My cat Max died on Saturday. He was only 4 years old and he died instantly with no previous illness or warning. He was sitting on my husbands lap and all of a sudden he screamed and died. We had no warning. Just that morning I had been playing with him and brushing his hair. My husband had just sat down with him to clip his nails. We took him to the emergency room because we didn't know what to do and they confirmed he was dead. The vet said she probably thought he had a clot that killed him instantly. There was nothing we could have done to prevent it.

I'm so sad it really hurts to feel this loss. I think because it was so sudden it's shaken us even more. We just moved to a new city and are not even settled and to have this happen has really shaken us. We loved Max so much. We're a young couple and Max was like our child. He brought us much happiness and I know he loved us too.

I've had pets my entire life and I know the pain of losing a pet. But they've always been old or had a progressive disease. For Max to die so suddenly has really made me realize how quickly life can change.

It's hard to be in the apartment now. I keep expecting him to come around the corner. I see his hair on our things. I havent' wanted to move his litter box yet because then it's really over.

I know that the pain will ease and over time we will have happy memories of him but right now it's painful and makes this unsettled time in our lives feel that much more intense.

Thank you for reading. It helps to know there are others out there who know what this is like.

I'm sorry for your loss. You've come to the right place. Here you will find people who have suffered similar losses and understand.

My dog died on April 1 at 12 years of age. It is small comfort that she was relatively old, but I know that it would have been so much worse had she been as young as your cat.

Remember that all animals die. The only important question is did they have love during their lives. Your cat obviously did, thanks to you.


Daisy's Mommy

I'm so sorry for your loss!

Max indeed was loved, and he knew (and knows) it.

Maybe it was his time to pass from his physical body... none of us know for sure. But you and your husband made his life special while it lasted.

I know you miss him. Try and take comfort that you will see him again, when it's your time to pass. ANd in the meantime, Max is fine, in a realm where there's no distress or suffering of any kind. He doesn't know the pain of separation from you. You'll be reunited.

Let us know how you're doing.

Sending prayers to you,

Kathy

So sorry to read of your sudden loss of your precious Max. You have
come to the right place to find comfort and support. I know it is a
really hard time for you and your husband. We lost our 7 year old
kitty a month ago tonight..she was killed by big dogs that got in our
fenced backyard. The lose of your pet no matter what age is a major
lost . I have lost 2 to old age but the shock and suddeness of the
way my Sophie died has been so painful for us. She was our baby.
Always with us except for the short time she would go out . Today
has been really bad I guess thinking it has been a month without
her. My first husband died suddenly so I 've dealt with grief and
the stages are the same no matter what you are griefing. Denial..the
guilt stage that is were I am right now. But I can think about all
the joy and company she was to me. I got her as a small
kitten when I was widowed and she was just my best friend
and the reasom I got up some days..she needed me.
Pray you can find comfort and when the time is right for
you that you can open your heart and home to another fur-baby.
Sophie's mom,
Jan

Thanks for all your kind words. They've helped. As the day goes by the pain is less intense and of course life goes on. I've been fine the last couple of days just sad. But today I've suddenly become obsessed with knowing what happened to him. Why did he die so suddenly? What could cause a cat to be in pain and die in literally a 10 second period? So I've been googling. But I know that there's nothing I can do he's already gone. Anyways, thanks for all your support. What a great forum for us all.

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
-an Eskimo proverb

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dog of 17 years in a similar way -- granted, he was 17 years old, but he was in perfect health and jumped in the air for his walk that morning as ususal. His name was also Max.

Max has been gone now for a year and a half. I also had a dog named Sal who had a long illness before I finally had to help end his ordeal just 4 weeks ago.

Although I sometimes feel I will never get over the shock of my Max's death, I am grateful that he and I never had to go through what I went through with Sal. Sal became someone I didn't know, but Max was himself to the last minute.

It sounds like every day you had with your Max was a joy, too. I hope that, in time, you will be comforted by that. You have suffered a terrible shock and I share your sorrow. Hang in there, Karen

I am very sorry for your loss.

I know how hard it is. I wish that I could do something, but there really is nothing that any of us can do.

My Sidney died a little over two months ago and yesterday I agreed to take in another cat from a shelter. His name is Eli and he was hit by a car and his back left leg was seriously damaged. He is recuperating now but will never reach 100 percent mobility. They were very worried about him finding a good home at the shelter because most people want a perfect cat. He is so sweet that I could not resist him. I think it is such a fitting tribute to such a great cat to help another that is truly in need. I will pick him up later this week after he gets his final x-rays and clearance from the vet.

I don't know what else could possibly help to heal the pain that I am feeling. Helping poor Eli just may do that. I hope so.

Good luck with trying to get through this. It has been incredibly hard for me. I hope that you figure out a way to make yourself able to think only kind and warm things for Max and forget about the traumatic time that you went through. I keep trying to only think about the wonderful things about Sidney but it has been really tough