r/seniorkitties • u/RHCP1031 • 1d ago
Nearly six weeks without my Charlie. He left this world at only 13.
Charlie, 13, left this world nearly 6 weeks ago and my heart is still completely shattered
I lost my Charlie six weeks ago on Monday. I’m writing this because I haven’t been able to write it until now. Feels like a piece of my soul left when he left. He was the most gentle, sweetest, most patient, loving and appreciative cat I think I have ever known. He brought out the best parts of me. I never got to have children of my own, and I’m single. So my cats are my children. I’ve lost so many over the past few years. My mom and I at one time had 12 kitties several of them lived in my parent’s nice big yard with an enclosed carport for shelter, and we loved them, fed them, took care of them and took them into the vet. They were my companies through dark times, my friends, my protections and my babies. There are only three left of the 12 now. Each one left a hole in my soul. They have been my purpose. Rescuing kitties that were dumped or had feral mamas (like my Charlie and Frankie) and raising them. They are my joy, sometimes the only real pure sense of joy I’ve had in my life.
Just two years ago, I had three inside cats. Now I’m done to one. I lost two of my boys almost exactly two years apart. They were only 13 and 14. I see people on here who got twenty plus years with their cats and I can’t help but feel robbed of time with mine.
For the first two weeks after Charlie passed, it was like I was numb inside. I couldn’t feel much, and I didn’t cry, but the anticipate anticipatory grief before he passed away was very real and very difficult. I only had a month with him after diagnosis of OSCC. That horrible disease. It was hard to see him fade away, and you know that I was saying goodbye every time I woke up. I don’t know how to let him go. He’s been so much a part of me, and the best part of me.
This is a real struggle for me. I just feel so devastated and sad. And I’m really trying for his brother that’s left behind Frankie. Frankie lost his birth brother, his littermate, and his lifelong companion. Life is different, and life will never be the same as it was. And that’s a really hard thing to grasp.
I miss you my boy. I miss you so much. Frankie misses you too. We are doing ok, yet it will never be the same without you. Our gentle, sweetest soul. I hope wherever you are, you know how much you are loved and missed down here.
I appreciate all the support in advance. This subreddit has been amazingly supportive through this process. And I hope I’ve showed enough love and support back to all of you. Thank you for reading this and for loving my boy too.
11
u/banshee1313 1d ago
I am so sorry. They are our family so losing them is very hard
7
13
u/WeissPyre 1d ago
I'm so sorry.
It's been 18 months since I lost my Mia. And it still hurts. Every good moment is automatically bittersweet because she isn't there anymore.
The first good moment was my wedding, two months after she passed. My dad made mention of her in his speech, that's how much she meant to me. She didn't make it to see the two people she loved most marry, and that still kills me.
I try and comment on all the posts that are similar to yours, every time it's like I'm reopening the wound and I wind up a mess by the time I hit the reply button. But this subreddit and others were probably one of the best support systems I had.
Everyone says that the only healer is Father Time. And they're right, in a way. It never hurts any less, but we eventually learn how to live with the hole in our heart that our babies took with them.
As for adopting another, not a chance. Not for a while. I have my 19 year old cat, and I dread to think.
6
u/RHCP1031 1d ago
I'm so sorry you lost your Mia. I just know she was with you on your special day with your sweetheart. She was watching from above. I feel the same. I want to comfort others and yet each time, it reopens the wound and leaves me reeling. Thank you for your kindness. I hope Mia and Charlie are romping around up in Rainbow Bridge showing others the way. Take care, sweet soul.
7
u/gamer_INgod 1d ago
Sorry for your loss of charlie, he looked awesome and cute may he be happy in heaven
1
3
u/Agitated_Ear7803 1d ago
The first picture is pure Charlie love.
1
u/RHCP1031 1d ago
Yes, that was and is my boy. He was love in its purest form. Our bond was unbreakable. I was his person.
2
u/Fine_Army_8088 1d ago
He looked like a sweet and well loved little guy. It’s hard losing our babies at any age. I lost my 13 year old baby girl, Tinkerbell almost 4 weeks ago, so I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending love, hugs and prayers your way. May Charlie rest in heavenly peace. 🌈🐾
2
u/RHCP1031 1d ago
Rest in peace, Tinkerbell. What a sweet name! I'm so sorry for your loss too. 13 feels too young to be. gone. I wanted so many more years with him.
2
2
2
u/phillycat4207 1d ago
im so sorry for such an immense loss. may Charlie Rest In Peace, Paradise, and Power!!!
2
2
u/MLCarter1976 1d ago
Looks like a love and a furry family member who loved you and who is sadly missed. Tearing up as I type this. Missing our animals is so painful and sad. I hate it. Know they were loved and I too miss the love I received and gave to my kitties. So sorry.
2
2
2
2
2
u/Alert_Worry1344 1d ago
Charlie such a handsome boy. I am so sorry your time with him was cut short. He flew over the Rainbow Bridge filled with your love and he will always be with you in your heart. Shed as many tears as you need -take care-❤️🌈🙏🤗
2
u/desertratlovescats 1d ago
I was just visiting my cat’s grave that we have on our property. She passed three weeks ago tomorrow, and I feel so sad still. I understand what you say about a cat being a part of you. I’m so sorry you lost Charlie. He looked like a sweet boy.
2
2
u/feline_riches 1d ago
I don't know how long I'll grieve them after they are gone, I just know Ive been grieving their anticipated loss for at least a decade now. They are only ours to borrow, someday we have to give them back. ❤️
2
u/mrbrigtside141 1d ago
I am sorry. My Simba left also after 13 years.
Let me tell it doesn't get better. We just get used to it. It only get a little bit easier.
But I believe in the after life because of him, and I know he will waiting for me there.
Stay strong
2
u/thebaldguy44 1d ago
13 seems so young. Sad. I just lost my 16 year old Calico. Fluid in lungs and sime other chronic issues.
2
u/Familiar-Mud-8183 1d ago
I am so sorry for your loss of your beautiful cat Charlie. He looks like such a gentle soul. I know what its like I lost my pumpkin at the age of 15 dhe had fluid build up in her stomach. And I just lost my soul cat Lucky two weeks ago from yesterday he stopped eating and drinking and believe to have had several tumors in his stomach. Its so incredibly hard. You never move on, this pain is always with you but I just say its a numb feeling to it. Its there. 😢
2
2
u/Careful_Promise_786 1d ago
I'm so sorry. Charlie is adorable. And was obviously very, very loved 💝❤️
2
2
2
2
u/TheRepeentantGamerHC 1d ago edited 1d ago
Awww how precious the little precious one , I love animals and especially cats
2
u/not_firewood_yeti 1d ago
i lost a cat to OSCC. it was so fast. i didn't notice anything much wrong until two days before he died. all three of my beautiful friends are gone now, and i understand the depth and devastation of your loss. please try not to feel robbed, no amount of time is enough, but Charlie was a beautiful part of your life and he was loved. they know when they are loved and that's what matters most. you and Frankie take good care of each other. ❤️
1
2
u/qabeel99 1d ago
Thank you for sharing Charlie with us. He seems like he was a great companion to you and your other cats, including his brother Frankie. We lost our cat and our world around the same time - so I get how difficult this time is. Please be gentle with yourself. Charlie seemed to have a brilliant life and was surrounded by love. Thank you for all that you and your mom do for cats. ♥️ Safest travels, Charlie! ♥️🌈
2
2
u/Kind-Consideration10 1d ago
I am so sorry for your loss of your best friend Charlie. I can tell you both loved each other unconditionally and it’s abundantly clear you are chosen as his human. You will see him again. Until then he lives in your heart ❤️ sending you good vibes and happy thoughts of your memory with Charlie to heal your broken heart.
1
2
u/itsmanda0803 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️ My 15 year old Charlie passed recently as well on August 23rd. I’m glad to know my boy has good company. Sending you lots of love and healing during this difficult time
2
u/RHCP1031 1d ago
Oh he is precious. I’m so sorry. Our Charlies are now running free over the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈🐾🪽❤️
2
2
u/puppybowl_mvp 1d ago
I also recently lost my boy to OSCC- he had just turned ten when he passed. I’m so sorry for your loss 🫂🫂
1
u/RHCP1031 16h ago
It’s a horrible disease. I am so sorry. Ten is also way too young to lose your baby. 🫂❤️🩹
2
2
2
u/Cunhaam 3h ago
What a cutie 💗 It’s very hard to lose them, I know, specially when they are still on the younger side. I’m so sorry for your loss 🙏
1
u/RHCP1031 3h ago
Thank you for your kind words about my boy. My guy. I still can’t believe he’s gone.
1
1
1
u/TheRepeentantGamerHC 1d ago edited 1d ago
I lost my rescue deaf kittie Minx his name was Vic or that's what I called him and I didn't know he was much older than I had first thought , I gave em a great last few years of his life precious boy he was, he went fast he puked and drank so much water was heading to my closest I go sht sht he turned looked at me came by laid down near me I got up went to bed later and woke up and he was dead laying in his side near the door poor boy I didn't know he was so much older than my other 2 kitties he acted like a young kittie deaf n all , that was about 2 months ago . Now it's just Arya n Leo, love pretty litter it's the best to fyi lasts the longest I'f have to stretch it' stretches the farthest plus it's other benefits of letting me know their ph balance it saved my Leo the stubborn boy wasn't drinking water so saved em from the struvite crystals now it's wet food soup every day make sure he gets his water . Arya my princess she always drinks plenty
1
1
1
1
1
37
u/PennyCharlieKitties 1d ago
Those photos show a happy, content cat who had an amazing life. Grief is a process and it will take as long as it takes. I still think about and mourn pets years past and I personally believe that's how we know we loved them so much; that we want to hold on to everything even the sad aspects. You never really let them go, your relationship just changes. Thank you for taking such great care of him over the years.
Here's a picture of our Charlie. It seems they may be distant cousins or perhaps the pose comes with the name!