Just had cat put to sleep. Devastated isn’t the word

[Percypigfanatic]

My poor cat. Lots of issues which meant we had to put her to sleep. It was very calm and loving at the end but I can’t shake this horrible feeling that I could have done more (I couldnt, the vet agreed). My poor faithful companion for over 14 years. She’s been with me through most things and was sooo cuddly. She was my best friend, I’ve never felt pain like it. I feel pathetic in that I can’t even seem to function properly and everything sets me off. Love her so much :-( I don’t know what I’m going to do without her

Hi @offthegrid328 how are you doing? It’s been 2 years since I started this thread , someone liked it today which got me looking back and reading. My DS is planning a memorial for our darling cat this weekend, can’t quite believe it’s been 2 years since we lost her. So that was in the August , we ended up getting 2 new cats in the November, a boy and a girl who are brother and sister.

I didn’t say in my original post but when I lost my girl the vets we were with were not very sympathetic, and we had a bad experience with them towards the end with my girl. Since I’ve had time to reflect I realise that this didn’t help with my grief, so anyone reading this out there, please make sure you get a good vets practice, it’s so important.

Anyway, pets really do have their own personalities don’t they? My girl is very aloof and doesn’t show affection except when she’s cold. Brings me constant presents, birds, moths, butterflies, feathers. You name it, she brings it in !! Her brother is very lazy but loves a cuddle and pretty much stuck to me since we brought him home . He reminds me of my girl.

I would say that everybody who said it gets easier with time are correct. I do so miss her but getting 2 more has definately helped with the grief process . My DS still gets upset 2 years on but the emotional moments are getting further apart. I dread to think how we’ll feel when we lose these two. My DS already considers our latest girl his best friend :-(

Anyway big hugs to whoever is going through this right now.

Hi, that was me that liked your post.
I had my girl put to sleep earlier today. 21 years young. Such a hard decision to make, so I've been trawling mumsnet for others experiences.

It's lovely to see your update. I've never been without a cat so it feels very empty right now. I'll also miss her pestering me when working from home. But I'm glad to see you have new fluffy friends in your life and can remember your cat fondly.

I've been through this before so I know it gets better with time. I've just never been the one to make the decision and be there at the end, so it's a whole new level of sadness 😔

Our cat was put to sleep today. Got ill very quick and we have just buried him in the garden. He was only 14 so feel he could have had a few more years. Hardest to see the uneaten cat food, fur malted on the chair, that sort of thing. But early days.

'From the human: If you are feeling the pain of losing an animal friend, I see you.

Your grief is valid. The animals we are lucky enough to share our lives with are family, companions, and a source of unconditional love and comfort.

They hold our hearts in a way sometimes no human can. To lose them is an indescribable pain that can feel overwhelming and lonely.

It’s okay to grieve, to miss them deeply, and to honour the memories you shared. Your feelings are valid, and your loss is significant.

Take the time you need to heal, and know that it's perfectly normal to feel the way you do.

And above all, know that you are not alone. 🌈💙'

I just saw this in a dog group I'm in.

Your cat had a wonderful life with you and was loved and cherished. If only all cats could be be so wonderfully cared for.

I'm glad you've adopted more cats Op, a house without a cat isn't the same for me. It's horrible when they die, and possible worse because we have to make the decision that their time is up.
Every cat I've had has been different, it's part of their charm that they're always a surprise.

The only kind thing we can do is to make sure our pets suffer as little as possible.
Saying goodbye to them hurts us for DECADES

Psycho sis (18) died slowly and naturally in my arms 20 years ago
Tonka cat (her brother) was put down a couple of years later at 21
Compost cat (16) lived with us for ten months before her pain became too much.
Silent stupid cat (9) died in great pain 9 years ago
Floof (15) died last June after spinal collapse

I cry now about each of them and can picture the days
they are our familiars

Sorry for your loss. I feel you on the uneaten cat food. I gave ours some tuna as her last meal. She didn't finish it all.

I'm going to donate her unopened cat food to a kitty in need.

Thanks @TheSoupDragon234 . Our boy couldn't eat the last few days. But I'm going to remember him in his element - catching rats and pigeons (the one thing I don't like about cats is their hunting instincts), tickling his tummy so trusting and cosying up on a blanket whilst purring. ❤

I'm so sorry - they break your heart, don't they

We had to have our darling cat PTS five weeks ago.
Last week I unexpectedly had to join a Teams meeting from home. All through lockdown she insisted on being on my lap for every single meeting. If I closed the door she would scratch and squeak.
I miss her so much, and during that meeting my lap felt so empty.

Such lucky pets on this thread, loved and cared for. We always (usually) live longer than any animal we acquire, it’s the most painful part and probably something we never think of when we decide to obtain one. The greatest gift we can give is letting them go peacefully and as painlessly as possible, better a day too soon…

Glad you’ve opened up your heart to new pets OP.

I'm so sorry for your loss 💕

@TheSoupDragon234 I’m so sorry for your loss. 21 years, sounds like she had a long and happy life with you. The guilt of making that decision is something quite uncomfortable to love with, but I’m sure we did right by them in the end. I hope you manage to get through the next few days ok. It’s raining where I am, if it is where you are I’m guessing it’s matching your mood right now.

I’ll admit it was a knee jerk reaction to get more so soon after my girl passed, my DS was very emotional about it and beside himself at the time and I felt I had to do something. Although now I feel it’s perhaps kicking the can down the road by getting these two but I try not to think about what the future holds, there’s no benefit in that. I surprised myself in how much I feel about my current two, it’s a different love though and I will never forget my first.

@Menopausalsourpuss im so sorry for your loss. It’s unbearable to see their stuff as if they are still there isn’t it? I left it for a while but eventually I had to clear it away as it was hurting me too much. Sometimes I’d forget what happened then feel guilty remembering it all over again. Clearing my girls things allowed me to grieve properly. My goodness my house was so empty though!

Towards the end my girl was incontinent so I’d come down in the morning to find she’d toileted everywhere (couldn’t help it) so I’d always be anxious about what I’d find. I had a range of emotions when she passed, a little relieved I’m surprised to say about not having to clean the carpet every day but the house felt almost too clean when she passed. Like I had nothing to do. I had a full time job and school runs to do, life admin etc but I still felt at a loss and empty as I’d fitted her care in even though I was busy.

You will adapt to the “new normal” and it does get easier.

I'm so sorry for your loss

RIP little one xxx

you sound just like me talking about my cat that was suddenly put to sleep last week, my heart aches with a pain ive never felt before..i feel every emotion going and i dont want to leave the house, non stop crying, not eating, sleeping etc..so im with you huni i know exactly how you are feeling bless you. she was my life my everything and i feel ever so guilty and angry as perhaps she could have been saved had i had more money for the hospital and treatment and the vets wouldnt even let me pay by installments, i hate myself. i wish she was still here so so much😿 it was just me and her living together and we had the most special wonderful bond... here is a number for the blue cross 08000966606 8.30 am to 8.30 pm, webchat is bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss. they are super nice people who listen and help. my life will never be the same again, im completely beside myself with grief. the silence at my home is unbearable. i wish you the the very best of luck my lovely and pick up the phone to them if it all gets too much, so sorry for your loss, she will be with you in spirit missing you just as much, keep on talking to her as do i , she can hear you. wish her goodnight and good mornings as you go about your day. take good care, love melanie. x🙏