Not sure where to start.

I lost my best friend, a 10 year old cat named Mason last Sunday (May 31) evening after a quick and mysterious illness. The whole thing has left me in shock and has absolutely devastated me. I know a lot of you have gone through this, or are going through the same thing.

Mason was a vibrant, extremely loving cat who use to drive me nuts some days with his affection, LOL. We had such a strong bond that was shared only between us. I don't believe animals can belong to anyone in the owning sense, but he truly was my cat (if that makes any sense).

Mason became sick suddenly on saturday and rapidly deteriorated on Sunday. We took him to emergency, had x ray's done, but no conclusive reason could be found. Anyways, he became so sick that I had to make the decision to have him put to sleep (which broke my heart, but he was so uncomfortable I just couldn't let him suffer). I stayed with him until the end, he knew I was there, I whispered to him how much I loved him.

I was an absolute (and still am) mess. I keep asking...what happened? Why did this happen so quickly and without warning? He was happy and playing last week, and now he's been taken away from me. I'm angry, upset, lost.

The vet did mention that he was probably sick for a while because of jaundice he observed, but still I wonder how I didn't see the signs and if I could've saved him had I not been more proactive.

I miss him so much, and I know that I will never have a friend like him again. Yes, I have other cats, each of which I dearly love, but Mason was special. Can't explain, he just was unique.

Love you so much Mason!! I'll never forget you, never let go. Part of me died with your passing.

Hi Arkania, I'm truly sory for you loosing Mason. I'm not sure why cats deteriorate so quicky.
Just know this, you loved each other, and that love kept him safe, and made him the kitty that he was to you.
Please don't blame yourself, we have all done that, there's nothing you could have done any better than what you did.
When I think back about Bue, his fur looked a little yellow but I thought he was just getting older, he was 14yrs.
So many here have had their babies taken from them without warning, the people here understand, and know your pain.
Please try to remember the good times, but for now it will be difficult for you. I can't tell you how long it will take before you heal, we all deal with it in our own way. I still have a hard time, and Aug will be 2 yrs for me. Mason is such a handsome strong name for a cat. I hope you will feel better soon, you did everyting in your power, and in the end you did the most unselfish act on the planet, I admire you.

Take Care

Thank you so much for your kind words, means a lot. I'm terrified of picking up his ashes and a paw print that (made in clay) that the vet is doing for me. It will be a final acknowledgement that he's gone, but I know I must accept it.

Thanks again. Hugs to all that have lost and that have to go through this nightmare.

PLEASE PARDON ALL CAP LETTERS. I'M TYPING WITH ONE HAND AND IT'S EASIER FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING ...

DEAREST ARKANIA, I'M SO TERRIBLY SORRY FOR THE SUDDEN AND SEEMINGLY INEXPLICABLE PASSING OF YOUR FUR BABY ANGEL MASON. PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. SUCH A SWEET, LOVING, AFFECTIONATE KITTY AND YOUR HEART IS BREAKING. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT YOU MAY BE COMFORTED KNOWING THAT THERE WAS NO WAY FOR YOU TO KNOW MASON WAS ILL.

YOU SAID IN YOUR POST, "I wonder how I didn't see the signs and if I could've saved him had I not been more proactive."

ARKANIA, IN MASON'S CASE, THE APPEARANCE OF ANY SYMPTOMS HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY. FROM WHAT YOU'VE DESCRIBED, HE PROBABLY HAD AN AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC CONDITION FOR QUITE SOME TIME. YOUR KITTY FEELS FINE AND BEHAVES AS ANY OTHER HEALTHY, HAPPY, ACTIVE KITTY UNTIL THAT SUDDEN CRISIS OF YOUR KITTY'S LIVER HAPPENS AS IT MOST LIKELY DID WITH YOUR PRECIOUS FUR KID MASON KITTY.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TELLING HOW THE VERY SAME THING OCCURRED WITH AN 11 YEAR OLD "HEALTHY" KITTY AND Peter Bennett, DVM (A VETERINARIAN) WILL GO INTO MORE DETAIL EXPLAINING FOR YOU ...

Autoimmune Hemolytic Disorder

SO, YOU SEE? THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY YOU COULD KNOW AND MASON DIDN'T KNOW EITHER. I AM SO VERY SORRY!

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR CHERISHED ANGEL KITTY MASON ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS I WING MANY LOVING ANGELS TO YOU FOR COMFORT AND TO GENTLY GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS GOSH AWFUL DIFFICULT TIME IN YOUR LIFE.

MANY COMFORTING HUGS AND I WISH YOU PEACE!!!



ALWAYS,
DOTTIE xoxoxox

I'm so sorry for the loss of Mason. I, too, lost my precious cat very suddenly and unexpectedly (5 weeks ago) and was left devastated, wondering how this possibly could have happened. Nothing I can say will make this any easier, but I do wish you peace and please know that there are others who are going through the same emotions you are. You are not alone and please allow yourself to grieve and cry as often as you need to.

(((HUGS)))

Angel/Jess, so much thanks for your kinds words and support! I will definitely check out that link Angel.

Jess, I'm so sorry for your loss. *Hugs*

This really really sucks. I'm coming to terms that he is gone now, but at the same time I don't want to! I don't want the pain to lessen, though that may sound weird.

I keep praying that I'll see a sign of him somewhere, and I've even been calling his name out in hopes of hearing a meow, feeling his fur, anything. Sometimes I think I'm going to go nuts, but thank god I have my other cats to help through these.

Again, thank you all for the supportive words. We are a special bunch and it's so comforting to know that many of you feel the bond with your companions that I have felt, and have with mine. It's something that cannot be described, but you know it's there.

Hiya arkania,

Just to let you know I am thinking of you. I am so, so sorry for your loss and hope that things ease day by day for you. It will take time I know. You are in my thoughts.

This place here we can come is so very, very special. We all understand the loss of pets and the hurt and grief that comes when it happens. Just knowing that you are all here for me makes my days that little bit easier after the loss of my lovely little Cheeky bird. I hope the love and support wraps around you as it does for me and helps you too.

Take care
gossamerwings

Hello,
I just wanted to tell you I am sorry for your loss. I know how devastating it is; it hurts so bad. When I had to make the decision to put our little 10 1/2 yr. old pom down 4 weeks ago do to heart and lung problems... well the loss was overwhelming. I had no idea how bad it was going to be. It truly was like loosing a family member. I sobbed for 5 days straight. I am better now but I still have crying spells and I miss him every day all the time. Give yourself the time you need to grieve. Hang in there.
BK

Thanks my friends. The first three days I couldn't stop crying. I'd have moments where I found myself just staring blankly in a corner where he used to sleep. I feel numb sometimes.

I am coming to terms with this, but I know I'm scarred for life. How can you not be?

All the best to all of you.

Dearest arkania, I wish so badly that I could wave a magic wand to take away your terrible pain, grief and sorrow, Such a sweet, beautiful, darling fur kid Angel Mason is, too.

Please know that you and your precious fur baby Mason remain in my thoughts and prayers, Do keep coming back whenever you're able to talk. It's by caring and sharing that we try our best to find that healing path which will lead you into the light and out of this most difficult time in your life.

Many Comforting Hugs and I Wish You Peace!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

I am so sorry to read this. Devastating for you and extremely sad. I wish I had a magic wand to bring all our kitties back alive and healthy.

I lost my beloved Callym to oral cancer 2 weeks ago today (he only survived 2 months after diagnosis). The pain is still intense. I was cleaning up the room where I used to give him subq fluids, and found an empty package for one of the needles under a pillow, and that set me off sobbing on the bed. Then I found the little packages of fur that I clipped from him on the bookcase in that room, and again I found myself crying. I find that while the pain is still there, and it hurts just as much when I cry as it did the first day, I am able to function a little bit better in between crying episodes, and I cry a bit less often. Still, I know what you mean about not wanting to let go of the pain - I suppose to us our pain is a connection to our furbabies - but I am also learning slowly that thinking happy thoughts of my Callym also connects me to Callym. I am working on a scrapbook tribute to Callym, and I write short stories for kids about my cats, and Callym is featured in them too. Cry, grieve, stare blankly - do whatever you need to do to grieve. And then gradually the happy memories and smiles will surface more often and you can connect to Mason in these ways too.

Again, so sorry about your loss.

Im so very sorry, it is very hard when out pets pass ,they give us so much love and always there for us ,i know what you mean about being numb .im still like that after my jeannie passed, i hope as each day goes on you do feel a little better .everbody here knows what it feels like that ,please take care of your self and give your self time with it all . THANKS JAY

Thank you all for the kind words and support, everyone of you is amazing!

Angel, that was very sweet, thank you so much.

Scarlett, my sympathy and hugs to you. I know exactly what you mean about finding things around the house that remind you of your companion. I found one of mason's whiskers yesterday, and I broke down. See his fur and his favourite toy is just too much to bear sometimes.

JayT, thanks for your kind words!

I've decided to get a tattoo paw print of my beloved cat so as a tribute and reminder of the bond I shared, and still share, with Mason. I will never forget. I have other cats in my life, and when the pass, so I shall add their pawprints.

Take care all.