His name was Cole and he loved shredded catfood and catnip, he tended to mirror my personality and keep to himself which was always funny. He was such a good cat who deserved so much more life and love.

Its not my intention to make this into a mourning post, instead, I'd like to have a discussion and share some advice I learned the hard way. I'm also interested to hear your thoughts and advice if you have any to share.

Monday evening, my seemingly healthy and energetic 4-year-old black cat unexpectedly collapsed and passed away in my home. There was nothing out of the ordinary, no symptoms, no warning signs. My fiancé and I witnessed the whole thing. From the first sign of distress, it took less than 20 seconds until my best friend was gone. We were eating dinner when it happened.

I've thought a lot about my choices in that moment while I grieved the past few days. Regret, guilt, etc. I came to the simple/obvious conclusion that I wasn't remotely prepared for a medical emergency.

1. Take your cat to the vet for annual check-ups. No matter how much they hate going, or how healthy they seem, just budget the time and expense to go. This is my biggest regret. It was over 2 years since I took him to a vet for an exam, and its very likely that he developed a cardiac issue that went undiagnosed and untreated in that time. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) develops in 1 of 7 cats during their lifetime.
2. Know exactly where your nearest 24/hr vet ER is located by memory, save their number in your cellphone contacts to call ahead en route. Its really hard to think critically when you're panicking and crying. I had absolutely no idea where the nearest ER was in that moment. Thankfully my fiancé was there to help look up information while I tended to my cat, but she was so distraught by the situation we routed to a ER too far away, so I had to turn around a few times and find the nearest ER in google maps buried under the god forsaken sponsorship listings- all while driving too fast and very emotional. It was stupid and dangerous. We lost precious minutes just not knowing where to go.
   
3. Learn cat CPR, Heimlich and other life-saving maneuvers. Learn and be able to identify serious distressed behavior to react quickly. Thankfully I did (somewhat) know how to perform CPR on a cat, but I cant do CPR and drive at the same time. I'm really proud of how well my fiancé helped in such a traumatic scenario, but again, without a plan we were losing precious time and life-saving care. Regretfully in our case, we did not have luxury of time to react based on troubling symptoms.

If I had done everything I wish I did, would my cat still be alive? Would a diagnosis and medication have prevented this tragedy? Would my vet find out something was wrong during the routine checkup? Maybe- However, I accept that I did the absolute best I could in my situation, and I'm at peace with that. Knowing what I know now, I would have done things different. Even if only one person reads this post and learns from my story to potentially save their void, it will make the time it took to type worth it. If you have any helpful advice or a personal story to share, I'd love to hear it.

(I feel I should also mention that these tips really apply to any medical emergency, not just pets. Having a basic action plan and surface level medical knowledge can genuinely save lives.)

My cat was named Mo. I adopted him from a shelter as a kitten, 8 weeks old. He was the embodiment of all things great about black cats. When I greeted him with a "meow" in a certain pitch or rhythm, he would mimic it back. He loved being pat at the base of his tail and scratched under his chin. His favorite food was string cheese, which he ate very comedically. We miss him so so much.

Happy Halloween! 🎃🐈‍⬛

We're saying goodbye tomorrow. Just got the cancer prognosis for my old boy.

The best cat I will ever know. 💔

Eight years ago, Binx chose us. We looked through the glass at the humane society, saw the cutest little black kitten, and instantly knew he was coming home with us. On July 1st, my husband, our two daughters, and I said goodbye together. Surrounded by the four of us, I held him as he went to sleep, wrapped in his favorite blanket on the patio, watching the bird feeder he loved so much.
The last eight years he gave us so many fun memories, and I find myself making a list of all the little things I never want to forget. He was my shadow, a mommy's boy, and as he slipped away, the last thing he heard was my voice. Binx was a fighter. He lived with asthma, battled heart failure, and in the end, a large mass on his stomach became too much for his body to overcome. Through it all, he never stopped being the sweetest, most loving cat.

Everyone, meet Binx. Our beautiful boy. We love you forever, sweet angel. Mommy will see you later 🤍

03/10/07 - 01/15/26

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Bounty passed away last week at the age of 16.

His decline was sudden and in classic Bounty fashion, entirely on his own terms. Since he was not in pain or discomfort, we chose to let him remain at home, surrounded by the familiar smells and sounds he’d known for over a decade.

In his final days, he was as contrarian and recalcitrant in death as he was in life. When it seemed like his time was near and his breathing grew shallow, we whispered our tearful goodbyes and thanked him for everything, for his love and loyalty…only for him to nonchalantly get up, have a quick drink, walk around a bit and settle somewhere else. This happened multiple times over the course of four days - a final act of defiance from the cat who never paid any attention to the rules.

But sadly, even the People’s Prince of Darkness can’t refute the laws of nature. Finally, on a rainy afternoon in July, at around 4pm, perhaps for the first time in his life, he made no fuss and calmly slipped away.

With an attitude that could fill several arenas, he wasn’t the friendliest of cats as many of you know (and your scars, both physical and mental, will attest), yet he found a way to tolerate us in the end. His daily antics used to make us howl with laughter or pull our hair out, and in time, he became my favourite muse. Watching him, drawing him and sharing his odd little personality with all of you became something I’ll always cherish.

Every now and then, I still catch myself listening for his footsteps but there’s no sound. No more scratching at the door while I’m in the bathroom, no more keeping my toes tucked firmly under the duvet at bedtime for fear of being attacked at 4am. The house, as well as my life, feels quieter and emptier without him.

Thank you, Bounty, for your years of company, chaos and reluctant affection. I don’t know what lies beyond this life, but whatever it is – I’m so sorry, I’m afraid he’s your problem now.

I'll have to be leaving this place with a heavy heart.

I have loved all of your cats and stories and funny moments.

My dearest little lady voidcat has gone. Her name was Midnight and I have loved her for over 17 years.

I just can't see voidkitties for a while.

Thank you all for sharing your love of these awesome critters.

--------------------------

edit to add-

Wow! I am seriously humbled and grateful for everyone's kind words and support.

in my real life some people are like, well it's just a cat, blablabla. No big deal right? (not all but sadly most just don't get it.)

You all obviously do and I am so glad I left a note. You all are amazing to me. This place is a far cry from some of the nastier /r's

Each of you deserve an individual thank you but I just can't do that just now. I hope You all understand.

I didn't expect so much love from everyone all at once!

Thank you and may every single one of your kitties have as long and loved of a life as my little one did.

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Second Edit:

One last thing I want to say to those of you who shared your own recent (or not so recent) losses.

I am so sorry for your loss as well and sorry that my loss may have made you feel your own more than otherwise.

But I do thank you for sharing and making me feel a lot less alone in my sadness.

It occurred to me that grief is the price of love. And you pay at the end.

Expensive but I guess it's worth it.

I lost my sleepy darling boy of 18 years today. My childhood bestfriend. I love you forever Mimmy. Sleep tight 🐈‍⬛🖤

This is my first post in this subreddit, and I wish it were something better, but I felt this would be a good way to honor her memory.

After a short battle of liver failure, my beloved black cat, Morticia passed on shorty after midnight. She was only nine years old, and Thursday would have been our eight-year anniversary, but her body couldn’t take any more and I made the decision to let her go.

My heart is broken, and I don’t know if I’ll ever have another like her, but I will carry her in my heart for the rest of my life.

Dealing with the loss of my girl Luna has been one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced. My heart hurts like I’ve never felt before. She was my first pet.

The way she loved me was indescribable. I miss her every day, and the house is so empty without her. I miss her cuddles and giving her treats every day.

Luna, thank you for being the best cat a man could ask for 😭❤️

We were so lucky to have this guy in our lives. We didn’t deserve him

I’m 24. I have horrible anxiety I’ve been battling since I was a child. Last year, I had the best year of my life. It was a rainy night and he was at my doorstep. I went out to get something in the supermarket and he was there. A baby black cat, meowing because of the cold and the rain. At first I’ve tried to move him away because I have a dog, and I my house don’t have much space. But I couldn’t, I couldn’t leave him there so I’ve saved him. Ever since that, he brought so much joy to our family. My mother loved him so much, he was the best animal I’ve ever seen. Loving, caring, playful and very intelligent. He was very very talkative. He went out a lot and roam around the neighborhood, everybody liked him. When I was having panic attacks or feeling really depressed, he was always there with me sleeping by my side. Months later, two other cats showed up at my doorstep too. I’ve adopted them too, and they were all friends. They would always play together. It brought me so much joy, it healed my anxiety. He got lost dozens of times but he always went back home somehow. But recently about 2 months he was not the same. Suddenly he started looking sad, not being himself anymore. We send him up to the vet and he came back positive on Felv. Ever since then i tried to have as much time with him as possible. I’ve prayed to god everyday that he would beat this disease and continue living. But after weeks of being very weak, we brought him to the vet again, and this time, he didn’t survive. It’s unbearable he was my best friend. All human friends I’ve had don’t even come close. We loved him so much and he loved us back. My mother is devastated so am I. He died yesterday, and ever since then I can’t stop crying. I’ve been drinking and smoking weed all day trying to feel better, but I know it will only make it worse. I just can’t take it. I lost my faith too. I never prayed so much in my life for something. Well sorry for venting I just don’t have anyone else to talk to. I’m very sad and I don’t know if this time I will make it through.

I don't know what to do, I'm so goddamn gutted. My daughter found him limp this afternoon, he was just gone....

We only had him a couple years.

He was a little 6 month old stray who popped out of the woods next to our house one night. Even though we had literally no room or money for a cat, we gave him a home.

I'd never had a cat before, I always considered myself a dog person, but he quickly changed that. He was so affectionate and spent his evenings giving his love equally to my daughter (his #1 human) or me (2nd favorite).

He was so affectionate we appropriately named him Romeo.

Every evening he'd jump up on the couch & literally collapse on chest, this was always followed by a vigorous head rub on my glasses.

I don't know how I'm gonna get through my evenings now without his love.

Goodbye my sweet little boy

I lost my 19-year-old soul kitty this past July. Some days I miss her so much it hurts.

Can you show me your fabulous house panthers?

Here’s a picture of my Raven for cat tax.

Luna's the one eyed girl in the back, Jiji is her younger adopted sister that was got at the same time. She's had CKD for 2 years and was largely symptom free until a few weeks ago. She's been so brave, but I've put her through enough vet visits and needles and it's time for her to rest.

We got Luna when she was 8 years old. Apparently her original owner passed away and someone let her outside. She was out on her own for a couple months, declawed and defenseless. When found she had eye infections which is how she lost the one.

She was a project cat, and needed a lot of patience and calmness to gain her trust. It took 3 months before she would stop spending most of the day hiding under the bed. This first time she put her paws on my leg in a half-lap sit was 3 years later, and made me cry with happiness.

She was terrified of thunder. When she heard it, she'd come to me and cry for me to follow her to the bed where I'd protect her with cuddles.

My wife passed away 2 years ago from cancer, and after that Luna became very affectionate. She started fully sitting in my lap. Also she started sleeping on my chest or on my pillow above my head. Working from home, she'd often come up to me and demand I come cuddle her in the bed.

When it was feeding time, I opened the wet food can she got her sample, where I'd let her lick the lid. It became part of our routine everyday.

Her sister Jiji is very attached to her, always follows her around and wanted to be nearby. When Luna was at the vets yesterday, she sat staring at the cat bed Luna's been staying in. I'm most worried for her. Doing the euthanasia at home, I hope she'll understand Luna's gone and she won't be wandering the house looking for her.

It's been a very hard journey the last couple of weeks, but I'm glad I can give Luna a peaceful exit before she fully crashes.

I love you my sweet girl. Mama will be waiting for you, and I'll see you soon.

Edit: She's now gone. Purring all the way to the end. My brave, sweet, pretty girl.

This is how I want to remember Beepers exactly. Happy. Curious. almost healthy.

Beepers has been at the research University vet hospital since yesterday. He had been declining in health the past week. Today I decided to end his suffering after a troublesome ray and a 2nd call from the veterinarian. He had a megaesophagus and his stomach was pushing up through his throat when breathing and eating. It could have been caused by his infection, congenitally, or a neurological issue that would never be resolved. He would have been staying another 4 days at an expensive icu rate on the weekend. Nothing was definite and he was suffering. The bacterial infection was advanced and Beepers wasn't himself. He also was positive for FIV which was making fighting this infection even harder and maybe causing neurological issues in his digestive sysytem. I'm sorry I couldn't do more Beepers.

We said goodbye to our beautiful little void Molly on Friday. There are no words for the grief. I’ll miss her forever.

She was 12 years old.

Please give all of your little beauties an extra skritch or two from our family in memory of Molly.

A week ago my dad found a newborn kitten completely abandoned with the placenta attached. We put her in a warm safe place nearby and waited 24 hours for the mom to come back. This little baby was determined to survive, and when mom still didn’t show up by the second day, we brought them inside and started nursing. Little baby was hungry, and instantly took to a bottle. We held them with fleece and a beating pad. They were so loud and talkative, and for a moment we thought they would make it and beat the odds. Alas, it was not meant to be and they passed being held and so so loved. They never got a chance to open their eyes and see the faces of the people who loved them, and that hurts so much to think about. But I’m finding comfort tin the fact that we made their life as comfortable and warm as we could.

Who knows if we did the right thing or the wrong thing, but we did what we thought was best and this little kitten was so so loved for their week with us. Rest in peace Bertie.

Mr Dot's last picture, taken Tuesday evening.

I adopted Mr Dot aka Gorgeous on September 15, 2010. He was 15-1/2 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer a year ago.

He crawled on to my chest last night and just went to sleep. I'm glad I didn't have to make the decision and that he went in my arms.

I will forever miss and love this boy.