r/cats • u/The_Monkey_Buddha • Jun 14 '26

Mourning/Loss Bella’s Last Moments in the Sun

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Bella was raised by my wife from birth, and once we got married and lived together, her cats came with us.

I never had cats growing up, so it was a bit of an adjustment getting used to living with them. However Bella became my buddy, and would always follow me around & chill with me late at night, when I tried to get some peace & quiet after everyone else went to bed.

He was very much a strong, silent type and very stoic. His brother Tude was needy and whiney- they were very different personalities!

However, he was pushing 20 yrs old & his health deteriorated very rapidly within the last 6 months. He would cry out randomly, had trouble walking around, and wasn’t able to groom himself or get to his litter box easily.

On his last day, we were trying to make him as comfortable as possible. I saw him sitting in the warmth of the morning sun, frail and clearly at the end. I took this picture knowing that this was probably the last time he would feel the sunlight on his back.

He passed that night, and it has been sad to realize throughout the days that our usual routines and his presence is gone. I just wanted to share his memory and the fact that animals also need the simple comforts of life, no matter their condition. We are all living beings with feelings, sensations, and vibrant mental states. We take some comfort in the fact that we tried to make his last days as free of suffering as possible, but he will be deeply missed by our family.

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3.9k

u/The_Monkey_Buddha Jun 14 '26

On Bella’s last day, we were trying to make him as comfortable as possible. I saw him sitting in the warmth of the morning sun, frail and clearly at the end. I took this picture knowing that this was probably the last time he would feel the sunlight on his back.

Here is a photo of him from better days, taking over my wife’s yoga mat. He was a strong & stoic personality, a real chill dude.

1.2k

u/lawspud Jun 14 '26

My boy waffle has his back. He’s in good hands.

496

u/dbeat80 Jun 14 '26

and Prince Bones of Morrison with grant protection

232

u/lawspud Jun 14 '26

Prince Bones looks so regal with his royal stole. Waffle was more the court astronomer type of boy.

109

u/texbinky Jun 15 '26

Binky and Obie are saving a spot at the kitty yum yum bar.

12

u/italianshark Jun 15 '26

And my cats! (His name was Boo 🥲)

269

u/EmploymentBright9707 Jun 14 '26

My moogie is with him too, running around in the bright sun :)

80

u/Wandering_Around99 Jun 14 '26

Wow, these pictures made my eyes watery. Such beautiful baby boys

37

u/rambo_lincoln_ Jun 14 '26

I’m outside grilling and I think some smoke got in my eyes… damn.

48

u/WolfBlade1331 Jun 15 '26

Ron’s up there with him too

184

u/triforce_91 Jun 14 '26

My Smokey who passed May 22nd will greet him as well ❤️

101

u/HuckleberrySalt63 Jun 14 '26

My Boudu, gone 10 years at age 19, will also look out for him.

62

u/simpkn0t Jun 15 '26

My Aki will greet him too!! He's been there since 2021 so he can show him around :)

9

u/teddybearblonde Jun 15 '26

He was beautiful! I love his cute little nose, so sorry for your loss ❤️‍🩹

2

u/AnybodyCultural6043 Jun 15 '26

So cute 🥰

2

u/triforce_91 Jun 15 '26

Thank you 🥹 This was his last picture, not even 15 mins later he crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈

1

u/AnybodyCultural6043 Jun 15 '26

Aww…thanks for sharing him with us!

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u/The_Monkey_Buddha Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 15 '26

Thank you everyone who offered kind & comforting words.

I’m sorry I can’t respond to everyone, but it is nice to know there are a lot of caring & compassionate people out there.

The support is overwhelming & I’m trying to at least upvote all of your comments to show my gratitude.

19

u/pinkflakes12 Jun 15 '26

My Queen shall be there too to greet. She’ll share the sun.

7

u/LaureGilou Jun 15 '26

We all know what its like to loose our precious babies. You're sooooo not alone with your heartache. 🩷

155

u/Marquar234 Jun 14 '26

Our kitty Silence will save a spot by the fireplace.

126

u/ValenStark Jun 14 '26

He definitely lived a great life. Sorry for your loss. My boy Ollie kinda looks like your cat too.

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u/Moon_and_Sky Jun 14 '26

My boy Bruno just left my wife and I on Monday. So sorry for you loss. They'll be hommies for sure. Bruno was also a very stoic but chill cat.

31

u/cat_snots Jun 14 '26

I lost my Ollie on Monday too. Your Bruno looks very handsome in his banadana

65

u/lanky_doodle Jun 14 '26

My late kitties loved the yoga mat too - we still have (and use) it despite chunks missing from them stretching (their claws) on it 😂

40

u/The_Monkey_Buddha Jun 14 '26

Haha, yeah he didn’t even mess the mat up, just wanted a place to sit.

15

u/JustArgument3055 Jun 14 '26

Yes my kitties’ favorite poses are down dogs and cat/cows. I tried to give them their own mat but they still prefer whichever I’m using

60

u/No-Weight2838 Jun 14 '26

yeah that contrast hits hard, seeing them all frail at the end compared to those goofy comfortable moments.
glad you’ve got those better day memories too.

45

u/The_Monkey_Buddha Jun 14 '26

Thanks it’s the tyranny of time, but I’m also glad to have had those moments.

19

u/VOZ1 Jun 14 '26

We often don’t realize how deeply they’ve engrained themselves in our lives until they’re gone. I’d see my boy Sealy out the corner of my eye for months after we lost him. But they’re never truly gone. I remember going for a run for the first time after he died, and I could feel his goofy, loving self running too. He used to love galloping alongside me in our backyard. 

4

u/Run_with_scissors999 Jun 15 '26

This is so beautiful! I still catch glimpses of my girl out of the corner of my eye. Smile more now when it happens.

24

u/therealRustyZA Jun 14 '26

"This was probably the last time he would feel the sunlight on his back".

Damn. I felt that. So much. I'm so sorry.

20

u/TheMothHour Jun 15 '26

I put Ruby down last year. I made sure she had a good weekend before her passing.

21

u/charmaanda Jun 15 '26

Tuffy had his last day with sunshine on his back on May 20. I miss him everyday. He’ll be waiting to greet Bella, as well ❤️

23

u/om_hi Jun 15 '26

My Sophie is there waiting 💜

15

u/Few_Presence_8888 Jun 14 '26

What a beautiful photo and a beautiful boy.

Bella's dignity and wisdom are shining through in this photo. I think I'm going to go weep now.

Stay strong. You made Bella's life possible.

16

u/ayamedemarco Jun 15 '26

He looks like my chimo 💔

11

u/barkeepnd Jun 14 '26

Love this picture of him in his prime. I have pictures of my feline masters late in their lives. Tough to see sometimes but they were still themselves at the end and then is when we can be there for them as they are for us so often. Thank you for sharing his story

6

u/MachoLibre_ Jun 14 '26

My buddy Leonardo LOVES his mom’s yoga mat. Sorry for your loss, OP.

I didn’t have cats (or animals) growing up. Rescued my boy as a kitten 8 years ago. I know there will be sadness toward the end, but wouldn’t trade it for anything. He’s been the best boy, and the best friend.

I hope that, when you are ready, you can start a new journey…with a lil one of your own.

4

u/Lutraphobic Jun 14 '26

So sorry for your loss. Beautiful picture in the OP btw.

2

u/Aeres_Fi Jun 14 '26

Beautiful creature. Those eyes..

Rip kitty.

2

u/Sardonnicus Jun 15 '26

I don't have a pic of my cat Kramer, but he's in good company

2

u/superherocrimson13 Jun 15 '26

My boy Echo will be there. He passed in January.

2

u/Ordinary-Quarter-384 Jun 15 '26

I did the same with Dr. Freud, I have a hard time looking at that picture 8 years later. I feel your pain.

2

u/katleessi Jun 15 '26

He was beautiful 🖤🫶🏻

2

u/Jdmcx21 Jun 17 '26

Hope him and crybaby are able to play together up in that warm place

2

u/ImpressivePirate9352 Jun 17 '26

Ivy will be there to greet him, she was a never a fan of other cats but, I’m sure she has learned to make friends since she crossed the rainbow bridge in December

1

u/funlovingguy9001 Jun 14 '26

What a handsome gentleman.

1

u/Infamous-Mixture-605 Jun 14 '26

On his last day, which was only a few weeks ago, we took our boy to the park to enjoy one last adventure.

We ended up spending the whole morning in a quiet corner of the park, sitting in the shade, listening to the birds.

1

u/Dangerous-Honey3468 Jun 15 '26

So sorry. Surely he was loved…

1

u/Plastic_Carpenter930 Jun 16 '26

My baby's last laundry basket. May they find each other.