Telling our daughter 😭

[CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease]

So, our beautiful girl who is 17 and who we’ve had since she was a kitten is not well.

After a visit to the vet she’s now on some palliative medicine and is booked in to be put to sleep next week.

She’s our DD9 best buddy, her little shadow who she loves so much. DH is just about to break the news to her and I’m so heartbroken already.

DH and I are upset but pragmatic; she’s had a good long life full of love. And we’ve experienced loss before. DD has never had a loss of any kind and is likely to find it hard.

I'm not sure there’s a purpose to this post…. just a space to unload I guess.

Oh im so sorry, no advice, but it sounds like you’ve given your cat a great life and she’s been well loved.

Ooh I'm sorry. That's so sad.

We've been through this a few times over the years and in my experience being straight and clear is the best policy. My DD was there for the death of our first cat and it helped her to understand, say goodbye and give him a loving send off.

We find that making a process out of it helps - explaining the steps, what will happen, how the cat will feel, how her stroking and talking to him will give comfort.

We also do burials for our cats in the garden and choose a beautiful plant to go on top, which we then admire for
Years to come.

Our last girl who was 15 and died last year, we were all with her, played birdsong (she loved birds) and each held and stroked her before her last moments. She now has a rose and a pretty hydrangea planted over her.

You might be surprised how matter of fact she is about it if you explain clearly and have a conversation that allows her to ask questions. Cry together, it's very healing.

Sending love to you, your dear cat and DD. 💔

Thank you.

We've explained to her what will happen and she’s had a fair few tears. We’re going to have the cat cremated but have snipped a little bit of fur for our daughter to keep in a tiny jar.

Hopefully it will be as calm and loving as possible on the day.

And now, just a few weeks later, we’ve had to have another one of our cats PTS this morning. No warning this time - he was seriously injured 😔

Kids are at holiday club and have no idea, so will have to break it to them this afternoon.

So sad 😢

Sorry for your family's losses.

My Dad says pets are family.