First night in nearly 26 years without a cat...

[meikyo]

We said goodbye to our gorgeous 18 year old tabby Zara this morning. She slipped peacefully away under the care of our local vet after the bad days outnumbered the good. She was much loved puss with a gentle, quiet nature. I got her when she was 10 weeks old.
She was my third cat in the last 26 years...never been without a cat in that time...we will miss her so much. Been a tough few days for our family.

I am so grateful to you lovely MN cat people. .. DD and I read all your kind posts together and DD in particular was so uplifted by the messages of support. MN at it's best. ExWife..your gorgeous Stella and Zara could be sisters!

I share your sorrow.
After 16 years I lost my cat in the worst way possible. My neighbor told me I had to get another cat or die.
I had to get another cat or die, literally.(I am very I'll) My apt. Was empty with out another heart beat. The new kitten did not take the place of my last cat. They are as differnt as can be.
But the 5-6 week old, abused Feral kitten - needed me to foster him - or he would die. "Ashes", is now 4 years old. He is a silver tabby, that filled the huge hole in my life and my heart with his furry-,purry brand of kitty love. When I thought I didn't want it... Who rescued who,?
I believe you will find another sweet fur baby, or one will find you - it will help your heart heal by loving again.
Hi. I am Cindy, in California USA, and new here. This is my first post. I saw yours and I had to try and comfort you, I know your agony. I hope I did that a little.

Welcome, Sneaky.

Meikyo - I'm so sorry. She was a gorgeous girl. From the photo, it almost looks as if her body couldn't decide whether to be a ginger or a tabby.

I've just recently lost my (very) old boy so I know how difficult it is.

Cozie...yes the vet had Zara listed as a Red Tabby! She had a wee ginger patch on top of her head...appropriate since we are in Scotland!

Sorry, put this sad news on another thread too. My dear cat had a stroke this morning and had to be put to sleep at 10.40. I am beyond heartbroken as the stroke wasn't straight forward, he must have known it was imminent as he searched the flat for "somewhere" but I didn't know what/where/why. I have sobbed nonstop since 10.40. The vet explained cats search for a dark small space to hide in when they think something serious is about to happen. If only I could have reassured him in some way - he was 99% deaf so that is also why I am broken inside - that he couldn't hear my voice, although I held his dear face in my hands as he was PTS and stroked his velvet fur. Rest in peace my dearest beautiful boy. xxxxx

Oh Gerty, I am so sorry to hear your devastating news...and poor kitty. I'm sure that he will have been comforted by your touch and sensed that you were there for him. May he rest peacefully and in comfort out of pain. You must be heartbroken to lose him like that.

Thank you so much Meikyo - I feel like the past 19 years have gone in a flash and where is he now? I don't really have any beliefs but I always hope there is something for everyone when we die. And that cats are included and there for us too. >^^

It's strange how empty a home feels without a cat. They don't take up much space in life but they leave a massive hole when they're gone.

I'm so sorry, Gerty. He'd have known well that you were close to him, lack of good hearing or no.

I'm so sorry for your losses meikyo and Gerty

I also understand how it feels having lost my old boy a few months ago. It's hard, they leave a big gap in your life.

I'm so sorry Meikyo and Gerty

Cats are wonderful creatures and leave a huge hole when they go even if they torment us with hairballs and semi dead mice while alive

Bless all cats, I just wish I "knew" they (& us) carry on somewhere over the rainbow :-(

I'm so sorry to you both