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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.
Charlotte Horwell
We visited a cats protection centre one day, not really expecting to see a cat that we wanted. Yeah right! Cupcake named by the centre was this tiny grey, British blue, 1 year old cat. At the time she was wearing a cone and looked so sad and I just knew, we needed to change her stars. And didn't we just. Cuppy had a most wonderful life with us, and we had an even better one because of her. When we brought her home she sat straight on my lap, something that had never happened with any of our other cats. She was crazy, had such a large character for a tiny cat and so loving that she just made everyone fall in love with her that met her. We were lucky to have her for nearly 12 years. People who don't have pets sometimes don't understand why you would put yourself through such emotional turmoil. In my opinion, we had 12 years of amazing times and 2 weeks of truly awful times. Cupcake was a true character, one we'll never forget x
Lynn Evans
For Kurt our beautiful , fifteen year old green eyed grey cat. . We re heartbroken that we had a call last week ( on my birthday ) to say you had been taken to the vets by a kind person who didn’t know we were yours :) and had found you after you had been knocked over. We are devastated. We are thankful for the fact that we were with you at the end and brought your towel to try and be of some familiar , safe comfort to say it was ok and sleep tight. We are also gutted that we didn’t know and didn’t find you first and after fifteen years of love and we weren’t with you through all of it. . When you had to go , we hoped for a peaceful end on a velvet cushion. We hope you know how much we all love you Curtis and the gap you ve left . Sleep tightly , stay safe and sweet dreams honey xxxxx
Daniel Burkhill
Our dearest Pepsi was taken from us today after 19 long years he was such a pleasure from his weird food choices to the loving cat that he was I truly believe that had the loudest meow deafening would give a lion a run for its money just sat in kitchen just meowing to himself😅 he will be truly missed people always say " One of a Kind " he was and always will be One Of a Kind. Have a nice rest our little ginger ball of fluff R.I.P. Pepsi
Hannah Smith
Today has been the worst of days, we lost our 5 month old kitten to a terrible accident! I can’t help feeling awful guilt and wish I could have prevented it! We got a kitten 5 months ago and I’ve never been a cat person and we got this little ball of fluff called coco and she became my little baby! She bonded so much with me despite her being for my daughter and she followed me everywhere, even into the shower (I thought cats hated water) she woke me up every morning and slept at my feet every night! I adored her. Our utility room is always closed and today she had managed to push the door open she climbed in the tumble dryer and it turned on we didn’t know obviously until we took clothes out and found her! The guilt is awful and I feel so stupid that she could have climbed in there without us knowing! I can’t stop thinking I we and over how much she might have suffered and wish I could have saved her I can’t stop crying and feel I will never get over it and will never be able to have another cat and they would never compare , she was funny and loving and such a big part of our family for the short time we had her! I miss her so much already it’s so very painful !
Victoria Cleary
Yesterday , i lost my beautiful cat Moo-Moo (Aimee) who has been my best friend for over a year, she helped to get through lockdown and for that I am forever grateful. We did everything together at home and when I got pregnant in October last year our bond only grew after been a mum herself. I’m still in shock you are gone but the memories of that 1 year is worth a life time. Yesterday, i got back of my little walk to find her collapsed and unresponsive, we rushed her to the vets where they said there was nothing they could do and we said our final goodbyes but I honestly have no idea how i’m going to get through this, but we have to be strong for our little girl who is due in June. I will miss everything Moo especially your loud Meow and head butts which always helped me get out of bed even on the worse days. You are and still are Moo my best friend and that will never change even though you can only be here in spirit. I hope you are running with your little sister Arya getting plenty of treats and ham. Until we meet again my little angel and thank you for making my darkest days the brightest❤️xx
Lin Robertson Milne-davies
Seven and a half years ago I decided to get a kitten. My friend drove to where there were 4 kittens. My friend spoke with the lady of the house, I sat on the floor watching the kittens playing, I noticed a wee black, fluffy ball staggering towards me. I picked this wee kitten up and it licked my nose. This was how Fiesty picked me to care for her. 7 and a half years later she was diagnosed with water on the brain, a heart murmur and toxamiplosis. Fiesty had to be euthanised as she was in severe pain. I still miss her.
Lisa Akins
A year ago my daughter came back home to live after relationship broke up. This time not with just her belongings but with a 7 month old cat called Reggie. I had always been a dog person and was unsure about having a cat. I had lost my dog 12 years previously and vowed never to have another animal after the pain of losing her. Well within weeks I had fallen in love with this beautiful naughty little character and he became the love of my life. He was so clever and learnt to knock on the front door despite having a cat flap. He had the best food and I was woke every morning at 4am to get up to get his breakfast. He would stand on me and then reach over to the bedside table and knock my phone on the floor for the light to come on and me to check the time. He would bite the shin gently on my legs as his way of affection. My days off we had our duvet days when we cuddled up on the bed and watch the vicar of Dibley. On Sunday I woke at 2am and realised he hadn’t come in as usual, I knew something wasn’t right. I found him on the grass by the side of the road 200 yard from home. He had head injuries and been hit by a car. I believe he was killed instantly. I buried him in the garden. My heart is broken. I had him 1 year and he was only 20 months but he made me the happiest I’ve ever been and I am absolutely heartbroken. I loved him more than anything and can’t imagine life without him.
Natasha Harvey
As I write these words I will admit I’m still feeling the raw pain of losing my beautiful boy Spud. He was put to sleep 5 days ago. He had been throwing up consistently for a few weeks and had dramatically lost weight. I was worried and took him back and forth to my local vets for blood work and urine tests. All of the tests he had came back fine but I knew something wasn’t right with him. He was struggling to eat and seemed more lethargic than usual. The vets decided to give him an abdominal scan to see what was going on. So 5 days ago I dropped my beautiful boy Spud to my local vets for his scan. I expected to pick him up that afternoon but then I received a call from the vet to say it was bad news. Spud had aggressive cancer in his vital organs. I begged her for something to help him but she said there was nothing she could do. It was inoperable. I fell to pieces. Inconsolable. I felt like my world had come crashing down. Spud is my family. He has been with me through good and bad times and offered me so much love and support. I felt crushed. For the two days that followed I could not stop crying but what helped me was when my friends told me to celebrate his life. Grief is the price we pay for the years of love and joy we experience with our furry friends. I am lucky to have known spud and I will donate to a cat charity every year on his birthday in his memory! He will help other cats and I will keep celebrating his life. I love him so much xxx
Chloe C
I sadly had to say goodbye to the most loving and sweetest ginger and white Tabby cat named Tabby on 24-03-21. I was aged around 10/11 when Tabby’s previous owners, who I don’t think gave him the love he needed, abandoned him and he chose to come to us. I immediately fell in love with him and wanted to keep him. I had always wanted a cat and he was the most perfect cat I could’ve hoped for!! I will always cherish all the memories I have of him and the 9 wonderful years we spent together. I miss his endless big cuddles, his constant meow and just him always being here. Towards the end, we found out he had liver cancer so was put to sleep. I have cried so many tears and as much as I miss him, I know he is in a much better place and is in peace. R.I.P my gorgeous boy, I love and miss you so much!
Eve Ferguson avery
Yesterday I said goodbye to my beautiful cat snowie.Snowie was a Bengal and very vocal my heart ❤️ is in so much pain.She was my best friend the bond we shared was so strong.she was the most beautiful cat I have ever had,she was a healthy energetic cat who opened cupboards slept in paper bags and made me so happy I’m great full for the 11 years that I had with her.I feel empty and I’m so much pain
Sean Andrew
PomPom was my first cat, I've always been a dog person. Little did I know, he would quickly become the love of my life. We bought him as a female, the breeder called 3 weeks later to say she had made a mistake and offering to swap him for another kitten. It was obviously too late, we were completely in love and he quickly became an integral part of our lives. PomPom was the nicest creature I have ever met, kind to everyone and totally zen. He would let me do all the things cats dislike, such as trimming nails, cleaning teeth, eyes, etc. with no complaints. He filled the house with joy and took the darkness away from an otherwise strained family environment. He was only 7 months old when he stopped breathing properly. I took him to the vet and within 4 days he was gone. It's hard to describe the pain, I've lost pets and people before but this is totally soul-destroying. I am a broken man and even though I know one day this grief will pass, it will be difficult to accept the fact we never had the chance to see him grow. We will always love you my sweet, furry little prince. Sleep well.
Denise Kenneally
My beautiful boy came to me as a stray, he chose me and I loved him immediately. He would snuggle into me on the sofa , unconditional love. He was a big cuddly tabby, so handsome and gentle. He started losing weight before Christmas, the vet found he had throat cancer that I didn’t even know cats could get. The vet tried but it was inoperable. No word can describe the pain I felt on the day I had to say goodbye but I couldn’t let him suffer anymore. I buried him in my garden and made a beautiful memorial for him, my beautiful boy. I miss him every day, and cry so many tears, but am so grateful for the six years I was blessed having him in my life. Sweet Dreams my Simon x
Mai T
Last night our wonderful cat mam was put to sleep, she suddenly had blood clots in her hind legs which cut off circulation to them so she couldn’t walk. Bless her she was 18 years old with heart conditions and arthritis which we didn’t know about. She was a beautiful and elegant cat, so friendly and calm. She would jump around like a bunny and make adorable sounds. I wish I had cuddled her more recently, being so busy with work I didn’t give her as many cuddles. I ordered a new toy for her which we’ll never get to play with. She’ll be missed dearly. Sleep well wonderful mam.
Nico Blake
We adopted Kaly and Tely in May 2016 at the tender age of 13 from Derby Cats Protection. When we went to chose a cat, we just instantly clicked with these two and the deal was done! We spent nearly 5 years with them and loved them to bits. I would wholeheartedly recommend adopting older cats: they are so rewarding. For the last year, Kaly had problems related to a probable cancer which we never sought full diagnosis for as steroids fixed the problems. However, they both started to deteriorate a few months ago. Tely had a range of small problems: hyperthyroidism (for 2-3 years, symptoms resolved through food), lame/gammy leg, dementia, teeth issues, poo problems, and more, which all steadily got worse. There came one day where it was just obvious that her quality of life was no longer the same and she told us it was time. She had the most wonderful final day, eating all her favourite things and lapping up all the attention. Even on the vets table she snaffled loads of treats. I held her in my arms as she went, and she had the last laugh by peeing on my leg! (We laughed.) It was difficult but I wouldn't have missed it for the world, it meant she went knowing our love. 5 weeks later, struggling with cancer and the loss of her sister, Kaly told us she was ready, she had more symptoms and her meows had become pained and very low pitch. We could not delay. Again she had a nice day enjoying her favourite things and passed away peacefully on my lap at the vets. I do not regret anything. Also, I would recommend a sedative for euthansia, it meant they were very calm (they hated the vets.)
Lily Forward
Orion went out as usual after his dinner on Monday evening. He went for a wander and when he wasn't back by 10pm as usual we knew something was up but thought he was just expanding his territory as young cats do. When he wasn't home by midnight we were worried and went out to look for him. We continued to look for him the next morning and over lunch before putting a post on our local community facebook group. Half an hour later someone else posted about finding a cat. He was little Orion. He had been hit by a driver who drove off. He had been hit 30 mins after going out the door for his evening wander, 200 meters from home. We must have walked past him in the night when we were looking for him. I can't stop thinking, maybe if we found him we would have been able to save him but I know in my heart we would have heard him meow at his name if he was still alive. I can't stop getting the image of my other half carrying his lifeless body back to the house. He was only 7 months old. We should have had so much more time with him. Our first child, our incredible, chatty, loving and affectionate cat who adored a cuddle. Sleep well little man, you are and always will be so loved. You were taken too soon.