Mourning
My Beautiful Oblina. Tonight is her last night on earth and I have not been coping well. I can't even imagine what my life will be like without her in it.
My soul cat has been with me for over a third of my life, and I am terrified of going on without her. I can't believe how quickly she deteriorated after I found out she was sick. I knew she wasn't going to live forever but that never stopped me from hoping she would anyway.
She has loved her for the entirety of her life that you had her, and you will love her for the rest of yours. This is the most beautiful gift these amazing creatures give us. I’m so sorry your time together is ending.
This has me crying I’m so sorry talk to her tell her what’s happening and that you love her she will understand give her all the kisses tell her she was a good baby 🤍
I have told her through tears so many times in the past few days. How good of a kitty she is, how lucky I've been to have her, how sorry I am that she's sick and that I can't make her better.
Stay in the present. Don't let thoughts of the future keep you from building good memories now. She needs you more than ever. Sending my love and peace
Big hugs to you and your baby. I know I've prepared, but it is so hard. I have a tear running down my cheek right now. I wish you strength. I'm sure she knows you loved her absolutely and she loved you too. ❤️
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has posted kind words. I've been running on 3 hours of sleep and 3 cups of coffee but thankfully my husband just woke up so I can now take a shift to rest while he watches over her. This whole situation really fucking sucks but I'm glad I've been able to be with her and tell her how much she means to me and just do everything I can to keep her comfortable and happy. Even though she's deteriorating quite quickly she doesn't seem to be in pain at the very least.
It's cause we love them so much because they're so pure.
My little girl is getting old, and she's not sick, but I see the signs. Two days ago she could suddenly no longer jump up the bed or the couch. I have little boxes and steps around the place now for her to use to climb up, but it breaks my heart. She's 18. Last year she was still running across the room sometimes for her zoomies and now she never runs anymore and never will again. Instead, she walks very slowly and carefully, aware of her frailty and I know there will be more and more last times and then the day of goodbye. I've been through it three times already and it never ever gets easier.
So you're definitely not alone with this. I think there's probably not many dry eyes reading your post and comments. We've been there. We will be there again. Someone of us are there right now with you. It's just how it is, because they don't live anywhere near long enough.
And I'm soooo sorry you're there now. But you did your best and you gave her your best.
My poor void baby has aggressive skin cancer and I will be in the same position too soon. I've cried so many times. She's 8 yrs old and younger than most cats who get skin cancer.
I am so very sorry. I truly am. I've been told she will be waiting for me. I hope that's true. In the meantime she is acting normal. I send almost all my free time with her. I give her all the treats, let her lay all over me and give her all the pets.
Ive decided to bury her when she let's me know it's time. I've made a beautiful coffin for her. I slept in two different shirts for a few days to be part of the lining of the coffin and made her a pillow with the other one. I lined it with an old yoga mat first. It's all hand sewn. This is coming from a 6'4" and 200 lbs tattooed guy. Nothing but the best for my sweetie.
There was a towel of yellow flowers that came home from the shelter with her. I have been tucking it under my clothes the past few days to get my scent on it, and it will be wrapped around her when she takes her final breath.
That is extremely heartfelt, the coffin ended up gorgeous, I am happy she will lay in something made by the person who she loved the most in her life. I don’t know what to say but I hope you get to enjoy every second
Thank you. I think it has helped me to deal with some of it. I also wrote a goodbye letter to place in there with some of her favorite things. I tell her how much she means to me, how special she is and I thank her for all she's done for me. Also that I'll try to be okay. Damn, welling up a little bit thinking about it.
I lost my big man last spring. He was my rock and he knew it. I know how incredibly hard it is to lose such a beautiful soul. Take care of yourself the way she would want for you. My heart is with you tonight.
I'm so sorry. Perhaps this may help you. This is a picture of my cat, whom I had for 22 years and always watched over me. Here she is appearing in my crystal ball that I took a picture of as I thought it looked nice in the sun. I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and here she is, letting me know that she's looking out for me. Know that your beautiful Oblina will still be there for you, watch out, and listen for her subtle signs. Sending you much love and a big hug ❤️
This brought me to tears & I hope you’re kicking cancer’s ass!
The night my cat was put down, I had a dream where I was walking through a pet daycare and she jumped out and surprised me and jumped right into my arms. She meowed her signature “are you ok??” meow as if she was checking on me now that she had passed.
When I woke up I knew 100% that was really her and that the universe gave us another chance to see each other. She was always looking out for me when she was alive and felt like my little protector/baby/sister/best friend. Cats are just so special in that way!
Oh, it was definitely your cat! Yes, they are so special, and they have such a bond with us that death can't even separate us with them. As for my cancer last year, I got diagnosed with a more aggressive cancer T cell lymphoma, I spent most of the year in hospital. And yes, I saw/felt my cat every time I was about to go through a rough patch. Last Tuesday, I found out I'm in remission. Now comes the final hurdle of a stem cell transplant and a bone marrow one. It's interesting since I've gotten better. I haven't seen her, but I know she's there with me. Thank you for your well wishes 🙏 🙂 Here is another picture!
Wow it sounds like cancer has really put you through the wringer but that you’re seeing some light at the end of that tunnel now I hope?
I firmly believe that my cat stayed alive long enough to see me through my parent’s passing so I’m sure your kitty is watching over you too and making sure you’re in good hands ❤️
Yes, it certainly has. I've only just found out I'm in remission, and I'm due to have a stem cell transplant on the 18th Feb, which entails a 3 week stay in the hospital. Then, later on, a bone marrow transplant so a bit more to go through, but I feel way better than I have for well over a year. I do believe your cat did, too. They are amazing creatures 😍
It's okay to cry. It's okay to take as long as you need to grieve. None of this is your fault.
Those are the words that I needed to hear after we lost our boy Sammy. He passed in Nov 2023 but I still cry sometimes when I think about him, and I'm a disabled military veteran.
By the choice of your words I can tell this hurts. I’m sorry. But your soul mate needed to rest. She will never leave you. Good on you for seeing her life through. You did great and she loves you for it.
On my soul kitty's last day on Earth, I thought of a line from the poem "Two-Headed Calf" by Laura Gilpin to help me stay present. The story is about a calf who passes away the morning after his birth and there's a line "But tonight he is alive and in the north field with his mother. It is the perfect summer evening: the moon rising over the orchard, the wind in the grass". So I kept saying that line to myself in my head, whenever I felt myself slipping out of the moment and into my grief: "but tonight he is alive". Enjoy your time and be present with her. Tonight she is alive, with you.
It’s going to be really hard but just remember she’s going to be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge. And she will be pain and sickness free. She will run to you like she did when she was young and you can play and snuggle together.
She will cross the Rainbow Bridge knowing that she was loved so much and that her task was performed admirably. She will join the ranks of all the good kitties who had been awesome companions for their humans.
and the loss is so grave and painful, but with all that you both have been thru, and lived and loved...you've bleesed memories and the knowledge of her devotion to and for you
My cats last night too. I know what you’re going through, that probably doesn’t help, but, I understand. Just know they’re not gonna suffer any more. That’s all I can keep telling myself best wishes and be kind to yourself.
Go with her until the end. Don't leave her alone at the last minute. It is hard, but better for her.
And grieve. Grieve like you would for family. Cause she is family.
I’m so sorry. You have shared a lifetime of love with Oblina, it sucks that we don’t age at the same rate as our pets but maybe that is so we can help another animal in need. You have made the hard decision to put her out of her pain. That is the ultimate act of love as your heart will hurt but she will be free of illness and she will be watching down on you. She may even send you a new cat when she feels you are ready, my cat sent me 2!
You gave her the best life loving her with all of your heart, and she knows you will be there until the end. That's all she needs. Oblina wouldn't want you to suffer any more than you want her to -- so do your best to take care of yourself while you grieve. And eventually, when she gives you a sign that it's time to help another fur baby, listen! I'm so sorry for your loss.
You put her needs before your wants and you have loved her for the whole of her life. Both of you are so.lucky to have found one another. Take care.of yourself as you have cared for her. Give her chin scritches from us. Hugs.
Sending you love 💜
Went through this a few years ago with my sweet Artemis. He went perfectly healthy and happy to sick so quickly. They take part of our hearts when they leave us.
My heart goes out to you. Obligated is beautiful. I know that it must hurt so much to lose her. I think voids are the smartest and sweetest cats. My void, Ivan, is almost 17 years old and struggling with last stages of Diabetes.
I saw this post shortly after my own voidling decided to curl up on my lap, I'll give her extra cuddles and send all my love to you and your little one.
They may not be in our lives for long, but we are in theirs for their whole life, they will never fully understand how much we truly love them.
My big, beautiful long haired void will see to it she settles in nicely. She will wait for you as I know he is waiting for me. Take care of yourselves. ❤️🐾
You need to make peace and be happy with the memories of time you shared. You need to be there with her for comfort in her final hours, and make her feel you will go on and be happy. Honor the memory.
This made me cry, my condolences to your loss..she’s beautiful and she’ll rest ok knowing she had an amazing soulmate human by her side, you guys will meet again someday 🖤
I already have plans for honoring her. Some of her ashes will be going into a sun catcher I'm making that will be hung in her favorite window where she loved to sunbathe.
By the time you see this comment you will already be gone. I never met you, but you’re a cool little mini panther loved by many. Rest well buddy. Jeorge, SoX, Itty-Bitty and Lefty all say Meow Meow Meow Meow
So sorry. It's never enough time. The bright spot is that you had a little bit of time to adjust and give her all the love. It's so much better than a sudden loss. Take care of yourself, give yourself time to heal, and then when you start to feel ready for it, find a new baby. There's never a replacement, but you'll be able to fill that hole in your heart! ❤️❤️
As agonizing as it has been, I'm thankful that I've had this time to spend with her. I'm very lucky to have a WFH job so I've been able to be with her pretty much every waking moment.
At this point it's basically either me and/or my husband following her around and tending to whatever whim she has. She's my little queen and she will be treated as such for the rest of her life.
I met Sebastian on the day he was born. He stayed with me through a lot of rough times, and lived until he was 15 years and 10 weeks old. The October before, I noticed that his breathing seemed a little weird and took him to the vet, who x-rayed him and discovered that he had lymphoma/lung cancer.
I spoiled him like crazy, knowing that I might only have a few months left with him. I knew he was wasting away, but he was still my little boy and didn't seem very uncomfortable. Until the last day. And then I realized he was panting and struggling to breathe, so I brought him to the vet for the inevitable. I still cry thinking about this, but knowing that he was sick gave me all that extra time to love him.
Persephone, who I got when Sebastian was around 3 years old, passed very suddenly 3 years after Sebastian did. I came home from work, she didn't respond to the sound of food being put out for her so I knew something was wrong. She had passed while I was at work. I had no idea there was even anything wrong. I even have a video of her from the weekend before playing in catnip and acting like a little kitten. My doctor said based on what I described, it was probably congestive heart failure, but I didn't have the necropsy done so I don't know for sure. It was so shocking and left me devastated for a little while. Sebastian's passing was rough, but I had all that time with him and felt all that closure, unlike with Persephone. Being a fur mom can kind of suck. But I wouldn't be without them!
Lots of love for you both. Know this is best for her and is really a gift if she is suffering. It’s the hardest thing to do to let go of them but she will be free from any discomfort. I hope you have a strong support network, feel free to send a dm.
My heart breaks with you. If I may, if you weren’t planning on it, be with her at the last moment. For both your sake and hers. Hold her paw and let her last moments be known that she was loved. Not scared and abandoned. If you weren’t planning on that already.
I’m so sorry that you have to do what’s right for a dear friend and family member like that. This is super hard. I’m typing this through tears thinking of losing some of our cats over the years like that.
Only time will heal this wound and never completely. Some day you can tell another kitty about her and I’m sure you will think and talk of her for many years to come. She will never be replaced but always remembered.
im sorry, but think that she will be suffering no more. as much as we love our pets, we cannot be selfish to let they live suffering just because we love they
i’ve passed something similar and i know that it’s not easy, but we carry on
So sorry you're going through this. I just had one of mine put to sleep on Friday and the grief is so much. Sending you love and hugs, and be safe in the knowledge you loved her with all your heart.
Im sorry :( i was in your position July just past. When Cheesoid started hiding in random places in my room, I knew her time was coming to an end. I begged by dad to book her in the vet the next day, even though we knew what the outcome would be. She was 16 and i was 28.
The thing is, we have to make the tough decisions... so they can end with dignity, have a nice quiet resolution, rather than suffering. Ive seen what suffering causes. Youre doing the best you can for her.
Itll feel like a piece of you has vanished. All those habits, like watching your step in the dark, checking her food bowl, youll keep them up a while and itll make you sad.
Man, I am so sorry for your loss. The love will go on and comfort you because it's so real and everlasting. You gave her a beautiful life and she was lucky to have you there for her every step of the way. Sending you both love and light.
A couple of mine have been a real pain in the butt the last couple of days...I couldn't imagine life without them. My heart goes out to you and your girl.
I am sorry for what you are going through. I have been here it’s very difficult and let me remind you that you gave her as much as she gave you. The love between an animal and their owner is unbreakable. I also remind myself that I’ll see my babes when I cross over and shall pick them up at the Rainbow Bridge. My deepest and sincere condolences to you
I’m a lifelong black cat mama too. As much as you allowed yourself to hope she would, allow yourself to grieve, even beyond what feels ‘standard’ to most. Long time for babies will always hold a place in your heart, and even though it gets easier with more time between cried, they will still enter your thoughts sporadically for the rest of your life… that is her living on in you. Allow it, embrace it. I believe they help us through life even in loss. We learn how to cope before other huge losses in life. You will be ok, and you will be able to love again. It’s definitely not replacing her. Just extending what she gave you all along💕
Take care of yourself. I know it's hard. But she had an amazing life with you. And she will remember that until her last moments. And you made great memories along the way.
It will be hard. The first few months will be fucking hard. And I wish you a good healing from this loss.
And maybe, when the pain has faded a bit you can look into getting another kitten. Because the companionship of a feline is healing. All the best to you OP in this time.
I can’t fathom life without mine. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I hope you find healing. Thank you for loving her and giving her a good life. I’m sorry 😢 my heart breaks for you.
Bless you. Others know now what you are feeling, and are there with you. What a terrible time. Please take care of yourself and spend as much time as you can with her, as I'm sure you will.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your loved one. It's never easy to lose those in our life who mean the world to us. Unfortunately it is something we will encounter throughout life, and more the older we get.
You have taken much care in making sure she will be cared for in her eternal sleep. The scented items show just how much you care.
Oblina will always mean a lot to you. Be grateful for your special time together. She was very loved and I bet she knew this.
I agonized over this question for a long time. I have four other cats, and I don't want to become someone that just has a huge collection of cat urns all over the house but at the same time she is a soul cat, the first pet I ever adopted as an adult and someone who's been with me through so much. I also didn't know if I wanted to bury her because then if we ever move away I'd have to leave her behind.
After talking with a friend of mine who has also experienced cat loss, I've come to the decision that I'm going to cremate her and keep some of her ashes via keepsakes while spreading the remainder outside when the weather is warm just how she liked it.
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u/Physion Feb 03 '25
She has loved her for the entirety of her life that you had her, and you will love her for the rest of yours. This is the most beautiful gift these amazing creatures give us. I’m so sorry your time together is ending.