what to do...???

[bouncybouncy]

My Mom's cat died today...I feel so helpless! She is so far away I cannot just go and hug her like I want to. What can I do? Is there anything in your experiences of loosing an animal that someone did for you that made you feel just an insy-bit better???

I have not lost an animal since I was too young to know...she is alone right now (my Dad is away on business) and her other cat is hissing at her for having your teeth cleaned yesterday.

I just want to give her a huge hug from far away and cannot think how...I am torn up myself! I gave her that little kitty so long ago (18 years I think) for my Mom's birthday....she was a scrawny little thing rescued from a cat hoarders house. She went EVERYWHERE with my parents! Sophye traveled on boats in the San Francisco Bay, flew all over the world from California to Florida. She will be horribly missed!!!

Thanks for listening...I am printing up a print (a photograph of a rainbow I took) with the rainbow bridge story written on it...but I need something else!

[Blueberry]

I wish I had the magic answer for you and your mom

When I lost my Cricket last spring, just posting here and reading all of the replies made me cry, but helped me begin to heal. I think all you can do is be there for her - call her lots - let her know you're thinking about her. If she's having kitty cremated (long shot and random), call and pay the bill before she goes to pick up. Paying that bill was *really* hard for me.

Hugs to you both.....

CA

[redrhodie]

I received a sympathy card when my cat died, and it was really nice that someone thought to do that. Flowers would also be a good.

I hope your mom feels better soon.

[sundial]

I'm very sorry about Sophye. It's so hard losing our little fur friends and I think at times I mourn longer for my pets than people. What brought me comfort was planting a beautiful tree that I could nurture and enjoy. Perhaps you could plant a beautiful butterfly bush in memory of Sophye. Or make a contribution to a local kitty rescue in her memory. Another thing that brings me comfort is a selection of soothing teas and a nice little throw to wrap myself as I sit outside watching the sunsets. I think your mother would be so touched to know you share in her loss.

[bouncybouncy]

Thanks...it did not hit till after posting that Sophye was a part of me so much! Thank goodness my bosses are gone and I can blubber all over my keyboard! So many have lost their furry friends lately and I have not lost one in so long...I did not know how to feel.

CA - I just called the vet and took care of it for her...what a great idea! Yes, she is having an individual cremation. Thank goodness I am in a place I can do that for her. Not quite a hug, but it will have to do till I can see her again.

[sundial]

Paying that bill was *really* hard for me.CA

Oh bless your heart!

[sundial]

Bouncy, it really helped me to know so many TE'ers offered their condolences when I lost my Jodi Bell and, lately, my sister-in-law. Their thoughts and prayers helped me tremendously. I hope it helps sustain you as well.

[BethG]

I think all you can do is be there for her - call her lots - let her know you're thinking about her.

Agreed - and share stories, too. I know when I've lost furry ones (my cats Spot and Skeezix, my beloved keeshond Griffin), it helped to be able to talk about them with people who understood. I'd usually wind up crying, but it was cathartic.

It's especially helpful to be able to talk with someone else who either knew/loved the kitty or at least gets it and won't say stupid crud like "it's just a cat."

Hugs to you and your Mom!

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Bouncy}}}}}}}}}}}, how hard it must be to be so far away and experience this loss!! I'm so sorry!

Your thoughts are all about helping your mom and you have done wonderful things already. You're an angel! I have a couple of ideas....

Send butterflies. Some people can feel them even if you don't say anything. I'm sending them to you and your mom right now.

Give her (and yourself) a picture a day. PM me the email addresses and I'll add you to the list. The photos are usually beautiful and accompanied by a thought-provoking and/or inspiring quote. And they are completely free.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[wolfak]

One of the things our vet did for us last spring when our Sasha gave up on cancer was have a paw impression made before they took her to be cremated. It was very touching to receive that from them.

Since you already called to pay for the services, they might be willing to help you out with something like that.

[makbike]

Make a donation in Sophye's name. When I lost Scooter the vets who treated Scooter throughout his battle with kidney disease and diabetes made a donations in his memory. His regular vets made a donation to the Morris Foundation and the specialist who treated him made a donation to Cornell's Feline Health Center. Their generosity meant a lot to me during my grief.

[sbctwin]

I received a very personalized card from my vet for each of my furbabies when they went to rainbow bridge. I still have them because they were so sincere. {{{{Bouncy and Mom}}}}

[roadie gal]

Agreed - and share stories, too. I know when I've lost furry ones (my cats Spot and Skeezix, my beloved keeshond Griffin), it helped to be able to talk about them with people who understood. I'd usually wind up crying, but it was cathartic.

It's especially helpful to be able to talk with someone else who either knew/loved the kitty or at least gets it and won't say stupid crud like "it's just a cat."

Hugs to you and your Mom!

This helps so much!

Hugs to you guys. It's so hard to lose our furry family members.

[OakLeaf]

One of the things our vet did for us last spring when our Sasha gave up on cancer was have a paw impression made before they took her to be cremated. It was very touching to receive that from them.

Since you already called to pay for the services, they might be willing to help you out with something like that.

Make sure you check that out with your mom, though. After our Chow died, it was very traumatic to receive that pawprint in the mail when we didn't know it was coming.

Hugs to you both (and to the other kitty)

[bouncybouncy]

Thank you all! Mom is doing much better this morning...although they were having a thunderstorm last night and she went to find her baby to make sure she could get to her safe place (she had horrible arthritis and could not jump to her heating pad blanket she loved and slept on) then she realized she was not there.

The other kitty has come out and finally ate (she had not eaten in two days due to some dental work) and cuddled with my Mom for a while. I told her to be prepared for little kitty to be pissed off when she realized the big kitty is gone...they were like that...pissy kitties!

We have a "thing" in our family where we sign cards with our furbabies pawprints (ink pad) so I may find one and frame it in a little ornament frame...I will forewarn her so she is not traumatized! But knowing my Mom I think she would like that...I am also going to get some ashes and sprinkle them in the San Francisco Bay...that cat used to dive off their boat chasing after ducks, geese, even pelicans!!! She did have a fun, crazy kitty life!!!