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“I’m Gonna Go Cry”: Man’s Photo Recreation With Late Childhood Cat Has The Internet Tearing Up
Trigger warning: animal loss, mourning
A man recreated a picture taken 20 years ago of himself as a child holding his cat, honoring his furry friend one last time before putting him to sleep. The touching collage, showcasing the original photograph and the last, prompted emotional reactions on social media, especially from those who could relate to this type of loss.
Highlights
- A man recreated a 20-year-old photo with his cat 'Gandalf' before euthanasia, touching hearts online.
- The collage was a tribute to a two-decade-long bond, sparking emotional reactions on social media.
- Internet users shared comforting words, citing Winnie the Pooh and 'The Lord of the Rings' quotes.
Taking to the Interesting As F*ck Reddit community on Friday (May 3), a man posted a collage of two pictures showing himself cuddling an adorable furry cat.
The photograph on the left showed the man as a young boy, wearing an orange shirt and getting cozy with the cuddly kitty, while on the left, the man appeared all grown up, yet still wearing a similar orange shirt and holding his dear four-legged friend.
As it turns out, the collage was a bittersweet ode to a two-decade-long love story nearing a heartbreaking end.
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A man recreated a 20-year-old photo with his childhood cat as a final tribute
Image credits: TrevorIsTheGOAT
“Putting my childhood cat to sleep today, and did my best to recreate a 20-year-old picture,” the original poster (OP) wrote. “I will always love you Gandalf.”
The poignant tribute elicited heartfelt responses, as a Redditor commented with a moving quote: “‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,’ Winnie the Pooh.”
A person wrote: “Only cats with good lives get to live this long.”
Image credits: Freepik
“Unless they get the cancer or the sort of.
“Point is you made it worth it.
“And he shall wait at the white shores for his friend.”
Replying to another person, the OP revealed: “He actually came with a brother, he was brown and we named him Mordor lol.”
The photo he took of his furry friend, Gandalf, before saying goodbye sparked emotional reactions online
Image credits: Esra Afşar
“We bought them together from a bordering state – idk why my parents decided 9-year-old me needed a purebred ragdoll haha, but that’s what he is.
“Mordor tragically got cancer at only 3 years old and had to be put to sleep.
“Gannie has lived enough for them both now.”
With The Lord of the Ringsbeing an obvious theme within the Reddit post, a Redditor penned: “‘I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil,’ – Gandalf.”
“Worst part of having pets is having to let go,” a reader commented
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Paul C. 1 year ago
We had to have our little girl Livvy/MrsBean/Beanie/Stinkerpuss/ put to sleep a couple of years ago and the tears are welling up as I type. Afterwards when we got in the car my wife burst into tears and let out the most heart wrenching guttural howl of anguish I've ever heard. We love them, but they break your bloody heart.
Hester 1 year ago (edited)
We had a Livvy too, but he was Livingston. And yes, I am tearing up thinking about him too. We lost him to kidney failure, about 20 years ago. I miss him... and Jazzy, and Thomas, and Midi, and Tyson... such precious bundles.
Load More Replies...
Dan 1 year ago
I had to put my little guy down 2 months ago. I've never known such emotional pain.
Virgil Blue 1 year ago
Who let the onion cutting ninjas in again? Goodbye Gandalf, I'm glad you had a fantastic life.
Miss Sassy Pete 1 year ago
My heart-cat was 20 years old and 1 week when we had to let her go. It's been over 3 years and my heart still twinges every once in awhile. The hole in my heart will never full heal. That's what the true love of a cat means.
Bored something 1 year ago
😭 RIP Gandalf. I am sure you will live long in your human's memory.
Disgruntled Pelican 1 year ago
We got our kitty, Baby, when I was 10 and had to put her down when I was 28. She was my entire world. She was with me through elementary school, high school, college, she even stayed in my first apartments a time or two in her old age (which she LOVED) and she got to fall in love with my husband too. I had my childhood friend who owns a tattoo shop put Baby's paw print on my ankle after she passed and I love getting to walk around with her everyday. Any amount of time with them is never enough. Treasure every second. Miss you, peanut.
Susan Schlee 1 year ago
I display more photos of the animals I have, and also have lost, than I do human family members! Again, always think of the love and good home you gave them, because that's what's important.
Load More Replies...
David Brown 1 year ago
I had to hold the best dog which was also my best friend as he took his last breath. I can't say or think about that day without tearing up. He lived a charmed life from the day I adopted him. I got a call at work from my mom letting me know he wasn't doing well and most likely wouldn't make it much longer and I needed to come home. I sat in the floor holding him telling him how much I loved him and it was ok to let go. He took one last good breath and he was gone. No one can ever prepare you for when that time finally comes. He's waiting on me just as your furry buddy is waiting on you. Take the time and process the grief. There's no shame in that. Anyone that has a pet or has ever had a pet will 100% understand what you're going through.
Susan Schlee 1 year ago
You hit the nail on the head with your last sentence.
Load More Replies...
Paul C. 1 year ago
We had to have our little girl Livvy/MrsBean/Beanie/Stinkerpuss/ put to sleep a couple of years ago and the tears are welling up as I type. Afterwards when we got in the car my wife burst into tears and let out the most heart wrenching guttural howl of anguish I've ever heard. We love them, but they break your bloody heart.
Hester 1 year ago (edited)
We had a Livvy too, but he was Livingston. And yes, I am tearing up thinking about him too. We lost him to kidney failure, about 20 years ago. I miss him... and Jazzy, and Thomas, and Midi, and Tyson... such precious bundles.
Load More Replies... Dan 1 year ago
I had to put my little guy down 2 months ago. I've never known such emotional pain.
Virgil Blue 1 year ago
Who let the onion cutting ninjas in again? Goodbye Gandalf, I'm glad you had a fantastic life.
Miss Sassy Pete 1 year ago
My heart-cat was 20 years old and 1 week when we had to let her go. It's been over 3 years and my heart still twinges every once in awhile. The hole in my heart will never full heal. That's what the true love of a cat means.
Bored something 1 year ago
😭 RIP Gandalf. I am sure you will live long in your human's memory.
Disgruntled Pelican 1 year ago
We got our kitty, Baby, when I was 10 and had to put her down when I was 28. She was my entire world. She was with me through elementary school, high school, college, she even stayed in my first apartments a time or two in her old age (which she LOVED) and she got to fall in love with my husband too. I had my childhood friend who owns a tattoo shop put Baby's paw print on my ankle after she passed and I love getting to walk around with her everyday. Any amount of time with them is never enough. Treasure every second. Miss you, peanut.
Susan Schlee 1 year ago
I display more photos of the animals I have, and also have lost, than I do human family members! Again, always think of the love and good home you gave them, because that's what's important.
Load More Replies... David Brown 1 year ago
I had to hold the best dog which was also my best friend as he took his last breath. I can't say or think about that day without tearing up. He lived a charmed life from the day I adopted him. I got a call at work from my mom letting me know he wasn't doing well and most likely wouldn't make it much longer and I needed to come home. I sat in the floor holding him telling him how much I loved him and it was ok to let go. He took one last good breath and he was gone. No one can ever prepare you for when that time finally comes. He's waiting on me just as your furry buddy is waiting on you. Take the time and process the grief. There's no shame in that. Anyone that has a pet or has ever had a pet will 100% understand what you're going through.
Susan Schlee 1 year ago
You hit the nail on the head with your last sentence.
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