Found my kitty, lifeless, next to the Christmas tree

   I woke up this morning with the tree toppled over and my 18 month old cat lying dead beside it.   I am so devastated.   I had to hide him before my 5 year old little girl woke up.   I can't even look at this tree.   I can't believe this happened.   I don't know how Dusty died.   I never thought the tree falling over could be fatal.   But the branches of a fake tree and metallic and pointy that I can say.   Maybe he chewed on something after it was toppled over but I think he died in the crash somehow.   If I would have put some weights around the base perhaps this might not have happened.   I've had 4 surgeries this year and this precious cat was there beside me after all of them.  He and my little girl and I were a nice family.   I have to tell my little girl yet.  It really feels like Christmas is ruined.   But it's only been a few hours since I held his still warm lifeless body in my arms so maybe I'll snap out of it. 

sadsack said:

   I woke up this morning with the tree toppled over and my 18 month old cat lying dead beside it.   I am so devastated.   I had to hide him before my 5 year old little girl woke up.   I can't even look at this tree.   I can't believe this happened.   I don't know how Dusty died.   I never thought the tree falling over could be fatal.   But the branches of a fake tree and metallic and pointy that I can say.   Maybe he chewed on something after it was toppled over but I think he died in the crash somehow.   If I would have put some weights around the base perhaps this might not have happened.   I've had 4 surgeries this year and this precious cat was there beside me after all of them.  He and my little girl and I were a nice family.   I have to tell my little girl yet.  It really feels like Christmas is ruined.   But it's only been a few hours since I held his still warm lifeless body in my arms so maybe I'll snap out of it. 

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how horrible, im so sorry for your loss! thank you for taking the time to type this, its important that people be aware of the very real danger that christmas trees pose to cats. its scary though, from what i read, the worst that could happen is that they could burn themselves, i didnt know it was fatal. =(

Please, if you need someone to talk to, dont hesitate to respond here, or send me a message. i can be here and just be an ear to listen. please be strong!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sadsack.  I can't imagine how you and your daughter are feeling.  Unfortunately this seems like one of those situations where we may never know for sure what happened.  A tree we had growing up was on the sharp side and those branches are on the stiff side.  Plus the fall.  Poor kitty.  

sosorry, really tragic story. I would never expect something like that to happen

poor thing! It must be really hard, especially with your daughter.

My heart goes out to you! I remember when Ducan died, it was awful he got run over and was left in the middle of the road, i wouldnt of even know about it if some kind man didnt pull him out the road and knock on my door, but as my dad was dropping my mum off at work and my brothers were all out so i was on my own, made it worse that he wasnt actually died, he was still breathing. He died in my arms on the side of the road. Its awful loosing a pet because they become a big part of your family! It'll get easier with time ! And dont forget theres lots of people here to support you. Best wishes to you and your daughter x

That is really tragic but I think it was just bad luck. He probably was playing with a decoration and got a blow on the head as it fell. So you are in no way to blame. Don't think in terms of 'snapping out of it', you have to go through the grieving process. Just because he wasn't human doesn't mean you have to instantly forget him and carry on as normal. And good luck when you tell your girl, I'm sure you will be a great comfort to each other.

I am sorry for your loss.

Yes, this is one of those freak accidents that take a loved one before we know it. I think your cat must have been killed instantly, from your description.

Eighteen months is too young. It seems like your cat somehow managed to squeeze a full lifetime into that--staying with you through surgery like that, even as a wiggly youngster, a loved and loving part of your family.

I wish you and your daughter the best. It's never easy when a pet dies. I remember being a little girl when my cat died; I was so sad. But as time passed, the sadness faded and the good memories stayed. That's the way it's likely to be with your little girl, too.

How nice of all you people for your nice letters.   It makes it easier I kid you not.   I really like what that one person said about Dusty having a full life even though he didn't live long.   I sure wish I'd had him for 20 years or so like some cats.    It still hurts alot.    Telling my daughter yesterday was so devastating.   She kept smiling and saying "you're just kidding daddy", but then she knew by my own tears that it was true and she wailed away in my arms.    My daughter is the only thing I loved more than my cat this past year.    This all sucks so badly.   Getting another cat ASAP.   My apartment feels like some kind of tomb it's so quiet, and I can't bear to see my little girl like this.   She's only 5.   It'll be interesting getting to know another cat.   Part of me thinks it'll make me miss Dusty even more, but it'll be good for Ella.

Yeah. I get what you mean. You can never replace a cat, but you're left with this empty spot in your household that's just crying out for a furry occupant. A person can love any number of cats, each in their own way.

Hang in there, okay?

I'm so sorry for your loss. It must have been a terrible shock to find him like that. RIP, Dusty,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Since I lost my Chrissy on Dec. 8th, Christmas is a sad occasion this year. We had her for ten years, she was like our child. It's been almost 10 days now and though I'm not crying like I was, I still think of her all the time. In your case, since you have a young daughter, I would consider a new cat or kitten. A kitten can make you smile again. You can never replace your Dusty, but you can fill the empty place in your heart. My husband had a copy of the Rainbow Bridge poem made with our cat's picture on the bottom and the rainbow arching over the page, it is beautiful. You may want to make one for your daughter when she's not hurting so bad. Once again, I hope your pain lessens with time, I'm so sorry. I'll say a prayer for Dusty, Ella, and you.
 

Dusty

sadsack said:

How nice of all you people for your nice letters.   It makes it easier I kid you not.   I really like what that one person said about Dusty having a full life even though he didn't live long.   I sure wish I'd had him for 20 years or so like some cats.    It still hurts alot.    Telling my daughter yesterday was so devastating.   She kept smiling and saying "you're just kidding daddy", but then she knew by my own tears that it was true and she wailed away in my arms.    My daughter is the only thing I loved more than my cat this past year.    This all sucks so badly.   Getting another cat ASAP.   My apartment feels like some kind of tomb it's so quiet, and I can't bear to see my little girl like this.   She's only 5.   It'll be interesting getting to know another cat.   Part of me thinks it'll make me miss Dusty even more, but it'll be good for Ella.

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I am so sorry for your loss.  Getting another cat may help both of you fill the hole in your heart.  I think giving another kitty a chance to be in a loving home is a great way to honor your baby's memory. 

hello everybody,

Well last night I was lying in bed wishing Dusty would jump up and headbutt me like he always did, when my two new friends, a pair of 7 week old black kittens, crawled up instead.   I didn't think they were big enough to crawl up there yet.   I found them on the craigslist and when the person heard about our tragedy she didn't even want the 50 bucks.   So I got one for free and paid 50 for the other.   I can't tell them apart really well, but the one crawled up on my chest and stared me in the eye like Dusty used to, except he didn't want to be petted.   He just wanted to stare me in the eye, scope out his new owner type deal.   A part of me thought he could read my mind and knew I was hurting so much over Dusty and wanting to make me feel better.  Silly I know.   But Ella is ecstatic and back to her old self, and I quite enjoyed the two of them chewing away at my feet all night.  Life goes on I guess, but it'll always hurt a bit thinking about my best bud Dusty.   Damn Christmas tree.  

IIt's great you have given a home to some new furry little friends. My mother always said the black kittens in a litter had the most character.

I wonder if your cat bit into a light cord...

I'm so sorry for your loss.  But I'm also pleased for you and the kittens and your daughter.  How fun to have two sweet kittens to love for Christmas. 

I hope it isn't insensitive to mention this.  But I have a cat who is a chewer and I worried about his safety with the tree.  I also have school aged kids or I would have skipped the tree altogether.  Our solution was to buy a Ssscat motion detector deterrent device.  It "hisses" at the cats and shoots air when they approach the tree.  Last year it kept all our cats away from the tree all season long.  This year we haven't set it up yet because they aren't as interested in the tree.  (Maybe they remember?)  Anyways, it is not likely you will have more tragedy with a Christmas tree but I thought I would mention it as a possible way of making things a little safer (and putting your mind at ease.)  Here's a link to the product....

I actually took down the tree and a friend from church gave me a nice nativity scene.   My tree days are over I think.   I've been tramatized.   It's funny but it's true.    My little girl has a tree at her mom's so she'll have the best of both worlds.   Kittens are settled in nicely.   Eating and drinking and using the litter box and getting into everything like kittens do.  Life goes on.   Nice bunch of people on here though.

So sorry to hear about your cat. Losing a pet can be hard on kids. RIP Dusty.

dejolane