For those who haven't faced loss, do you ever wonder how you will cope?

Once when bonnie was an indoor/outdoor cat she went missing for three days, i was so greif stricken that i cried every day and kept looking at photo's of her, when she finally showed up at about 11pm i was so happy i couldn't stop crying, hugging her and showering her with kisses.

bonnie has been through a lot with me and at a certain time in my life was all i had, she was always there for me and still is but we have such a special bond that i can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose her

The thing is, every now and then i get concerned in regard to how i will handle it if something should happen to her, she isn't as young as she used to be and i just know it will devistate me completely, obviously this goes for all my fur babies but bonnie has just been with me for soooo long.

does anyone else ever think about how they would react to loss of a cat?



felicia

I do, and I posted something similar in another post recently. When I was growing up I always had cats but never saw one dead. Mom or someone else would just tell me they were gone. I had never even gone to a persons funeral until I was 19 and that was my mother's funeral. I really don't think I would handle it well at all, considering that on two or three occasions when I thought Kitters had gotten out and couldn't find her in the house I balled and balled until my BF finally got me to come in the room and lay down, and then all of a sudden she would come out from where ever she was hiding and come into the room. She never did get out of the house, but I was so worried and I even had tried to bribe her out of hiding with treats and tuna fish and anything else I could find that she would always come out for. I think she does it to me on purpose and then when I keep calling her and crying I think she thinks I'm mad at her. I would be lost without her. She's just like a child and since I don't have kids of my own yet that is what she is to me. We do everything for her like we would do for a child and we talk to her like she was human, she's my baby and I love her to death!!! So yes, I do know what you went through and I feel the exact same way.


OK, I rambled on for quite a bit there... so sorry about that.

Jill

I know how I react having been there, but let me tell you it is different for each cat. Not in a "one is more special" way but the relationships are different.

There will be things that you miss and feel like you can't get over. There will be looks that you will never see again. There will be many things.

But none of that prepares you for the next.

I may as well have not lost a cat, because I have no idea what I will do when Baker's time comes. Because of his issues I know he won't be here as long as I hope. That is a fact in our house. There more than likely won't be 10 more years. More like 5.

Cola and Tango are just as important in my life but they don't need me the way Baker does. I know I will lose them one day and I don't want to think of it, frankly.
But Baker I have to think of it, and the thought is too much even now~

I hate it when I lose my babies. I don't take it too well at all.

At least i'm not the only one then!

i have never dealt with the loss of a kitty because my parents would just tell me they were gone too.

The first funeral i went to was my great grandmothers and i was 24 (same age i am now) and i didn't cry at all, i just felt..nothing, even now i don't really think of her as gone and get a nasty surprise everytime i go to a family get together and she's not there

Sometimes if i can't find pandy or bonnie i get really concerned and cry only to find them hiding in a cupboard somewhere, i find them every time but i still can't help getting upset when they hide, especially when they fall asleep somewhere and i don't find them for ages....i just love them so much



felicia

Not in a "one is more special" way but the relationships are different.

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That's a way to put it. Bonnie is like an old friend who has been there for me in many tough times, she's grumpy, she snores and drools but she kinda reminds me of myself and i love her for that.

pandy is like a shadow or the annoying friend, can be obnoxious but is there for you when it counts, when i cry she always kisses me and follows me all the time, the house would be too quiet if she wasn't around, she's my baby

Anassa is playful and noble, i can make a fool of myself in front of her and she will join in, she loves cuddles and sleeps in with me in the morning.

i love them all so so much!

I know what you mean, emotions are so weird. I didn't cry when my cat Loonie Toones died, but everytime she would go outside or go missing for a few hours I would be in an absolute state, crying and unable to concentrate. I can't explain my own emotions.

I just don't even want to think of it!, but put it this way, i won't be at work for at least a week!

the first funeral i went to was in 1994 and i was 8 years old, it was my uncles, but i didnt cry because i felt nothing for him?

In 1996, i went to another funeral and i didnt cry either because he was my cousin he was only 19 but i dont know i felt no connection.

in 2003 i missed out on going to my grandmothers funeral but i still felt no connection and to me it feels like she is still alive just not talking to my mum anymore...

On the other hand, i saw my cats die one by one since i was 7 years old, and that is so hard to deal with, i cried for each one of them because i loved them so much. There are still times that i think about them.

On saturday night we saw a man walking 2 king charles despanial (sp) dogs. MY DAD stopped the car just to look at them and the guy was like ::censor::censor::censor::
my dad is still really heart broken that we had to put our dog down in 2001 in australia and since then he hasnt wanted any pets.
But i know that once he retires he would like to have the same dog again. But he says that the new dogs wil never replace Willie

I lost my childhood cat two years ago, he was about 17 and he'd been with us since I was 10. I can't even begin to describe how heartbroken I was, must have cried for a week.

I've known people who had cats and didn't treat them like one of the family, who came into work saying how the cat had been put to sleep like it was nothing more than putting out the trash. I can't understand that, why have a cat if it's not going to be family? These people are also the ones who can't seem to understand how the loss of a pet affects those of us who deeply love them.

I haven't even got my new kittens yet (I met them for the first time at the weekend!), but I know that I will love them deeply and spoil them rotten. I also know that it will break my heart to lose them, but that's the price you pay for 15 years (or more, hopefully) of unconditional love. I think it's worth it

www.endingpain.info will help you make your way through it if it happens to you

I don't have a cat at the time, but when I get one in a couple weeks, I know I'll love it at first site. Everytime I get a new pet I never want to be apart from it. I know that if something were to ever happen to my new cat, it would literally kill me. Kill's me just thinking about it, actually.

I have a "human" funeral tomorrow

With regards to pets, my cat Candy will be 19 this year and I saw her yesterday. I know that she will pass soon... she was lying on the grass and her breathing was so shallow Saying that, I try not to think about it too much!

I think about this every now and then with regard to both the humans and cats that I love. As adult, I've been to the funerals of numerous acquaintances, co-workers, etc... but haven't lost any close friends or family members yet. I'm very close to my family so have thought about how I'll handle it when my parents pass away.

The biggest loss I've faced as an adult was my buddy, Willy. I had to have him put to sleep six years ago due to complications from kidney failure. That was hard because he went down hill so quickly and was so young - not even five years old. I wrestled with a lot of guilt, questioning whether I could have done more, made the right decision, etc... and was very angry at the unfairness of the situation. I took a couple of days off work after it happened and cried on and off for about two weeks.

As hard as this was, I think it will be even harder to let Katie go when the time comes. She's 12 now and very healthy, so no immediate concerns, but she's been part of my life for so long and has been with me through so many changes I just can't imagine what life will be like without my baby girl. I've already warned my family that I'm going to be a mess when I loose her.

It's human nature to think about these things and wonder how we'll get through them, but dwelling on them can also keep us from enjoying the present. I think what's important is to recognize that we are going to grieve
in one way or another and we should allow ourselves the time and space to do so. I also think we're stronger than we realize and with the support of those around us and our own faith, we can work through the grief.

I had to put my two dogs to sleep, Jacka nd Scruffy, who I had for 17 years on March 19, 2000, and let me tellyou, it was rough. BUT, I knew that for different reasons, they were both suffering, so I knew it was there time. I went to work the next day because I figured if I didn't, I'd just sit at home and cry. it did help. They will always be my special babies and they will always be with me in my heart.

it kills me to think about it too so it try not to but the thoughts do cross my mind sometimes and it hurts.

but, they are with me now and i have so many great times with them.

i am getting them a cat tree soon, has to be a squat one becase if it's too tall bonnie will pull it down

i just love buying them stuff, it always makes me feel good to watch them (does a little happy dance)

does anyone know of a good online cat store specialising in cat tree's?


felcia

Rosie goes for her yearly checkup and booster next wednesday, and i hate this time of year because i always hold my breath looking at the vets face while he checks them over incase he finds something

She's only 3 years old as well so imagine what i'll be like when their old?!, i'll be a basket case on the vet visits then

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I know what you mean, emotions are so weird. I didn't cry when my cat Loonie Toones died, but everytime she would go outside or go missing for a few hours I would be in an absolute state, crying and unable to concentrate. I can't explain my own emotions.

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I think that when it's the unknown that we worry more, not knowing if they are alright, or if there out there and if they are lost or what, but death has a certin finality to it, at that point we know in our Hearts and minds that we can't make a differance.
It's the same for me some what with people, When my 1st Hubby was so ill it was just the worst experince anyone can have, you never get a moment to reflect on what is going on, and we all know we would do whatever we could to make a differance or change it, don't get me wrong here but death is final and I think we look at everything differant at that point,maily because there is no choice, not to say we aren't hurting or greving, But that's also acceptiance to what has happend, I don't really beleive in reality, you make it what you want It to be, Putting an animal to sleep is the hardest thing I ever had to do besides loosing loved ones, because we are making that choice, with people there's not a choice, I don't even know if I made any sence here lol...

when my cats died (one at 20, one at/around 22-23), they were old and looking kinda miserable at times, so i thought it was actually better when they passed on. But these cats were outdoor farm cats who although very friendly and loving at times were also very indepndent and very self reliant. I have no idea how I would feel if my roxygo passed away. I have a feeling though that I would need another kitty right away, and in my haste would be cursed with a very difficult one.

Originally Posted by pandybear

it kills me to think about it too so it try not to but the thoughts do cross my mind sometimes and it hurts.

but, they are with me now and i have so many great times with them.

i am getting them a cat tree soon, has to be a squat one becase if it's too tall bonnie will pull it down

i just love buying them stuff, it always makes me feel good to watch them (does a little happy dance)

does anyone know of a good online cat store specialising in cat tree's?


felcia

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I saw some really nice ones on e-bay pretty good deals also, cheaoer then in pet stores