Lost my boy tonight

[biscuiteer]

He was run over. Just over 7 months old. Devastated. This year I had to give up work ( well I was dismissed) because of a chronic health condition. I’ve spent almost all of this year at home extremely isolated and struggling with this new life that is so limiting. We decided to rehome a kitten to keep me company. He was beautiful. So affectionate and loving. He was my friend and always slept with me. How do I tell my children tomorrow morning? They are 10 and 6. I’m so low.

I am so so sorry, that is just awful !

So young too.

So very sorry for your loss 💐

I'm so sorry, that's hard to take.

Unfortunately the only way to make sure this doesn't happen is to keep your cat indoors. He was very young to be out and about.

It's heartbreaking. My sympathies x

Oh no I am sorry how devastating for you. Particularly hard in your circumstances too 💐.

My cat got run over two years ago almost to the day. It is devastating; as you say, they really are our friends. I’m so sorry for your loss.

I don’t have children so I’m not sure what to recommend there. I remember when I was ten and my rabbit got eaten by a fox; my parents told me she’d escaped and had gone to be with other wild rabbits. I don’t know if I’d recommend using that tactic as I knew something bad had happened and didn’t appreciate the lie.

You and your children may find it comforting to bury your boy in your garden and get a headstone? Talk about your memories with him often. That’s what’s helped me. You must be devastated and, unfortunately, it will be raw for a few weeks and the sadness won’t really go away, you’ll just learn to live with it.

I'm so sorry that's awful. Sending you a hug.

Thank you for kindness. I will be honest and tell them as gently as possible this morning. It’s Christmas eve. I feel very very sad and low, he really was a special friend to me especially, and my boys. I’m ruining their Christmas.

He was happiest indoors and outdoors @adriftinadenofvipers. I’m trying very hard not to feel guilty, we followed advice from the vets and he loved being out.

I had to take this photo when I saw how he was sleeping. How could he have been comfortable?!
He was a bright boy, playful , extremely affectionate and loving, with the softest fur I’ve ever felt in a shorthair cat and beautiful markings. I called him boots for a nickname, but he was officially called Leo. He kissed me asked for hugs, never left my side really. Really helped me through very low points this year. Telling children will be hard esp Christmas Eve. Quirky beautiful boy.

Oh, no, how awful . Try to take comfort in knowing his short life was full of love and happiness.

I like to believe that when my cats have died, they (when the time is right) choose a new cat and send it it my way to fill the cat-shaped hole. Perhaps this might be comforting to your DC?

Regarding the outdoor component; my boy wouldn’t have died if he’d been an indoor cat (he died the same way as yours did). I felt very guilty about this but my partner and my vet said that the cats were much happier being allowed to go outside. Bob died doing what he loved, he adored being outside. On his last night, he was running around with our other cat and the two neighbour cats and they were having the time of their lives. Also, at least he died quickly. That may sound macabre but it’s brought me a lot of comfort.

I can see the argument for indoor cats and I wouldn’t say indoor enthusiasts are wrong. However, what is best depends on the specific cat, I think there really are valid pros and cons for each side of the argument and there is no perfect answer. Indoor cats are massively likely to die if they do escape the house as they have no street smarts. So if he had been indoor maybe the outcome could have still been the same eventually.

It’s not your fault Boots died. You were giving him the best life you could and I can tell from his picture that he was a happy and chill boy. He was also very very loved.

This. Funnily enough, we felt drawn to a new little girl from the shelter (after saying we wouldn’t get another). She turned out to have been born the day after Bob died! I know it’s a bit ‘woo’ but it comforts me to think Bob is looking down on us and that he sent us our new kitten. Obviously don’t rush to get a new pet because you need to grieve. If you do get a new one, think of it as that Boots is looking down and is happy to see you helping another cat. After all, Boots knows how good life with you is.

I am sorry, Op.

My most recent rescue - my previous cat had died in November and I thought I'd wait until spring to get another, as we were going away in February, but in January I felt the urge to start browsing rescue sites.

I saw a cat I was instantly drawn to, but thought 'no it's too soon'. A few days later I saw the same cat on another site (the local rescues in our area often pool their cats in this way) and was again drawn to him, but he'd disappeared the following day. A few days later he popped up again on yet another site and this time, I knew I had to have him so I phoned them straight away! We were able to see him and reserve him to take home after our holiday. More than four years later, he is truly my 'soul cat'. My previous boy chose well indeed.

So sorry to hear of your loss. My cat was run over and I was heartbroken.
Mine was a tabby too.

I got a kitten within days. Not a replacement as she's quite different in personality, and she helped me cope.

Boots/Leo was beautiful.

So sorry to hear this. We only had our new puss a couple of months and the stupid bugger got run over. We back onto a huge park and gardens but he obviously had to go explore the roads in the other direction. I was utterly gutted, he made a very big impact in a short time. But he took a closed door as a personal insult and honestly I know we could never have kept him in and had a happy cat. Again so sorry.

Aw such a beautiful boy x

So sorry for your loss op. He was beautiful. How are the children? So hard for you all.
I also lost my boy in a RTA, it was devastating. I blamed myself for not keeping him as an indoor cat but he was happiest outside, stalking bugs and chasing through the gardens.
Your Leo would have had a happy life being able to go outside and would have known he was loved. So sorry