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Loss of a family pet

proudstepmommy's picture

Submitted by proudstepmommy on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 7:33am

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So this is going to be really hard.

Over the past few weeks DH and I had noticed that one of our cats was losing weight. We attributed that to his age (13).

But last night I gave our cats a treat, this same treat is one that this cat was eating out of my hand a few weeks ago, this time he wouldn't touch it.

DH & I looked at him a little closer and noticed his skin was yellowing, so we rushed him to the emergency vet. Long story short we got a very grim diagnosis, and ended up opting to have him put to sleep.

SD10 does not know yet (she is at BMs ). Not sure how we're gonna tell her or how to tell her.

Rags's picture

Submitted by Rags on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 7:56am

Tell your SD that the cat got sick and died. Do it now rather than wait. Waiting will just cause more issues.

IMHO of course.

I am sorry about the loss of your loved pet.

SMof2Girls's picture

Submitted by SMof2Girls on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 8:24am

I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds like your cat had a long, happy life .. and was very loved. That's all most of them can even hope for.

My skids understand people and animals get old and die (morbid, maybe but it's nature). I think if you explain it to her, sticking to the facts, she'll accept it. She'll hurt too, but the sooner she knows, the sooner she can grieve and move on.

*hugs*

goincrazy.com's picture

Submitted by goincrazy.com on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 9:06am

I just went through this when my 7 year old kitty was hurt tragically and I had to put him down bc I couldn't afford $10,000 in multiple surgeries Sad

I feel your pain and I'm so, so sorry for your loss. It's hard. My daughter is 9 1/2 and she went through everything with us at the vet. She still didn't completely understand or comprehend it but she did handle it better then I thought.

The rainbow bridge poem still makes me cry and you will always miss him but it does get easier with time.

christinen's picture

Submitted by christinen on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 10:49am

I am so sorry for your loss!! Sad

I think your SD is old enough to be told the truth about what happened to your pet. I would leave out details, but just say the kitty got sick and died - or you could even just say the kitty went to heaven - I wouldn't let her think the cat is coming back or anything. The dog BM had at her place died and she told SD he ran away, and SD would always look for it and think it was coming home. It was awful.

jumanji's picture

Submitted by jumanji on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 11:05am

I would likely let Mom know ahead of time, so she can provide some comfort. And then let your stepDaughter know that you did what needed to be done out of kindness and love.

proudstepmommy's picture

Submitted by proudstepmommy on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 11:09am

Thanks guys for the advice.

I do think we need to be honest with her as well, we will just spare her the details.

DH called to let me know he's made the arrangements for our cat to be cremated. And the crematorium is going to pick him up from the vet tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be able to pick him up on Friday at our vet while we are there with (the cat's) sister (we're just taking her previously scheduled check-up).

DH wants to wait til the weekend (when we get her) to break the news. He doesn't want this to distract her from her school work. So I think that's what we're gonna do.

Yes, I have heard of the Rainbow Bridge... it's a beautiful poem.