My beloved cat

I've had cats ever since I left home (40 years ago), and my little 18yr old cat was put to sleep a year ago. She, too, had been on medication for an overactive thyroid and kidney failure, and she went rapidly downhill just the day before we had to have her put to sleep. She was very vocal, and I found the house really quiet (despite having another cat, who now loves being the only one).

Your little cat, like mine, had a long and happy life. You loved her, cared for her, and enjoyed having her around - but she was old and unwell. It was her time to go.

You could think about having another cat, from a shelter, perhaps (all of mine were rescue cats, and my boy now was a stray). Give yourself time, though, and don't rush into getting a new cat yet. x

I was 63 yesterday and since the age of 12 I've had cats 'on and off' so you can imagine I've had the heartbreak of losing many, many cats. The last time one passed away I swore no more, as I couldn't do with the loss and heartbreak, yet here I am again with 3 cats..... I had one and decided to foster cats, I could love them and look after them until they were well enough to go to new homes, however I 'failed' twice and don't foster anymore!

Of course you aren't daft ethelbags1 The ashes of DH's favourite cat are up on the shelf waiting to go in his coffin one day. We've had a lot of cats over the years but some of them really stand out. I still remember the first one very fondly. I think you may find your surviving cat becomes more cuddly now.

i miss each and everyone of my cats. my tommy was extra special he came from a house of 90 cats all inbreeding., he had 5 toes on each paw.one eye.and a was a bully. but after a year he was starting to mellow, in time he became a lovable boy ,he died may 2017 and i miss him so very much...i do have another cat after i said i wouldnt ,but this one was advertised on facebook for a home for a 17 yr old black cat.so muggins me took him in..he hadnt been to a vet in 15 years,got bad teeth and a lump in his tummy.and never been out ,hes making up for lost time and goes out after 2 months of harness walking.and eats like a horse... yes all cats leave pawprints on our heart.i expect your cat didnt want to go to rainbow bridge either. have you read the poem ,it does help..make a fuss of your other cat .in time he will become lovable.and he will miss his friend who has gone.

So sorry to hear about your cat ethelbags1, I had my lovely old boy put to sleep just two weeks ago, and although we knew it was best for him, it was such a hard decision to make. Our lovely vet described it as the last act of kindness and love for your pet. We can now talk about him, laugh about his quirks and funny ways, we miss him terribly but by far the hardest part was making that decision. Sending empathy your way. x

Thank you for all the kind messages. My remaining cat has been running all over house thro the night. He lets me stroke him but does not like being lifted. He is the size of a labrador pup and has a heart murmer like a lot of white cats. I lost another one with heart trouble a few years ago. My priority now is to get him to lose weight. Me to if i can and try to get my boy to cuddle up to me on sofa. . Not a lot to ask

So sorry - it's heartbreaking when they leave us. We have lost several over the years and one in particular left such a terrible hole in my heart.

To all of you who have lost pets: I am so sorry. I've been there many times and it's heartbreaking. They are loved and grieved over and missed like the much-loved members of our family that they are, and the house seems empty without them.

Hugs to all of you.

I'm so sorry about your dear cat.. I know how you feel. We have four cats, one of which has been sick for the past few weeks. He is slowly getting better, but it is so very hard to watch them suffer. They are solitary when they don't feel good and don't want to be picked up and cuddled.

It's hard to have to make that decision. I kept postponing the inevitable, even though the Vet said there was no more he could do. In my case, it was my beautiful, placid, sweet, loving Rottweiler. Dontelieve all you hear about Rottweilers - mine would lick you to death ?

Sorry to hear that EB. I have an elderly cat who is declining, the vet says don't stress her with lots of tests and has told us how to assess her condition when the time comes. I think we're talking weeks.

It's SO sad when they go. They give us such pleasure and are real characters to have about the place. They're the best sort of friend and companion. I like to look at photos and remember the years we've had together. I hope the sadness eases in time and that perhaps there'll be a successor when you're ready.

So sorry EB. The love we have for our pets makes this parting so hard, but you made the kindest decision possible out of love,

My heart goes out to you etheltbags1, it’s hard to lose a beloved pet.
Try to be comforted by the fact that you did your best for her.

I feel so sorry and know just what you feel.

ethelbags my sincere sympathy. 2 years ago I had to make one of the hardest decisions. My 19 year old moggy had cancer and I had to make the decision to give him the last kindness. Google Rainbow Bridge. It helped me .

So very sorry for the loss of your beloved cat, i have also had over the years to have to put a few beloved cats to sleep, my eldest also being 18, bit also lost one to heart failure aged 7, and my lovely siamese boy, the most affectionate cat i ever had died at 7 too, with kidney failure
I have a corner of my garden devoted to my cats, about 5 buried there and 3 in other areas
At the moment i have 3 10 year old Ragdoll cats, and a little dog who has been diagnosed with dementia, and has cataracts,not sure of her age as i was told 3 when i adopted her, but according to my vet at least 9now . probably older
I dread losing any of them, all cats seem in good health at the moment, but it is so heartbreaking when you lose them at whatever age

So sorry ethel. They work their way into our hearts don't they. ?

My beautiful 15 year old cat died at home at the weekend. Happy not to have vet intervention but so, so sad. Place seems empty.

No, you aren’t being daft ethel. It is what happens, they work their way into your heart and it is such a wrench when they have to go. You did her proud, loved and cared and fed her. Give yourself time to grieve.

I know just what it is like and it is horrendous.

Very sorry to hear this ethelbags1; I completely understand how you're feeling right now; having lost several beloved cats myself over the years. The only thing that I felt eased the sorrow was knowing that, whilst they were with me, I did my absolute best for them and that included not letting them suffer. You did everything you could for Holly and that's what's important. Please hold onto that thought.

We all feel the same Ethel it’s awful to have to say goodbye to a pet that has been part of our lives for a long time.
At least you know that he had a good long life with you.

Sorry for your loss xx

I'm sorry, Etheltbags. We lost our little Willow three years ago. She was only five but had a congenital heart defect and we were lucky to have had her that long. We now have two brothers, completely opposite in character but just as gorgeous.

You might find that your remaining cat has a bit of a personality change as an 'only' cat. We've noticed with previous cats that when one had died the other has become more affectionate with us so you never know.

Oh ethel there are now 4 of ours buried in the garden, all much loved and all missed.

We have Oliver Sprout and Minnie, but still think about the others.

They all have individual personalities, Maurice would sit on laps, but hated being picked up, Digby did the best bedtime snuggle ups ever, Clucky was the grande dame matriach, took no nonsense from the youngsters, and Lily, well, she was the feline equivalent of a dumb blonde.

Those of us who have and love pets will understand, those who don't can sod off.

You did the right thing for your girl, sadly the grief is the price we have to pay.