Hi - I am trying to cope with the loss of my 3 year old cat Daisy. I did not realize until too late she was ill & not eating - I work 10 hour shifts Saturday - Monday. And I did not really get to see her until laste Tuesday. I managed to get some food in her. She was moving around ok. We got some special food Wednesday & I managed to get her to eat some and she was acting better. But, after holding her all afternoon I set her in a basket to eat supper & when I went to pick her up again she was gone. I feel so much guilt that I did not know earlier how bad she was or that I did not do more for her Wednesday. I feel as if I killed my poor little girl.

Karen

Hi, Karen, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Daisy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Losing a companion so young and unexpectedly intensifies the grief.

Karen, our companions are very adept at disgusing how badly they are feeling until they can no longer do it. This is a genetic defense they have inherited from their wild cousins, for any sign of weakness, illness or injury makes them easy prey. Unfortunately this is little consolation to us, their human caregivers. By the time this happens the illness / injury has taken ahold of their physical bodies. In some cases veterinary medicine can help restore a good quality of life for our companions, and sometimes the only thing that can be done is help ease their journey home to the angels before Nature intervenes. There is no doubt in my mind that you did the very best for your beloved Daisy at all times and in all circumstances, Karen. Your beloved Daisy transitioned home to the angels in the place she lovs the most - - in her home loved and comforted by the sounds and smells and touch of her family. I hope in time as your deep grief eases your heart will be able to find some comfort in this.

Have you had a chance to speak with your veterinarian about what happened yet? Perhaps he / she will be able to shed some light and offer you some measure of comfort.

Karen, this grief journey is filled with many different emotions that can overwhelm us all at one time and can make us feel like we are going insane. One of the emotions always a part of this grief journey is guilt, and it is one of the hardest to reconcile. Please let me try to reassure you that what you are feeling is very normal - - very painful both emotionally and physically, yes - - still very normal. This grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity, and unfortunately there is no easy way through it. It is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time. It is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are not alone in your journey. Each of us here truly 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, Karen - - there are no judgments made here.

The good news is that your beloved Daisy is forever with you in your heart and your memories, Karen. Her sweet Living Spirit is forever with you - - she is forever a part of you, Karen, - - she is forever a heartbeat close to you.

I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope and pray that the words I share with you will bring you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Daisy with us, Karen. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Karen, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you for your kind words. She was a special kitty. I know I need to work through the guilt and that it will take time. It is just so hard.

Karen

Hello Karen

I can only echo what Moonbeam says - that animals - all animals - are expert at hiding illness and pain. My Gretta (the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived) dies of a massive spinal collapse (whateve that really means) and I didn't figure it out until the day before her passing. No, karen, you did NOT kill your cat. You stepped up and did the most loving and hardest thing we are called to do in this life - to, eyes wide open and heart dying, set a beloved animal free. There is NOTHING that you did wrong, Karen. Your love for your two "kiddies" shines through your words. Animals can feel that, wherever we are. A very kind person on this site, Love-My-Mickey, taught me that when I was trying to work through guilt. During these first days, just "robot" through your "other life" and do whatever it takes when you're alone. Every one of your Lightning Strike brother and sisters knows exactly what you're talking about, has felt it, and has done some mighty "strange" things to cope. (And by the way, the only people who actually think these things are "strange" are those who have unfortunately never experience sharing the love of one's one-and-only soul-mate.

Hang in there. Karen. We're all here with you - any day,, any time. We're a family.

Blessings to you,

Gretta's mom

Karen, I am very sorry for the loss of your cat, Daisy. And I want to echo moon_beam's words by saying that it really is hard to tell with cats when they are sick, because they disguise their illness so well and adapt. I do not think you killed your Daisy. It could have been some kind of genetic defect, a heart condition, any number of things. I am sorry you lost her at such a young age. I am sure you were looking to spend many more years with Daisy.

Hugs,
DannysMom

Her is a picture of my angel kitty Daisy.

Karen, let me add my sympathies for your beloved Daisy. I recently lost a young tom we had barely two years. It's shocking to lose a young cat you do not expect is having any serious problems. The key to managing is not being hard on yourself--you did all you could in the short time you had. Give it time and be gentle with yourself.

Daisy has a twin/litter mate that my husband & I rescued the same time we rescued Daisy. Lucy has started camping at the window in the kitchen looking out. I know kitties have moods and such. Put part of me thinks that even though Daisy & Lucy did not always get along that she is waiting for her sister to come home. Has anyone experienced something like this when losing a cat?

Karen

Hi, Karen, thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful picture of your beloved Daisy with us. What a beautiful girl she is!! As I look into her eyes I can see the depth of the love bond you and your beloved Daisy share.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Karen. Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Daisy with us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Karen, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Karen, we have two cats now after having recently lost one. For several days, Kinte ran through the house looking for Buddy. He looked in the empty basket, sat on the stool Buddy once laid on. He obviously missed Buddy. Mysteriously, when I brought the ashes home, he sat near them for a while. The other one, it's not so obvious, though they were closer pals so I'm sure he's missing his friend.

Hi, Karen, about your query: "Lucy has started camping at the window in the kitchen looking out. I know kitties have moods and such. Put part of me thinks that even though Daisy & Lucy did not always get along that she is waiting for her sister to come home. Has anyone experienced something like this when losing a cat?" Yes, surviving companions also go through a grief adjustment journey when the lose a house mate. My precious Noah grieved deeply for his big adopted kitty brother Eli and his beautiful sibling baby sister Abbygayle when they joined the angels. My precious Noah is a sole surviver in a home that used to have 4 furkids including him. As long as Lucy is eating okay, drinking water normally, and taking care of her personal needs the only thing you can do is just give her extra love and attention and comfort.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Lucy kindly, Karen. Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Daisy with us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Karen, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

What a beautiful little cat! She has such a sweet face. I hope today is treating you kindly.