Last night at about 10pm, my husband and I noticed that our cat was having trouble breathing. I called my veterinarian on the emergency line that he provides, the vet told me to bring my cat in this morning to see what was going on. My husband and I convinced ourselves that it was just an infection of sorts that could be treated. The vet tested my cat for feline leukemia and it came back positive. I had the choice of taking him back here and letting him suffer, or putting him down. I had to put him down, I can't be selfish and let him suffer so I didn't have to deal with the loss.. its been about an hour and I can't stop crying.... one of my friends told me it was just a cat... I feel so stupid for crying but I just can't stop.... am I just over reacting?
2007-04-10 03:47:49 · 44 answers · asked by Scared 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
No of course not. It was your pet and in this country good or bad ( i think good) we elevate our pets status to that of family. Your grieving over the loss of a family member. Tell your freind to F off.
2007-04-10 06:08:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am so sorry for your loss. It was just a cat it was your cat and therefore it makes it special. Cry all you want. You did the right thing and don't let someone make you feel worse because you are griefing. The Bible says there is a time for everything even griefing. I have cried over many pets. When I lost my Golden Retrieiver I told my husband I said it hurts now but I wouldn't trade the hurt for the years we had her and one day I would get another one and one day Jake will die to and I'll cry again but I'll get another one because I'd rather have the hurt than not to have nothing at all. If God didn't care about animals He would not have made Noah put 2 of each kind on there now would He? I hope you feel better soon.
2007-04-10 03:59:38 · answer #2 · answered by Ima Stressed Out 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you're not a moron. My cat died last year of chronic renal failure and I was devastated. I had him for almost 18 years and it was extremely difficult to make the euthanasia decision. I cried every day for two weeks and felt every emotion possible. But as you said, if the animal is suffering, the best thing we can do for them is to take the suffering away.
Try not to be too hard on your friend who said it was just a cat. Either that person doesn't have animals and doesn't understand the bond that can occur between pets and people, or they - in their own weird way - were just trying to make you feel better.
It's ok to grieve for the cat you loved. There are numerous web pages that detail the pet grieving process, provide support, and even let you set up a memorial. I used one myself. Just google pet death, or something similar, and you should find one. Good luck to you.
2007-04-10 03:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course not!!! Don't let anyone make you feel that way about expressing your feelings!!! You must've had your cat for a long time that there developed an intense emotional bond between you. A cat is a living thing, we humans are social creatures, we get attached, we care and we love... once there, we find it hard to let go. You loved your cat that's why you had to put his feelings before yours, you shunned selfishness. If you ask me, you're on the right track! You go girl!
Your expressing your sorrow freely is good, from what I've heard, it's emotionally healthy than if you keep it bundled up inside. You loved your cat, he became a part of you...who wouldn't mourn for the loss of something, or dare I say it, someone so dear?
Though I have to warn you that you shouldn't wallow in your sorrows for too long, it might become unhealthy; be considerate of others too in your times of sorrow. :]
May your cat rest in peace. You've done a good thing! :]
2007-04-10 04:08:23 · answer #4 · answered by wunderpumpkin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry for your loss! You're not a moron at all. We all become attached to things, whether it's a pet, or a person, or and idea, or an object. I'm sure if your friend's dream car was totaled, he/she would be very upset too! At a job I worked, a fellow employee called off work when her cat died. The manager of our department said, "I can't believe she called off because her cat died. It's just a stupid cat." I said to the manager, "Well, how would you feel if your dog died?" That shut her right up. Did I mention that the manager has a picture of her dog in a frame on her desk?
2007-04-10 04:01:27 · answer #5 · answered by ☆skyblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course you aren't a moron! Pets are members of your family! You would cry if your child died from Leukemia, right? So did your poor cat! You would feel the same way for either one. So should your friend. Again, say your child died from Leukemia. Your friend wouldn't say, "oh, it was just your child." shame on them!
You are definitely NOT stupid for crying. Everybody cries at some point, especially if your pet dies! It's nothing to be ashamed of. You aren't over reacting unless you've been crying 24/7 for like, 4 months or something.
My prayers and love to your poor kitty.
XOXO
Annie
2007-04-10 04:05:58 · answer #6 · answered by Annie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not overreacting and I HATE when people say "It's just a cat." BULL! That is so insensitive for someone to say. Whoever said this to you obviously didn't care about your feelings. If that happened to me, I would cut that person out of my life permanently. I had a pet that past away in 2003 from respiratory failure. My Vet sent me a condolence card and my mother's priest even came over to the house to perform a funeral and said a special prayer to St. Francis of Assisi who is the patron Saint of all animals. That person was under reacting and my heart goes out to you in your time of loss as I'm sure everyone here feels as I do. I hope that you surround yourself with people who support you and your husband through this time and keep out those who are insensitive. Animals are God's creatures too and they don't deserve to be treated any less. Sorry for your loss.
2007-04-10 04:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by Lifted by God's grace 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are definintely not overreacting. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things to do because you are in the position to keep her going or have her end in peace. My cat was put down yesterday due to illness as well and that was a really hard day for me. I'm better today but I had a weekend of knowing I was going to put her down and I cried lots. It's totally natural and keeping busy and following your normal routine helps to support you in this time. Your friend wasn't supportive at all - talk with your husband and close friends. Believe me - it really helps. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
2007-04-10 06:01:55 · answer #8 · answered by Asha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont ever feel stupid for crying over a lost pet. My cat died from feline leukemia too and it was really hard for me to get over it. Your friend should be a lot more sensitive to your feelings about your beloved pet. Cry as much as you need too sweetie, its perfectly natural! Hugs and sorry for your loss!
2007-04-10 03:51:37 · answer #9 · answered by Christy T 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
cry as much as you want Hun! when you are ready you will look back at all of the fantastic times you had with your kitty. you friend is plain out of order saying 'its just a cat' i have two cats and they have a permanent eye infection and when they were diagnosed i cried for days. i am so sorry for your loss but try to think of all of the good times in stead of the grief you are feeling right now Hun! good luck xx xx
2007-04-10 04:01:46 · answer #10 · answered by Poppy J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you need to grieve because your cat was a part of your family. Unless someone has been in your situation, they don't fully understand. We lost our dog last June and the first week was horrible without him. EVERYTHING reminded us of him. We have since gotten another dog but there are still things that will bring tears to my eyes when thinking about him.
It will eventually get better over time. Don't listen to your friends. Let yourself grieve. It will give you a better piece of mind.
2007-04-10 03:55:44 · answer #11 · answered by Kosmo's owner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋