The cat that has been my companion for the last 8 months died this morning. He was very ill and I guess his body just gave up. I am very devastated by this because not only did I love this cat very much, but this is my first time dealing with the death of a pet. I have been sobbing all day knowing that I will never see him again. That I won't be able to pet him and scratch his head as he loved for me to do. At this very moment, I would have been preparing his dinner and he would be waiting right there for it. How do I get through this painful period? I know a lot of people may say, "It's just a cat; get over it", but he was a friend who enjoyed my company as much as I did his. Any support would be very helpful. Thank you.

ChillyC29

I'm so sorry for the loss or your fur baby. Trust me, nobody here will ever say "It's just a cat, get over it" This site is about reaching out to others who have lost a companion and trying to get through the healing process. No matter how much time we are blessed with our beloved companions here on earth, it never seems like enough. I know you are going through a painful time of "firsts" as you illustrated in that it normally would have been his dinner time. Know that there are many caring people who are here for you in your grief journey. Perhaps when you are feeling up to it, you can tell us more about him and maybe post a picture. Take care, and God Bless.

TTT (Tracy, Theresa, and Tang)

So sorry for your loss. The first time or the tenth time - it doesn't get any easier. Sending you hugs!

Hi, Chilly, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved companion. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company.

Chilly, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is filled with many different emotions that can overwhelm us all at one time - - it is a journey that is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. It is a journey that cannot be reconciled in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months - - for as Tom's Dad has so comfortingly shared with you - - you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" and the memories of "this time yesterday, last week, last month, etc." to endure.

Some people think that if they suppress their grief that it will make the physical loss of their beloved companion less painful. However, clinical studies prove the opposite - - for to suppress your grief literally only adds additional stress to your body which will eventually need to be dealt with at some point in time - - and can lead to potentially serious medical challenges. Scientific studies prove that the tears we cry are literally healing tears - - for they literally cleanse our bodies from the toxins that build up through the stress of grieving. So, go ahead and cry, Chilly, - - even if you need to do so privately - - it is important that you give yourself the opportunity to openly grieve for your beloved companion.

We live in a physically oriented world governed by the 5 senses of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound. Every time our companions lick / kiss us, rub against us, etc., they are literally chemically imprinting themselves onto us so that they can identify us from the millions of other people on the planet. When they precede us to the angels, our bodies literally go through a chemical withdrawal - - which is one of the many reasons why this grief journey is both physically and emotionally painful.

In the midst of your deepest sorrow there is good news - - the love bond you and your beloved companion share is eternal - - it is not dependent upon the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved companion's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey as he always has and always will - - for he is always and forever in your heart and memories, Chilly - - he is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

From first hand experience I do so understand that when our hearts are in deep sorrow there really are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the deep seering pain of sorrow. Still, I hope the words I share with you will be able to 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 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 much for sharing your beloved companion with us, Chilly. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture of him with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Chilly, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Chilly

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved fur baby.

Cry as much as you can, it's only to be expected when you have lost a beloved companion. The pain will eventually diminish and be replaced by happy memories, but this takes time. I have experienced this dreadful despair so many times in my 61 years, it never gets easier. We have to remember that every minute we spend with our beloved companions brings so much to our lives, the sad part is that we have to say goodbye to them... for now.

Thinking of you.
Jan and my Angels, Tasha, Noushka and my Pixie who left me so suddenly 29th May. xx

Thank you all for the kind and heart-filled words. Although I'm not ready to post a picture just yet, I will in the future.

He was a black and white long-haired cat who found himself in my front yard one day. He was a stray who at first made a home for himself in the bushes in front of the house. Since he clearly intended to stay, we decided to start feeding him and build a small house for him (he preferred the outdoors). For a while, I thought that he may have been afraid of humans, but after a couple of weeks, when I bent down to see him in his little house, he came out, came very close to me and rubbed against my leg for me to pet him. I remember that he especially liked for me to rub his head. Sometimes I would just sit out there and he would sit next to me or put his head on my lap for me to pet him. Needless to say, I bonded with him pretty quickly. I called him "Kit Kat". Sometimes I would call him "Bootsie" because he had white paws that looked like white boots.

I remember the first time I gave him cat treats. After that, when I approached him with treats, his eyes seemed to light up and he would "meow", almost like he was saying, "Wow! For me?!" He was a wonderful cat and deserved all the love in the world. I'm very sad that he's gone, but I'm feeling a little better knowing that I have these memories of him.

Hi, Chilly, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your treasured memories of your beloved Kit Kat. How so very wonderful that you provided him an "outside" shelter to protect him from the elements. From what you share with us it is obvious that he found his "Forever Home" with you as his "Forever Mom." Now you and you alone are blessed to cherish the memories of his earthly journey, and to be the one who is honored to have his sweet Living Spirit with you throughout your continuing earthly journey wherever you go and whatever you do.

Thank you so much for honoring us in sharing your beloved Kit Kat with us, Chilly. I hope today is treating you kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Kit Kat'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

Hello everyone,

I'm just taking everything one day at a time. Today I woke up from a dream about my beloved Kit Kat. He looked slightly different (he looked furrier), so I wasn't quite sure it was the same cat, but then he approached me and rubbed against my leg like he did when he wanted me to pet him; that's when I knew it was him. I was even able to feel him and hear his purring; it felt real! Then I woke up and realized that he is indeed gone. But I felt okay because I feel it is God's way of letting me know that Kit Kat is with Him. While it will take a little while longer for me to be truly at peace, this dream was a start.

Hello Chilly

Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. What you experienced is not unusual. Let me relate a story of my own. Not quite 6 months after my Sir Thomas crossed over the Bridge, little Tang came into my life via the vet where I take Theresa and had taken Tom. Not long after he came to be with us, he did many Tom like things from the way he sat to jumping on the back of the chair to pet my head with his tail. I was convinced Angel Tom guided him to me. The kicker was a few days later during a thunder storm. Tang was sitting in the bedroom window sill. As I was walking by and looking in that direction, there was a big flash of lightning. For just that split second I'd swear it was Tom looking back at me (he and Tang look nothing alike) For a long time I was sure it was my eyes and mind playing tricks on me. Now I know better. Since then he has also visited me in dreams.

So, I'm sure Kit Kat was reaching out to let you know he is OK, and thinking of you. I hope today is treating you kindly. TTFN


TTT

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your first loss. It must be devastating. No one here is going to say "It was just a cat" or make any other insensitive remark. Your buddy is gone and the only thing that will make your pain lessen is time. Yes, I know, that's a crappy answer. But that's all there is and it is true. Get some sleep, take deep breaths and remember your friend as you cry out your love.