We are very grateful to the caring people who have kindly chosen to share their experiences and advice. We hope you find strength and comfort in their words. If you would like to add your own words of comfort and advice, please click the button below.
The comments expressed are the thoughts and views of the authors only and are not the views of the Charity. The Charity reserves the right to remove anything posted on this page anything which it deems inappropriate or unacceptable. The Charity will not engage in any correspondence should it remove such comments.
April Longe
Lilo you saved me. You were the sweetest cat in the entire world. It’s been just over 10 hours since I lost you and my heart aches. You were only 1 and a half and yet it feels like I’ve known you my whole life. You always knew what to do when I was sad. You licked the tears away from my eyes purred and were ALWAYS without fail next to me. I will miss you my sweet baby. You were my everything and everyone who met you said you were the cutest most sociable cat. I am so sorry you were in the road and I wish I could’ve saved you. Meeting you was the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ll NEVER forget you. The heartbreak is too much and I don’t think I'll ever recover from losing you Lilers. You’ll always be my number one girl.
Beth Gilmore
My sweet sweet Panchey, when we moved house 8 years ago and found you, a stray, outside the door, demanding food, I never could have known how much you'd touch our lives. You were there when our darling mum got cancer four years ago and we brought you in to the hospice to say goodbye to her. You sat on her chest and seemed to know. You were the sweetest most gentlest cat ever, and I knew our bond was unbreakable. You would go crazy every time I drank night time tea because the valerian in it would have the same effect as catnip; you'd steal teabags and rub your little pink nose against them. You sat in the piles of laundry as it was near the boiler (the warmest spot). You would let me give you kisses on your tiny head and cuddles as you got older. My heart broke this morning when we received the call that you had very advanced lymphoma only after a week of you seeming a bit more tired than normal. I knew in my heart it was time to let you go. You seemed your old energetic younger self thanks to the pain meds. We brought in your favourite blanky and fed you expensive pâté and took photos. I cuddled you and gave you kisses on your little head and held even after you went limp in my arms. You left so quickly, just after a few seconds; your little body just couldn't take it anymore. It feels so empty without you. I know you're with our darling mum now, and can still see you galloping through the fields of grass in our garden and sipping water from the pond. I love you forever and ever. Beth xxxxxx
Janet Burns
Precious memories & adorable antics of my little feline friend. Marble came into my life about 20 months ago. She lived next door. What a curious, beautiful, sweet, loving little rascal she was. Her parents are lovely. They worked long hours, so I would keep an eye on her most days. Marble would pop into mine, sit on me, sleep on my bed, sit in the garden with me... aww she was my BEST FRIEND. Marble gave me unconditional love & affection, also some unwanted scratches. 😂😂 Over the past 20 months I totally fell in love. I’d never owned a pet, was totally petrified of cats yet Marble stole my heart. Now Marble has passed over the Rainbow 🌈 Bridge due to an accident. Heartbreaking 💔 I just can’t believe it. Such a shock. However, the times I’ve spent with her, feeding & nurturing her has made me a better person. The love I have / had for her was just like I have for my family. I will treasure her forever. Marble was unique and we will never forget her. I look at her photos with love & sadness both of which are strong. I’m so so glad Marble came into my life & it was only for a short time yet Marble was meant to be here. To love & be loved. This is the very 1st time I’ve ever grieved over a pet. All our pets are amazing & we love them so, so much & they love us. Let’s remember how our pets changed our lives. I feel honoured that they chose us & the gift they gave is amazing 🤩. God bless them all. ❤️🐾❤️🐾
Heather Flint
I often visit the Bereavement Stories to comfort my broken soul. They are, understandably, updated regularly and I feel a deep need to connect with others out there who are experiencing the same pain as I am. Some recent beautiful words have been: The memories are so painful; You were my everything; You were so loved; The house is not the same without you; Every time I think about him it reminds me of a time when the world made sense; Since he's been gone, no peace, no rest, the punches keep coming; my eyes are swollen from the tears. Do you know, all of you wonderful cat-lovers, you are expressing exactly what I and so very many countless others deeply feel when we lose a feline family member. It is utterly impossible to express our pain to those who have never experienced the joy and wonder of having a cat companion. I salute you all, and I can truly say that I know your pain. I have lost two of the dearest loves of my life in the last four months, and the agony is indescribable. Thank you profoundly to everyone who has contributed, and continues to contribute, to this special thread. I feel as alone as you all do, but the spiritual family of us cat-lovers is immensely strong and we must draw from each other's support. The pain is terrible, it is shockingly heartbreaking, but none of us are alone. Spiritually, we are as one. Never let your memories fade. Keep your companions' spirit alive. Nurture their memories in your hearts. Love them always, even though the are now flying with the angels. My thoughts are with all of you. Bless you for giving your cats such selfless love xxx
Joanne Symons
I remember when I picked you up from the cat rescue foster carer where you were awaiting a new home. I loved how you looked at me from a pile of fresh ironing as if to say ‘you’ll do’. I talked to you all the way home telling you how much I was going to love you and what great times we would have. And we did. You were by my side for 8 years, you knew when I was poorly a few years ago and needed head butts and snuggles. You were known by everyone in the neighbourhood, sitting on guard at the end of the drive and seeing off any passing dogs that got too close to your territory. You went everywhere with me in the house and garden, you were my funny little shadow, chasing leaves (and birds if you could get away with it) sitting hopefully by the Dreamies cupboard and watching the TV sat on my knees. I had to let you go my darling, beautiful soul, I’m so very sorry, you will be with me forever. You are everywhere in the house and garden, the memories are so painful right now, I am heartbroken. I will love you and remember you always, love from your mum xx
Carly Dorman
The smallest Tortoiseshell with the biggest Tortitude. My baby girl, It’s only been just over 1 day since you lost your battle (27/10/24) but you gave it your all. You were my everything, so imperfectly perfect & we had a bond that was unlike anything I have ever known. Strutting around the house like a protective lion, waiting at the cat flap to bash any cat who tried the kitty door, always swishing that tail, doing your own version of kitty yoga next to me whilst I did mine & telling me when you needed something. Most of all I am missing my ‘Kharki snuggles’ your playfulness, your meow’s, your motorbike sounding purrs, that crazy cute cattitude you had, heck, I even your stinky bum. We had the best time together Kharki & for that I have been and will be forever grateful. I miss & love you so so much my little Kharki-Saurus-Rex Always & forever, your cat mum xxXxx
Nancy Scollin
You were the most beautiful boy. Chief of the neighbourhood, visiting everyone and loving company. A few times I was called to houses where you walked right in and made yourself at home. I’ll never forget how you stayed by my side when I was recovering from illness. Quietly giving me comfort. You were so loved. You came to us as a kitten abandoned on a road riddled with cat flu where u were nursed back to health by the SSPCA and found us after 7 months. You were truly loved and will forever be in my heart. Rest easy my beautiful ginger boy. I miss you and always will. The house is not the same without you Xxxx
Michelle Horner
3 days since you left me, you slept on my bed all night and I knew the next morning you was going to leave mummy. My house is empty my heart is broken, I had you for 9 years and you gave us all so much joy, sneaking under my cover when I was laid on the sofa , rolling on to your back when I tapped my fingers was your party piece.letting me rock you in my arms, I always called you my baby princess , guarding the door as if to tell the other cats outside that this was your house 🏠. You was the sweetest beautiful baby girl, never once scratched me and loved being brushed ,sitting on our knees, sitting on the bonnett of the new car ,we used to laugh at you . You left so quick, only poorly for a couple of days not eating ,I just wasn't expecting it boo boo's , biggest shock of my life. You will forever be in my heart Your broken hearted mummy. Love you x
Reed Thompson
It’s been a year since my boy kipper died and everytime I think about him it’s reminds me of a time where the world made sense he was with him since the beginning, middle and end and every moment with him felt complete, and now since he’s been gone everything has change I’m taking a beating every day - no peace no rest the punches just keep coming and before he was always that kept me together but now I just feel empty but my memories of him are still pure hope your sleeping well buddy and I hope to see you soon
Chantelle Jackson
Oh Ed, our hearts are truly breaking. We searched high and low for you until we found you next to that road and brought you home. Everyone loved you so much. You were always up to mischief in neighbours' houses stealing bread, jumping over cars, chasing leaves, getting stuck on the roof. There really was not a dull moment with you waiting for us when we would pull up to say hello and walk us to the house. I wish we had more time together, so much my eyes are swollen from the tears. I hope you know how truly loved and missed you are, our boy xxx
Nic Priday
It’s been 5 days since you left us. You left this world in my arms. You were the most amazing cat, so clever and sassy. You knew how to get your treats out of your puzzle - didn’t take long for you to figure it out. You loved being brushed, playing with your kicker toys and tennis balls. You loved sitting on the window sill and watching the world go by, and you’d only sleep if your red blankey was on top of you so you were in complete darkness. You were such a loving friend, you stayed by our mum's side when she wasn’t well, and made sure you looked after her when I was at work. I remember the first Christmas when I cooked you salmon and you gave it a sniff and walked away, you just wanted the turkey. You absolutely loved Wotsits and you’d steal them if you didn’t get one. You’ve gone on your final journey now to the rainbow bridge. You’ll see a dog there called Yoyo an Old English Sheepdog. Don’t worry, she’s your big sister even though you never met. She’ll guide you to heaven and keep you safe until we can all be together again. You’re now pride of place on the fireplace where we can talk to you and tell you about our day. I love you Midnight and I’ll never forget you. I hope you have all the toys and treats you wish for and all the brushes you want, play with all the other pets and show them all the clever things you know. You were beautiful. Sleep tight Baby Bat ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🐈⬛🦇
Rebecca Liversidge
Today we put Dora to rest. A lovely kind vet came and agreed she couldn't be helped and was suffering beyond measure. Watching her cry and hide made me wish it were me and not her. She was still looking for attention, still cuddling me and purring in my arms. Just this morning I was kissing her head and telling her I love her. And now she's gone. She had been with me since I was 10 years old. When I had to move back home she was my comfort in a dreadful time. She was my best friend and genuinely the best, sweetest, most considerate and intelligent cat I've ever met. She knew when I was crying it meant i was sad, and I know if she could hear me now she'd come running to rub her face on me and lay next to me. I wish she could curl up in bed with me now and lay her head in my hair while we sleep. She changed such a lot when I moved back, like I improved her life the way she did mine. I've got her favourite blanket with me and her favourite soft toy we would cuddle with together. I just can't see life without her. I know its the first day but I've never loved anyone like that before. And nobody has ever loved me like that. She used to love watching Star Trek with me. I'd sit in bed sideways and she'd nestle in my lap and watch for hours. And now she's gone. I don't know what I'm going to do. She's my baby.
Hannah Wall
Tiggy, on 25/09/05 when my hubs came home saying there was an abandoned kitten needed rehoming from that day you were my Tig Tig. Too small to be away from your mum I hand reared you and you lived in my top for warmth. You truly were my soul cat. Yesterday broke my heart and when you left you took a piece of me with you. Selfishly I wanted you to stay but my head told me it was time. For 19 years, 2 weeks and 3 days you’ve been my everything and waking up without you here hurts so much. Say hi to Fudgy, Crunchie and Milo. We miss you all so much. My darling girl thank you for being mine. Always X
Roisin Kelly
It's been 4 days since you have gone and I cannot believe how empty the house is without you. You were a ray of light in the house. Always happy and full of love. Your voice echoing through the house as you spoke doing every task. Looking after me when I was ill and headbutting and pawing at my chest when I was really ill. You helped me through some of the darkest moments in my life. I hope you are enjoying all the Felix crispy treats you can eat and you are at an all-you-can-eat buffet. I hope you have as many feathers and catnip mice you can hoard. I miss you so much. One day I will see you again and get to see your black fur shine a ginger peanut colour again. I love you 🧡🧡🧡❤️
Lingard Lilian
Blackie was 15 years old. She sat by my side everyday in the conservatory or at the back of my head on the sofa. I've always had cats and always a black cat. I got Blackie as I'd lost my Sootie just a few days prior. I also got Tiger Lily her sister as I couldn't leave her on her own. I already had 2 other cats, one being Mum's when she passed. Not too long after along came Bob Bob (my Foster children named him that) who was abandoned and he adopted me. He was partially feral living on the streets. It took 2 years to get him living in the house as he panicked when doors were closed, but I did get him a kennel. He is now my shadow and follows me everywhere. Mum's cat passed so I had 3 remaining. It's quite raw as its only been 2 days and l'm finding it very difficult. Tiger-Lily her sister is also missing her. When I lost Sootie I made a collage and spoke to him every day. I found it helped. I've ordered a couple of plaques that have lovely words and black cats on. My daughter is getting me a couple of black cat soft toys to place in the conservatory so it doesn't hit me so bad in the morning. My Bob Bob is unbelievable sitting next to me on the sofa giving me so much love back. I'm trying to be strong and I'm sure in time I will feel comfort in knowing I did my very best in making the right decision. My Blackie was a diabetic and had a tumour. You question yourself but we shouldn't. We know we did our best!!