After having my poorly 9 yr old Ribbons pts on Saturday, I feel guilty when I stroke my other cats, I almost feel a bit of resentment towards them when they ask for food. I don't hate them, and Ribbons isn't the first pet cat to have passed away, I think it's guilt that I in some way let Ribbons down, and also my other cats remind me she isn't here. Sometimes I see a cat and just for a second assume it's Ribs and I'm gutted to realise it isn't her.
I love my cats, and I do feel bad, is this normal after euthanasia of a pet?

When we lost our Border Collie Bryn I experienced some awful feelings about my other dog Lily. She was and is my soul mate, she has brought me through some awful low points in my life but I wanted to rehome her after Bryn's death - I couldn't bare the thought of going through the pain of pet loss again.

Now I realise grief was wreaking havoc on my emotions because the thought of not having Lily in my life is terrifying. I know it's different to your situation but I think it does go to show that the emotions and thoughts you experience after a loss aren't always true to yourself. Don't feel guilty, when the mind is overwhelmed by grief other things can go off kilter for a short time.

That's so weird coz I did think to myself, that's it I should regime ALL the cats and never get a pet again. One, so I never had to go through this again but 2, also so I didn't bring bad luck to my remaining cats, like they'd be better off away from me.

Guilt is frequently a massive (and very normal) reaction after a bereavment of any type, please don't feel that you have let your cat down - you gave her peace when she needed it and, sadly, many animals don't get that.

I remember my mind playing tricks on me when we lost our beloved dog a few years ago (she died in my arms a couple of minutes after collapsing with no warning at all) and for a while afterwards I kept "seeing" her in the corner of my eye. It took my rational brain a while to catch up with what had happened, I think.

Give your other cats a massive hug (if they'll let you!), keep remembering the good times and allow yourself time to grieve.

<hugs>

you are grieving. your feeling of guilt is completely normal, I would dare say your feeling of resentment is normal too.

The one thing I can say is that these feelings will pass in time. Remeber your beloved pet for all the good things, and at the same time remember your other pets in the same way. Feel the love you had for Ribbons and give it now to the pets left behind, they will be feeling the loss of Ribbons too.

Most importantly allow yourself to feel however you are feeling and dont resent yourself, Ribbons or your other pets for it. Just go with it and let it pass in time.

Big cuddles to you xxxx

__________________




RIP : Tabby, Bonnie & Herbert.

Proud furless mummy of Luna and Maggie - GO MOGGY MONSTERS!

I had that, although I chose to believe that it was Sooty's way of reassuring me that even though he wasn't there physically, he is still with me in spirit

__________________
Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

That's a lovely thought, hope it's true. I like to think we'll meet again one day as well.

Have you read the rainbow bridge poem? It was the only thing that kept me going in the beginning when he passed away, I'd had him since I was a kid and he was a kitten. I like the thought of seeing him again when it's my turn!

__________________
Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

I do hope this is true. I have lost some lovely pets over the years.

__________________

Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

After Gloworm was pts I really struggled, my head actually felt like it was on a different planet, and stroking or even looking at Salem made my heart ache so I know how you feel, it took me a couple of week's to get used to not having Gloworm at my side and it still hurt's when I think of him, but it help's knowing I have his brother here to help me through it

__________________


Made by smudge2009
Gloworm - Run free little man. 23.05.2011-06.09.2011