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happybird

(5,057 posts)
Fri Mar 1, 2024, 11:43 PM Mar 2024

I finally vacuumed today

Haven’t done it since Pooper died because I liked seeing her black fur in little drifts on the stairs and under the bench in the family room. It felt wrong to clean it up. It feels so final.

I keep finding odds and ends, like toys under the couch and in random, hidden spots and a food mat under a table in the guest bedroom. Still haven’t taken the litter box out to the shed. It’s just so weird not having any cat friends, but I am not in a stable enough financial position to adopt a new friend or two. Sucks. The house is so empty and lonely.

Earlier toady I was about to dump an armful of clean laundry on the bed to fold and automatically paused, thinking, “Oh, cat hair,” and then realized that’s no longer an issue. That was the turning point on cleaning. I needed to clean, it was getting very dust bunny-y and crumb-y around here. Fortunately, I am sloppy about vacuuming so there is probably more of her sweet little fur drifts under the dresser and in other hidden nooks.

The worst is I still keep catching myself starting to talk to her.
Sorry for being a downer. I miss my baby.

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I finally vacuumed today (Original Post) happybird Mar 2024 OP
🫶🏽 blm Mar 2024 #1
Thank you happybird Mar 2024 #6
No apology needed. cilla4progress Mar 2024 #2
Thank you and hugs to you, too happybird Mar 2024 #7
Can you keep a few tufts that you find and put them in an envelope? spooky3 Mar 2024 #3
I have some clippings happybird Mar 2024 #5
I'm so sorry. Nt spooky3 Mar 2024 #11
Don't apologize LoveMyCali Mar 2024 #4
I don't think I could happybird Mar 2024 #9
No apologies needed. Those of us owned by the furpeople understand niyad Mar 2024 #8
I totally agree with what you said. StarryNite Mar 2024 #13
Sending you hugs, dear happy bird. MLAA Mar 2024 #10
Awhhh...I know that feeling and I'm so sorry for your loss PortTack Mar 2024 #12
When our Big Dog died, my wife presented me with a zip-lock baggie of his hair. Hermit-The-Prog Mar 2024 #14
My heart to yours. herding cats Mar 2024 #15
Hug XanaDUer2 Mar 2024 #16

spooky3

(35,961 posts)
3. Can you keep a few tufts that you find and put them in an envelope?
Fri Mar 1, 2024, 11:50 PM
Mar 2024

I did that when I had similar feelings.

happybird

(5,057 posts)
5. I have some clippings
Fri Mar 1, 2024, 11:59 PM
Mar 2024

the vet took for me. I think it’s bothering me because she was my last pet. Every time one of my babies has died there were others shedding and making my house feel like a home. I’ve never lived in a pet-free home before. Ever. I live alone and it’s so bleak and quiet here now. It’s amazing how one little 10lb cat can fill an entire house with love and comfort and company. The fur drifts made it feel like she was still here somehow, or close by.

LoveMyCali

(2,032 posts)
4. Don't apologize
Fri Mar 1, 2024, 11:54 PM
Mar 2024

A lot of us have been in your spot before and I'm really sorry for your loss. If you can't afford to adopt right now could you foster? I don't think I could, I would hate to give them up but I admire those who can foster.

happybird

(5,057 posts)
9. I don't think I could
Sat Mar 2, 2024, 12:07 AM
Mar 2024

at least not right now. It would basically be the same as adopting because I wouldn’t be able to let them go to a new home. That’s how I ended up with so many cats over the years- abandoned strays. Every time we moved into a new rental we’d end up collecting an abandoned adult cat or two. Pooper was also a stray but a kitten when we found her. Heck, we originally had intentions of “finding her a good home.” The best fail, ever.

niyad

(119,309 posts)
8. No apologies needed. Those of us owned by the furpeople understand
Sat Mar 2, 2024, 12:04 AM
Mar 2024

completely. Of course you start talking to her. Just because she is not in a physical body does not mean that she cannot hear you. And do not be surprised if you see her from time to time. She is looking after you.

StarryNite

(10,671 posts)
13. I totally agree with what you said.
Sat Mar 2, 2024, 02:24 AM
Mar 2024

I still talk to mine and I don't plan on stopping. My last pup died 2 1/2 years ago.

PortTack

(34,395 posts)
12. Awhhh...I know that feeling and I'm so sorry for your loss
Sat Mar 2, 2024, 01:44 AM
Mar 2024

Had to put down one of my sweet boys last fall. I found one of his whiskers when cleaning up his favorite sleeping area about a week later and just burst into tears…again. The vet gave me some clippings of his beautiful fur before I left him, it actually helped our other two understand in their own way. I’ve put it away with his ashes. It’s getting better but I know how it hurts….

Take care!

Hermit-The-Prog

(36,462 posts)
14. When our Big Dog died, my wife presented me with a zip-lock baggie of his hair.
Sat Mar 2, 2024, 02:33 AM
Mar 2024

Someday it will be tossed in the trash, but not while I remember him.

herding cats

(19,596 posts)
15. My heart to yours.
Sat Mar 2, 2024, 02:37 AM
Mar 2024

I completely understand. I still have the T-shirt I wore to take my Boo to the vet that final time in a plastic bag in a chest. It's the last time he ever shedded on me and when I came home I knew I'd never wash that shirt again.

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