Hi everyone. I am new here and need some support for the very sudden passing of my dear cat named Mama. She dropped dead suddenly almost 2 weeks ago. She was fine in the morning and I found her dead in my neighbor's bushes that afternoon. She had heart worms and I was unaware of that. My vet never suggested to put her on heart worm medication. I am not sure if she was aware she had them and chose not to tell us. Mama was the neighborhood stray that we took in over 3 years ago when we moved here. It is likely she had heart worms when she came to us. She was feral and went from being afraid of us to letting us pet her belly. She slept with me every night. She was so special and had such a unique personality. I miss her terribly. I have been shocked by the depth of my grief for her. I have a 5 month old son so I try not to be sad but it is really hard. I am having a really hard time!

You came to the right place. This forum is full of woe, of people like you who once had a furbaby that brought them much joy and love. In that absence we feel empty, maybe abandoned, possibly betrayed, maybe guilty. These are all strong negative emotions that can overwhelm us and keep us from living normal healthy lives. I understand and feel your pain. There are many here that can and will empathize with you. You are not alone. You are embarking on an unwilling journey into sorrow and emptiness. We know this and will cry along with you.

Please come often and "write" your feelings out. It is helpful. If you think that something you feel is abnormal or even silly, it is a sure thing it is not. Others here have felt it too. We are here for you.

I am deeply sorry for your loss. I will be thinking if you. Please come back. Write much and we will grieve your loss together.

Take care and be kind to yourself.

I am very sorry for your loss, it is very hard to lose the pet who has made such a special place in one's heart. You gave your kittie love and care that she might never had known; you taught her and she taught you to trust and discover and love another species. Your journey together was short but will never be forgotten. It was a beautiful love story. Come here and tell us about it, this is the place where we are all in the same boat, misery loves company and we all know what it's like to hurt for them.

I am so sorry that your dear cat Mama has passed away so suddenly. But not for her the trips to vets, treatments, medication & the slow decline in health that so many of us here had to endure with our beloved furry friends. She was taken from you too soon, but she knew love, which could so easily not have happened for a feral cat.
The ones we love & remember never truly leave us. My Furry will live on in my thoughts always, as will your dear Mama,
Judith

You have my support. Like you, I am new here. Like you, it is real recent for me. Like many, you are having a hard time. Share the experience so you may heal, and heal others by relaying your personal woe. Within a very small amount of time you will see how many are willing to be at your aid here.

With certainty Mama was grateful for having family. Grateful for food, shelter, and love. If not, she'd not have kept returning. Obviously you have had a way with her no one else in the neighborhood could for whatever reason. She chose you. Sounds like she chose wisely.

I wish for your healing to begin.

I'm so sorry, Kittylove. We are all here for you and understand your pain.

Kittylove

I am so sorry you have lost your kitty Mama, you must be going through a horrible time just now.
We all share our pain here and miss our beloved pets.
Take care.

Cleo 1

Kittylove, I'm so sorry for your loss. Whatever you feel come here and write about it. We here on this site understand the pain and guilt felt after the passing of our furryfriends and we are here to offer you the support needed. Take care

My heart is broken, and I am so angry! Six years ago my husband and I went to the local animal shelter to get our name on a list for Maine Coon cats. While we were there, we decided to walk through the kennel. Suddenly we saw this beautiful white kitty with the bluest eyes, and of course he did the most perfect Meow. We were hooked. As we started to walk with the kitty to the front, one of the kennel people came out and said "His brother is here, and they have been together all their lives". So, we knew we had to have him, sight unseen!

He was a beautiful copper persian with deep sad gold eyes. He was nervous, and scared, and wouldn't relax when I held him. For the first two months he mostly hid from us. His name was Sam. These cats had been living in a house where the people were out of town all the time, and their cat caretaker had been none to gentle in their care.

Over time, we started working on his social issues. Everyday I would pick him up and cradle him. Everyday he would curl up tight in a ball and go rigid, and I would put him down. Gradually he began to relax, a week ago when I picked him up, he relaxed. I talked to him, and then just when I thought he would start tightening up, I released him. Last Thursday, he hopped up on the bed next to me, and sat looking at me for five minutes. I think we were both worrying on who should make the next move. Slowly, I reached over to turn out the light, and he hopped down.

Friday, I saw him sitting in the living room, very peacefull, and a look of contentment on his face. Saturday morning I was leaving for the day. Usually Sam came to my bed after I got up, and I would do a tummy rub which he just loved. When I returned home, he didn't great me at the door. I took a nap thinking that he had found a good place to take a private nap. When I woke up, I realized that he hadn't been into visit me. So, I got the treat jar and gave it a good shake. No Sam.

It was at this point, I knew something was wrong. I began searching each room, and calling his name. Finally I looked behind a large piece of furniture, and he was laying there. When I called his name, he didn't move. I shoved the piece of furniture out of the way, and when I touched him he was cold. My heart stopped and I knew. And I became so angry! So cheated! And now, even though I have three other cats, there is this big hole in my life.

I have had several cat furbabies in my life. In all cases they became ill, and when they suffered, we had them put to sleep. We knew that we were able to comfort them and stop their suffering. Each time, my heart broke, but I knew we had done the right thing. This time I feel cheated. he had come so far! And, he was such a little ray of sunshine in my life. He was the big peacemaker in the cat family. He did not have a mean bone in his body. And now, he is gone.

Later this week, we will make the trip to pick up his ashes. But, I will never understand why God took him from us. And so, I am angry, heartbroken, and with an empty space where the golden heart of Sam filled my days. He is not in a better place, he did not suffer from what the vet could tell, but eleven years of life is too short for a kitty. It was way to short for my Sam!

Dear Sam's mom, how sad what has happened to your Sam. It won't make you feel any better for me to say that at least his pain was not long. But I know, you two had a special bond and death has taken it away. You sound like you really knew how to tame that shy Sam. He must have been so happy to know he was special to you. Why did he have to go? I just don't know and I grieve with you, I know what you are going through I lost my special soul mate 8 months ago.

Oh, Kittylove & Sam's mom, I am so sad for both of you.

Kittylove, you gave Mama such a good life. Something so unplanned, so surprising ended up giving you so much joy, as well as Mama. She knew she was loved, no question. Please take comfort in the fact that because of your compassion for the neighborhood stray you took in as a member of your family, Mama had a good, happy life she would likely not otherwise known, and your family was able to spend these happy times with her. I am so sorry for your loss.

Sam's mom, my heart breaks for you. It must be so hard, losing him after all this time working with him when he finally started coming around. I know you are angry & terribly hurt. Please know you are not alone, we all have been there one way or another & we are here to talk whenever you need to.

Thanks everyone. I just returned from a beach trip and am crying all over again. It was so hard to come home and Mama not be here. She always stayed in my lap for hours after we returned from a trip. I miss her terribly.

Kittylove--

I am so sorry--I just lost my Missy today, tragically, and I know what you are going thru---

Many Hugs
Mary

I am so sorry for your grief and loss. I totally understand. Our Misty was also a stray we took in, and we were inseparable. I also have a 5 month old (girl!) so I understand your situation. Many people felt I shouldn't grieve Misty at all because my daughter was on the way.

But the truth is, it is possible to love more than one thing at time. We found that having Misty for 8 years before our daughter helped prepare us for the infant care responsibilities. Misty had renal failure and hyperthyroid for the last 4years, and we had to clean liter trays 3 times a day, give two different medicines, and feed a variety of canned food with added water, plus give fluids from an IV bag.

Misty and I watched LIttle House on the Prairie together, made coffee together, sang songs, unloaded the dishwasher together.

Now that my grief has mostly passed (it's been 7 months) I see how much havign Misty helped me with me daughter. Diapers are a piece of cake, I enjoy picking out jars of baby food, we sing together, do chores together while I talk to her, watch Sesame together. The basic care and entertainment have been a piece of cake for me because it hasn't been that big of a transition.

I was so used to responsibility with Misty, I was one step ahead of what I needed to do for my daughter. I wish he was still here, too, he would have been so proud. At least Mama got to meet your son....I am jealous of you for that.....

IT's okay to grieve for Mama, for us it took 4-6 months. I am sorry you lost her so prematurely due to the worms. We are going to put together a child's storybook of Misty stories for our daughter, maybe you could do the same for Mama and your son.

Many hugs, Amy

Amy, your post brought tears to my eyes (again, lol)! Sounds like we have some things in common. Mama helped me so much with my pregnancy. It was very difficult, as I was on bedrest. She kept me company, kept me smiling and kept me sane. She also helped me prepare for the baby too. Then when he arrived, she would come sit at my feet when I nursed him in the middle of the night. I had PPD and having her "help" me was so wonderful. Oh, how I miss her.

I'm sorry your little girl did not get to meet Misty. I am lucky that my son did know Mama for a very short time. I love your idea of a storybook. We may have to do that. Thanks for your kind words!

Carolyn

Thanks for the reply, Carolyn. You sure were lucky to have Mama's love and support during a difficult pregnancy. I am so sorry for your loss and I hope I was able to help some. It's so hard to lose a pet, especially when they have been there for us during a difficult time.

The first few weeks were a total blur to me, so please hang in there. IT does get better, I promise.

Please post again and let us know how you are doing.......

Hugs, Misty's Mama

It's been 1 month today since Mama died. It's getting a little easier but I still miss her so much at bedtime. It's still hard to believe she's gone.

That first month mark is a tough one. My sympathies & hugs.