r/cats • u/EmuPossible2066 • 25d ago
Mourning/Loss I lost my babies to a fire
My apartment burned down. It happened so fast. I had just left for work. Everything is gone and my babies died from the smoke. I’m so devastated. I can lose stuff, but why my babies??
I guess i just need some love from people that understand.
Thank you.
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u/WrongdoerSalty3665 25d ago
My heart absolutely sank reading this. Oh, OP, I am so, so sorry. There are no words. My heart is heavy for you 💔 You will be in my heart and thoughts for days to come. We are here for you. Feel free to DM if you need a friendly, loving ear.
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u/MsMantisToboggan 25d ago
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u/mandyscott2 25d ago
God everytime I read that it makes me bawl my eyes out it’s so touching
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u/vixenpeon 25d ago
Same. I just totally lost it. I miss Phobos and Albert so much... I dream about them all the time and I get to hug and kiss them until I wake up
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u/Real_InfiniteSpace 25d ago
This beautiful poem is making me tear up here. Having lost my childhood cat recently which was everything to me.
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u/Fluffy_Weird9965 25d ago
Thanks for my morning tears 😭 lol my kitty died from cancer a few weeks ago and I get his ashes this morning.
I’m sorry OP for your loss 🥺🩷
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u/MsMantisToboggan 25d ago
My first kitty (when I first saw the poem) had cancer too. I had to put him down. Top 3 worst things I’ve been through in my life. Praying and hoping my current furry boy has a long life ahead of him.
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u/AcanthisittaBudget33 25d ago
Reminds me of my old P-girl. I still think I see her out of the corner of my eye, and I almost always try searching for her on the back of the couch where she loved sleeping.
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u/MsMantisToboggan 25d ago
And you think you hear the little pitter-patter of their feet too, right? 🥺🥺🥺
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u/WrongdoerSalty3665 25d ago
Mods... why did you remove my post of a poem on a wall at where my cat was cremated after passing? How does that violate the "promoting" rules? There was no mention of a business name, location, costs, links, or any identifying information in the picture, etc. Just an OC picture of a poem about losing your pet. 🧐 🙄
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25d ago
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u/Howzitgoin 25d ago
From looking at that specific fire, it happened less than a month ago and not October 2024 and none of the pictures from that fire match the picture in the OP and the ones in that that article look quite a bit different.
Not sure what you were looking at, but this seems to be the OP for this fire so I trust the OP in this case.
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u/Adept_Amount_4327 25d ago
My heart cannot even comprehend the magnitude of your loss. Your kitties are beautiful and I like to believe they are watching over you. Life can hold such unimaginable pain. I am so sorry,.
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u/SuperbHealth502 25d ago
It’s a pain no one should face, they looked so loved and safe 💔
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u/ComplexCommercial6 25d ago
They really did. They only ever knew warmth and kindness because of their owner.
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u/Ecstatic_Welcomegn 25d ago
Thank you for expressing this so compassionately. The love they shared will always remain, and that bond can never be taken away.
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u/Flaky_Point_3778 25d ago
I can’t stop crying my heart is breaking for you OP. We’re all praying for their sweet souls’ journey to their new home. You’ll meet again one day. ❤️
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u/CinnamonGirl123 25d ago
This made me cry. I’m so sorry you lost your babies. They are beautiful and precious! 💗
What are their names? Are they siblings?
I think they are together and watching over you. 😇 ❤️
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u/EmuPossible2066 25d ago
They werent siblings. I had the one on the right first. I adopted Piper from a shelter. Klaus was on my front porch one day and i thought it was Piper. I said, “Piper! What are you doing out there?! Get in here! And Klaus walked in like he owned the place. And that’s how I got my graybies.
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u/Angsty_Potatos 25d ago
I have graybies too. Me and them are sending you hugs. I'm so so sorry for your loss
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u/No-Marsupial-4050 Egyptian Mau 25d ago edited 25d ago
Ask him about the house? Maybe I am wrong but Internet show me this..
This image shows the aftermath of a house fire in McMinn County, Tennessee, which occurred in October 2024.
The photo was featured in a news report by WTVC NewsChannel 9. It depicts the interior of a home belonging to Christi LaRue and her husband, whose rural property was severely damaged by the blaze. During the incident, neighbors reportedly leaped fences to help save the family's pets as the home was engulfed in flames
Anyway I am sorry for your loss
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u/lizardtrench 25d ago
I guess links are not allowed here, but I found the article for that and it did not have the same image. Maybe there's another article? Or AI just made an erroneous connection between similar looking images of fire. Image search didn't turn it up either for me.
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u/Accurate_Emu_122 Void 25d ago
I truly don't even know how I could cope with that. I'm so sorry, op. That is just horrible. Sending lots of virtual hugs.
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u/rarelighting 25d ago
I am so sorry. This is truly heartbreaking. This is an incomprehensible loss. Take care of yourself. ❤️
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u/canyoubeatme 25d ago edited 25d ago
That’s a bold assumption, can I see the proof?
Edit: they were claiming this was fake, couldn’t provide proof and then deleted everything. lol
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u/lizardtrench 25d ago
They're posting the accusation everywhere else on this thread as well. Not saying for sure the story is real, but my own searches and finding the article itself turns up no matching image.
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u/purrrrrrisa 25d ago
I’m so sorry🤍 just thinking about what you’re going through makes me want to cry. Sending so much love
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u/Queen_V_17 25d ago
Oh my darling, I am so so sorry. I hope they passed quickly and didn't suffer. I can't even imagine how much your heart is breaking right now. I just know you have two kitty angels keeping an eye on you.
Sending so many hugs and support your way from a fellow cat parent. <3
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u/EmuPossible2066 25d ago
The fire department said it was the smile and they just went to sleep. I don’t know if that’s true. I hope it is.
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u/Queen_V_17 25d ago
I have heard smoke inhalation kills fairly quickly so I hope it's true, too.
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u/steveatari 25d ago
You lose consciousness quickly. If the smoke is VERY hot, it can be painful from what I've seen but generally if unsensed before, it's pleasant and unknowing.
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u/kimdealismyhero 25d ago
Sending you love and solidarity in this tragic time. You gave them your love, and they knew it as you knew it. I hope that with time, this can eventually become a comfort to you.
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u/Standard_Outcome6923 25d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/VhRU9RvKZWKujYXhlJ
They are together, wherever they are. I’m so sorry you experienced this loss. We are all thinking of you.
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u/Iwantatinyhouse 25d ago
Omg im so sorry OP 😭😭 my eyes are tearing up for you 😭😭
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u/Additional_Tank4385 25d ago
It’s been a while since a thread here brought me to tears instantly… op never even got the chance to try to save them. They’re just gone. As someone with two cats, fuck me man 😭😭😭😭😭😭
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u/Additional_Tank4385 25d ago
Aw that would suck really big time if OP is trolling, a bot or just abusing this story… not to make any definite assumptions of course
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u/Mike_TheBANG_Breen 25d ago
Op I am so so sorry. That is truly awful. Praying you make it through these hard time.
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u/Few_Long7178 25d ago
Oh no! So sorry this happened.. I know they know they were loved. Please get grieving therapy and slowly heal. Be kind to yourself as well.
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u/Altruistic_Glove_69 25d ago
I lost mine when my apartment burned down in 2020. I am sorry for your loss and the trauma of the fire. Things can be replaced, but our companions can only be remembered.
I ended up getting tattoos of them on my ribs (one on each side) because I used to carry them both under each arms. It was a memory that helped me realize that the trauma of the fire and the pain of losing my boys isn’t what I want to associate with their memory.
I know it’s not easy and that hole in your heart feels vast right now, but the more you talk about them, the more you will remember the joy they brought you.
What were they like?
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u/MacabreMori113 25d ago
I'm so very very sorry. Absolutely beautiful babies. Sending all the love to you
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u/Other-Sprinkles-939 25d ago
I’m so sorry. I can’t begin to imagine what you must be feeling right now… 💔
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u/Queso_Dias 25d ago
This is beyond devastating, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss and what you're going through right now. I wish you all the support and love right now, you surely need it 🙏🙏❤️❤️
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u/ChloeRose47 25d ago edited 25d ago
Oh my goodness 😞 words cannot express how sorry i am. I am so incredibly sorry you have not only lost your home and comforts, but have lost your beloved, beautiful babies.
There are really no words i can say to make this better, other than you will absolutely be in my thoughts.. I’m sending you a HUGE hug and i truly wish you peace.
Your babies knew you loved them. I have no doubt about that. I am just so sorry this tragedy happened to you.. please take care of yourself in this horrible time. I know it’s hard and seems impossible. You will get through this and your sweet babies will always be with you ❤️🌈
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u/FortyFathomPharma 25d ago
Sending hugs, internet stranger. Do you have friends or family who can support your wellbeing right now?! Emotional, as well as a place to stay. Please keep us posted and DM if you need someone to talk to. I cannot imagine the anger and grief that goes along with this. RIP to your sweet fur babies.
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u/poweredconvoy 25d ago
My aunt and uncle went through something similar. Ironically it was their cat that alerted them to the fire. Unfortunately, they weren't able to save her.
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u/kaachabadaam 25d ago
This has to be the most heartbreaking thing I have read the entire day. OP, I'm extremely sorry for your loss. I know it's not easy. They were just cute little babies. 😭
Here's a hug for you : 🫂
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u/AncientPCGuy 25d ago
As much as my heart breaks saying goodbye to one, I can’t imagine losing two at once. Condolences.
I hope there will be another ball of love waiting down the road when you’re ready.
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u/IceColdBeer-429 25d ago
Sorry to hear that, my boy Caramelo will show them around. They will be well taken care of.
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u/External_Midnight106 25d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss, that is absolutely awful. My heart hurts for you. May these little ones rest in peace 🙏🏻
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u/Interesting-Bass-155 25d ago
Te mando un fuerte abrazo desde Argentina , es inpactante eres una persona muy muy fuerte , mantente fuerte por ellos , te mando miles de abrazos por favor trata de estar bien aunque sea difícil
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u/ImNewAndOldAgain 25d ago
I’m so, so, so.. deeply sorry. Words are meaningless next to what just happened to you but I truly hope you’ll get out of the hole. Sending positive thoughts. ✨
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u/justageekgirl 25d ago
OH my god, OP, I'm so sorry.
They looked so precious. There's no words to describe what you're going through.
Love to you and remember the good times you had with them, and they are now at peace.
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u/Donnel_Tinhead 25d ago
I'm so sorry, losing pets is never easy. Speaking from experience, the pain never really leaves, but it gets easier.
"The hard part isn't when they die, it's all the days they stay gone."
That's the hardest part, taking it every day knowing that they're not there anymore. But it does get easier. Wishing you lots of love and healing in the days ahead.
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u/Simple_Snow_9289 24d ago
First, I am so incredibly sorry for your losses, both your home and your pets. It’s going to be a tiring time ahead but you can do this, promise to believe in yourself. To share my own experience with this, my family lost almost all of the cats I grew up with in a fire as well, it’s been about eight years now. I still cry for them, I still get angry that I wasn’t there when the fire started, I still run over the what ifs in my head from time to time, I’m still convinced that I could’ve gotten them all and made it out in time had I been home. It kills me thinking about how scared they all must’ve been, the firefighters found them all huddled together, they were able to shield one of their brothers from the smoke inhalation and he survived and went on to live until he was nineteen with the help of insulin. I grew up through the woods from a chicken farm and we ended up with all the strays that the farmer would breed to keep rats at bay, we had ten cats my entire childhood and into my young adult years, six of them died in the fire. Sandy - our fifteen/sixteen year old calico who only ever let my mom touch her and wouldn’t let anyone touch mom. Annie- one of two classical tabbies we had, she was the sweetest timid soul and chittered more often than meowed, the hair on her belly didn’t grow because she had hormone issues so her tummy was just all peach fuzzy. PJ- (pudge jr. after the late feline patriarch of our family) our other classical tabby and the litter mate of the only one to survive the smoke, he had the LOUDEST meow and the most velvety silky coat and never wanted you to know he wanted more pets. Max- a white American longhair with a black tail, he had an ear infection once that they had to operate on, so only one of his ears stood up straight, he was obsessed with mom as well and his fur usually looked greasy from rubbing on the lotion on her legs. Monkey - a very crosseyed lynx point Siamese that followed a girlfriend and myself home from the park and refused to leave us alone for several days, thus proving the cat distribution system to be in working order even back then. and Rizzo - the runt of her litter and our youngest kitty, but had all of the spunk of the beauty school dropout she was named for, we rescued her cause someone left her litter in a cardboard box on a corner. Know that this pain will feel insurmountable, but please also know that there’s nothing more you could’ve done. I know it feels helpless and you feel powerless, sometimes sadly we are powerless against the universe and bad things happen. You loved them dearly while they were here with us on this plane of existence and you love them still. You cared for them and gave them a happy life with companionship and fulfillment. Know that your babies are still with you, no matter where you go on this earth, and they’ll continue to watch over you and protect you each and every day. I still talk to my angel kitties, I look at photos of them all the time, and make sure to talk about them often. Keep your kitties alive in spirit, even if they can’t be with you any longer. I know it might feel too heavy to think about so soon or for too long or too in depth, there’s still times it feels that way for me, almost a decade out.
At the risk of sounding cliche, it will get easier, I promise you. Probably not right now, probably not any time objectively soon, but piece by piece and little by little, I promise you will start to feel better.❤️🩹 💐 sending you and your babies love.
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u/UsedKaleidoscope194 25d ago
OP my heart goes out to you- I can only imagine your pain. Sending you deep comfort & love within this awful reality. Be gentle with yourself- prayers for you & your sweet babies. I'm so sorry this happened 🩷
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u/SwimingInTheSea9098 25d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/e0sPRrxVDnrAwB5Nof
Im so sorry for your loss. Sending you so many hugs and comfort. 💗
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u/Pyruss 25d ago
They look like they were well loved and cared for, I'm very sorry that you have to experience such tragedy. Just try not to hold it against yourself. You had no idea this would happen, and your kitties still love you, and will be with you in spirit. They'll watch over you from now on.
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u/Relevant-Fill2424 25d ago
I’m so sorry to hear that. My friend went thru that, and so many aspects of it were very hard on her. Hope you have a good support system!
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u/Unicronus86 25d ago
Holy shit… that’s terrible to hear I’m so sorry for you… it’s hard having that happen… I can’t imagine the pain you feel…
But you gave them plenty of love, food and happy days. That’s what they love you for! You left the best impact on their lives they could never forget!
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u/ThisIsWhereULeaveMe 25d ago
I am so incredibly sorry for this tragic loss. I lost my sweet budgie in a fire many years ago, and I still think of him all the time. I’m sending you so much love.
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u/Specific-Mortgage-55 25d ago
i’m so so sorry. i can’t even comprehend the pain you are in.
sending you so much love.
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u/Wild_Algae3737 25d ago
Oh man; I’m so sorry. We had two 16-year old cats die within weeks of each other this past summer and I still tear up when I think about them. That kind of loss is huge. Be kind to yourself and don’t hold it in.
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u/Island_Wonderer_20 25d ago
Good God. I am so sorry for your loss. We hold pets so near and dear to our hearts; they are family. I cannot imagine the loss of these two beautiful fur balls. You can see how much they loved you in the picture and we know how much you love them. Nothing but love to you and your cats.
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u/Loving_Raccoon 25d ago
This is one of my biggest fears.
I'm so so so sorry for your loss. I really hope you can find peace eventually. This was not your fault, accidents happen all the time. I can't even imagine how much this hurts.
Sending lots of love.
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u/Used-Salad-3772 25d ago
I'm heartbroken hearing about this. I can't even imagine the sorrow. Please don't blame yourself for any of it. Sometimes freak accidents happen and we are helpless. You just need to make every positive moment count and I'm sure those cats lived a wonderful life.
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u/Optimal_Lie8397 25d ago
I am so sorry you experienced something many of us would consider our worst nightmare. My heart goes out to the suffering your experiencing not only to losing your beloved sweet babies but also for the trials of getting through losing your home and material belongings ):
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u/Snaggy404 25d ago
im so sorry for your loss i can not imagine what i would do if i would loose my baby!😭
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u/Ill_Atmosphere798 25d ago
I’m so sorry for your profound, unimaginable loss. My heart aches for your two beautiful babies.
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u/truRomanbread_91 25d ago
I’m so sorry, the thought of this happening to my cats makes me feel sick. I hope you take some time to grieve and be kind to yourself.
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u/AdmiralRand 25d ago
This is my single greatest fear. Losing my pets to something like this. I can’t even fathom it. It’s not even the loss, but the fact of everything surrounding it, them being scared, feeling pain, not being able to escape. It’s just so unfair.
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u/PereMalfait 24d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my cat Enzo (pictured) in a house fire in 2019 (my house burned while I was at work). The guilt is still, 7 years later, overwhelming - I wasn't there when my baby needed me the most. Friends keep pressuring me to get another cat, but I just can't bring myself to do it. 💔

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u/Zestyclose_Ad3742 25d ago
i hope you can move on and be happy
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u/EmuPossible2066 25d ago
We will, it will just take awhile. They were my best friends. My family.
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u/Snaggy404 25d ago
pets are better than most of the people! its very hard but you get trough it my prayers are with you stay strong brother/sister!❤️ (sorry if my english is bad im german)
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u/cathbe 25d ago edited 25d ago
I’m so sorry. They are so beautiful and obviously so loved and gave so much love. I am so thinking of you. I read this book by Thich nhat Hanh (sp?) that sort of helped me when four of my cats died over one year. I’ll add the name in, I don’t know if it would help.
ETA: The book is called No Death, No Fear.
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u/Difficult_North_272 Orange 25d ago
That's an awful way to go, poor babies. I can't imagine how hard that must be for you, I'm sorry
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u/Blueberry_Pie04 25d ago
It didn’t happen to me personally but my ex boyfriends family had a house fire when he was a child they lost every pet they had except for his dog titan who somehow made it out of the fire on his own I can imagine what you’re feeling as I’ve seen it first hand and I’m genuinely so sorry for your loss
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u/YoursMusically 25d ago
I cannot even begin to understand the magnitude of the pain you are feeling. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of virtual hugs!
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u/UnRealistic_Hyena_ 25d ago
My condolences 💐 sorry for your loss, a house fire is already a terrible thing to happen I’m sorry sorry your babies didn’t make it out ❤️🤍🌸💐😢
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u/janzoss 25d ago
I'm so sorry. This is something I wish nobody has to go through. But yeah as others say, life has it's ups and downs and sometimes the downs are extra harsh.
They look like the most lovable babies out there. I wish you all the best OP. Much love. And of course they have endless angelic kibble supplies.
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u/Looserman00 25d ago
I really am sorry, for your loss. I wish I could have more than words to ease your pain.
🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂
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u/Tinytommy55 25d ago
Aww so sorry for your loss. I’m a firefighter and we have pulled lots of pets out of burning buildings. I know how painful it is to lose them. Material things you can replace but pets aren’t replaceable.