Posted on 05/09/2012 9:57:24 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
A grief-stricken pet owner killed himself because he struggled to cope with the death of his beloved cat, an inquest heard.
Bachelor Michael McAleese, 44, was devastated after 13-year-old tabby cat Sophie died in his arms after suffering a stroke.
The recluse - who was not known by his neighbours - was so traumatised by the loss that the dead cat 'slept' on his bed for three days afterwards.
Mr McAleese then told a man who came to collect Sophie for cremation that he would kill himself.
Five days after the cat's death Mr McAleese posted a moving video in the moggy's memory on YouTube, which featured pictures of her backed with sad violin music.
Unemployed Mr McAleese captioned the video with: 'This is in her memory. She was such a wonderful little cat.
'This is a montage tribute to my beloved Sophie cat. I loved her so much and still do.'
Mr McAleese's body was found eight days later on December 21 last year at his rented lodgings in Poole, Dorset.
A post mortem examination revealed Mr McAleese had taken an overdose.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Very sad to read.
People sometimes consider their pets love them in a way other humans can’t or won’t. Unconditionally.
If they perceive that kind of love from a cat, dog, or any pet to the exclusion of human contact, suicide can happen.
I sometimes do think though God sends these pets into our lives to demonstrate that kind of love. Hopefully though we learn the lesson and pass that kind of love on to someone else.
May he rest in peace.
Sad, very sad indeed.
Cats have a way of taking captive your heart.
I need to get a new cat soon. . .
It really is. The cat must have been the only thing in his life that mattered.
Sometimes suicide just makes me angry at the selfishness of it.
But then along come folks like this fellow despondent from losing his last source of unconditional love (in his mind), and I can understand more than not. Not a hostile death, simply a bereft one.
This is exactly why I have several pets of different ages. There but for the grace...
Condolences to all you Freepers who’ve lost furry babies.
EVERYONE, LISTEN UP: DON'T KILL YOURSELF!
As you were.
It's the English Way.
Too late. I killed myself last week.
I hear ya ... I have a female tuxedo cat who has made me her human. She was the nextdoor neighbor’s cat, but they were never home and didn’t treat her well, leaving her out days at a time without feeding or water bowl. She is now the mistress of this house. But I will not allow myself to become so attached again. Hurts too much
“LAZ HAS SPOKEN!”
We should get the two of them together for a Prom.
The story mentioned that the man was a recluse, so he probably had no other ties to life than the cat. It's sad anytime someone isolates themselves from others, and when one does that, there isn't much reason to keep going, I'm sad to say.
Mark
I lost my mom, 2 of my 14 yr old kitties that were my friends and who I adored sooo much ...my brother ..and a friend in the last year and a half. I must be strong. Although I go to tears all the time.....time heals all wounds they say..
I'll never forget this story of this man who came to the shelter (I volunteer with) who walked in to the cat room and said, "which 2 cats are the most un-adoptable." They showed him and he adopted them. He still keeps in touch with them. Still brightens my day thinking about that....
That would look like a ‘same sex couple’ then! No thanks. But I wonder what their kittens would look like? Maybe a herd of little penguins?
Well, we shall never know. His balls are off. :)
Having had a vasectomy decades ago, I can sympathize, somewhat.
I love my cat Pumpkin more than anything in this world. I’d be heartbroken without him.
We almost lost him a couple years ago;he had a huge hairball that blocked his intestines. He would throw up shortly after eating and wasn’t urinating or defecating. He finally passed the hairball,but he lost a lot of weight. He has since put some back on.
I cried so hard;it was the worst time in my life.
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