Heartbreaking image shows cat’s last moments on journey to vets
For those of us who have loved and lost a pet, we all know how heartbreaking bidding farewell to our companions can be.
As one moving photo posted on Reddit shows, saying our final goodbyes to our furry friends is sometimes one of the hardest things a person can do.
Andrew Bernhard shared a touching photo of his elderly cat, who was also called Andrew, as they were making their final trip to the vet in the car.
It was almost as though Little Andrew knew they were about to say their final farewell.
As shown in the photo, he was “holding hands” with his owners in the car, seemingly hoping to make the most of that last, precious time they had left together.
According to Bernhard, the 15-year-old gray cat had gotten him through many of his life milestones, including “high school, undergraduate, medical school, and residency graduations,” as he wrote on Reddit.
“Andrew was my little boy,” Bernhard told PEOPLE.
“He was a great guy. He was always happy to see everybody, always won fights with the dog and just wanted you around all the time.
“He just finally got too weak to keep up.”
However, after a decade and a half, that happy spirit started to fade.
“[He] got old and sick over the last year,” wrote Bernhard.
“He purred everyday [sic] of his life and when he lost that, I knew it was time.”
In response to the photo that Bernhard posted, over 300 Reddit users commented to share their sympathy and their own tales of their pets that had passed on.
One commenter indicated that his cat somehow knew that he wasn’t coming back, “It’s amazing how they can tell when that final vet trip comes.
“Mine knew and was at peace about it, like yours was.”
Another person shared, “I lost my baby, a Russian Blue two years ago. He looked just like your kitty. He was with me for 18 years.
“There’s a special love there that you cannot explain. My wholehearted condolences.
“It’s always sad to lose a friend. Sorry for everybody else’s losses as well.”
“That is so beautiful. It made me cry,” another wrote.
“I’m so sorry for your loss … it’s easy to see just from that one picture how much you loved him, and I’m sure he knew.”
One more Reddit user wrote, “I just found out today that I have to put my old man kitty down!
“This hit me hard and I feel your hurt my friend.
“He was a stray that was severely starving and abused when we found him.
“We named him ‘Scooty.’ We would roll around on our bed and pull himself along our blankets.
“My heart is broken and I hope Scooty and Andrew can play together when he crosses the rainbow!”
In response to all of the heartfelt comments, Bernhard added, “I’m just so happy his story has continued.
“He brought such happiness to me and I hope he continues to make others feel good about their own pets.”