I can't sleep after Gizmo's passing

So sorry for your loss Losing a pet is so hard. They are a part of the family.  It must have been so upsetting to have it happen that way. Had he been ill?

Hi mmaziaiz:  my sincere condolences on the loss of Gizmo.  Gizmo sure was a beautiful kitty.    Look on the internet as I have been doing quite a bit since Millie died yesterday.  There are so many great sites like this one where you can read about grieving the loss of a loved pet, and other helpful things.  I found a website that tells you all about Rainbow Bridge.  Talk to other people who love their cats, or other pets and they understand how you feel.  The pain will be there as we all grieve differently., but it WILL be better after a while.   I always felt that talking about it with others was the most helpful.  Take care.  

Hi Maziarz. I am so sorry that you have lost Gizmo.  If Gizmo is in your avatar he looks stunning. You are most welcome on this site, and sharing your loss with like minded people who can relate to how Gizmo and your other cats are part of your family will hopefully help you to live through your grief.  Everyone does it in their own way and in their own time but sharing does help. Like sbw999 has said, there are many other helpful web sites out there, and also pet grief counselling services as so many people do not have friends and family around them that understand why their cats are so important in their lives.

I didn't know about the RB when I lost my previous 2 cats and I am sure that sites like this one, and the ideas for helping loss and grieving here, would have helped me. I would still have spent several weeks and months crying and missing them just the same but at least I would have been able to talk about them somewhere and know that I wasn't alone.  I never kept my cats' ashes, or bits of fur like some people do, and I do not have a special physical place or thing to remind me of them other than hundreds of photographs, but they are always in my heart and I will never forget them.  I believe their spirits live on somewhere and that they watch over me, and are happy that I now offer my home to another cat who keeps me company in return for his food, play and affections.  

Believe your pain and grief will fade with time but your love for Gizmo and your memories of special times spent with him will not. He is in your heart.

    

Nice post MServant.

I'm very sorry for your loss. What you're feeling right now is absolutely normal when you lose a beloved pet. The pain grows less acute over time, and you'll find yourself focusing more and more on the good memories. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself, and your other cats, a period of grief.

RIP, Gizmo.

Thanks sbw999. We are all here for you Mmaziarz.  I hope you all find peace and are able to sleep tonight.  

For many months after 'my girls'  passed I would see them, at my bedroom door at night, or at the corner of a room.  At first I was afraid to sleep, then I took comfort in thinking they were watching over me, even if sometimes it reminded of how much I missed each of them.  Occasionally I still see one of them now, 3 years on and even though Mouse is here. I laugh if he jumps when it seems nothing is there and wonder if perhaps he sees an old tabby or two staring out at him from some place I can't sense, teasing him like they would tease children who came to visit. 

Mmaziarz, please don't feel there is something you didn't do, your cat was sleeping, peaceful and at home - if I was a cat that would be where I wanted to be. You say you have other cats, I hope you feel you can support them as they too adjust to your loss, and can accept the warmth and comfort they too can provide.  They all continue to need you and they will help you to heal.  

Gizmo

mmaziarz said:

 
My persian Gizmo died about 24 hours ago in his sleep and I am beside myself. I can't sleep just thinking what I could have done better. Please help. I mean, I have other cats, but this is the first of the pack that just left us. How can I make this pain go away?

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry. He was obviously very loved and was lucky enough to pass away peacefully.

Please don't torment yourself. There's always a million "what if's" and this sense that if we were good enough, they would just never get sick or die. But they just don't live as long as we do. And it's ok to be happy with the life you gave him.

I couldn't sleep in my bed for a few days after my Pearl kitty passed. She would sleep with me every night, and it was just too hard. What I did? Well, I slept on the couch.

After a few days, it was a little easier to get back into my bed. Not wonderful, but that few days in a place where I didn't expect her to be with me helped me break the association a little bit.

Maybe try sleeping in another place? Oh, and be kind to yourself.

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your baby, Gizmo. What you're experiencing is very common when people are actively grieving a loss. It's been just over a month since my little Bella died and I'm still relying on sleep medication prescribed by my doctor. Grieving is very difficult work. Also, mourning a pet is often a very private matter as many people were never blessed by having loved a pet -and been loved by a pet- and don't appreciate the devastation of such a loss. I understand as I'm actively grieving as many people on this site are. Please take good care of yourself. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss...

jlc20m  

I just lost my Kinney a few weeks ago.  I find it helps to look at the pictures, sing a little theme song that reminds you of them, cry, and tell everyone who will listen of your pain.  I am still buying flowers on a weekly basis because it makes me feel better.  Go through the motions of a normal day, talk to them in your mind or aloud.  In time the sharp pain goes away.  So sorry for your loss..

I'm so sorry for your loss, the heart aches for a long time after. The pain never completely goes away, but we learn to live with it. Keep busy. Please know that we are here to help you in any way, and all of us know and understand the painful loss you are feeling. Your precious baby would not want you to feel so sad. Keep her in your heart, take care of yourself, you have to be there for your other babies.