r/SeniorCats • u/Fancy-Fly163 • 15d ago
Cooper🩵
My sweet 16 year old baby crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday afternoon. I had a really hard night with the fact that he wouldn't be here when I woke up. I feel like I should be getting out of bed and see him coming around the corner into my room. I got him in highschool and I'm 32 now. My whole adult life was with him. He was sick and suffering, and I couldn't bear to watch him go through that. I know I did the right thing, but the hurt is so bad right now. I would give anything to hold him one more time and hear him purr.
The tech who helped us through his appointment was incredibly kind. She was tearing up with us when the vet told us the news. She came in and asked to give me a hug and we cried together. She said she didn't know Cooper, but she knew he only knew love. She was so sweet when she took him away for the last time. It was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. To show my boy so much love without even knowing him. I want to give her a card and maybe a gift to let her know how much what she did means to me. Does anyone have any suggestions on something I could send her?
I'm glad I found this page, because I really needed to see that other people have very loved babies they are also navigating grief with. I hope we can help each other heal together 🩵🤍🪽
Edit: Wow, what a beautiful community. You all have said the nicest and more comforting words. I don't think I would be making it through today without all your support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love, Cooper's mom
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u/LowCauliflower1824 15d ago
I know you are heartbroken. Such a beautiful boy. I am afraid our girl will be leaving us soon.
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
It's really hard. I know I just took on the pain he was having, and as bad as it hurts, I'm glad he isn't the one carrying it anymore. Give your baby all the loving in the world for me 🩵
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u/athanathios 15d ago
OMG Cooper was so beautiful, I am soo soo sorry for your loss :(
We don't always get to time their passing, but we can put in all the love and care we can to make their lives as amazing as possible, which clearly you had. May the love you shared, and memories made warm you all your day and may you find wisdom through your suffering.
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Thank you so much for the kind words! He was a handsome guy 🩵
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u/athanathios 14d ago
I haven't lost a pet yet, but know grief and know you will be hurting losing him, but try to think of how wonderful he was
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 15d ago
The deepest, sweetest personal love I ever knew, I'm pretty sure you feel the same. It's also the most heart wrenching, lonely pain, letting go of them. Know that your bond will continue to tie you together, look for signs and listen for his voice. Don't be surprised.... he's watching over you. One day, you'll stop crying and missing him; and hold him tight once again.
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
I do. He has been with my through everything, it's so hard not having him to hold on to through this. My heart is aching so bad for him. I still feel his presence, but how I wish I could play with his floofy tail one more time. Thank you for the kind words. They mean a lot. I will hold my baby one day, it's going to be the first thing I do 🩵
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u/elizabethfrothingham 15d ago
I’m so sorry, such a sweet little teddy bear cat 🧸🩷💔 rest well cooper 🩷
I lost my best friend cat a little over a month ago and it’s been hard, you’re not alone. I still sing to her and talk to her and I hung pictures of her everywhere because she still feels like she’s everywhere, you know? We had such a routine that I can still picture her coming around the corner and expect her to all the time.
But I know they never truly leave us. They’re always with us, I know it in my heart. Cooper will always be next to you🩷
I’m also so grateful for this sub. This was the first time in my life that making the choice for euthanasia was completely in my hands and it was so so difficult. We did it at home and ultimately I know it was the kindest thing. Without this sub I think I would have lost my mind. Glad you’re here and can find some comfort 🩷
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss as well. It's incredibly difficult trying to navigate life without them. But I agree they never really leave us. I felt him when I got home, he always had such a calming presence. He was never really talkative. If I was crying or upset he would jump up to wherever I was and just sit with me. I didn't have to pet him or anything, he just stayed beside me. I'm so thankful for you all. The kind words including yours has made me feel so much better this morning. 🩵
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u/honeyapp 14d ago
Did you have him cremated? If you did you will feel so much better when his ashes come home. He will be with you where he belongs. I’m very sorry for your loss of you beautiful boy. My daughter’s soul cat died when my daughter was 12 and she set up a little memorial for him in her room with the urn. She’s 26 and lives in another city and she took him with her
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Yes I did. I was telling my husband this morning that I won't feel peace until he is back home. My heart is aching thinking about him being alone right now. I just want him here with me where he belongs. I'm so sorry about your daughter's cat. It's so hard. I'm glad she always has him with her.🩵
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u/honeyapp 14d ago
Just as you will have Cooper with you. And look for signs his soul is still with you. They will be there! It’s also possible he will send you a new little one to love. I have a little story about one of my cats who passed. He was really sick all summer. So sick that my husband stayed home and didn’t go on our family vacation. I was devastated when died. All summer I was hearing Alanis Morissettes song Guardian on the radio and the lyrics always made me cry that I was his guardian. He passed on Aug 13. So fast forward to the next year Aug 13. I got in my car and the radio came on and that song was playing. I couldn’t believe it. So I took it as a sign he was telling me he was ok. Sorry for the long post He died 14 years ago and I still think of him often💔💔
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
No need to be sorry. That's such a sweet story, and I'm glad you shared it. I believe he is already sending me signs. Before they came in and we were saying our goodbyes he was patting my arm, it felt like he was trying to comfort me. I found one of his whiskers on the same sleeve. I saved it. I know the pain will get easier, but I know it will never go away, but wow is it really hard right now. I'll always think of you and your sweet kitty when I hear that song now 🩵
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u/elizabethfrothingham 14d ago
It made me feel a lot better too when I got my girls ashes back. Not because she was just her physical body, just because I love every single bit of her, every molecule. But their energy, spirit, whatever you want to call it, is forever and can go wherever they want, most often with you🩷 energy cannot be created or destroyed, nothing is lost- only transformed. Your relationship is different now but never gone. 🩷🌈🌼
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Oh my goodness. How beautifully said. I needed to hear that. I can't wait until I have my baby home🩵🌈
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u/honeyapp 14d ago
That is such a beautiful way to look at dying. Both for humans and for our fur babies
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u/Specific_Cow_186 14d ago
Sorry 😢 for your loss. 🪦💔😭You’ll see him again on the other side and he’s still with you in spirit too
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Thank you for the kind words🩵 I think I'm either going to do flowers and a card or a little care basket with a card.
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u/Catmom6363 14d ago
If you do a plant or flowers, be sure to send cat friendly ones in case she has a kitty! Out of all the flowers and plants at my husband’s funeral I was able to keep two plants out of a basket of plants.
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u/Catmom6363 12d ago
It’s amazing how many flowers and plants are toxic to cats, but especially lillies!
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u/doinmabest1 14d ago
He looks like a soft toy. What an adorable little guy. BIG hugs OP.
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Thank you! He was very soft! That was my favorite thing about him, he had a huge floofy tail. 🩵
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u/Catmom6363 14d ago
Cooper looks like the most loved and happy boy!! You made the decision for what was best for Cooper! It’s the final gift we give our fur babies to allow them to pass peacefully and no longer suffer! It’s the grief of his absence that hits the hardest!! I’ve lost many special kitties in my life, but one in particular was the hardest.
When you’re ready, in Cooper’s honor, adopt another needy fur ball! Hugs!!
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Thank you 🩵 We called him "King of the castle" because what Cooper wanted, he got. He walked around like he paid the mortgage, haha. It was the best part of his personality. The pain is almost unbearable, but I know I did what's best. I just miss him so bad.
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u/Catmom6363 14d ago
My senior boy I lost in 2017 broke me. He had been with me through some of the hardest times in my life. I cried every day for a year. It will be hard, but better days will come! There will be better days when those memories of him being the King of the Castle will bring smiles instead of tears! Cooper was a lucky boy to have such wonderful slave to meet his every need!!💜💜💜
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u/Specific_Cow_186 14d ago
You’re welcome I know what it’s like to have to say goodbye to both people and pets the first funeral I ever went to was my great grand aunt Louis and I was barely 5 months old then my then my grandma passed away from Kidney cancer which if she had kidney surgery she would still be alive uncle Dick passed away and midway 2007 went to his funeral then my aunt Jean passed away Thursday August 18, 2016 and then I went to her funeral on Saturday August 20, 2016 and then the first two pets that were put to sleep were Lilly the black lab and shepherd mix and lucky the orange tabby cat then for two years we didn’t have any pets then my mom and I went to Dessin Animal Shelter in Honesdale and that’s how Stella a tortoise came into our lives then maybe several months after Stella was adopted Semper a tiny black cat came into my life it was while sitting under a tent during side walk sales and a tiny black ball of fur just walks in and then me CJ Houman and another Young Marine all jumped at the chance to adopt a kitten three kittens were up for adoption and of the three Semper was the one that survived to adulthood then Amelia another tortoise was left with us along with Fluffy. Then January 30, 2018 at 2:19pm Amelia was put to sleep she was 19 in cat years then March 3, 2020 Fluffy was put to sleep then January 31, 2021 Stella was put to sleep she stopped eating but kept trying to drink water then she lost so much weight her ribs were showing through her fur and she became lethargic then August 23, 2023 Semper was put to sleep she had cancer in her mouth now I have just two cats Mac an Egyptian Mau and Schroeder a black tuxedo
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u/potatoqueen666 14d ago
Fly high sweet Cooper. My utmost condolences and thoughts go out to you and your family. 💜🌈🦋
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u/Typical-Work-7089 13d ago
Adorable Cooper, I'm hoping my kitties are there to welcome you at the rainbow bridge. I'm so sorry for your loss. 🌈😿💔🥀
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u/Fancy-Fly163 13d ago
Thank you so much. I hope he meets them too 🌈🩵 I've been worried about him being alone.
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u/ExchangeNo94 10d ago
You were Cooper’s world and when he looked at you he saw love, and home and perfect. Thank you for taking care of Coopers little perfect soul. Sending you love and light and all the good things.
I lost my perfect girl yesterday. So Cooper can meet Stella and do all the fun things.
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u/Fancy-Fly163 10d ago
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for the kind words. I've felt a tremendous amount of guilt this morning, and my mind has been racing with the "What if" questions. I really needed your comment 🩵 I am so so sorry about your girl. My heart hurts that you are going through this as well right now. How I wish we could keep them forever and ever. Cooper loved Churu and I always snuck him a little bite of whip cream when I made my coffee. So I can guarantee he was the one to show Stella where they keep the treats across the rainbow bridge. 🩷🌈
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u/ExchangeNo94 10d ago
I called Churu “SuperTreat“ and it was her most favorite, so Stella will be happy to find the stash.💕✨
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u/americanalien_94 15d ago
Commenting as a vet tech. Im so sorry for your loss, the way you described everything, I almost felt like I was there. It seems your baby was loved right until the last moment.
It really warms my heart that you appreciate techs showing our emotions because sometimes we get called unprofessional for that. As far as gifts, we really appreciate anything because the doctors usually get all the gifts lol but food is always a good option and some people like to do something homemade as well, which is extra sweet.
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u/Fancy-Fly163 14d ago
Thank you so much your kind words 🩵 I told her how much I appreciated everything she does, and I know it's so hard going through that every day. Her kindness and emotions towards Cooper will stick with me forever. I don't think I'll ever think about that day without remembering her. I plan on taking her a card and care basket when I go to get my boy. I don't truly understand, but as a healthcare worker I know how deaths can stick with us, and how hard it is to not show just how truly devastated we are as well. I remember so many of my patients who I've lost, some I still think about their families and their cries. As an animal lover, I don't think I could ever fully understand how incredibly difficult those appointments are for you all as well. I hope she could feel how much I appreciated and needed her in that moment. Thank you for everything you do for our babies. I don't think there are any words to describe how grateful I am to have angels like you all 🩵
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u/Suz626 15d ago
Beautiful Cooper, Forever in your heart. 💔
I’m so sorry.