R.I.P pet thread...

[Ninastar]

Or I think it's going to happen on Friday... He's not doing too well and my dad came to see him tonight and couldn't believe how much he has changed

I'm devistated... I don't want to say goodbye

Any tips on how to make the pain easier?

[Vanessa]

Awww, i'm so sorry about this. :sad:

[Ryan57]

Spend as much time as possible with him is all I can advise. Unfortunately, I don't think anything makes it not as bad.

It is heart breaking when they die. :(

[Crimson Dynamo]

There are no tips. Its horrible. I had to hold my big boy cat down as the fecking vet said "ooh normally they are dead by now" - he was a big black killer and death was not for him.

Just give it all the love you can. life and death are the same and we have to embrace both sometimes.

[smudgie]

Awww :hug: Caitlin.

Nothing makes it easy, but you are doing it out of love.

[Z]

Just spend as much time with him and take lots of photos and make sure that cat knows just how much you love it right until the very end; at least you can take solace in knowing that you can say your goodbyes and know that he wasn't hit by a car or didn't run away or otherwise get taken away from you unexpectedly... it hurts now but at least it's not unexpected, I often think that's the worst part about death... when people leave us without us being able to prepare for it in any way - with things like terminal illness, whether it's a pet or a person, you can make preparations for it and even though it's just as awful, you got to have all those beautiful last moments... I'm so sorry to hear that Caitlin :hug: xxx

[AnnieK]

Aw Caitlin, it's sad. When I knew my dog was coming to the end he had all the perks he was never allowed. He slept on my bed, was allowed on the couch and never had dog food, just chicken and steak.....and a lot of cuddles. He was probably sick of me fussing by the end. Just make him comfortable and know you gave him the best life :hug:

[Livia]

I'm so sorry x Cats lives are naturally shorter than ours as we all know, but that doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye because they become part of the family, don't they. Nothing will make it easier, but try to remember that you gave him the best cat life with lots of love and lots of care and if he's suffering, you have made the right choice for him, even though it hurts you x

[Jessica.]

:sad: My cat Socks died in February and I was heart broken, it's very hard to deal with but what I did to make it a bit easier was just think of good memories of her really. She was very important to my whole family and it just makes me happy to think of how much of an impact she made on us in her short life. I don't miss her any less than the first day but it gets easier all the time. It was hardest to cope in the first week or so. The weirdest thing is that we found a little kitten on the road the night before she died and we decided to keep him after about a month, he really helped us heal too.

[T*]

Aw, I know, It's heartbreaking.

Some tips:

Take your mind off it- Do some baking, or just an activity to take your mind off it.
Let it out- Don't hold back; Cry. If you don't, you'll be hurting more.
Remember the good times

[jackc1806]

When we had to put my dog down it was awful :( I suppose I got over it quicker because we had to look after my other dog who was upset also:( it is sad to begin with but eventually you accept what's happened and return to 'normal'. Keep a memento to remind yourself? I kept my dogs collar and it's in a box so when I'm older I'll remember :( take pictures too and try not to worry your cat :)
I'm so sorry :bawling:

[mizzy25]

really really feel for you, infact im in tears now. Having had my oldest dog put down in march I know how your feeling. Not really much you can do apart from what everyone has said. lots of fussing etc.

[mizzy25]

l still don't feel like zak has gone, I even took down his cage (his bed) for a week after it happened as I knew I would be looking for him in the mornings. the day after he died I dozed off on the settee with one of my other dogs, kez and I woke up and swear to god zak was also on the settee with me too. I had a dream about him the other night too. Just tell yourself you are doing the right thing, u don't want the cat too suffer.

[sooty]

Ninastar, I am very sorry to hear it.

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/204/8/c/cat_hug_by_boonsai-d2hguto.jpg

[Ninastar]

thanks everyone... dont know what i'm going to do

totally and utterly heartbroken

i dont know whether or not to go with him to the vets

[Kazanne]

Or I think it's going to happen on Friday... He's not doing too well and my dad came to see him tonight and couldn't believe how much he has changed

I'm devistated... I don't want to say goodbye

Any tips on how to make the pain easier?

Nothing will make it any less painless tbh,just the knowledge you gave him a good life and he couldn't have had anything better really he was loved,fed and part of your life,just cry,you have to,I'm feeling sad for you now,I have been through this a few times.

[GypsyGoth]

Aww :hug:

That's horrible news, I don't envy you at all. I chose not to go to the vets when I was given the option, although now maybe I'd go, I think I was too young then.

Just make sure you give yourself time to grieve. And I think the only true cure for that grief is time.

:love:

[T*]

thanks everyone... dont know what i'm going to do

totally and utterly heartbroken

i dont know whether or not to go with him to the vets

Trust me, don't go, it's horrid.

[Natalie.]

My dog was put down last year and I didn't go, just too horrible

[Cherie]

thanks everyone... dont know what i'm going to do

totally and utterly heartbroken

i dont know whether or not to go with him to the vets

aw so sorry to here that, it is tough, if it were me I would go as it is the last thing you can do for your cat, but of course if is a very personal thing

[mizzy25]

I was in the van @ the vets, but I coudnt bring myself to go in. My partner took him in and stayed with him, said it was all very peaceful. What I would suggest is to go and once you are there, see if you want to go in or not.

[Cherie]

I was in the van @ the vets, but I coudnt bring myself to go in. My partner took him in and stayed with him, said it was all very peaceful. What I would suggest is to go and once you are there, see if you want to go in or not.

Yes that was my experience as well.

[Niamh.]

awww, that's awful Caitlin, what age is he? I guess you just have to think, sometimes we're kinder to our pets then to humans who are suffering

[Kazanne]

I had to be with my dogs when they were put down as I wanted to hold them and cuddle them as they went.It's a personal thing,whatever gets you through it x

[Niamh.]

I think I'd be the same Kazanne, I've had two dogs that died, the first had to be put down and I regret not being there with him, the second died at home with me and I always feel better about her death because I was there

[Ninastar]

He's 19 so a very old boy... Really don't know if I can do it tomorrow

It's happening at 2:30 so I've got the chance if I want to go

I've never felt so down in my life

[Kazanne]

I think I'd be the same Kazanne, I've had two dogs that died, the first had to be put down and I regret not being there with him, the second died at home with me and I always feel better about her death because I was there

Yes,I held mine while she was put to sleep,it broke my heart but saw how peacefully she went and felt I owed it to her to be there at the end, as I was in the beginning,:bawling: we are a soft hearted lot.

[Niamh.]

He's 19 so a very old boy... Really don't know if I can do it tomorrow

It's happening at 2:30 so I've got the chance if I want to go

I've never felt so down in my life

oh wow that's a great age he got to. Maybe you should just say goodbye to him beforehand then if you don't feel you can do it? :hug: For me I think I felt bad about my first dog and not being there because it all seemed very rushed, i didn't say goodbye to him properly and I hated the Vet

[Kazanne]

He's 19 so a very old boy... Really don't know if I can do it tomorrow

It's happening at 2:30 so I've got the chance if I want to go

I've never felt so down in my life

It's an awful feeling Ninastar,but 19 is a great age for a cat,he must have been happy and looked after just hold on to that,YOU gave him a good life,some animals have a terrible time,he did good,you did good.

[Ninastar]

I think that's what I'm going to have to do

I just feel so sick

[Ninastar]

Can't believe is gone now...

R.I.P Mufasa (Puss)

I don't look to good here, but I wanted to take a picture like this before he died...

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1507640_10152493409837975_52469994149451794_n.jpg

kinda just shows how old he is... I'll miss him so so much. just glad he is at peace now.

[lily.]

Caitlin, if you feel that you can... then try to be with him when he passes.. I know it's hard and some people can't handle going in to the vet for the final journey.. but I think it helps them to know you're there for them right at the end.. x

[Ninastar]

its too late now, L... I said goodbye before he went to the vet and i think its all i could do. He's in a better place now, the vet said it would be kindest to put him down

[lily.]

Oh Caitlin, I'm so sorry, I only read the first page of this thread..

[lily.]

And, yes, it is kindest. My Jarvis was 17 and we had to take him at the end as well, as his heart was failing. It's the kindest thing you can do for them, even though it breaks your heart.

When we lost our OJ at 13, I made a scrapbook to help the kids to cope with it, but to be honest, it helped me too.. I just used a ring binder, A4 paper, polly pockets, photos and glue.. and we stuck the photos in and wrote little things about him beside the photos..

[Natalie.]

Sorry that he's gone :( at least he had a good long life with you as his owner

[InOne]

It's good he had a long and wonderful life with you. Hope you're okay Caitlin, it's awful losing a family pet :hug:

[MTVN]

Ah sorry to hear Caitlin :( my cats are getting on a lot now as well, both about 14 and a lot less mobile then they used to be. Going peacefully after a good long life is the best way to go at least though

[Kazanne]

Sorry about that,have been thinking about you.
http://www.cathappy.net/images/rainbowphotos/RainbowBridgeGailHogan2.jpg

[Crimson Dynamo]

Sorry about that,have been thinking about you.
http://www.cathappy.net/images/rainbowphotos/RainbowBridgeGailHogan2.jpg

There is no rainbow bridge. The cat is dead and does not now exist.:nono:

Only time will heal the broken heart. I still cant listen to a certain song that reminds me of when my big devil dog died 3 years ago, in fact i turned it right off the other day Ken Bruce played it.

[lily.]

LT.. dial it back a bit.. I don't believe in stuff like that either, but there's no harm in posting it when someone has just lost a pet..

[Crimson Dynamo]

LT.. dial it back a bit.. I don't believe in stuff like that either, but there's no harm in posting it when someone has just lost a pet..

Only reality will help you through grief but i take your point. Sorry to Kazanne and cat lady

[Cherie]

Ninastar you and your family did your cat a great kindness to let him go, it showed how much you cared and to have 19 years with him is pretty amazing.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Shame on you LT, this thread is no place to air your religious views, which in fairness most will be well acquainted with already.

Ninastar you and your family did your cat a great kindness to let him go, it showed how much you cared and to have 19 years with him is pretty amazing.

Religious views?

eh?

[Niamh.]

aww sorry Caitlin :hug:

[Crimson Dynamo]

animals are as good as humans and many times better.

one day we will see them as equals

[Ninastar]

Thanks everyone... that picture made me choke up again but in a good way. might not be religious but i still like to think he's in a better place. LT, I thought better of you than to talk about your non-beliefs in a thread like this... sigh.

[Novo]

i hope we get to walk over a rainbow like that when we snuff it

[jackc1806]

Aww :( I'm so sorry, I was devastated after my dog was put down. It gets easier after time, thinking of you :love:

http://www.scenicreflections.com/files/Cat%20in%20Heaven%20Wallpaper__yvt2.jpg

[HD]

It sounds like it was for the best and in the long run the kindest thing to do!

It's awful losing a pet, especially when you've had them for so long - they're part of the family, simple as.

He is at peace now and that's the best way to look at it.

--
also some would do good to remember "A time & a place". This ain't either.

[lily.]

In fairness to LT.. he apologised for his comment.

Take care Caitlin. x

[Ninastar]

fair enough, but nothing like that should have been said anyway

[GypsyGoth]

:hug: :love:

[Ninastar]

Thanks :love:

[Ammi]

..Caitlin..:hug:..you know that it was the right thing for him but I know it's still painful...

[Ninastar]

thanks ammi... feeling a lot better now but still seeing things like cat bowls and random clumps of fur is upsetting.

it still doesnt seem real.

[lily.]

It does take a while Caitlin, especially when they had such a long life..

It gets better though. You'll still miss him. It will just hurt a wee bit less each day.

x

[Ninastar]

been okay for ages but just got really upset tonight... just want a cuddle from him

is this normal?

[Niamh.]

aww :hug: I had to have my dog Curly put down a week ago, had him 12 years, longer then I even know Gav. It's heart breaking :(

[Marsh.]

I expected a kitty resurrection when I saw the thread update. :shocked:

[HD]

been okay for ages but just got really upset tonight... just want a cuddle from him

is this normal?

Very normal, I still miss my dog and it's been years :hug:

[Novo]

It doesn't seem normal to Marsh I don't think

[Ninastar]

aww :hug: I had to have my dog Curly put down a week ago, had him 12 years, longer then I even know Gav. It's heart breaking :(

Sorry to hear that Niamh... how did the kids take it?

Very normal, I still miss my dog and it's been years :hug:

okay, thank god haha... just randomly burst out crying and havent been able to stop

[Shaun]

:love: to u

[LaLaLand]

Thoughts are with you Ninastar. Literally nothing worse than losing a dog/cat imo. I get more upset when pets pass away than people as weird as that may sound.

I still miss my two dogs every day even with the ones I have now, your sadness is totally understandable. Stay strong! x

[Marsh.]

It doesn't seem normal to Marsh I don't think

:smug:

[GypsyGoth]

just randomly burst out crying and havent been able to stop

:hug:

[Ninastar]

thanks guys... thought i was over it. its been over a month

[Marsh.]

How long did you have the cat?

[Ninastar]

19 years... a neighbour found him when he was tiny and we had to feed him with medicine syringes

[GypsyGoth]

thanks guys... thought i was over it. its been over a month

I think that's just the way grief works, it kinda comes at you in stages, and there's no time limit for it.


:love:

[Niamh.]

Sorry to hear that Niamh... how did the kids take it?



okay, thank god haha... just randomly burst out crying and havent been able to stop

They were upset but kids are better at this stuff I think

[Marsh.]

Wow, well that's a very long time for a cat.

[AnnieK]

Aw....I miss my cat that we lost last year still. My little boy still thinks she's coming back and told me when she does we can give the two we have now back to "that lady".

[Niamh.]

Aw....I miss my cat that we lost last year still. My little boy still thinks she's coming back and told me when she does we can give the two we have now back to "that lady".

aww :laugh: My son was 8 when our other dog Sophie died, a few weeks after she died we decided to get a puppy to keep Curly company (he wasn't impressed at all lol) Luke cried in the car the whole way to where we were picking her up

[AnnieK]

aww :laugh: My son was 8 when our other dog Sophie died, a few weeks after she died we decided to get a puppy to keep Curly company (he wasn't impressed at all lol) Luke cried in the car the whole way to where we were picking her up

Aw....:lovedup:

[lily.]

been okay for ages but just got really upset tonight... just want a cuddle from him

is this normal?

Yes. I still get moments when I miss mine, and it's been years now.

Do you have any other pets?

[Ryan57]

Totally normal. I still think about my female cat to this day and she died in 2005.

[lily.]

I still have one cat left... not that he replaces the ones I lost, but he fills a wee gap in some ways.. he started sitting in the spot beside me where my old ginger boy used to lie.. and he started coming up onto my bed to greet me in the morning when I get up.. which was Jarvis' job... Because they all lived together, they all had roles, now he does a bit of everything.

My first cat used to always appear by my side if I was ill. If I suddenly ran to the toilet to be sick, he would be there sitting by the bath. If I was upset about something and crying, he would appear. If I was in my bed with a cold or something, he would jump up and sit with me. It was weird. When he went, one of my other cats took over that role.

I think I would be totally lost without a pet in the house. I miss the 3 I've lost but when I start to feel sad about it, I just pet the one I still have and it makes me feel a wee bit better.

[Suze]

been okay for ages but just got really upset tonight... just want a cuddle from him

is this normal?

:hug:

Totally normal. You never stop missing your pets, or family and friends when they pass, but every so often something sparks off something in you :( and you just want them there for a cuddle again. Even when sad, at least they are there in our thoughts :hug:

[Ninastar]

thanks everyone... i think its because he was our first ever pet, it hit us the hardest.

We have a rabbit, L, but I'd rather not have her... She's basically a weapon of mass destruction

[michael21]

thanks everyone... i think its because he was our first ever pet, it hit us the hardest.

We have a rabbit, L, but I'd rather not have her... She's basically a weapon of mass destruction

is it a real pet or a sex toy xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox :laugh:

[lily.]

thanks everyone... i think its because he was our first ever pet, it hit us the hardest.

We have a rabbit, L, but I'd rather not have her... She's basically a weapon of mass destruction


I have 2 of them free-ranging in my garden.. and they're mental. We only put them in the hutch at night.

[Ninastar]

I have 2 of them free-ranging in my garden.. and they're mental. We only put them in the hutch at night.

really? how do you go about that? we cant leave her out because cats and these massive birds that steal pets fly about our area

[Ammi]

thanks everyone... i think its because he was our first ever pet, it hit us the hardest.

We have a rabbit, L, but I'd rather not have her... She's basically a weapon of mass destruction

..:laugh:..you always seem to have had a hate/hate relationship with your rabbit...

[Ammi]

..oh crikey that did sound the most dodgy thing to say/you know what I mean..

[Ninastar]

..:laugh:..you always seem to have had a hate/hate relationship with your rabbit...

lmao definitely

i love her but god i hate her at the same time... i just wish she was a sweet cuddly rabbit instead of the mess that she is

[Ammi]

lmao definitely

i love her but god i hate her at the same time... i just wish she was a sweet cuddly rabbit instead of the mess that she is

..I had a rabbit when I was younger as well and she was the Satan spawn who really did just want to kill me or at least give me rabies or something..I don't understand the irony of making something look so adorable cute and having the character of a serial killer or why Glenn flaunts my pain and nightmares around the forum in his sigs...I think it's like people though, you just have to try to see their lovely bits as well and I'm sure she probably has nice ears...( a bit like devil ears..:laugh:..)...

..she's laughing at you though Caitlin, you really need to take charge of this situation and ration her lettuce and then see how she likes those apples...

[lily.]

really? how do you go about that? we cant leave her out because cats and these massive birds that steal pets fly about our area

Our back garden is fully fenced in and cats are scared of rabbits. Seriously, you know rabbits are the devil, Caitlin.. you should see what they do to cats who dare use our garden as a shortcut.. they chase them down!

The thing about cats is that they like to hunt and kill, but they don't like to be chased. They're used to the things they hunt running away, so when they do the stalking thing then the wee bum-shake-pounce thing and the rabbit not only doesn't run away, but runs towards the cat they get this 'wtf just happened' reaction. It's actually hilarious. If I see a cat come near my garden, I usually wait and watch.... and usually five minutes later the cat is tanking off down the street to get away!

We don't have a bird problem so much, although there are crows the size of cats and the gulls can be a nuisance, but as long as the rabbits have hiding places then it's not an issue. Rabbits are natural prey animals so they see/hear stuff coming long before we do and they take cover. We have 2 old pallets in our garden, and they can scoot under there if they feel threatened. Also, they can get into, behind and under their hutch, as it is left open during the day. They tend to co-exist with the crows... and don't really bother each other.

I think the only threat I would be genuinely concerned about is dogs. But, if a dog appears in the field behind our house, they notice it first. They do the wee meerkat thing and stand on their back legs really still watching and listening.

They've been free-ranging for years now and nothing has happened. They're hardier than people give them credit for. I only lock them away at night because there are a lot more predators at night and bunnies can't see in the dark very well... their vision is best at dusk and dawn.

The family next door have started free-ranging theirs now [they have 5]... at first they were concerned and asked me about it, but obviously seeing that mine have come to no harm, they're doing it too.

I think it makes for happier bunnies, but they're still not soft/cuddly and they're still masters of mayhem.. I agree with what Ammi said... nature made them look so soft and fluffy but they are evil lol

[lily.]

Sorry to hijack your thread Caitlin, but one of my wee gerbils has died. :( Her sister is awfully upset. :(

[Ammi]

Sorry to hijack your thread Caitlin, but one of my wee gerbils has died. :( Her sister is awfully upset. :(

..awww Lily..:sad:...

[Ninastar]

Sorry to hijack your thread Caitlin, but one of my wee gerbils has died. :( Her sister is awfully upset. :(

don't worry... aww i'm so sorry to hear that. I'll change the thread title so that other people can post here too.

I was so sad when we lost our hamster this year. Even the smallest of animals have the best of personalities... Do you think you'll get another gerbil for the sister or no?

hope you're okay xx

[lily.]

We got them from a family with young kids.. they were already a year old... but the family felt that they were unsuitable pets for the age of the kids because they weren't able to handle them properly... so they were rehoming them..

We've had them for a year and a half.. so they will be around two and a half years old.. Apparently three is old for a gerbil, so I think Alice just died of 'old age'. We buried her in the garden today. Phoebe seems okay, but is obviously missing her.. I have read that it's difficult to get an older female to accept a new cage-mate so I think we'll have to leave Phoebe on her own to adjust.. :( I don't know if we'll lose Phoebe soon ... I guess that might happen...

http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xpa1/10499312_494983830645465_570432014_n.jpg

Alice is in the front..

[Ninastar]

Awww they are both adorable!

It's sad how attached we get to them for them to them only live for like 2 months, you know? :sad:

Hope you and your daughter are okay!

[Ninastar]

Wow... I can't believe how fast this year has gone, but I was reminded by Timehop today that it's been a year since we had our cat put down. I know it doesn't count until tomorrow, but I took my last few pics with him exactly a year ago today and I saw one with him cuddling my mum and I burst out crying for the first time in a long time...

I'm just glad knowing he's at peace now though :)

[Lostie!]

In July it will be a year since my cat died, too. I kind of wish I came across this thread at the time, it's a really nice idea for people to be able to share their experiences and talk with others about it.

You're very right Chaos, as hard as it is to lose them we know that it's the kindest thing if nothing else can be done. I hope you're doing okay. :) <3

And that's a lovely picture of your gerbils, Lily. :)

[MattySlug]

R.I.P. Simba, Snoop & Mickey.