How To Explain the Death of a Pet to A Pet
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
July 3, 2007 3:24pm CST
I got this wonderful e-mail newsletter today from PetPlace.com, and in it is an article about how, if you have multiple pets, whether dogs or cats, and one of their "friends" die, do they, the remaining pets understand that their friend has died.
There's one part of the article that got me crying, as it mentioned how when one dog had died, that ".....the remaining dog frantically combed every inch of the house looking for his deceased companion until he finally went to the garden, where he immediately honed in on the dog's well-camouflaged grave. There he sat for days, staring off into space with a far-away look. It was as if he knew what had happened, and maybe he did..."
I've had this experience myself...Years ago, I had two cats that we had gotten the same year..we did have three other cats as well. These two cats were like brothers...they stuck to one another like frick and frack.....and didn't bother with the other cats. Then suddenly, for some unknown reason, despite his having been healthy and active just that day, during the early morning hours, the one cat, Tommy, a big loveable smooch, had an unexpected seizure of some kind...it was so sudden that there wasn't time to go to a 24-hour vet--he died in my lap within minutes. Then a few months later, Tommy's companion, Mickey also died.....And they say pets don't grieve...well I think and am here to confirm they do.
Here's the article in its entirety...you just might want some tissues nearby..
http://www.petplace.com/cats/can-you-explain-a-cats-death-to-another-cat/page1.aspx?utm_source=catcrazynews001i&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=petplace
13 people like this
14 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Well I certainly understand...they probably think you're a bit crazy for having so much emotion for a "mere animal"---but then some people are like that..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Honestly, I think I cry more about animals than people!!
2 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
3 Jul 07
I couldn't watch the video I was crying before it started that is so sad what happened to your cats, I would be a basket case if I lost 2 of my cats that quickly. As it is, I am sooo attached to my kittens I have now, I wouldn't know what to do if something happened to them.
3 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Losing a pet is so hard, I have lost so many to various illness, usually the feline leukema has gotten mine, even when they were vacanated. Hopefully you replaced your beloved kittens with even more a beloved pet now, which I am sure you did, you are such a loving pet owner.
2 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
4 Jul 07
No, but it can sure make it easier when you have another little kitten to take your mind off of it.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
3 Jul 07
Yes Pets do grieve I know my Cats did for Max when he was
put down and it was awful they looked so lost when they used to
in the Kitchen where Max used to lie they looked for him
I know this sounds silly but I actually explained to them
What had happened to Max
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Jul 07
It doesn't sound silly at all that you were explaining things to them...Even though my two cats don't exactly get along buddy buddy like, I just know that when the time comes..and I don't even want to think about it...the remaining cat will miss the other...
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
5 Jul 07
Oh that's so sad about your cats!
I do think pets grieve but I don't know yet from experience.
Thankfully. I hope they live very long lives...
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Jul 07
Well my Pyewacket is six now and Kissy will be eight..so they are still "babies"--LOL
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
6 Jul 07
Oh yeah! You've got many more years with them :)
1 person likes this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
3 Jul 07
This is something I am going to have to cope with in the future. I have got several cats that are getting up there in age, so it is only a matter of time before one of them passes away. Thanks for sharing the article.
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Lucifer (who is right now running around like a lunatic) is over fifteen years old. I am not sure how old he was when I got him. But he has been part of my life for a long time. He is my familiar--I dread losing him.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Aw---that's sad...I can just picture your rabbit being near your husband's shoes waiting for him to come home
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
4 Jul 07
When my dog passed away in the clinic about 10 years ago, my cat was looking for her for few days. He was really sad...looking at my face, running and looking at every corner. Somehow he made a hole in the screen and run away....searching for her probably...he was never found...
My heart as broken, because I lost two friends in one week..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Oh my, I can just imagine how your heart must have been broken...that was terrible
1 person likes this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
3 Jul 07
I couldn't watch the video I was crying before it started that is so sad what happened to your cats, I would be a basket case if I lost 2 of my cats that quickly. As it is, I am sooo attached to my kittens I have now, I wouldn't know what to do if something happened to them.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Oh, no! I didn't read the article, I am not needing a reason for tears today; but I did go to the site and sign up for the newsletter. Thank you so much for the link. ~Donna
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
4 Jul 07
I have never had two animals who were buddies, so that is a problem I have never had to deal with before. Now, however, I have two potential situations: We adopted two cage mates who look like litter mates. One of the kittens had been abused and required surgery to fix part of the resulting problems. The other kitten took care of her while she recuperated. They are very, very close. Naturally we had to adopt both of them! They are still young, only one year, but they still do just about everything together and if the disabled cat calls, her "brother" comes running. We may have to face a separation problem at some time in the future.
The other situation is our older male cat, who is my husband's best pal. Sammy is always on his lap or in his bed. As most know, my husband has a terminal illness. I don't know what Sam will do after my husband is gone. It remains to be seen.
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
4 Jul 07
oh this is sad :(
i remember one year i had three in a row go-
2 from FeLV,and the third..i think from depression.he never stopped looking for the other two.when one of mine passes over,i give the sorrowing one as much attention as possible and petting,to try to cheer them.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
5 Jul 07
usually yes.
i never know with them though,i've had ones that did the reverse,and glued themselves to the the other.
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
4 Jul 07
That is an interesting thought. I have never had more than one pet at a time so I have never had ro deal with this situation. My daughters two cats are becoming very close now though, she has two males one is about 8 months old and the other is just barely 8 weeks old, the first few days were tough cause the older one was a little rough with the baby but we got him tempered and now the little one sleeps cozied right up to the older one....they really are adorable together.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Aww--that's sweet...sounds like those two are real pals now
1 person likes this
@sameen0705 (349)
• Pakistan
4 Jul 07
I guess animals are like people too.Reading this sure sounds like animals grief .I not sure though because i dont have any pets.
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
4 Jul 07
You certainly do come up with some interesting discussions and this one hit home for me too. I have had dogs and cats since early childhood and have seen their loss when companions leave. What you have posted is very heart-wrenching as are the stories others have shared.
I believe our pets are like people and they come into our lives for a reason or a season and oftentimes both. Even though their companions and owners feel sad when they leave the joy animals give while they are here more than makes up for it. I cannot imagine life without our furry, feathered and finned companions.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Jul 07
I've had pets all my life too and couldn't imagine life without my little babies....
1 person likes this
