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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Lost my cat today :-(

27 replies

PastaandCheese · 20/04/2014 18:46

Came back to find her collapsed on the floor and unable to breathe. I called the vet and in the two minutes she took to ring back my loyal furry friend died in my arms.

I've had her for 10 years. I know some people will say 'just a cat' but she'd been there through everything including lying next to me being stroked during early contractions with my first DC.

Even though she was very old (I rescued her) she was kind and gentle with my children and their friends. Never scratchy or aggressive even when toddlers were too rough.

I have a newborn and I keep thinking I haven't made anytime for her in recent weeks as I'm so busy with my DCs. Now I will never stroke her again and I miss her.

What am I going to tell my two year old who really loved her?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/04/2014 18:56

I'm so sorry, Pasta. Sad They're never 'just a cat'.

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/04/2014 19:01

Oh dear, that's so sudden. I don't know what you can tell your dc, 2 is very young to understand death as being final.

I am sorry. Flowers

spudmasher · 20/04/2014 19:08

Awful. So sorry. You are just going to have to tell her she is gone for our eyes and hands but still there in our thoughts and words.
You will miss her terribly. Lost my 17 year old girl o Friday so I know how you feel. So sorry xx

Ratbagcatbag · 20/04/2014 19:10

So sorry to you and to spud as well :( they're not just cats they're family. Big hugs. Xx

Original poster
PastaandCheese · 20/04/2014 19:48

I'm so sorry for you too Spud. That is a lovely sentiment and will help me explain. I've left telling her for tonight. I'm too upset myself. I'll tell her in the morning.

PastaCat was fine at lunchtime and DD asked to save a little bit of her roast beef to feed to her which she tucked in to.

We have friends to stay so they stayed with DCs whilst DH and I stayed with pastacat which meant they didn't see thankfully.

I think she had a stroke???? Her face went a bit funny and she couldn't move at all at the end. Is that plausible?

We wrapped her in her blanket and put her in her carrier but I couldn't go with her to take her to the vets. My DS is just 6 weeks and breastfed and was crying for milk. I don't feel I really got to say goodbye as I had to go to him as soon as I could.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/04/2014 19:52

I didn't have the chance to say goodbye to either of my last two Darling boys in that way - I took a stiff whisky out to the garden on the night of each's death and toasted them to the stars. It sounds a bit odd but it wasn't at the time.

Original poster
PastaandCheese · 20/04/2014 19:56

That's a good idea cozie I shouldn't even complain because I was with her when she died. I do wish I could have gone with DH to take her body to the vets.

I will find out Tuesday when I can have her ashes back.

OP posts:
timtam23 · 20/04/2014 20:58

So sorry Pasta - I'm sure she was comforted by having you there with her

Thanks to you

Blithereens · 20/04/2014 21:02

I'm so sorry Thanks

Wishyouwould · 20/04/2014 22:13

So sorry for your loss OP Sad

Auriga · 20/04/2014 22:38

Very sorry Pasta. Not just a cat.

Glad you were there.

crazynanna · 20/04/2014 22:40

So sorry Sad Thanks

kinkytoes · 20/04/2014 22:42

Welling up for you. So sorry about your lovely cat. Talk about her lots and remember the happy times. Hope your lo is ok in the morning.

dolphinsandwhales · 20/04/2014 22:51

So sorry Pasta. I'm going through similar, my beloved 15yo had to be pts on Thursday. I feel the same guilt that since dd was born two years ago I've had a lot less time to give to my cats :-( however I tell myself that cats are often quite independent and they enjoy a comfortable place to sleep and nice food, I think every parent struggles to divide themself between pets/dc and everything else.

Be kind to yourself thanks

dolphinsandwhales · 20/04/2014 22:52

Sorry that should have been flowers Thanks

cozietoesie · 20/04/2014 22:55

I wouldn't worry too much. The cats I've known have always been great pragmatists and know when there are other things going on in a household so that they just fit themselves in. I'm sure they knew you loved them to bits.

timtam23 · 21/04/2014 00:27

The Blue Cross has some leaflets about losing a pet, including this one which has some tips about how to discuss it all with children at various ages

Original poster
PastaandCheese · 21/04/2014 04:43

dolphinsandwhales I am so sorry about your cat. Thanks

Timtam thank you for the leaflet. It is really helpful. I'm going to speak to DD when she wakes up before she notices.

OP posts:
spudmasher · 21/04/2014 08:51

How did your DD take the sad news Pasta?
How are you feeling today?

Original poster
PastaandCheese · 21/04/2014 13:23

Ok thanks spudmasher. I told DD and she didn't really react which I expected because she doesn't understand. She has been to look out the cat flap and call for her since then which made me cry.

I think it is sinking in a bit now as DD realised the cat wasn't going to answer her call and she said she would cuddle me because I was missing Pastacat.

OP posts:
JonSnowKnowsNothing · 21/04/2014 13:26

Ugh, so sad to read this. It's absolutely gutting, isn't it? I've recently lost a cat and even though it was terrible, I took comfort from the knowledge she had a good life and was loved.
I hope eventually you can do the same. She was lucky to have you
Xx

cozietoesie · 21/04/2014 13:28

Very lucky.

(Good and useful leaflet, timtam.)

haggisaggis · 21/04/2014 13:43

Very sorry for you Pasta. I'm weepy too - found our not quite 3 year old Maine Coon dead on the golf course last night. Vet thinks he may have been hit by a car. We really weren't expecting it.

Original poster
PastaandCheese · 21/04/2014 14:29

Oh haggis that is horrendous. She was so young. You poor thing. I'm so sorry. Thanks

OP posts:
SecretWitch · 21/04/2014 14:35

I'm so terribly sorry for all here who have lost their sweet kitty friends. Their loss will be felt. I hope the memory of their love and companionship will bring a measure of comfort in the days to come. Xx