Why am I crying over a darn cat?

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phoage

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My wife works in a retirement community where, when the people move in, it is their last home. They generally move into an apartment or small house for independent living. When that becomes difficult, they are moved to assisted living. When that is no longer an option, they are moved to Health care, and then to hospice. It is a very neat arrangement for them.

Last fall, one of the residents who my wife knew from choir moved from independent living to health care. She had a cat who, of course, could not move in with her. If someone did not adopt the cat, it would be put down. After consulting with me, my wife took the cat. Thus George entered our life.

I am not generally a pet person. Nothing against them but I have moved too much in life and pets have always been a problem I chose not to deal with. George change that.

George was at least 15 years old when we got him and he looked it. He was sway backed and moved like every step hurt. He was also way over weight when we got him but that changed and he seemed to take to being in a 4000 sq ft house a lot better than a 300 sq ft apartment. There is another cat in our house, a 3 year old female who is a dominant personality. George didn’t care. He ignored her unless she got too persistent when he would chase her away.

He gravitated toward me and adopted me. He had the most beautiful eyes of any cat I have ever seen. Because of his age, we knew that he would not be with us a long time but it is still a shock. Two days ago he tried to jump on the bed and missed and fell. Yesterday he would hardly move. He was not eating or drinking asnd even refused treats put down in front of him.

This morning we took him to the vet and had him euthanized. We buried him under the lime tree in our back yard. I have not been able to stop crying.

George is one of Gods creatures. I know it is theologically unsound, but I said a Chaplet for George. I really hope there is a Rainbow Bridge.

Patrick
AMDG
 
You’re crying because you lost a beloved friend. No prayer is wasted, and I said a prayer for George and for you. We don’t know with 100% certainty what happens to our pets. Who knows, maybe we will see them again one day.
 
Because you have a heart. Pets are beloved friends, given to us by God for companionship. I have cried over many a pet in my life. My recent adoptee cat is a daily joy.
 
God love animals as much as people. You can pray chaplets for any of God’s creatures and creation. I’ve never understood the whole “animals can’t go to Heaven” thing because God created them with a soul just like us.
 
Scripture uses animals many, many times to teach about God. Scripture adds (Romans 8:19-22) that all of creation groans in waiting for its redemption. If it were groaning in anticipation of its obliteration, I’m sure Scripture would have said that, instead.

I’m always puzzled when people insist that (at best) “animals can only go to Heaven if it is necessary for the perfect happiness of the saints.” Such beliefs suggest that it’s up to us imperfect humans whether something God created for His own glory has any value aside from our claims of its usefulness.

Besides, Scripture declares there will be trees in the New Jerusalem. Do we suppose that God would include plants in the afterlife but deny entry to “all the dear creatures”?

I would say that animals have simpler souls than we do, not being burdened with our sin nature or our free will. But what soul did the trees have, that they got into Heaven? I would think that if ferns get in, then surely Fido and Fluffy get in.

But, a simpler answer. George-cat loved. George-cat taught about love. George-cat was loved. Someone might suggest a particular prayer, but I am certain that the heartfelt desire for prayer was perfectly appropriate.

God doesn’t waste love.

May He bless and comfort you in your loss.
 
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The explanation I’ve heard is that in Heaven we have all we need to be happy; and if you need George to be there to be happy George will be there.
 
Losing each of our beloved cats was more heart wrenching for me, my wife and our kids than was the death of both my parents. The 4 dear animals are buried out in the trees at my inlaws’ farm with grave markers and flowers we tend every year. Every visit to the farm includes several visits to the “cemetery”. I still tear up when I speak to the little ones out there. What you’re experiencing is a sign of great love. I am thankful we all felt this strongly about them.
 
We come to love those darn fur balls.

Of course it’s natural to be sad. And with all the COVID stress, I find myself reacting, overreacting, catastrophizing, and yes some days crying!
 
I Douay-Rheims Bible
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:1)

This is speaking about the new heaven and the new earth, there will be animals. Why anyone thinks that God would create such beauty, every kind of animal on the earth, in the sea, the birds of the air, the insects and then wipe it all out of existence, that’s definitely not the God whom I know and love. The Bible tells us we cannot even begin to imagine the things God has prepared for us, I’ve shed more than a few tears when a beloved pet has dies, so do most people I know. I don’t worry that they won’t be in heaven, I just pray that I’ll be there to see them.
t
 
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@phoage

We have had a number of dogs over the years, but only one who could truly be said to have a sense of humor. From time to time Samson would invent a little trick to play on me. For instance, one day when I was watching television, sitting on a couch with a low back, he surreptitiously crept up behind me and, with both his forepaws on the back of the couch, started nibbling gently on one of my ears. I slowly became aware of a tickling sensation, as if a mosquito had landed on my ear. When I put my up my hand to scratch it, Samson dodged down out of sight and, a moment later, played the same trick all over again, nibbling at my other ear.

Samson only lived to be six years old. He was badly injured in a road accident. He lived two more days after being run over, feeling no pain, but he was paralyzed from the waist down. I consoled myself with the thoroughly unCatholic, and probably pagan, reflection that God was lucky to have Samson for company in heaven. Even now, six years later, I am writing this with tears in my eyes.
 
I can relate to this story very well…
When I was a little girl, we lived in the country.
My dad was a fisherman and there was a nearby river where he had baited trout lines. One day, my Mom accompanied him to check the lines, which required him to get in his boat and go on the river. She remained on the bank and waited for him. There was a faint little whimper coming from under a nearby camp house. She went to inspect and there were several dead, abandoned little puppies, but one still was alive…She crawled underneath to rescue the pup and presented her to me when I arrived home from walking down a dirt road from the school bus stop. I was so excited and named her “Trigger” after Roy Rogers Horse! Many times when I departed the school bus, there was my dear Mom waiting for me with little “Trigger” in her arms. This was the start of my Love for God’s creature, the Dog…I have had many Dogs in my lifetime and cherished every one of them and shed many, many tears for them. I feel that God gives us these pets to Love, but now I realize that they are just loaned to us…cause we will have to suffer the parting of them…It hurts so much! Oh…dog spelled backwards is GOD! 😭
 
If we let them, our pets become part of the family and we get attached to them.

They tug at our heartstrings and provide us with companionship, joy, laughs, good memories, and sometimes can even help us get through tough times.

My two dogs have helped keep my sanity intact during the current pandemic. I see nothing at all wrong with your emotional reaction to having to put your old cat down. It’s a natural reaction to losing an honorary member of the family, in my opinion.

Note: Thanks for stepping up and agreeing to make George’s last days good ones after his first owner couldn’t take care of him anymore.

You’re a hero in my book. 👍
 
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They don’t have to actually shed tears but they must cry within their hearts…or, I worry about them. 😂😇😂
 
@phoage

I’ve never even met him and I got a little wet around my eyes at the end when you said you buried sweet old George under the lime tree… so there you go lol
 
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The story of yourself and George is very touching. He appreciated your kindness and giving him a home, I’m sure. He was blessed.
 
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