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My beloved Sonu passed away on the morning of 14th August. He was discovered on the side of a busy main road by a lady on her way to her job – we assume he was hit by a car. He was only in my life for just over a year and a half but the impact he’s had on myself, my family and the neighbours is indescribable. I never knew it was possible to love a pet so much and being my first it hurts a lot.
I wasn’t sure about publishing this post but Sonu was adored by many on my social media channels and I loved sharing photos of him. I love looking at pictures others post of their pets as well.
I had planned to shoot some YouTube videos this weekend as I had the time free to, had drafted lots of posts and was going to take photos for, and I was excited to try out some new products and share them with you but instead, I didn’t feel like opening my post, wasn’t interested in eating and I cancelled my gym classes. Today is the first time I’ve fired up my laptop and it’s writing about something so horribly painful.
However, the words of support flooding in from everyone on Twitter and Instagram have been really comforting and I can’t thank people enough. Sonu was a stray who was determined to come inside my house and stay, and stay he did. He also visited so many houses in my road and everyone who met him fell in love.
I’m glad he spent his time in a loving home and a loving street. I don’t know where he came from but l cherished every day with Sonu and gave him the best life I could – a completely new experience for me that I never knew was possible. I also have a new found respect for pet owners and empathise with what they go through, taking care of their furry friends. My neighbours have helped out massively (some have been very teary too) and I want to thank Leanne from my bottom of my heart for everything she did on such a difficult day. Thank you, Leanne. xxx
As you can imagine, my mood has completely been thwarted and some moments I just don’t want to do anything but things are returning to normal and one day I will be able to enjoy remembering Sonu. Right now I’m not sure when I will feel like publishing a post – it could be in two days or in a fortnight’s time but I will do so when I’m ready.
Rest in peace, my little prince. You will never be forgotten.
Sorry to hear of your loss Sheenie. Doesn’t matter how long or short a time they are with you it still rips your heart out when you lose them xxxx
Sheenie, I think even I’m going to miss little Sonu, and I never had the pleasure of meeting him. This week I’ve been thinking about all the cats I’ve had, and all the cats I’ve lost. We always had cats in and around our house, and one of them gave birth to a litter of four, so we named them after the teletubbies. They were the first cats we properly looked after, like a traditional pet and I got really attached to Tinky Winky – I even built them a little cat-house in the garden from some bricks I stole from a nearby building site (we never let our cats stay in at night) for them to sleep in.
They all seemed to love it, I’d put some material trimmings in there for them to be comfy, but they just loved playing with them! I even put some curtains there so they’d be kept dry in the rain. The next day after building the house, I went to play with them all before school like usual and to say bye. I went inside, ate my breakfast and got ready. Just as I was about to leave for school, somebody knocked on our door and said “There’s s a dead cat in the road.”
I didn’t think it would be any of mine though, they were all in their lovely little house and they were only 6 weeks old. They couldn’t have escaped. But I went out to look, and as I got closer and closer, the more I realised it looked like my Tinky Winky. It was him, and he’d been run over. I was in bits. I didn’t want cats for a long time after that, I was just so sad and I wanted my Tinky Winky back.
But life is funny, because 11 years later I went to go see a litter of kittens, and the one that kept coming over to me all the time looked exactly like my Tinky Winky. The black and white face, black patch over one eye, little black beard underneath the chin, deep blue eyes. And I’ve had her six years, and she’s the friendliest cat I’ve ever known. And then, when I was thinking of getting another one four years later, I found another one that looked exactly like Tinky Winky. And she’s turned out to be the most amazing cat.
Anyway, the point is, it’s ok to feel sad and upset right now. But just remember that Sonu died a happy little prince, strutting his stuff up and down your street, flirting with the girls, hiding in the bushes, climbing up the trees, teasing all the dogs, laying in your garden and cuddling up to you. He was your first pet, and time will heal, but you’ll never, ever forget him, and you’ll compare every cat you ever have or meet to him. And that’ll make you smile, even in thirty or forty years time.
X
Hi Britny, this is so true. Thank you for your words. xxxx
Darling Lima, thank you for posting that lovely story. Sonu was indeed a little flirt and stole so many hearts. His ginger friend keeps visiting for food but rarely stays for long. Seeing him just gives me flashbacks of the two hanging out. 🙁 Day by day things are becoming slightly more bearable. I do hope one day I will be ready to welcome another but right now I only have thoughts for this amazing little fella. Thank you so much again. xxxx
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a gorgeous boy. I think sometimes it’s harder to deal with pet losses rather than family members, as callous as that sounds. Animals love us so unconditionally that when they go, solace seems so hard to find. Hugs. xxx
Hi Leah, thank you. I totally understand what you mean and it’s not callous. I’ve lost relatives but I never lived with them and only met them a handful of times. In some cases I was too young to comprehend death. It is so sad Sonu’s life was cut short when he had at least 10 more years to live if not more. My dad always quotes “Animals are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms” (from George Elliot) and this is so true and explains the unconditional love they give us.
Definitely feeling a lot better and more upbeat but trying not to dwell on certain things that upset me about him. Thanks again for your words. xxx
I am so terribly sorry to read this. I know the pain of losing a cat & am so sorry that you are going through this xx
Beautylymin
Thank you, Beautylymin. Things are much better now but then I’m hit with sadness when I look back at photos and videos of him. I took hundreds! I hope one day I will be able to remember him and smile without feeling unhappy at all. I don’t think there is a cat owner out there who hasn’t gone through such tragic times. xx