My Cat Percy Options

[Ritch]

I lost my wonderful marmalade cat Percy on October 23rd because I failed to recognize how sick he was. By the time I got him to the vet, he was in such pain that a little rough handling by a receptionist put him into shock that he died from within seconds. Now I am going through the same torment that everyone else here has experienced. The grief is overwhelming sometimes, and although it is not as horrible as it was for the first few weeks I am still breaking down every day. My wife is getting worn down by my misery -- she was not really attached to Percy, and I was strongly bonded with him. Is there anything that helps with this, aside from time? Therapy, drugs, pet loss discussion groups, taking a vacation? If time does help, how long does it take to start feeling better? I know everyone is different, but I am trying to find things that will help and a goal to work toward. Thank you for your thoughts.

[Ritch]

The last few days of good weather have been particularly hard because Percy loved to bask outside in the sun at this time of year, and when I go outside and he's not there I feel the loss all over again. It's starting to look like I will have to go through a whole year without him before I get past the fallout. My sleep patterns are still disrupted after over four months -- some nights I get almost a full night's sleep; other nights I lie awake for hours. As far as I can tell nobody knows a way around this. It is really wearing me down.