Lost her 5 years ago.

Lost my beloved kitty 5 years ago and I haven't been able to open my heart to adopting a new cat. She was the sweetest friend I grew up with and she knew she was mine. I've been having dreams about her lately and I have no idea why. She was only 15 when she left me but I've been feeling overwhelming guilt because I had banned her from my room during her last years, she shed a lot. I always use to find her sleeping next to me when I woke up every morning and I'd shoo her out. I really wish I could have spent more time with her.

I must have been a terrible owner. OK. I thought this was a support forum.

to TCS! This is an international forum, and sometimes you don't get immediate responses due to all the different time zones our members are in.

There's no such thing as a life without regrets; second-guessing ourselves is human nature. You didn't ban her from your home or life, just your bedroom, and it seems she found a way around that ban.

Perhaps her appearing in your dreams now is your subconscious telling you it might be time to open your heart and home to another feline companion?

 I don't have a computer at home, so sometimes it takes me a while to respond, and I need to respond to someone like yourself who is hurting so bad, it was me two years ago.It is always normal to have regrets in the grieving process, we always think of all those should haves, could haves. We NEVER will have all the time we think we should spend with our loved ones, we have lives to live, jobs to go to, and others we must split our time with. Life is not meant to dwell on one to the exclusion of others, it's just not meant to be.  You are having dreams because she is trying to comfort you because you can't let her go. I believe they try to comfort us through signs and dreams, in my case my Chrissy left a distinctive ringed hair on my vanity for months. I wish I could tell you how to bear the pain and loss, but I think it is something that only time can help, and we just learn to eventually live with it. She has left your life but never your heart, you know she would never want you to be so sad because of her passing. You have to find joy again with life, even if you have to look hard for it.  You gave her 15 wonderful years of love and devotion, I would wish that for all of sweet babies. Please know that we share your pain and loss, and will try to do anything to help. Sometimes it helps to talk about it to others, it lets a little pain escape that way. Please take care of yourself, I pray your beautiful kitty is resting in peace, she was secure in her knowledge of your love. PS, you may want to consider giving your love to one of the deserving babies needing some love and a home, it would never replace your baby, but goes a long way to healing that hole in your heart. And your sweet baby at the Rainbow Bridge would be so proud to have you pass on her legacy of love that she taught you!