I don't know why I don't have tears; maybe have gotten too cold over the years, but my Dad's still crying. His boy (his cat Cat; he calls kitten. We never gave him a name other then that and my Dad's had him since 1997) has to be put to sleep today due to complete kidney shutdown. We thought he died yesterday, but he came out of his hiding place real late last night. Took him to the Vet this morning and just found out the news. I guess typing this is more for me then my Dad, but still I hope I and my boy Socks will help him though this. I don't know what I would do if something happens to my boy (Socks). Anyway, sorry I had to share this. It's the way that I cope with things I guess.

Losing close friends is always hard. Doesn't matter if they're humans or animals, you lose something from yourself when they die. I'm sorry for you and your dad.

Tears heal, sometimes.

I'm really sorry to hear it.

I had a cat for about seven years and his name was Cat, or I'd call him Kitty when he was being cute ("come here, Kitty" versus "get outta there, Cat"). I had to move to a place that didn't allow pets and made the tough decision to just leave the cat (he was an outdoor cat anyway). I didn't think I'd miss him as much as I did. No one there to greet me at the door or get in my way in the kitchen. I should've moved somewhere else. =\

I think it's nice how your pets can become such a big part of your life, but when they go it hits pretty hard. I'm glad your dad got so many years his kitten.

..Nope it is alright Lyle. I have several animals that are part of my family. Cows, cats, dog, horse, chickens, etc. A loss of any of them makes me sad especially unplanned unless it is for eating purposes and even then I always tell them thanks for what they provide.

I lost my rabbit Snowball before christmas. he was 8 years old. The weird part he was perfectly fine only difference is that he was sleeping more than usual last fall. I woke up one morning to find him in the same spot he was the night before and breathing heavily. I listened to his lungs and they were full of fluids. He had reduced his eating 24 hours prior not the norm for him. I held him close telling him it was alright to move on and not to linger I did not want him to suffer because I was sad. It is never easy. I am sorry for yours and your dad's loss. Lossing a best friend and family member is not easy but knowing they will not suffer makes it easier for me to cope with it.

Liana

I'm so sorry to hear that. Cats are part of the household. And when someone, even if it's a pet, disappears from your daily routine your brain has to adjust and that is what causes most of the grieve, apart from the love you'll miss. If you don't live in the same house as your dad, then that's probably why you are less affected.

Seeing your dad hurt so much must be really painful. I wish you both all the strength in the world.

Thanks for the kind words folk. Guess I'm not as cold hearted afterall. Went to the Vet to pay them and pick up his carrier (use the same one for my boy) and when I picked the carrier up, I too started crying. He came to my Dad just prior to my move to Texas in '97. Mom didn't care much for him, but she tolerated him. Dad, of course, loved him. He had lost Boots when Hurricane Opal hit Alabama (believe that was 1995). Prior to that, he had lost a cat that my sister took back with her from Greece; he was already 11 years old when we got him and died 3 years later. Definitely sad to see them pass on, but Cat especially since we had him the longest. My boy's been a little wack the last couple of days, so I figure he knows something's wrong too. Again, I Do appreciate your words.

I am sorry to hear about this Lyle, I hope everything turns out fine, for you lyle, sorry to hear about this again

With the greatest Condolences,
Willy

Sorry for you and your Dad's loss, Lyle.

When I lost my Siamese 8 years ago, some friends suggested I get a new pet, which at the time I disagreed with, because the thought of replacing my cat seemed audacious and uncaring to her memory. I was wrong.

My wife brought home a small female black and tan doxie puppy (she fit in half of my hand, that's how small she was). She changed my world and gave me back my joy. She didn't replace my memories of my Siamese cat, but she did help me cope with the loss. So, I advocate to others to do the same. It doesn't have to be immediate, but it will and can help your Dad cope, and you, as well.

Sometimes the best way to cope is having someone else to lean on in those tough times. Pets make the best friends.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad's cat. I am sure you gave the cat a good life and then unselfishly let him go when it was his time. It's all we can do. It's better to let them go at the right time than to make them suffer and linger on for our own selfish reasons.

We had to put one of our oldest rats recently, paying a vet would have cost more than we could afford so we had to do it ourselves. The average lifespan for a rat is about 3 years, so if you get attached to one you have to know that one day you'll lose it. Seems like a person would get used to it but I never have.
Some people say it's just a stupid rat, but then some people are just stupid. I hated cats most of my life but then I found a kitten I liked. I named him LeRoy, I think the world has overused some words so much that they don't have meaning anymore. Love is one of those words, but I use it with precision when I say I loved that cat. He got out one night and I've never seen him since. Sorry for the rant, my point was that most of us have lost pets that we dearly loved, so a lot of us know what your dad is going through. A lot of people will be sharing tears with him.

Never had any pets but I imagine the sorrow... My sympathy to your dad.

I've had something all my life it seems. Squirrels Raccoons Geese Rats Ferrets Dogs Cats Horses Hedgehogs Fish Parrots. They can be the best of friends but some people take it to extremes.

I have lost many pets in my life-time. 3 Cats, 2 dogs,4 guinea pigs, 9 piranha, and even a turtle.
It never gets easy.I for one believe our friends are waiting for us when we pass on.All the best for you and your Dad.

Losing a friend is hard. *hugs*

Losing a loved pet is like losing a family member. My sympathy to you and your dad, Lyle.

Again, thanks for all the comments. Dad didn't eat much last night. Sad that Cat passed on the first day of Spring too; hate it when things like this happen on days that are impossible to forget. My boy, even this morning, is looking all over the house for his brother but to no avail.

That's always hard when it falls on a holiday or special day.My Mom stopped celebrating Valentines Day for a long time when My Grand Mother passed on that day.It also happened to be my Cousins Birth-Day so that didn't help either.My Brother was taken on Pass Over day 2 months before his 48th B-Day.
But i still send my Wife and Mom flowers on Valentines Day and i still recognize Pass Over.
The important thing is to remember them and not the day they went to be with the Father.

I recognize these special days as days to remember them even more.
I pray that your Dad is comforted. Let him know that God loves His animals and all the rest of His creation.
They are in a way better place then we can even imagine.All our loved ones are.

Thanks for the words Rod. As sad as the time is, having it happen on an unforgetable days does help to keep them in your heart and memories. My Mom was buried on 11/11 which is, of course, Veterans Day.

so sorry for you and your dad, i hope his cat is happy haunting in some other dimension

A pal of mine has had Newfies all his life (and his parents before him). His arrival at the Pearly Gates is going to be somewhat noisy

Thanks PC; Dad got another emotion when we got home from Wally's World (Wal-Mart for those who don't get the joke). My Dad's cat usually is on top of my Dad's bed when we come home from any trip. I almost cried myself when I saw my Dad cry; this is the first time he took a trip since his boy passed on. He's been quite a dedicated parter to him since 1997. Sorry for the continuous blogging; again, I guess it's my way of coping too since I do miss the boy.