and many purrs. Thanks for taking such good care of her.

  19. I’m so, so sorry for your loss! I too lost a cat to cancer and I know how awful it is. Thank you so much for loving Luna and caring for her so much, and for making that most painful and courageous decision a pet guardian can make.

    When my cats have passed, I remember a line from the Buddhist Heart Sutra: Gaté, gaté, paragate, parasamgate … Bodhi soha! (Roughly translated, that means “Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone far beyond … O, what beautiful enlightenment!”

    May you eventually be able to smile through your tears as you remember your beloved Luna. *hugs*

  20. We are so sorry that Luna has gone OTB. Our hearts are heavy knowing the pain you are in. Luna was a fighter and we know you did everything you could to give her quality time. We’re sending soft, healing purrs and prayers to you at this terribly sad time.

    (((hugs)))

    The Florida Furkids

  22. Amanda — thank you for keeping all of us updated on your journey with Luna. I’m sad too, it gives me flashbacks to last year when my Mr. Sushi died. There is never enough time in the world to spend with a beloved pet.

    Luna will live on in your memories, and may all those happy times serve in counterpoint of the pain you are feeling. You and Luna have provided such a nexus of delight with CatSynth to us enthusiasts of both… thank you for putting so much of yourself into this. There are many times I did not comment, but was touched by a new post here. I want you to know how much I’ve enjoyed seeing all the cats and synths you’ve featured here.

    I remember when I first found out about this site, and in the years since, both of my cats (Uni, who you’ve posted on CatSynth, and the aforementioned Sushi) that I’ve mentioned on here have passed on to the rainbow bridge. I’ve had new kitties since, but each life is a special one.

    If you need to talk or just want me to listen, feel free to reach out.

  23. We are so sorry for the loss of your lovely Luna. Sending soft hugs from me and soft purrs from Spike, Angel China Cat and Angel Willow

    Purrrrrrrrrrrrs, Spike William
    and prayers from Mom Teri

  24. I am so very sorry on the loss of your beloved Luna.
    You will take your time to honor her and grieve her passing, as all of us do who love deeply. It is a journey with many steep passages. I know her spirit will guide you, and also too, I hope you believe that in time your spirits will reunite again. She just went ahead but she will wait for you. I pray that in some way that does bring you comfort. My deepest sympathies.

  25. May your heart be filled with love and memories of Luna to last you through to when you meet again. Her spirit is right there with you always. Quietly, softly, may you feel a whisker across your cheek as she swirls around you with love.
    Purrs and loves,
    Mom Brenda

  33. We are so sorry to hear that Luna has left for the Bridge. Sending healing purrs and comforting hugs in your time of grief.
    With deepest condolences,
    Angel Normie, Angel Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis

  34. I was sorry to read about Luna’s passing. Though I have not visited your site before, I know what it is to lose a furry friend. It is, in fact, like losing any kind of friend: painful and inconsolable. My condolences, even so. Godspeed, Luna.

  38. Godspeed your journey Luna; we are truly sorry. You are and always will be, a very beautiful girl; we send our sincerest sympathies to your family ….with hugs ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥

  39. We’re so sorry to hear that Luna has passed. She was quite the lovely cat. We know she’ll be missed greatly.
    We hope your memories of her bring you joy and peace.

  41. Oh Amanda, I’m so sorry. I just found out and I’m sitting here with tears rolling down my face. I can only imagine how you feel. Sending love and purrs from the Hotties. *hugs*

  43. I am so sorry for your loss! Such a beautiful kitty! Peace and blessings to you and your Luna as she runs free and without pain now in the Summerlands.

  44. I just heard the news. Setting up a post on MATRIXSYNTH as I type this. Luna was one great cat and had one great owner. Luckiest synth cat in the world to have you Amanda. I am so sorry. I was devastated when I lost my cat JD. Thank you for posting about him all those years ago. Know that you have my support. The hardest thing in losing JD was not only losing his company but also the support he gave me in being who I wanted to be. He always had my back. Know that we will always have your back as well. The support Luna gave you will live on through you and others that knew you with Luna.

  47. I have just learned of Luna’s passing and I know you will have grief to get through. I am leaving this window open so I can listen to the music and grieve properly for you tomorrow morning when I am working from home and can spend some quality time reading and listening with respect.

    For now, Fly Free Luna,brave spirit. Matrix has it right – they have immense value beyond company.

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