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Original poster

Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years

459 replies

KiffyKiffyKiffy · 03/02/2025 14:57

Well not missing exactly but we lived at our old address and as our cat got older and we had kids and 2 dogs our cat spent more and more time with our elderly neighbour. We would try and coax him home but he always went back.

The neighbour loved him and spoilt him rotton.

2 years ago we moved house and we tried to catch him a few times to bring him with us but he evaded us. So we went to the neighbours house to ask him to catch him for us. The elderly neighbour said he would like him to stay (his wife and dog had passed away) as he was good company

So over time we check in on him, make sure he doesn't need vet care etc.
Neighbour has our number.

We just stopped by to check in and he asked if we could take him.

Of course!

But I'm worried as he's not seen our dogs in years. He's never been to this home and we have somehow adopted a stray cat here who treats it like his home and is basically out unplanned cat too now.

We are picking him up in an hour and I'm just a bit stressed at how to navigate this!!

We never planned to be apart from him but he chose the neighbour over us and at that time the neighbour really needed him.

Any advice please!

OP posts:
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Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 22/05/2025 23:18

Vader is with DS. I really wanted his last night to be with us but DS is very upset and has hand fed him chicken and got him bottled water from the fridge.
Hes taken him up to his bed.

Tomorrow i will take him for a walk round the park in the enclosed puppy pram and for a cheeseburger before his appointment.

I also have some ink pads for paw prints and have been taking lots of photos.

OP posts:
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 23/05/2025 01:56

He just had a massive seizure. Much worse than anything he has ever had. He urinated during it.
Am just feeling upset that it's come to this and almost wish we had euthanised him today as it was that bad.
I'm terrified he will have another before 3pm.

OP posts:
Agapornis · 23/05/2025 02:11

So sorry. I remember being unable to sleep the night before my boy was put to sleep. Cat seizures are probably much like human ones - confusing, but unconscious so they don't know it's happening. Distressing for someone seeing it, but not painful.

Zonder · 23/05/2025 07:27

So sorry. The end is so hard.

Pudmyboy · 23/05/2025 12:32

Sending a virtual hand-hold for this afternoon, and a hug for afterwards 💐

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 23/05/2025 14:39

I've been silently following this thread - so hard to say goodbye to a beloved friend but it sounds like he's had a good few months with you, and you're doing the ultimate kindness for him now.

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 23/05/2025 14:40

Thankyou.we are on our way, he seized again about an hour ago.
No doubts thisbis the right thing now. My eldest son is heartbroken :(

OP posts:
0psiedasiy · 23/05/2025 16:44

So sorry x

Pudmyboy · 23/05/2025 16:48

I hope all went peacefully for you and Vadar, and that you can eventually remember the times when he was well and active.
Sending hugs to you and your family, you have tried so hard to do the very best for him, right up to this final gift of a peaceful end 💐💐

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 23/05/2025 16:55

He's gone.

It was very peaceful.

Thankyou for all the well wishes.

RIP Vader 🐈‍⬛

OP posts:
Imbusytodaysorry · 23/05/2025 16:58

@KiffyKiffyKiffy ❤️
thinking of you all

Americano75 · 23/05/2025 17:40

Bless him and you all. Thinking of you.

DaisyStarburst · 23/05/2025 17:42

RIP Vader. Blessings to you all, you have given him the best end few weeks of his life you could have done.

TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 23/05/2025 18:08

RIP little 🐈‍⬛. Bless you @KiffyKiffyKiffy , you did him proud. 🥲

Springflowersmakeforbetterhours · 23/05/2025 18:20

So sorry for your loss op.

Binglebong · 23/05/2025 18:49

Thinking of you. Flowers

hereismydog · 23/05/2025 19:33

I’m so sorry for your loss, but thank you for doing him this kindness Flowers

I’m so glad he found his way home to say goodbye to his family ❤️

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 23/05/2025 20:09

Thankyou for all the kind messages
Ive gotten in bed as I'm just exhausted. I have a headache and sore eyesnfrom crying. My throat hurts.

Im sat in bed and its so weird not having him sat here, meowing at the top of his lungs for dinner (just after having had dinner)

His litter tray, foodbowls, all gone into storage.

How can the absence of such a small cat be so profound :(

I miss him already.

OP posts:
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 23/05/2025 20:11

Hi last photo before we took him to the vets. He was so tired from the seizures :(

Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years
OP posts:
stayathomegardener · 23/05/2025 20:38

🐾 Flowers🐾

Agapornis · 23/05/2025 20:41

So sorry for your loss.

Princessfluffy · 23/05/2025 21:34

You were a great family for Vader OP, so sorry his time has come, it is so painful to lose a much loved pet

coastergirl · 23/05/2025 22:09

I'm so sorry x

CatChant · 24/05/2025 18:57

I’m so sorry. You gave him a golden sunset but it is always too soon for us.

Be kind to yourself.

Pudmyboy · 24/05/2025 22:36

So sorry, I hope you managed some sleep last night.
Be kind to yourself and each other, you have been through the wringer with looking after that lovely boy Vader, and now he is now at peace. No more seizures, no more distress, just peace.💐
May I ask, will you be bringing his remains home?