35 Comments
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Sally Boulding's avatar

Oh yes, it is true heart ache when they have to leave us. Old or young, with us a long time or short time, sudden or after a long illness...our pet partners are true family. Their unconditional love is a treasure. Thank you for sharing...

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Kat Schneider's avatar

That's the truth. Thank you for reading!

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Cait's avatar

i still cry about a hamster who died when i was 18 (im 35)

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Aww. Hamsters are the sweetest little things, so this 32-year-old isn't blaming you at all

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Becky Haystar's avatar

I'm very sorry you lost your precious little one. I find I had to sort of "reforge" myself in grief. I became a slightly different person, one who could handle a life without my darling. I still find it hard to think about her 3 years on but it's less intense than it used to be. Which ironically kind of makes me sad.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Reforging is such an interesting way to put it, and completely relatable. So much of my identity was tied to my cat, in a way. I used to joke with my husband that he didn't know me before Lou (because I had Lou when I met Mike), insinuating that I was some kind of rascal...but now we get to find out what we're both like without Lou.

I'm sorry about your little cat, too. Just because the sadness is less intense doesn't mean you love her any less, but I understand what you mean.

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Becky Haystar's avatar

Strange, I also had that tie of my identity up with my cat, and also my partner and I having to go from a family of 3 (she was kind of like our furry kid since we met) to 2, which is a different dynamic. I adopted her when I was 10 and we both grew up together, my main email address is even still named after her. She helped shape who I am... she'll always be part of me, like your Lou will be part of you ❤️

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Oh, losing a childhood cat makes it all that much more difficult! But she was so lucky to have you to take care of her for so long ❤️ Hope you have an easy day today, Becky – thank you so much for commenting

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Vicki L Keller's avatar

They stay with us forever. And though the hole in our heart remains, it is better to have that hole than not to have experienced the gift of a cat's warm body against your.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

I agree completely. Years and years of happiness with my cat was worth every ounce of the grief that I'm feeling.

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Alexandra Gaspar's avatar

I lost Elliott six years ago and grieved for a long time. I just couldn’t stop crying. Today I still cry a little. Like just now, while reading your comic. With these little guys who run the place, we learn true love. At least I did and it was very unexpected. Thank you so much for sharing your feelings with us. It will slowly get better and easier. Thank you.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

I'm so sorry about Ellliott. And I absolutely agree–sometimes I felt that I loved Lou more than a lot of humans if only because my relationship with him was so pure and simple, if that makes sense. Thank you for reading and for your encouragement.

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Margreet de Heer's avatar

It's totally normal. Your cat was your room mate; part of your everyday life. There are constant reminders of the loss. It hurts much more than losing a friend who you only talked to every now and then.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

It's true! Suddenly everything in my daily life and routine has changed, and it makes it all that much more sad and strange. But every day truly gets a little easier.

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Avalune's avatar

This is beautiful. Don’t be embarrassed - I know sometimes there is this sense of “oh it’s just a cat (or a dog, or a hamster or whatever) like it’s some subcategory we shouldn’t care so much about but that’s untrue (deranged congresscritters aside I guess) and they are part of your family and your life and it takes time.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Thank you, Avalune! I really appreciate your saying that.

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Abby Musial's avatar

Small kitty, enormous impact 💖 Time moves differently when you’re so deep in grief - go easy on yourself. Sending a huge hug your way

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Thank you Abby ♥️ I'll try my best

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Mike Rengel's avatar

Thank you for sharing your grief so honestly. I empathize greatly. My beloved bonded pair of black cats Mellow and Mouse died in 2021, months apart, and I still miss them every single day. Don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed. Pets are family and they will always leave a yawning empty space in our homes and lives when they go, even if you know their passing, and the relief of their suffering, was for the best. Your comics about Lou are beautiful and sweet, thank you for sharing them.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Mike, thank you for you reading and for the encouragement. And I'm so, so sorry about Mellow and Mouse – I can't imagine what it must be like to lose both so close together. My heart breaks with yours.

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David Wagenfeld's avatar

Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty. I understand what you are going through, my Tigger died in 2016 and I still miss and mourn him to this day.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Awh, Tigger. I'm so sorry. Thank you for reading and relating.

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Gary Trujillo's avatar

Don't be embarrassed. This is sweet. 💕

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Thank you Gary!

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Alison Stein's avatar

So sorry, and also with you in grief for my dog. Seven weeks without her and a lifetime still to go. Thanks for this. It helps to know we aren’t alone.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Oh Alison, I'm so sorry. Seven weeks is so short and so long of a time. It's a month ago today for Lou, and I keep thinking about how it's the longest I've ever been apart from him. Thinking about you today ❤️

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Alison Stein's avatar

I have had that same thought —we were never apart this long. I did get a beautiful tattoo of our girl on my arm (my first ever tattoo) and now I can look down and see her sweet face. Not just as it was —but as close as I can get. Thinking of you too.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

I also have a tattoo of my cat on my arm! I'm so glad that you have one of your girl, too. I don't know about you, but having a permanent piece of art with me is the closest I can get to showing how much I truly loved my little guy.

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Alison Stein's avatar

Yes! A visible representation of that forever love. :)

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Michelle Reijngoud's avatar

My dog is still with us (sleeping next to me) but I teared up just reading this. So beautiful.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

Please give your pup a hug for me!

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Kristine Tonks's avatar

I am so so very sorry. I am also "still" grieving my dog who we said goodbye to almost three months ago. It's so impossibly hard. I miss her every second, as I am sure you miss your little guy. Thank you for sharing your feelings.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

I'm so sorry about your dog. Throughout this whole process, I kept thinking about how much harder it must be to lose a pup – they're so entwined in their owner's lives in a way that's different from having a cat. Thank you for reading, Kristine ❤️

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isay's avatar

What do you call this brush? Also, my condolences.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

It's a charcoal brush in Procreate from Tip Top Brushes, I believe!

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