The loss of a dear pet

You know, since moving into this place I sometimes fear taking a tumble down the stairs. Both my hubby and I have slipped and hurt ourselves a couple times when we weren't used to walking down stairs. We never even considered that our pets may be in danger.

Earlier today, I heard the sound of the railing upstairs wiggling, like it sounds when Monster used to jump on it when we'd leave our towels over it, etc. Immediatly after the sound, I heard several thumps and wondered what the heck they knocked down the stairs this time (last time it was their pirate ship).

A few seconds of silence, then I hear another couple thumps so I go running over and our oldest cat, Puck is laying at the foot to the stairs. I immediately start talking to him and I can hear him trying hard to breathe. He died right there while we tried to figure out what was wrong. I told my husband what I heard right before we found him. We're not sure exactly what happened, but he broken his neck in the fall. :(

My husband had him for about a year before he and I met. My cat, Gwyn has known him her whole life (I adopted her when she was just barely old enough to go home). Puck was the first one of the two who accepted Monster, he was always such a laid back and wonderfully quiet cat.

I'm still in denial. I keep expecting him to come over to me and beg for more food because the bottom of the bowl is visible even though its full.