I'm all alone, so this is the only place I can come. My husband is at work, and just isn't tuned into my grief. All of a sudden, today, I'm just bawling my eyes out. I miss Scooter so much and the pain just became so powerful again. It could be because the one cat I was visiting at the shelter(13 years old), became ill and they said they would probably have to put him to sleep. Crying over a cat I had contact with for 1 week, is that normal? There was somthing in his eyes. He looked old and feble the last time I saw him. I wish I could have helped him. The only comfort I could give him was opening up his cage, and loving him. At least he had human contact. I think I spend all my time there with him. I just talked to him and pet him. I don't know what he was trying to tell me with his eyes, but it was somthing. Here I am, bawling my eyes out over absolutely everything. So much loss in my life these last 4 weeks. My cat, my job, my relationship with my oldest son. Words spoken in grief and anger when I had just lost Scooter. I was angry at the world, and I spoke to him(left messages on his phone really) so nasty at somthing I thought he had done. He has not called me since then. I left a voice mail on his phone, but he never called. I'm isolated and alone. I've upset my 3 other cats. We did find it in our hearts to adopt a new furbaby named Marcel. That's what my 3 cats are upset about. They just seemed to be adjusting to losing Scooter, when I bring a new one into the house. I just feel guilty about that and so much more. I'm not a bad person, just lost right now. I picked up my last paycheck from my job today. I think I'm going to change, make a cup of tea, and try and pull it together before my new baby wakes up from his little kittie nap. He is really adorable. But can you understand how I'm feeling? Maybe this is just one of those really down days and tomorrow will be better. I hope
Thanks for listening, I still feel lousy though.

I had a cry spell last night when I went to bed. I started to think about "Simba I" and the tears just started flowing. I miss him cuddling with me and hearing him purr in my ear so bad. I miss when I would be in the couch and he would jump up and sit next to me with just his two front paws on my lap so I could pet him.

The 13 year old cat at least knew what it was like to be petted and cared for. I am sure he is very grateful to you for volunteering your time to give him the affection he needed and wanted... something he probably wouldn't have gotten if it wasn't for such a great person like you. He knows... That is what his eyes were probably telling you.

Dear (((((((Shortrish)))))))

Please consider yourself hugged .....



Yes, I do believe that today could be "one of those really, really down days & tomorrow WILL be better"...

But, my goodness, you really do have A LOT GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE!

First, I want you to know that it hasn't been that long since you lost your precious Scooter --- but yet, you come here to Lightning-Strike and have given so much comfort to other people who have lost their beloved babies.

You have a very giving heart -- Thank you!

With regard to the sweet furbaby at the shelter who you've known for a week, YES......IT IS NORMAL (VERY, VERY NORMAL, IN MY OPINION), TO CRY OVER A FURBABY WHO IS ILL AND MIGHT HAVE TO BE PUT TO SLEEP. Even if you've only known this little one for a week. Tears are normal.



You have given this precious furbaby a lot more love than some furkids ever get - the power OF TOUCH -- Contact with another living being.



I hear some HOPE in your quote .... Bless you for adopting Marcel. Your 3 other furbabies will learn to love (like or tolerate), this little one, in their own time. They could still be grieving the loss of Scooter.

I certainly do understand how you are feeling, I honestly do!!! I think that tomorrow will be a brighter day for you. If ever you feel hopeless, I do hope that you will consider seeing a therapist -- You really have a lot on your plate right now, and sometimes it's hard to deal with everything by ourselves...

Please continue to come here as often as you want and VENT as much as you want. We all understand...

God Bless You & Yours!

Love, Denise

If things aren't going well for me on certain days, I cry over my beloved dog more. I had an argument with my husband and after that, I really missed my dog terribly and cried over him. I missed his love and cuddles. Other days, if all is well, I don't cry or miss him as much.

Thank you every one for your love and kind words of support. I'm crying again. My poor huband, just opened the door to the office and said "what now?" He knows. We went out to the store and got some more litter and cat and kitten food, and a new special little bed for Marcel. He seems to love his new bed. He is sooo little, but I'm sure he will outgrow it all to soon. I think part of my super emotions today, is the loss of "Mookie" the old cat at the shelter, but also, my one female cat who used to cuddle with me, has been rejecting me since we brought Marcel home. I'm sure this is normal cat bahavior, and like you said, it could be they are still grieving Scooter as I am.
On a little better note, my son did call me today, but I didn't get to the phone on time. I called him right back but it went to voice mail(the stinker). At least he called. When we do speak, I will appologize for my harsh words to him. Well, miracles do happen. My son called just now, and I appoligized for what I had said and we had a good talk.
And about Marcel, the shelter gave him that name. I think we really have to give him a different name. When we have a quiet moment, we'll take a picture of our newest furbaby and post it for everyone to see in New Beginnings.
Again, thank you for your help. Laughter through my tears watching Marcel and his antics.

DEAR BOOBOO"S MOM
MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AS I STILL FEEL THE RAW PAIN OF MY LOSS OF RAGGS MY PRECIOUS BICHON. WE CANNOT RUSH GRIEF. SOME PEOPLE TAKE ONLY A FEW DAYS AND OTHERS MONTHS ARE YEARS. I KNOW IT WILL TAKE ME MUCH LONGER BECAUSE RAGGS WAS MY EMPTY NEST CHILD AND I HAD MORE TIME TO DOTE ON HIM, BUT SINCE I WAS A CHILD I ALWAYS FOUND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IN MY ANIMALS. YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP VENTING YOUR SADNESS TO THOSE WHO WILL UNDERSTAND. IT SEEMS THE ONES THAT ARE THE CLOSEST TO US SOMTIME JUST WANT US TO GET OVER IT BUT THAT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE. I FIND WRITING MY FEELINGS DOWN HEP SOME. I THINK OF YOU AND ALL OF YOU THAT ARE HURTING FROM THE LOSS OF YOUR PET AND PRAY SOME DAY SOON THE RAW PAIN WILL TURN INTO GOOD MEMORIES. I HAVE RAGGS ASHES IN MY ROOM AND I KISS THE BOX EVEY AM AND PM IT IS NOT MUCH BUT THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
PLEASE KNOW OTHERS ARE THINKING ABOUT YOU AND PEACE OF MIND WILL COME AGAIN
RAGGSIE'S MOMMY

THE ABOVE MESSAGE WAS FOR SCOTTERS MOM AND SIMBA'S DAD TOO AND ANY WRITING RE THEIR GRIEF
RAGGSIE"S MOM

Dear Shortrish,
You are not alone honey. Everyone here has or does feel the way you do at one time or another. Support is a wonderful thing. I believe that the love and support we get from total strangers is God speaking thru people. I am a crier, I cry at everything and anything. Yes it was perfectly normal to cry for that 13 yr old kitty. But just know that you gave him love. You are a very loving person and things will work out for the best. They always do. Maybe not in our time but in Gods time. Be patient with yourself and let yourself just feel your feelings. Like others have said you have a lot on your plate right now. Its ok to cry, tears are cleansing. Thinking of you and all the others who are suffering from their losses. I too still suffer.
Hang in there,
Deb

Dear Everyone Here ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))) - to all of you. I have found so much support and understanding here. Things have gotten a little better. I still get teary every day, but today has been better. I did get to talk to my son and said I was sorry for everything I said in my grief. Our new little Marcel is settling in though my other 3 cats are having "Hissy Fits"(PUN INTENDED).
I know it will take time for these three to accept the new little guy.
And one of my former employers had called and said I could come back for the remainder of the summer season ( only two weeks left) but at least it's a paycheck for 2 weeks anyway.
I am finding that every day has both it's challanges And blessings. This site is a blessing. There are so many kind, and loving people here. It does help to express your thoughts and feelings, and at least you do not feel so alone.
Again, my appreciation for everyone here who has helped me more than they could ever know.

Love,
Trish

My heart goes out to you. I cant stop crying either. My baby went to sleep yesterday at 7:07P.M. I feel like my heart is going to explode. I dont think I have been away from him but maybe a handfull of days in 23 years. I want to hold him just one more time.

I have other cats but they have never been as affectionate at Pepe.

As for people not understanding your grief over a pet. They have never had the kind of bond and love you and I have with our cat. I dont think I will ever get over him. I truely beleive he lived as long as he did because he loved me.

Trish - I am glad to hear today was a better day. One day at a time, right? The grief is still deep, but there are glimmers of hope like adopting Marcel the kitten.

Maybe start a gratitude journal - write down 5 things you are grateful for in your day before you go to bed?

I do this, especially when I am down or feeling bad. I have been trying to do this lately - some days it's all about my buddy Cleo who I lost. Then there are days I am delighted by little things from Ginger.