im having trouble coping with the loss of my 15 year old cat, she was everything to me, how do i go on?

Question

She died while i was on vacation and i just cant seem to let go

Answer 1

First let me say I am truly sorry for your loss. Having lost a dog after 15 years I know what you are going through. The best advice I can give you is to definitely take the time to grieve for your pet. People don't realize that losing a pet is just as traumatic as losing a human, sometimes worse as we give our pets unconditional love. While this is a great feeling it also enables us to hurt more so since we made ourselves more vulnerable in front of these wonderful creatures. However, this is a vulnerability that we are not afraid of as we know that our pets will not judge us for it but only return love in immense amounts. You might also seek some therapy for your bereavement. When I say therapy I don't mean anything drastic, but having an objective party to listen to you might help. As I mentioned, this is a great loss and you will need time to heal. Eventually, you will seek out another pet to continue this wonderful bond. It will just take some time. There really isn't a magical solution.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your loss.. it's not any easy thing to go through. Keep your head and remember that your cat lived a very long, and probably happy life. 15 years is good run for a cat, so you must have taken good care of her. Give it some time and you will start to heal.... I lost a cat to someone doing permanent & fatal damage to her when she was only 5 years old, so I know how painful it can be. But.. right after I lossed her my dad brought me home a new kitten, which at first I didn't think was a good idea, but she really did help, and now I've had the "kitten" for nine years, and she's very attached to me. You'll always remember all of the ways that your cat used to make you smile and laugh. So when you start to feel sad about lossing her, just start to think of the funniest thing she ever did and it will make you smile through the tears. I have 3 cats now, and all of them have made me laugh many, many times, and I still have great stories about the cat that passed....

Answer 3

I'm really sorry to hear this. But, remember, she was 15 years old and most cats do not live that long so you are very lucky to have had her that long. Yes, the loss is terrible. But, there IS one way to help you get over this most difficult loss. Go to your local animal shelter and start looking for another kitty. It may take 2 or 3 trips back, or you may find an ideal one right-off-the-bat. I'll bet that you will be looking for a kitty that looks very much like the one you just lost--but just remember, they all have different personalities so, go for the personality of the cat rather than the physical appearance. My Turkish Angora is about 8 yrs. old now, and I love him dearly--BUT, no cat can ever replace my "Ozzie", a silly orange tabby who was a complete clown, and he was stolen. I wish you the best in finding another kitty/kitten as nice as the one you just lost was. Good luck

Answer 4

Its hard to let go of pets.Try and remember all the good things about your cat.In time get another cat preferably from a shelterso that you can give a cat a new life.You will feel sad for a while. Just remember that your cat was lucky to reach 15 while others of us lose cats at an earlier age through sickness accidents and snakes.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry. I lost my 19 year old cat in early December. My life just wasn't the same without her, so I got a new kitten a few days before Christmas. I'm so happy that I did! She's certainly not a replacement for my old cat. A kitten is so different from an adult cat that they're almost not the same species. She gets into things and she needs to be trained, but she makes me laugh. She also reminds me of things my other cat did when she was a kitten, so in a way it's almost like she's giving me memories of my old cat that I'd forgotten. I hope this solution works for you.

Answer 6

I know it doesn't seem so now, but it will get better. Hold on to the great 15 years you had with her.

I just lost my baby a year ago. Penny was everything to me. She was 13, and ailing quickly. We had to come to a decision to let her go. I was a mess - I couldn't believe I could never hold, snuggle, or love on my sweet Penny again. I didn't feel I could function. Penny was quite literally my soul mate of pets.

To cope with my loss, my husband thought I should think about getting another kitty. He took me to a Siamese breeder in the area (Penny was also Siamese) and we picked out a kitten that had been born 4 days earlier.

We had to wait for close to three months before we could bring home our new baby. During that time, I was able to mourn Penny's death and at the same time prepare for a new little one about to come into our life and hearts.

It's been a year since Penny died. My husband just took me out to see her grave this past weekend to give me a little closure. During the past year, my baby died, and Jojo arrived, as well as a new little one we adopted this past June. While no one, no cat, no pet will ever, ever take the place of my Penny, I can go on with my life and love other pets - because Penny taught me how to.

Don't get me wrong - there will be times when the loss of your cat will feel almost more than you can bear. But the time goes on and you can start to think about the wonderful times you had together.

I give to you my experience because that's what I was looking for when my Penny finally left this world. I needed to know that I was not alone, I was not silly for feeling this way about a pet. But to be perfectly honest, my Penny was as sweet and true and beautiful as any human being I have ever known.

Keep going - things will get better, I promise.

Answer 7

Loss of a beloved pet can be the same as loosing a beloved person. I would find people who are pet lovers to talk to about your cat and your feelings and be sure to ignore any comments such as "it's just a cat", or "You can always get another one". Be gentle with yourself and let the grief process take it's own time. When our dog passed away, I was in no hurry to put away his stuff. That was right for me. Maybe you could visit the bookstore and browse some books on death and grieving. How wonderful to have been blessed by you cats presence in your life. I celebrate that and grieve with your loss.

River

Answer 8

Sorry about your loss, it's very hard losing a pet, especially one that you've had a long time. This poem helped me feel better after I lost my cat.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 9

Sorry for the loss of your pet/friend. Unfortunately, time is the only thing that heals. Besides, your pain is proof that your cat was special and worthy of love, so it's gonna hurt to lose her no matter what.

Take it one day at a time. Soon enough you'll feel better.

Answer 10

Wait awhile, try and think of other things. I made a little monument for my dearly departed Snoops. She was the Queen of Kitties. This is going to sound extremely rude, but after awhile, try getting another cat. It really does help, because I missed having a cat to snuggle with so much, I just had to get another one. I found him, a gorgeous orange and white cat with the strangest marble markings, and big amber eyes. He's to die for.