My cat was run over on Thursday.

[Butterworth]

And I'm devastated. He was a one year old silver tabby, absolutely fearless and loved by everyone in our village - he used to accompany us on walks and once even tried to join us in the local pub. We rescued him last October and I was so looking forward to seeing him grow up into a big boy with tonnes of character. My 7 month old DD was just beginning to notice him and he always made her laugh by just coming into the room and rubbing my legs.

He went missing on September 11th and my DH found him that evening yards from our front door. He'd been hit on the head, blood everywhere - died instantly. What breaks my heart is that he was nearly home. I am absolutely devastated and keep breaking down whenever I pass his old feeding bowls, or see clothes on the bed and think it's him. We actually went away for the weekend just to escape the house, but now we're back it's even worse. I'm always sobbing in front of my DD and I'm worried it's affecting her.

Tell me it gets easier? Half of me wants to rescue another cat immediately but I'm petrified it would meet the same end. I also feel guilty that we didn't keep him in at night, but he was truly an outdoor cat.

Gutted

[Fluffycloudland77]

How devastating for you all. It does get easier, but while its raw it breaks your heart.

There's nothing to stop you rescuing an indoor adult cat, one of our cats never wanted to go outside.

You poor thing.

[RubbishMantra]

It will get easier for you. I lost my beautiful grey boy some years back. I still have twinges of sadness and guilt, so you're not alone in feeling that.

Perhaps you could perform some sort of ritual to say goodbye, write him a letter maybe? Put his feeding bowls away for now.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Pipbin]

Poor you. I'm sending hugs. I can't stand even the thought of it.
We have a cat flap with a curfew setting to keep our girl in at night.

Sending you hugs and understanding. Did you have a funeral or a farewell. Friends who recently lost their boy planted a tree in the garden for him.

[Lovethesea]

So sorry. It will get easier. Remember he was happy and heading home for a snooze and snack, he had no time for worry or fear.

A short life but one full of quality experiences.

It's very light outside at the moment and my cat that was hit was hit in daylight anyway.

When you are ready I am sure getting another cat will be healing. We don't replace the ones we lost, but we can fill the cat shaped space and give another feline a loving home. Ours are from cats protection and it was wonderful to bring them home from kennels to sofas and beds.

He sounds lovely, better to have known him a little than never have shared that bond together.

[CatKisser]

You poor bloody thing. It's awful isn't it? I lost one in exactly the same way a few months ago. When I calmed down I realised
a) I needed to be thankful it was obviously an instant death via head wound.
b) She lived a full and happy life, both loved at home and allowed to be free outdoors. The perfect cat existence, in some ways.
It's of no consolation now I'm sure, and all the worst case scenarios will be going through your head, but your cat was incredibly lucky to have you.

[CatKisser]

Oh and I took in a cat two weeks later and it was the best decision ever, but only you can decide whether it would be for you, too.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Oh that's just so tragic your poor cat. and poor you

[ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear]

Bastard fucking cats. In fact. Bastard fucking animals. All they do is break your heart. Gits.

[Butterworth]

Thanks all, I really appreciate kind words - in RL people never seem to know what to say which just makes me feel like I'm overreacting.

We buried him that night at the end of the garden and we're going to make a scrapbook for my dd with pictures and stories about him,so even though she won't remember him she'll know he was a big part of the beginning of her life. He loved her and when she was bawling he used to wander in and sit with us as if he knew we needed the moral support.

He used to come in and out the bathroom window as we couldn't have a cat flap at our house. I can't bring myself to shut it though, the house would feel just too sterile.

Off to bed now and hope I can sleep - get the 4am cold sweats thinking about his poor little broken body lying so close to our front door and us not knowing.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Don't torture yourself.

[munchkin2902]

So sorry. He had a lovely happy life and knew you loved him.

[Wishyouwould]

So sorry for your loss OP, so sad for you

[hiddenhome]

It's gut wrenching when this happens. I've lost two like this. I hate driving along the road where it happened.

for you. I always vowed never to risk it again, but I always end up with another cat see how you feel and do what you think is best. There are always kitties looking for good homes.

[timtam23]

So sorry Butterworth

this is what I dread happening to my cat

You rescued him and gave him a lovely happy life, and I'm sure he adored roaming around outside. As CatKisser said above - maybe the perfect cat existence. Please please don't beat yourself up about what has happened. Take care of yourself

[WitchWay]

Poor cat - I'm so sorry