My cat died today :(

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   ryankettposted 14 years ago

   He was 17 years old, and my best friend
   
   He didn't even die in a nice way... I feel so upset.... he got hit by a car and had to be put down an hour or so ago...

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      LiamBeanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That really sucks ryan!
      
      If it's any consolation seventeen is a very long life for a cat.
      
      I'm sure he had a good one with you too.

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      fyxerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      sorry to hear about your loss,pet can be ones closest friend i lost a pet about thirty years ago and even though so many years has passed i still think about him every now and then--my dog his name was--lion.

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      Sunny Baldwinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      so very sad. I am truely sorry. It is hard to lose a fur friend of so many years. I too have a best budcat. We have been together now 20 years. His name is Beavis the Butthead. He drools, has no front teeth, horrible breath,a crabby disposition,and has never once sat on my lap. He is however still very healthy for his age and has always been the most loyal friend I have ever had. Remember your pal with the love and devotion that he gave to you and in days to come, the pain will ease into only pleasant memories of your best friend.

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         ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That sounds like Ralph, he had hardly any teeth, dribbled, had *ahem* toilet troubles, bad breath, was slow and lazy, but he was still a happy and healthy cat.... he was just an old man. Although sitting on my lap and sleeping on me was a daily occurance.... his old age is no consolation though, because the vet told me that he still had a few very healthy years left

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      zampanoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry about your cat, kid.
      17 years is a very honorable age for a cat to live.
      
      Mine was called felix and when he was young, there was a question about castrating him.
      At the time, I lived in a house with my wife and my two daughters. Me and three women...
      I was rather happy watching him go out at night and coming back at no hours. I always fed him when he came back at night (I often worked in my home bureau very late) and my wife used to say half jokingly that he was my alter-ego.
      Once in a while he would just stay a couple days away. It was always a joy when he came back. Sometimes a bit banged up.
      We had a pretty good relation. He was a small kitty when he came live with us and I used to spend hours playing with him.
      I was so violently opposed to his castration that my women plus the veterinary (who is a woman too) just stopped talking about it.
      And we had 5 peaceful years. Felix and us.
      Well he was absolutely free and somehow I was happy with that situation.
      But one day he started to thin, having infection over infection and the veterinary diagnosed a kind of cat's aids.
      Before his 5th birthday we had to get him injected to die.
      He was so weakened, he could barely stand. The veterinary told us that was the only solution, because he would never heal and the rest of his life would be made of painful sickness.
      Today, my daughters are 24 and 23 and we still recall felix as one of the family sometimes when we gather together.
      Sorry but I could'n help telling you this, Ryan.
      Get a kitty, maybe

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         ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Definitely no kitty! I still have one cat.... shes only 9.... and if that one goes, it will be a dog.... next one is defo a dog Probably a whippet... I would get a St Bernard but it would probably cost me $10 a day to feed one of those!
         
         Sorry to hear about your cat too, but hey... I bet he had a fair bit of fun at some stage sorry, shouldn't laugh but it's better than being upset? 
         
         You are right though, they are a member of the family, just like a cousin or an uncle or a best friend, they have their own personalities and memories just like us... and a underestimated loyalty.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm so sorry!
      I had a cat named Ashes for 15 years or so.  Had to have him put to sleep a few years back.
      I cried and cried.
      I know how you feel.

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      Luciendaskyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am so sorry... I hope you are ok....

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      Friendlywordposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I left my window open for a minute and mine was gone.  I cried for 2 days.  My sister gave me a kitten on the third day. It made the pain tens times easier to bear.  Get you a Kitten right away.
      
      I was upset when my family suggested it to me. I said I would never have another cat again.  No cat could replace my Miss Charlotte.  But, my sister walked into my house with my little Pearl.  That was all she wrote. Trust me, it helps.

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      keira7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Ryan, my son lost his cat 2 years ago and I do understand how you feel. I am so sorry. Take care my friend and be strong. God Bless.

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   Miss Belgraviaposted 14 years ago

   Ryankett -- I'm so sorry. I've loved and lost many pets over the years, and it's never easy. I too had a 17-year-old cat, who died the day before I had planned to have him put to sleep. He was kind enough to save me from that last difficult act. When I have lost a beloved pet, I have always consoled myself by knowing that although their lives are too short, the years they had with me were better than they would have been with anyone else. As time goes on, you will remember all the good things about your cat, and forget about the end. The love and care you showed him for those 17 years is what is important, not the sad ending. Take care.

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      ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your reply, I am telling myself how well loved he was and how easy his life was, I know that he could have had a much shorter life - especially as a British born cat, we have much more congestion so many get run over! I think it's just the way that he died, I feel so bad about that, It's not even selfish remorse.... It's not because I am going to miss him (although I am) its just that he would have had a lot less pain etc.. if he had health problems and we put him to sleep.
      
      He got hit full on in the head, but not his body, and he was still moving about and stuff... but his head was mangled and the vet said that he was brain damaged. Its strange because I didnt actually see any of this, my neighbours found him and took him to the vets... who then gave him the injection. I cant work out if I am glad that I didnt see it or if I wished I had seen it, because I would have known that it was the right thing. I think its just that I would rather him have died instantly instead of experiencing bad injuries, much like I would if I had a high speed car crash and was badly brain damaged...

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         Leta Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Poor thing.  I've had two cats that died in not nice ways--one was run over, but she died instantly.
         
           One thing I guess you can say is that your cat had a very long and happy life.  Many don't.
         
         Aaaaaaah.

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   TimTurnerposted 14 years ago

   Oh wow...sorry to hear that
   
   He's still with you though!

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   RooBeeposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to hear, Ryan, that really sucks big time - Hopefully he's enjoying that great big ball of string in the sky...
   Glad he had a long life with a caring companion like you!

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   ryankettposted 14 years ago

   Cheers Roobee and TimTurner, unfortunately I am an athiest so I don't believe that he is still with me - my girlfriend is telling herself that he is in 'cat heaven' so I am happy to play along.... but I just keep telling myself that if my company gave him half as much pleasure as his gave to me then he would have had a good life.
   
   I have pretty much been expecting the day for a few years now, 17 years is a very long time for his breed, but I never expected to be this upset to be honest.... but he was part of the family

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   SandyMcCollumposted 14 years ago

   So so so so sorry! ((((HUG))))
   
   I had a 17yo and the exact same thing happened, but mine was a she named HOBO.
   
   Sending healing vibes your way, till you two meet up again one day. (((((((((((((((((((((((((
   
   *Sandy

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   Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

   I am very sorry to hear this too, Ryankett! I have lost cats and I know how much it hurts!

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   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   I'm sorry Ryan. It's hard to lose a pet, especially when being hit by a car. 17 is a good life for a cat though and you will always have your memories of him.

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   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   Thats so sad   I'm so sorry to hear you had to go through that.

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    ryankettposted 14 years ago

    Thanks for the support guys, I know that he had a good innings! Still hard though, because us humans have something called 'emotions'.... my girlfriend was attached to him too, is crying lots and stuff....
    
    We still have 1 cat left (Ezzy), but if I am honest.... Ralph (the deceased) was everybodies favourite. Ezzy will be in for lots of attention for a while though, she has lots of love too.... not sure that she is clever enough to understand where Ralph went though!

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    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    oh.. so sorry Ryan.. so hard to lose a pet. really big hugs~~~
    amazing you had him for 17 years, wow, no wonder it's so hard.
    my heart to you.

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    rmcrayneposted 14 years ago

    So sorry for your loss Ryan.  I can only imagine the additional emotions caused, as you said, by it being by a car instead of natural causes.  In time, I hope that the memories of the happy times surpass the sorrow.

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    EmpressFelicityposted 14 years ago

    It's always horrible when one of your cats dies, no matter how good an innings they had.  Our three are well into their teens so the next few years could mean one or more of them pop their clogs.  Not looking forward to that at all

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    blondepoetposted 14 years ago

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss, animals are not just animals they are part of our family. I believe in animal heaven, and he will be up there running through the fields..

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    ryankettposted 14 years ago

    Cheers guys for your supportive messages.
    
    Maybe I could bring myself to believe in an animal god, far removed from any human religion, and that way he can go to 'cat heaven' without the bible having anything to do with it.
    
    I do love the idea of him still being here spiritually, but I just wouldn't be able to relate that to myself remaining anywhere spiritually after death.
    
    Maybe a bit of intense reading is needed tomorrow.... I could write a hub on my experiences of grieving over him or something, could help others....

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    Sally's Troveposted 14 years ago

    My last kitty, Ed, died May 22, 2008. He was just about your kitty's age, but his going was different.  He'd been ill for a long time.
    
    I want to share with you some words that helped my through my pain when Ed died.  These words were given to me in writing by the emergency care facility that helped Ed through his final hours.
    
    These words made me cry that day, but in the days that have passed, I've gathered strength from them.
    
    My heart is with you.
    
    http://www.rainbowbridge.com/Poem.htm

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       ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Many thanks for that, I will pass that over to my girlfriend... she is more upset than me, and believes in 'cat heaven'

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    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    Oh Ryan, Your posts break my little cat-loving heart.
    So many "what if's" and "if only's" in your post.
    It ALWAYS hurts to lose a pet. Whether they've only lived with you for a few days or have been your loyal companion for 17 years. (I've experienced both).
    And, in my experience, it doesn't really matter how the pet dies. It's always a shock in the end. I think we take it much harder than animals.Goes back to that "emotions" thing you mentioned.
    
    Be gentle with yourself and with your girlfriend and with Ezzy.
    You've lost a member of your family!
    
    If you feel up to it, maybe you could write a HUB about the experience. Hubbing about grief can be really, really cathartic!
    Hugs to you, MM

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    ryankettposted 14 years ago

    Cheers everyone for your kind words.... hopefully I am now qualified to give people the same support in the future!

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    frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

    I too am sorry to hear of the loss of your cat Ryan. They become more than just an animal - they inter-twine and become a part of the family.
    
    I echo others ... he had a great life, focus on that.
    
    I lost one of mine in April, her end was also not what I would have wished for her. I cried buckets and even now feel misty eyed when I think of her.

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    blue dogposted 14 years ago

    be strong, ryan.
    
    as you and mighty mom have suggested, put your thoughts at this time into words.  it's very therapeutic, cleansing almost.

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    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your loss Ryan. It sucks when you lose a friend.
    regards Zsuzsy

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    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear that.

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    Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear of losing such a friend, RK least you can take comfort knowing he has your love.

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    lrohnerposted 14 years ago

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss, Ryan. Big hugs.

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    habeeposted 14 years ago

    Oh, Ryan - I'm so sorry to  hear that. I know how it is to give your heart to an animal. Sending a cyber hug!

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    cosetteposted 14 years ago

    
    
    i'm so sorry about your sweet little (((cat))).
    
    
    
    
    
    

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    Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

    Ryan, I am so sorry.  Thinking of you.

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    ryankettposted 14 years ago

    Thanks to everybody else for their messages....

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    zampanoposted 14 years ago

    Good !
    You still got one to cherish.

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       ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Oops, just edited my reply

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    Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years ago

    

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    habeeposted 14 years ago

    Ryan, when you're selecting a dog, consider a Great Dane. They're big, but they don't eat much because they're such couch potatoes. I've written several hubs about mine if you'd like to learn more about the breed.
    
    I know you and your other kitty will miss the departed one.

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    thranaxposted 14 years ago

    Sorry about your cat Ryan.
    
    ~thranax~

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    A Texanposted 14 years ago

    We have a 17 year old cat also!
    
    Sorry about your cat Ryan!

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    Cheeky Chickposted 14 years ago

    Oh Ryan, I know how much this hurts.  Ralph sounds like he was an extraordinary cat and a true friend.  There's really nothing that compares to the love one gets from a pet. 
    
    If I could, I would reach out and give you a hug, and cry with you for a bit.  I am tearful right now just reading about how you lost your beloved cat.
    
    The only thing that has helped me deal with a loss like this is pouring all that love and emotion onto another pet.  I'm glad you have Ezzy.  Ezzy will help you get through this.
    
    Good luck.  My thoughts are with you.
    
    XOXO
    
    Cheeky

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    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    Ryan, so sorry to hear that.  I know what it's like to lose a long-time "friend".  My most recent one was my fifteen-year-old cat, and - really - I couldn't believe how awful I felt.
    
    I just kept telling myself that we're all here on "on our own, individual, terms" and that it was not within my power to do anything about her dying.  Thinking about how they were among the animals who had someone care about them can help.  So many animals don't have that.   There's no getting it around it, though, it's a rotten thing to lose a pet.

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    B.C. BOUTIQUEposted 14 years ago

    Oh my gosh..You just brought a tear to my eye..you made me remember how my daughters Tonkinese cat, "Joker" passed away, he snuck out of the house ( all my animals are inside pets, the dogs go out to "potty" and exercise, but always under supervision) and the neighbor up the road had a baited illegal kill trap..his head was squashed immedialy and my daughters boyfriend found him..I wasnt even allowed to see the cat burried..all i know is me and my daughter had to stay inside while my husband and her boyfriend cut the trap to peices to get Joker out and bury him..I turned them in to the ASPCA because kill traps are illegal in Ohio..you can only have catch and release, or HUMANE, traps..
    I really feel for you, Im so sorry to hear this has happened

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    NaomiRposted 14 years ago

    I'm so sorry, Ryan. Having lost two myself, I know how much this hurts.

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    emievilposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear that Ryan.

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Oh Ryan sweety! I am sooo sorry you had to lose your pet that way. *HUGS* I am here for you sweety!

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    sabrebIadeposted 14 years ago

    I'm sorry Ryan....
    We do animal rescues and we have seen so many little friends come and go.
    We've cared for sick ones no one else wanted and been there for their last moments.
    It never gets easy.
    I really do know how you feel.
    I'm even to starting to mist up typing this.
    I wish I had a magic word to make all your pain go away.

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    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    Oh Ryan, I'm sorry. Once I was driving down the road and saw a cat in the middle of the street who had been hit by a car. I pulled over, ran into the street, grabbed her in my arms and ran to the sidewalk. She was breathing and looked at me, but she was just too hurt. I took off her pink collar and held her in my arms. I was just glad she didn't have to die alone.

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