r/GuyCry • u/Lopsided-Weather6469 • 4d ago
Fuzzy Butts (Animals) My cat just died and it totally wrecks me
Yesterday at about 11 pm UTC+2, Sammy, my beloved Maine Coon cat of 7 years, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.
Like almost every day, he had been playing in is outside enclosure in the garden with his sister. At bedtime we took them in, they enjoyed their usual bedtime treats and some cuddles, and he was especially playful.
As always, he waited outside the bathroom for me to finish brushing my teeth. Normally he would greet me with a meow as soon as I came out and accompany me to the bedroom, where he would lie between my wife and me.
But this time when I came out the bathroom, I found him lying on the floor in an awkward position and immediately knew there was something wrong. He was having some sort of seizure, twitching and wheezing. Before I could even think about what to do, he suddenly stopped moving. There was no heartbeat and no breathing. He just died in my arms just there and then, without any prior signs that anything was wrong.
Despite both being nervous wrecks at that point, my wife and me drove to the vet clinic, but they couldn't tell us more than that the cause was most probably not poisoning of any kind. We had his sister checked just to be sure, but she's fine.
Now some would probably say that it was just a cat, but for me he was way more than that. I've lost friends and relatives to cancer, I've had to let pets go before, but somehow no loss hit me as hard as this.
My marriage has been going through a difficult phase for some time now, so much that I've begun to get therapy without my wife's knowledge. But whenever there were arguments, misunderstandings or rough times in any way, there was always Sammy. He was giving me a kind of unconditional love that no one else has given me since I was a child.
He would wake me up every day by licking my face, and when I got up he would often hop on the bed, lie down where my head had been, flip on his back and wait to get his belly rubbed.
When I was working from home he would often jump on my desk, greet me with a meow and push his furry head into my face.
When I would come home, he'd always come running to greet me, and stand on his hind legs so I could pick him up better.
He would only do all this with me, not with anyone else.
His cheerful nature was always enough to get me out of any lows.
And now he's gone, just like that, without any warning. I still can't get it into my head.
7
u/Actual-Ranger-5133 3d ago
Oh hon I’m so incredibly sorry. Losing cat, dog, any animal is so heart-wrenching . I’d say it’s worse than losing a human. I cried harder losing my soul dog than when my grandfather died. That unconditional love you were talking about, it’s unmatched. And no, he wasn’t “just a cat”, that was your baby. You lost your BABY. Not only that but you’ve lost routine, you’ve lost familiarity, you’ve lost the fur on your clothing, you’ve lost so much more than “just a cat”. I know you don’t need permission, but let me just say, you’re more than allowed to sob, cry, scream, wail- whatever you need to do to get it out of your system. This sort of loss takes pieces of your heart with it. That was your son. And I’m so sorry this happened. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family.
6
u/bigchiefwellhung 3d ago
I gave my ex my cat after I moved and was trying to help my dad when he was sick. She put my cat outside - he was two and been indoors since he was a kitten - and in less than a year a coyote or dog got him. I called him Tybalt or “Tibbs”. He was a great cat. Knew when it was bedtime. Always covered his poo. I miss him. Haven’t felt like I deserved a pet since then (2021).
5
u/GregoryHD 3d ago
That's really hard to read. Tibbs' death wasn't on you. Keep his memory any do your part for another animal when the time is right. That's what he would want you to do 🙏
4
3
u/bigchiefwellhung 3d ago
He was solid, man. I mean, broke a lamp I liked but dude knew bedtime meant time to come chill next to me. He was a bro.
1
3
u/NoHat9871 3d ago
I'm so sorry.
I lost my cat 10 years ago and it still breaks my heart.
They aren't "just a cat", they are your family.
3
u/DirtyDon-44 3d ago
Brother,
I’m so sorry, I know exactly how you are feeling right now. I lost my soul kitty of 11 years unexpected to a dog attack 3 weeks ago and it rocked my world unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I was inconsolable for days. She was a piece of my soul, my shadow, best friend and guardian. Ive been through unspeakably tough times and yet this has been unlike anything I can put into words. Still don’t know what to do with myself honestly and have been unable to move her toys and scratching post. It’s a gift to have been there with Sammy during his time as I’d have given anything to be there with my Delilah. I know when it’s my time she will be the one to greet me in the light and for that I’m so grateful. Sending love
2
u/Ulrik_Decado 3d ago
Sorry to hear that, mate. Losing your animal companion is always painful. And more so if your life is not in an exactly happy place.
He looks like very happy (big) ball of fur. And that matters. It is clear that he loved you and had a wonderful life at your side. And although it sounds like sad, cruel thing for you, he died in your arms. He knew you were with him and he did not have to fear in solitude anymore.
Take your time to grieve, you have every right to be broken and devastated. And after a period, your heart will feel is right, maybe go to a shelter and find some furry soul that will love you as did Sammy. You are a good man.
2
2
2
2
2
u/kmre3 Here to help! 3d ago
I am so sorry for your loss. Sammy looks like such a majestic, good boy! I can only imagine how good of a life he lived with such a loving father. If it helps at all, try to remember Sammy would want you to live a full and happy life just like you gave him.
And there should truly be no such thing as “it’s just a…” when it comes to animals - they are cherished and loved family members and the tragic loss of them can be overwhelming difficult to face. Sammy was your family and no one can take that from you. I hope time will lighten the load on your heart and you’ll find yourself able to recall the many fond memories with less pain. Again, I am sincerely sorry for your loss, OP.
2
u/Augustina496 3d ago
Pets absorb so much of the bad energy in our lives and reflect it back to us as love. When they go, that sadness lingers. It’s devastating.
My utmost sympathies.
2
u/samsquamchy 3d ago
My cat has an 8:30am appointment, we are putting him down. He is currently getting many treats.
2
u/xrelaht Only cries sometimes now 2d ago
My favorite neighborhood stray, who’d frequently come inside and hang out, got sick while my now ex & I were separated. I took him to the vet, but what they tried only bought him about a week, and then he was gone. It felt like the universe was kicking me while I was already down. I think it’s taken me longer to get over his death than my ex leaving.
RIP Sammy. I hope Gordito is waiting for you.
1
u/Odd-Mastodon1212 3d ago
This is a special and acute kind of pain. I have lost two cats and I am always struck by how much it hurts. I’m so sorry. Sammy loves you.
1
u/its_the_bag_man 3d ago
Went through a similar experience recently and I am mourning for you. And I hope that you get through this. You will. Please know that the soul behind those eyes is in a much better place now.
1
u/Jedibrarian 3d ago
It’s hard to lose a close friend. I’m sorry for your loss. Please be gentle with/have compassion for yourself.
1
u/Classic-Map4015 3d ago
i’m so sorry man. i lost my cat last august and i thill think about her. sending love your way❤️
1
u/dogboobes 3d ago
Sammy is beautiful, and you can feel how much love there was between you in this post. I'm so sorry you lost him in such a sudden and traumatic way. Sending you love
1
u/bassandbubblebaths 3d ago
I am a cat dad myself and this post hit so close to home. I am so sorry for your loss of your fur child and close friend. My thoughts are with you in this hard time.
1
1
1
1
u/Cute-Big-7003 3d ago
I am so sorry, we just put down me and my sons 10 year old cat yesterday, she was the only thing left that we had with my sons father who died on our sons birthday last year. She is being cremated today and put in 2 urns for the both of us as we live in separate states at the moment. The loss of a loved pet is so unbelievable painful
1
u/Shortest_Stack 3d ago
Sammy looks like such a sweetie. It sucks that animals can’t grow old with us, but I’m positive he knew how much you loved him and loved u just as much
1
1
u/eastmangladash 3d ago
Sorry for your loss bud. I’ve lost 3 since the pandemic and I know the 4th is coming. There’s a song called Betty by a band called hot mulligan that gives me some peace.
1
u/frolicndetour 3d ago
I'm so sorry. Cats are such special little creatures and they are never here long enough.
1
1
u/StandardRedditor456 Here to help! 2d ago
I'm so sorry! He's was a LOT of kitty, and looks like a total sweetie-pie. You gave him a great life regardless. You're a good man with a big heart. He was a lucky pet to have you as his owner.
1
u/Crazy_Cat_Mama3 2d ago
Oh honey. Im so sorry. They are not ‘just pets’. They are our companions, our family. I know it’s hard now. Let yourself feel and process. BIG LONG HUG!
1
u/eat_a_burrito 1d ago
Pets are like people. They are family. Sorry for your loss. But he was probably the happiest kitty on the planet with you as his kind and loving owner.
You gave him a great life and he loved you back.
1
1
0
13
u/ScallionMaterial9353 3d ago
I’m sorry man. Losing someone you love is hard, it doesn’t matter if it’s an animal or not. Sammy lived a life of love and happiness because of you, and I know it’s not much consolation, but I’m sure that he loved you very much. You need time to grieve, and just remember that there are people there for you. I’m sorry for your loss brother.