Our Beloved Burt, Passed away suddenly on December 30 Options

[Scott&Senka]

We are so heart broken since Sunday when we learned that our beloved cat Burt passed away. We went on a ski vacation to Lake Tahoe and on the way back received a call from petsitter that she found him dead that morning in his box. I was in absolute shock, started crying, could't stop, it was horrible. We left on December 26, Burt was fine, a little sad but o.k. We found this petsitter who made us sign all kind of agreements, and she seemed professional, recommended to me from a reliable source. She said that she will leave a report card for each day. We don't know what happened. On the checklist it seemed that she did everything except giving him treats, which we specifically asked for and made a big deal of, since he was used to that every day. He is just gone, and it is so hard to believe. My husband had him for 8 years, got him when he was very little. We could have never expected this, he wasn't that old. We had a funeral for him on New Year's Eve in Victorville in my husbands parents' garden. It was a very sad ceremony, but we are glad we know where he is. We marked his little grave with Love and Peace Christmas ornaments, and lit a candle.
The only thing we noticed lately, was that it took him a little longer to eat if we offered him a little bit of fish or something, and he would have a bit of a gag reflex before eating, but we didn't think it is anything serious. Scott said that a couple of days before we left Burt was trying to jump on the couch, but missed it, but at the time we didn't think it's a big deal. Anyone knows what any of these symptoms could have indicated?
We are so sad, it's hard to put in words. We just hope he is o.k.
Our hearts go out to all of you who lost their beloved pets.

Senka and Scott

[LoveThem]

It only gets easier when you allow yourself to not let the sadness overwhelm you. That's what time allows you to do. Nothing brings our babies back but in time we have no choice but to allow ourselves to find peace with that thought, no matter how much we resent it. We never forget them...we love them every day... but sometimes the emptiness can be filled somewhat with another who wants to be loved and needed just like we all do. It's always worked for me over the years. We each have to do what feels right to us. Scott and you must talk about your feelings together and help one another through this. My husband was hurting just as much as I was and it upset him to see me crying so much .... the new baby is loving and helping him as well as me.

You might consider seeing those cats Scott wanted you to see. We never know if our babies are sending someone that we find we are connected to, to help us not being overwhelmed with our sadness and pain. When I looked at new babies I would think does this feel right and if not, they were not the ones. I could look at them and not feel obligated to take them without a feeling of some bonding, even though they needed homes but I didn't feel mine was the right one. We can't give them all homes but we can look into their eyes and see what happens. If it feels right, then we do what feel right, no matter which way we decide.

When I saw Lucky my new baby at the shelter, I looked into his eyes and saw my Little Guy. Now I don't cry everyday. I look at my baby's pictures in frames in every room and smile at him, wishing he were here so I could hug him.

I now have a 2 year old, healthy baby racing through my home just so full of joy to have a home..he just can't be sweet enough. He makes me laugh. I need that.
To be overwhelmed with sadness over something we can't change just creates more and more sadness. I won't let the sadness be 24/7 anymore. It not only hurts me but also hurts my husband because he cares so much. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Take Care.