Faithful Friend & Companion of 18 yrs gone

cattie

My lovely cat Scampi, who has been a faithful companion & friend for the past 18yrs had to be PTS yesterday & I am devastated.

Life without him is so hard to imagine & we have been through such a lot together, some terrible tragedies & losses over the years. Now I feel so terribly alone as really he was all I had in life, most of my family & my closest friend having gone. So many people fail to understand that the pain that the loss of a treasured pet can bring is no different to the loss of a family member.

I just don't know what to do with myself without him. He was a little unwell for the past few months & got worse shortly before Christmas & although part of me knew he wouldn't be with me for many more years, the other part of me hoped for some miraculous recovery, hoping that love was enough to help make him fit & strong again. He pretty much lost the use of his back legs over the previous few days, caused by a blood clot.

I know there is no right way to do things, but how do people know when is the right time to get a new pet? On one level I desperately feel I need one straight away to give me something to live for, but in my mind I know I'd only be looking for a replacement Scamp & am not ready for a completely new personality. So I am lucid enough in my grief to know it wouldn't be fair to be rehoming a new cat until I know I can offer him or her the attention, patience & devotion that they will need. But life is so empty without a furry companion.

jess1974

I'm so sorry for your loss, Scampi was very lucky to have you as his owner for all these years x

Miss_J

So sorry your little Scampi has gone. I understand exactly how you feel. I lost one of my gorgeous boys in April 2013, he was also 18 and it totally broke my heart as I had got him and his brother not long after setting up our first home with my husband. Luckily I still had his brother to give me lots of cuddles, and cuddles he did. After losing his brother he quite often would come up to be cradled in my arms like a baby while he purred happily away. Age caught up with him sadly this summer and I lost him aged 19 1/2. Whilst feeling blessed that I had both my boys for such a long time, I still felt robbed and that they'd gone too soon.

Happiness returned in a different form to the family when we adopted a stray dog in September. He's young and mad and reminds me very much of my boys when they were little and the kids love him. Still miss my boys though and would love to have another hug with them.

Much love to you xxxx

cutestkids

Sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our beloved cat of 22 years in June 2013 at the time I couldn't contemplate getting a new pet. I began to change my feelings on this in the early summer of 2014 and we now have a beautiful 5 month old kitten. You will know yourself when you are ready xx

Slinky

I'm sorry for your loss.

We lost Merlin in June 2012 after 18 years and were devastated. In September 2013 we adopted Tinka, but sadly he was hit by a car a year later. We only lasted 6 weeks without a cat before adopting Pixie. What I will say is they have all had completely different personalities.

You are right to be wary about rushing to adopt another too soon as it will probably be very difficult to cope with that your new cat doesn't react to you the same way your old cat did.

Rebel_Cause

I am so sorry for your loss and I truly empathise. I am been through similar recently and I was beside myself. However, for Christmas, I made myself a scrap book of all my cat's pictures and made funny captions next to the pictures. So that we can remember the good times. He passed away suddenly on Remembrance Day.... of all days.

I have a trinket box of his hairs and biscuits I found since he passed, I have kept his carry cage and placed his food bowls in there as well as the jumper I was wearing on the day he passed away. x

Maryland_Cookie

So, so sorry to hear about the loss of Scampi. He was a lucky cat to have you, and I'm sure you feel lucky to have had him in your life too.

There's no right or wrong thing to do, everyone's different. When my cat passed I said I was never having another, but it wasn't long til I was owned by another fur baby!

cattie

Rebel_Cause wrote: »

I am so sorry for your loss and I truly empathise. I am been through similar recently and I was beside myself. However, for Christmas, I made myself a scrap book of all my cat's pictures and made funny captions next to the pictures. So that we can remember the good times. He passed away suddenly on Remembrance Day.... of all days.

I have a trinket box of his hairs and biscuits I found since he passed, I have kept his carry cage and placed his food bowls in there as well as the jumper I was wearing on the day he passed away. x

Thank you for this as I think doing some of these things will help me.

From when Scampi first started to become unwell I would cover him up as he lay on my bed, with an old hooded casual top of mine. He never liked to be covered up when he was healthy, but I'm certain it was something he welcomed as his health declined. Anyway, the top has now become very precious to me because it has been very close to him & will have his scent & I hold it close to me & give it little kisses & I take it to bed with me at night.

I also have a clipping of his fur from when the vet shaved his leg ready to put the line in for the anaesthetic so that can become part of my memory box. And there are some of his favourite toys from happier times that would be perfect for such a box too. I know I wouldn't have the heart to throw them away & perhaps they can bring me some comfort & smiles in the future by keeping them as happier mementos.

As much as it pains me to hear that others here have been suffering following the death of a beloved pet, it is a help when you realise that you are not alone, so thank you so much to all who respond.

meames_2

So sorry big hugs xx

Womble had to be PTS last January. I realised after a month that I hadn't spoken to anyone outside work /friends and felt stuck indoors.

By March I started looking. And got really upset when one dog I liked got adopted. However by April I got little Fudge who is currently perched on a cushion with his bum as close to me as he can get.

I would say you just have to do what's right for you. I still have a little cry over Womble All the time and wish he was here with Fudge.

Good luck xx

pinkteapot

I'm so sorry for your loss. Our is 2 but I already worry about this time coming.

A friend lost her cat who had been with her for a long time, through some very bad periods in her life, in April last year. She adopted a new cat about three months later. She just found the house wasn't the same without a cat. The main thing she talked about for a while was how different in personality her new cat was to her old cat.

She loves the new cat to bits and it's getting easier over time, but it's good you're aware of your feelings and that sense that you can't replace what's lost. A new cat will be different, present different challenges but show affection in different ways and bring you joy and laughter in new ways. I think you'll have a sense when the time is right. x

Apoorwoman

Dear Cattie

I read your post last night but could not reply as I was just so upset for you. I don't know how to help you with your grief, just wish I could take your pain away, but of course I can't, just give you virtual ((((hugs))).

I too had a cat who made almost 22 years and it broke my heart when I had to call the vet to come and end his life. That cat had stuck by me through thick and thin and in very sad times would just sit beside me to give support.

Out there somewhere is a little cat looking for you and in time will find you. It is meant to be.

Sending you love. Remember you are not alone, you have all us virtual friends. xx