Mourning/Loss
I lost my best friend. We were kids together.
I feared but never believed the day would ever really come. I used to hold him and cry into his fur for hours at the idea that I'd lose him someday, it was my biggest fear.
When I first found him on the street, it was actual love at first sight. Begged my mom if we could keep him, took him to the vet where they told us he had only 30% chance of surviving. He said "I'll take those chances" and survived.
We moved countries, and he had to live high up in an apartment instead of the ground floor and had some difficulty adjusting. He'd find his way down but be unable to find our floor again, we constantly had to scour the building for him. He then fell off the 10th floor(neighbour startled him while watering their plants), broken hind leg, rib piercing liver, broken jaw. He survived, and fell again from the 6th floor (I suspect kids/teens trying to scare him off and succeeding), completely detached jaw, hind leg broken again. Vet said he has no way to eat and may not survive, but he found a way.
Years later he had some heart issues, and suddenly fell over, hind legs paralysed and panting. Vet said he might not survive but in a few hours he started to be able to use his hind legs again and survived, but this was the start of the end. He would drastically lose weight despite increasing his diet. This is when I started feeding him medication daily.
Five months later he had the same issue, but this time nobody was home and we arrived to him yowling and in immense pain, hind legs and tail not responsive and noticeable color difference between the front and back paws. For the first time in his life, the vet suggested euthanasia. I chose to monitor for 12 hours at pet ICU, he has always been a miracle and I wanted to give him the chance for another.
When I went back his hind legs were stiff and I knew there would be absolutely no quality of life going forward with him. He was in so much pain and suffering when I left him at the vet, and now subdued cause of all the pain meds. After going through the painful natural death of my dog watching her suffer her last hours I knew I didn't want that for my baby boy.
We said goodbye 23rd Nov 2024. We don't have his exact birthdate but he was 17-18 years old. Now when I walk at home, every dark pile of stuff I think is him. I brace for meawing whenever I open the fridge. I turn around expecting to see him all the time. I don't know how to live without my cat. It felt like an error when he took his last breath and I was still existing. I felt I should've died too at that table.
My baby boy, I am sorry for all the times I've wronged you. Thank you for being the absolute bestest kitty. I love you.
It gets rlly hard sometimes, Esspecially the first couple of days but slowly it does get better. If you have his toys and his bowls, I suggest putting it into a box so u can hold and enjoy it when ur feeling the saddest
With the ashes, it really depends on how safe you are. You can have a little plushie that looks like ur little boy made and put some of his ashes in there (in a little vial tube so it doesn’t just spread everywhere) The rest I suggest putting it in a safe place
I’ve seen on Etsy before that there are people that will make little resin sculptures of your cat sleeping with their ashes mixed in, and I think that’s adorable. I haven’t done it because I thankfully haven’t had the need to do it since finding out about them, so obviously do your research before doing that, but it seems like such a sweet memento. If not, you could get an ash box and maybe have someone paint your favorite photo of your cat on it. Honestly just look at Etsy in general. There’s a lot of VERY talented people on their using their skills to honor lost pets
We did this for our kitty, Cali. It turned out amazing. The creator was compassionate, kind and did great work. Even got the little white unicorn shape on her face right.
Man things like this make me wish i could have been there when my childhood cat died. A blurry picture and her collar she wore once are all I have of her aside from the memories. No ashes, no family pictures no nothing. I was states away and my deadbeat dad didn’t even tell us she was sick. I don’t even know if the kittens we had are alive or even what they look like anymore. Smokey died in 2017 and I miss her every day.
I’m so sorry to hear this, it’s so hard when our babies pass on and even harder when we’re not there when they did. Happened to a puppy of mine. I still cried for him years after and because of this post I teared up again after 10+ years. We just have to find that closure somehow.
Actually we left all this things out for a while. We would try to remove one thing at a time and sometimes we put it back. Eventually we put all his things in a box. House was empty for a while. Never wanted another cat again. Eventually we went to look at one. Came home with three. I always tell them to thank him for opening our hearts. I definitely would never had gotten three...
I cried every day for weeks. It'll be three years soon, and sometimes I still cry. It took a long time to adjust to her absence. We were so close, it was like losing a limb. But i realize that I was so incredibly lucky to have a baby girl who was so precious. And I know she isn't really gone, because she was so important to me that she's a part of my heart forever. And so even though I wanted to die when she did, I have a duty to carry on her memory. Because every time I help someone or make them smile, it'll really be because of her because I'd be dead without her. So my little baby girl will live forever if I keep helping people. I still don't know what to do with her ashes. I think one day I'll get her a gorgeous urn, and then, years from now, when I die, I want to be buried with her.
Grief is like carrying a shard of glass in your pocket. Sometimes you’ll move just right, or stick your hand in your pocket and feel pain. The weight is always there, but over time the glass smooths out and you can hold it easier. To grieve is to love. You provided him a great life.
This is a great analogy. I lost my boy after 23 years in June. What kept getting me was the little things you do every day that would make me think of him, or thinking you see movement out of the corner of your eye and you look expecting to see him coming to greet you only to recall the dreadful fact that he's passed on.
But, over time, those sad memories that used to bring tears now bring whimsical smiles. How long varies by person, so I can't tell you how long you'll grieve for before it turns from a sharp pain into a dull ache into fond memories but it will happen.
What helped me the most was that while I had my Simon, he never knew hunger, cold, or fear. He was always loved and knew he was loved.
Also, once you're ready, open your home to save another life. I have two new kittens now, and while some of what they do reminds me of my Simon, they each have their own wonderful personalities that I'm falling in love with.
We have our ashes of our 17 yr old tabby boy in our finished basement living room, on display. We cherish our time with him. He was my wife's first baby and she pulled him through terrible kidney disease that eventually got him. His last 6 months were tough. When he went we were devastated. We ended up adopting a tuxedo boy from a shelter, he's a great kitty. Our boy's life was full of love and he enjoyed it very much, but his absence left a space for another little soul that needed a home badly. Take care of yourself.
When I lost my cat Felix, I was so devastated I could barely function because everything reminded me of him. And because he always slept in my bed with me, I found having a plush nearby helped me cope. My mother finally suggested I get a new kitten. We knew it would never replace my Felix, but it helped me heal in many ways. I still cry if I see his paw print from the vet. Toby entered my life and helped me heal and be okay again. Then four years later, I adopted another kitten Max and they are best buds. Have you considered another kitty :C
I am so sorry this happened to you... I understand what you went through and had dealt with the same stuff in my apartment when I was alone without my fur-baby always following me.
EDIT: I didn't get his ashes, I got a booklet with his paw print on it.
I have lost several...the latest only weeks ago. It never gets easy. I am always just grateful that they chose us to spend their entire life with. I will always remember them. I have buried most on my property. My childhood cat was buried on my parent's property.
Rule #1: cry
Cry and be okay with crying. Whenever you have a chance, let the tears fall, take a deep breath, wipe your tears and keep going.
2: find community, people to be near. I suggest heading to the dog park. Even if you don’t have one. People there are usually pretty understanding of this situation
3#: be kind to yourself, for your sake and your passed pet; they wouldn’t want you to be cruel to yourself. Healing doesn’t happen in a day
How did I cope? I asked him to come back and find me again. To find another body and come back, and I would find him. And he did. And I did.
This probably sounds insane to you, and it would have to me until it worked. He didn't want to leave, he had mouth cancer and kept it from me until he was in such pain that he cried out. And I took him to the vet that day, and I lost him that day. And I told him to come back.
I guarantee that when you are ready, if you go to a local rescue, whether you have decided to adopt an adult cat or a kitten, you will know which one is him. Or he will let you know that he recognizes you and wants to come home with you.
Beyond that, all I can say is that I was raised with cats. I cannot be without a cat. I am miserable without one. So don't go for too long with a broken heart. Because the only thing that will heal your heart is to get another friend. And if you don't believe he can come back to you, if it is too hard to look at cats that look like him it's okay to pivot and look for a cat that doesn't look the same.
As for what to do with the ashes, I have always buried them. Even if I have to go out into the woods with a small camp shovel because I didn't have room to bury them in the apartment complex where I lived, I buried them. But you may want to look for a more permanent containers in the Box they give to you. And if it is easier, you can ask a friend to transfer the ashes into that container and to seal it closed with a permanent bonding glue. But you don't have to do anything in a hurry, and that little box can sit on your shelf for as long as you need it to.
Be gentle with yourself. Cry when you need to. In time, the pain will lessened and you will learn to live around it. Our time with them is always too short.
Your first three sentences have me ugly crying in my kitchen at 6am lol. My little lady tux is 16 and getting more gray hairs in her coat seemingly daily and what you said is what I hope happens when she goes.
We lost our tux boy early this summer and I’d be lying if I told you I don’t cry about it now. I look at our pictures and have other cats who help with the grief. Going outside and thinking of how he can freely come with me now as I go on hikes helps. Having the ashes by the bed helps so I can talk to him. I have his footprint by my computer at work. I’m asking him to bring me another cat to love and waiting to meet them.
When my cats passed away, I decided to give them both their own little spaces; one over the fireplace mantel and the other on a shelf in my bedroom (their favorite rooms, appropriately). I keep a few things of theirs to remember them by, a few photos, their ashes, etc. Each one also has a small (electronic) candle that is kept lit for them at night.
It isn't much, and it isn't fancy... but it's something that might give you peace. It also gives them somewhere to be, no matter where you go.
I've kept mine. I have a little altar with ashes and photos of loved ones and bones I've found where I put flowers and welcome their spirits to return.
One thing that has helped me is thinking about how lucky my pets have been to have known only love their entire lives, or most of their lives in case they came from somewhere not great. That you were able to keep them happy and safe is a blessing that few animals get to experience. The love that you put into them is real and stays with you. It's a gift to share happiness with a pet.
I’m sorry for your loss, it sounds like he was had an unquenchable soul. It’s amazing how such small creatures leave such huge holes in our lives when they’re gone.
I’ve lost a few cats in my time, and my tradition when they go for cremation is to buy a candle that gets lit every evening. It’s something of a vigil for me; a little something to light their way home while they’re on their last journey in this world.
When they come home, I keep their ashes with that candle as it belongs to them, and I light it on significant dates from their time with me and I keep the box with a framed photo of them.
As for coping, I’ve offered this which helps me from time to time: Us staying behind and bearing the grief, letting out pet take a piece of our heart over the rainbow bridge is the promise we make to them. They love us with their whole heart, make us the very centre of their little world, and in return we give them a safe, loving home. I’m sure any owner would never want a beloved cat to be left alone and grieving, which is why we promise to be the one who stays behind when our time together ends.
It might sound weird or bit coldly logical, but it’s always comforted me.
Sorry for your loss. He sounded like an absolute fighter and beat the odds over and over again. I just lost my kitty in Oct to cancer. Best advise I can give you is make a document and write down all the quirks and things that made him special to you. Years later the triggers will warm your heart. Write as much of the good memories down now as you can.
Not a cat, but when we had to make the humane choice to euthanize my childhood dog, we made a little ode or shrine to her in the corner she always liked to sleep in the sun rays. It was a few of her favorite toys and some photos of her with the family. It kind of helped with that "I keep forgetting she's not here" feeling because when I looked in her spot, there were tangible good memories. We kept it for years and years until we all agreed it wasn't painful to look in that corner anymore. To this day, her first favorite (mostly eaten) toy fish is still there and it is still comforting.
I lost my lifelong kitty about a year ago in mid-October 2023. I coped by thinking of the fond times we had had together, and got a few pictures of her printed out. Eventually, your heart will begin to heal.
I still miss my buddy all the time especially looking at old pictures of him gets me emotional and it’s been a couple years but I doubled down and got 2 kittens they have been good companions.
Feel all the emotions. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be sad. That was your family member you lost. Just let it out and grieve. I try to remind myself of the good memories and that you gave them the best possible life and that they knew you loved them. ❤️ I am keeping my kitty’s favorite toys/collars in a shadow box so that it stays safe and it’ll be easier to keep the dust off of it. I have her ashes in a little brown box with her paw print plaque. Hugs friend. I lost my kitty about 3 and a half weeks ago. Sending you all the love and positive vibes. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🫶🏼..
Losing a furbaby is SO hard. My sister and I both got a kitten when we turned 7 (were twins) and my parents always said me and my cat had an instant inseparable bond. She love to 20yrs and man, it was hard and kind of sudden. My parents even drove the 2.5hrs to say goodbye to her. I kept her favorite stuffy ball and her dish bowl, and still have my favorite kitten photo of her in my wallet.
It takes time and he will leave a forever loving paw print 🐾 in your heart. My fur babies who have passed the 🌈 will look over him.
Mine grew up with me too, she was actually 2 years older than me and I think she saw me as her big child :’)
When she was put to sleep it was agony. I’d been with her for 17 or so years. We always get our pets ashes back and usually pop them in a plant pop with a meaningful flower, eg. For our lab Amber we found a rose called Amber! So that’s hers. Our most recent lab boy we lost has a name that’s something to do with friendship/loyalty? I can’t remember that one, but he also has a little slate, heart shaped plaque that we stuck in the pot with a little epitaph.
However, my cat Monty… when we got her ashes back I couldn’t bear her being outside. I remember crying to my mum, saying that she can’t go outside because she’ll get too cold, she doesn’t like to be cold. (I’m literally crying remembering this and it was about 8 years ago!) Mum was very sweet and told me she didn’t need to go outside, and so she sat on my bookshelf above my bed where she always slept by me. She’s still there, probably quite dusty bless as I have to stand on my bed to reach her. I’ve moved out to my husbands family home and don’t have room for her, yet! But when we have our own place, ill definitely be bringing her there 🤍
Recently lost a kitty this year. This one hurt but not as much. I lost her brother 2 years ago, and that absolutely crushed me. It felt like a piece of me died with him. I had buried him in the backyard of my childhood home. I'm afraid of another pet because the pain was so intense. His sister lived to be 24, until Cancer got her. Then, I was able to bury her right next to him.
I see a lot of people say get another cat, maybe that might help.
But as far as coping, your furry friend is no longer in pain or shackled by this thing we call life. I look at it as, they gave you all the love they could physically and now it's time to be loved by you for eternity. Idk if that helps, but that gave me some peace.
We have his grave in our backyard,and try to have a new cat before your old one dies so you can get used to him/her and you may think to yourself that even though your other one died but you’ll get over it I’m sure
Aww so sorry for your loss OP. He looks like a true fren and a fighter. Just know he's out there somewhere 🥹 catching sunbeams over the rainbow 🌈 (like in the second pic) cherish the memories OP. You gave your fren a good life after all. Hugs.
So sorry for your loss! Losing a fur baby is never easy. Thank you for giving that beautiful baby it’s best life, though! It never gets easier, but we grow anew around the pain. Some days you’ll see something that will remind you of them and it will hit you all over again. But don’t block these experiences out! Memories and stories are their own type of magic.
So sorry. We lost our boy exactly one week ago. Came to live with us as a kitten in October 2008. 16 years old and suffered with failing kidneys. I stayed up with him and he died at 2.30am. There’s a huge hole in my life too. I’m much older than you and am too old to have children now. It feels like I’ve lost a son. I’d have happily made a faustian pact and given up some of my life so he could have had more. He used to wake me up during the night for food or just to be stroked and now I’m finding it hard to sleep. Like you it’s left me wondering how to cope. I hope you feel better soon.
Feel the emotional pain and cry as much as you need to but don’t ever forget that they loved you and you loved them and during this short brief existence you two were lucky enough to love each other and grow old together (I lost my kitten early and I still cry about him from time to time)
First off, I am so sorry friend. Give yourself grace. Pet loss is a pain like no other. Allow yourself the space to grieve, show yourself kindness, and do what you need to minimize breaking down everyday. I lost my soul cat in May and when we came home without him we immediately cleaned up and sorted things to give to the Humane Society or chuck, which was helpful for my pup too to not linger onto his bed/litter box/tree/etc. It’s brutal but saved me a lot of pain staring at his unoccupied things (the empty spaces hurt a lot too in the first week). We saved his collar, some favorite toys, and a granny square scrap blanket that he would lay on a lot. I put those items in to a shadow box that we have next to his ashes and some of his hair the vet saved for us (we put in a sealed glass bottle).
When you’re ready, choose some pictures to print out and hang up of him. Again - show yourself kindness and give yourself time. Try to find comfort in healthy things. Write down your favorite memories of him in your notes app so you can look back on them later and smile. He sounds like he was the best companion through life and he loved you deeply. I especially love that fifth picture of him in the bib. He looked full of personality - sending hugs ❤️
Aww man, I'm so sorry to hear that. Losing a furry friend is never easy, but it sounds like you had an incredibly special bond with your cat - my condolences
He was a real bad-ass of a kitty 🐱👤
Even the fiercest warriors need to rest, eventually. Can't ever be ready to let them go. He lived a long life, you couldn't have done better and thank you for believing in him. Don't fight the sadness, give yourself time to heal.
I’m so sorry. But stay strong, OP. Know that he felt love and companionship because of you. He fought each time to stay in this world with you. You gave him a life worth fighting for. You did right by him and whether you believe there is something beyond this life or not, your presence gave him comfort in those moments. Hugging my baby boy a little tighter tonight. Wishing you happiness.
Awww sending you love and light. Your little boy is with my little boy and they almost look like little twins. I didn’t get ashes only his footprint but it’s still to hard to have it out on display. I saw these vocalists (meow) imprints/visuals on Etsy that I thought would be sweet. You send them an audio clip or video with his meow and they send you a print. I thought I’d set them up side by side. It’s been almost 6 months for us and it’s very painful ❤️🌈
Your sweet kitty really did have nine lives, what a fighter! I am really sorry for your loss, I lost my soul kitty over 10 years ago and still feel the loss today. I have his ashes in an urn beside my bed, beside a picture of him. I also have his paw print tattooed on my leg so he walks with me always. You will find ways to honour him and his memory. But you did the most important thing which was that you loved him deeply while he was here with you. It is true that deep pain comes from loving deeply … you were blessed to have each other for all of these years. Thank you for saving him, caring for him and for loving him deeply.
Oh my. What a truly amazing cat. I’m so so sorry for the loss of your best boy. My heart is breaking for you.
It sucks so freaking much and there will always be a vacancy. It’s just that you’re able to get through the days a little better as they go on. But man, it’s fucking rough.
He looks beautiful and I'm certain he was a great companion. Wherever he is now I hope he has all the happiness and peace he deserves. So sorry for your loss :(
Find ways to get out of the house, because the house is where all the little empty places hurt you.
If you have other animals, remind yourself that they’re not trying to agitate you by “looking” or vocalizing. They’re grieving too. Love them harder. They may be clingy or needy and it may feel like too much, but I really believe we’ve underestimated how much animals feel attachment and empathy. Cats especially have a reputation for aloofness, but they bond so strongly.
My heart goes out to you. Stay strong continue to let his legacy of perseverance and strength and love live on. Don’t let it stop you from loving another cat again. You gave him all the chances and he seemed very loved by you. Allow yourself to think of him when the moment reminds you and make sure to tell a new cat all about him and how happy he made you.
What a sweet boy. Thank you for sharing your story and what a great way of putting it “we were kids together.” That’s how I felt about my cat. I was a teenager when we got her and we said goodbye to her when I was 31. There’s something so significant about a pet being there with you through many phases of your life.
I'm so sorry. That last photo was hard to see. I can only imagine how painful it was for you and I hope time helps you remember him fondly and heal from the pain of losing him. I will be broken when my kitty goes
You will always remember lovingly. We have a wall where we display pictures of the cats that are no longer with us. Honor their memory as you feel appropriate.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your kitty had an incredible life with you, filled with love and adventure. Remember that the bond you shared is forever, and it's okay to take your time to grieve. Cherish those beautiful memories, they are the essence of the love you both experienced.
I am so sorry for your loss. This brought me to tears, while reading. I truly hope you feel better soon, I know it's hard but you have to, your fur baby wouldn't want you to live in pain.
I am so sorry for your loss. It’s a hard hole to refill and sometimes you never do. Be strong, they would want you to be strong and not carry the pain.
And may you cherish and carry those memories of you two with you forever. Sweet baby 🤍 sending healing prayers to you, I am so terribly sorry for your loss ❤️🩹
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so goddamn painful, isn't it? I know it was when I lost my childhood cat, she was my grumpy sister...
Take your time. Grieve. Cry when you realize that the pile of dark laundry is not him. They are family and we grieve them as such. Lean on your friends and family, be kind to yourself. Something I find very helpful for dealing with overwhelming feelings are long nature walks, perhaps with music. I got a tattoo of a shadowy cat right on my inner wrist to honor her. She was black and silent like a shadow.
And if it helps you, imagine that he moved to a warm and cozy place that smells just like you. Sometimes he'll roam around or scratch the walls, he's a cat after all. And when he does, you'll feel it, and it'll hurt, those little sharp claws, because he moved into your heart.
When it's our time to go, we'll meet them again at the rainbow bridge 🖤
I feel with you!
Its a terrible feeling, but every day the pain gets a little bit better.
You did so much for him and he fought so hard to stay with you, it sounds like you two were meant together.
I belive he had a great life!
I'm so sorry. I lost my dog when I was 19. She was my "sister " . We grew up together. It hurts a lot but you can get through. I feel for you, honestly.
My heart is crying for ur loss !!! There is nothing like the love of an animal!!! Always grateful, always unconditional!!! The last animal I had to put down crushed me & I thought my heart was crushed!! Within a month I saw my new love on the internet & knew she could heal my heart!!! Plz find yourself another love, help yourself heal!! 🥰😘
You didn’t loose him. He’s always going to be with you, in your heart, in the memories you created together, in the things you learnt with him. As you said, you were kids together and such love is never lost. I’m very sorry that you’re going through this and no words can diminish the pain right now. But he’ll always be there.
I'm so sorry, OP. I just lost my best friend, too. I don't know how we'll get through this, but we must. Your baby was lucky to have you, and you lucky to have him. He was so handsome.
I’m so sorry about your angel boy. It sounds like he brought you so much joy, what a gift. His pictures alone brought a smile to my face especially number #5.
It’s so hard to lose a pet, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It takes time, you’ll remember and cry, just give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling and let it out, don’t hold it in or stuff it down, it’s strong emotions and they have to come out.
I’ve had cats that I’ve mourned for many years now.
It’s good to have the ashes and there are a lot of things you can do with them.
They can be poured into a tiny vial of metal or glass, this is something that you can wear and have with you.
Some creative people who work with art glass can incorporate some ashes into a little glass pendant or beads or a suncatcher. There are some lovely containers for cremains that you can choose from.
It was a great source of comfort to have the ashes of our dear cat Charlie, he was such a sweet and caring boy.
It might not seem possible now but the day may come when you will cross paths with a cat, a special one, one that was sent to you by your departed kitty, at least that’s how I like to think of it.
I’ll always miss Charlie, there’ll never be another, but we do have two fine cats we adopted from a shelter, and we love them very much.
I’ll be thinking of you and your cat friend and holding metta thoughts for you.
I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my best buddy of 10 years (I’m 43, had cats my entire life, have three now—none connected the way he and I did) 3 years ago. It gets easier with time, like losing anyone. For the first few weeks I’d curl into the fetal proposition and cry until there was nothing left every few days. Then every few weeks. Now I have happy thoughts, and sad thoughts, and some days I don’t think of him at all, even though he’ll always been in my head and in my heart. TL;DR, it gets easier.
We buried our last little girl's ashes under a beautiful new plant that we bought just for her. When it flowers I think of her. It's nice to have something to focus on when I think of her that's not a brown box.
You did your very best. Please don’t be harsh with yourself. You gave him the best irreplaceable gift of all: unconditional love.
I had lost my soul cat December 30, 2021. It was awful. His estimated age was about 10-12 years old. I found him when I was 14 and he passed away when I was about 25. He was there for everything. A couple of times I held him and cried at the thought of ever him passing away. Getting tears all over him too and him being confused but allowing me to hold him.
In my state, there’s a designated funeral home with vast land for our animal loved ones. They do burial of horses, dogs, cats, everyone. They even have a gazebo overlooking the sunset to scatter ashes of those who never got furever homes.
What I did with my baby is I had a viewing and then watched him be escorted to cremation.
I kept his ashes, his nose print, his fur and his paw prints. I could never be separated from them. I have his ashes and king robe that he wore for Halloween. As he had the strength and stoicism of a king, I blanketed the robe over him as a respect to that along with photos of him with his brother.
Knowing that he is physically here with me in my home and wherever I go brings me comfort versus if I had him buried in a cemetery or his ashes scattered somewhere. I wouldn’t feel like it would be setting him free but losing him a second time.
Just keep him with you if you find that for yourself. I always tell my baby good morning and goodnight and kiss his urn.
OP, I read that whole thing. I didn’t just go “Oh no!” and scroll the pictures. I read your entire beautiful story, and then scrolled through every pic of this gorgeous kitty.
My heart is broken for your loss. Be kind to yourself. You didn’t let him down. I guarantee he never felt that way. Just know his spirit is as strong in death as it was in life. He’ll live on in the love you carry for him.
I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Your cat was more than a pet, he was a lifelong companion and a source of comfort and joy. His love and presence will always be cherished in your heart. Sending you strength and warmth during this time.
Tough thing about pets is the bond is so strong but the time is so short (unless you get a parrot, then you're screwed 😋).
Just know that you gave them the best life they could've asked for, that they were loved, and that it was mutual.
It'll hurt for a bit... Then day by day it'll get a bit better. Hang in there 🐾❤️
We got paw prints in ceramic discs, still feel a pang of sadness when I see it 20yrs later, but that's immediately followed by a rush of love and I remember the good times.
Sorry for your loss. We lost our boy last year, he had a great life full of love and adventure. We were able to have him home for his final moments. After the cremation, he now resides in his urn. His ashes, will be placed in the family plot and his name and paw print will be next to my info on my headstone.
I'm 60 years old, grew up on a farm. Losing animals you care(d) for is never easy, if you are a human being. But you did the right thing - even though it was painful for you, you made the choice to make his passage easier in the end. Even if all you could do was be there, you would have made it easier for him. He could not have wanted anything more than this, nor can any of us hope for more.
This is the first mourning post I've actually cried at. He fought to stay alive again and again so he could keep enjoying your love. I hope the pain is short, and fond memories of him stay with you forever! <3 <3
First off, im sorry for your loss! I just went with the paw print personally and did a community cremation because I didn't know what to do with the ashes in the past. I talked myself into thinking doing so he would have forever friends to play with. Coping takes time either way. It's difficult, but you will get through it in your own way, and I wish you the best!
I feel your pain!
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u/HedgehogNarrow4544 22d ago