(not sure if I should be posting this here or in the Rainbow Bridge forum - started reading some things on there and it nearly set me of blubbing yet again!)

We lost our beloved Tinkerbell on Monday morning, run over on the main road not far from our house. Although we didn't find out until yesterday afternoon, we were hoping she'd just gone on a long wander and would be back soon ...

I'm utterly devastated. She was only 1 1/2 years old, still my baby. Words can't express how much we miss her and want her back, this has left a massive hole in our home and our lives. I've known many cats in my life, and loved them all, but I'd never had anywhere near the close bond with any of them that I had with Tink. She was the most beautiful, gentle, amazing cat I have ever known, and the love she gave me was just incredible. I simply can't believe I'll never see her again, never be able to stroke her, kiss her, smell her, cuddle her.

We had her from the age of 6 weeks, along with her brother Alfie. They did everything together, and were extremely close (even if he did bully her a bit from time to time)! It's heartbreaking to watch him wander around the house clearly looking for her, her scent is obviously still everywhere ... or sit for hours gazing out the back windows, waiting for her to come home.

Any advice on how to cope with the loss? Also, to help Alfie through this? Will he get over this loss? He's never been on his own before, would it be advisable to get another cat as a companion for him?

We are planning on having her cremated at the Dignity Pet Crematorium (Pet Cremation - Award Winning Specialist Individual Pet Crematorium) which is close to where we live. They will pick up her body (I couldn't face doing that) from the council depot as part of the service. We were thinking of scattering her ashes at home in the garden, where we have so many memories of her.

RIP Tinky, we will always love you.