What is the proper time for greiving over the loss of a pet?

Question

I lost my cat Gizmo about two years ago. She was a tortus shell calico. She had eyes that reminded you of human eyes.
I found her being attacked by a dog when she was about 6 months old. I nurched her back to health (the way the vet told me to). When I put the cream on her bite marks she would purr, although the cream burned. (the vet told me it would).

I thought I was over the greiving process, but today I was walking my dog, I came across a cat that looked just like her and it made me sad.

She was 11 years old when she died in her sleep. I didn't know anything was wrong with her. I didn't even notice how old she was, I looked at my first vet bill and added the years.

Answer 1

I know how you feel, you never forget your cats and it is always sad when you think of them again. I have written a lot about grieving for a pet and it's too much for me to write here. Check it out, it may help you with how you are feeling. :)
http://www.our-happy-cat.com/pet-loss.html

Answer 2

I'm sorry for your loss. Gizmo sounded like a very sweet and beautiful cat. It sounds like you were good to her and she recognized that (purring for you when putting on her medicine) you were taking care of her.

It's just like grieving for a family member or a friend who has died...you're sad for awhile but then you start to move on, although you never forget that person. Sometimes you might see someone who likes like the deceased family member or friend or you see something that reminds you of that person (something he or she liked) and that can bring back sadness. It's the same way in grieving for animals. They are just as much family as any human is and it's okay to grieve and it might take awhile. It's also normal to still get sad sometimes about your loss. Talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling or even better, someone who knew and loved Gizmo just like you do, that way you can share your memories of her. Just take the time you need to help yourself. Hang in there.

Answer 3

You will always have those moments when you miss your cat it is all up to you when your ready but, my advice don't get one that looks just like your other cat because it will never measure up to the love and bond you had with the calico but, you can love another cat now just figure it a blessing and when you get a new kitten you might even see some things in that kitten that will remind you of your calico and then you will laugh not cry.best wishes to you!

Answer 4

The proper time is 'as long as it takes'.

When my main cat died from cancer he was 2 months shy of 20 years old and had been with me for 3/4 of my life. I would still tear up thinking about him even after 3 years. It's much easier now,but it takes time.

If you choke things back, it makes things worse. Don't hold back.

Answer 5

It's been 6 months since my Dixie died. I still cry every day. I think it just depends on you. You might grieve in some way forever. I personally would rather grieve than forget her. At least you gave her a good life for her time and that's the most any of us can hope for. ♥

Answer 6

The following are generally accepted grievance guidelines put forth by the American Vetrinary Medical Association:

1) Fish, arachnids and insects - 1 day

2) Non-iguana reptiles and small birds - 2 days

3) Iguanas, small rodents and other flushable mammals, and large birds - 4 days

4) Large rodents (rabbits etc) and ferrets -1 week

5) Cats and small, annoying dogs - 2 weeks

6) Large dogs and small, lovable dogs - 3 weeks

7) Horses, ponies, small primates and other non-intelligent exotic pets - 1 month

8) Chimps (both nonsmoker and cigar smoking), gorillas, dolphins and other marine mammals - 3 months

Hope that helps.

Answer 7

My cat Tibbs died ten years ago and another cat Fred died last year ... i won't forget either of them, and i get a little sad when i think about them, you'll never replace your cat but you''ll find new ones with different personality's that'll fill a little piece of the hole.

Answer 8

There's no standard time for this, as a kid we had a boxer, it died 30 years ago, every now and then when I see one that looks a lot like her I still miss her.

I lost a Bouvier of old age 3 years ago and every time it snows, (he liked it very much), I think of him.

Answer 9

I know lots of people with lost pets its best you get a reminder of her or just another cat.

Answer 10

Just like if you lost a person you loved, you may always feel pain and grief over the loss of your little Friend.