We got him as a kitten from the local cat shelter.

There were plenty to choose from but he was running around like a crazy little man which caught my eye.

I named him Little Bob.

The Little didn't last long, so he became "just" Bob. There wasn't much Little about him now anyways.

I couldn't even tell you how old he was, my wife could tell you but I'm working in the office currently and decided to make this post (not sure why). I'd guess he was around 12.

Long story short, he became ill a month ago. The vet gave him meds which cleared some things up, but since has been on a downhill slide. Not eating, etc. Which he LOVED to eat.

The last couple of days have been difficult to watch him struggle. About a couple of hours ago, my wife called and asked me to come home and put him down.

Right or wrong, it is MY belief that a stranger isn't going to put MY pet down.

He hates car rides and he hates going to the vet. I wasn't going to traumatize him even more.

I cried before, I cried after, and I'm trying not to cry as I type this.

It was quick and painless and he is in a much better place right now along side his brother Simon.

Not sure why I'm typing this, maybe I need it for myself.

Thanks for reading.

I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve had cats my whole life. They’re better than most humans.

I had to put one down 23 years ago. The vet was good enough to let me out the side door because I was 37 and bawling like a kid.

The two we have now are our kids.

So sorry for your loss.

Very Sorry you had to say goodbye to Little Bob.

A-Jay

I'm sorry for your loss. Nothing wrong with crying, he was family.

Man… that’s incredibly hard to go through. Pets really are family. They’re with you every day, through everything, always there to lift you up when you need it most and somehow make even the good days better.

Watching them decline is one of the toughest things we ever have to face, and saying goodbye is just heartbreaking.

But all those memories — the companionship, the unconditional love, the little moments — those never go away. And as painful as the ending is, what you shared with them is truly special and always worth it.

I feel this deeply right now, because I’m going through the same thing with my cat. Our time with her is very short, and we’re already starting to say our goodbyes. It really, really sucks.

Just know you’re not alone in this. I’m thinking of you.

Thank you for sharing your loss. I hope by doing so it lessened your pain somewhat. You and Bob gave each other a good life. Go back to the shelter and do it again!

I’m sorry….they are such a big part of our lives.

It took incredible courage and compassion to put your pet down yourself. Not sure I could do that. We put our dog down 3 years ago and the vet was nice enough to come to the house. We now have 3 cats that are 11 years old due to my daughter not being able to pass a stray.

Thank you for sharing/expressing yourself.

I have two cats - our pets become part of our families and our everyday lives.

Cherish those memories ! (that is a fun pic of Bob)

Getting a pet is just putting one of the hardest days of your life on layaway. We know the day we bring them home and still sign up for it because they make our days so much better in their short time with us. Grey tabbies are one of my favorites, even though I don't own cats my sister always had cats when we were kids. They always seemed to have the best temperments and personalities. Sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your family’s loss @HawkeyeSmallie. I’m a dog and cat guy myself. It’s so hard to say goodbye to a loved one. Rest in Peace Bob.

Losing a pet is heartbreaking. After the loss passes the best thing you can do is get another one not to replace the one you lost but start the process all over again.

That’s a gut punch. What a hard decision to make.

You loved your friend and eased his suffering. You did the right thing, and I hope you find peace and happiness in his memories.

Thanks for all the replies.

Surprising how comments from "internet strangers" can make you feel better.

He will be missed.

Just one cat left in the house and she goes by Ruby.

She's my furry little princess.

Hate to hear this, we really become attached to our pets!!!

So sorry to hear this. We're no strangers to saying goodbye to a trusted companion. Releasing them from a failing body is the most difficult thing I have lived through. It burns like fire and the void they leave in our hearts seems unfillable.

My wife and I have a cat rescue/sanctuary with 42 cats in our home. Most of our cats are special needs cat. We have almost every issue a cat can have here. Basically they come here with broken bodies, broken trust, or broken spirits. We do our best to make things right for them. We don't rehome any of them and we become their forever home. Our vet or our local Humane Society will call us when they take in an unadoptable cat and we'll take them in. Because of all the health issues the cats have to deal with, we have to say goodbye all too often and too soon. Each one is more painful than the last. It never gets any easier for us and I will admit that I sob like a little baby. The wounds never heal. We just learn to cope with the loss better.

I find solace in the following. I hope you do as well.

"Grief is not just an emotion—it’s an unraveling, a space where something once lived but is now gone. It carves through you, leaving a hollow ache where love once resided.

In the beginning, it feels unbearable, like a wound that will never close. But over time, the raw edges begin to mend. The pain softens, but the imprint remains—a quiet reminder of what once was. The truth is, you never truly "move on." You move with it. The love you had does not disappear; it transforms. It lingers in the echoes of laughter, in the warmth of old memories, in the silent moments where you still reach for what is no longer there. And that’s okay.

Grief is not a burden to be hidden. It is not a weakness to be ashamed of. It is the deepest proof that love existed, that something beautiful once touched your life. So let yourself feel it. Let yourself mourn. Let yourself remember.

There is no timeline, no “right” way to grieve. Some days will be heavy, and some will feel lighter. Some moments will bring unexpected waves of sadness, while others will fill you with gratitude for the love you were lucky enough to experience.

Honor your grief, for it is sacred. It is a testament to the depth of your heart. And in time, through the pain, you will find healing—not because you have forgotten, but because you have learned how to carry both love and loss together." -

Jim Carrey

I hope you find comfort in whatever manner works for you.

Every cat that we say goodbye to gets a private cremation and their name embossed onto a dog tag that I wear all the time. Even though they are gone from the physical, they are always alive in my memories.

The photo is an older photo. There are two more dog tags that are filled with names.

 

My condolences. Pets are never just pets and I’m sorry that you lost a family member. The fact that you did it yourself is probably how it should always be, and you possess a rare strength that most, and I, certainly will never have.

I’ll put a little bend in my cap brim for Bob.

I'm sorry for your loss. It's never easy losing a good friend that's a family member.

38 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

I’ll put a little bend in my cap brim for Bob.

My man.

I know the feeling.

Have always been a dog and cat lover to the core and losing them has always been devastating 😞

RIP Bob.

Definitely sorry for your loss. Although I had 3 dogs and still have 2 cats the cats definitely have personalities that seem to change hour to hour and it’s one of my favorite things about them.

Sorry for your loss man, never easy to deal with. I have 2 cats: sully is 10 and Casper (he's albino) is 4....I know one day ill have to do what's necessary and it's gonna be tough but in the end its the right thing if they are suffering.

I’m so sorry for your loss. The only bad thing about pets is that they don’t live as long as we do.