I’m lost and will soon lose my happiness - have to get rid of cats

I’m sorry for your loss. Have you explored options? I’ve had to give up pets before and it was very painful. I hope you can have support through this.

And so would I -- if I have to distance myself from the one I've had for 15 years.
But all I hope if such separation has to happen, it takes place with most suitable place for him. I'm sure yours, too, must almost communicate with you in their affectionate growl, different from their regular mew, every now and then.
I can't fathom how I'd live, but then life has its own ways and gifts with pleasant surprises, He certainly has a fare share in keeping me mentally healthy!

So I hope you find a way that is most suitable to your whole 'family.'
Wish you well, friend.

I understand the grief of giving up a pet. They become an important part of our lives, for sure, and give us a lot of love. I'm sorry you're having to send your cats to a new home. I agree with you that it's made a little easier knowing that they're going to a home instead of the shelter. I hope for your sake that you'll be able to have a pet companion again, in the not too distant future. Cherish your memories.

Jim

Sounds like you're doing what you must. As long as their new family is loving, the kitties will probably be fine. Cats are, generally, very resilient animals.

We took in our little Mickey, who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge (sniffle), after a friend of my wife's passed. He was very shy at first, but came around with some coaxing and a lot of love.

We've never had to surrender a pet, so I can only imagine what that feels like. Not good, I'm sure.

Sorry for your situation. Life's not easy.

Good luck.

Take all the pictures and video you can of them while having them, to live on those in the future. I 💞 urge you.
Thank you.

Here are my notes from Action for Happiness webinar with Karen Guggenheim:

Karen Guggenheim described the shock of her husband's death from a cold and from physician error in his treatment. She wanted to die to life, to implode. She found purpose in her children and in serving her husband's legacy. She had ups and downs but her life trended upward. She worked for resilience and did those things that helped her connect with herself. She chose hope and learned that there is a science for happiness and that she could learn happiness. She moved away from action, aggression, victimhood toward kindness, generosity, forgiveness. She learned that saying No can allow you to move forward. Post Traumatic Growth is possible. She listed the five things that occur with post-traumatic growth. She described her daily activities to support her growth. Forgiveness is the hardest part. If resilience is worn down, find a new avenue for growth.

I found that these suggestions for a daily routine from Karen Guggenheim to be very helpful. She doesn't check the phone after 9 pm or first thing in the morning. In the morning, she reads inspirational books, meditates or prays. She envisions the things she wants in her life. She watches the way she talks to herself. For example, Not "I am tired." but "I am feeling tired." She does breathing exercises and yoga. She plays music in the shower even when she doesn't feel like it because she knows she will feel better. In the afternoon, she walks in nature for 30-60 minutes. She makes a space for fun. She makes a daily list of things that made her happy, kinda like a gratitude list. Important sentences from her talk: You can't change the past with forgiveness. Forgiveness is very hard, but will allow you to move away from the pain to let love grow. Anger can be useful in certain contexts but don't feed the anger.

Karen Guggenheim listed these 5 things that occur from posr-traumatic growth:
1. More compassion
2. Able to see new opportunities
3. Personal growth
4. Spiritual change
5. Greater appreciation for life. Opens the mind to grow.

Mark Williamson added that we need to state that life is precious and to celebrate what we have now.