The Beautiful Paws Thread

Oh you poor thing, I'm so sorry that this has happened. Of all the things that could have happened for your pet's passing this was probably the kindest for her. It sounds like she had a peaceful death and that she didn't know it was her time and that she simply went to sleep. She's out of her physical pain now, but will live on through you.

It's heartbreaking to lose a pet I know. Your vet will undoubtedly be in constant contact with a crematoriam. You will get her ashes back, make sure you tell them that. Sometimes they can be quite slow for the ashes to be returned - my Oscar who died when I lived in London took six weeks to be returned to me. I'm only telling you in case it's the same for your kitty.

RIP little kitty.

Sorry to hear what you are going through. I went through this on Monday and know it hurts so much but it sounds like your little cat had a lovely life knowing she was loved. It was her time.

You will never forget her, perhaps have a photo enlarged and put on the wall or plant a rose or light a candle in her honour.

Hugs

Em
X

Oh I am so sorry for your loss ... what a lucky cat to have had such a loving and caring owner ... it sounds like you truly deserved to have the wonderful relationship you had ... *S*

Well there are no hard and fast rules for grieving for a pet ... they affect us so much though when we lose them, but think of all the good times, the fun times ... they far outweigh the hard times, times of illness and then losing them ...

You may get another pet, you may not ... I think why deprive another pet of the love you gave to your special friend ... but of course, other people may not feel the same and may not feel able to go through the "hard bit" again, which I understand.

I always have my pets cremated at the local place. They work with my vets (although they are miles apart!) so I phone my vets, they phone the place (it's called Elysian Fields and is in the middle of the country - a lovely area) and without fail, they let me go through straightaway.

I would caution though, anyone thinking they will drive themselves there ... going there you may be okay, but coming home you probably wouldn't be fit to drive, so what a great thing that you are being taken and brought home!

Now's the time to decide if you would like anything to "go with" your little girl ... a favourite blanket maybe? Or a soft toy? Or perhaps you just want her cremating on her own.
Perhaps maybe take a blanket to wrap her in for the journey if you want to hold her in your arms?

You are usually given as much time as you want to say goodbye to your friend ... there is no rushing in and out and the staff are wonderful ... they know just what we're going through, so take AS LONG AS YOU NEED. That is most important ...

Usually when I have said my goodbyes, I end up spending a while longer before something inside me just clicks and it feels right to hand them over.

If you are going to have a casket, start thinking now what you would like engraved on it. They usually do a little brass plaque for the top of it and ask you what you want putting on there.
You don't just need to have your little girl's name on it ... you could have a simple inscription too.
My most loyal dog had a plaque saying, "Todd, my best friend" ... but of course, once you are there, your mind may go a bit blank so I would say have a little think now before you go.

I'm sorry if it seems like I am throwing all kinds of info at you ... but there have been times when, afterwards, I have thought oooohhh, I wish I'd asked for such and such an inscription.

There may be some nice gardens there you can have a walk round while you wait ... just to pass the time.
I can truly say though, to be able to bring their ashes home with you does help you feel less bereft ... it isn't as though you've taken them somewhere and left them if you know what I mean, you get something to bring home ...it might sounds strange but it does help me.

As FC said, decide if you want to have her collar ... personally, you would think I had a kennel and cattery here if you saw all the collars and leads hung up that belonged to the pets I've had over the years, but it helped me to see them and now it makes me smile when I pass them ... some people find that helps them, but obviously, for others it may be too much.

Just have five minutes, think what feels right for you and your little one, then do exactly that.
This is your very special goodbye ... you may want to cut a tiny bit of her fur to put in a locket or keep in a little box with a photo of her ... I know a lot of people do that *S*
Basically, if it feels right, do it ...

Take very good care ... we'll all be thinking of you and your little one today. The one thing that binds people together is knowing we have all gone through the same and understand what it is like.

{hugs}