Saying Goodbye
I can’t really believe I’m typing this, but Hazel the cat passed away peacefully this morning in our home. She was hands down one of the best friends I ever had.
We weren’t her first owners, so we weren’t entirely sure of her exact age, but she got to experience a long life by cat standards at approximately twenty years. Towards the end of her life, her vision and hearing were nearly gone along with her muscle mass. She was suffering from a long list of possible illnesses, ranging from heart problems to a brain tumor. Her weight began to drop at a rapid rate despite our attempts to keep her healthy with a variety of different foods.
To find out exactly what was wrong, she would have been put through a lot of difficult tests and operations. Our vet explained to us that if we didn’t want to take her down that road, the best choice would be to let her go before she began to suffer. It was one of the hardest things we ever had to do, but we decided to go with the latter option.
Whenever I was exhibiting at a comic convention or presenting at the library, I would tell people that my cats made me laugh every day so I created a webcomic in their honor. And the best part about that was getting to see other people laugh too; people in all different parts of the world who understood the universal bond between pet and owner and the smiles it brings. Hazel inspired a comic that changed my life. And she’ll continue to live on in these pages long after we’ve said goodbye.
Thanks for all those good times, Hazel. We’re gonna miss you.
I am so saddened to hear that, Matt. It’s funny how those little fuzzy terrors can become members of the family. It’s confusing enough for us with our big ole brain pans when we still look up and expect to see them coming around the corner of the hall, I hope Olive will be ok, eventually.
Yeah, she was definitely family. Olive’s gonna miss her for sure. Thanks for the kind words.
I’m sorry for your loss, Matt. I hope you, Olive, and everyone else find comfort in each other in this sad time.
Thanks, Brent. Much appreciated. 🙂
So sorry for your loss, losing a pet is always rough, and losing one that you form a special bond with (and when they have an extreme personality) is even worse.
Thanks, Jim. It’s tough, but we’ll be ok. She had a good, long run.
Saddens me to hear about your loss, I’m so grateful that Hazel had an owner so talented that her exploits could be shared with the rest of us 🙂 God’s peace to you and your family
Thanks for the kind words, Tom. 🙂
Having lost 8 over 30 years I know that each one gone is a hole in your heart. I also had one 20 year old, also my most memorable; the aptly named Elizabeth I. She ruled our home and all of our other cats with an iron paw (actually 2 paws her specialty being a one two punch). As her time grew short she spent most of her days in bed but on her last day she roused herself to tell me the end had come and to designate her successor. The loss will never go away but the memory of all the good will come to replace the bad.
Yeah, there will never be another Hazel, but she left us with a lot of fun memories. Your Elizabeth I sounds like she was a great one.
Matt, Meghan, and Georgia:
I am very sorry to hear of Hazel’s passing. John and I have been reading your comics for so long that, like most folks, felt as if we knew both Hazel and Olive. I have to say this brought a few tears to my eyes.
How wonderful that she had the Gross family not only love her unconditionally, but also to immortalize her in your comics. All of you are in our thoughts, and Hazel will always hold a special place for us.
Traci
Thank you Tracy! I know you felt the loss of Zoe girl not long ago. Your words mean a lot.
Meg
Thanks so much, Traci. You and John have been there from the beginning and I truly appreciate that. 🙂
I am so sorry for you loss. I read your comics every Wednesday and bought your comic books at Kokomo’s comic con. Olive and Hazel remind me so much of my two girls that it breaks my heart to hear this happened.
You gave her the best life possible. She will live on forever in your comics.
Pete and Kelli Shoup
Thanks so much for reading each week. They really do remind us of furry little kids at times. I appreciate the kind words. 🙂
Thank you everyone for your sweet words. What is so heartwarming is how Hazel touched some part of your life through Matt’s comics. I’m so happy she can love on here and we have them to remember her by.
Meghan (Matt’s wife)
And there’s still plenty of fun to come. 🙂
Sorry to hear this news, Matt. I didn’t know Hazel personally, but I felt I did through these comics.
Thanks a lot, sir. I’m glad you got to know her at least a little through the comic.
I’m so sorry that your Little Hazel has gone. They never live long enough, not matter how many years they live. I hope Olive will be OK without her little playmate, and that Georgia doesn’t miss her pet too much.
Yeah, they’re gone all too fast. I think Olive is starting to realize Hazel won’t be back. She’s been a little extra needy lately, but I’m pretty sure we’ll find her a new friend one of these days.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Aw, thank you. 🙂
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. It’s heartbreaking to lose the furballs.
Thanks a lot. It’s been pretty rough, but we’ll be ok. 🙂
Very sorry to hear that, it really sucks to lose your cats. I lost both of mine not to long ago. Blackie died from cancer just about 2 years ago and Cali died of old age I presume this past fall. Cali died somewhat the same way, she was just old with a lot of health issue. One day she went to sleep in the floor a little way away from where I was on the computer. Went I got up to go to bed and she didn’t move I went and nudge her and found out she was dead.
It is very rough dealing with that even when you know it is coming. Wish you and your family the best.
Sorry to hear about your cats too. It’s tough letting go after all those good times.
Olive is likely the one that will be the most upset. I know my two cats did not always get along but when Blackie died, Cali started going to where all of Blackies favorite spots where and not finding her would sleep there.
I know even now I still sometimes stop cause I think I see one of them. Best thing is just remember all the good times and shower Olive with extra love.
Matt, my deepest sympathies. My wife and I have had cats in our home and lives since since shortly after we got married almost 34 years ago. Five have come and gone, all around 20 years with us. We still think of and miss them even though we have 8 more in the house right now. 4 are siblings that are 14+ years old. They bring us laughter and joy every day. You comic, I began following several moths ago. You indeed capture the fun, funny, silly, and poignant moment everyday with a cat companion means.
Goodbye, Hazel. It was a pleasure knowing you.
God bless, Matt. may your memories of her always be joyful ones.
Thanks so much for the kind words about Hazel and about the comic. 🙂
Matt is our very talented son. We are so very proud of his work.
We were blessed to know Hazel personally. She was a very beautiful and sweet cat, quite shy until she got to know us and she eventually warmed up to us and was so affectionate.
Our cat Coco passed on last August on my birthday and I miss her every day.As they say; pets love their owners unconditionally.
Matt, Meg, and Georgia loved Hazel so much and gave her a very good home.
We will miss her so much, but seeing a pet suffer is unbearable.
Georgia says that Hazel is in Heaven and I truly believe that too !
God Bless and honor Hazel with all of your happy and loving memories of her.
Love, Mom and Dad.
Thanks so much for reading the comic and all the support. I’m glad Hazel warmed up to you and that you got to know her a little bit in real life.
Coco was a great cat too and will definitely be missed.
I am incredibly saddened to read this. Thank you for sharing Hazel with us and making her a small part of our families too. I grieve with thee.
When I get home tonight I am going to be a little extra loving to our three-Georgia, Gia, and Furball-and even our poodle, Maia, in Hazel’s memory.
Pets are a blessing, that unfortunately we have to give back all too soon, no matter how long lived they are.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I really appreciate it.
It’s true, we never get quite enough time with them. Hope you have many more happy days with your three cats and poodle. 🙂
I am so sorry 🙁 Rest in Peace Hazel, enjoy the crossing on the Rainbow Bridge =^.^=
Thanks a lot; I appreciate it. 🙂
So sorry to hear about that. It is never easy. I’m glad you’re honoring Hazel and it is a fine legacy that she leaves behind. Obviously she is a VIC. I like your comic too BTW - as much as I like TLA.
Thanks so much; I’m really glad you enjoy the comic. 🙂
My condolences on having to say goodbye to Hazel, Matt. Thank you for sharing her and her stories with us. May her memory never fade.
You’re very welcome. Thanks so much for reading and for the kind words. 🙂
So very sorry I’ve missed this until now. I grieve with you all. Hazel was someone very special, and we’ll all miss her. I wish I had her alter ego, as I do Olive’s, but the rules here only allow one “fur-bearing animal” per apartment. Chipper sends a nose pat and a chin rub.
Thank you so much; I appreciate it 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. I’ve been mostly offline for the last several weeks (losing your computer to a fire has a tendency to do that), but I’m trying to catch up with all my favorite webcomics now and I was heartbroken to see that your lovely Hazel had passed. She truly seemed to be a special individual, and she will live on in all of our hearts.
Oh, no; sorry to hear about your computer! Hazel was definitely a special cat, and we still miss her a lot, but we’re doing ok. Thanks for the kind words 🙂
I’m sorry this is late, I missed the announcement. I’m very sorry about what happened. I think everyone here knows how hard of a decision it was, but it was the right decision. You gave Hazel a wonderful life filled with love and I’m sure she felt the same way. You gave her a home when she needed one and released her when it was time. No cat can ask for more than that.
Thanks so much; it means a lot. We’ll miss her a lot, but we have a lot of good times to look back on.