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Lost a feline friend a while ago. This was what brought me out. (imgur.com)

submitted ago by jakerman999

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[–]jakerman999[S] 68 points69 points ago

His name was ashes, so-called for the colouring of his fur. We knew he was old, and near the end of his time, but he still looked and acted as healthy as ever, up until about two days before. The only prior indication he gave was about five months prior, when he passed out and keeled over, and left a puddle of urine on the floor. It only happened once, so we chalked it up as a one time occurrence and ignored it.

Then at the very end, he suddenly became very reclusive. He refused to move off the couch in the basement, and we had to bring his food and water downstairs to him. We took him in and, he was diagnosed with fluid in the lungs, coming from a neighboring tumour. I was at school at the time, and was pulled out of class to go see him one more time before he passed. I didn't make it.

The hardest thing afterwards was telling the dog. The sight of the nose, nudging the silent corpse of a life-long friend, still holding onto hope that he might yet climb out of the box is the saddest I have ever seen.

I was severely depressed for roughly a week. I lost most will to live, and couldn't see reason to live anymore. I wasn't suicidal, but I don't think I would put much effort to saving my life it was threatened. I don't know what possessed me, but I was on 4chan the one and only time of my life. That's where I found this.

I can't put into words how it changed me, but I felt better, and saved a copy. Recently, I knew someone who was going through a similar loss, and I dug out this picture to share with those who need it's help. I hope this lifts the spirits of those who have lost loved feline friends.

[–]SonicIceFlare 19 points20 points ago

I'm sorry for your loss. My 7 year old cat, Felix, was completely healthy. Then in the span of 5 days his heart failed and he died. My mother brought him home so he could die with family and not at the vet. Many people don't understand how much a pet can mean to someone. They are part of the family.

[–]nittick 11 points12 points ago

That made me cry.

I had a cat, Pepper. She and I grew up together, she was my best friend, and I, her's. One day when she was about 10, and I was about 14, she dissapeared. We thought she would come back again, but she didn't. That was the saddest day of my life. 3 years ago, and I still cry.

[–]thinkforaminute 9 points10 points ago

I have this exact cartoon printed out and sitting next to my desk. My cat died a few years ago and I was feeling pretty bad. This cartoon came out at the right time and cheered me up. I forget who the original artist was, but I made a point of thanking her personally for it. And, like others, the illustrated grey and white cat looked a lot like mine.

RIP friend, I'll never forget you.

[–]jakerman999[S] 4 points5 points ago

It's signed DeepRed and dated 2011. I did google it before I posted trying to find the author, but I didn't find anything relevant.

[–]thinkforaminute 4 points5 points ago

She originally posted it here on Reddit. Probably made its way to 4Chan.

[–]ryy0 0 points1 point ago

Hey, if you're still interested in finding the original artist, I found the original thread she posted it in. Here.

[–]lullabyrequiem 1 point2 points ago

It would be awesome if the artist did personalised pics; I'd love a pic like this with me and my late puss

[–]AFrogsLife 1 point2 points ago

My sniffles for your story cannot be put into words. I love that picture, and plan to steal it...However, you might consider looking up "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney" by Judith Viorst...It is an excellant story about pet loss, and while it is a picture book and clearly aimed toward children, it has a lovely message...

My worst kitty loss was the cat who used to bring home strays to be fed and nursed to health when I was a kid. He got feline leukemia, and we knew he was on the way out, but he was such an awesome pet. At any rate, he left one day and never came home...There is a tiny part of me that still hopes he is out there, helping other kitties, because we never did find his body...

[–]R3Mx 0 points1 point ago

Who's cutting onions on my train....

[–]carniemechanic 34 points35 points ago

This hit me very hard. My (10 yr. old) cat was put down by animal control in Sarasota, FL. Then they scanned for a chip.

[–]jakerman999[S] 18 points19 points ago

That is absolutely disgusting. We need to make sure scanning is done before they try anything so wretched.

[–]carniemechanic 2 points3 points ago

Animal control is cops. Cops are thugs and bullies. They take the positions so they can cause harm with impunity. I'm now beyond being convinced otherwise.

[–]bananadreamboat 4 points5 points ago

I don't want to agree with you, but I kind of can't help it. I haven't met a cop yet that didn't either go into the career with a god complex or develop one before retiring.

[–]carniemechanic 3 points4 points ago

Cops' own actions gave me my attitude. The web is rife with truly dreadful accounts, much worse than my own experiences.

[–]JoshSB 1 point2 points ago

People and the news love to talk and repost horrible shit, they don't like the touchy good feely stories.

It is like the news makes you think your child being kidnapped in common, when in all reality you are more likely to be stuck by lightning.

[–]JoshSB 0 points1 point ago

Speaking in absolutes about groups of people in the hundreds of thousands makes you look stupid.

That is like saying a plumber fucked up so all plumbers fuck up.

What it comes down to is yes some are thugs and criminals. However, some, like my family members, are people who care about freedom and caring for people.

[–]carniemechanic 1 point2 points ago

I can only speak from my own observations and experiences. Police in this country are becoming militarized, with the common view that the citizenry is their subject, not employers. Many now act as would an occupying army. Local police forces are being handed military gear as if the government were preparing for martial law. Many police departments make the victims of crimes victims yet, again by their treatment of them. These are factors that you should not dispute, nor ignore. If your kin are truly good cops, perhaps they, and those like them need to step up and help the abuses being perpetrated by the criminals behind badges, and the colleagues who support them. Until I see some real changes in policing, my opinion, and how it's stated remain. I have known good cops, who, now retired, are just as appalled as I.

[–]carniemechanic 1 point2 points ago

I wrote this once, and it disappeared: I speak only from my own experiences and observations. American police are becoming militarized, treating the citizenry as though we were subjects of an occupying army, rather than their employers. The Defense Department is handing local forces tons of combat equipment, much of it totally irrelevant to the needs of a civil law enforcement force, unless it is being prepared for martial law, as it often seems. The police have adopted too much of the military's tactics, so much of which is also inappropriate for what should be practiced to protect us and enforce the law. There is now a very prevalent attitude among police that they are not our employees, but rather something akin to our oppressors. Too many feel they are above the law, and their ilk close their ranks around them in support of their misbehavior, instead of also enforcing the laws on them, too.
If your kin are as you say, it's past time they step up and regain the upper hand over the thugs and criminals behind badges. It's time they stand up and do something to protect us from their colleagues who have no real business in uniform, but belong behind bars, themselves.
Until I see real changes in the comportment of police, my opinion remains as it is, and is well based in evidence I can produce. You have Internet access, I really don't need to provide you with support of my position, you can find it for yourself. You might start with
/r/Bad_Cop_No_Donut

[–]JoshSB 1 point2 points ago

I won't argue with you because you see the few instances sensationalized by the media as fact. It is like how people believe their kids are seconds away from being kidnapped. And yet they are more likely to be struck by lightning.

The media and people retell the bad stories. Not the good.

Have a good life.

Peace.

[–]carniemechanic 0 points1 point ago

Perhaps you missed my comment that my opinion is formed by my own personal experience, and observations. I hope your kin can help return American policing to sanity. I fervently hope they are as you say. Peace to you,and yours, as well. I'm not a lunatic spouting nonsense. Nor am I alone in my thoughts.

[–]MyCatTypesForMe 5 points6 points ago

Oh my god. What did you do? WERE you able to do anything? I'm so sorry. That's straight up evil.

[–]carniemechanic 1 point2 points ago

I'm not in FL., now. They're cops so they can perpetrate evil with impunity. I'm sure my only recourse would put me in prison. Telling the Internet is about as close as I can get to "doing something," safely.

[–]MyCatTypesForMe 1 point2 points ago

I guess so. That is completely despicable.

[–]carniemechanic 1 point2 points ago

I hope your cat types for you for a long time. I'm going to miss having him dig in his claws as he lies on my chest, purring, for a very long time. :'(

[–]fisheye32 5 points6 points ago

That's horrible. I'm so sorry.

[–]elastic-craptastic 2 points3 points ago

What the fuck was their thought process?

  • "Hey, we got this stray, we'll give it a couple days and then do what we gotta do."

  • "Okay, no one called, put it down..."

  • "Okay, now what do we do with the body? Oh, maybe the cat has a chip!?!? We should check so the owners can come get the body!"

[–]carniemechanic 0 points1 point ago

It seems it was more like "I can get away with this harm, nothing will come of it. Buwah hah hah hah!"

[–]Azumia 43 points44 points ago

That made me tear up. I'm so sorry for your loss. :(

[–]Tisatalks 15 points16 points ago

Thanks for sharing that. I lost my kitty this weekend. The one in the pic looks a lot like him.

[–]DAN_DAN_DAN_DAN_DAN 6 points7 points ago

Lost my 18 year old kitty 2 weekends ago...and he looked like him as well. This made me smile...sorry for your loss as well. They will always break your heart. <3

[–]easy_being_green 14 points15 points ago

My cat is on her way out. I'll be back here when she goes. Internet hugs to everyone who wants them.

[–]Aero5 0 points1 point ago

When mine passed last week, I came here to look at pictures of happy kitties and sob. It was surprisingly helpful, knowing there are so many happy kitties out there, one of witch I hope to be adopting soon. :)

[–]yespls 4 points5 points ago

when mine passed earlier this year, I blew up everyone's facebook feed with cat pictures. this is one of my favourites.

[–]Aero5 6 points7 points ago

DAMMIT! My kitty died on Thursday, and I'd gone an entire 36 hours without crying. Until now. She was only 9, so it was really unexpected - we think it was a heart attack, she just died in her sleep. It was especially hard, as I got her as a 6 week old kitten for my eighth birthday. The cat I'd had since I was three died three weeks ago as well, but she was 19 nearing 20. So in less than a month, I went from the owner of two cats to none. My dog was (and still is) upset. She was confused after the old cat died, but she was the one that found the 9 year old - she knew something had happened, she ran out onto the back porch and laid down beside her body. Sadface :(. I miss my kitties! :(

[–]jakerman999[S] 4 points5 points ago

Two at once... I hope you're doing okay. It's a great pain to lose even one companion.

[–]Aero5 5 points6 points ago

I'm alright, thank you very much for asking. Lots of tears have been shed, and I'm not going to lie - when my cat passed Thursday, I sat on /r/cats for about two hours sobbing hysterically, holding her favorite toy mouse while looking out at her grave periodically. The pictures of happy kitties made me feel better for some reason. My dog has been keeping me company, but she's getting lonely as she's never been without the cats. Hopefully, I can get to the shelter in the next few weeks and pick out a new feline friend.

[–]mikhail_harel 6 points7 points ago

The feels...there's so many of them...

I lost a kitty, too. Way before his time. We lived on a really quiet street in a suburban neighborhood, and everyone would let their cats out at night so they can prowl around and be cats. We'd let them in when we woke up in the morning. Anyway, the street we lived on had no traffic on it except for people living there. Certainly none late at night. So Harley crossed the street, not expecting a thing, and was hit by a speeding drunk driver. They didn't even stop to see if he was okay, they just kept going. I was inside doing math homework and my mother was asleep in front of the tv. My neighbor saw the whole thing and was nice enough to clean it up. He put Harley in a little bag and hosed down the street before knocking on our door and telling my mother. I was young when this happened, still innocent and stuff. I was like 14. I can't even imagine how it must have felt for my mother to break that news to me. She loved him, too. I thought she was fucking with me, at first. I said "That's not funny, what the fuck?!" She was serious. Our neighbor, Mark, was at the foot of our driveway with the bag. He still had the hose in his hand. I saw where the street was wet, and the hose, and the bag, and just broke down sobbing. I opened the bag and just saw a little bit of his spotted tummy and touched it. I felt the bones, all broken. I fucking lost it. I was crying all night, didn't sleep at all that night. Around 3 am, after I had calmed down a bit, we took him to our local ASPCA to be incinerated with the other animals that get hit. I picked up the bag and I'll never forget how that felt. So limp and...twisty. My father took us to my favorite local burger joint and even sprung to get me the combo (he's a cheap fuck, so this was a big deal). I didn't taste anything. Worst night of my life to date.

RIP, Harley. Mom, Dad, and I miss you so much.

[–]hediedofbarrelfever 11 points12 points ago

Thank you so much for this. My best friend of four years was taken from me very suddenly last week. When I found her on the side of the road and picked her up and layed down with her, I didn't want to believe it was real, I could have sworn I heard a breath or a purr, I just wanted her to know how much I loved her. I had just woken up with her curled up against my belly hours before.

I tried crying in the bathtub with wine, I tried figuring out the afterlife, I became obsessed with death. How abrupt, how at any moment it can just happen and you can't go back and change the timeline. I tried smoking dmt to see if I could find her in there, a spirit or something, just to know that she's happy. I was lifted out of my body and I looked down at it in the bath, and there was blood everywhere. I thought something had gone horribly wrong, and that in my insane state I had actually killed myself, and that I would never see my mom and brother again, they would find me like that. And then I realized what she must have went through in those last moments, and that you have to go out with your dignity and hold on to the love you share with those close to you, and it opened up the possibility for me that maybe she is out there, her consciousness jumping into otherworldly paper bags and tearing at couches in the afterlife.

I don't know if any of what I'm saying is true, it could all be blind faith in something I don't even know or understand. But this morning, before I woke up I had a dream that the world was coming to an end. The apocalypse had come early, there were giant ships in the sky and bombs going off in the distance. I went into the backyard to smoke my final cigarette and sitting there where we had buried her was a whole family of very familiar looking cats of different sizes but they all looked like my cat. I want to believe they were her ancestors, because they sent me a wave of such positive energy that in the midst of all the chaos they actually made me smile. It was like they were saying to me, "Thank you." And I asked "Where is she?" and I heard in my head "I'm here." and I looked up and saw her standing on top of the little tiki statue she liked to curl up on. I told them "thank you so much for this" and went back in the house to face the end with my mother and my brother and their little dog. I had to face it with dignity, and one by one the bombs were getting closer, until it was right next door. I braced for impact, and then I woke up.

I know this all sounds so silly, and I'm not even sure why I'm telling you all this, or if this even makes any sense. Love your cats, people.

[–]chelseamene2 5 points6 points ago

That was so sweet and sad. I'm very sorry for your loss, losing an animal is losing a family member. Feel better. <3

[–]exzyle2k 5 points6 points ago

For those who've never read it, Rainbow Bridge is a nice way to think of what's waiting.

[–]mallybear69 2 points3 points ago

Such a lovely poem! It's a shame I can't read it without bawling like a little baby :(

[–]cs1986 3 points4 points ago

The overwhelming feels. I'm at work, sitting at my desk and when I clicked on this, I had to fake getting dust in my contact because of the tears that happened to my face. Been there. hug.

[–]doodoodle 1 point2 points ago

Same here. My allergies suddenly got really bad.

[–]Votebitch80 2 points3 points ago

I'm not crying, nope I'm not

[–]emyee 2 points3 points ago

I had to put my cat down today. He's been my best friend for 19 years. Thanks for the post, I really needed it!!!

[–]Suzie157 4 points5 points ago

Right in the feels

[–]wackyappy 1 point2 points ago

awwww that cat looks a lot like my mom's cat who died a few years ago. Could totally see him doing something like that

[–]incenseandakitten 1 point2 points ago

Just shared this with a friend who recently lost a kitty. THANK YOU!!

[–]jakerman999[S] 1 point2 points ago

That's why I shared it. Tell your friend that they are not alone, and that it might never go away, but it does get easier to carry.

[–]red_raconteur 0 points1 point ago

This is such a cute comic, and I'm sorry for your loss. <3

[–]Ellykins 1 point2 points ago

This made me tear up :( I miss my kitty we had for 19 years. I'm sorry for your loss!

[–]lilbootz 1 point2 points ago

Made me tear up as well. We had to put our kitty down last week :( They are the bestest pals.

[–]Votebitch80 1 point2 points ago

For both of my pregnancies I lost a cat. Add the already traumatic loss of a fur baby to the hormonal madhouse of pregnancy and you get a blubbering mess for over a week. It sucked so very very much

[–]CatsTho 0 points1 point ago

I really needed this, thank you! My kitty looked like that too.. aww. Also I'm sorry for your loss.

[–]e_claire 1 point2 points ago

I went to go give my kitty a big hug just now. :( The cat in the comic looks so much like her. She's about ~9 years old right now, but we had a scare 2 years back that put her at the vet hospital for over 2 weeks. I was so devastated during that time when the vets kept telling me she had almost no chance of surviving... it was like I had already experienced her death multiple times. Nevertheless, I put all the money and effort I had into trying to save her, and it was worth it because she pulled through.

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I dread the day when my best friend crosses the rainbow bridge... but I will save this image for that day when I'll need it.

[–]SpinnyColorwheel 1 point2 points ago

Just a quick note to say thanks for posting that. I upvoted you but it seemed too impersonal. Wanted to actually say thanks.

My two guys mean the absolute world to me and I know that one day I'll lose them. Your post brought out the joy in their presence and the pain of their eventual absence all in the same nanosecond.

I saved the image because I know that one day, hopefully many years down the line (they're only 4 and 5) I'll need it, come across it, and shed a tear for the good times.

In the meantime, extra hugs and treats tonight.

[–]FPSxSubZ3RO 0 points1 point ago

That is so sad and im sorry to hear that hapened, I have two cats and i love them both. But I also no what it feels like to lose a pet and a friend when my dog was put down due to cancer in the spine.

[–]gpustarfi 1 point2 points ago

Saved this on my computer with the name "open in case of cat emergency."

[–]snippybitch 1 point2 points ago

http://i.imgur.com/tVFgw.jpg

I had to put him down a little while ago. When I saw this comic I burst into tears, my husband was so confused until he saw it and teared up too. We miss our Scrat so much. He was not even 4 years old but had a huge problem with UTI's and such. After peeing blood, then antibiotics, then peeing blood again (this went on for weeks) and developing a litter box aversion we couldn't keep watching him suffer.

[–]BitingChaos 0 points1 point ago

I just went through the same thing recently. My kitty was only three years old. We tried multiple vets, tried a dozen different medicines and remedies, etc. He just kept getting worse and worse. Ours had UTI, litter box aversion, and terrible anxiety and stress issues. We tried for months to help him. http://i.imgur.com/v59IG.jpg

[–]JoshSB 0 points1 point ago

Awwwwwwwwwwwww!

I am sorry for your loss but that is one of the cutest pictures I have ever seen. He just jacked your mouse!

Sorry for your loss.

[–]Chichika 1 point2 points ago

Imma go hug my kitty now :(

[–]youpickedme 1 point2 points ago

Didn't know a cartoon could pull at my emotions like that. makes me cry

[–]Adarlin24 0 points1 point ago

Oh dear god I'm pregnant and hormonal! Now I'm thinking of my poor little Cleo. I just spent the last 5 minutes crying. I lost my kitty a year ago and just recently felt like I could get a kitten. Searching for a new cat and seeing this is really hard.

[–]lullabyrequiem 1 point2 points ago

My cat died 5 years ago yesterday. My heart still aches for him.

[–]Octowolf 0 points1 point ago

I cried ;<

[–]honeydee 0 points1 point ago

I still have all four of my babies. I cried imagining what it would feel like to lose one. I don't know what I would do!

[–]anon8232 0 points1 point ago

Thank you for this. I sent it to a couple grieving the loss of a kitten they had recently rescued and it made them laugh and cry at the same time.

If you haven't already, it would be nice if you could cross post it over at /r/Petloss. I'm sure it would comfort a lot more people.

[–]johnmarkley 1 point2 points ago

I've kept a copy of that cartoon on my computer for a while as well. I lost both of my cats about a month apart this summer, and it was really nice to have. I'm sorry about your cat.

[–]jakerman999[S] 0 points1 point ago

I found someone who claims to be the artist, although there username doesn't match their penname. I'll let you be the judge: http://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/h7j0l/my_cat_died_7_years_ago_but_i_still_miss_him/

[–]JustPlainRude -5 points-4 points ago

Poor cloud :-(

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]honeydee 2 points3 points ago

Wow, fuck off.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]jakerman999[S] 7 points8 points ago

It's not meant to be portrayal of actual events. It's just there to provide a little kickstart getting the imagination going again, and lifting spirits with absurdities that are nice but impossible. It has no relation to god or the afterlife, and you can take your religious views to somewhere where they are open for debate, because they are not welcome here.

[–]DAN_DAN_DAN_DAN_DAN 3 points4 points ago

Most of us understand this to be exactly what you're saying. Thank you so much for posting this. Just lost my 18 year old kitty, and it'll be some time before I smile instead of cry when I think of him, but it'll happen.

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