I could not possibly agree more. Make sure that you grieve. Then go get another kitten or cat. There is no shortage of cats that need a home. The Citizens for Animal Protection (I-10 near Dairy Ashford) is a great organization. They take care of the animals until they are adopted.
My family and I have 2 cats, one of them an older 16-year-old Siamese, and a younger, much more active 4-year-old black one. We know the older one would probably not let us know, but he was really heavy way back and now he's skinny and older. He reminds me of seeing humans age and lose much of their weight. He's a good pal to my wife and girls, and the other one is just a rebellious pussycat. Our new puppy tries to play with them, but they hate it and hiss up a storm. It's nice to see they still defend themselves and show lots of emotion. I am sure that they are still full of life when they do this and run around the puppy. I can understand what you're going through and I hope it isn't as painful when we have to say goodbye to ours. I really felt like sharing my story but yours is moving. Love them while they're still there, just like a family they are.
Sorry to hear that man. Hope your cat goes peacefully. I have a puppy that wife and I love like our own child. My whole family loves him to death. Our life basically revolves around this little guy. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to him.
Hey man I feel your pain (and that of others on this board as well) about losing a pet. I myself a year ago lost my cat, my best friend, and my pet. He was the most amazing cat ever, and had the most unique personality. Until one night I was just sitting on the couch, and he was sitting on the window, then the next second he fell over, and died right there. Th vet didnt know the cause, but assumed heart failure. The sudden shot from it was devastating. It was hard to move on, but I had to. Coming home felt empty as he never met me at the door again, nor would I have him lay on my legs when I went to sleep. I hated coming home from work, and I hated not rolling over and seeing him laying on his back. But in the end, I coped with it, I felt guilty thinking I could have done something to prevent it, I felt angry as to why something like this could happen to him and that it wasnt fair that his life was taken from him. People told me he was at a better place, but I dont believe it because I know nothing could have been better then home with me...etc But eventually you will move on. I got him cremated, put him in a nice wooden urn with a photo front, and placed a few of his toys inside as well. Once a while I put him on the window so he can see the birds and squirrels outside. Even though he is gone, his remains still deserve the best. Today it still hurts, but I am better. I had a strong bond with him, and probably will forever. He was that special to me. Time is the best healer in these situations. Making the urn, keping him by my bed, and creating a photo mural on my wall helped me cope. You need to find your coping way and everything will be fine.
Just thinking about things like this just worry me even more. As you said, there is no better place for him to be than at home where everyone cares for him. The worst part is, he is very young and I just wish he could have lived a bit longer. But thanks for all the support in this thread.
It saddens me to hear about your cat. The last time I lost a pet was around 2002, and I cried my eyes out. As many cats as my parents have at their house (7), my family is luck that they haven't had any illnesses in about 8 years. While that's really great, it also gives me the feeling that they're due, you know? It sucks, but they all pass on at some point...we just have to enjoy them while they're here. I was just playing with my own cat a little while ago and had one of those moments where I just looked at her with the disbelief that I could care that much about a pet. It's a special bond...it really is. On a different note, and I truly don't mean this to be harsh in any way at all, and it also might be the most effective time to say it... Keeping a cat outside is a dangerous gamble. If you get another one in the future, I would urge you to keep it inside. It's best for everyone involved, really.
Every animal wants and needs attention. They all react differently to it, but that doesn't mean they don't want it. Just because you aren't a dog person doesn't mean dogs are stupid. And Yak, your story really touched me. I'm so sorry you have to go through this, and trust me, you never forget your first pet. Your cat is very lucky to have you as an owner.
As a pet owner I feel for you Yak. Not to bring this up too early but maybe a trip to an Animal shelter to rescue another kitten could help the transition. It will never be the same cat but I could help you kind of continuing a legacy.
Can't stress that enough. If you really care for your pet, do not let them roam freely outdoors. The average age of an outdoor animal is significantly lower than an indoor one. Treat your animals right. Get all of their shots when you're suppose to. Also, feed them well. I hear plenty of people complaining about their cats hairballs and such, but do not want to pay the extra couple dollars for good food.
We don't mind keeping him indoors, but he loves going outside and hunting and defending his territory. He would meow at the door all night if we didn't let him out. We respected his desire to go outside and roam. It never crossed my mind that keeping a cat outdoors is a poor choice, but I really felt that he would be safe. He would occasionally come home with a minor limp or a scratch, but we very carefully tended to his wounds. But I guess, in the end, that's what inevitably caused him to become ill.
I'm on my third set of cats. In the last four years I had to have Manny put to sleep, Callie died in my arms and Zeke limped under the back deck and died-- he was my favorite... I'd caution you about letting your cat just die naturally. If it is suffering, why let that go on? When I took Manny in to be put to sleep, I was sitting in the waiting room and this mountain of a man comes out of one of the treatment rooms carrying a little kid's shoe box while bawling openly. After I put Manny down, I felt like I was trying to swallow a naval orange. We now have three cats under three years of age and a great dog, Rocket!
I have a cat and a dog aswell and can feel where you are at. I'm also relatively young and recently i've been struck by some feelings i've never felt before. For instance, when I saw people really sad on movies for certain things I couldn't understand why, because I had never experienced them. With time, I am starting to experience all those things and understand what they are feeling which isn't always great.
Keeping a cat indoor is like keeping a fish outside his water bowl. Cats love to go outside, and just like yourself, you can catch disease's or get in fights when your out of you house. Is that a reason why you don't leave your house? No. Its part of life. I for instance believe cats should come and go outside and inside. Let them be free and don't be selfish by only letting them stay inside because you are afraid to be hurt if something happens.
When I was around 6, I become close with a stray dog and would feed him in the morning and at night. He was barking all day so I went to give him water...my grandfather came out and shot him dead with a .22. Till this day, I dont understand the closeness some have with pets. My wife says its because of what happened when I was young. I'm sorry about your cat.
This needs to be said again, Yak. Your cat is very lucky to have such a caring and thoughtful owner. My gf and I are very, very close to our two cats, and adopting them about 5 years ago was easily one of the best decisions we've ever made together about anything. Having an animal that wants nothing more than to be with you is really a wonderful thing. Losing a pet that's become that much a part of your life can be really difficult. I've been through it quite a few times already, and it never gets easier, but it will change the way you look at your next pet for the better. Those times when you find yourself getting frustrated by a misbehaving pet (or that dog or cat that just won't stop crying until you feed it or let it do whatever it wants) - you'll come to treasure those things and miss them later.
My cat is sitting next to me on the printer as I'm reading this thread so I know how bad I would feel if my cat was dying. You said that you don't think time will heal the pain you are feeling now but it will. You are young and the first time you experience a loss it will feel very bad but in time you will be better. We love our pets but its just nature that we will likely outlive them so enjoy them and give them love and attention now because they want always be with us. Even though their lives are short compared to us we can fill their lives with love so when they do die they will have died after living a happy life. I can understand too how you don't want to put your cat to sleep and keep him with you as long as you can but consider are you qualified to make sure your cat will pass away peacefully and pain free? I know you don't want to let him go but if your cat is suffering are you helping him by keeping him alive for much longer? We are all mortal including our pets which makes our time together that much more precious. There is a time for all things to pass and prolonging it isn't going to be good for you or your cat.
I used to think that way but have changed my mind. The cat I have now I got from a shelter and I have kept her inside. She seems fine and while curious about the outside doesn't show much interest in going out. I think if you get a cat and bring it to a new house as long as you start from keeping it inside they are fine with being inside.
I lost a kitten named Smokey to FIV. I believe he had it since birth because I never let him out. He passed away in his sleep.
