Lost our boy

[tootiredtobeinspired]

Not sure why Im posting this but I am really struggling. We came down this morning to find that our youngest cat (10 month old rescue boy) had broken out of the cat flap and was missing (we always shut our cats in at night). I called and called for him for his breakfast and he didnt come back which I thought was strange but I tried not to worry. My DH went out about an hour later and devastatingly found him dead at the side of the road just up the street. He had been hit by a car.
We are all absolutely distraught. He was the sweetest most wonderful cat. My DCs are inconsolable and I just dont know what to do. I cant make this better and I feel so guilty for not making sure he couldnt escape last night. Im going to miss him so much, he was a hand reared kitten so a real people cat and he loved the DCs so much. What are we going to do without him?? Why did he have to break out? Why did he have to get hit by a car? We live in a really quiet area, he was so unlucky . I keep thinking I hear him but I know its not him

That's heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss. Please try not to feel guilty - it wasn't your fault. I hope in time you and your DCs will be able to look back peacefully on the happy times you had with your lovely boy.

So sorry he's gone but please don't blame yourself.

I'd just allow yourself and DCs as much time as you need to grieve. I've told mine that it's normal to cry and feel sad, also that sometimes they'll feel ok and then suddenly they might feel very sad again, and that's also normal. I haven't attempted to hide my own sadness from them.

Hugs to you all.

So sorry for you. Must be heartbreaking.

Thank you for being so kind. I cant stop crying and see him everywhere I look. I know it will get better but my heart is broken today. Poor little chap, I hope he knew how much we adored him, he really was a special cat.

Poor you. I absolutely believe that cats know when they are loved and I'm sure your little chap knew that. Sometimes cats come into our lives for just a brief time, but you will remember him. Please please please don't Blane yourself, he was clearly loved and his life had been a happy one.

I'm so sorry for your loss. The love you have for him shines through in your posts. He will know how loved he was

Oh that is so sad I'm sorry you've lost him in such circumstances.
Don't blame yourself, you couldn't have predicted he was going to break out

I'm sorry to hear of your loss and my heart goes out to you. I had my boy PTS on Friday and I knew that was coming, but it's still hard. Don't blame yourself, there's no way you'd have expected him to force his way through the cat flap. Make sure you give eachother hugs when you need it, that's one thing that can help.

I'm really sorry OP. Be kind to yourself. Cats are really clever and curious creatures (it's why we love em!) and I've never met a kitten who hasn't escaped at least once

it's heartbreaking. I'm so sorry

Thank you all so much, it's a comfort to hear from other cat lovers as I don't think everyone gets how much it hurts to lose a cat. Still devastated this morning, barely slept last night as everytime I dropped off I started thinking about him and what happened and then woke up again panicked. It's so raw and painful, I physically miss him as he was so present. Always climbing on you and demanding attention . My DD woke up this morning and was inconsolable again, their grief is so hard because it's something I can't fix or make better. Sorry for the long outpouring.

You don't need to be sorry for putting your thoughts down for us, a lot of us have been through this and understand, others who're reading are very caring people and want to support. It's not easy watching your family suffer, especially as you're going through it yourself.

I knew what was coming and I'd have to let my boy go so wasn't sleeping much anyway. My boy passed away on Friday, I haven't slept much since, but I did get a good night's sleep last night, so things much be easing.

It's the first day without anyone else around in the house and I'm not looking forward to coming back from work this afternoon as he'd always be waiting on the stairs. In the last 24 hours I've found myself going over the memories of him and the fun things he did and thinking a bit less about his last day. I hope you'll be able to do the same - sending you another hug.

Thanks Tiger, so sorry to hear about your boy too . It's incredible how a small cat can affect you so much.
We have a very elderly lady cat as well so have been sort of preparing ourselves (as much as you ever can) to lose her, so the loss of our youngest is just such a shock. Putting my brave face on and off to work today, am dreading coming home to his absence later

I am so so sorry this has happened. Of course your heart is breaking. But you did everything you possibly could to keep him safe. Keeping him in at night etc. There's nothing else you could have done.