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HayleyRosie
11-24-2003, 06:11 AM
My friends cat died yeasterday due to congestive heart failure. She is having a very hard time here at work today. I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better. Shakespeare was 11 years old and was an only cat. My friend first thought the reason of the heart condition was because of her move to her new house on friday. The vet told her that congestive heart failure was not caused by stress. This made her feel a little better. Is there anything I can do or say to make her feel a little better? She already visited the rainbow bridge site. Any advise on what I could do for her?

Ally Cat's Mommy
11-24-2003, 07:28 AM
The best thing you can do is continue to be there for her. She will appreciate having someone who doesn't think it's "just a cat", but understands her loss. You are a great friend! ((HUGS))

catlover4ever
11-24-2003, 08:33 AM
I agree with Ally Cats Mommy, continue to be there for her. I know that after I lost Tony, nobody was able to comfort me for almost a week after he died. Nobody could say or do anything, but I remember what everyone did and said to me during that time, it just was that I was not ready to be consoled by anyone.

Everybody is different in their grief process, just continue to be there for her, respect her wishes (if she wants to be left alone or she would like company), and offer to her anything that you can do for her. She will come back around in time. Just being there for he is the most important thing right now.

11-24-2003, 08:43 AM
Be there for her, she is having a hard time now...!

catmandu
11-24-2003, 09:39 AM
Sadly nothing that you can do , or say , will reduce the pain that a Pet Guardian has when thier beloved friend passes on! And it will happen to all of us , as they have such relatively short lifespans!Just be there for her , and let her know that her grief is nothing to be ashamed of! Found Cats send thier codolences to Shakespheares Guardian!

Lallypop11
11-24-2003, 02:11 PM
Just reiterate the fact that it wasn't her fault and that he's in a better place right now with other cats, and was happy with her in his time here on Earth. Let her know that he will be watching over her and will continue to live on in her heart and through cats that she will own in the future. Remember the good times and that 11 years is a happy long life for a cat.

I have pictures of my 2 childhood cats that have passed on on my refrigerator still and I think of them often. Perhaps a picture or a nice memorial stone in the backyard would help. Good luck! She's lucky to have a friend like you. :)

Cataholic
11-24-2003, 02:21 PM
How very sad. Hug her, listen to her stories, offer support. Time will heal her heart. RIP., Shakespeare.

slick
11-24-2003, 02:56 PM
What a great friend you are and unfortunately what Gary says is true. Nothing you can say or do will take away the hurt. Just be there for her.

RIP Shakespeare and have fun at the RB.

Miss Meow
11-24-2003, 03:22 PM
I'm sorry about Shakespeare. Rest in peace and safe journey to the Rainbow Bridge.

NoahsMommy
11-24-2003, 03:46 PM
Originally posted by Ally Cat's Mommy
The best thing you can do is continue to be there for her. She will appreciate having someone who doesn't think it's "just a cat", but understands her loss. You are a great friend! ((HUGS))
I couldn't agree more. So many people will want her to just get over it. Being there will help her.

catland
11-24-2003, 03:55 PM
yes, just being there is the best. Right now your friend needs time to grieve. If you are still feeling the need to do something else, you could give her a sympathy card (yes, you can get these for pets, I've received them from the vet when I've lost a furry loved one), or even just a handwritten note saying how much you care.

:(

Ramona
11-24-2003, 04:18 PM
I am so sorry for her. I can't imagine the pain she must be feeling. Listen, if you have a picture of her beloved, I can make a magnet or keychain out of acrylic for her. I have done this for lots of people who have lost one of their babies and with the keychains, they can carry them around with them forever. I just need a photo, and an address to mail it to. Let me know, ok? And please relay my condolensces to her and give her a big hug from me, ok?

bluekat
11-24-2003, 04:37 PM
:( I'm so sorry for her, but I think the only thing you can do for her right now is continue to be there for her. Like what was said above, she needs someone right now for her that doesn't think its "just a cat".

RIP Shakespeare:(

Steffi N
11-24-2003, 07:51 PM
I can only second what has already been said: Just keep being their for your friend and let her know that you understand the pain she is feeling. If you help her create a special memorial to Shakespeare, for example a page of favorite photographs in a special frame, it might help.
Rest in Peace, Shakespeare.

CatDad
11-24-2003, 09:01 PM
Everyone is right, just be there for her. That is one of the best things that you can do. A friend who is there that does not think of her beloved kitty as just a pet is one of the best things that she could have. It will just take time, like any passing of a loved one.

Please relay my condolensces to her and give her a {{HUG}}. You are a very good friend to be there.

RIP Shakespeare, I know you will have a great time on the Rainbow Bridge with all of are friends.

rg_girlca
11-24-2003, 09:37 PM
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friends cat Shakespeare.
May the loving memories comfort her and help her overcome the pain.

Like others have said, just being there for her is a great help.

Rest in Peace Shakespeare.

IttyBittyKitty
11-25-2003, 04:35 AM
Originally posted by catland
yes, just being there is the best. Right now your friend needs time to grieve. If you are still feeling the need to do something else, you could give her a sympathy card (yes, you can get these for pets, I've received them from the vet when I've lost a furry loved one), or even just a handwritten note saying how much you care.

:(

Good idea. You could even buy her a nice plant that she can put in her garden as a memory to her beautiful kitty, something that would remind her year after year of their special bond. As everyone else says, what she needs is someone who understands just what a fluffy mate can mean to you and how sad their passing can be. At least little Shakespeare is now safe and free from pain and I am sure that she will take some comfort from that.

Perhaps also introduce her to PT so that she can know how many wonderful pet owners there are, and that all of us have been through the same thing, one time or another.

lynnestankard
11-25-2003, 04:40 AM
:( RIP sweet Shakespeare:(

So sorry to hear of your friends loss - just carry on loving her and listening when she wants to talk about her loss. {{{Hugs}}} across the miles.

Lynne

Kirsten
11-25-2003, 04:55 AM
I'm so sorry for your friend! :( I know how she feels, my beloved Katz has also died from congestive heart failure three years ago, and I felt I have lost my best friend.

Like the others have said before... be there for her and listen, and let her know you understand her pain... and if there are people who will tell her "it's just a cat", she better stays away from them during the grieving process.

Please tell her my condolences, I'm so sorry about her loss!

Kirsten

HayleyRosie
11-25-2003, 11:24 AM
Thank you all so much. My friend called the vet that she took Shakespeare to on sunday to ask again if there was any way she should have known about his condition. He told her that this was something that happened quickly and that Shakespeare was not sick or suffering very long. He also told her that the move did not cause his condition but didn't really help it. She is doing a lot better today. She has a lot of good friends that are helping her deal with this loss. I think with time she will bring a new little kitty into her life.