For our kitty sitter. It was two days after the eclipse - I do think that was a factor.

Call them. Let them know. My 2 cents.

Last edited Tue Jan 1, 2019, 02:49 PM - Edit history (1)

cat-sitting next door. The elder cat died. We let them know. The response was “please tell your daughter she did NOTHING WRONG!” They said the cat was quite old and had been ailing and they knew he didn’t have much longer to live. They were really kind about it.

But yeah, let them know.

If you can, please put kitty in the fridge as he will begin to decompose quickly. Or if not possible, in a tightly sealed bag.

might not walk into that scene. Maybe they want her to see it, or maybe they'd prefer you take the kitty's remains to be cremated. At the least, they can prepare their daughter for what has happened.

That's tragic. I empathize with you.

Our sitter (see post above) took our girl to the vet and we went and saw her the next day - that was a BRUTAL 7 hour drive back from the beach (massive rain storm in N. Carolina )

and we didn’t know them all that well to begin with. But we did know they were going to be gone for at least another week. I didn’t think we could leave the dead cat in their house with their other pets, so I took the corpse to the vet to be properly dealt with.

They returned and were very kind about it, especially to our daughter. They paid her and wrote her a really sweet note reassuring her she’d done nothing wrong. She was pretty upset that it had happened on her watch because she was vigilant about taking care of them and being a good, responsible caretaker. So I appreciated that gesture on their part.

It was traumatic for our daughter but she coped. And, indeed, she really had done a good job cat-sitting.

Waiting for a reasonable hour on this New Years Day to give them a call. We will ask them what they would like us to do.

I had a dog die while I was on vacation. I had a friend house sitting and caring for the dogs. He called me in Vegas and told me the news. I asked him to bury the dog. Dogs die. It wasn't anything they did that caused the death, and I was thankful he took care of it before we returned. My wife was sad, but she knew the dog was old.

Last edited Tue Jan 1, 2019, 04:38 PM - Edit history (1)

If the cat still looks OK, I'd take a picture of it under the tree. The fact she died under the Christmas tree is very touching, Would also definitely refrigerate if possible.

Take the cat to a vet, maybe?

I will let them decide if they want an autopsy.

whatever suits you.

I will let them decide how we should proceed.
I feel just awful. I know he was getting good care but still feel awful.

So that their daughter can give the final send-off. Shoe box and kitchen towel covering all nut the head.

Best wishes

Just spoke to my friend, she is devastated. She will call me back when she can speak. Damn. Just awful. Hubby and I will find a nice spot and dig a grave that will be ready when they get home. We have buried some beloved felines in our time.

It's entirely possible this kitty picked the time of the family vacation to check out. I am so sorry you have to be the one to deal with the aftermath with the family. You have done the best you could do.

And I tucked him in and closed his eyes. He will be buried next to our porch, grave will be covered with evergreen branches and a statue of St Francis. The owners are very sad of course. They will have a kitty burial when they get home. Not an auspicious start to a new year.