We choose our human friends because they are of the same mind as we are about cats, especially when a well-loved cat dies. They will never say, "Get over it. It was just a cat." There is no such thing as "just a cat." My friends and I know that, and when one of our cats dies, we console each other the same way as if a human relative or loved one had passed on. At the same time, most of us believe that at some time in the future, we will meet out cats "on the other side," whether it be at the Rainbow Bridge, somewhere among the stars and planets of the universe, or perhaps, reincarnated in another life. Coping with the loss of a cat is never easy. START HERE
Some of us have had dreams of our cats after their passing, or fleeting glimpses of them out of the corner of an eye. We interpret these occasions as the cat's visit to us to let us know that he or she is all right.
One of the ways we keep our memories alive while coping with the loss is to create a memorial to the cat we've lost. Doing so helps us forget the immediate pain of the loss and remember the happier times.
Cats Mourn Loss Too
While there may be no scientific proof, it is painfully evident that cats can mourn the death of a companion cat or human caregiver. Perhaps it is a feeling of loss, since the other cat or person may suddenly disappear and never return. It's particularly clear when a cat is rushed away to the veterinarian in a cage and never returns. Sometimes it helps to give the cat left behind an article of clothing of his human, or a blanket or toy with the other cat's scent.Death is an inevitable part of life for all of us, humans and animals. While it is painful to contemplate losing a cat, we know that it is the eventual price we have to pay for their loving companionship. The bond remains, and, if we're fortunate, eventually we'll find the same kind of bond again with another cat.
