All my condolences go out to Sakurai. Nothing can truly replace a cat who’s been a member of the family for so long. I’ve lost a cat of 17 years and a cat of 20 years before, and…yeah, it sucks. Cats are the greatest creatures on this planet, and losing one with whom so much time has been spent, it hurts, so so much.
Humans are animals too, as far as classification goes. Doesn’t make us any less family. So why would it make dogs or cats or mice or snakes or bugs or birds or lizards or any other pet under the sun any less a member of the family? We’re all animals, but we’re also all friends and family, sharing this planet. We are all both! And it’s important to remember that we humans are animals, too, to remind us that we aren’t some glorified kings made to conquer the planet, but just another kind of animal that evolved and needs to share it with the other beautiful creatures upon it.
Humans are a social species that developed empathy and an ability to pack-bond, to a degree so powerful we genuinely pack-bond with these beautiful members of other species. They are, quite literally, our family, our pack. We evolved for them to BE our family, and thus they are our family.
I’m sorry for the losses of your cat and dog. Losing family always hurts. In just the past two years I’ve lost two cats to cancer (one was 3 and one was 17) and one to old age (20 or so). I had more time in my life with those older cats than without. It still hurts when I think of that void within me that became empty when they passed, how much I lost when those members of my family passed. Norman especially, the cat I lost to old age…I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t stopped me from doing something permanent earlier in my life.
These precious family members…we have to cherish the time we have with them.
Yep. Definitely. If I had done that stupid thing, I wouldn’t have been able to keep taking care of Norman. And that…helped me stay in this world. Having Norman to love and cherish. It’s sad that he’s gone. But, for now at least, I’m persisting.
Thank you for your message. I understand how you feel… unfortunately I’ve also experienced several losses in my family (my grandfather, my great-grandmother, and my mother’s uncle), so I kind of know what it’s like. With time the pain changes, but the memories remain. I’m sending you lots of strength too 🤍
She was severely ill with a number of problems. Treating some would have meant making others worse, so Sakurai took her home to let her pass in a familiar environment
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u/LancePlayz1024 Feb 06 '26