This is one of the hardest stories I’ve ever had to live through, let alone share—but I’ve been carrying it for over a year now, and I need to let it out.
A little over a year ago, I ended a toxic relationship. I thought walking away would be the hard part, but what followed was so much worse. After I left, my ex retaliated by throwing out everything I owned. My clothes, my journals, my keepsakes… and most painfully, my mother’s ashes.
My mom passed away when I was in my early 20s. Those ashes were all I had left of her. I kept them in a small urn tucked away with a few deeply personal things. I lost her once, and now—because of him—I lost her again.
But it didn’t end there. He also stole my cat, Binx. My little shadow. My comfort through grief, loneliness, and some of the hardest years of my life. He’s microchipped in my name. I had the adoption paperwork. I called the police, hoping someone would step in, but they waved it off as a “domestic issue.” Like that somehow makes stealing my family okay.
Blocked on everything by him and his mom, I spent nearly three months searching, crying, grieving—not just for my cat, but for everything that was taken from me.
Until I decided I was done waiting.
I made a burner Facebook account. Sent friend requests to people on both their contact lists. In the bio, I told the truth. No slander. Just a breakdown of what had happened—the loss, the theft, the pain. I figured if I couldn’t reach them, maybe someone close to them would.
Within 24 hours, I got a message from a mutual acquaintance: she said she could bring me my cat.
I met her in a public restaurant parking lot, just in case. But she didn’t come alone—his mother came too. They blocked in my car. She jumped out screaming, shoving me, holding my cat in her arms. She threatened to throw him into oncoming traffic. I still don’t know how I didn’t lose it right then.
I didn’t scream. I didn’t hit. I kept my cool—barely—and got Binx into my truck.
He was thin. A little skittish. But he was okay. And he was finally home.
No police action. No consequences for them. But I got my boy back. And I’d go through it all again if it meant keeping him safe.
I’m sharing this now because I know someone out there feels powerless, like no one is coming. I felt that way, too. Sometimes, we have to be our own heroes—especially when no one else will show up.
Comments
Your strength is qwe-inspiring. It’s absolutely heartbreaking what you’ve had to endure, yet your resilience shines through. That’s a hell of a storm to weather and you came out the other end stronger. Enjoy the unconditional love of your furry companion, you’ve truly earned it. Remember, sometimes the best revenge is living a good and happy life. Stay strong, mate. We’re rooting for you. Remember, you are not alone in this, and there are people out there who care. Don’t forget to take care of yourself too.
[removed]
Because what kinda monster does that? I think it speaks to how awful and heartless he was.
Binx like the cat from Hocus Pocus because I also named a cat Binx once haha
I hope you and Binx are thriving ✨
Your mom would be proud of you. I know I am
OP I’m so sorry this happened to you, I wish I could tell you you’ll get justice. You deserve it, going through something like that is just unfair. You made it out, be proud of yourself.
I’m glad you got your cat back, how is the little one holding up? Sending both of you some love, I hope things will start getting easier soon, you and your baby deserve it
Thank you for fighting for your boy! I wish you all the healing going forward
I’m so glad for you and Binx. Now you can sleep.
I’m sorry about your mom’s ashes. I would be so sad too. I bet if your mom was here she would say something like, “oh sweetheart, those were just my ashes, I live in your heart every moment and I’m always with you.” Perhaps you can make a little spot where you honor her in your house that makes you think of her when you see it?
I dated someone I got a puppy with. He turned out to be crazy and I ended it. The puppy split time between our apartments and he had given me a key to his place. Naturally he tried to steal the dog so I went over with the key and basically stole my dog back. I left the key and took nothing else. I did have to kind of break in because he had the chain on the door.
He blew up my friend’s phone threatening me (which scared my friend) but I said, “I had a key. What were the police going to do?”
Never heard from him again. My sweet dog lived with me until she was 17 and passed peacefully, so loved.
Best “crime” I ever committed.
I’m happy you got your baby back and i wish you the best. Wish the worst to come to you ex, and his mom, but especially to the girl who set you up.
This made my blood boil. Im very sorry for what you went through
This is honestly heartbreaking. I’m incredibly sorry. You are strong. I’m honestly at a loss for words. I’m happy you got binx back and I hope you never hear from your ex ever again.
you showed up for you. awesome
Your mom is always with you. I’m sure she would be happy you’re safe.
Why was the person bringing you your cat with the mom?
I’m so glad you got your boy back. I cannot imagine the horror you’ve been through with this.
I hope this scum who did this to you (and everyone who aided him) get their just desserts soon.
Redditor for 1 hour. Written by AI.
File a police report just for the catharsis
Aholes all of them
Glad Binx is now with you
Slander him everywhere on social media, the police and law won’t do anything, but you’ll protect other girls, and his enabler mother too.
Show them what he did to your cat, tears, the works, send it to his workplace, everywhere. Get him.
I’m so sorry for everything you went through but the way you fought for Binx and held your ground shows so much strength. He’s lucky to have you, and you were so brave to keep going when it felt like no one had your back.
I’m so glad you got your soul cat back. I’m so sorry that you had to do all that alone. Sending you good vibes stranger!
I’d go to a lawyer and get a permanent restraining order as well if they have anything to collect on file an Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress case. If there ever was a case for this in the world you have one now. If they have little to collect still take them to court as if they were to win any lottery size above $1000, or a court case or inherit, you can go take it from them with a judge’s signature.
I’m really happy you got the kitty back; that’s the best ending in this situation. You should be proud of yourself for saving Binx and not giving up. I hope you meet someone who deserves you.
It’s insane that the police ignore such things. They can only protect the wealthy.
Are you by chance a chef?
The fact it was his mother who showed up tells you everything you need to know
People who use pets to emotionally hurt others are evil, there’s no other word for it.
[ Removed by Reddit ]
Cool AI prompt post. It would be super easy for mods here to ban these but they don’t.
That would be a civil issue. Pets are property by law, as is your mother’s remains and your other property.
i’m so sorry this happened to you and i’m so glad you boy back! keep being strong!
Imagine reading a post about serious trauma and deciding your biggest issue is that it was too well written. Like—sorry I didn’t pour my guts out in all lowercase with zero punctuation just to meet your criteria for ‘authentic.’
I used a tool to help tell my story. Big whoop. If that threatens you, maybe ask yourself why you’re so pressed over someone else using what they have to speak their truth.
Also—my bad that your life has been so bland you’ve got nothing better to do than nitpick someone else’s trauma. Hope you heal from… whatever that is.
Hope you have the day you deserve.
Added a picture of my love! The most handsome boy in the world!
🥲
You got Binx back!
Trying to reply to the bitter troll who deleted the comment. (Cuz the maybe realized they were talking out of their booty hole) but Guess what…. A few seriously bored people who have nothing better to do than try to bully people looking for healing through sharing their trauma story isn’t going to make or break me. I never said I didn’t get help with articulating my thoughts. You are assuming… we all know what happens when you assume things…. Makes you an a$$. Your opinion affects my life in no way. I’m sorry all you have to look forward to today is trying to critique and tear other people down. That actually makes me really sad for you.. I hope you can heal whatever it is that you need to be free from. Bitterness is toxic and unfortunately misery loves company so it’s contagious as hell. Praying for your healing.
I’m so sorry 😞
post on social media with as much evidence as possible. Let the world know
Thank fuck you got Binx back. I would kill for my Rosie.
I’m so sorry this happened, and really happy for you that you got your kitty back. The fact that you were able to keep your cool to keep your cat safe is really amazing. I don’t know how I would be in that situation, but I don’t think I’d be able to be as calm.
It’s really wild how often this kind of thing happens, honestly. I have been seeing this girl’s videos on tiktok who is going through a breakup, and her ex stole both of her cats while she was sleeping. She still hasn’t gotten them back and it’s heartbreaking. And it’s a story I’ve heard over and over.
It seems like there’s a certain type of person who just goes right for the thing they know will hurt you the most, and they know when you’re close with your pets and they don’t like it. I always thought that if you had the cat chipped in your name, it would be a property issue (as bad as it sounds, pets are considered property) and that the police could do something. But I’m also learning that in most cases they don’t. Whether it’s because they can’t or they just don’t care, I don’t know. But it’s frustrating.