Hello everyone - this site was very, very important to me when I lost my beloved Siamese, Ammy, 3 years ago.

Sadly, I have to come back today to tell you that we have lost another baby.

Our beautiful boy, Shaun, a brown tabby Maine Coon died today. He was hit by a car. My husband found him at the side of the road.

Shaun was only 2 years old. Earlier this year, we had a real scare when the vet told us that Shaun may be dying from lymphoma. A biopsy revealed that there were no abnormal cells, and we were delighted that we were given more time to be with him.

But not much longer, as it happened.

We have just taken his body to the cemetery. His ashes will be interred there on Thursday morning.

We had 5 cats and have just acquired a little dog. We love them all dearly, but Shaun really was our baby and we were always very protective of him.

This is very different from when I lost Ammy, who was euthanased at 16 years old. I felt terrible guilt, but eventually realised that I had done the kindest thing. This time I had no control and no chance to say goodbye. Yesterday I groomed him; if someone had said "this will be the last time you do this", how would it have felt?

My husband is devastated too. We are finding this so very very hard.

I'm so sorry for your tragic loss of Shaun.

I thought I'd have Shiloh and Hobbie with me for several more years, but they were both taken at relatively young ages...Shiloh 5 and Hobbie 8. When our furbabies are taken from us at young ages, and when they're taken so unexpectedly like Shaun, I think it compounds the grief we feel. I know for me, I felt like I was cheated out of many happy years with my 2 babies.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

I am so sorry for your sudden loss and pain. I know how hard it is to lose a furbaby, and my heart goes out to you. I hope that in time, the pain you feel of being "robbed" of him while he was so young will become easier to bear, but I am glad to see you are reaching out for help here. As you know from when you lost Ammy, this forum can be very healing, especially with the kind souls in here who share our love and losses.
Peace, Love, and Prayers to you during this time,
Michelle

Here's a photo, taken just 2 weeks ago:



He was a stunningly beautiful cat.

This pain is terrible.

Shaun was so good looking. My heart aches for the loss of your very handsome fellow.

Warm hugs and much love

I just lost my baby on 7/2/2005. This is my first pet loss and I'm not doing so well. You are in my thoughts. Kim

Shaun was such a handsome, regal looking fellow.

Thank you for sharing his picture.

It's clear why you called him a "little lion." Truly beautiful.

Shaun is absolutely gorgeous. I know it must be devastating to have lost him at such a young age and in such a tragic way. We never know how long these special creatures are going to grace our lives. For some, it is many, many years. For others it is days or hours. However short his time on earth was, your memory of Shaun is infinite and will be with you the rest of your days. I am sorry for the loss. It is never, ever easy...

Caroline

Thank you, everyone. Day 2, and so far it's worse than day 1.

I foolishly thought I could go into work today. I had to catch a train from Manchester to London at 7.45 am and drove to the station. I cried all the way and missed the train. When I phoned my line manager, she was very sympathetic and told me to go home. So I'm back now, and really struggling.

My husband is here too, he has taken time off work and is coping just as badly as me.

Shaun came to us both last night just after we went to bed. I felt an amazing comfort/calming sensation. He told me that he had never been completely healthy, and was sometimes in pain. He assured me that he is fine now.

By 6am, however, the tears were back. I got up and wrote a poem as a tribute to Shaun. I have posted in the appropriate section, please read it, I hope you like it.

Tomorrow we are having his ashes interred at the pet cemetery in the beautiful Lancashire hills. We have bought a family plot, which is very reassuring to me as I now know that there is a place for us all to go when we've passed on.

Shaun, we miss you more than anyone can know. I'm so glad you're feeling good now. Please come to us again and give us your comfort.