Advice or tips for grieving a pet?

[petitedollbabee]

I’ve had a cat for 12 years, I love her very much. She’s had a lot of health issues over the last few years and even though she’s on medication, her health is still declining. I’ve had to make the hard decision to get her put to sleep at the vets next month. I have a month to prepare for the loss.

I’ve lost many pets in the past, family cats, rabbits, etc, but I’ve never had this much love and bond with a pet before, so the loss is going to hit me much harder.

[Oliverlogan263]

Dang, I'm so sorry to hear about your cat, love. Losing a pet you've had for over a decade has to be just gut-wrenching. I can't even imagine how tough that must be, especially having to make the difficult decision to let her go. That's gotta be one of the hardest things ever.

Since you've got a month to prepare, here are a few tips that might help you through the grieving process:

First off, don't be afraid to lean on your friends and family. They'll understand how much this cat means to you, so let them be there for you. Share stories, look at old photos, and just let yourself feel all the emotions. Crying is totally normal and healthy.

Also, try to make the most of the time you have left with your cat. Shower her with love, give her all the treats and snuggles, and just soak up every moment. Create some special memories that you can cherish.

When the time comes, be gentle with yourself. The grief is gonna hit hard, so make sure you give yourself space to mourn. Don't try to tough it out - let yourself feel it. Maybe even consider a little ceremony or ritual to say goodbye.

And remember, your cat knows how much you love her. She's had an amazing life thanks to you, and she's so grateful. Celebrate the joy you two have shared, and know that you gave her the best life possible.

Losing a pet is never easy, but you're strong, girl. This too shall pass, even if it doesn't feel that way right now. Just take it one day at a time, and know that your cat will live on in your heart forever. Sending you all the hugs and support.

[petitedollbabee]

Thank you 🤍

[ohsheeT]

It's a very hard think to go through. Pets are people to. They have been then through everything with us and your loosing a part of you
I to have had to put down pets and the one thing I will not do is wait. If they are in pain. I want it done right now. ..

This might sound cold. But its like every thing else we go through in life. We do it and we get through it its hurts. But you will see your pet again. And if it in paid. It will thank you they dont want to suffer either

Im very sorry you have to go through this. If you need to talk or vent dm me

[ohsheeT]

I would also like to say about 10 years ago that we had a big thunderstorm. My grandmother had let her dog out before the storm hit. Her dog was scared of the loud crackling of thunder. And got out of the gate

My grandmother called me to see if I could maybe find her. I spent a lot of time searching. All neighborhoods around my grandmother's, but there was no luck

I had a bad vibe. I headed back to her house, and a friend saw me and followed me over to my grandmother's house.

I was out front when he got there. I told him what had happened. And I told him I dont think the dog was alive anymore. I was going to call the pound to find out if they had picked up any dead dogs. My friend that was there, I would always talk spiritual thing to him because at one time he had no faith. But about 35 min in our talk, I was telling him something. And all of a sudden, his eyes got so big. And he got excited. I said, "Wait a minute.. i said before you.
Say anything you said no. No listen, listen, I said. Wait, let me tell you what just happened. He said you will never guess. I said you just felt the dog brush against your leg, and he said how. Did you know that and I said because I just felt the same thing. He said it happen to the both of us every time I talked to you, and we talked about spiritual stuff , something happens. He said how.. I told hime every thing on this planet is mad from energy. And that is what will take it to heaven or another dimension. So if you lose a pet, you will see it again..

[ohsheeT]

You grive a pet the sane way they drive you

[ohsheeT]

www.snapchat.com/.../W7_EDlXWTBiXAEEniNoMPwAAYenl4b2pmYnJsAZe5JxbIAZe5JucfAAAAAQ

[sage2021]

I am very sorry 😞 that you are going to have to let go of your beloved fur baby.

I felt the same way as you do about your kitty with my Abby. She was so smart and cuddly and everything wonderful about a kitty cat. 🐱

Before I left the house the day I had to put her down I threw her food and water dish and her sandbox outside in the trash. I couldn't ever see it again.

When it was time to give her the injection 💉 to end her life, I just couldn't watch that and have that as our last memory together so I declined going in that room and just drove home.

Then years later I saw a program and they said that we should be with our pets when they are going to be put down in front of us. They said that's the time they need you the most and go through it with them.

I made arrangements with the pet cemetery and had a funeral there for her. They put her in a pretty coffin and up on a table in the chapel where we said our final so long.

I had purchased a darling little quilt and pillow at a craft fair and gently put her little head on the pillow and then covered her with the little quilt (which had cute kitty cats which was the material I picked.

I came home and cried for a week straight and was in agony and pretty much useless for a while.

I hope this might have helped 🙏 you in some way.

[Bricealan]

@sage2021 I stayed with Oliver, until the last breath left his little lungs... Now in tears again, Sage... I still have everything of his and have not thrown anything away

[sage2021]

@Bricealan
I did keep her canape bed she used to take her nap in. It was handmade and beautiful. I kept some of her toys 🧸 but lost them when I lost everything I owned.
(Long story.)
I have several pictures in frames throughout my home. Right next to my bed as well.
She was so photogenic and a ham! Hehe... I still think of my Abby girl and I would give anything if she was here with me now. 😥

[Bricealan]

@sage2021 😥😥😥

[exitseven]

My wife and I sat with Harry. He was wrapped in a blanket and we just held him and petted him until the end. He was 20 years old and was a member of the family. Sometimes I come home and expect to see him come out to greet me.

[sage2021]

@@exitseven
Aww! You did the right thing and stayed till the end.
It's sad that we don't get to keep them longer.

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 😀 💓

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

If they’re still alive for now, get as many pics and video of them as you can, it’s going to feel good to have those with you, especially full body pics if you want to try and recreate them in games with customizable pets like the sims 4 (which I did, I have a house full of all the cats I’ve lost over the years, each customized to look as much like they did when they were alive with a sim me to take care of them).


Also feel free to spoil her rotten, let them eat people food, explore the outdoors, anything that’s not too dangerous and that way you can at least feel like you gave them a fulfilled life. It’s an incredibly hard moment, I didn’t have a month to prepare when I lost my boy. I wish I had, I only had a day and I spent it letting him eat tuna from a can and making clay pawprints imprints to keep. He was so annoyed but he was too tired to really stop me at that point. The first year is going to be the hardest one, I had my cat for 15 years before he finally left us 3 years ago. If you feel the need to cry, then cry. It’s okay. I honestly couldn’t look at any videos or pictures of him for months afterwards without crying but now I’ll never take them off my phone. As hard as it is, know that this is the best decision you can make right now and give them the best quality of life that you can while you can.

[petitedollbabee]

Great advice, thank you 🤍

[TsundereMatrix]

I lost so many cats too and I’m sorry you have to go through that! For me, it’s easier to let an old cat go especially when you know it’s their time and then you’re assured they will no longer suffer. When it’s a tragic accident or young death, that hits harder as you don’t know if they suffered pain and I get in my feelings thinking about what they felt. My cat is 13 and still healthy and happy but when she goes I know I’ll be a mess! There’s really no easy answer to deal with grief because we all process it differently.

[SamIam96]

I'm sorry that you have to say good bye to your kitty. It's one of the hardest things. Their love is so pure.

When I had to put my beloved dog to sleep, the vet came to my house. My dog was in her favorite chair. After she passed, I wrapped her in a sheet and buried her in a quiet corner of the garden with a nice stone marker and some new perennials.

[exitseven]

okay, this is a hard thing to deal with. Just think about the nice home you made for your pet. How you kept him healthy and provided him with love. There are plenty of animals in the shelter that do not get adopted and get euthanized. Know that your cat loved you and thanks you for taking care of him.

[Bricealan]

@petitedollbabee I have Oliver's ashes on my mantel, and his picture on my desk. Beautiful boy. He was almost 19 and died of cancer

[petitedollbabee]

19 is amazing, he lived a long, good life. I plan on getting my girl cremated too and I’ll be getting an urn custom made for her ashes.

[Bricealan]

@petitedollbabee Good for you, glad to hear you love your girl as much as I loved Oliver

[Nikki1989]

Grief isn't linear. There will be good days and bad days. Don't pressure yourself to “get over it.” Healing takes time.

[Xawyx-2]

I know how you feel, the same happened to me when my old rabbit died.

I'm very sorry for your loss :(

[Makeushiver]

Losing a pet is very traumatic. Sometimes even more than losing a human since you can't explain anything to a pet only help ameliorate the suffering.

[glennos89]

You can get mine temporarily untill your grieving days are over😇

[scott04sa22]

Im sorry for your loss. 😢

I loss quite a bit of pets over the years. I do want to get a cat but I can't afford it for right now 😔.

[cavedweller1973]

It really sucks to lose a pet to me it’s just like losing a relative

[Dongie]

Awe, so sorry. It's tough I know.

[leahzrc]

This makes me sad I pray for your peace of mind❤️

[jahaims]

It's just a pet