My daughter's asthmatic cat has passed away. It happened a couple of months ago. I could see him on the sidewalk outside our house on our security camera. It looked like he had something like maybe a mouse or something, it's so hard to see details at night even with the night vision cameras. Then he lay down on his side. I thought this was strange because it was lighting raining and the sidewalk was wet so I got up to go see and he was just laying there on his side with his eyes open. I picked him up and rushed him into the house and lay him on his blanket on the couch. My mind was racing on what I should do to save him. The vets would be closed because it was 8pm. It would take them time to get to the clinic and if he was not breathing he didn't have time. I knew there wasn't anything I could do for him so I felt for his heart to see if it was still beating and felt nothing. I felt for his breathing but felt nothing.
My son had come down because I called for him to come help although I have no idea what help he could have been other than to get the cat carrier out of the garage so we could transport the cat to the vet. It all happened so suddenly and the cat felt and looked so alive and I couldn't stop the tears even though my son (who is 22 now so not a child but you still want to act all strong for your kids no matter what their age is) was there. We sat patting him and feeling for any sign of life which we couldn't feel. I managed to get my tears under control and as my son was going to get something and I was standing up he just had to ask if I was okay which made me break down crying all over again. Poor kid has probably never seen me cry before and a stupid cat has to do it for me.
I think it was mostly the shock of him dying so suddenly that really upset me. Last year when my 14 year old orange tabby girl died her health had been failing for awhile before she died plus she was old and it was a bit of a relief for me that she was out of discomfort. But the daughter's cat was only 8 and his asthma had been well controlled on his medication. He only had the occasional cough. I don't think he died of asthma but his heart stopped for some reason.
I wrapped the cat up and we put him in the garage. It was cold out still so his body would be fine there until we could have him cremated. Normally we'd take the body out in the woods somewhere and bury it but the ground was frozen so we paid the $100 to have him cremated.
I can't even remember the last time I haven't owned a cat. It is a bit of a financial burden lifted as we don't have to buy cat food or litter now. There is no stinky cat box in our house and we aren't tripping over his cat food bowls in our small kitchen. No one has to make sure he eats his pill every morning. We don't have a big cat scratch pole in our living room. All those things I'm happy about but I miss having a cat or any pet. I keep thinking I see him out of the corner of my eye. I search the SPCA website for cats thinking I'll find one that makes me want another cat and I'll just have to bring him or her home but none of them call me.
I think I have reached the old age part of life where you don't have pets anymore because you can't be bothered with all that anymore. I'm not sure what I'm more sad about, not having a cat, or not really wanting another one. Why does life have to be so complicated?
My son had come down because I called for him to come help although I have no idea what help he could have been other than to get the cat carrier out of the garage so we could transport the cat to the vet. It all happened so suddenly and the cat felt and looked so alive and I couldn't stop the tears even though my son (who is 22 now so not a child but you still want to act all strong for your kids no matter what their age is) was there. We sat patting him and feeling for any sign of life which we couldn't feel. I managed to get my tears under control and as my son was going to get something and I was standing up he just had to ask if I was okay which made me break down crying all over again. Poor kid has probably never seen me cry before and a stupid cat has to do it for me.
I think it was mostly the shock of him dying so suddenly that really upset me. Last year when my 14 year old orange tabby girl died her health had been failing for awhile before she died plus she was old and it was a bit of a relief for me that she was out of discomfort. But the daughter's cat was only 8 and his asthma had been well controlled on his medication. He only had the occasional cough. I don't think he died of asthma but his heart stopped for some reason.
I wrapped the cat up and we put him in the garage. It was cold out still so his body would be fine there until we could have him cremated. Normally we'd take the body out in the woods somewhere and bury it but the ground was frozen so we paid the $100 to have him cremated.
I can't even remember the last time I haven't owned a cat. It is a bit of a financial burden lifted as we don't have to buy cat food or litter now. There is no stinky cat box in our house and we aren't tripping over his cat food bowls in our small kitchen. No one has to make sure he eats his pill every morning. We don't have a big cat scratch pole in our living room. All those things I'm happy about but I miss having a cat or any pet. I keep thinking I see him out of the corner of my eye. I search the SPCA website for cats thinking I'll find one that makes me want another cat and I'll just have to bring him or her home but none of them call me.
I think I have reached the old age part of life where you don't have pets anymore because you can't be bothered with all that anymore. I'm not sure what I'm more sad about, not having a cat, or not really wanting another one. Why does life have to be so complicated?
Comments
Another trying experience is losing a beloved pet. They after all are a family member and as with any family member we mourn their passing. I've had pets my entire life. At the present time, I have 2 cats and 3 small dogs. As I get older, small dogs seem like a better fit for me because they don't require a litter box, etc. I have a large fenced backyard so it works out well for me and I have a groomer who comes to my house to do monthly grooming. Perhaps when you're ready for another pet, you might consider a lap dog. Shih Tzu's are wonderful and loved to be spoiled, held, brushed, etc. Anyway, my dogs are so entertaining, I couldn't imagine life without them. Since I have cats as well as dogs, they all have become "cogs" (cat-dogs). It's amusing to see how catlike the dogs have become and how the cats have become part of the dog pack.
I really do feel your pain. It isn't easy to have a void where there was once a loving companion. Give yourself time to heal and you'll know when you're ready to get another pet. If you decide against it, then you have all those wonderful memories of times past to keep with you always. Take care and once again thank you for the kind words you left on my blog. I bookmarked your blog so I'll be back (I couldn't find any "follow me" option here on your blog, so I bookmarked you.)
Mama Pea, it is hard to be without a pet. It's sad and kind of liberating much like when your last child moves out of the house. I wouldn't know about that yet because none of my children have moved out yet but that is how I imagine it would feel. We aren't getting another pet as it isn't the right time and may never be, I just don't know yet. Thanks for your sympathies, those dang pets just take a small bit of our hearts when they pass away.