dumb little cat

[dzalphakilo]

A question for those who do not believe in a "God".

When one or both of your parents die, do you "hurt inside" to the point that you cry? If a love one dies and you feel "pain", why?

Why should you feel any pain at all?

Feel as bad losing this "girl" as much as I did my mother. I was wondering as far as the "scientiffic" explination as to why? My mother of course provided for me more than a "simple kitten", and I owe much more to my parents.

A word of advice to those who may have pets who have an "issue" that a vet cannot diagnose (sp?). Go with an ultra sound first, then go with the "tests".

[Av8r3400]

As a cat (http://webpages.charter.net/alzak/the_boys.htm) owner I can completely understand your feelings. Our two were 10 years old this past summer and when they do go, I will definitely admit to being beside myself with grief.

Possibly even more so than when I lost my father (http://webpages.charter.net/alzak/dad.htm). Hard to explain if you don't understand.


You have my true sympathies. :(

[dzalphakilo]

Possibly even more so than when I lost my father (http://webpages.charter.net/alzak/dad.htm). Hard to explain if you don't understand.

Thank you.

But thats what I don't understand, what causes the "hurt"? What chemical reaction in your brain makes you feel that way? Can life itself be "broken down" into chemicals in your brain, electriacl stimuli and physical reactions to explain why we as humans feel as we do sometimes?

Like watching a PBS documentary on "love" and the physical conditions that happens in the body for reproduction. It's all science, nothing more.

By the way, my father is still around, after looking at your pics of your father, I'm sure they would of made great friends if the were to have met each other.

Like you said, he (your father) did what he loved doing, we can only hope we all go that way.

[Gatorboy]

Not sure what not believing in "God" has to do with hurting when you know someone that you have loved is no longer around.

[dzalphakilo]

Not sure what not believing in "God" has to do with hurting when you know someone that you have loved is no longer around.

I'll agree with you Gatorboy. What is the corrolation, if any? My point being that as humans, we have feelings. Are those feelings "quantified" in some way per science? How does science "break" those "feelings" down in a way that we can understand per the "physical" world which we live in?

Any loss felt has nothing to do with survival, or any other means of living. What about other living beings that die? Because they have no connection to us, we don't feel any loss. Why?

Why do we feel a "loss" if any? Do other animals that don't have our degree of intellegence feel near the same?

Just finished up putting her in the ground in "the back" where my wife an I agreed to burry our other animals. Funny, if it were up to me, where I would want to be "planted", but I'm sure the state will not allow it (cremation perhaps).

[Mith]

Why do we feel a "loss" if any?

I would guess its because we like and get used to having a particular item or being around, and when its gone, you want it back. You can feel loss about non-living things too.

A car. You like it, you sell it, you want it back. You feel loss.

The more you like it, the more you want it back, the more loss you feel.

[dzalphakilo]

I would guess its because we like and get used to having a particular item or being around, and when its gone, you want it back. YouThe more you like it, the more you want it back, the more loss you feel.

Isn't there a difference between "loss" and "pain"?

I want my 72 Cuda back, but I didn't cry over selling it or wanting it back.

Agreed that there is perhaps little difference over an inatimate object vrs a living being, but rarely, if at any time have I cried over an inatimate object.

Better yet, if you let go of said object, why would you feel a severe loss? By your decision you let it go.

Needless to to say, the feeling of "love" is unexplainable to myself, and attribute it in some sort of way to a higher power. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

[Mith]

Isn't there a difference between "loss" and "pain"?
Depends what sort of pain I guess. But if I'm thinking of the type you are thinking of, I would consider them to be the same.

More to say, I'll come back in the morning......

[loki2]

Here is where my last three rest. Still miss them all. they ask nothing but food water and a kind word, and give their all to you. Much nicer than any of my wives.

[Pigtails]

We have had several pets throughout our married life. Each time something happened to them it was like another piece of you heart gone. They do leave a empty space inside of you when they are gone. But I look at the bright side and bring out the picture album. It cheers me up yet is a little sad. So, eventually the pain will go away but the memories will always be there. ;)

[HGM]

I dont really know a nice way to put it, but my friends mother described it to me as our selfishness for not being able to enjoy their company any longer..They arent in pain, they are at rest, we selfishly desire them to be around for us and our company.. It made sense to me and I have accepted it ever since.. Its a difficult thing to deal with when you loose anyone/anything close to you, but you must go on and feel confident that they are better off and you will always have the experiences with them in your memory.. Everyone needs to find their own way to cope with a loss, sorry to hear about yours..

[OhioTC18]

dz,
I feel your "pain" or your "loss". However you care to describe it. A dumb little cat or a stupid big dog can capture so much of your life, you never even knew it until something happens.
I've gone to the vet twice and came home alone twice. That is something I never intend to do again. They will have me by their side when the time comes and they will return home where they were loved.
Both were cats had developed leukemia. It's a horrid disease. Once it's diagnosed, it's usually too late.

Now, my dog Buddy, he is very ill right now. I think we're pulling him through. His test results are getting better every week. He's been my best friend since we adopted him at 4 months old, 5 years ago. We have hope, but also know it's going to be fatal at some point. Might be 3 years, might be 10. They never completely get over Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia combined with epileptic seizures. I can't imagine what I'll feel some day in the future. But for now he gets the best I can do for him. He also has two tormentors here at home that are getting pretty old. Ya know, I love them all.

[Av8r3400]

(Off topic, kinda)

OhioTC18: Our black cat has a water fetish too! He gets in the shower every day! Paws at the water dish all the time, just like that. Too funny.

[Doc]

(Off topic, kinda)

OhioTC18: Our black cat has a water fetish too! He gets in the shower every day! Paws at the water dish all the time, just like that. Too funny.


We took in a cat when it was a little over a year old. The previous owner had her declawed. This is the sassyest cat I've ever seen. I have no idea if she became sassy after the declawing, or did they declaw her because she was such a B.
Anyway this cat goes to the water bowl and put one foot down in the water. very weird. We have two other cats and I've seen one of them doing the same thing. I suppose she learned it from Sassy (yep, thats what we changed her name to ....it was sabrina ....but she never comes to any name anyway).

Sorry for your loss DZ. :(

[beds]

I used to think that part of the pain was because people didn't have a grasp on the inevitability of death. Everyone's pet, parent, spouse, child is going to die at some point. However, we had a purpose-bred beagle who was used for cancer research and released after he was 2 years old. They did some bone marrow biopsies on this dog and after we had him for 2 years he had cancer everywhere and we put him to sleep. Devastating. So, that was my theory shot because from the getgo we were just going to give this guy a good home for the years he had left, knowing they may not be many.

I can't explain it, but agree that it is heartbreaking.