7 years ago, upon the return of my parents from a night out at the restaurant they were followed by a small skinny black cat, she walked in front of them with such a purpose they thought she must know where she was going but as they arrived at the house the little cat stayed and cried outside, eventually they decided on letting her in and feeding her and while she cried the whole night my mother stayed with her. After years of begging for a pet, it was almost as if all my christmases had come at once. Cleo was the most beloved cat, the little children on my street would rush up to see her when she went out and she would roll over for them allowing them to do anything to her whilst contently purring away and everyone knew her name, honestly she was my best friend and was with me almost 24/7 sharing my bed and while i was off school on study leave over the summer she lay beside me the whole time while i revised. her warm body so comforting on a cold night even if she took up most of the bed! I envisioned her death being a happy one, with cleo all old and fat, falling asleep one last time with us all around her. This was not to be sadly.
On Tuesday my friend was walking home and happened to see a black shape crawling towards him through the bushes, it was Cleo. She had been attacked by a dog and left paralysed in her hind legs but had managed to drag herself over to my friend who she had known since she first arrived all those years ago, but still kept up her loving nature as she was rushed to our home. After bursting into tears at the sight of my favourite girl we rushed to the out of hours clinic at midnight, cleo lieing in my arms, kneeding with her front paws clasped around my arm and purring away even though she must have been in unbearable pain, she was given steroids and many other drugs and we hoped after her clear xray she would recover, but sadly the next day, after managing to stand up for the first time we were hopeful but later on she began to bleed out and her breathing became laboured and with my mother by her side as i was at school she breathed her last. I will never ever forget her, and the profound effect shes had on my life, constantly loving regardless of anything rest in peace cleo love you forever and i miss her so so much honestly it feels like my stomach has been ripped out, i just wanted people to know her story and how much of a profound effect she had on my life and on other peoples x

Hi, atlantic, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Cleo. 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 to tragic circumstanaces intensifies the grief.

Atlantic, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is filled with so many different emotions that usually overwhelm us all at once -- it is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. Please let me try to reassure you that what you are feeling is very normal deep grief - - very painful both emotionally and physically, yes - - still very normal. This grief journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Cleo, and it is a journey that cannot be rushed. Unfortunately there are no fast forward or delete buttons you can press that will speed up the process or make it immeidately disappear. 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. The deep sorrow that is in your heart will not diminish in an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months. But I promise you, atlantic, that one day when you least expect it you will be thinking of your beloved Cleo and you will find yourself smiling - - truly smiling - - and this is what your beloved Cleo wants for you. She wants you to remember her with a happy heart - - even when there is tear on your cheek and a quiver to your chin. But until that time arrives for you, atlantic, it is important that you allow yourself the opportunity to openly grieve for your beloved Cleo for as long as you need -- as you feel comfortable doing so.

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

I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. One of the many things you need to remember in your grief journey is that you are not alone. 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.

Thank you so very much for sharing your beloved Cleo with us, atlantic. 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, atlantic, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Atlantic
Please let me offer my sincerest condolences.
It sounds to me that Cleo was very lucky to have you as a soulmate (and vice versa no doubt).
Indeed, it is a very sad ending to a wonderful life.
Try to focus on the happy and warm memories. They will eventually triumph over the sadness and grief.

Dear Atlantic

I could only read as far as to what happened to Cleo--my heart just broke for you----I know how hard it is to cope with the death of a loved pet when they are ill and you know they are going to die----loosing them thru something horrible is devastating and heartbreaking---I have been thru the death of my kitties in both situations.

Time lets the hurt get less---but you have to go thru all the feelings you will experience. Be patient and strong!!!!!

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
-Author Unknown

Atlantic, please accept my sincere sympathies on the loss of your beloved Cleo. I am so sorry that she died in such a tragic way. It must hurt so much to have fought for her and you had hope that she might recover only to lose her the next day. Your little Cleo loved you so much and tried to hang on for your sake, what a brave little cat. It makes it so much harder having had hope for her recovery only to see that hope fade away. My heart goes out to you. Please take good care of yourself.

I would like to say a massive thankyou to you all for your support, honestly it means the world.
It sounds cliched but i think time really does heal, it's been a week and i still feel the emptiness in my heart whenever i am alone, especially when I am in my bed where i no longer have my sleeping companion but i feel it's gradually improving everyday and i feel i am thriving in the company of others where even for a minute i can take my mind off things. The massive ache in my heart really does show the profound effect animals do have on us and i never expected to experience emotions of this magnitude but i just have to carry on, as we all do. However as a family we have took the decision that someday soon, when the time is right we will open our hearts to another special soul and plan to someday rescue another animal in need x
thank you all so much
here is my cleo
you brought out the best in me, will never forget you
Click to view attachment

Atlantic, thanks for sharing this precious picture. Cleo was a beautiful black cat, and seeing this picture makes me just want to pick her up and cuddle her. She looks like she was such a gentle and good-natured kitty.

Hi, atlantic, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for the wonderful picture of your beloved Cleo. She is very stunning in her red collar.

Please know that we are here for you, atlantic, for as long and as often as you need us. There are no expiration dates here for sharing with us how you're doing.

I hope today is treating you kindly, atlantic, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Cleo's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam