My Kitty died Saturday

[Anna_Marie]

His name was Mr. Kitty and we had him for 12 years, but he was probably 13. He was fine when we went to bed Friday night, but at 3:30 am he meowed at my bedside. I turned on the light and he was breathing very very hard, and had his mouth open. I woke up my husband and he called the Animal Hospital. Mr. Kitty would meow ever so often and then he crawled under my bed. They said to bring him on in.

I woke up DS15 and DD8 and we put him in the cat carrier and left. The animal hospital is 30 minutes away. He died on the way. The vet said he probably had a heart attack.

We are all so upset. I feel like he came to me for help and I couldn't help him. I feel like I failed him. I cried all day Saturday and Sunday and I am crying here at work. Ds won't talk...he has said maybe 10 words since this happened.

Mr. Kitty was our baby. He was the sweetest most loving cat. And he was smart - every morning we would say, "wheres your food?" and he would go to the cabinet and try to open it, or if the food container was out, he would put his paw on it.

I am so worried about my son - Mr. Kitty was everyones cat, but mostly his. He slept in his room at night and had a special blanket on his bed. Every night DS would brush him and pet him. Mr. Kitty would paw the blanket and purr. I know as bad as I feel, he must feel 100X worse. I want to make it better and I can't.

Please say a prayer for our family. I miss my kitty so much! I want him back!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm so sorry.

If you run out to Borders or Barnes and Noble before the kids get home from school, they have a nice section on pet loss. There's a book called Cat Heaven (I have the Dog Heaven version) that's pretty cute and helped us all (especially me!) when our dogs died. It's not just the message in the book that's helpful and nice to think about, but it's knowing that other people feel the same way over losing a pet as well, enough to write a book like this. http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Heaven-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590100548

 

[lynxstch]

Your post made me cry as I can feel your pain..I recently lost 2 of my furbabies..1 was 4, the other would have been 14. Both went to the Rainbow Bridge within 1 1/2 months of each other (this past April and this past June).. I hope you and your family have many happy memories of your kitty to remember..and please, don't feel guilty, you gave Mr Kitty many happy years. He was a beloved member of your family, and if he really went that quickly, then there was nothing you could have done..that's the way both of mine went..just know that he isn't suffering anymore and he's up there looking down at you with love and thank for providing him with a loving home, a family who cared for him and took care of him..there are so many kitties and cats out there who have noone to watch out for them!
Lynn

 

[Muushka]

Your family is in my prayers.

I am so sorry about your kitty. You have described a great cat.

Try to remember what his life was like just prior to last night. Soon, all you will have are good memories.

Having lost some great cats, I know the pain that you are talking about. Sometimes I can bring myself to tears when I remember their last days, but I try to quickly remember all the good ones.

 

[disney_mommy]

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet pet. Do not feel like you failed him, it was just his time. Take comfort in the fact that as his poor body failed him, he chose to snuggle next to you for comfort.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

So sorry to hear! It's tough losing a pet, especially when you feel helpless about it.

Maybe you could put on a special wake for Mr. Kitty to help the kids find peace with the whole situation. Something small, just for you guys. Let the kids write a note, or pick some flowers. Maybe bury his favorite toy in your backyard with a little monument to him?

It may sound a little crazy, but it could help the kids and you through the grief process.

My aunt and cousin were a mess when their dog died several years ago. They picked her up as an abused shelter dog - she ended up being the best dog ever. After she passed, they buried her in the back yard, bought a cement bench, and planted a rose bush in honor of the pup.

 

[FergieTCat]

I am so sorry!

My cat, Diana, died at home as well. She took a little bit of my heart with her.

 

[Disney Doll]

So sorry for your loss. Don't think you failed him...you were trying to help by driving him to the vet's...it was just his time.

 

[Anna_Marie]

I'm so sorry.

If you run out to Borders or Barnes and Noble before the kids get home from school, they have a nice section on pet loss. There's a book called Cat Heaven (I have the Dog Heaven version) that's pretty cute and helped us all (especially me!) when our dogs died. It's not just the message in the book that's helpful and nice to think about, but it's knowing that other people feel the same way over losing a pet as well, enough to write a book like this. http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Heaven-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590100548

Thank you. I looked over a few pages on Amazon and I think I will get this book.

 

[Aimros]

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm a big cat and animal person and my kitties are definitely my furbabies. We lost two kitties to tragic accidents within a year of each other and definitely felt like we failed them too... but don't let the guilt bog you down. My first cat died when I was your DS age. She was my "Mr. Kitty"...slept on my bed every night, was my best friend. She was really hard to let go, but I promise your son will be OK. Mr. Kitty lived a happy life and he is now running around somewhere chasing all the birds and mice he could ever want and sleeping in nice cozy beds with the sunshining on him whenever he wants. hugs to you and prayers for Mr. Kitty

 

[chisnpeke]

I'm so sorry. Don't blame yourself there was no way you could have known and even if you did nothing you could have likely done.

 

[Anna_Marie]

Thank you all so much for the kind words. I'm sitting here crying as I read them. It's so hard to lose a pet you made part of your family.

 

[alliecats]

Anna Marie, you did NOT let Mr. Kitty down. You didn't. A lot of people, even those who consider themselves good pet owners, who provide regular vet care and healthy food and a safe home, would have decided to wait and watch and went back to sleep, planning to check on him in the morning.

You didn't. You knew something was really wrong and were going to take him into a pet ER (if it is anything like the one here, they charge you like $75 just for being there, everything else is extra) in the middle of the night.

He came to you for help, because he knew you would help him. Lots of pets just hide. But he knew you would try to help him because of how you loved and cared for him every day and that you would understand what he was 'asking' for. There was just nothing you could do--it happened too fast. He passed away as you were taking him to emergency treatment, with his whole family around him, loving him and wanting to help him. There was nothing you could have done differently. It is very sad.

I am the worst one to blame myself so I totally understand. But you did not let him down, and he knows it. Every kitty should be so fortunate to be loved and missed so much. I am so very sorry for your loss.

 

[Brit17]

I am so sorry for your loss ... I understand exactly how you are feeling ... just try to remember all the good times and take comfort in knowing what a wonderful, loving home you gave Mr. Kitty through the years ... and remember, Mr. Kitty's pawprints will be forever on your heart ... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ...

 

[*BTMRR*]

I'm so sorry.

 

[KristaTX]

I am so sorry .

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am so sorry for your loss, you did the best your possibly could have done under the circumstances

 

[mamamary]

So sorry about your kitty

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am sorry for your loss of Mr Kitty.

Another book that you might be interested in is The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. The vet gave it to us when our dog died but I think it is about a cat.

http://www.amazon.com/Tenth-Good-Thing-About-Barney/dp/0689712030

 

[pweyl36]

Iam right there with ya, my cat of 15yrs just died thursday. The sad part was my 13yr dd was home from school no more than 5 mins when she found poor Stinky on the floor breathing her last breaths. She was sick for a few weeks,but my poor dd was hystarical and I had to leave work to and wrap her in a sheet and place her in a plastic bag till my husband got home. Well dd was very upset about her being placed in a plastic bag saying She deserves better. I told her we had to, she did hold her for awhile and put her mouse next to her stating so she will have something to play with on her way to heaven.But it is hard, she out lived 2 cats and 2 boxers.