Still not over the loss of our cats

[hnr2016]

We had to recently give our 2 beautiful girls to a rehoming centre due to my daughter’s additional needs becoming out of control and absolutely terrifying the cats when she was having an episode (she never hurt the cats, just hurt me) it used to scare them and in the end we decided it would be best for them both to go into a home where they could be more content and not so timid as they had become.

We had them before my daughter was born and I loved them like they were my 2 extra babies, I know rehoming them to a place that’s calmer is what is best, but it still absolutely hurts knowing they’re gone.

When I see photos of them both or when cat pictures/videos pop up it makes me feel so emotional (I know some people say oh they’re just cats, but they meant the world to me and my mother).
I know I’ll never get over this, but when does it become less soul crushing? :/

Rehoming your cats sounds as if it was agonising for you.
I still get tearful about the loss a my beautiful Cavalier and that was over 8 years ago.
The only thing that has helped me cope is to welcome a new pet into our family. Is this possible for you? Not another cat but are there other options?

That sounds heartbreaking for you. I think I'd find it more difficult than them doing. But try to remember that you did the best thing for your cats, because you loved them. Be mindful to yourself.

Slightly different, but we adopted our beautiful girl direct from a family whose boisterous toddler was making her really stressed. She was three and they had had her since she was a tiny kitten, so it was heartbreaking. We recently lost her to intestinal lymphoma but she had seven amazing years with us, being so loved, in a quiet home with a big garden to play in. They did the very best thing by her, as did you.

You did the right thing for them, of course you did. Doesn't make it easy to say goodbye.

I'm sorry, I can imagine how much it hurts.

They were part of your family, of course you miss them. Have they been re-homed yet by the centre?

Thanks so much for all the lovely replies, it means a lot. They have been reserved on the website, so I think they may have found a forever home.
They were put into a foster home as they werent keen in the rehoming centre. The centre updated their pages a little while ago and the people who are currently fostering them put up a really lovely update about them and how they were doing (I had a big cry reading it as they were detailing all their little quirks they used to do here at home). It was lovely to read as I just want them to be loved and happy, and could tell from the words they’d put that it sounded like they were very content in their new place.

We haven’t looked into another pet at the moment as my daughters outbursts can be quite intense and I don’t think I’d feel too comfortable ever bringing another pet into this situation.

That’s true love that is.May you find peace knowing you put them first x

As a veterinary professional can I just say I wish more owners were like you, putting their animals' needs before their own desires. I'm sorry it hurts and I'm sure you're missing them like crazy, it wouldn't make sense if you didn't. I hope knowing they are content and outside of a situation that, whle out of your control, unfortunately was really scary and could lead to health issues in future (stress in animals can affect not just their mental but physical health as well) gives you some comfort, as well as the hope that in the future you'll be better able to offer another loving home to another lucky animal!! Sending you big, big hugs, sometimes the hardest decision we can make is the kindest/best for them, and that's ultimately what love is all about!

Sorry for your sadness you did the right thing