It still hurts even after many years..

Benji was my first cat ever. And yes, I named him myself! I was so sad after my half sister moved out of the house and took her cat with her, so I desperately wanted a cat of my own... and my parents said yes! They asked me what colour I wanted, and I said I wanted an orange one. A pet store in the next city over said they had a litter of three kittens, two girls and one boy, and the boy was orange, so we went to check him out. We walked into the shop, and there he was, all curled up and huddled with his sisters... and the rest is history.

Oh, Benji.  What a little fighter!  What a lucky kitty to be so well loved and cared for.

I lost my kitty best friend almost six years ago--she lived to be almost 18--and I still miss her.  It's so hard to lose such a beloved part of the family.  My heart goes out to you.  

The pain never completely disappears, we just learn to cope and to live with it. Benji is still very much alive in your heart and your memories, you gave him a wonderful home and wonderful care in his short life, something he might never have experienced with someone else. I know it's almost impossible, we all do it, but you have to stop dwelling on all the could haves, should haves, because it's impossible to change something that was not in our control. It only brings heartache and pain, as you well know. That sweet boy loved you so much, he would never want you to be sad, but to share his legacy of love with others, and in this way it keeps his spirit alive. Do something in his name, help find a home for the homeless, pay for and adoption at your local shelter, build a little shrine in his honor, you will be richly rewarded with his approval from within your heart. Fill that heart with sunshine and memories of happier times, I'm happy to see that your memories can bring you pleasure. I pray that you will be blessed for hurting so bad because of loving so much, please accept my condolences on your loss of someone so important in your life. You will never forget your special boy, he was unforgettable. As long as you are alive, so is he, you share a bond that even death can never break. RIP sweet Benji, you will never be forgotten, try to comfort the one that loves you so, in dreams or on the soft kiss of the wind, you are very much missed in this life! 

Your baby will always live on in your heart.  They always take a piece of us with them when their time is up.  I agree that over time you just learn how to cope and eventually the pain is replaced by the positive influence your fur kid had on your life.  Eventually it does get easier to remember the good times your shared without the pain.  I think that there will always be days where we just miss our rainbow bridge fur kids.

What a sweet picture of Benji and his friend.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Your post was very touching and a testament that love lives on.

I'm sorry you lost him so young. I have lost 2 before their time and while we are never ready to say goodbye, having to say goodbye early is really rough. You never forget them, you never really get over them but it does get a little easier with time. He was so loved during the time he had with you, he couldn't have asked for a better cat mum.

I am so heartbroken reading your story, I am so sorry. He was a beautiful kitty. Given his rough start it is safe to say that your love and kindness gave him a chance. Cats are very perceptive, I am 100% certain that he loved you for all you did for him.   

Benjie was lucky to have you in his life, sorry that still hurts and I understand what you're going through.

I lost my girls last year and I am still hurting.

Please take care and (((hugs)))

Rest in peace dear Benjie...

What a beautiful little boy Benji was, and it's so sad that your time together was cut short.