My precious Darwin

Hello my name is Jacqueline and I'm reasonable new here. 

I suppose this is not the happiest way to meet new people but I could really use some advice. 

I'm having a lot of trouble coping with the loss of my 11 month old cat, Darwin. He got hit by a car on March 3 and died a couple of hours later, ever since it's just been hard to really get on with things.

In a nutshell Darwin was my buddy and he was special to me in so very many ways I think only people on here will understand.

I think the thing that made him so special to me was that we met when he was around 4/5 months old. Him being the cheeky little curious cat he was decided to go for a walk inside the local supermarket where I work. I don't think I've ever seen a cat stroll into a supermarket before.. My colleague spotted him first, but no matter what we did Darwin kept coming into the store. Eventually we decided to put him across the street. To our horror he just crossed the busy road, completely unaware of the danger he put himself into and walked right back inside. That evening after my shift ended I decided to take him with me and find out if he had an owner. Two weeks past and it seemed nobody was missing this cute little tabby cat. So, after much begging and swearing to take care of him, to pay every vet bill and every toy and other cat stuff myself my mother allowed me to keep him. That was 6 months ago. 

I guess all I'm really looking for are people who can relate to my story. Who know what it feels like to lose a cat that's barely a year old, a cat you've shed more tears over than the passing of family members.. 

Beautiful Darwin

I am so sorry...Darwin was so handsome. 

You have come to the right place.  We all know.  Every single one of us.

Your boy is in very good company at the Bridge.  Young kitties and the oldsters are there ...our buds.

God bless sweet Darwin.....you gave him what he was looking for in that store.  The love a person he could call his own.

Awww what a handsome little boy Darwin is 

Your right, it shouldn't be in the Bridge for your first post, but your with people who understand how you feel.

Have fun at the Bridge Darwin with all your new friends 

You have a very special little angle at the Rainbow Bridge now.

R.I.P sweet Darwin

How heartbreaking to read. I can't even imagine losing an animal after you just started bonding and creating that special connection. What a cute fluffy little face. I am sorry for your loss and I pray that things look up for you. My cat who was much older passed away about a month ago and It still hits me from time to time but it is very helpful that I am getting cats soon believe it or not. i thought it would take me months to be ready but I am dying without an animal to love and love me.

I'm very sorry about your loss. RIP, Darwin.

I want to thank everyone who replied to my post for the kind words and sweet support. Thank you so much <3.

It helps to know so many people know what this is like and how much this hurts. There are so many people in my surroundings who just don't get the fact that Darwin wasn't JUST a cat. He was my buddy. We didn't own each other we were just always there for each other and the fact I can't be wherever he is right now, it's killing me. I'd never had a bond with an animal before like I had with Darwin, what's more he was my very first cat. The first thing in my life I took care of on my own without any financial help from my mother. He was my animal child and I loved him like I hadn't loved anything in my life before. And I know that bond was mutual, because everyday he came back to me and no matter how long he would be gone during the day he would ALWAYS sleep with me at night. He would always come running when I called for him, either inside or outside. I am so sure he loved me, and being loved by a cat, that's something special. No matter how much you're loved by the people around you, being loved by a cat is a rare special kind of love. 

I'm doing somewhat better right now. I'm somewhere in between denial and acceptance. It's a better place than complete denial. The first few days after his passing I wished so hard for a miracle to happen. That somehow I would be able to turn back time and prevent it all from happening, that somehow this wasn't real. That I would get a break and that he would be back and we could just forget about this entire thing happening. I probably sound like a complete nutcase but those were my thoughts. The pain was so unbearable. I guess the more you love something, the more it hurts when it so suddenly gets ripped away from you.

He'd become such an important part of my life in only six months time. The way he died.. This world didn't deserve him.. I guess I didn't either. 

Oh honey   Darwin looks like such a sweetie. We understand how you feel. We had a barn cat/kitten that would follow DH around while he was working outside last summer. He didn't like being inside (we tried, he freaked out when we put him in the bathroom) so we figured he would be happier outside. He was DH's buddy. He would always "supervise" when DH was doing anything and even ride on his shoulder while he was cutting grass. I can only imagine what kind of conversations they had.

We came home one night last fall to find him dead. DH was so upset as was I. Poor Viscious didn't even see 1 yr. So, I know what you mean.

Take comfort in knowing you gave Darwin a loving home. I honestly think he kept coming into your store looking for YOU. And you took him in, gave him love, and made his short life whole. He'll be waiting for you.