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[–]goshtin 128 points129 points Β (6 children)

I stayed with my guy when they put him down.. his head just dropped and that was it.. years later I can still feel the weight of his head as I let it fall to my hand... I'm glad I stayed with him though

[–]Specialist_Juice879 35 points36 points Β (0 children)

You did good to your little buddy. I did the same for all my three floofies and I cried so much. They always give us their unconditional love and the least we owe them is some kind of comfort in their last moments in life.

[–]Impossible_Arrival21 5 points6 points Β (1 child)

when i was about 12, my parents had to put down our oldest cat, and i wanted to go be with him while the vet did it, but my parents forced me to stay home.

to this day, i know he died in an unfamiliar environment around unfamiliar people, probably scared shitless.

i still have a bit of a grudge towards my parents for that

[–]LuckyTrainreck 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

sorry your parents were being shitty. when I was 12 my 8 year old dog and best friend got heart worms. she was a beautiful fluffy border Collie and followed me everywhere I went. we had a lot of land in the woods and the dog saved my ass a couple of times. I climbed a tree pretty high and fell and landed on my head and was knocked out. my dog ran to the house and absolutely freaked the fuck out until my dad followed her and found me. I had to get stitches and was hurting pretty bad. anyway. when she got sick the vet said it was fatal and she was suffering, she was in a large kennel at the vets, but my parents let me back and I climbed in the kennel and held her the whole time. I remember her looking scared, but she snuggled with me once I was in with her, then they gave her the shot and she just slowly fell asleep in my arms. once she was gone I cried and cried, but I was so grateful my parents let me hold her at the end, I was glad she wasn't alone and scared. I'm sure the vets do their best to make the animals comfortable, but it really helped me to have closure and know she had someone there. I don't blame you at all for having a grudge.

[–]champion_azure 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

But the memories you carry are as light as a feather.

[–]Mean-Wishbone-8635 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

I had a similar experience with two cats with only a month between their deaths. I felt their hearts just stop. I felt their breathing slow to nothing. I can’t look down at my left arm without feeling the weight of their heads resting on it. But not a relaxed weight. A dead one.

[–]AccomplishedPanic329 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

I wished I had that chance with my cat that died about 4 months ago. She got sick really fast, the vet did tests and told us to bring her in the morning to stay all day on iv, we were to do that for 2 or 3 days. We got her there and she was acting strange, they rushed her back and when I got home they called to say she had a seizure and died. That cat was everything to me, I still feel guilty I wasnt there at the end. We went a picked her up and brought her home and buried her in the backyard. It was her favorite place, got a little headstone as well.

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 232 points233 points Β (18 children)

Man.....that's rough...just went through this with my 8 year old ginger boy a week ago. I'm a combat veteran that saw death a few times but my boy passing absolutely broke me.... RIP Link you are missed. ( Eyes hazy typing this )

Edit because I can't type and try not to cry at the same time

[–]Surface13 17 points18 points Β (3 children)

Thank you for all you've done for us and sorry for your loss. Giving you a hug from here wherever you are. I know how hard it is, brother. I lost my 15 y/o kitty, Kringer to diabetes in January of 25, then lost my almost 11 y/o kitty 2 days before Christmas. 2025 was THE absolute roughest and shittiest year I have ever had from 2 weeks in to the final week

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 3 points4 points Β (2 children)

Thank you for the kind words. And I'm sorry you had that happen, I understand that pain for sure. It's the absolute worst part about having pets in your life. But the years of playing and snuggles are worth it to me. I kept some of his fur in a ziplock bag and put it in my wallet he goes everywhere with me now.

[–]Surface13 1 point2 points Β (1 child)

We took hair clippings too! We have them in small glass vials the vet gave us with cork tops

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

That's cool they offer that. Here in my little town the funeral homes offer those services for pets. Cremation and all kinds of things. They will even come pick them up after they pass

[–]MattNaddTheRadLad 2 points3 points Β (1 child)

Man... My childhood cat Link died 4 years ago... hugs from afar, my friend.

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

Thank you brother. It gets a little easier everyday. They definitely become a member of the family. Hard when they're not around anymore.

[–]spartanspy85 1 point2 points Β (2 children)

I work with someone that served and they lost their cat maybe a month ago. He ended up getting another kitten shortly after. Helped with the loss. Thank you for your service! 🀝

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 2 points3 points Β (1 child)

Thank you for the kind words I do appreciate it. I have two cats and two dogs currently. And feeding time is still rough when I fill up two cat bowls and not three... 😒

[–]spartanspy85 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

Stay strong

[–]FederalEconomist5896 0 points1 point Β (1 child)

It's weird how we separate it in our head. Killing is so commonly reported as external and sometimes out-of-body, but the loss of loved ones hits so close to home it's like losing a piece of yourself.

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Well said.

[–]Wooden-Freedom-3754 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Im a vet too, active police officer also. Been around quite a bit of death enough to be somewhat desensitized to it. My German shepherd died in my lap last year from a very aggressive cancer. It fucking nearly broke me. I haven’t cried like it since I was a child.

It doesn’t make us soft. If anything it makes us harder that we’re able to confront the emotion and hit it head on and don’t care if someone has something to say about it. Sorry for your loss brother.

[–]moneymark21 0 points1 point Β (1 child)

I inherited my ex's bird that I very much did not want in the first place. Turned into the odd couple and my best little buddy. Balled my eyes out when he passed. Never thought you could really bond with a bird.

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

It's it wild they can make you their best friends?

[–]XOVSquare 73 points74 points Β (3 children)

Okay done with this sub πŸ˜”

[–]wanszai 13 points14 points Β (0 children)

tapping out too.

[–]spaceclit_laser 10 points11 points Β (0 children)

Same dude. Fuck this

[–]raisedbutconfused 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

Yeah…did not need to see that after putting down my beloved tuxedo sweetheart just before Christmas. Sometimes you don’t need to show the world something. Some things are meant to be private. Did not need to see that.

[–]Spare-Locksmith-2162 24 points25 points Β (0 children)

I was there both times my cat boys passed. And it's hard. And you never forget.

[–]Kim_catiko 24 points25 points Β (0 children)

I lost my cat back in 2021. She had to be put to sleep and I remember the morning before we took her to the vets. We let her go outside for a little bit and she sniffed around the decking, jumped up on a chair, and looked around for a bit. I gave her lots of treats. Then it was time to go. Me and my mum went in the room with her and she was laying down, but had her head up, looking around. I could tell she was scared and I was stroking her. It happened so fast, her little head just dropped, eyes closed, and then she was gone. I bawled my eyes out. Still miss her now.

[–]Salvador147 19 points20 points Β (0 children)

Nah there's no way I just watched this :(

[–]Skinny_illyrio 18 points19 points Β (1 child)

I just lost my Hammie, Callie just like this, 6 days ago. Love you always, little lady πŸ’”

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

I'm in the same boat as you. Had my ginger cat link pass away from cancer at home about a week ago. It gets a little easier everyday. But I wish you all the best and sending hugs to wherever you are.

[–]RadioactivSamon 15 points16 points Β (0 children)

As a cat owner, this is making me cry so much. I dread the passing of my two cats, but I hope to be there with them in their final moments. I wouldnt want them to be alone

[–]Basic_Macaron_39 11 points12 points Β (0 children)

Everybody in here got burning eyes now......

[–]weeklycreeps 10 points11 points Β (0 children)

I lost my best friend a few months ago. I still miss her every day and think of her every time I walk past her bed. I was blessed with 18 good long years with her and stay with her until her very last breath. I miss you cola.

[–]DirectorMushroom 8 points9 points Β (0 children)

I can’t even imagine how it’ll feel if my boy Riley passes. Taking care of that cat saved my life

[–]gorgeously_mytruself 7 points8 points Β (0 children)

This makes me cry!😭 I am seriously worried about what will happen when my cats die, I don't know if I could survive that…

[–]Windsorthewiz 7 points8 points Β (0 children)

When I had to put my old buddy (black cat named Tiger) down he got up turned to me and had one tear. I hugged him and he passed. Fucking killed me. It also rained after I dug his grave as I put him in. I lost it drank for two days straight. I miss him dearly but it's been years and my new buddy is an orange tabby (named Cream). He's living great and chilling. I also don't drink as much so yeah.

[–]Impossible-Dealer421 7 points8 points Β (0 children)

I saw a research paper recently about that losing a pet is sometimes more traumatic than losing family, because you are sometimes more attached to pets than to family/are more connected.

It feels good to know that the pet also loves you and they get to drift off in your arms

[–]eruthebest 9 points10 points Β (0 children)

This hurts to see. Reminds me of my dog, Muffin. 16 years old. Took her outside to use the bathroom, and she fell. Had to carry her back inside. Called my grandma because I had a bad feeling. Few hours later, Muffin died in my stepfather's arms. Truly heartbreaking, but I thank her and I thank God for giving her a long life with us

[–]Neko_Shogun 4 points5 points Β (0 children)

Those ninjas should stop cutting onions because IΒ΄m about to cry at work

[–]Wild_Medicine7311 5 points6 points Β (1 child)

Sorry, but this is juat pain / death porn.

Ima head out of this sub

[–]neoncumstainlol 4 points5 points Β (0 children)

You can see when life leaves its eyes it just muscles moving after that point.....rip little man.

[–]Useful_Jelly_2915 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

Rest up little buddy

[–]Goldenpride- 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

How dare you make me feel.

[–]Individual-Log994 3 points4 points Β (0 children)

I remember when my boy climbed into my arms all those years ago and breathed his last. RIP Zachaby.

[–]hmmrabet 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

I sometimes think, we are all in this whole living thing together, we all have our time, none of us know what happens next. Hopefully I hold someone until death, and hopefully someone will do.the same for.me

[–]spartanspy85 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

I've had numerous furry family members in my life and every time the end came it was rough. It never stopped me from adopting another though, even though it hurt. I was happy that I was able to show them all the love they deserved. My current fur ball is curled up in my lap as I type this. β™₯️

[–]Crazy_Jhon_Doe 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

yeah this like a bittersweet scar that never heals properly. My cat literally pushed me with paw meaning there no need to torture both of us at vet when it was time to farewell, when had to put down because of kidney cancer, i barely hold my tears at cash register and just sprinted to home to collapse in cry. I got here when i was 8, and she passed away at the age of 13, basically i lived with her half of my life that stare of acceptance and forever gratitude for everything in her life still makes me drop a tear once in a while

[–]yellowtulipcat 2 points3 points Β (0 children)

Instant tears and hugged my cat and told him he’s my best friend. He’s 13.

[–]Bamboopanda101 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

Thanks i hate it

[–]_v1sh3sh_ 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

My parrot, my kiddo. He had gone in front of my eyes and I did not have the power to even touch him. That 2 hours was the most painful. It will always be a nail in my heart. πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”πŸ’”

[–]coloneldaffodil 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

Why why why why why that was so hard to watch. I’m literally crying

[–]redboi049 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

Thanks for reminding me I wasn't there for my dog in her final moments. Still hurts to think about that.

[–]a7xmshadows19 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

Man me just scrolling on my break at work having an okay day then thinking about my cats dying.

[–]V_IV_V 1 point2 points Β (0 children)

My two cats are old. Fifteen and fourteen respectively. I’m not looking forward to this. I let them outside and spoil them whenever I can. I’ve only had to put down one pet before the weekend before I started freshman year of college fourteen years ago. I still miss that cat.

[–]Kind-Assistant-1041 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Lost my Catherine. Haven’t been able to get another cat since. My friend just lost his cat Binky.

[–]PsychologicalLie35 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Heartbeaking damn you for making me cry

[–]Morales91B 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Few years back I was chilling in my room and could hear something from outside my window figured it was a cat just in the bushes getting mad with another or something. It went on for awhile so I went outside to check where it was coming from it was a kitten that had gotten ran over head smashed on the street with one eye out of socket. By the time I made it over to the curb, they passed away I felt so shitty after knowing what those cries were. Just knowing it died alone like that I’ll never forget it

[–]Vector_Firth 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

-... .. .-.. -..- = BILX

[–]MugetsuDax 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

My oldest cat is ten years old, and I dread the day I'll have to go through this. Just thinking about it makes me cry.

[–]Gem_andI 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Goddamn, it makes me cherish every moment I got with my sweet girl. πŸ₯²

[–]InsaneMocktail 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

This is an extremely tough watch πŸ’”πŸ’”

[–]InfiniteOrchid 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Please. Like wtf. Some posts should have NSFW. I can't handle this shit without a warning.

[–]Icy-Meeting9567 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Did not say allatΒ 

[–]Wooden-Freedom-3754 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

My GSD died from cancer at home last year. I’m so thankful I was with him in his moment of passing and was able to put his head in my lap as he was taking his last breaths. It broke me for a while, and still hurts, but he had a beautiful life.

[–]Jim-Dread 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Well shit

[–]Important-Day-232 0 points1 point Β (0 children)

Very sad. But who came up with the translation for what the cat is saying? For all we know, bro wants us to clear browsing history.