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Original poster

To feel so bereft that I am having to put my beloved cat to sleep tomorrow

36 replies

Ilovemycar77 · 06/10/2023 23:02

I cannot even begin to tell you how distraught I am feeling right now.
She was the most characterful, sassy but loving cat you could imagine. She almost felt like a child to me, the love I have for her. We are all devastated.

She has had some difficulties this last week after suffering a broken leg from a RTC and subsequent amputation, she is not recovering and developed further complications. So we today have had to make the most awful decision you don’t ever want to make…… end her pain and misery and put her to sleep.

I am crying typing this, because I cannot imagine our life without her. We are going to say our goodbyes tomorrow and then shall be taking home our deceased and much loved beautiful cat.

How on earth do you begin to get over this? It feels like one of my family is dying and I don’t know how to begin to make us alll feel better right now!

Sorry, probably not the place to post this, but need to put my feelings down and have some kind of support.

OP posts:
murasaki · 06/10/2023 23:08

I am so sorry
You are doing the kindest thing for her, that is the cruellest for you, but it's the right thing to do, and the last gift, an easy passing, that you can give her. She will know she is loved, and will be with you, her safe person, at the end. It's horrible, and you are allowed to grieve as much as you need. What is sassy girl's name? She sounds wonderful.

Sunflowermoonbeam · 06/10/2023 23:09

Im so so sorry. I have been where you are although ours was a little more sudden. Very sadly the only thing that helped me was time, having her ashes back so she felt close to me and having lots of pictures when I was ready to look at them. It will get easier I promise. Xx

Summer2424 · 06/10/2023 23:09

Hi @Ilovemycar77
I can totally understand your pain xx
Our family cat passed away a few months ago. The loss is very painful but please know time is a healer. We share happy memories or our cat and know she's in a better place now, she was suffering.
Sending you strength to get through this time xx ❤

Xmasfairy86 · 06/10/2023 23:11

this is heartbreaking, but as a wonderful owner you know you’re doing the right thing for her. It will be hard. You will grieve and grieve hard. But it will get easier, such a cliche but it’s true. 💐🍷

Purplebunnie · 06/10/2023 23:13

I'm so sorry ❤

FlibbertyGibbitt · 06/10/2023 23:13

So sorry Op. thinking of you and your beloved girl ☹️🌈💔

luxuryinteriors · 06/10/2023 23:15

So very sorry to hear this 😞

It's utterly heartbreaking x

RaeHitsEbSire · 06/10/2023 23:19

So sorry to hear this, OP. There is no easy way to get through it - you have to let yourself grieve and let time do its work. There will be a period when you think of nothing else, but gradually gaps will emerge when you are able to forget your sadness, and those gaps will slowly get larger until you reach a place where you can look back peacefully on your happy memories with your beautiful cat Flowers

DiscoBeat · 06/10/2023 23:25

I'm so sorry, they are family members and it hurts a lot. Hoping you can take comfort that your lovely cat had a good life with you and won't be suffering.

Custardpudding · 06/10/2023 23:26

I lost mine last year. The grief was horrific, I felt physically Ill for weeks. Time is a healer but it’s taken me a long time to stop crying. Just be kind to yourself x

thelengthspeoplegoto · 06/10/2023 23:28

Sorry for you. Cats are beautiful and the most wonderful companions. 💐

Original poster
Ilovemycar77 · 06/10/2023 23:28

Thank you all so much for you kind words.
❤️x

OP posts:
Poppyseed14 · 06/10/2023 23:29

I have been in your shoes OP and they are awful shoes to wear. Just know that this is the last act of love you will do for your little cat. You know in your heart it's the right thing for her. Sending you lots of love 🌈

ThinWomansBrain · 06/10/2023 23:33

So sorry to hear this.
You know in your heart of hearts that it's the best thing for her if her quality of life would be really poor if you were able to avoid this.

As difficult as it was when my cat was euthanised, 12 & a half years ago now, I did end up wishing the same when my father was terminally ill a few years later, and had to endure the last year of his life in and out of hospital with no dignity, no quality of life and in severe pain.

Moonshine5 · 06/10/2023 23:35

I'm really sorry. Sounds like she had a great life and shared much love.

ADHDGURL · 06/10/2023 23:41

Sending you much love.. ❤️

Sonolanona · 06/10/2023 23:42

So sorry OP,
I've had cats (and now a dog too) all my life and it's the hardest decision to make even when you know it is the right thing to do. And some of our animals are extra special to us.
I lost my soul mate, a giant Maine Coon who slept every night with his paws round my neck, 9 years ago and I miss him so much still.

But doing that last act is the kind thing, the loving thing. It's ok to grieve and people who don't understand .. aren't worth thinking about.

I had a lock of my boy's fur put in a bracelet as a keepsake.

She will be at the Rainbow Bridge for you xx

Succulentsally · 06/10/2023 23:46

Oh OP I'm so sorry. Sending you a huge hug xx

Shadyboots23 · 06/10/2023 23:50

Honestly for me, the night before was the worst. Uncontrollable crying
I was upset on the day and afterwards yes but there was also a bit of relief that I knew it was ok, the time was right and he wasn't in pain
He had a great life, went cuddled in my arms and never experienced any suffering

Being as impatient as he was, he then sent me another cat 3 days later which it's apparent he chose Smile

ALongHardWinter · 06/10/2023 23:52

So sorry to hear this OP. Sending you big hugs.

Loubelle70 · 07/10/2023 00:03

My cat was 18 when i decided it was time. Vet agreed. He was in pain and had had enough. I was doing the right thing by my cat. He was also sassy, only liked me etc. He would have thanked me and tbh i may have left it a little longer than i should have..i have a guilt for that..but we had a connection and we both knew it was time. I was with him when he was put to sleep, i was soothing with him but absolutely my heart was breaking, distraught, bereft, empty..i adored him. I brought him home and he is in the garden where he liked his spot.
We cant leave them in pain or disabled without a life...we have to make decisions and it breaks our heart. Its 8 years on and i still miss him terribly... his sassiness, just him. I snipped a piece of his fur and put it in a locket, ive always got him with me then.
He is obviously had a good life, it could have been different with another family. Some cats arent so lucky. He is loved and he knows that kindly with love , and he trusts you enough, that you had the make this decision for him xx

Catsmere · 07/10/2023 01:28

I'm so sorry, OP. It never gets any easier making this decision, however many times we've been through it. As others have said, you're making the right decision for her, however much it hurts you. Much love.

makingforwardprogress · 07/10/2023 02:54

I am not reading the thread because I know it will make me cry - we had to make this decision recently - it is so necessary as a loving responsible owner, but so heart breaking - sending you and your girl lots and lots of love

Loubelle70 · 07/10/2023 09:22

Love hugs and strength sent for today OP ♥️ XXXX

Whiskeypowers · 07/10/2023 09:31

I found the only way to cope with how heartbroken I was was just to let myself feel what I was feeling.
agree with @Shadyboots23 the night before was the worst part. I couldn’t stop crying. Held her until 4am then slept in the room where she was in her carrier snd blanket. When I took her the next day when I came into the vet’s room she managed to lift her tiny little head and purred at me. I just sort of cuddled around her little body in her bed and she slipped away peacefully.
she has been gone for over three years now and I still say goodnight to her. She was the sweetest little kitten cat. We buried her in the garden and she has a rose over her and a painted rock with her name on.
I still cry about her sometimes. We still have her sister who is sixteen.

Am thinking of you.
I believe when it is time and you do this for them they know they are loved
🌈💫🌠❤️