Lady Florida. Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 We're all a bit of a mess right now, even dh. It happened so suddenly. Friday night his breathing seemed a little labored. Saturday he slept a lot, even for a cat. By Sunday, it was obvious what was happening. This morning while we were trying to decide if we should take him to be put down, he died naturally. Ds, who doesn't know life without Simba, dug a hole in the back yard, and the three of us took turns covering him. :crying: I had a weird, inappropriate moment where I flashed to the scene of Dobby's burial. We've spent the past year or so wondering how much longer he'd be with us, and trying to prepare ourselves, but he was actually pretty healthy for his age. So even though we knew it could happen any time, it still caught us off guard. Silly as it sounds, I'm not going to make ds to do his schoolwork today. He's the type who needs to grieve alone, and is in his room now, with his dog, doing just that. Simba was really dss' cat. He bought him at a pet store shortly after he graduated high school. When he and a buddy went off to firefighter school in St. Augustine a few months later, I convinced him to leave the kitten with us. A young single guy wouldn't have time to devote to a kitten. So, we've often jokingly said he's dss' cat but we raised him. He was a gorgeous cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Sorry for your loss. :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm so sorry. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Simba was certainly a regal, gorgeous cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappyhappymama Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm sorry. :grouphug: Even when you know it's coming and they've lived a long life, it's still hard and sad. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: I'm sorry. Our kitties are much beloved family members around here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: I'm so sorry! We have a 16 yr old kitty and I know my kids (and dh and I) will be very sad when she dies. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick_Mom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 We're all a bit of a mess right now, even dh. It happened so suddenly. Friday night his breathing seemed a little labored. Saturday he slept a lot, even for a cat. By Sunday, it was obvious what was happening. This morning while we were trying to decide if we should take him to be put down, he died naturally. Ds, who doesn't know life without Simba, dug a hole in the back yard, and the three of us took turns covering him. :crying: I had a weird, inappropriate moment where I flashed to the scene of Dobby's burial. We've spent the past year or so wondering how much longer he'd be with us, and trying to prepare ourselves, but he was actually pretty healthy for his age. So even though we knew it could happen any time, it still caught us off guard. Silly as it sounds, I'm not going to make ds to do his schoolwork today. He's the type who needs to grieve alone, and is in his room now, with his dog, doing just that. Simba was really dss' cat. He bought him at a pet store shortly after he graduated high school. When he and a buddy went off to firefighter school in St. Augustine a few months later, I convinced him to leave the kitten with us. A young single guy wouldn't have time to devote to a kitten. So, we've often jokingly said he's dss' cat but we raised him. I don't think it sounds silly at all. We did the same thing when our beloved cat died a few years ago. Beloved pets are not just pets, and you need time to grieve. Hugs to all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: My cat died a year ago. I was surprised how hard it hit me. You are a wise mom to recognize that your son needs a day off to grieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: It is SO hard to lose a pet. I don't think it's silly at all to take a break from school. We did when our cats passed away. We lost 2 within a year and it was very hard indeed. :grouphug: again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Thank you all. I know not everyone thinks of pets as family. I also know there are enough people here who do, that I could post and get the virtual hugs I needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 What a handsome cat Simba was. I'm so sorry for your loss :grouphug:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 so sorry for your loss. Pets are members of the family and should be grieved and missed. I hope your son is hugging his dog and that the dog will help him feel a little less sad. Maybe in a little bit, a new little kitten, not to take Simbas place but to help with the grief and bring some silly, happy kittenness into your home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom2011 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 I hope your son is hugging his dog and that the dog will help him feel a little less sad. Maybe in a little bit, a new little kitten, not to take Simbas place but to help with the grief and bring some silly, happy kittenness into your home. Aw thanks. His dog has really helped him feel better. We do have another cat - a 4 year old who we got from the shelter when she was 3 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm sorry. We just lost our 17 yr old cat too. His name was Felix and we buried him in our garden. I thought I was doing better, but today I saw a little garden rock in a flower nursery that said "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever" and I had to put my sunglasses on. 8( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseofkids&pets Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug: Hugs for the op and Remudamom. Losing a pet is so difficult. The unconditional love, companionship, and enjoyment they give us makes it so much harder to lose them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm sorry. We just lost our 17 yr old cat too. His name was Felix and we buried him in our garden. I thought I was doing better, but today I saw a little garden rock in a flower nursery that said "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever" and I had to put my sunglasses on. 8( :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom25girls Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: I'm so sorry. Our 21 year old cat died this past September.The house feels so different without him. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlygirlzx2 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm so sorry about your loss. Our cat died in December and I couldn't get off the couch for 3 days. It hit me very hard and I still get teary when I talk about it. Hugs to you and your family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm so sorry for your loss. :grouphug: Our 17 yo calico died a couple of summers ago and I still get teary-eyed thinking of her. She sat next to me for many years as I visited these boards and I really miss her warmth and companionship when winter rolls around. Hugs to your son. I'll never forget my son's first brush with intense grief. He needs time to deal with it. A few months after our cat's death, I found a note in my son's room. It was address to the cat and said, "I hope you are okay and I miss you." Broke my heart. (crying now just thinking about it) Maybe you can make a memory box of photos and keepsakes over the next few days. My son has such a box and I think it brings him comfort. K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm so sorry for your loss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: I lost my cat earlier this year too and it was and still is hard. I still don't even want to talk about it. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) I am so sorry for your loss! :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: We had a cat who looked very much like your Simba, and he also lived to the ripe old age of 17. He died of congestive heart failure in 2009. I'm sure you gave your kitty a happy life. Cherish those memories. ETA: Here's our Kitty Edited May 21, 2012 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a furry family member is always heartbreaking, even if you know it's coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm so sorry, Kathy. :grouphug: I feel your pain. It is so hard losing something you love and have loved for so long. I still get teary looking at the rose bush under which I buried my dear old girl 8 years ago. She was at least 20. I found her as an adult stray cat and she would have been at least 1. I had her 19 years almost to the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockey Mom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug: I'm so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 He certainly was a gorgeous cat!!! I am so sorry. It is so hard to lose a beloved pet. I wish all animals had a loving home and happy life to the end. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'm so sorry for your loss. I think it's hardest to lose the pets that have been around the longest. I cannot look at some of my oldsters without thinking of the fun we all had when we were all young. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 aww, I'm so sorry! Seventeen years is a lot of memories; I hope they comfort you. Sending you hugs and love, astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I am so sorry. It is so hard to lose a beloved member of the family. :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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