RIP to Patches, one of my friendliest outside cats and one of the first I started feeding that helped get me started with TNR and community cat care, even though she was already fixed before I met her. She was hit by a car late last night witnessed by my partner. I just needed to share it with others I know will understand.
I'm so grateful for my partner endlessly supporting all my crazy cat lady nonsense. He pulled her out of the road and covered her up and offered to bury her that night if it would make me feel better but I wanted to wait until daylight to find a good spot. Then held me while I cried and grieved her. Poor girl didn't deserve this life.
I think I'm going to get a paw pad stamp from her before we lay her to rest. Bless you all for doing this work, it's not for the faint hearted.