It’s so strange to look around our home and not see certain cats sleeping in coveted spots. It’s a brutal reality check to reach for only three cans of food now.
In the past nine months our family has gone from sharing our home with six unique and amazing cats to only three. While I am truly grateful for the gifts of sharing their lifetimes, the pain from losing each cat is so much to bear. My heart aches more deeply than any words can express when my kitties leave.
I value my relationships with animals. It’s an honor to connect with an animal, to share a bond of mutual love and respect. When we’re lucky, that bond grows as the relationship deepens. I suppose the pain from the loss is a testament to the relationship.
Everything has shifted. It will take time to adjust.
Here’s to Frak, Pumpkin, Dooney, and all the other beautiful animal souls who’ve blessed my life with theirs. The companionship they gave me made the days all that much brighter and kept me going in times of darkness.
Cats have made every part of my life better. As those of us who are left learn to live life without the ones we’ve loved, we honor their memories. By sharing stories, smiling at old photographs, and recalling the ways they each brought something special to our family, their legacy lives on.
Right now, it simply and profoundly hurts.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the difficult loss of a pet, the following resources may be of help. There may also be local organizations or groups who offer additional support.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Rainbow Bridge Grief Support Center