Good bye my little Angel

I got Zets & his brother Domi when they were 4 months old and couldn't have made a better life decision. Domi was protecting Zets from the other kittens and he also took care of him after his surgery when he was 2.
Sixteen years later, Domi and I said good bye to Zets. My heart hurts so badly right now I can barely type. He was always a brave cat and loved me so unconditionally. He used to give me loving licks to wake me up and baby meows when he wanted a drink out of the bathroom faucet. My sweet angel how did I not notice u were suffering? I'm so very sorry baby if I let u suffer in any way over the past 2 yrs.
When we were at the hospital yesterday, the vet looked sad as she told me his condition. His good eye was very infected, he was very dehydrated, his intestines were swollen and his kidneys were failing. Oh dear god, what this innocent baby went through is unbelievable. It was then that I made the immediate decision that he wasn't gonna suffer anymore. He looked at me like he was almost thankful. Of course he was scared with the smells and stuff but he slowly walked out of his carrier so I could hold him and hug him. I was trying not to cry so as not to upset him and he turned to look at me and gave me a gentle little kiss. Love you too baby.
Always come visit me and Domi in our dreams. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for teaching me to love to much and for taking care of me.

I´m sorry about... My deep condolences & my prayers for his soul...

Thank you so much.

Your post breaks my heart.  I'm so very sorry about your precious Zets.  He was such a beautiful kitty and sounds like a total sweetheart.  You did the best you could for him and he loved you unconditionally.  I said a prayer for you and for him.  I pray you find peace.  I just lost my sweet Garfield on 1/21/13, so I am suffering too.

Hugs,

Amy, Furball in Heaven, Garfield in Heaven, Eclipse, Spooky, & Cutie
 

I'm so sorry for your loss. Only time will help lesson your agony. Zets was beautiful. Cats are very good at hiding any problems, you are not at fault. I just lost my Chrissy in Dec. I can't believe how much I still hurt. It helps to talk to others who know your pain. God Bless.
 

I'm very sorry for your loss. It's so difficult to say good-bye to a companion of so many years, even when you know their health has failed and their time has come. RIP, Zets.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but you did what was best for him. Having been thru this in the past (3 times -- my Boots - age 17, Ali - age 10, and BJ- age 13) I know just how you feel.

Oh thank you everyone for ur kind words. Sharing with other cat lovers who have also been through this really helps me. I am sure the pain in my heart will lessen with time. I am starting to see the effects in his brother Domi. They were from the same litter and both 16. I can see that he is getting depressed and saddened by his brothers passing. I play with him whenever I'm home but he's alone when I'm at work. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much

It really does help to talk about this.  I just want to let you know that there is a pet loss support group on yahoo groups called Angel on My Shoulder.  It is a wonderfully supportive group and it might be something for you to consider joining.  As for helping your other kitty to grieve, I understand.  My three surviving kitties are mourning the loss of my sweet Garfield who passed away one week ago today.  DH and I are doing what we can to help them, but it breaks my heart to see them so sad.

Hugs,

Amy, Furball in Heaven, Garfield in Heaven, Eclipse, Spooky, & Cutie

Beautiful Zets

Thank you for the suggestion. I will check that group out for sure. The pain is just so intense for me, I can only imagine what his brother is feeling. They were inseparable for 16 yrs. What can I do to help him? He wants to be with me all the time and that's fine when I'm home, but I feel bad when I'm at work.
My baby, you will always be in our hearts.

Thank you for the beautiful card above.

I'm not sure what you can do to help your kitty cope with his grief beyond giving him extra love and attention.  The yahoo group I suggested I'm sure could help you with more ideas. 

Hugs,

Amy, Furball in Heaven, Garfield in Heaven, Eclipse, Spooky, & Cutie

I am so very sorry for your loss   Zets was a beautiful little kitty ...  I also lost my baby Cairo - on Dec4-12  .. and know the unbearable grief you are feeling .. Its so devastating .. Its been almost 2 months and I still cant get through a single day without crying  .... 

I am also having a similar issue as you are with Domi.

Cairo has left behind Foxy .. my other 6yr Aby, who has grown up with Cairo since she was a baby at only 2 months.

They were inseparate -- Foxy always being the instigator (even though she was half his size !) and was chasing after Cairo on a regular basis.

Since Cairo died, Foxy has been lost ... I am also trying to play with her as much as possible ... but there are times when she just won't ...

I have considered getting another kitten ... although I am not even close to being ready (and may never be) it just breaks my heart to watch Foxy be so lost without her playmate and friend      .. It sounds like Domi is feeling the same...  

All you can do is your best ....

Big HUGS to you and Domi  ...    

Hello and thank you for ur sweet message.
I am also very sorry for your loss. Losing a dear pet is so horrible, I am almost afraid to have another cat for Domi. I have been reading alot about siblings left behind once their other half or best buddy has passed away. Both of our cats are also grieving. We need to give them some time as well to grieve and possibly get them a friend.
Domi and I discussed this on the weekend ( yes we have out little chats). I told him that he will be my number one priority and baby unless he wants me to get him a little friend. It won't be for at least 6 months for us to both grieve Zetsy's passing. I love Zets and will never ever forget him or replace him. He is my forever baby & angel. But if it will make Domi happy and healthy, I will get him a friend and I know that Zetsy understands this. I know that Zetsy's spirit is here at home with us and always will be. Domi and I say a little prayer to Zetsy every night too.
Perhaps if u think of another kitty that way, it will be easier for you.
Let me know what you think.
Adrianna.

Adrianna25 said:

Hello and thank you for ur sweet message.
I am also very sorry for your loss. Losing a dear pet is so horrible, I am almost afraid to have another cat for Domi. I have been reading alot about siblings left behind once their other half or best buddy has passed away. Both of our cats are also grieving. We need to give them some time as well to grieve and possibly get them a friend.
Domi and I discussed this on the weekend ( yes we have out little chats). I told him that he will be my number one priority and baby unless he wants me to get him a little friend. It won't be for at least 6 months for us to both grieve Zetsy's passing. I love Zets and will never ever forget him or replace him. He is my forever baby & angel. But if it will make Domi happy and healthy, I will get him a friend and I know that Zetsy understands this. I know that Zetsy's spirit is here at home with us and always will be. Domi and I say a little prayer to Zetsy every night too.
Perhaps if u think of another kitty that way, it will be easier for you.
Let me know what you think.
Adrianna.

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It's funny that you said that -- about your Zetsy's spirit still being in your home... FoxyC (my little Aby girl) has been acting very strange since Cairo passed... standing at the bottom of the stairs, meowing like crazy (she NEVER meows unless food is involved!) and a few times she has stopped dead in her tracks and follow something with her eyes across the room .. without reaction, she will just watch. I really hope that Cairo's spirit is still home with us (I've heard that animals can see spirits ?) .. either that or FoxyC is just being a weirdo ... but I have noticed a huge change in her ... not wanting to play as much and just moping around at times.. its heartbreaking ..  I know I am not ready for another kitty yet  ... I'll have my moments .. where I find one of Cairo's toys under the sofa cushion ... or an old picture of him.... yesterday was not a good day .. I was in the basement (FoxyC NEVER goes in the basement - its freaks her out) but sure enough ... she was down there .. and I thought it was Cairo .. I burst into tears and couldnt stop.

I think it will take us a long time for both of us to get over our little purrbabies ...  I know everyone says it gets easier .. but it sure doesnt feel like that now   We can only do the best for Domi and FoxyC and try to help with their grief .... I talk to Cairo (Angel Baby was my nickname for him  .. seems fitting now ) every day as well .... I hope he can hear me ... I still feel so guilty for his death ..

I think you're right though ... when its time, and FoxyC is ready (and me too !)  I think it would make her happy to have a new friend to chase around .....

I guess only time will tell  ...

Hopefully Cairo and Zetsy are happy and chasing each other around across the Rainbow Bridge

Monica

Hi Monica
I don't think FoxyC is being a weirdo. I am sure that ur Angel Baby is there with you and she knows this. I truly believe that cats can see spirits cause my cats always used to stare at the wall and meow like crazy. It was quite funny. My grandfather passed away 20 yrs ago and as he loved cats, I believe that my boys were communicating with him. Zets is probably hanging with him sometime too. That makes me feel better too.
It definitely takes time for us all and I burst into tears at times too. I see Zets here alot and call him for dinner sometimes, then I feel horrible and cry my eyes out. Your baby is mourning his loss and you just need to give her all of your attention for awhile. Domi doesn't play anymore either and just sleeps alot unless he is on my lap kissing me or cuddling.
I went to the vets yesterday to pick up Zets clay claw print and spoke to one of the nurses about Domi. She gave me some helpful suggestions for Domi and said to give him enough time to grieve too. She said it may be good for him to have a little friend at a later time. I really have to think about that.
I am sure that Zetsy and Cairo are playing all the time. And that makes me happy that he will have alot of friends.

Thanks so much for your messages.

Awww ... what a beautiful tribute to Zets, getting his clay paw print  ......   he'll be with you and Domi forever

Thank you. I couldn't bare to have his ashes with me but this was nice for me to always feel his little paw. I used to massage his arms and paws; he loved it so much. I recognize his paw mark. My little baby b

I decided to keep Cairo's ashes ... more so for the guilt I felt for not keeping my previous cat's ashes, Cappuchino (Siamese)  when died at 13yrs of Lymphoma over 7 yrs ago.

And its weird .. I had booked an appt to get 2 paw prints etched in blue tattooed on my wrist ... and the day I got the tattoo was the day that Cairo was cremated.

(I had been waiting weeks for news on the autopsy and the vet just kept dragging it out, basically b/c they couldnt figure out how he died).  I didnt find out when he had been cremated until I got his ashes on Jan 24 ...  

Doing something to memorialize Cairo did make me feel a little better ...  its still so unbelievably hard though