For Cole, my gorgeous boy

I was devastated to lose my gorgeous 8-year-old buddy, Cole, on Wednesday of this week. I know everyone thinks the world of their cat, but he was such a character, and so sweet tempered. I've been weeping every few hours since I lost him, and my home just seems so empty and diminished without him. He had deteriorated very rapidly in just three weeks, and the vet hospital thinks he had a condition called feline infectious peritonitis. He had the best care at the end, but he died without me in the hospital and I hate to think of him passing all on his own. 

I've told my family and friends, and everyone has been very nice, but I don't think most people really understand how heartbreaking it is to lose an animal. Someone you loved who slept in your bed and shared your home. I've put up these two pictures of Cole taken in 2011, as they show him as I'd like to remember him - healthy and happy. I loved him so much, I just wish I could have had more time with him. 

Thanks for reading this. 

Wow... such a handsome and beautiful kitty! 

I'm very sorry for your loss.   Please remember to take your time mourning his passing. Know that the feelings may take quite a while to be able to process and get over, but that Cole will always be in your heart and memory. Remember the good times you shared together and a smile may soon come to your face.

Over 6 years ago I lost my dear dog Eenie and to this day I still get teary eyes thinking about him/ I'm typing this last time not looking at the monitor because I am in a public place and don't wan't to cry. I miss him so much, and when I do, I think of the happy times we spent together and a little smile comes to my face.

My thoughts are with you in this time of mourning. 

TOTALLY understand.  I'm so sorry for your loss.  We had to put our orange tabby down about a month ago. 3.5 yrs ago he was homeless and adopted us.  Sweetest cat ever.  For the last 8 months he had been having quite a lot of health problems and it was so hard to see him deteriorate.  Putting him down was the right and only decision in the end (kidney failure) but it sure devestated our whole family.  After he was gone the house was just not the same, so lonely and empty. I was so used to his company.  

I was not a cat person but he turned me into one!  I never expected to feel the loss of a pet so deeply.  Im so sorry for what you're going through.  We also had overwhelming feelings of wishing we could have had more time with him.  We had no idea how old he was but vet guessed he was a senior by the time he came to us. =(

2 weeks ago my husband went to Petsmart to look for some sort of scrapbook or "memory" type thing for a pet that has died.  He didn't find anything, but he DID walk by the kitty adoption section and was shocked to see 4 orange tabby kittens!!!  He called me and told me about them, but we both agreed it was too soon!  However, long story short, we ended up adopting one of the kittens that looks quite a lot like our other cat.  He has been a joy...it hasn't made us miss Toby less, but it sure has eased the loneliness.  We still cry over Toby, but our new kitten (Archie) brings smiles everyday.  We are in the process of putting together a little book with pics of Toby..

So sorry for the loss of such a special friend.  Take care.

It's so very hard to describe the feelings we go through at a time like this, but empty is a good start. I know the feelings of disbelief, numbness, and incredible loneliness you are going through and my heart breaks that you have to experience it. I know we would all like to spend forever with our furry loved ones, but they just don't live as long as us and so many are taken way too soon from our hearts and our lives. I want you to know you are not alone in your grief,  and I'll be praying and thinking of both of you in the coming days. Cole is at peace now, and I'm sure he was so grateful for finding you and being able to share your home and your love. He would not want you to be so sad when you think of him, but would want you to remember that special love and celebrate the life you did get to spend together. He'll always be with you in spirit and will share a special place in your heart. Take care....... RIP sweet Cole, you were greatly loved and will be held forever in your loved one's heart!  

I'm very sorry for your loss. They become such a big part of our everyday lives - real family members - that their loss is felt acutely. It's even worse when they're taken in their prime.

RIP, Cole.

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Cole.  

What a beautiful kitty Cole was!  It's easy to see he was an even-tempered kitty.  His eyes are just beautiful.  I just love black cats.  I'm so sorry about his passing.  It's not fair, is it?  

Thanks to everyone for your kind messages. I really appreciate the comfort that comes from other people offering their sympathy for this horrible bewildering pain. My husband cleared up Cole's food plates, bed etc, in a kind attempt to lessen my upset when I came home, but my eyes keeping going to the empty spots on the floor where they should be. I'm overwhelmed by how much I miss him. 

I'll be getting his ashes back next week, so I think I'll scatter them in a beautiful, reflective place. I'm going to think about the right spot for him. Thanks again, everyone. 

Beautiful Cole