Sadly, on Saturday we had to say goodbye to our beautiful girl. Her condition deteriorated very quickly, and it was time. We knew it was the right decision, but I still cried an ocean of tears. I’m not going to go on and on about it though- anyone who’s lost a pet knows how heartbreaking it is.
Cats are so weird and funny, and Charlotte was weirder and funnier than most. One of her favorite times was a monthly event we came to refer to as “The Very Exciting Moment.”
It was the day we opened a new bag of cat food and poured it into a plastic container. Charlotte was filled with joy at the sight of the food pouring out of the bag, and could barely wait until it was done before eating right out of the container (this was the only time we let her do that). The funny thing was, Muffin seemed to realize how important this ritual was to Charlotte, and she would wait patiently until Charlotte was done eating before coming over to take her turn.
When Foxy joined us, he also seemed to recognize that there was a hierarchy to this. The first time he experienced it, he waited while Charlotte ate, then waited while Muffin ate, and finally it was his turn. He went over, looked at the food and turned away in disappointment. I could almost see him thinking, “Wait! This is the same thing we get in our bowls EVERY DAY. What are they so excited about???”
A couple weeks ago, I opened a new bag of cat food. Charlotte was already not feeling well, but she was well enough to participate! Here’s Charlotte’s last Very Exciting Moment:
Goodbye, Charlotte- we will miss you.
57 Responses
I’m so, so sorry, Jenny. Goodbye to your sweet girl–she knows she was very well loved.
SO much love to you all <3
I’m so, so sorry, Jenny. Goodbye to your sweet girl–she knows she was very well loved.
So much love to you all <3
Thank you Maya. I’m feeling the love!
Oh, I am so sorry that you lost Charlotte! It’s devastating to lose a pet. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story!
Thank you Karen! I appreciate it.
What a beautiful girl. So funny about her exciting moment . Hold the memories close, and snuggle Foxy and muffin closer!
These decisions aren’t easy, but it’s because the pet has given us so much love and joy. Our calico had a stroke at 17+ years, had stopped eating and was an independent diva, so it was the right thing to do, but I still miss her loud, chatty ways. ( she was named Evie for evinrude- outboard motor. You could her her meow across the street!)
Aw, Evie! That’s very similar to what happened to Charlotte. And you’re right, it’s hard because of all the joy they’ve given us.
I’m so sorry, Jenny. Saying goodbye, even when you know it’s the right call, still hurts very much. There’s no shortcut around that grief.
Thank you Catrina! That’s a good way to put it- there’s no shortcut.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. That’s a lovely story, and you know you did right by Charlotte the whole way through.
Thank you Liz! Yes, it was the right thing to do but so hard anyway.
Oh Jenny. What a lovely story about your beautiful girl. Sending you all the love. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Suzanne- I’m definitely feeling the love.
oh no! so sorry to about this. my heart goes to you and your family to grief her, someone so special to you.
Thank you Coco! I appreciate it very much.
I’m sorry to hear about Charlotte. She was a beautiful girl. I enjoyed hearing about the other cats respecting her very exciting moment. That is very sweet.
Thank you Sak! It was one of the few times the cats were that sweet to each other, ha.
I’m so sorry, Jenny. It’s just heartbreaking when our furry friends leave us.
Thank you for sharing her Very Exciting Event. Animals are so fun with their little quirks that are such a part of them.
Sweet Charlotte! She was so loved and she will be missed very much I’m sure.
Thank you Nicole! It’s funny what a hole they leave when they’re gone- but we have our memories.
I’m so very sorry, Jenny ❤️ what a lovely memory you shared and I’m sure you have so many wonderful stories about Charlotte to hold close. Thinking about you and your family!
Thank you Lindsay! Yes, we’ve been telling each other all the funny stories of Charlotte through the years.
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your sweet girl. It’s so hard to lose a beloved pet. I loved reading about the pet hierarchy and the way Muffin let her have her moment and how Foxy was puzzled by the whole thing.
I’ll be thinking of your family and sending you lots of love.
Thank you Lisa! I’ll be passing all these comments on to the family for sure.
Goodbye Sweet Charlotte. You led a life well lived, and you are in heaven where the Very Exciting Moment happens every day.
Muffin and Foxy, bring on the purrs and bring on the cuddles. Your people need extra loving right now.
Muffin and Foxy have really stepped it up, i have to say! (Do they know we’re sad???) I love the thought of the Very Exciting Moment happening every day for Charlotte.
I’m so sorry about Charlotte! It’s really hard to lose a pet but you made the right decision for her. I know she was very well loved!
Thank you Ashley! It was definitely the right decision.
Oh, I’m so sorry: it’s one of the hardest things to do, making the call that it’s time. I’m glad she was still well enough for that last Exciting Moment. You’ll think of her every time you put a new bag in the container, but eventually it will be only a lovely memory and (almost) no pain.
I know- I’m kind of dreading the next time I have to pour the new food in, but you’re right. It will fade to a lovely memory.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Jenny. She was lucky to have a family like yours with so much love for the cats. How lovely she could have that last exciting moment with the food container! Lots of hugs from us to all of you!
Thank you Susanne! I’m feeling all the love and hugs.
I’m sooooo sorry, Jenny!!!! 😭😭 Sending you hugs and lots of love. Charlotte was so lucky to have you, and you her. 💕
Thank you Kae! I appreciate it so much.
Oh, my heart is just breaking for you and your family, Jenny. Charlotte was the best girl and you gave her the best life. I hope she’s enjoying all of the freshly poured cat food into a container eating that her heart desires! <3 Thinking of you!
Thank you so much Stephany!
I’m so, so sorry to hear about Charlotte. I’m so glad you caught her last Very Special Moment on camera, and I know she will be missed and her memory will be a blessing for your family.
Thank you Sam- she will be and it will be.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Charlotte was such a beautiful cat and a treasured part of your family. Thinking of you and the whole family <3
Thank you Elisabeth! I appreciate it.
So sorry to hear this. Such a beautiful kitty. Sending hugs!
Thank you Lisa! I’m definitely feeling all the hugs.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Jenny. That’s so sad. She really did let you know when it was time, and maybe that’s a blessing. There’s no second guessing. It’s clear she was well loved and I can only imagine how much you will miss her.
The very exciting moment story is so funny. I do love Muffin’s stance: perfect posture, sitting and waiting out of respect. I so enjoy learning about their different personalities.
Thinking of you.
Thank you so much Ernie- this all means a lot to me.
Oh Jenny, I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Charlotte’s last Very Exciting Moment. And yes, Muffin is waiting her turn so patiently. Sending love and hugs your way!
Thank you Debbie- I’m loving all the love and hugs today.
I’m so sorry💔
Thank you Mary!
I’m so sorry for your loss. It is heartbreaking to lose a pet. Thank you for sharing the Very Exciting Moment with us. Very, very sweet.
Thank you so much Noemi.
Oh Jenny, this is the really shitty part of loving pets. I’M SO SORRY. Shit, I just really want to cry. Hang in there, and find comfort with your memories of her, and of course your family, including your other cats. I love the Very Exciting Moment! What a wonderful ritual.
Yes, it seems cruel that we have to outlive our pets! But… we all go through it.
I am very late in my comment. I am very sorry for your loss. Pets are family, and there is no way around it. One day you will meet again. Where? She will be waiting by the rainbow bridge.
I am so sorry. It is so incredibly hard. I still miss Beatrix, and she has been gone for a couple of years– I think I will always miss her, actually.
Oh, Jenny, I’m so sorry. What a beautiful girl, and what great memories of the Very Exciting Moment. The terrible grief is such a high price to pay for the joy they bring us. Worth it, but high.
I am so sorry, Jenny. Thank you for sharing the story of the Very Exciting Moment — it really sheds light on her personality. And I love Foxy’s confusion/disappointment – hah!
I hope other silly memories will help ease your grief.
Oh, no, no, no. I was not ready for that 🙁 I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to Charlotte. I hope you’re coping ok.