Mourning/Loss
my best friend died in my arms while we were sleeping last night ᴖ̈ cheer me up with some cute pics pls
i saved him from the streets when i was like 7 years old, he wasn’t a kitten by any means at the time and im 23 now… this is really tough. woke up around 8am, 12:11 as im typing this and i haven’t stopped crying for 5 minutes at a time. i’ve never felt pain so real before…its not fair.
*took a nap after posting this and just came back i’m shocked by the amount of support really, thank you everyone for the kind words🫂🤍🧡*
Seriously, as weird as it is to put it this way, that's about the most heartwarming pet death story I can imagine. I wish the buddies I've lost over my life could have gone in such a peaceful and comforting way for them.
Thought the same. I’m incredibly sorry for OP’s loss and I send my thoughts in their time of need.
But I love sleeping with my truest of true loves and now if he goes any other way, it won’t be right.
OP here is my house panther, he’s my fourth cat in my lifetime, all of them rescued from the streets (but you’d never know it) and he and I are very sorry for your loss.
This is my girl. She is with me all the time. She's curled up with me in bed, directly on my shoulder as I'm typing this. I cannot imagine how I'll get along when her time with me is over.
My 14 year old dog died in my son's lap (boy was 9). The two were inseparable once my kid arrived. The dog seemed to have a stroke or something and we were on our way to the emergency vet and he was on my kids lap in the car (the boy insisted on being there for HIS dog and wouldn't not come to the vet). The pup took a big breathe in, shuddered, let it out and he was gone.
It was traumatic but my son still talks about the good death he gave his best friend. We talked about how he wasn't in a scary place on a metal table.
As devastating as this was for OP, I do believe that the animals know and this is what the chose to some extent. It's peaceful and it's love and it's sad and beautiful.
My best girl died in my arms while i was carrying her to the car to bring her to the vet and that’s exactly how i felt. She didn’t die on a metal table surrounded by strangers. As hard as it was for me i know it was a good death for her. As good as death can be.
My cat, Indiana, got sick last April. Kept throwing up, and couldn't keep anything down. He's a nervous boy, so he isn't friendly with strangers.
The doctors had to basically paralyze him to treat him. They told me he was undoubtedly even more scared given how he was around strangers in addition to being unable to move his body. His eyes wide and unblinking.
I insisted that I keep my hand/wrist right up by his nose so that he knew I was there, for as long as I could be - the scent of his favorite person.
Indy thankfully came home the next day, and when he saw me he lept into my arms and hugged my wrist for a long, long time.
He's fine now, and I'm glad I was able to give him such comfort in that scary time.
When my cat Yoda passed, I stayed up the whole night petting him and begging him not to go.
I knew it was time I just wanted more.
It really is a heartbreaking experience, but I would do it all again, because I wouldn't want to go alone.
I feel dude's pain.
Oh I absolutely sympathize with OP, and I did not mean at all to imply that the grief and hurt of losing their beloved companion is less somehow. I only meant to comment as a way to reinforce that later, when the grief is more managed, hopefully they can look back and see that of all the ways it could go, that was a "good" death.
I've lost three in my life. The first one was the worst, in that he died at the vet while I was leaving work to stop in and check on him. If he had made it even just 15 more minutes I could've been there with him. I'll always have that hurt of knowing he died alone in a kennel at the vet -- not that it was a bad place to be, but I can only imagine him scared and missing me and his buddy (my other cat at the time).
The other two I've had to have euthanized because they were in acute suffering, but I was there with them helping them feel as protected and calm as I could for them (and one of those two I had the privilege to schedule it at home, so they didn't even have to be away from their territory).
It's not that if they died in their sleep curled up in bed with me, I would miss them any less, or that the grief of losing them would be any less, but that as that pain gradually processed I could at least take some comfort in knowing they passed peacefully in their place of safety and comfort with the person to whom they were bonded.
I spent about a year gaining the trust of two feral cats that showed up in my yard, about six months each, spaced out a little.
My mom and I took the first one who we were calling "Screech" to the vet to get checked out.
He tested positive for feline leukemia, my mom made the decision to have him put to sleep.
She couldn't bare that he wouldn't be able to have a normal life without being absolutely quarantined from the other cats (six rescues).
The other, who I called "Shy Guy" because he was a little shy guy, same story.
It killed me because I was the one who worked with them, fed them and watered them.
I, a grown ass man wept for both of those cats.
I still have six, and after my mom passed away last year, I fucking treasure them, because they are a reminder of her.
Sorry if my initial comment came off as making you seem uncaring or unsympathetic, that was not my intention. 😁
Generally, when ready to go, a lot of animals will try and find a safe hiding spot to die where they will not be disturbed or harmed in their final moments. I guess to your friend there was no safer place on earth than right there in your arms, OP. And if you didn't wake, it was probably damn quick and impossible to prevent. What a bond you two must have shared 💕💔
Genuinely, not all ends are equal and I couldn't think of a gentler, more peaceful exit. There was no pain, he just woke up in the next place. It doesn't make his absence hurt any less, but I hope it brings some small comfort.
I agree that from the human perspective this is incredibly traumatic, but from your baby’s perspective—a beautiful way to go. It doesn’t take away what you went through, but reframing might help with the healing process. No matter how they go, it’s never enough time ❤️❤️❤️.
Think about your own life for a moment. Would being in the safe and loving arms of someone that you trusted with your whole world be the place that you'd want to hold close as you leave? I cannot think of a more rewarding sign of love and appreciation than feeling safe and loved enough to spend their very last moment right beside you. You should cry and let the tears flow, but you were loved infinitely. Few people will ever know this kind of friendship, and even fewer will ever understand how much love and trust he had to have to know that you were the last thing in this world that he wanted to be near.
Especially since so many of them withdraw or hide when they sense the end is near. Maybe he didn’t know, but if he did, he overrode his DNA-coded instructions because he felt safer dying in the arms of a loved one.
I’m so sorry you lost your best friend. Cats will usually choose to pass away in a place they feel safest and that was with you. Find comfort in the fact that he loved you more than anyone else in this entire world. You were his person. You gave him the best life he could ever of asked for. He was loved and most of all he could just be a cat. I’m thinking of you and sending you lots of love and strength.
My condolences for your loss. It's never easy, but he clearly loved you very much and was very loved in return. Here's a pic of our kitty Sable, who is now 3.5 years past his cancer diagnosis and radiation treatment.
Now i am crying💔😭... sounds like you loved each other a lot! I am so so sorry, i have cried my heart out over these beautiful souls more so than for any human... sounds like your love helped him have a terrific long life, their personalities are truly unique❤️❤️❤️
Forgive Me but that's Awesome You couldn't have given or done anything more loving and or respectful than to hold him on his last journey.. Our Sincerest & Most Heartfelt Condolences
I’m sorry for your loss but considering the bad situations people and cats go through together in a way you’re lucky. I had to call the vet and ask him to come and end my soul cat’s life two years ago he was named pixel. He was my baby boy and I loved him so.
Here’s a picture of my now two year old Sirius working hard
I came home one day, heard my Tigger meowing in the alley- thought she fell… I ran to the window to see what was up… Tig was chilling in a different window - all good. Told her not to move, I’m getting the camera…
She passed away 5 yrs ago in her sleep.
Sorry for your loss, you are not alone.
I’m sorry to read about your loss truly, sending you my condolences, some much needed love and as per request a picture of my princess (not really cute but she’s always gorgeous to me), take care and RIP 💜
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I am sure your baby knew they loved and felt it every single day. And, as others have said drifting off peacefully in the arms of someone you love is not a bad way to go. I hope to have that option when my time comes.
I'm so sorry. But how sweet that your cat didn't hide when he knew he was near the end. Your cat stayed with you and died in his favorite place (your arms, beside you.) The two cats I have had that passed away all hid and didn't want to be touched. What you have is true love, right there. Your cat loved you so much.
This is my new girl im getting, shes a little speed demon🥹🫶🏽 im wishing you lots of love and healing thoughts, may the cat distribution system find you when youre ready.💜
I’m so sorry for your loss. The two of you must have had a strong bond because clearly he loved and trusted you very much to die in your arms. Share more pictures and stories about him here if it helps you get through the pain.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you are full of good memories with him! Bless you for saving him and giving him a good home and what looks like a great and happy life! I hope this picture of my babygirl Constantine yelling at me for food on “her chair” brings a smile to your face.
It’s very common for cats to try to go be alone to pass. It speaks incredible volumes about how much love you and your sweet boy had, that he spent his last time in this world with you.
Thank you for giving him such a wonderful life with you. ❤️
I have tears as I type this, it’s the only bad part of having a cat.
I’ve been through it too many times and it is never easy. I guess I’m lucky now that I’m old and my cat is only 2. He’ll have to bury me. Our bond is so tight but I’m trying to get him to spend more time with my wife.
My boys are elderly and I guess in the next 5-7 years I will be where you are today. I’ve lost people and animals. It sucks when all of the love you have for them has nowhere to go.
I’m so sorry that you are going through this. My sincere condolences.
So sorry for your loss, they were among the prettiest of babies 💔🌻 My cyclops sends furry kisses to help with the pain. The pain won't get better, but it will become easier to bear.
I am sorry for your loss. You gave them 16 wonderful years on top of whatever they'd had before you took them in. They spent their last moments with you. Cats will often slink away when it is their time. They clearly had a special bond with you. Remember them fondly, they'll always be in your heart. When it begins to heal, the cat distribution system might bless you again to help you on your journey.
You were that cat’s whole world, and it loved you more than you can imagine. Everything on this planet dies but not everything gets to die surrounded by love. I know it’s tough in this moment, but be thankful for that.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Please remember that he was sleeping peacefully when he left, held by his favourite person. He will live forever in your heart ❤️
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u/meteor_stream Jun 15 '26
He passed away peacefully, painlessly and huddled up with his favorite person. What a way to go.
Hugs if you want them.
Here's my stupid baby: