nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

Cat is dead.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Went into the kitchen hungover looking for a glass of water and noticed my 16 year old tabby is curled up on his basket dead. I knew that something was wrong when I saw that his tongue was sticking out of his mouth.

I picked him up but he was rigid. Knew he was gone then.

Just left him back in his basket, I don't what I'm tell my son when he wakes up.

Vet told us on last checkup that his heart wasn't functioning properly.

I'm really upset, I've had this guy since I was 13. Took him with me when I first got settled.

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

Graces7

Tilikum17 wrote: »

My father passed away in November. He had dementia. He got very angry & aggressive in his last year. We got him a Kitten (Rose) as I thought it might help him. Whenever Dad got agitated or angry, I’d pick up the kitten & put her on Dad’s lap. Within 10–15 seconds Dad would he calm, rubbing her away.

One hour after my Dad passed away, we got a call from the vet to say that Rose was dying. She had gotten ill in Dad’s last month. 3 weeks later Rose was gone too.

I was always a dog person, my misses loves cats. Now I love cats. I’ll never forget Rose, & what she did for my Dad.

Cats are the dog’s bollicks. We got two tnr kittens since.

Sorry for rambling.

Please do not apologise.. People underestimate cats. They give back more than they are given and are at least as intelligent and devoted as dogs. And more sensitive.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Pugzilla wrote: »

Why is this in After Hours?

Shouldn't it be moved to Animals & Pets Issues?

Sure you could find another forum for nearly every topic in AH, and the OP is a regular AH contributor sharing his and his families grief.

Graces7

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Even thinking back to yesterday. We had roast beef left over in the fridge, I gave him a couple of slices and he went mad eating it. Jumping up onto the table and everything looking for more , he was in great form. I went over to a football match then in Thurles and never saw him again.

Poor young lad is crying his heart out at the moment.

We're going bury in our garden in his towl from his basket. Put a stone marker over it with his name.

Perfect. Your plans I mean.

Many critters and indeed humans, get an extra surge of energy just before they die. He and you enjoyed that! Bless you!

Heroditas

We have three cats - a brother and sister who we adopted from another Boards poster back in 2010 and then took in a stray female two years later. They really are part of the family and our two young daughters absolutely love them.
The cats are now getting very attached to the girls and sneak up to their rooms wheneevr they get a chance or look for cuddles from them.
Pets are great for teaching kids basics such as household responsibility. The girls now love helping me feed them (not too keen on emptying the littler trays though).
Cats get a bad rep but if they're treated properly they are incredibly affectionate and loyal pets.
Sorry for your loss DEFTLEFTHAND.

fishy_fishy

Ah OP I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how upset you must be. They're such funny lovely little creatures with all their little quirks.

Pets get so ingrained in your life and it'll be such a big adjustment for you. My dog died 5 years ago and even yesterday I thought for a split second he was there when I heard rustling at the back door. Can't imagine how empty the place would feel without the cat.

Look after yourself and your boy. You've lost a family member. I'm so sorry, I wish pets lived as long as we do.

eagle eye

Sorry for your losd. We have two cats and three dogs(two puppies).

I know it's tough losing a life long friend. You won't feel like getting another one anytime soon but I'd recommend you get one immediately. Get a young kitten and you'll find that everybody builds a relationship with it pretty quickly.

I know it doesn't help you now but for kids I think it's the mportant to have more than one with a few years between then so there is always someone to look after even when you lose one.

Mars Bar

Sounds like he went in as peaceful a manner you can get.

We had a stray adopt us. He clearly had some issues with breathing and probably hadn't the best start in life. He didn't mind being rubbed but didn't like being picked up.

Anyway, one day he was in the sitting room with me and then he started thrashing about like mad with no control. He either was having a heart attack or was suffocating but it was utterly terrifying. I ran away upstairs with my phone and called my mammy (as you do, even on your 20s!) and cried down the phone that the cat was dying.
Calmed down, came downstairs to find him dead in the kitchen.

Very traumatising!

But he had a few good years with his mate (a cat we chose to take in).

picturehangup

Hi OP,

So sorry for your loss. Totally understand your dilemma, as we have 16 year-old puss, who has been at the heart of our family life too. I can only imagine your shock.

I agree with earlier poster, do tell your child the truth. Better than leaving them wondering, and to teach them that nothing stays the same forever.

I am delighted to see so many positive comments here re. cats, as there have been some negative threads in recent years.

Cats are amazing creatures when given the same love and care that many dogs receive, and will reciprocate this to their human cares.

My advice is to take time to grieve for your cat with your family, and when the time is right, visit your nearest shelter and adopt two siblings. Twice the fun! Take care, OP x

SEPT 23 1989

Had a cat of that vintage myself got her when I was 13

17 years old when she died only at the vets once in her life

Always there in the background and that's what you will miss

Obi_Wan_Kenobi

Really sorry to hear that

Hope your kid takes it ok...

Obi_Wan_Kenobi

.. and yes , Cats are awesome!!

also as mentioned, he had a long life - well looked after.

Think of the positives, grieve for him and in time adopt a new kitty!

xzanti

So sorry Deftlefthand.

Pets are part of the family, and they break your heart when it's time to say goodbye

May he rest in peace.

Our cat died a few years ago after 18 years. I cried for about a week solid.

That cat's Mother was my pet when I was 9. She went missing after giving birth to the above cat, I'll never forget the how upset I was.

RhubarbCrumble

I'm so sorry OP

I have a cat myself and I know I'd be so upset if anything happened to her. At least it sounds like it was peaceful for yours, just went off to sleep and didn't wake up. Hope your little boy is okay.

Mint Sauce

People might think its just a pet, and not important, after our dog died last year, that is simply not the case. I hugged that dog whilst it laid on the vets table, not taking in a single word of what the vet said. Then we had to bring him home and tell mum.

Sorry for your loss Deftlefthand, hope you find the way to tell your lad. Not a nice way to start a Sunday morning.

Sephiroth_dude

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I love cats and always have.

From one cat lover to another I'm really sorry to hear this

What a heart breaking thing to wake up too

we had to put our dog down three years ago as his back legs went on him and we came down one morning and the poor fella couldn't stand up, called the vet, he said it would be best to put out of his misery so we did, it was heart breaking

, he was 15.

well spoken man

2 words..... Brown bin...

Seth Brundle

well spoken man wrote: »

2 words..... Brown bin...

Just flush it down the toilet!

well spoken man

Never come to after hours for advice...ever...

Fighting Tao

Graysen Fancy Nanny wrote: »

That's the wrong thing to do.

Dealing with a pets death is hard on a child but its also important to the childs development and helps them understand the cycle of life & death and how to handle a bereavement.

I’m sure you’ll be delighted to know that my siblings ended up fine. They know how to handle bereavement from people dying.

wakka12

For some reason this story really pulled on my heart strings
Im gonna miss my doggy so much when she's gone

Ive yet to meet a human who's always just so kind and positive and completely selfless(or nearly as cute), it will break my heart

Sam Quentin

I'm a dog man at heart,.. always had/have a dog....
Tho secretly I think cats are cool, sneakily funny and crazy like coconuts

Sorry for your loss op...

Pugzilla

Never understood how some people can get so attached to animals whilst they happily eat cows, chickens, lambs, turkeys etc. A next level of hypocrisy. Not a vegan by the way.

Agricola

Sorry to hear OP.

I wasnt a cat person at all until 4 years ago. Cats to me were always semi-wild scoundrels that only came for food then buggered off.

4 years ago a cat strayed in and gave birth to a kitten in the house. That kitten is now a part of the family, as much as any dog I ever had. She comes when called, loves to play, thrives on attention and handling and comes in every night at the same time as if she had a watch. I love their peculiar nature, sometimes so independent and distance often times affectionate and great companions.

demanufactured

Sorry to hear OP.
Lost many pets over the years, it never gets any easier.
Its like losing a family member.

RobertKK

I had two cats, about a year ago one of them came back covered in mud, presumed he had been in a fight, he was a cross cat that loved to be fed but would tear your eye out if you wanted to pet him. Anyway he disappeared about a week after that and was never seen again.
My other cat disappeared early December, he was old and very friendly so he was missed.
16 years OP was a good stretch, the cat will be missed but he had a good life no doubt.

Graces7

RobertKK wrote: »

I had two cats, about a year ago one of them came back covered in mud, presumed he had been in a fight, he was a cross cat that loved to be fed but would tear your eye out if you wanted to pet him. Anyway he disappeared about a week after that and was never seen again.
My other cat disappeared early December, he was old and very friendly so he was missed.
16 years OP was a good stretch, the cat will be missed but he had a good life no doubt.

You need a cat Robert! And a cat needs YOU

RogerWilco1982

I lost one in February that I'd had for sixteen years. We also knew there were health issues but could never imagine he's pass over The Rainbow Bridge.

It sounds like Humphrey passed over asleep in his basket in the comfort and safety of his home.
Console yourself with the knowledge that he didn't suffer and is free from any harm that could happen in this world.
Comfort yourself with the memories of the good life you clearly gave him.

gozunda

Pugzilla wrote: »

Never understood how some people can get so attached to animals whilst they happily eat cows, chickens, lambs, turkeys etc. A next level of hypocrisy. Not a vegan by the way.

Research has shown that animals (as a rule) that eat meat inherently avoid eating other meat eaters. Biologically this has health benefits in that it helps prevent the spread of prion and other diseases (note - there are some noted exceptions). Farmed animals are generally herbivores such as you detailed eg. cows, chickens, lambs, turkeys

Societies where the farming or consumption of other meat eaters such as dog etc are in the minority.

In the case of humans we have lived and co-depended with companion animals since the dawn of time. Dogs have aided humans in both hunting and farming - and in similar roles which continue to this day. Cats help control vermin in both domestic and agricultural situations - these animals have always been valued for their skills and one to one interactions with humans.

So no there is NO hypocrisy. Only that imagined by some extremist vegans imo...

Carry

DEFTLEFTHAND, you have my heartfelt sympathies. Losing an animal that is so much part of your life is always hard.

I lost my beloved dog a couple of months ago and I'm still not quite over it. She left a big gap in my life, so I know how it feels.

I still have a cat (currently sleeping on the couch) which adopted me a few years ago. He is young, so I hope I'll have him for a while.

Danny Donut

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Even thinking back to yesterday. We had roast beef left over in the fridge, I gave him a couple of slices and he went mad eating it. Jumping up onto the table and everything looking for more , he was in great form. I went over to a football match then in Thurles and never saw him again.

Poor young lad is crying his heart out at the moment.

We're going bury in our garden in his towl from his basket. Put a stone marker over it with his name.

When we lost our boy (18 months ago), on the day he died he was chasing quads up and down our garden wall.

I empathise with the young lad