My name is Isabelle and my 17 year old cat Caroline perished on August 19, 2011, almost 3 months ago. I am having a difficult time accepting/dealing with her death as I didn't want to let her go. She meant everything to me. Despite her old age, she was a very alert, fiesty cat, who slowly lost control of her bowels, lost a lot of weight and had to be put down. Caroline was very special to me as she had been in my life from the age of 6 and grew up with me as a child, a teenager and a young adult. She has been a great source of comfort to me whether I was sad or happy. She was always there. She always slept at my feet. I don't have this comfort in my life anymore. She is gone. I have never known what it is to live without her. I am having such a hard time dealing with it. I cry almost on a daily basis, out of nowhere, sometimes at work, which is very hard and gives me anxiety. When I go grocery shopping I hold back on tearing up as I pass the cat food aisle.
I guess I never realized she would be gone one day. I try to look on the bright side and be thankful I had her for 17 years, but to me this happened so soon and I don't understand where she is now and if there is after-life. I have not gotten a sign. I am disturbed by this loss and have such a hard time going through each day without her by my side. I am glad I found this site to share my experience with others as no one seems to be able to relate to my loss. It is very hard to deal with. Caroline had piercing green eyes and a white coat and white paws. She was the most beautiful cat in the world and I often got compliments on her beauty. She looked so young too.
I miss her so much.
Thank you for reading.

I am so sorry for the loss of Caroline. She sounds like she was wonderful.

I understand the wondering about whether animals have an after-life. I have to believe they do, otherwise it would seem really unfair. A lot of animals didn't have good lives here, so it is my own personal opinion that our loving and fair Creator has a plan for animals as well as people. I hope to see all my departed pets again someday. The book "Cold Noses At The Pearly Gates" made me feel a lot better when my Yorkie passed in July.

My Yorkie hasn't given me a sign either. I don't know if pets can do that once they pass on into the next life or not. When my poodle passed in 1999 my husband & I kept hearing his little toenails clicking through the house for 6 months, until we got our 2 Yorkies, then it stopped. I don't know if it was really my poodle or not, but the fact that we both heard it made me think maybe it was. But my Bonnie has not contacted me so I don't know.

It would be much easier on us all if we could know for certain our pets go on after death, but I guess we just have to have faith that their Creator loves them and when He made them He "saw that it was good", so I really do think He cares about them enough to make a place in Heaven for them too.

I hope you feel better in the days ahead. It is very difficult to lose a pet because they are family members to us. Your grief just shows how special Caroline was and how much she meant to you. She knew she was dearly loved.

Hi, Greeneyes, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Caroline. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Euthanasia is the last gift of love we can give to our companions on this side of eternity and at great sacrifice to ourselves so that they can be restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels.

It is obvious in sharing your earthly journey with your beloved Caroline with us that you love your beloved Caroline and would do everything humanly and humanely possible for her. Please let me try to reassure you that what you are going through is NORMAL grief. When our companions come into our lives our lives are changed for the better. We are blessed with their unconditional love and undivided attention, and we in turn surrender ourselves to them completely without reservation and without any fear of rejection. When they precede us to the angels our lives are changed again. We are faced with the enormously daunting task of adjusting to the physical absence our companion who has shared our good times and our bad times, the best of who we are and our less than stellar moments without judgment - - always there to comfort and cheer us on when other people in our lives become frustrated with us and / or decide that they no longer want to be a part of our lives.

The good news is that your beloved Caroline's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. The love bond you and your beloved Caroline share is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Caroline is forever a part of you, Greeneyes - - she is always a heartbeat close to you.

I know right now there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss you are feeling, Greeneyes. Unfortunately this grief adjustment journey can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way in and in your own time. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are not alone in your journey, Greeneyes. Each of us here do understand what you are going through and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. You are among friends here.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Caroline with us, Greeneyes. Perhaps sometime you would like to post a picture(s) of her to share with us - - but only if / when you are ready. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Greeneyes, and look forward to knowing how you're doing whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

My deepest thank you to you and your lovely message. I am still struggling daily and could not log back on to this site until now. I will come again soon. Thank you.

Thank you kindly for taking the time to reply to my post, I appreciate it very much. I am still having an extremely hard time dealing with her loss and think of her all the time. It is difficult for me to open up about it right now but logging on this site I believe will help me, slowly. This is the first time I log on from the time I added this post. I will log on again. Thank you so much.

Hi, Greeneyes, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing. Please know we are here for you and that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you continue your grief journey.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hello Greeneyes17,

Please allow me to express my sincere condolences for the terrible loss you are experiencing. Caroline sounds like a stunning girl. She sounds as though she was beautiful, inside and out.

It is so sad that cats do not live as long as we humans. Unfortunately, their bodies are not designed that way. I really wish that it was not so. I miss all of my darling cats that have died. I would have gladly given anything to make it different.

However, I can honestly tell you that, given plenty of time, the grief will lessen, and you will be able to recall your little one with thoughts of joy at the time you spent together. Seventeen years is a very long lifespan for a cat. You must have looked after your beloved Caroline extremely well. Cats never stay with people they dislike - she must have absolutely adored you.

I know that is probably no consolation right now, and that you feel cheated of her presence in your life, and possibly frightened that she is no longer there.

If there is anything we can do, please let us know. I get the feeling that simply logging on here is a huge emotional strain for you. Please know that people care and understand how you feel. We really do. Do you have family members or friends around to offer support and care for you?

Warm regards,
CJ