It has come to our attention that our readers have a real need for a venue in which to talk about losing their feline friends. Our most-commented column was about the sudden death of a cat friend, and we’ve received a number of comments and e-mails from people who are really suffering as a result of their cats’ death.
We’d like some feedback from you, our readers, on what we can do to help those of you who are dealing with a cat friend’s death or facing that issue in the future due to a terminal illness or simply from old age.
What would you like to see in a venue such as this and how would you like us to execute it?
Would you like to have a forum in which you can post publicly about your situation and ask for support?
How about a LiveJournal community or other blog area where you can post about stuff like this?
Would you like a separate blog where we can discuss issues specific to pet loss and illness?
Is there some way we haven’t thought of that we can support you?
Are there readers out there who would be willing to contribute articles or posts, or serve as moderators?
We know there are a number of sites out there dealing with pet loss, but perhaps you, our readers, would prefer something more specifically geared to cat issues. We’re not professional counselors, of course, but we are laykitties and a layperson who know personally about the pain of losing a cat companion. We’d welcome assistance from veterinarians, counselors or other professionals who would like to contribute to such a forum. We can’t pay you, of course; we don’t even pay ourselves. But if this is something you’d like to help with on a volunteer basis, we’d be delighted.
Thank you. We’re looking forward to hearing from you with your ideas.
JaneA Kelley is a punk rock cat mom and award-winning blogger. She is a regular columnist for Catster Magazine, and she and the Paws and Effect Gang share a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Sorry, I don’t have a similar grief, but I do have a story to share on the loss of my beautiful best-friend/husband, 14 mos & 8 days ago. Also, let me tell you, if it wasn’t for our two Tabbies, I don’t know how in the world I would have made it this far.
God Bless you all !
Let me know if you would like to read my story on my late husband & I.
Many thanks.
/sjg
250-995-1643
I cannot believe I happened across this today, as I only very recently had a friend go through this. And I gave her Tatianna ~ Tales and Teachings of My Feline Friend, a wonderful book/memoir about the author’s own relationship with her beloved Siamese. It is inspirational and healing (even for dog-lovers!) She tells a compelling story filled with emotional charge and heartfelt joy, and it brings the importance of our furry friends to the forefront of our lives. It really illustrates how they complete our existence. And though this is about one cat, the book is one that ALL cat owners can relate to.
It’s very healing.
P.S. I love the idea of your forum to help with the healing/grieving process.
I think a forum would be ideal. This is a warm, caring place, and when I asked if my dog, Simon, was truly all right now that he was gone, I was immediately given assurance.
If I was helped so quickly by one person (and three cats) here, I can only imagine the support many people would give. Please consider it.
Hello~
Both my husband and I would very much like to have a place where we could share the story of our loss of our wonderful kitty, Smoky.
A separate forum or blog for stories or loss and In Memoriam would be very nice. I would be willing to write articles, as well as share in the responsibilities of moderating such a forum. My contact info is above. You may contact me via my e-mail address or through my blog.
Thank you for considering setting up a place where grieving cat owners can share their tales.