So hard to loose an animal that you’re close to. You gave my condolences and sympathy. It always amazes me how close we can be one with a member if another species. Quite a wonder.
Sorry for your Loss Butch. My dogs and cats are family and always love me when I get home. For those of us who treat them with respect and love and share our kindness we know your loss. For the heartless assholes there is a God and your day will come. Butch take comfort in knowing you gave him a great life and companionship and shared his time on earth. One day you will be reunited. And thanks for being a real man, and strong enough to share your inner feelings and pain. Real men can wear pink shirts and ties and can cry. Whenever I loose a pet or a loved one I donate to a proper cause such as hospice or local pet rescue in their memory. It helps me feel like I continue their legacy
Having lost many companion animals over the last 50+ yrs, and now faced with the increased likelihood of losing acquaintances, friends and family members, I can only share 2 observations: (1) it is never an “easy” period to go through and to recover from. (2) this book, which I must have read 4-5x over the last 15 yrs, is truly a welcomed source of compassion, reflection and remembrance - “Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet”, by Gary Kowalski.
First, bless your heart. Being a fellow animal person, I cannot imagine (at this very moment in time) what you're going through because it's been a whole lot of years since I've lost my beloved dog so long ago.
But now, I have a 14 year old hound dog and an 18 year old neurotic cat and so well, when I read of someone losing a cherished animal ... I just wish to give them a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Please consider this response a bit of a virtual hug.
Thinking of you during this time.
Also, thanks for the head's up about the vet's office. 7 years old is relatively young for a cat. I can imagine the whole vet office experience would be weighing on your heart, mightily.