My 6 year old, Dubs, died unexpectedley today.

DBLJJ said:

 
O what a beauty. I know you will really miss him. I have always been a cat person. My husband had said he never liked cats but would never harm one and he has totally been the one cats try to win over and they do very succesfully. They are such company to him while I am working. he is disabled, gets depressed easily and they just sense that and keep him 

entertained. I even put up a photo and a poem on our bookcase over Christmas to remember Tigger by. Hubby also asked for a photo in a frame

to go  by his bed..

No One can understand your loss anymore than  folks on this site,  bless you and boyfriend , and know you are in our thoughts and prayers

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My boyfriend has always liked animals, which is fabulous considering I just show up with fosters from time to time. My boyfriend decided to turn Dubs' bell collar into a bracelet, and we're going to get cremation pendants when we have the extra money. We're both very logical people, we cried all night together last night but we also both know we can't just come to a standstill, we have to keep moving and Dubs would have wanted that. He wouldn't want his brothers to suffer because we're depressed. I hope when the time comes my boyfriend can find a new companion, because I mostly feel awful because are dog and cat are "mine", Dubs was his, he was his dad and they had a special bond. I told him I want to do whatever I can to help him memorialize Dubs. This is also the first animal we have both lost as adults, so its pretty devastating, but, we really are okay.

Thank you so much, that's why I decided to post here, because I know all of you would understand how much my jerk-of-a-cat touched my life, and how empty we are now that he's gone.

       I just read your story about Dubs. Everyone on this site knows what you are going through. I halved loved and lost many lovable cats over the years. He was truly a beautiful soul, and I know how much you both loved him.Dwell on all of the wonderful days you spent with him. He knows how much you both loved him. He will stay forever in your hearts,and you in his.I am sending you healing and love. I know that eventually you will open your hearts to another kitten who will be lucky to have two wonderful people to love him. Dubs will always be with you.

kittylove53 said:

 
       I just read your story about Dubs. Everyone on this site knows what you are going through. I halved loved and lost many lovable cats over the years. He was truly a beautiful soul, and I know how much you both loved him.Dwell on all of the wonderful days you spent with him. He knows how much you both loved him. He will stay forever in your hearts,and you in his.I am sending you healing and love. I know that eventually you will open your hearts to another kitten who will be lucky to have two wonderful people to love him. Dubs will always be with you.

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Thank you so much for your kindness, I'm already starting to remember the good times, I'm still crying a little at times, but I know it okay. Its horrible what happened, but I'm just so glad I got to meet him. There are a lot of people who say "I can't go through it again", and I understand and would never judge someone off it, but the time we spent together was amazing, and I wouldn't trade those days for the benefit of not feeling the deep sadness. There is a large part of me that's excited for when the time comes to welcome a new friend into my life., he'll have to have a big heart and an outgoing personality to try to fill the big "shoes" left by Dubs. I mostly hope my boyfriend can welcome a new friend into his heart, I'm sure he will, he was sad when our foster kittens who were here from day 1 left. I can't wait to get Dubs' ashes back, I want to make him an "altar" so to speak, so his presence is just as large as when he would strut into a room.

It sounds like Dubs was an amazing cat. It's not easy what you're going through, but maybe you can find comfort knowing that you gave him a loving home and a good life.

Plan said:

 
It sounds like Dubs was an amazing cat. It's not easy what you're going through, but maybe you can find comfort knowing that you gave him a loving home and a good life.

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I do actually, I'm trying very heard to focus on all of the good things, and I don't think "he's gone" I try to think "No, he's still here, he's at the foot of my bed when I wake up, or he's locked out for the bedroom and yelling for me to wake up". He was a fatty, and food was his favorite thing, I try to imagine, if there is a place across the rainbow bridge, he can eat as much as he wants. I also like to think my Yoda, who died at 5, is showing him the ropes.

Christfawk said:

 
Thank you so much for your kindness, I'm already starting to remember the good times, I'm still crying a little at times, but I know it okay. Its horrible what happened, but I'm just so glad I got to meet him. There are a lot of people who say "I can't go through it again", and I understand and would never judge someone off it, but the time we spent together was amazing, and I wouldn't trade those days for the benefit of not feeling the deep sadness. There is a large part of me that's excited for when the time comes to welcome a new friend into my life., he'll have to have a big heart and an outgoing personality to try to fill the big "shoes" left by Dubs. I mostly hope my boyfriend can welcome a new friend into his heart, I'm sure he will, he was sad when our foster kittens who were here from day 1 left. I can't wait to get Dubs' ashes back, I want to make him an "altar" so to speak, so his presence is just as large as when he would strut into a room.

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I think a shrine to this magnificent and apparently very mischievous cat is a wonderful idea.  And I'm so glad that you are beginning to remember the good times.  We all go through this whole thing in our own time, and on our own terms.  And I'm glad that you are looking forward to welcoming a new friend.  I think, in many ways, it is an honor to the Old Friend, a way of saying how valued they actually were, rather than a betrayal, as some seem to think.  And you have learned one of the most important things life has to teach...you can only experience joy to the degree that you are willing to risk and accept pain.  The capacity for the two are linked.  Not the actual feelings, but the capacity for them.  Bless you, Darlin.  I'm holding you both in my thoughts.

Mamanyt1953 said:

I think a shrine to this magnificent and apparently very mischievous cat is a wonderful idea.  And I'm so glad that you are beginning to remember the good times.  We all go through this whole thing in our own time, and on our own terms.  And I'm glad that you are looking forward to welcoming a new friend.  I think, in many ways, it is an honor to the Old Friend, a way of saying how valued they actually were, rather than a betrayal, as some seem to think.  And you have learned one of the most important things life has to teach...you can only experience joy to the degree that you are willing to risk and accept pain.  The capacity for the two are linked.  Not the actual feelings, but the capacity for them.  Bless you, Darlin.  I'm holding you both in my thoughts.

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Thank you, so much, again. The support I've received here and reading the stories of others has helped me a great deal. No one will ever replace Dubs, but, I kind of want the new cat to try, so to speak. They'll never do back flips like he did, and I'll be lucky to find such a talkative conversation partner as he was, but a new friend can try. I hope my boyfriend chooses another mischief maker for his new companion. I'm trying to basically, forget he died, because that doesn't matter, what matters is that he lived, and even if our time was much shorter than it should have been, the 6 years he had were well spent. It's also extremely difficult for me to comprehend the circumstances of his death, because it's so bizzarre and a one in a million chance, so that's my only "no go" zone. However, it's now basically been established since this morning's news that the actual reason for his death is that David Bowie wanted a cat to take with him, and we can actually laugh about it a little, it somehow makes us feel better.

Thank you for keeping us in out thoughts, it's more important than most people realize.

These black cats are so very special. I truly am sorry for your loss. It is always so hard to lose them. Take care of yourselves, rest a lot, cry, anything that helps. I pray that as time goes on the memories of him will bring you sweet peace.

Christfawk said:

 However, it's now basically been established since this morning's news that the actual reason for his death is that David Bowie wanted a cat to take with him, and we can actually laugh about it a little, it somehow makes us feel better.

Thank you for keeping us in out thoughts, it's more important than most people realize.

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Always.  And come to think of it, you may well be right.  Goodness knows, Mr. Bowie would know how to appreciate a trickster spirit!  Whatever gets you through the day is fair game right now, Darlin! 

blueyedgirl5946 said:

These black cats are so very special. I truly am sorry for your loss. It is always so hard to lose them. Take care of yourselves, rest a lot, cry, anything that helps. I pray that as time goes on the memories of him will bring you sweet peace.

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 Thank you, we did already cry a lot, its pretty much all we could do the night this happened. Right now I find it really comforting to yell "Dubs!!!!" like we always did, he would come when called (begrudgingly, mind you). I haven't cried so far today, so that's super. My goal is to forget that he died, forget all this awfulness happened in such a horrible way, and remember only that he lived, and that we love him. I do have an appointment with my vet on friday for a follow-up with my parent's dog, I'm sure that will be hard but I'll make it.

What a wonderful picture of your boy!  Yes, it captures the sass factor beautifully!

Oh, please do that illustration.  And would you feel comfortable sharing it with us?  I, for one, would love to see it.  Or even one of Bowie onstage, with Dubs curving around his legs.  I think that you will find a lot of release and relief in the making of the illustration, even if you don't feel comfortable sharing it.  It's a wonderful idea.

what a beautiful boy

Mamanyt1953 said:

 
What a wonderful picture of your boy!  Yes, it captures the sass factor beautifully!

Oh, please do that illustration.  And would you feel comfortable sharing it with us?  I, for one, would love to see it.  Or even one of Bowie onstage, with Dubs curving around his legs.  I think that you will find a lot of release and relief in the making of the illustration, even if you don't feel comfortable sharing it.  It's a wonderful idea.

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If i get around to it I certainly will. I have a painting of Dubs coming apparently, my best friend is going to do one for me. He knew Dubs well and is also the father to one of Dubs' littermates, a beautiful gray girl named Willow.

I am so sorry, what a beautiful cat he was. I had a Cat that threw a clot one morning after being just fine. It is a real shock to loose them so fast.

Caesar said:

I am so sorry, what a beautiful cat he was. I had a Cat that threw a clot one morning after being just fine. It is a real shock to loose them so fast.

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He was the same way, I mean other than the blockage, he was actually unusually happy the whole week before, it makes me think he somehow new and wanted to make the most of his time. I'm so sorry, it is such a shock and I can't even think about the circumstances surrounding his actual death. I'll send you my thoughts, and you and I can grieve together.

I'm so very sorry for your loss, so hard to lose so unexpectedly and at a young age, such a special and beautiful cat. The loss never goes away, but it gets easier to handle, thought of less frequently. A year ago, I lost my dachshund at the age of 8, which is very early; she should have had a lifespan of about 15. She had some health issues, so it wasn't unexpected, but I was very bonded to her, and it was a huge loss. I still miss her, but also think of her fondly. Now I have 2 adult cats, that I have adopted since that loss, that are giving me love and joy. [emoji]128151[/emoji]

Walkingrock said:

I'm so very sorry for your loss, so hard to lose so unexpectedly and at a young age, such a special and beautiful cat. The loss never goes away, but it gets easier to handle, thought of less frequently. A year ago, I lost my dachshund at the age of 8, which is very early; she should have had a lifespan of about 15. She had some health issues, so it wasn't unexpected, but I was very bonded to her, and it was a huge loss. I still miss her, but also think of her fondly. Now I have 2 adult cats, that I have adopted since that loss, that are giving me love and joy. [emoji]128151[/emoji]

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I'm so sorry to hear about your doxie, that is unusually young from them, we have one that came to the shop that only passed recently I think he was somewhere in the vicinity of 15. (Though, honestly, while you can't tell anyone when to let go, I was happy to hear of his passing just because he was suffering from some pretty nasty dental disease and was extremely senile by the end.) It is a huge loss even if you know, but it is at least a little easier to handle. My previous cat died at 5, but he was suffering from some kind of wasting disease, so at least I could say "the suffering has ended". I'm so happy to hear you've opened your home to new companions, and I truly hope they bring you joy for many years to come.

Thank you! They are both 6 year old Maine Coons, neither knew each other. I had previously had a lab that lived a nearly normal lifespan, that also had Cushings disease, so I was familiar with it. She had horrible allergies and the Cushings; it became very costly every month for medications, labs, etc. She was seeing a vet dermatologist. After a couple years, enough was enough, I just didn't want to keep putting her and us through that anymore, as much as I loved her. My kitties have their own issues, but it's not even close to the level that this doxie was. She started with the allergies at 2 years of age. So now I have 2 boys. A teddy bear, cuddlebug, smaller, chunky, ginger boy; and a skitzy, gorgeous, lanky, huge, creamy-pink, very playful boy! [emoji]128571[/emoji][emoji]128151[/emoji]

Walkingrock said:

Thank you! They are both 6 year old Maine Coons, neither knew each other. I had previously had a lab that lived a nearly normal lifespan, that also had Cushings disease, so I was familiar with it. She had horrible allergies and the Cushings; it became very costly every month for medications, labs, etc. She was seeing a vet dermatologist. After a couple years, enough was enough, I just didn't want to keep putting her and us through that anymore, as much as I loved her. My kitties have their own issues, but it's not even close to the level that this doxie was. She started with the allergies at 2 years of age. So now I have 2 boys. A teddy bear, cuddlebug, smaller, chunky, ginger boy; and a skitzy, gorgeous, lanky, huge, creamy-pink, very playful boy! [emoji]128571[/emoji][emoji]128151[/emoji]

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 Cushings is a tough tough disease, and I congratulate you on your willpower to push through it as long as you did. I went through a similar situation as your doxie with my boy Yoda, from about 1 year old onward he started to develop awful food allergies that eventually lead to him being unable to absorb any nutrition at all, and he passed at only 5. I'm so happy for your two boys to have come into such a loving home!