Discussion
Another thread about loss I'm afraid 
I'm not actually even sure why I'm writing this to be honest, I'm just feeling very numb I suppose...
We got Oreo as a rescue cat in August 2014 having been brought into the RSPCA after being found abandoned in a cardboard box at just a few days old. Since then she's made the biggest impression on me and my wife, and turned out to be a right little bugger. Never a dull moment, she's always been fiercely independent whilst still loving nothing more than a cuddle.
The last time I saw her was on Friday night after she'd fallen asleep on my chest as I went to bed, purring away and looking so content. We didn't see her all day Saturday, which whilst a little unusual was certainly not unheard of. However after we didn't see her all morning today I started to really worry. Speaking with neighbours it soon became clear a cat had been run over on Saturday morning, and that their description matched Oreo's.
It turns out she had darted into the road and was run over by a passing car, being killed instantly. The driver mercifully stopped and knocked on doors (at 5:30am) until somebody could help. A fantastic neighbour took her in, cleaned her up and rested her in a box. I went over this afternoon, took her home and buried her wrapped in her favourite towel next to the tree we planted for our daughter's first birthday just 2 weeks ago.
This is the first pet I have ever lost and to say the pain is massive would be a complete understatement. I can't believe all of the little things we come to accept of any animal just won't be a part of our lives anymore. We were sure she'd live to a grand old age, she was in such good health, but nobody ever expects this. Those that have never had a pet probably won't understand this feeling, I certainly didn't before we had cats, but it's so so tough.
She may have been safe if she was an indoor cat, but then she wouldn't have been her. She was the sort of cat that just loved being outside so I'd rather she lived 4 happy years than more miserable ones. I have no anger for the driver of the car, quite the opposite really as it must have been horrible for them. Just the wrong place at the wrong time.
Anyway, I'm not expecting any replies to this but I just needed to write down my feelings. Rest in peace little Oreo, you will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace kitten.
I'm not actually even sure why I'm writing this to be honest, I'm just feeling very numb I suppose...We got Oreo as a rescue cat in August 2014 having been brought into the RSPCA after being found abandoned in a cardboard box at just a few days old. Since then she's made the biggest impression on me and my wife, and turned out to be a right little bugger. Never a dull moment, she's always been fiercely independent whilst still loving nothing more than a cuddle.
The last time I saw her was on Friday night after she'd fallen asleep on my chest as I went to bed, purring away and looking so content. We didn't see her all day Saturday, which whilst a little unusual was certainly not unheard of. However after we didn't see her all morning today I started to really worry. Speaking with neighbours it soon became clear a cat had been run over on Saturday morning, and that their description matched Oreo's.
It turns out she had darted into the road and was run over by a passing car, being killed instantly. The driver mercifully stopped and knocked on doors (at 5:30am) until somebody could help. A fantastic neighbour took her in, cleaned her up and rested her in a box. I went over this afternoon, took her home and buried her wrapped in her favourite towel next to the tree we planted for our daughter's first birthday just 2 weeks ago.
This is the first pet I have ever lost and to say the pain is massive would be a complete understatement. I can't believe all of the little things we come to accept of any animal just won't be a part of our lives anymore. We were sure she'd live to a grand old age, she was in such good health, but nobody ever expects this. Those that have never had a pet probably won't understand this feeling, I certainly didn't before we had cats, but it's so so tough.
She may have been safe if she was an indoor cat, but then she wouldn't have been her. She was the sort of cat that just loved being outside so I'd rather she lived 4 happy years than more miserable ones. I have no anger for the driver of the car, quite the opposite really as it must have been horrible for them. Just the wrong place at the wrong time.
Anyway, I'm not expecting any replies to this but I just needed to write down my feelings. Rest in peace little Oreo, you will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace kitten.
Thanks for all of your replies, really. Pistonheads can be a bit up and down at times but comments like the above really do restore your faith.
Things are a little easier today with a night of perspective behind things but I'm certainly not too proud to admit I've shed a lot of tears over her last night and this morning. I knew when this day came it would hit us hard but I never expected it to be this tough. How people manage it with a dog of 20 years I'll never know!?
Anyway, thanks very much again for all of your support.
Things are a little easier today with a night of perspective behind things but I'm certainly not too proud to admit I've shed a lot of tears over her last night and this morning. I knew when this day came it would hit us hard but I never expected it to be this tough. How people manage it with a dog of 20 years I'll never know!?
Anyway, thanks very much again for all of your support.
Our first pair made it to 18 and 20 respectively, one was put to sleep, the other we found passed away in the kitchen when got home from work. We did what we could to protect them, even only buying houses with them in mind too...….but they get into lots of scrapes, had several horrid injuries over the years and they wander an amazing distance (we fitted the old pair with some trackers and they were going 8 miles away straight line pretty regularly!
Truth is, the thing that makes them such great and interesting pets, (independence, curiosity, brash confidence and overall "ego"), also means they are at risk from modern "predators" and events. Cats will do what they want, pretty much, you can only protect them so much.
It's very sad, but take solace in the fact you gave her a great life and loving home, and she provided you with hours of entertainment and appreciation of that.
Let things settle down, then go and get another, they always appreciate a good home.
Truth is, the thing that makes them such great and interesting pets, (independence, curiosity, brash confidence and overall "ego"), also means they are at risk from modern "predators" and events. Cats will do what they want, pretty much, you can only protect them so much.
It's very sad, but take solace in the fact you gave her a great life and loving home, and she provided you with hours of entertainment and appreciation of that.
Let things settle down, then go and get another, they always appreciate a good home.
JustADay said:
Thanks for all of your replies, really. Pistonheads can be a bit up and down at times but comments like the above really do restore your faith.
Things are a little easier today with a night of perspective behind things but I'm certainly not too proud to admit I've shed a lot of tears over her last night and this morning. I knew when this day came it would hit us hard but I never expected it to be this tough. How people manage it with a dog of 20 years I'll never know!?
Anyway, thanks very much again for all of your support.
Nothing to be ashamed of, I know how hard the loss of pet is - I will be a wreck when the day comes for us. Our pets add so much to our lives.Things are a little easier today with a night of perspective behind things but I'm certainly not too proud to admit I've shed a lot of tears over her last night and this morning. I knew when this day came it would hit us hard but I never expected it to be this tough. How people manage it with a dog of 20 years I'll never know!?
Anyway, thanks very much again for all of your support.
So sorry to hear about your loss.
One of our cats was hit by a bus outside our house many years ago, the bus driver thought she was a carrier bag fluttering in the wind until it was too late, he stopped, a neighbour helped and she came round to tell us.
I had to pick her up off the road, she wasn't a pretty sight.
We no longer have cats, our last one died a few years ago at 15 and the year prior we had Pepper pts at the ripe old age of 21.
The wife wants another cat, however we now have 3 dogs and I'd rather not get another but I do miss not having one around.
One of our cats was hit by a bus outside our house many years ago, the bus driver thought she was a carrier bag fluttering in the wind until it was too late, he stopped, a neighbour helped and she came round to tell us.
I had to pick her up off the road, she wasn't a pretty sight.
We no longer have cats, our last one died a few years ago at 15 and the year prior we had Pepper pts at the ripe old age of 21.
The wife wants another cat, however we now have 3 dogs and I'd rather not get another but I do miss not having one around.
rasto said:
Just seen this, so sad
Your Oreo is the spitting image of our Lola who is also an RSPCA rescue. We always worry about her when she goes out but as you say, they need to have their freedom.
And also the spitting image of the little lady we lost last week (who was also a rescue). Black cats are often found in rescue, people are odd things.Your Oreo is the spitting image of our Lola who is also an RSPCA rescue. We always worry about her when she goes out but as you say, they need to have their freedom.
As above OP, hopefully in time you will find it in your heart to rescue another.
Jasandjules said:
And also the spitting image of the little lady we lost last week (who was also a rescue). Black cats are often found in rescue, people are odd things.
As above OP, hopefully in time you will find it in your heart to rescue another.
Sorry to hear that As above OP, hopefully in time you will find it in your heart to rescue another.
Lola was the last cat left up for adoption when we went to look, not sure why people are put off by black cats - we love them. I can still remember meeting her for the first time, there was no doubt in our minds from the moment we saw her.
Thanks again for your further replies everyone. Lola looks like a lovely little one rasto. Jasandjules, so sorry for your recent loss too- it's really tough isn't it?
We knew from the moment we saw Oreo she was the one for us, just the right side of cheeky and bags of personality. Here she is the day we got her home at about 5 weeks old:
I don't understand the superstition against black cats either, very strange.
Our stand out moment with Oreo was in 2015 when my wife suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and lost over 2 litres of blood into her abdomen. She was only an hour or so away from death (mercifully pulled through though!) and Oreo would not leave her side, resting on her when the paramedics were working on her before heading to hospital. We're sure to this day she knew something was wrong and she was trying to protect my wife. Animals are amazing things really.
As crappy a situation as this has been we really are so grateful to the driver of the car for stopping and trying to find the owner. I've tried to track him down to say no hard feelings as I'm sure he'll be feeling awful but I've not had any joy yet. The neighbour that took her in and cleaned and cared for her really is one in a million too, what a hero.
Regarding getting another cat one day, there is absolutely no doubt we will when the time is right. We still have another cat who has been getting a lot of extra attention from us since yesterday, and when everyone is ready we'll be straight back to the rescue centres to look for a new friend for her. One final photo from me from happier times with her "sister" Smartie:
Think I've probably rambled on enough now. Thanks so much to everyone for your kind words, it really does help hugely.
Sleep tight gorgeous kitten.
We knew from the moment we saw Oreo she was the one for us, just the right side of cheeky and bags of personality. Here she is the day we got her home at about 5 weeks old:
I don't understand the superstition against black cats either, very strange.
Our stand out moment with Oreo was in 2015 when my wife suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and lost over 2 litres of blood into her abdomen. She was only an hour or so away from death (mercifully pulled through though!) and Oreo would not leave her side, resting on her when the paramedics were working on her before heading to hospital. We're sure to this day she knew something was wrong and she was trying to protect my wife. Animals are amazing things really.
As crappy a situation as this has been we really are so grateful to the driver of the car for stopping and trying to find the owner. I've tried to track him down to say no hard feelings as I'm sure he'll be feeling awful but I've not had any joy yet. The neighbour that took her in and cleaned and cared for her really is one in a million too, what a hero.
Regarding getting another cat one day, there is absolutely no doubt we will when the time is right. We still have another cat who has been getting a lot of extra attention from us since yesterday, and when everyone is ready we'll be straight back to the rescue centres to look for a new friend for her. One final photo from me from happier times with her "sister" Smartie:
Think I've probably rambled on enough now. Thanks so much to everyone for your kind words, it really does help hugely.
Sleep tight gorgeous kitten.
telecat said:
The superstition seems to be from the USA. European lore has Black Cats as lucky. Minnie is a similar Black Cat. She's had her scrapes. She came home with one leg hanging off and these days is a very quick Tripod. STill as mad as ever though. RIP Oreo.
I remember you posting about her when it happened! A little while ago now. Glad she is as mad as ever. bexVN said:
telecat said:
The superstition seems to be from the USA. European lore has Black Cats as lucky. Minnie is a similar Black Cat. She's had her scrapes. She came home with one leg hanging off and these days is a very quick Tripod. STill as mad as ever though. RIP Oreo.
I remember you posting about her when it happened! A little while ago now. Glad she is as mad as ever.Shes as livley as ever. Here admiring her latest kill. Shes still got it!!
Just remembered, we used to have a black cat (well kitten); Oscar, unfortunately he had to be pts at only a few months old due to having panleukopenia, this was probably about 20 years ago.
The wife has always said that if I did cave in and said yes to a cat, she would love another black one.
The wife has always said that if I did cave in and said yes to a cat, she would love another black one.
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