Robert Smith was a fine specimen of a black cat with just a couple flecks of grey hairs to show his age.

In July 2023, I got a text from a friend asking for help. Their upstairs neighbors were gone, their apartment was condemned and completely filthy but they were pretty sure there were cats in there. I drove up a few days later and broke into the filthiest apartment I’ve ever seen. Bugs, mold, piles of stuff, bathtub full of cat shit. I found two cats in here and took them home.

They were both very sick and we only meant to get them vet care and adopt them out. One cat was younger (10~) and she was a beautiful cream/smoke point girly with blue eyes who had interest immediately, and we delivered her the minute her antibiotics were finished. Robert Smith - so named because the vet asked me for a name while I was on the phone with them and I looked wildly around the living room and settled on a magazine with The Cure on the cover - was probably 15/16 years old, had terrible teeth, and was often grumpy. Tough sell on a black cat. We kept him for about 6 weeks half-heartedly trying to find him a home before I caved in and booked the dental surgery.

He became such a Velcro cat. Always begging to be pet, to be cuddled. He would paw at the covers if you were in bed so he could burrow underneath and lay pinned against your leg. If you rolled away from him he would gently paw at the back of your head. He had the wettest nose and would touch your nose with it in your sleep. The bathtub was his singular fascination. He loved to hang out while you bathed, and he would come running for “faucet time” (turning the faucet on a trickle and letting him drink from it and splash around).

This morning he passed away from liver failure. I knew his liver was failing but it happened so suddenly. Last night he was meowing at me and snuggling before I went to sleep. This morning I woke up and found him under the bed. We tried to get to the emergency vet but he passed away on the way with his head in my hands.

I loved him so much. I don’t know if a lot of people appreciate black cats because they can look similar, but he was so sleek and shiny and beautiful and he had cute little vampire teeth. I will miss you forever my bert. Goodnight ❤️

She’s staying in the hospital tonight. It doesn’t sound good but we’re trying treatment before saying goodbye.

Hes 19 years old. He was diagnosed with a nasal tumor a few months ago. We have been doing everything we fan to make sure he's as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. Im afraid there isn't much more we can do at this time. We have a vet appointment on Saturday. It sounds like we will be putting him down then.

Great age for an amazing void. Spent over half my life with her. From her shiny glossy coat to her morning meows for food. I'll miss her deeply.

I’m still processing how quickly this all happened. Just last night he his sweet normal self seeking cuddles and playing with his favorite toy and this morning he was so sick that he couldn’t even move. It feels surreal. My heart and home feel so empty.

Poe, I’ll miss getting awoken at 2:00 AM by you demanding cuddles. I’ll miss you snuggling up next to me when I’m sad or not feeling well. I’ll miss you reluctantly letting you little brother groom you even when it’s obvious you rather be left alone. Ill miss seeing you watch birds from out window as if you’re stalking prey. I’ll miss tripping over you in the morning while I make coffee because you’re demanding affection. I’m so sorry you had to leave this world too soon but you brought so much love and joy into my life. You will always be my sleek, spooky, beautiful, panther 🖤

Hi guys! I’m currently sitting in the vets office. Poe passed away during the night. Thank you to everyone who wished Poe well and donated to help him. I’m having a hard time accepting that this happened bc I feel like this is all my fault. I should’ve done the surgery even though I had no money. I shouldve taken him to an emergency vet when I saw he had thrown up twice on a medicine that stops vomiting. I was just scared of the cost when I can barely afford normal vet costs.

P.s. sorry for all the snapchat captions lol and the last photo was from the day I got him

He was always with me just had to be around me. I love him so much I don't know what to do anymore he was my best friend for almost 13 years my whole childhood. I will never forget you mr jingles

This is my baby Dude. We were inseparable from day one, and he was always so attached. He loved being held like a baby, sharing my pillow every night, giving kisses and holding my hand. He literally purred loudly in my arms until his last breath. Loving until the end.

Please feel free to share pictures of your kitties that have passed. We can share happy memories and support each other in our grief.

my first cat i had on my own, just 4 years old and is suffering from either FIP or a blood problem both issues having the treatment being too expensive for me to handle and will most likely pass away in the next few days, just wanted to post cause i just left the ER at 4AM and I feel terrible, holding him in my arms all weak and fragile just wanting to go back home broke my heart, and his sister will likely not deal with this very well, hope this isnt the end but i will always love you Tune 💜 my sweet baby boy

Our big guy and family member Toki died in his sleep this morning at 16 years old. Not telling my 7 year old son until tomorrow because of Christmas. Greatest cat in the world. Devestated.

Five years ago we adopted two senior kitties. One void, Mr. Pickles, and a tuxedo. Today it’s time to say goodbye to Mr. Pickles :-( He will be greatly missed.

I will miss you, buddy.

He was my first black cat, though technically he’s very much a chocolate brown in the sun, I think he’d still be classified as a black cat?

He was my soul cat and now my heart is forever tied to voids. He was so gentle and sweet. Loved belly rubs and getting pet on every inch of his body. A very big scaredy cat too but we were his safe space always.

I miss him every single day, he was only 7 years old. It makes me happy to see so many voids loved here. 🖤

She got that burrito for her sweet 16. She already wasn't able to kick it anymore, but still insisted on slightly kicking the air whilst burying her face into it. She will still drag herself around to bring us a mouse toy, too with it still in her mouth.

She was the tiniest thing when we got her, and she liked to sleep in my neck. She still tried this last night. I let her stay there as best we could manage.

Through all of this she's still trying to comfort me, because she can tell I'm upset and that's unacceptable. And she will take licking the tears as payment.

Luckily our other void tasked himself with comforting his adopted mother. He's been the gentlest I've ever seen him.

Could you please tell me your most fun stupid thing you remember you kitty doing?

We're going to need a lot of happy stories to get through these next weeks (Months. Years), and I love people talking about their cats (and other furry companions).

Please give your voids some extra love for me today. Bibbit was in my life for almost 15 years, and I’ll miss her every day for the rest of it.

He was 7 years old. We had him since he was a baby. I'll never be the same again.

He is only 10, has lymphoma, and doesn’t have much longer. He loves getting kisses on the forehead so I’ve been giving him 5 million. Thanks for letting me share.

She was my first pet.

Tonight is the darkest day of the year, the solstice bringing with it the longest stretch of night. It feels fitting, in a way... with his fur as black as the deep, endless dark outside. His sleek coat seemed to carry the night with him in life, and now, as the year’s shadows stretch their furthest, it feels like the world itself is mourning his loss. Darkness will always give way to light, but tonight, it feels like he’s a part of the quiet, still expanse, resting within it.

22 years, but never enough. I will miss you forever my sweet little boy.

RIP Dimitrius Griffen the third. There was no first or second. Given to me in a blender box. Small abandoned runt child. I just wanted you to feel as big as your name. Even if it devolved into Gippen, Gippy, Grippen, Gipten, Lipton, and Bubby. It was always said with love.

Join the rest of the night sky and know I will never replace you. I will always have a small kitty shaped hole in my heart that you once filled.

Take care of your puppy sister Mira. Let her know we miss her too.