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By Liz O'Connell
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An owner thought the hardest part was over after burying his senior cat, but he soon realized he wasn't the only one in mourning.
Owner Jake Fitz had his cat, Sweet Pea, by his side for half of his life. But as an 18-year-old cat, Fitz knew her time was coming to an end. The week leading up to her passing, she looked as if she had passed, but she kept going. He took her to the vet to be put down, but was denied. Less than 24 hours later, she went peacefully in her sleep.
After saying his goodbyes, Fitz buried her in the yard, hoping for some closure. But his orange kitten, Franklin, had other plans.
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Fitz noticed Franklin resting on Sweet Pea’s grave for hours, seemingly mourning alongside her. He snapped a picture of the heartbreaking moment and shared it to the subreddit r/cats, where it has since received more than 119,000 upvotes and over 1,200 comments.
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"Franklin slept on the grave for most of the day after I buried Sweet Pea and hung out in that part of the yard, but I haven't seen him lying on the grave since that day," he told Newsweek via Reddit messaging.
Franklin had always adored Sweet Pea, following her around all day and attempting to play with her even as her vision started to fail. Sweet Pea mostly ignored his antics, but on occasion, she allowed him to nap alongside her, showing quiet affection in her own way.
Cats In Mourning
While felines often present themselves as independent, studies based on owner observation have shown cats still mourn.
In a study published in the journal Animals, 75 percent of dogs and cats showed at least one change in behavior after a pet companion passed away. The most commonly reported change in cats was the variation in affection. About 40 percent of cats have been reported to demand more affection from their owner, 22 percent were increasingly clingy or needy and 15 percent sought less attention.
Other behavioral changes reported include territorial behavior, such as seeking out the deceased animal's favorite spot, and vocalization. Some felines increased the frequency, but also the volume of their meows and talking.
Reddit Reacts
Reddit users joined Fitz in tears after seeing Franklin at his sister's grave, with hundreds sharing their condolences in the comment section.
"Aww, poor little baby is grieving. Make sure you give the kitty extra attention and grieve together. I'm so sorry for your loss," wrote one viewer.
Another person said: "I’m so very sorry for your loss. This is so sad, but it truly amazes me at how strong a cat’s senses are, and who says they don’t show love or mourn a loss."
Someone else pointed out: "The affection there. Amazing. So sad but so touching."
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