I am horrible

Maybe its cos you've got a sense of humour.

Well, if one is going to be honest about something like that, better that it happens when the kid is young, when they don't understand things as well.

Like I said though, you'd have to understand Paul's sense of humour (which you don't seem to) to find it even somewhat funny. Maybe a tad harsh to some, but there you go.

Don't feel horrible, there's no reason to blame yourself! I believe that cats are meant to spend at least a part of their life outside, and that's what they need. It might mean quality over quantity, but most cats aren't happy just inside. You knew the risks, but it doesn't mean you're horrible for letting them out.

I think what Jim said suprisingly enough makes a lot of sense, I think if it was me that's something that I would say. I don't know how old your son is, but I don't think saying that the cat's died because of a coyote is a right way to put it. It might give him nightmares, and make him worry unnecessarily. When my cousin was small and her cat died, she was told that the cat went to America. I suppose it won't work for you though...

I lost my cat in a similar way this year. I'd had him for over 17 years, and he was the only pet I've ever had. I saw him over Christmas the last time. He was getting old, and was partially blind. In January, my parents let him out as they always do, for a while. He never came back. After four days they told me what had happened, that he went out and didn't come back. We knew that there was no chance he'd ever come back again, that week it was constantly -25 degrees C, and there's no way he could've survived. We believe that he went out because he knew he was dying, and wanted to do it on his own terms, rather than going to a vet to be put down. He always had his own mind, and his own way, and he was true to himself all the way to the end. I never blamed my parents for letting him out, it wasn't their fault. It breaks my heart that he didn't die peacefully in his sleep at home, but that's rarely the case anyway.

Don't blame yourself, it wasn't your fault, and you're definitely not a horrible person for letting him out.

It's got nothing to do with sense of humour. That is a very cruel post to someone who is worrying about what happened to her beloved cat. You might be the funniest person in the world, but it doesn't mean this is the place to show it. You've painted a very horrible scenario of what might have happened, and even though it may or may not be the case, someone in that situation does not need to be painted that picture graphically.

And to justify it in the name of humour just shows lack of tact.

So to be honest, you have to be that graphical to a young boy? That imagery would cause him nightmares, maybe even worse. There's a way to be honest without being cruel.

I don't know how old your son is, but if he's young ( under 7 - 8 ), I think Jim's story would be good. If he's any older, I'd tell him truthfully (but gently, not like Paul) what happened to Felix. And then I would only let the cats out on leashes.

Sorry for your loss. Pets dying is horrible.

Adrian

Its the tactlessness that creates the humour.

You keep telling yourself that.

I dont need to tell myself it. I already know. So that would be wasting my own time, i'd much prefer to waste yours.

The funniest thing is, that people actually believe that i think she should say that to her son.... jeez people. get a grip.

There is a way to be honest without being too graphical and yes, cruel. That would be better than making up a crap story. That was basically what I was getting at.