Cheddar

Hello,

It's been a while since I have posted my 2 year old Maine Coon mix suddenly passed away right in front of me. He was playing and was acting completely normal and he let out a strange sound and fell over. Within just a minute he was gone. He was diagnosed in 2/2013 with a heart murmur. He had 3 echocardiograms and was taking his beta blockers as prescribed. I don't even know what to say. I can barely believe he is gone. I loved him so much and I was trying so hard to make sure he was getting the best care. He had a cardiologist and saw his regular vet. Not one day did he miss a pill. I knew with his cardiomyopathy diagnosis he most likely wouldn't live to be a senior but I honestly didn't believe he would be gone at only 2 years of age. I took him to his vet, she said he had a clot from the cardiomyopathy. It's just not sitting well right now, he was fine one minute and gone the next. I understand that he had a serious heart condition I just don't know what more I could or should have done. I have been through this before but somehow it doesn't help make it any easier. I would like to believe that I gave him a home and never let one day pass that I didn't tell him I loved him. With his heart condition I made extra sure to say "I love you" whenever I left for work. I am having a hard time understanding, I knew it would happen I just can't get the image of it happening out of my mind. Maybe the hardest part is I was told by a friends mom animals don't go to heaven. I need to believe that he is okay right now and that I didn't let him down. I have to believe animals go to heaven and one day we will see them again. He made my life better, that I am positive of. All I feel today is that he is gone, despite the best possible medical care and all the love in the world. I know this was a long post and thank you for reading. I adopted him before I knew he had hcm and loved him wholeheartedly. I have never experienced an animal passing suddenly, I didn't have a moment to try to prepare, not that you are ever prepared. As grateful as I am that he did not suffer, it certainly doesn't make things any easier for those of us that watched them pass. Thank you again for reading my post maybe someone has some thoughts about one day seeing our pets again. I certainly wasn't expecting to hear "they don't go to heaven, they go someplace we can never see them again".

Karen

The Bible says heaven is the place where the lion lays by the lamb. Sounds to me like there are animals there. Believe what you know to be true and don't let a totally insensitive comment bother you. **hugs**

Hi Karen. I know what you are going through. Very much so. Believe me it's natural what you r going through. Death usually doesn't sit well my friend and is often very painful. You did all you could. You did a great job. You may need to talk to a therapist or a pet grief counsellor. I had a rough time these last 3 and a half months since my boy passed away and his last moments haunted me. It hurt questioning that whether there is an after life. I certainly was. But I'll tell you a little story which has happened recently to me.

As I mentioned I've been going through one long tough painful road. So very, very bad. On Sunday I met someone while out that night. We got talking etc about what we do for a living and other things and what she does prompted me to ask her about does she believe in the after life etc because she was very spiritual and into health and fitness. She asked me do I believe. I told her part of me does part of me doesn't but when it comes down to it probably yeah because of an experience I've had. Anyway she told me a friend of hers sees people that have passed on to the other side. And of all other things, animals. And said that friend of hers had a cat that recently passed and he can see it. Of all things, I didn't even mention anything what so ever about what i was going through and anything related to cats and this girl told me her friend can see deceased animals, his cat as well as humans. I believe her Caren. I believe her because I myself once saw my grandfather in my dream who had died 6 months earlier on his birthday of all days. He came to give me a warning on his birthday.It was real. I've also encountered a physic who knew something about me going back ten years ago and I also know of an older lady back where I'm from who also sees the dead. Anyway this girl I met on Sunday told me that he helps animals move on. Some animals get stuck and need help crossing over to the other side. Again I felt this applied to me because to be honest whether I'm right or wrong i kid of feel my boy hasn't moved on and crossed to where he needs to go because either he wasn't ready to die just yet or because he's worried about me. I could be wrong.

But to answer your question. Yes I do believe animals go to heaven. As for your friends mom, who cares what she thinks. For me personally Sunday night was a huge positive and cleansing experience call it fate of you will and I feel for the first time I have closure or at least a big part of it because I know my boy is ok or is going to be ok. I found out this stuff from the girl I met after about an hour of conversation too. It was just like it was meant to be.

Caren it's not going to be easy. You loved your baby and your baby loved you. But in time things will get better. Unfortunately for the time being you're going to have to ride it out and talk about it heaps on here or people who understand. Don't waste your time with. People who don't or have no idea. Talk to kind compassionate understanding people who love animals and have the experience with this kind of tbing.

Peace to you Caren. Do productive things with your time. Exercise, movies, fun things, choirs, shopping, coffee with friends etc. Spend your days or at least part of being productive the worst thing you can do is nothing. And remember. Your baby wouldn't want you to suffer it would want you to be happy and live your life. Honor your baby by looking after yourself and being productive and positive.

Much love to you Caren.

Xxx

Thank you. All your kind words help. As is it here crying as I type. It's comforting to know there are others out there that can understand how I feel. I want him to to be in a place that he isn't sick and has no worries. I just need to believe he is okay. Thank you again for your response.

I am soooo sorry.... as much as your kitty had the perfect passing without suffering, it has to be very difficult for you with that suddenness. It's been 2 weeks since putting Minnie down, and my husband said that was the hardest thing imaginable...knowing "the time and date" that would take her... but it did provide the opportunity to make best of the time left, however... I'm sure she gave me "the eye" while I was crying and blubbering all over her the days leading up to it... what I'm trying to get at, is your kitty and my kitty didn't need the "sad goodbye"...all they needed, is what we had already given them...a life of love
I'm so sorry for your loss, as I know the pain.

Thank you. I'm very grateful there are people who understand the emptiness I feel. I loved him like crazy as I'm sure you did. I guess it's just not enough to keep them here.

I am so sorry to hear this. It is a terrible blow. Your kitty will live forever in your heart.

As for animals not going to heaven, I also do not believe that. 

There's a book on Amazon, can't link to it (because I'm a newbie   ) called "God's Messengers" by Allen and Linda Anderson. You can't miss it if you look for it. (I didn't write this book nor do I know the authors, I just enjoyed reading it.) It has many testimonies from animal lovers about animals who helped them, who were divinely inspired, and also who were still "connected" with them, even after death. I don't believe that all these people imagined their experiences. 

My own sister had a compelling experience that convinced her that animals go to heaven. So what if some numbskull thinks they don't? They haven't had any experience with this, but many others have. 

I'm so sorry for your loss. He loved you just as much as you loved him and he still does.  Animals absolutely do go to heaven. They have pure hearts and pure souls. There is no other place worthy of them for them to go. They are sent here to help us deal with this crazy world we live in, always showing up when we need them the most and then they get called Home again.Always too soon but always after having taught us something. Usually about ourselves. They get a lot done in a short period of time. You'll see him again. We will all see our beloved pets again who have had to leave us. Think about it. If THEY don't make the cut, the rest of us are in serious trouble (at least I am).

You gave him a wonderful life full of love and though his death was sudden, he didn't suffer and he left knowing he was loved. All cats should have that.

I am so sorry for your loss.  You took the best of care of Cheddar imaginable.  Our Daisy has cardiomyopathy and the vet told us that the same thing could happen to her.  That one minute she might be fine and the next minute she'll be gone.  We are dealing with it day by day, faithfully giving her medication and keeping her on a strict diet, and you are a true inspiration.  You were an amazing blessing to your cat and I hope this helps to ease your pain.  

I, too, believe that animals go to Heaven.  You'll be in my prayers.

I am really sorry for your loss. Two years is just way too young. I cannot imagine what you went through, actually experiencing it and how quickly it was over. It must at least be a comfort that he didn't suffer and that he knew how much you cared about him. You didn't see it coming, but it sounds to me like he didn't either. Isn't that the way we all want to go. Without knowing and without suffering? While doing something you love. He was playing, he was ignorant of what was to come. That is a comfort in itself. From the way you talk about him it's obvious how much you love him. We all know what it feels like to lose our furry friends and how much it hurts. And I also know how hollow the next words I will say may sound to you right now: It will get easier. You'll look back and remember him, and you'll do so with a smile. Not yet, but eventually. My thoughts are with you.



As for the question about heaven. I am not religious, therefore I do not believe in heaven, for humans or cats. BUT if you do believe in heaven, then I cannot think of one single good reason why cats would not go there. If there is such a thing as a soul, then certainly cats have one. 

I'm very sorry for your loss. Our last cat had HCM; it's one of those dread diseases that are hard to predict and eventually resist even the best of care.

Who is your friend's mother to say animals don't go to heaven, when there's obviously no definitive proof of an afterlife? It's a question of personal beliefs. Anybody who has loved a pet knows that they are sentient beings, and if humans have souls, then so do other animals.

RIP, Cheddar. You were loved so much.

This is very difficult for me. I wake up constantly throughout the night, I am having a hard time sleeping. I am crying constantly. He meant the world to me, and all I feel right now is that he is gone. I have had other cats that became ill and I had to make the decision with the vet. Maybe that's why I am having such a hard time, there was no decision to be made. One minute he was here, the next he was gone. I found him at the shelter a few weeks after I had to put my last cat down due to lymphoma. He saved me from the moment I saw him, and I felt that I saved him. I treated his medical condition the best I could, he had every toy he could have dreamed of. I am having a hard time with that as well, he came into my life when I needed him, but truth is I really need him now. To everyone that can understand the sadness and emptiness thank you for your kind words.

Hey again Karen. I really do understand. Everything. I really do understand, and know your pain because I've experienced it myself. It's a roller coaster ride of intense mixed emotions. I couldn't sleep, eat, do anything. As people have said and it's no consolation, it does get better in time. You are overwhelmed with grief and sadness. Karen you did everything you could and death is a very unfortunate, sad, cruel thing. I know it's not what you want to hear but your baby went straight away with no suffering bar maybe a second or two. There are worse ways to go. I think maybe you should see your gp or a professional who could maybe give u something to help you sleep but as natural as possible because anything like that has side affects. Pm me if you want to chat. I really feel for you because I know the hurt and pain you are going through. It's mental torture as well as physical.

My personal experience I feel I put down my baby prematurely. I kind of wish he just parted of natural causes or even suddenly because at least I wouldn't have denied him time on this earth and made such a huge mistake and several leading up to it. I don't think it was my boys time. I think with your cat, it just was. It doesn't make it ok or any better for you or your baby. But what I'm getting at is there are worse ways to go, and take solace in the fact that you did everything u could and looked after your boy like a great, caring person. Maybe it was my boys time as well. Who knows. Some things are just the way they are sweety.

I am truly sorry for your loss. It is a shock when it happens so suddenly. My words to you are this. When we form such a wonderful bond with these pets we love, it is something beyond human understanding.
We have put three cats in the backyard since 2005. They were all very special cats who we had this same type of bond as you speak of. We have already seen all of them. Do not be surprised if you see your soul mate again. So we found we didn't have to wait for Heaven to see our loved ones. I believe you will see this cat again. Be ready. It will surprise you when it happens.

I cry for the pain you are going through. To miss your baby as much as you do is heartbreaking, but when you share a love as strong as you did it's a long journey in the grief process. You did what you could, even above and beyond with the specialized care and the medicines. But more then anything you gave him love and devotion. Please try to share that love he brought to you with another some day, it's a wonderful legacy for him to leave behind, knowing that he gave you unconditional love and that you accepted it and returned it twofold. It's almost impossible right now to imagine life without him, but remember he is alive and well in the safety of your heart. His memory will remain forever with you as long as you live, some day you will remember the happy times with smiles instead of tears.

Of course there are animals in heaven, there are at least three references in the bible. God made and loved all animals, would he not care for them after death? A love as strong as you two shared will never be tore apart forever, your souls are intertwined and destined to be that way forever.

Take care of yourself....... RIP beautiful Cheddar!

Thank you for understanding the bond we have with our pets and sincerely thank you for comforting me with the hope that he is in heaven and maybe one day I will be able to see him again.

Hi Karen. How r you doing? Silly question I suppose just letting u know we all here care and havnt forgotten you or your lost baby. Take good care of yourself and give us an update when you're ready.

xxx

I still feel pretty lonely. I wake up throughout the night. I get up early in the morning and realize there are no pills to give him. I was hoping I would feel a little better but I don't, not at all actually. Thank you for checking in.

I know that feeling of emptiness and loneliness, it really leaves a hollow feeling in your stomach. I still get it when I clean my little girl's grave site or see another poor cat lying on the side of the road when we travel. Sometimes I realize I'm crying and have to get my mind on something else. Time is the only thing that helps. The only thing to do is to occupy your mind with something good, like playing with a kitten at your local shelter or visiting with someone at the local retirement home, it makes you feel a little better about yourself and you can do it in your Cheddar's name. I know your sweet baby would never want you to be so sad when you think of him, try not to dwell on his death but remember the good times and the love you had for each other. My heart breaks for what you are going through, I wish I could make it all better but I know I can't. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, take care of yourself.

I am so very sorry for your loss.  They are our family.

Tragic to lose them suddenly, but sad no matter what age and health status.

I hope you have wonderful memories that will help you grieve.