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We are very grateful to the caring people who have kindly chosen to share their experiences and advice. We hope you find strength and comfort in their words. If you would like to add your own words of comfort and advice, please click the button below.
The comments expressed are the thoughts and views of the authors only and are not the views of the Charity. The Charity reserves the right to remove anything posted on this page anything which it deems inappropriate or unacceptable. The Charity will not engage in any correspondence should it remove such comments.
Rachel Brierton
I received the devastating news on Monday that my gorgeous little man, Luis had been knocked over and killed. He was found by a lovely lady who took him to the vets to be scanned. He was my absolute world and my rock through an already difficult time. I shall never forget his pink nose and his funny little greetings. I will miss his cuddles in a morning and my 'midnight washes'. As difficult as it is, he was out doing what he loved best and I know he won't have suffered. Now, I need to focus on my other little cat who will be grieving just as much as I am. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I will love and miss him forever. RIP mummy's little man
Sarah Watson
Our gorgeous 8 year old ginger kitty Freddie was knocked down by a car yesterday and killed pretty much instantly. Im grateful he didn't suffer. While it hurts like nothing else at the moment, and I know there is a grieving process ahead, he was happiest outdoors and died doing what he loved. We have so many happy memories of him and, while I think 'if only I'd kept him in', we don't regret him being outside and getting to be the cat he loved to be. I'll miss hearing you coming down the stairs to greet me as I come home, your little chirrups and meows, your beautiful soft fur, the way you would always choose my lap and stretched your paws out to snuggle my neck when lying in bed. You'll be so sorely missed, but we have been so lucky to have you in our lives. Rest in peace little Freddie Pops.
Tricia ROUSE/BRIGHT
To love and have your Cat love you back as much is a precious beautiful honour, so grateful to have had such a wonderful Cat in my life, even though her life was cut short by kidney failure, I know I could not have loved her any more. ❤😥
John Salton
Monday March 9th, the day I had to say goodbye to my friend of 14 years.two stray kittens I found at work and took home,one male we called Thurston the other female we named lydney.always there morning and evening to greet us.all over too quickly,lydney taken by kidney disease and organ failure,we will always remember you sleeping under a rose bush in the garden.rest in peace little friend.💔
Fiona Thompson
On the 26th February 2020 we sadly had to let our little angel Pippin go to the Rainbow Bridge. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. We rescued Pippin 11 years ago. The vet thought she was around 8-10 years old when we brought her home so she lived to a great age of around 19-20. She was a beautiful cat, so lovable and she lived like a queen. Although the pain hurts of having to let her go we know that she will now be in no pain. My little angel Pippin, my heart will always wear the paw prints left by you. Xxx
Janet Galloway
I had to have my lovely big put to sleep on Monday I am devastated. Just got his remains back this afternoon. He's here, on my knee wrapped in his blanket. I feel so lost..I've not felt like this since my sister passed in 2015.
Davina Smith
I first fostered Sanday (named after an Orkney Island) in 2016. She was meant to stay with us for a short time until the local cat rescue center found her a forever home. She was about 4 or 5 but had a difficult time as a stray. She was scared of everything and everyone. Her coat was dull and her eyes looked scared. I decided we'd keep her and so began her slow recovery process. It took for me months to gain her trust but slowly she blossomed into the most affectionate and loving cat with a shiny, glossy coat. She became my shadow and loved being with me. I had 4 other cats - Flotta, Fara, Westray and Burray but it was Sanday who always sat with me and who showed me such unconditional love. Two weeks ago, after having problems with her teeth & gums she had 7 teeth removed. She seemed to be recovering but not eating much - I thought it was just taking her time to get used to not having many teeth. At the 1-week post-op check the vet said she had lost alot of weight. I kept a close eye on her the following day. She wasn't her affectionate self and totally stopped eating. However, I still thought it was connected to her dental treatment. The next day, the vet checked her over whilst she was sedated, fully checking her and carrying out blood tests. He phoned to tell me the devastating news that she had kidney failure and there was nothing he could do. It was heartbreaking to be with her when he put her to sleep. I took her to be buried next to Fara who died at Christmas. I feel so lost without her and miss her so much.
Patricia Sutton
I had a little fluffy cat As black as jet was she Although I think it's true to say It's rather she had me! With yellow eyes and bushy tail She was loving, mild and fun In my minds eye, I see her now Purring in the sun. Then one day, the illness came And it couldnt be put right She went to sleep so peacefully One dark and rainy night Although I cry with sorrow I'm glad there was no pain So cross the bridge And wait for me Until we meet again. Octavia. 2008-2020. N
Janine Clarke
in 1999 my husband (partner at the time) and I, adopted two beautiful, black and white fur babies. We called them Reeves and Mortimer. They were with us for most of our adult lives, and our children, now 17 and 14 did not know life without them. Reeves died three years ago, just shy of 18. Suffering with arthritis, she took a turn for the worse one weekend, just before Christmas...we took her to the vets, and it was clear that having her put down was the kindest thing. We spent our hardest day saying goodbye We expected Mortimer to miss Reeves. We certainly did, but he did not. He flourished without his sister, and despite being seriously ill in December 2018, the vet gave him fluids and we coaxed him back to life with corned beef and prawns! Monday 11th February 2020, after a couple of weeks of watching our beloved moggie deteriorate we bit the bullet, gave him lots of extra cuddles, and took him to the vets. We weren't surprised that the advice was that his time had come. But this did not make it any easier. Reeves and Mortimer now rest together, in our garden. We will never forget them. They have been, and always will be, part of our family. But, with less than a week passed, still grieving for my black and whites, I know this. I want more cats. My home feels empty without them.
Vanessa Street
On wednesday 12 February 2020 we lost our beautiful Sesame when she was hit by a car. The shock has floored us all and my grief is beyond what I expected. I have been struggling to deal with the sudden loss and have found these stories of some comfort. So thank you all for sharing. My beautiful black soft and fluffy cat who had such a big personality will be missed more than ever by us all and the impact she had on all our lives will never be forgotten. We love you our beautiful Seffy Cat. You will never be forgotten my darling. How do you ever recover from this pain? I've been told time really is a healer. I am hoping this is true. At the moment we all talk of her often and remember our own stories together but it is still so raw. It just feels so unfair that a human can take your cats life and have no consequence. They didnt even stop. A lovely lady helped her and took her to the vet. I can still believe in some people. But my Seffy Cat never let me down. God I miss her. Love you my baby cat xxx
Michael I'Anson
On Monday the 10th February 2020 I will be putting my best friend to sleep. I love my cat so much. The companionship she has given me over her 8 years has been amazing. I was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis in 2013 and spent months in bed. Everyday Ruby would sit with me and be my company, she followed me everywhere during my rehab. In 2015 I was diagnosed with FND and weeks in bed, again not leaving my side. In December 2019 she was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. My world fell apart, she was ill I can't do anything to comfort her. In January 2020 stage 4 and rapid weight loss, every day I've cried and taken the step to try and ease her pain. Her kidneys have stopped working, she constantly after water and has no quality of life. I love her very much and will miss her very much. This is real grief, so don't let people who don't own pets tell you anything different.
Janet Burton
On August 2nd. 2019 we had to make the difficult decision to have our beautiful Heidi put to sleep. She was nearly 20 years old and had numerous health issues - renal and thyroid to name but two - and was on loads of medication just to keep her going, but then she developed neurological problems too. Like so many other pet owners, we were on a rollercoaster of emotions. One day she would pick up and eat well, others she would not. Even though you know our beautiful babies may not have very much longer, nothing really prepares you for when it's time to say goodbye. They give us unconditional love, they make us smile, they make a house a home, somewhere good to return to, but now our beautiful Heidi has gone. I have never been without cats for as long as I can remember ( and I'm 70 this year ) and we've had up to four cats at any one time. So the pain we are feeling right now cannot be described, but I know there are others of you out there who will understand. We miss her so.....much. We love you and always will our beautiful girl xxx
Rachael Darkes
I’m still trying to get my head around the loss of my 3 girls, and it sounds crazy out loud every time. I’m grieving the loss of my babies yet they haven’t passed. (How crazy does that sound right?!) My heart, what’s left, goes out to you; I understand and feel your pain Xx I lost my job in 2018 and a year later I lost our home. With a professional background a new job was all but easy and I had no option but to give up my girls; on their 1st birthday too. At first I thought they were being fostered until the word ‘rehoming’ got mentioned, a word that will always haunt me. 6 months on and it still takes the air from me and I feel like I’m suffocating. They had me wrapped around their little paws, and each minute of the day my heart breaks a little more. I slept in my car, and I’m now supported 24hours. The psychiatrist words “you can get more when you have a new home” I didn’t go back. I’ve started council but everyday is a struggle, so just know that wherever you may be that I’ve got you..not physically but, emotionally 100% Anyone who has had to re-home your little companions... you’re not alone. I’m still trying to figure out how to be grieving my girls although their little paws are gracefully still blessing this earth ... like, how even?! I’d give up my life for 24 hours with them 💔 Next time something happens to fall off anywhere with no explanation just know that you’re cats are near 💞
Lisa Dry
The date of June the 3rd 2018 will forever stay with me as it was and still is the worst day of my life! I’d let my beautiful three year old rescue fluffy tabby Mia out, she never went far and as I had a young baby too who was crying at the time, I left Mia to her own devices....literally not even half an hour later I got an unknown call on my phone, I called them back to be told that it was Vets 4 Pets in Walton, Liverpool and that my girl had been hit by a car and died and that a kind man and his young son had brought her to the vets. The vet nurse said she knew straight away that Mia would be chipped. It was so surreal when I got there and I wouldn’t let her go! She’s back at home where she belongs but not the way she should be. To that driver who hit and left her like she was nothing...you have destroyed my life and my heart is forever broken and all because you didn’t slow down on a 30mph road, and you had no decency to stop and check on my girl. I do believe what goes around comes around. Miss you always and forever my Mimi xxxx 💔
kayleigh hamilton
yesterday was one of the hardest things i have ever had to do and that was watch you peacefully cross the rainbow bridge, my heart is broken, i know if you were here right now you would be snuggled right into me giving me sweet kisses to make me feel better, walking home from work last night and finding your not at the door waiting for me and this morning waking up to my alarm after a broken nights sleep instead of you pawing at me for your breakfast and then finding myself looking for you has shattered my heart into a thousand pieces, my home feels empty without you baby boy, i don't know how am going to get through each day without baby boy,they say it will get better with time but my sweet baby boy i miss you terribly and always will you will always be in mamas heart love you always until we meet again run free baby boy