I sympathize with you Wild, Malfy and Katzie and P.R.1971,
Believe me, I understand how you all felt.
My first cat died few years ago.
He was my best chum. But he was known as rabbit, fish and bird as well rodent killer in the neighbourhood.
He was killed by hit and run, I presume. Though, I've had my suspicion but no evidence to suggest otherwise.
When I first found out from the Council informing us the death of my cat as it was they who found him. I didn't eat much for the first week or so. Was very down in the mouth for about a month
Mother suggested we go looking for another cat to adopt and we did look at the Lost dogs home. But I couldn't make a decision and went home crying.
So it took me about a year before I got around to looking into adopting a cat. I got a Ragdoll cat and he's the light of my life.
Just like the passing of humans, you grieve just the same as you'd grieve for your pet's passing.