We rescued a kitten in July, just a few days before our wedding. She was in a bad way—starving and riddled with fleas and ticks. We found out she’d been wandering around the village for several weeks. We decided to keep her, treated her for fleas, fed her up... then her condition took a turn for the worse and she started bleeding. One morning, we found a stillborn kitten. We rushed her to the vet; the six-month-old kitten was pregnant and had a severe uterine infection. The vet performed a full hysterectomy. She recovered slowly and was then treated for a bad case of ear mites. Finally, everything was back on track and she was really starting to get her strength back.
Then yesterday, I was coming home from the school run with the kids. I was driving carefully, but then my eldest son got out of the car and told me the cat was scaring him. I got out too and saw the horror of it!
My cat was lying on the ground with blood around her head, but there were no visible marks from being run over; she just looked like she was lying there, but lifeless. I didn't see her coming, I didn't feel a thing! She was so full of life, a real fighter. Together, we’d fought so hard to save her, and just as everything was finally going well—she’d put on weight, was looking beautiful and had found her zest for life again—I’m the one who took her life away. I feel absolutely terrible. Sorry for such a long post, but I just needed to get it out.
Translated from French
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Good evening, something similar happened to my mum a few years ago with her kitten... She was closing her car door after getting something from inside; the kitten had followed her and she didn't see him as she shut the door... he was killed instantly.
It’s absolutely horrific and the guilt is overwhelming, but unfortunately, these things happen and there’s nothing you can do...
Hi there, I went through the exact same thing three years ago and I still think about it from time to time even now... I'm so sorry, it really was an accident and it wasn't your fault. At the time, I also opened up about that heavy weight I felt on my heart, just like you have. I'll leave the link to the post here...
I actually ran over my own cat two weeks ago. Despite the vet's best efforts, he passed away ... 😭😭😭
My baby, who brought me so much happiness for 12 years ...
I cried so much during the first week; I felt so incredibly guilty and I still blame myself, but it’ll be okay ... and as other people on here have said, it was just fate ..
I wish you strength and I really do feel your pain 🙁
It was an accident that could have happened to anyone. I can only imagine how traumatic this must be, but unfortunately, you can’t change the past. Like you said, she died instantly and wouldn’t have known a thing. You gave her a lovely life and the best possible care; you should be proud of that. This accident was absolutely not your fault. Sending you lots of strength.
Hang in there, what happened was an accident. It could happen to anyone. Just tell yourself that the little one didn't have time to suffer. It’s only natural to feel guilty, of course it is. Just give yourself time to heal.
I really feel for you and I truly understand your pain... my cat Kafka died tragically a month ago (hit by a train, it was absolutely horrific!!). I had to go to my GP for help and they put me on Xanax because the grief was just so overwhelming. So, if you need to talk, please don't hesitate to write and let out all your grief; I can only imagine the guilt you must be feeling, but we can't always control cause and effect... unfortunately, it was an accident.
Thanks for all your replies. I keep replaying the scene over and over in my head, trying to work out where she could have come from. There weren't any marks on her from being run over, so she probably ran straight into the back wheel and it was her head that took the brunt of it, unfortunately... she died instantly. Since it happened, my first cat, who is 9, has been so sad; he's constantly looking for her and waiting for her to come home...
Hi there, stay strong. I agree with everyone else – it was just one of those tragic things and it could happen to anyone. Please don't be too hard on yourself.
I’m very clumsy myself, so I was incredibly careful when I got my kittens, but even then I nearly caught one in the door. He just flew past at such a speed that I didn't see him; luckily he was okay.
But as you can see, you’re not alone – it really can happen to anyone.
Thinking of you and your children.
Oh my word! ... stepping on a kitten!!
It’s enough to make you reach for the Valium, honestly!
And it could happen to anyone!
I think it’s even worse than running over one in the car!
Mind you, they’re both absolutely traumatising!
I have an uncle who once had a litter of kittens from his old cat. They were scurrying all over the house and one of them had the bright idea of napping on the stairs... My uncle was coming down the stairs carrying his baby granddaughter in his arms... He stepped on the kitten but couldn't pull back in time, otherwise he would have lost his balance and tumbled down the stairs with the baby. So, he accidentally crushed the kitten... It took him months to recover and he ended up on anti-anxiety meds because he felt so guilty, sensitive soul that he is. He’s grieved now, but he still blames himself. Accidents happen so quickly; it’s sadly quite common. Beating yourself up won't bring the cat back, it wasn't intentional... Give your other cat (I think you mentioned you have two?) the best life possible and, if you can, try not to let him out when you’re heading out in the car... Hang in there 😔
This sad story is very similar to what happened to my husband.
About 15 years ago, we adopted a little beige kitten, the runt of the litter. He always used to sleep on the rug, which was also beige. We were constantly moving him because we didn't want him to get hurt.
One afternoon, my husband was at his computer, got up, and stepped on the kitten's head. I’ll remember that moment for as long as I live.
I called the vet, and they told me to touch his eye to see if he would blink—nothing. He was gone.
My husband felt so guilty and cried so much.
I’m thinking of you, it really isn't your fault.
