Lost My Princess Cat 2 Days Ago Options

[leejaye]

I lost my best friend of 17 years 2 days ago, she was the most beautiful courageous soul i have ever met - only a tiny little cat but with the biggest heart. I got her when i was at uni and she has been the biggest part of my life ever since, she shared everything with me, she was there in a way noone else in my life has ever been, just giving me her love, we understood each instinctively from the day we met when she was the last tiniest kitten in the pet shop. 12 months ago my Mischief cat was diagnosed with feline breast cancer, a massive shock since she had always been healthy and was desexed and should have had almost no chance of of developing this disease. Fortunately i work with my partner and we were able to arrange our work so i was able to spend most of that time caring for her, we went to the vet about 2 months ago and they were amazed at how well she was doing, especially for her age, the cancer seemed stabilised, her coat was as beautiful, shiny and soft as it had ever been. We came home and continued in all the little routines of our shared life, getting up together to get breakfast, back into bed for a cuddle, time for a drink, sitting in her favourite sunny spots in the garden - we filled the day together as often as we could. Then last week she went off her food, grew quite lethargic and wanted to drink heaps, her breathing was becoming laboured (the cancer had spread to her right lung some time back but seemed to have stabilised at some point with the meds so that she usually breathed normally) and she just wanted cuddles so we went to the vet and she told us Missy had damaged kidneys from the cancer meds, she had fluid on her lungs because her kidneys weren't processing properly, so she gave Mischief a diuretic shot to shift the fluid and sent us home with a scary looking fluids bag and line and needles for subcutaneous fluids. I spent the week giving 24 hour care, sub q fluids, meds, syringing food, trying to keep the balance between her lungs and her kidneys, she tried so hard for me, she was such a little fighter, but on Friday she could hardly breathe or walk and i did the hardest thing i have ever had to do, I held her little head and her little paw while the vets gave her the injection and just told her how much i loved her and all that she was in my life, the vet said i didn't have to stay but i couldn't let her leave without me there, i didn't want her to be scared or think that i'd left her when she really needed me, she did so much for me it was the very least i could do for her, they let me stay with her afterwards but i only stayed for about 10 minutes holding and stroking her small beautiful furry little body, otherwise i would have stayed forever. I said goodbye to my best girl, my love , my little one, and my brother and i just drove for hours he let me talk when i needed, cry when i needed, be silent when i needed, i thought i might hold up, but i got home and went to sit in her spot near the heater and i lost it, i didn't think it would feel like someone ripped a hole in me, and i know i'm crying for myself, cos i had to do this for her but damn it hurt, hurts, it actually hurts in my chest and my gut. I woke up at 3am looking for her and remembered and just started sobbing convulsively and i asked her to please stay with me alittle longer til i could cope and her dad was home (my partner who has known and loved mischief and me for 10 years had to go overseas for work just before we went to the vet that long week ago). I'ts only 2 days later and i'm still crying at unpredictable times but yesterday afternoon i was looking at my photos of her, all pictures of her in her favourite spots doing her favourite things, and i was thanking her for that and thinking of all the good stuff and i got this feeling of comfort like she was there with me, it's still with me, i slept with her blanket and little cat toy and collar again last night the bed didn't feel quite as empty as it did. I've been crying while i write this and i still don't know what to do with the day, or tomorrow or the next day without her here, quite how to fill the gigantic hole a tiny cat has left.

[moon_beam]

". . . how can you ever prepare for the physical loss of someone as special as she was to me,. . ."


Hi, Leejay, as you are discovering there is no conceivable way we can ever "prepare" ourselves for the physical absence of our beloved companions. Even when we know they are terminally ill or have suffered a traumatic injury - - our hearts are NEVER prepared to cope with their physical absence. This is one of the things that makes Anticipatory Grief so different - - because while they are still physically with us our hearts are clinging to the hope that "something" will happen that will allow our precious companions to continue to be with us - - just one more minute, one more hour, one more day, - - one more lifetime. Our earthly journey with our beloved companions is NEVER long enough. This is one of the many reasons why, when the moment comes to release them from their earthly journey, the transition in no longer having their sweet physical presence with us is so unbearably difficult - - is so grievously heart wrenchingly painful.

Leejay, as Peggy has so comfortingly shared with you, you are not alone in your grief journey. We are here for you to help you through all the "firsts" you are now having to endure and "adjust" to - - the first hour, the first day, the first month, the first birthday, the first vacation, the first holiday - - each and every day holds a "first" - - and I know how painful - - truly excruciatingly painful both emotionally and physically - - it is to endure every day of "firsts." Eventually, though, as your deep grief eases, you will come to know - - really know - - that your precious Mischief is indeed with you. Her sweet Living Spirit is always with in your heart and your memories continuing to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. And no amount of time can ever take this away from you, Leejay - - not even the dimming of our minds through age can ever take away or diminish the eternal love bond we share with our beloved companions.

Leejay, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I wish there were some easier way through this grief journey, and if I knew of one I'd be sharing it for sure. Unfortunately, the only way through this journey is to give yourself the time and space you need to grieve - - to shed the healing tears that your heart and soul and body so desperately need to shed to wash out the pain of your heart so that you can once again embrace the happiness that your precious Mischief wants so much for you - - the happiness that right now seems so impossible to believe can ever happen.

Leejay, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam