Sensitive: Pet loss during ivf - Fertility Network UK

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Sensitive: Pet loss during ivf

Joeysjourney profile image
32 Replies

Girls, i know this isn't a usual post but I know you will understand. My little cat was killed by a car this morning. Unfortunately i found him. We've had him 8 years.

This cat was my baby, and my absolute rock through my ivf. I loved him an unreasonable amount and credit him with getting me through my darkest of days. I always wondered how I would have coped without him and gave all the love I had for a child to him. He was my animal soul mate.

Can life throw anymore knocks at me.

How will I get through life without my little furry buddy 😔

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Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney
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32 Replies
ToffeeLou profile image
ToffeeLou

hey, I just want to say how sorry I am for you. Loosing pet is quite possibly the worst. Sending lots of love and baby dust your way x

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toToffeeLou

Thank you, I knew i would take it badly if anything happened to him but for it to be so sudden I just can't deal with it xx

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers

I'm so sorry. I had two cats that I loved for the best part of 20 years but there wasn't a day went by I didn't worry about this happening. It must have been so awful for you finding him. Do you have friends or family who can be with you? You will manage but don't think about it right now, just grieve.

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toFruitandflowers

Thank you babe, it was a constant fear of mine and I always told him not to go on the road. My lovely husband is here but unfortunately my family are all away on holiday, just want a hug from my mum even at 43 years of age.

As you say I know I'll move on but he was my shadow and honestly I sought him out when going through my very hard days and he brought so much joy and comfort xxx

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

Oh love, I have 2 moggies and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have got through the last 5 years without them.

I’m so so sorry, especially that you found him. So heartbreaking 💔

Life can be so cruel but you can be 100% sure that he had the most amazing life with you. However long it was he was loved and cared for and did the same for you. That is true love.

I’m sending so much love because I know I’d be broken by this too xx

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toMillbanks

He was the most loved and spoiled cat. He was honestly the love of my life. What am I gonna do, I just don't know xx

Anxiousintrovert profile image
Anxiousintrovert

I can’t put in words how sorry I am… sending all the love and strength your way xxx

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toAnxiousintrovert

Thank you, I know this is the right space to express this. People understand the added tragedy of pets and infertility x

Aquaharmony profile image
Aquaharmony

So sorry that is heartbreaking. My cat is 17 and I try to mentally prepare for losing her but it is so awful just thinking about it. You need to grieve and surround yourself with support if you can. Consider a small memorial or something similar as this may help. Sending love & hugs xxx

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toAquaharmony

I was always afraid of losing him as he had previously health issues - although they were resolved. But because of that I genuinely cherished every day with him and always looked deep into his eyes and loved him hard hard. I kissed him and smelled his wee fur and felt it on my face all the time. We just have to love them when we have them xx

leo1980 profile image
leo1980

oh hun. I am so sorry for your loss. We adore our dog, she just turned 8. I feel like the bond/relationship between my husband and I is stronger because of her. She got us through the hardest of times so I understand how painful this must be to lose your beloved pet so suddenly and tragically. Sending you lots of love and comforting thoughts xx

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toleo1980

Give her a big hug today and lots of extra treats! He was honestly the only thing that got me through all those tough phone calls and tests. I cried to him. Sang to him. Hugged him and cherished every day with him xxx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

I am so so sorry 😢 they leave such an impression on our hearts and get us through so much don’t they! I lost my little cookie last year (she passed away in my arms 😢), I had 3 cats but she was the one that would cuddle me every time I was sad, slept in bed with me and needed me the most and she had gotten my through so much in her 14 years I had no idea how I’d cope without her, but you do somehow. I buried her in our front garden and all last year our normally bland colourless bit of garden had these incredible pink flowers right through until winter reminding me of her love and strength 🌺 maybe you could get a wee ornament or tree planted to remind you of your wee fur baby? As it did make me smile (even through the tears). Sending you my love 💜 xx

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toTwiglet2

Thanks for sharing, you had a wee animal soulmate too! I don't know how to move on from this. The pain is all consuming xxx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toJoeysjourney

I don't think you do move on lovely, just move forward when you are ready 😢 xx

Bella000 profile image
Bella000

Just wanted to say I am so, so, sorry - I'd be completely at a loss if I were in your position. Sending big hugs xxx

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toBella000

At a total loss xxx

Ivfcandothis profile image
Ivfcandothis

Hi I couldn’t scroll past without commenting having been through a very similar situation.

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Allow yourself time to grieve and don’t let anyone rush you. It really is true that time is a healer but I know that it won’t mean anything to you right now but if I can give you any light at the end of the dark tunnel I would have never pictured where I am today with how low I was feeling at that time.

Our young dog died in a rta (who we welcomed at the beginning of our ivf journey to soften the burden of infertility) in my arms at the side of the road after my partners momentarily lapse of concentration when he had him on an extendable lead after dismissing my concerns with using this lead!

It was one of the most traumatic things I’ve had to experience as it genuinely felt at the time like my child was helplessly slipping away in front of my eyes having no children of my own just yet. He was my baby!

Fast forward nearly four years and we now have a beautiful little girl who has the most special relationship with our new dog and another baby on the way. I don’t think I could have got any lower at that time as we’d failed numerous cycles of ivf, a missed miscarriage two weeks before losing him, my mum was going through treatment for a brain tumour, I resented my partner for losing our dog and I felt like I’d lost my entire identify/career id worked so hard for as I didn’t want to be a midwife anymore after thinking I’d never be fortunate to have a child of my own. I was at an all time low thinking I couldn’t take anymore with what life had to throw at me.

Now, it feels like our late dog was sent to me to get me through the ivf and he somehow sensed he’d done what he needed to do and left to be replaced with a beautiful baby as our ivf was finally a success on our next cycle after losing him. My partner took it upon himself to get us another dog in the following months which felt way too soon and admittingly it took a year to bond with him but in hindsight it was actually the best thing he could have done as it was a distraction and I grew to love him in a different way but in equal measures to our late dog. I now see our current dog as the dog that guided me through motherhood as apposed to the ivf 🤍

Sending you so much love right now and I hope that with time you can look back on the special memories you shared with fondness and take comfort in the fact that he was loved so much. Take one day at a time and surround yourself with people who you feel you don’t need to suppress your emotions around 🤍

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toIvfcandothis

Thank you for sharing your story amd sorry ypur lost your special furbaby.

The pain is indescribable. As you say, he softened the ivf blows for me and when I was upset he was the one I wanted near me and to cuddle. I need the cat was my motto. Our last failed round was only 6 weeks ago and we've had blow after blow so this just feels cruel. We have to live without him now.

My partner and I are both blaming ourselves but the reality is we didn't do anything differently than we had in the last 8 years. It is just so unfair. My wee boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had so much life to live and love to give. I feel so sorry for him too

Glaedy profile image
Glaedy

I am so sorry for your loss ;( I have 3 cats now, lost our oldest 2 years ago to a liver cancer just a week from my birthday. These losses are so unfair.

Joeysjourney profile image
Joeysjourney in reply toGlaedy

They are family aren't they. I've never cried so much in my life xx

Glaedy profile image
Glaedy in reply toJoeysjourney

They are, even in the way humans can't ❤️

Christianbaby profile image
Christianbaby

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a beloved pet is incredibly painful. I have a 5-year-old Pomeranian, and I can only imagine how devastating it must be to lose such a special companion. Your little buddy brought you so much love and comfort, and it's okay to miss him deeply. Cherish the memories you have with him. x

Sending you lots of love and strength during this difficult time. 💔

Miaow1975 profile image
Miaow1975

I’m so sorry to hear this and know what you mean about giving all the love you would to a child to your cat. We recently lost our cat who I’d had for 17 years and she’d been my soulmate and loyal friend who was with me through all my ups and downs. It just feels like the house is empty without her but all I can say is that once you work through those first horrible couple of weeks of heartache it does get easier. We got a cat memorial and put it in her favourite place in the garden so in her own way she is still with us. Try and stay positive and give yourself time to grieve and then you can focus on your ivf when your ready. Sending love and baby wishes your way xx

Freeway24 profile image
Freeway24

I am so sorry to hear about your lovely little cat. ❤️ I am a cat lover so I totally understand your pain and loss. Animals are so amazing and in tune with us. Take it easy and lots of self care both of you. Its especially tough to go through this and fertility treatment. I am sending you lots of love and hugs. Thinking of you at this very tough time. Xx

Biscuits88 profile image
Biscuits88

sending you love and hugs. It’s absolutely heartbreaking loosing your little soul mates. I lost one at 7 to kidney disease, one at 9 who was attacked by the neighbours dogs and one who was 16 of old age. It never gets any easier, but the one I lost traumatically was the hardest to get through. So I understand your pain. Expect it’s harder as you are going through ivf too.

Hope you heal and always remember the love and bond that you shared. ❤️

puppylove73 profile image
puppylove73

I am very sorry for your loss, Joey! I’m crying while reading your post and all the others’ stories as I myself can relate to a feeling of extreme love for a pet who we treat like a real baby. Our dog got me through all the hardships and the sadness of trying to conceive. Before we have children I would fall asleep hugging him most of the time and as if he knew how to comfort me and will leave once I was asleep. He’s only 5 but I always cry at the thought that one day I’ll lose him. I hope you will have comfort somehow in knowing that you gave your furbaby a great life and he was so happy being with you. Sending you a big hug. Xxx

clevernoggin profile image
clevernoggin

So sorry to hear this. Our cat has also been an absolute rock during IVF. She seems to know when I need a cuddle and love, and has been at my side throughout . They are so generous with their love and bring so much joy. This must be heartbreaking for you x

Pkm4321 profile image
Pkm4321

So sorry!! Our pets are our babies ! My 2 cats have been my support animal throughout each treatment !! I can’t imagine what you are going through ! Hugs x

Salimali44 profile image
Salimali44

Im really glad I saw this post- I have the same thing going on. While I was away in Spain having my embryo transfer my beautiful cat stopped eating. We took him to the vet on our return and he’s been diagnosed with untreatable cancer. He is getting sicker and sicker and we will have to take him to be put down any day. Today I got my negative pregnancy test. It really feels like fate is kicking me. I’d had him for 8 years too- through thick and thin he’s been my best friend and he’s got me through my previous failed IVF… hard to imagine how i can cope without him. Sending all my sympathy to you. It’s good to know I’m not alone in this

PinkCat22 profile image
PinkCat22

Oh I am so very sorry - what a tremendous blow at an already emotionally difficult time. They are like little angels when things get touch, aren't they? Losing a beloved pet is so hard. I am so, so sorry and am sending you so much love and the hugest hug xxxx

Salimali44 profile image
Salimali44 in reply toPinkCat22

Thank you for your kind words- it’s so so hard. We are taking him to the vets to be put to sleep before he has to suffer too much pain. I feel absolutely heartbroken.

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