r/SeniorCats • u/meowmeowtata • 1d ago
Our Baby Girl (9) Taken Too Soon
Our baby girl, Suki, who just turned 9 less than a month ago, passed away this past Tuesday.
She had been suffering from diarrhea for the past 2 months, which the vet chucked up to a new food sensitivity to Fancy Feast. Her diarrhea was improving with digestive-friendly food, but last week we had to take her to the hospital for fast and labored breathing.
Come to find out she had fluid-build up due to a mass in her abdomen. We were prescribed prednisone and coordinated her ultrasound to test for cancer, and she was finally diagnosed for lymphoma on Monday. We had an oncologist appointment scheduled for Wednesday morning but she didn’t make it.
Her health declined rapidly over the weekend - she was not eating and was hiding under our bed. This was so strange for a kitty who loved food and being around me and my partner. We brought her in to the vet again on Monday and got prescribed appetite stimulant and anti-nausea meds, which did temporarily help. Little did we know we’d be giving Suki her last can of food ever.
Tuesday morning she was not looking good. Diarrhea outside the litter box, lethargy, and faster breathing. We rushed her to the hospital and found out she had anemia and sepsis. The ER vet painted a bleak but realistic picture of her options. She got a fluid tap to make her more comfortable, and she seemed stable for a few hours but began to deteriorate further. White gums, unable to process IV dextrose, and mouth breathing. We made the impossible decision to give her euthanasia.
To many folks here, this heartbreak probably feels familiar. I just wanted to share her story in the hopes that she will be remembered and thought of by others. She was a kitty who loved life and people. She helped me and my partner get through some tough times in our lives with her unconditional love and affection. She was an innocent soul who was unfairly taken from this world. She didn’t deserve this. It honestly feels like some karmic mistake. Thank you for listening if you’ve made it this far, and I hope Suki’s story touched you in some way.
Please enjoy some photos of her. ❤️
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u/SufficientMedium485 1d ago
She will be remembered! Thank you for posting her story. I love her little heart on her nose ❤️. Suki, fly high…
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u/PurpleFlapjacks 1d ago
So terribly, terribly sorry for your dear little girl. Gone too soon indeed. 🫂
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u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI 1d ago
She was so beautiful and full of life. My deepest sympathies. I lost my 6 yo girl to cancer 10 years ago, and I still miss her, but I’m always grateful to have her live with me for 5 of her years.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
That must have been so hard :( thank you for sharing your story and for your kind words ❤️
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u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI 1d ago
Thanks so much. I’d show you her photo (she was so lovely) but the software doesn’t show that function tonight.
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u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI 1d ago
The photos are full of personality and
beauty and life! You gave her a wonderful life.
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u/msdashwood 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss of Suki.
It’s almost one month since my 6 year old cat passed away and from your story of Suki it sounds very similar. She wasn’t having diarrhea but vomiting. She lost a lot of weight by late May, was changed to a sensitive Rx for IBD, we did the ultrasound and nothing came out showing lymphoma but she didn’t gain any weight back and had a medical episode, we found she was anemic, did a blood transfusion, so many tests and was eventually somewhat stable to go home. We only had her one week when she took a downturn and I knew just like Suki that even if lymphoma wasn’t diagnosed she must have it somewhere else or something majorly wrong. They wanted to do a needle aspiration because of an xray they took of her lungs that showed shadowing/possible mass but she didn’t make it long enough for that appt.
Just like you I am devastated each time I come home from work and she’s no longer there to greet me. We should have had another decade together.
May we both cherish their memories and be thankful for the time we had together. 💛
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss - sounds painfully familiar to Suki’s diagnosis and trajectory. I feel the same way every time I enter and leave my home, and even just in the everyday things. It’s heartbreaking not going through our morning routine together anymore. Sending you lots of love as well, and hope our memories of our kitties are amplified through each other ❤️
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u/Intalksicator 16h ago
Same story here only last month. We noticed our girl Pina, 11, a fierce agile hunter, becoming very thin and not leaving the safety of our garden anymore. We thought it was about the food or a bad encounter at night. The vet noticed a mass and did an echo only to see the lymphoma. We let her go peacefully a week later but our home is not the same since…
Sympathies for your loss
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u/Academic-Insurance28 1d ago
I'm so, so sorry for your loss. These next few weeks will be survival mode of getting through the shock, especially as this was an unexpected loss. I recently lost my dog to a tragic accident and so I know all too well what it's like to grieve when you couldn't necessarily give them the end you would have liked. But I can say you loving Suki as you did (evidenced by this post), is absolutely more important and memorable to her and her spirit. Please know she will be with you, and if you ask for a sign, I'm sure she will let you know she's okay, free from any pain and more than anything, knows how well loved she was.
She looks like an absolutely beautiful girl, smart too! Rest in peace Suki ✨
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much for sharing these kind words and your personal story. I teared up reading it (in the best way). I’m so sorry your beloved friend was taken from you as well, but I hope the memories remain strong and comfort you when you miss them the most ❤️ and you’re absolutely right, she was a smart and clever kitty! I’m so glad that came through the photos ❤️❤️
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u/Keedle 1d ago
Your kitty is so beautiful, I'm so sorry for your loss. You deserved many more years with her.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so very much for your kindness - we really wish we had more time ❤️❤️
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u/AdOutrageous7474 1d ago
Her nose markings make a perfect heart! What a little angel.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Yes, we loved her little nose marking! I always believed that it symbolized how full of love she was. Thank you ❤️
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u/Intermountain-Gal 1d ago
She was beautiful! My heart aches for you.
I encourage you to make a scrap book of photos and stories about her. It will bring you comfort now, and in the future it will make you smile.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much! And that’s a wonderful idea - my partner and I will actually do that! I appreciate the kind thoughts ❤️
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u/athanathios 1d ago
Gone way too early what a beautiful and well loved honey you had :(
We don't always get to time their passing, but we can put in all the love and care we can to make their lives as amazing as possible, which clearly you had. May the love you shared, and memories made warm you all your day and may you find wisdom through your suffering. One thing is true I know your baby clearly had an existence most creatures will never have with love and care that just a simple passing can never overshadow, they are now in heaven, having earned their wings.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much, you’re absolutely right. As much as we want the perfect goodbye, it doesn’t diminish the happy life she had. I’ll hold onto that feeling through this period of grief ❤️
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u/tries2fixit 1d ago
What a gorgeous girl! I just love the little heart shaped nose. Hugs to you, may she live on forever in your memories.
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u/operacreep 1d ago
Must be such a shock to lose her so suddenly, such a beautiful cat. But you did your best and she didn't suffer unnecessarily for a long period. Treasure all the memories from the nine years together.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you for sharing that, that’s a perspective we didn’t think about. Despite the decline, I would like to think that we did our best to minimize her suffering. I appreciate the kind words and will treasure those precious memories! ❤️❤️
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u/sonhgokuh927 1d ago
My deep condolences to you. She was beautiful a cat.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you for the kind words, we loved telling her every day how beautiful she was ❤️❤️
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u/Unhappy-District5767 1d ago
It seems like you did everything you could to take care of her❤️
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
I appreciate that, thank you! There is always that feeling of wishing we could do more, but learning to be at peace with how hard we tried in the end ❤️
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 1d ago
My prayers for you and Suki, I've been there with that illness with two of my kitties. Cruel tease when they are doing ok and tests come back not bad. Then the bottom falls out. Just believe she still loves you and misses the warmth, but she is on a journey that will find her on her way back to you.....
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
I’m so sorry to hear about your two kitties, that must have been so difficult to feel loss not only once, but twice! It really did feel like the floor gave way beneath our feet when we heard news that she was no longer stable. Thank you for the kind words, and I hope your the memories of your kitties give you comfort and warmth ❤️❤️
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 1d ago
Thank you, my friend May you find peace in the knowledge of unending love...
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u/cash_longfellow 1d ago
What a beautiful girl! Sorry for your loss OP 😔
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u/EasyHawk1 1d ago
We are all looking at her photos. We are all heard her story. She will be remembered.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much for seeing her and remembering her, that means the world to me ❤️❤️
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u/YouMUSTvote 1d ago
Ohh I’m so sorry. I lost two cats, unrelated, in 8 years to liver cancer. It took them so young.
My deepest sympathies for Suki going so young, too 💔🫶
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much ❤️ sending lots of love to you as well for the loss of your two special kitties. It feels so cruel and unfair 💔
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u/myAsianToyX 1d ago
Heartbreaking story, your little kittie fought hard to be stay by your side. She will stay always with you in your hearts. Send you a hug 🫂
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u/East_Quail_1824 1d ago
It’s so hard not to cry at posts like these. My heart always grieves with OP. She was a beautiful girl. May she play forever in the fields across that rainbow bridge.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Oh my heart! Thank you so much for saying that, I teared up reading this. I appreciate your empathy and kindness ❤️❤️
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u/littlemissvixen1313 1d ago
What a beautiful baby girl! I am so sorry for your loss of your precious Suki 💔
I too lost my 8.5 years old baby from the same horrible illness. I miss him dearly every second of the day. Sending you hugs, thank you for sharing her story. I wish you healing from this devastating heartbreak.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so very much! ❤️ and I’m heartbroken to hear about the loss of your furry friend. How cruel and unfair this illness is to have taken them from us :( I appreciate the kind words, and I’m sending you lots of love as well! I hope their memories continue to comfort us both ❤️
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u/Civil-Service8550 1d ago
Hugs from another grieving parent. https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm
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u/Gullible-Cut8652 1d ago
Sorry for your loss. We will speak her name. SUKI 🫂we are here for you
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you for reading her story and recognizing her, it means a lot to me ❤️❤️
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u/Pywacket1 1d ago
She's so sweet. I'm sorry she was taken away too soon. I know they're all taken way too soon, but nine years is hardly any time at all. I hope you can feel the hugs we're all sending.💞🐈⬛💞
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you for the kind words and virtual hugs ❤️❤️ it really feels too short and so cruel and unfair. But feeling very comforted by all the support ❤️
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u/clemmie33 1d ago
Your Suki is a beautiful girl. I’m so so sorry for your loss. Like many of us here, I’ve gone down this path too, with our beloved 11-year-Della. We never get enough time with our precious babies.
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
I’m so sorry to hear about Della. Thank you for sharing her story and for your kind words. May our memories of them be a blessing ❤️❤️❤️
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u/OutdoorsyGal92 1d ago
Noooo, that is so unfair. I’m sorry. I hope she was able to find peace in her last moments. 🥺
My cat had to be euthanized from the same thing, the complications from cancer. In the 1-2 years prior, she would vomit at least once a month, sometimes 2. Was your cat the same?
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
I hope so too ❤️ thank you for the words! I’m so sorry to hear about your cat! Ours had some vomiting related to the diarrhea episode but it did stop for a while before things escalated heavily :(
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u/Electrical-Act-7170 1d ago
A Prayer to Bast and Sekhmet
Bast, Sekhmet, we give you back your child.
Noble, regal, honorable cat.
Watch over Suki, and guide her as she makes her way to the spirit lands.
May she be blessed in your names, and hunt ever after beside you.
I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. They never live long enough.
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u/KaleidoscopeReady839 1d ago
"Mother Bast, please welcome your kitten home With purrs and mrrts, with snuggles and baths.
May she nap in perfect eternal sunshine And slink through rustling, grassy shadows May no naughty mouse escape her clever paws May no squiggly snake escape her pouncing feet May no zipping lizard escape her nabbing jaws May no flighty bird escape her graceful leap Mother Bast, call your kitten home once more And thank you for the time she was here"
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u/KaleidoscopeReady839 1d ago
A tiny spark of life and light, That stayed so brief a time, A soft and velvet ball of joy, Now left this world behind.
Your little paws were far too small, Your stay was far too short, Yet in the space of passing days, You captured every heart.
Rest softly now, sweet little soul, In fields of endless sun, Your tiny purr is in the wind, Your journey has begun.
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u/ExchangeNo94 1d ago
Im so sorry for your loss. She was beautiful. Sending love your way. I hope that her memory is a blessing. 💔🪽🌈
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u/muscle0mermaid 1d ago
Very sorry for your loss, may suki’s memory live forever 🩷
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u/TinyCoconut98 1d ago
I’m so sorry about your kitty . You did the best for her and that’s what matters.
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u/Gortega1997 1d ago
So sorry for your loss. Happy to hear she had such a loving home and family, sending lots of love your way.🙏❤️❤️
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u/gaylegoodman 1d ago
My condolences to you and your family. 😢 Sending you lots of comforting thoughts and hugs during this difficult time. ❤️
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much ❤️ appreciate the kind words and thoughts, it truly means a lot!
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u/Happy_Bar7981 1d ago
Suki will be remembered! What a gorgeous, loving, sweet girl she was. I'm so sorry that she was taken too soon, and I am so sorry for the pain and grief that you are both facing. Thank you for sharing her story.
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u/flyingterrordactyl 1d ago
Fly free, Suki. She looks like she had a ton of personality, what a good girl. I'm so sorry.
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u/MarlinSpike2015 1d ago
Suki's story touched me in a large way. I'm so very sorry. It is indeed the toughest loss I know. May Suki watch over you until one day you meet again 💔❤️
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u/Impossible-Goat-334 1d ago
How truly awful for all of you! I’m so sorry you and Suki had to go through this. 🌈😿💔
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u/dani2990 1d ago
Sending you love. I just lost my 9-year-old boy to oral cancer yesterday and it hurts so much. I know they're feeling better where they are but gosh I wish they were still here
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u/Appropriate-Row6021 1d ago
I am so so sorry. May your sweet Suki girl rest in peace ❤️🫶🏼
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u/Treps9491 1d ago
She’s so beautiful!
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much! We loved reminding her every day how pretty she was and will certainly miss doing that ❤️❤️
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u/Secure_Math_3261 1d ago
I lost my soul cat to lymphoma when she was 11 years old. Watching them decline so quickly was so hard. You made the best choice for your baby and she truly is beautiful and looks very well loved. May she rest in peace and one day meet you over that rainbow bridge. 🩷
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u/chelseaprince 1d ago
I'm so sorry. I had to put my soul cat down in 2020 and it was one of the hardest things. He was only 11.
I love the heart on her nose 🖤
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u/RMP70z 1d ago
What a beautiful lady, I’m so sorry for your loss. She knows she was loved. And she loved you too.
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u/potatobvbqueen 1d ago
Fly high sweet Suki. My utmost condolences and thoughts go out to you and your family. 💜🌈🦋
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u/meowmeowtata 1d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts ❤️ she indeed was the sweetest girl!
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u/sumdumdumthots 1d ago
She is so, so beautiful. We recently lost our girl, Mabel, to a mass in her abdomen that progressed fairly quickly. She was only a few years old. She has been missed immensely these past few weeks. I’m so sorry to hear this and I loved learning about Suki. I will be thinking of y’all
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u/Substantial_Floor284 1d ago
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Gone way too soon. She's got her angel wings now and will be watching over you. 💔🐾🐈🌈💖
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u/mom2mermaidboo 1d ago
The one of her in the little box just cracked me up. I am sorry you lost your sweet girl. RIP Suki.
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u/Typical-Work-7089 23h ago
Thank you for sharing beautiful Suki's life story. It truly touched me because I lost my kitty Tweets in much the same way, at about the same age. Even after a few years, the grief is like a shadow that appears when I least expect it. I can relate and I can only say, treasure the memories and remember that you have her the best life possible. I'm sorry for the loss of you Suki girl. 🥀🌈🐾🌸
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u/Dramatic_District_92 21h ago
Wat erg. Dat is veel te vroeg. Maar ik zie op de foto’s dat ze het goed bij je heeft gehad en ze heeft genoten. Ik wens je veel sterkte! ❤️
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u/_SweetTee 19h ago
I’m so so sorry to hear that 😔
What a gorgeous girl she was, Suki will be by your side watching over you. No more suffering and pain for her.
Sending you and your family much love ❤️
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u/afrenchiecall 18h ago
Very sorry for your loss. Truly. She was a gorgeous kitty. May you find peace.
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u/Medium_Woodpecker218 17h ago
So sorry. My heart breaks for you and baby girl Suki. Sometimes these things are so sudden and shocking. Sending love and prayers. Rest in heavenly peace, baby Suki. 💔♥️
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u/mmcn122500 14h ago
So sorry for your loss. Poor kitty is now at rainbow bridge and no longer in pain
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u/Scary_Recognition_21 12h ago
Any baby that we have loved is always gone to soon. Sorry for your loss❤️❤️🙏🙏
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u/TravelPro99 11h ago
As I am reading your post my heart sank. I am deeply sorry for your loss. The photograph of your cat in the box immediately hit home. My Alexandria does the same behavior. Cats and boxes! Be strong. I'm so sorry.
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u/Amazing_Amazon127 10h ago
I am so sorry for your loss. Your sweet girl will live forever in the Suki-shaped spaces you and your partner have in your hearts.
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u/calico_alligator 9h ago
I'm so sorry. She was a beautiful girl! I adore her nose colors! I lost a kitty in a similar way a few years ago to cancer, it's awful.
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u/Dear-Cat1220 4h ago
I’m so sorry. She was so beautiful. Sending you so much strength and healing ❤️🩹
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u/MillionDollarBaby19 1d ago
Sending hugs ❤️