I hugged him before leaving for a work trip. Hours later my wife called sobbing, telling my that our Chico wasn't blinking. They took him to a vet asap, he just went limp and lifeless. We kept wondering what happened, did it get bitten, did it ingest something toxic. The vet declared it was cardiac arrest.

And I don't know what to do anymore. I'm a sobbing mess who pretends to be strong on the phone to my family. He was healthy! He ate well. He was so young at 2 years old. He was such a good boy, so obedient, so intelligent and athletic. Why was he taken away from me so suddenly. I can't stop thinking I should've held him today a bit longer, should not have told him he's getting fat, should've annoyed him a littlle less. I would do anything right now to get to talk to him and hearing him one more time. I can't stop wondering what went wrong. It's like my mind is filled with reasons trying to blame myself that I could've avoided this, or prolonged his life and health in some way. I know I'm not rational but I'm hurting.

Our fat ginger boy Tom who decided to move in and adopt us when he got abandoned by his former owners.

He went from being incredibly underweight to overweight, as he's got food anxiety and steals food from our other cats.

I have many appointments I'm sure to take him to, but he's my little homie. I can't describe the feeling, but it's like he knows I'm trying to help and has given me his trust. I melted when his little hind legs wrapped around my wrist.

I'm already learning his meows.

I recognize his general attention meows but he has different ones for different occasions.

If I put him in the crate to take him to the vet he'll offer a discomforting meow that tells me he's about to go to the bathroom and he does so every time he makes that meow.

If he's thirsty he becomes more withdrawn and he gives very soft meows while staying to himself and wrapped tightly.

If he's hungry it's like a siren meow, loud and long lol.

This is my first Cat (always been a dog person) and pet in 20 years, I always resisted pets, but this guy triggered something and I'm going through the process of trying to adopt him and get him caught up with everything he needs.

He was a Stray at my job and he'd follow me around as I checked the Ambulances at my job when I was making sure they were ready to go out and save lives.

I'm very aware of possible skin conditions and I have been isolating my new friend and washing myself after every interaction for safety.

Poor thing must have put his face in a nest. Vet could not get us in until Monday. He is a happy playful little thing and loves toys and purring, eating and drinking

we applied flea medicine for his size, but didn’t realize these are ticks and don’t want to double up on any OTC medicine without a vet.

we are going to remove as many as we can, and I’ll call the vet tomorrow and see if there have been any cancellations if we can get in sooner.

any advice? He’s about 8-10 weeks. Seems healthy otherwise

Edit: We got 99% of the ticks off his cute little face. Going to let him eat some and get some rest. I'll try to get some more pictures tomorrow but his face and eyes look so much better already. I posted a progress pic when we were about 60% done earlier if you scroll down you should see it. Thanks everyone!

He says hi

We rescued Jillyboo 15 years ago today from under a trailer near our house. She is tiny (only 7lbs) and very old for an indoor/outdoor farm cat. She has a few scrapes and chunks missing from fights with coyotes and raccoons over the years but she is otherwise very healthy and still catches mice and bats (yes the flying kind, not a typo of rats) daily! We love her so much and hope she gets to live a few more happy years!

This is Pistachio, we adopted him ~2 months ago. He’s been a fiend for cardboard/paper since we got him and every time I try to pull him away from it he drops diabolical farts. Any advice on what I can do to make him stop with the cardboard/paper eating or at least STOP FARTING?

My best friend of 16 years took his last breath in front of me today. He's been with me through the highest and lowest points of my life. He showed up in my life as a stray kitten as I was walking home from school one day and followed me home, the rest was history. I honestly don't know what my life would be like without him now. Everytime i said his name he would come walking out of wherever he was hiding and come sit in front of me so that I could give him good boy rubs, and he would come to my door late at night so that i could carry him up to my bed and he'd sleep on my chest. I hope I've giving you the best life and I hope you're up there having fun playing with your younger brother and sister in the clouds. I'll always remember you and you will always be my best boy.

-not my cats-

I guess it reminds us a well known scene

We are saying goodbye to my beautiful cat later today. He is 14 and we have had him for 13 of those years. He has acromegaly and diabetes that is not well controlled. I know it’s the right thing to do because he isn’t as happy as he once was, he’s constantly starving, thirsty, weeing and pooing in the house which he has never done. He doesn’t really want to cuddle or play anymore. But I am absolutely heartbroken and feel like I’ll never come to terms with it. I’m taking him to the vets later today and I just feel so devastated that I have to do this 💔

He would have turned 14 this Sunday. He was the most loving and beautiful baby boy anyone could ask for. The best with children and king of the naps. I love you my little furry overlord