Pet Grief
- Thread starter db5
- Start date
Hi Debi,
I lost my precious cat last year to an incurable disease. It was heart wrenching.
My heart goes out to for the loss of your special companion and friend. Pets are so wonderful and become such an important part of our lives. Your grieving is so understandable.
I think the grief over losing a pet is like so many other types of grief we experience. You should honor your feelings of sadness and loss. You should remember with fondness and laughter all the good times you shared with your dog. If need be, you should get angry at the injustice of his sudden death. Hopefully in the end you will find the peace that comes from knowing you had a wonderful pet friend and companion who undoubtedly loved you as much as you loved him and that the time he had with you and on this earth is to be cherished and remembered with fondness and smiles. The great thing is, that love never has to die, you can take it with you always!
My prayers and wishes go out to you during this difficult time.
I lost my precious cat last year to an incurable disease. It was heart wrenching.
My heart goes out to for the loss of your special companion and friend. Pets are so wonderful and become such an important part of our lives. Your grieving is so understandable.
I think the grief over losing a pet is like so many other types of grief we experience. You should honor your feelings of sadness and loss. You should remember with fondness and laughter all the good times you shared with your dog. If need be, you should get angry at the injustice of his sudden death. Hopefully in the end you will find the peace that comes from knowing you had a wonderful pet friend and companion who undoubtedly loved you as much as you loved him and that the time he had with you and on this earth is to be cherished and remembered with fondness and smiles. The great thing is, that love never has to die, you can take it with you always!
My prayers and wishes go out to you during this difficult time.
kathryn
Cathlete
I'm sorry for your loss. I've had to go through this sort of thing several times with beloved cats who died. It takes a while to get over the toughest part of things. It's helpful if you have someone who doesn't mind listening to stories of the good times you had together. Sometimes having some kind of ritual, like putting together a scrapbook of Canyon's favorite moments, can help.
It may not be much comfort, but the amount of pain you are feeling now is a reflection of how much you loved your dog, and many people never love anyone or anything that much, so you were blessed to have had him in your life.
When some time has passed, you might consider volunteering at your local animal shelter where you can walk dogs. You might meet a new companion (or two!) that you can give some of this love to (who won't be taking Canyon's place, but will be part of his legacy).
It may not be much comfort, but the amount of pain you are feeling now is a reflection of how much you loved your dog, and many people never love anyone or anything that much, so you were blessed to have had him in your life.
When some time has passed, you might consider volunteering at your local animal shelter where you can walk dogs. You might meet a new companion (or two!) that you can give some of this love to (who won't be taking Canyon's place, but will be part of his legacy).
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
I'm so sorry for your loss! My daughter lost both a hamster and a gerbil this past year. These little things are so fragile, and rarely live more than a few years anyway, but all pets are so precious to those of us who love them! My heart goes out to you during this time. As to how we coped, we had a "funeral" for each one, and she has a picture of each one above her bed. We talk about how they are both together now, telling each other about the wonderful, loving care they received while Nik was their owner. It makes her feel better. Grief is a very personal thing, so allow yourself to feel it, and let your emotions be your guide in how to best deal with it. If you need to come here and vent, we are all here to listen and offer a cyber shoulder on which to cry.
Carol
Carol
Mckmain
Cathlete
I am so sorry. I think alot of us are animal lovers and do suffer this grief along with you...
...we had to put our very spoiled lab cross down last Nov. He had bone cancer. I luckily took some pics a few weeks earlier when we had our suspicions something was wrong. They turned out so cute! I have one framed in our bedroom as that was where he spent alot of time. I miss him very much still but the memories are so precious and can make me smile. Hugs and prayers for you and your loss...grief is normal and will slowly fade...take care....Carole
...we had to put our very spoiled lab cross down last Nov. He had bone cancer. I luckily took some pics a few weeks earlier when we had our suspicions something was wrong. They turned out so cute! I have one framed in our bedroom as that was where he spent alot of time. I miss him very much still but the memories are so precious and can make me smile. Hugs and prayers for you and your loss...grief is normal and will slowly fade...take care....Carole
pace1987
Cathlete
Oh Debi I am so sorry for your loss. I just had to laid down my beloved Petie this past Sept. as he had lime disease. For me to cope with this but not everyone is the same I went and started looking for another full grown dog until 3 monthes later I found my new best friend name Cinder. He will not replace him but the love from an animal is so unconditional.
intensitylisa
Cathlete
;( It will take time to get over your beloved pet Canyon. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Debi,
I am so sorry about what happened to your dog, Canyon. I am still grieving over losing my dog, Mikata, on December 30th, a few weeks after giving birth to my son on Dec. 5th. Mikata lost his battle with kidney failure. By the time he was diagnosed (in June), he was already in end stage kidney failure. (He would have been 8 years on Jan. 28th.) Mikata had the best quality of life up until his death. I find that it's still hard to believe that he's gone especially because we still talk about him all the time as if he's still in our living room. My girls (2 and 4 years) like talking about him. I told them that Mikata is still protecting us from heaven. Not to mention, we have a zillion pictures of Mikata. My hubby & I had Mikata since he was a puppy and we were very close to him. We did everything with Mikata. I'm not ready to get another dog and probably won't be ready for some time. In my eyes, Mikata was the perfect dog in every way.
Aside from losing Mikata, we also lost our cat, Psycho, in March '03, while we were temporarily away living on the Navajo indian reservation in AZ. (Mikata went traveling with us, as usual.) Psycho was 20 years. We lost another cat, Misha, in August '02, due to chronic illnesses. (He was about 14 years.) We have one cat left, Alex, Misha's brother.
Sorry this got so long. It was therapeutic to write all of this.
-Melanie
I am so sorry about what happened to your dog, Canyon. I am still grieving over losing my dog, Mikata, on December 30th, a few weeks after giving birth to my son on Dec. 5th. Mikata lost his battle with kidney failure. By the time he was diagnosed (in June), he was already in end stage kidney failure. (He would have been 8 years on Jan. 28th.) Mikata had the best quality of life up until his death. I find that it's still hard to believe that he's gone especially because we still talk about him all the time as if he's still in our living room. My girls (2 and 4 years) like talking about him. I told them that Mikata is still protecting us from heaven. Not to mention, we have a zillion pictures of Mikata. My hubby & I had Mikata since he was a puppy and we were very close to him. We did everything with Mikata. I'm not ready to get another dog and probably won't be ready for some time. In my eyes, Mikata was the perfect dog in every way.
Aside from losing Mikata, we also lost our cat, Psycho, in March '03, while we were temporarily away living on the Navajo indian reservation in AZ. (Mikata went traveling with us, as usual.) Psycho was 20 years. We lost another cat, Misha, in August '02, due to chronic illnesses. (He was about 14 years.) We have one cat left, Alex, Misha's brother.
Sorry this got so long. It was therapeutic to write all of this.
-Melanie
Bobbi
Cathlete
The difference between being sad and feeling grief is that when you grieve, you know you have lost something that cannot come again and that is so painful. Grieve your pet and remember Canyon with love and it will be fine. To have known such loyalty and love is a gift. Don't let anyone trivialize the sadness felt at the loss of a pet. It is deeply sorrowful and it takes time to come to terms with the loss and to remember your pet with the joy of life I will bet he felt each day. My heart goes out to you and my prayers and thoughts are with you. Give yourself time and be kind and gentle to yourself as you grieve!
XXX
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
XXX
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
icklemoley
Cathlete
I'm so sorry for your lose ... i feel for you so much. Thinking of you x
Wayne.
xxxxxxx
Wayne.
xxxxxxx
I'm so sorry about your dog Canyon. I lost one to a car accident as well. Some people thought we had been careless with her because she was hit by a car, but that couldn't have been less true, and I hope you're not experiencing that. My little Reenie was like a child to me, and I still mourn her loss. I can tell by your message that you felt the same way about yours.
Also, several people said to me, "it's just a dog. Let it go." Don't let those people hurt you. They don't mean to. I feel they are to be pitied, because they don't understand. They may never know the depths of grief we feel, but they will never know the great love we're capable of, either. I grieved very quietly for my "little girl," but not one bit less because she was "only a dog."
Hoping that time will pass quickly for you so that your memories of him will have less pain attached to them.
Shari
Also, several people said to me, "it's just a dog. Let it go." Don't let those people hurt you. They don't mean to. I feel they are to be pitied, because they don't understand. They may never know the depths of grief we feel, but they will never know the great love we're capable of, either. I grieved very quietly for my "little girl," but not one bit less because she was "only a dog."
Hoping that time will pass quickly for you so that your memories of him will have less pain attached to them.
Shari
Oh that is so sad. I'm so sorry to hear about that. I think that the pain will pass with time. I have never had a pet die by getting hit by a car. But I have lost a couple of dogs that I grew up with. One ran away, the other had to get put down. It was very sad for me. But after a while the pain did subside.
At least you will always have the fond memories of your dog.
Take care.
Kathy
At least you will always have the fond memories of your dog.
Take care.
Kathy
Cheshire Cat
Cathlete
I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. I cried for weeks when my cat, Misty, was ran over some years ago. I still think of her now. We never forget our beautiful furry friends.
I send you cyberhugs.
Take care
CC xxx
I send you cyberhugs.
Take care
CC xxx
naughtoj
Cathlete
I have been looking at this post since it came on the forums, but couldn't bring myself to open it! I love animals so much that it just disturbs me too much to read about others' losses. Yours was a horrible loss indeed. I have lost a beloved pet, albeit not so instantly, and it tore me apart. Just remember the good times you had and like another poster said regarding Cathe's dog.....he is now at Rainbow Bridge.
When my kitty passed I went to that site and wrote her a letter and had a little plaque made up. I donated in her name as well. Anyway, I still display those two plaques on my dresser with one of those little half-necklaces (she has the other half) that I laid her to rest with. There are two little Siamese statues in front of it. My hubby jokes that it is the "shrine". I then give him an evil glare and he shuts up...
The point is, do whatever you have to do to speed the healing. It is my strong opinion that to lose a beloved pet is just as hard as if you had lost a human being that was closed to you. I don't care what anyone says!
My thoughts and prayers are with you...
Janice
When my kitty passed I went to that site and wrote her a letter and had a little plaque made up. I donated in her name as well. Anyway, I still display those two plaques on my dresser with one of those little half-necklaces (she has the other half) that I laid her to rest with. There are two little Siamese statues in front of it. My hubby jokes that it is the "shrine". I then give him an evil glare and he shuts up...
The point is, do whatever you have to do to speed the healing. It is my strong opinion that to lose a beloved pet is just as hard as if you had lost a human being that was closed to you. I don't care what anyone says!
My thoughts and prayers are with you...
Janice
Hi Debi,
As Janice said, I also did not want to open this post because I knew it would bring me to tears. I have never lost a pet and can't even think about losing my pug, Mikey. I do sympathize with you, though. I am sure that Canyon was wonderful and a very big, and happy, part of your life. When I think about death, my only solace is my belief that someone "up there" will take care of your loved one until you see them again and that although the physical body is no longer there, the love will always be there. I believe in the movie Ghost, Patrick Swayze says something about the love going with you. Canyon will continue to love you jut as you love him.
This poem (http://www.dosdeservebetter.com) makes me cry, but it's very beautiful.
WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
Author Unknown
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.
I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.
But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.
But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each days's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.
My thoughts are with you,
Gina
As Janice said, I also did not want to open this post because I knew it would bring me to tears. I have never lost a pet and can't even think about losing my pug, Mikey. I do sympathize with you, though. I am sure that Canyon was wonderful and a very big, and happy, part of your life. When I think about death, my only solace is my belief that someone "up there" will take care of your loved one until you see them again and that although the physical body is no longer there, the love will always be there. I believe in the movie Ghost, Patrick Swayze says something about the love going with you. Canyon will continue to love you jut as you love him.
This poem (http://www.dosdeservebetter.com) makes me cry, but it's very beautiful.
WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
Author Unknown
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.
I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.
But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.
But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each days's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.
My thoughts are with you,
Gina
DebbieH
Cathlete
Gina!
What a great poem. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought of our collie, Tanana up in Doggy heaven. Thanks for sharing.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
What a great poem. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought of our collie, Tanana up in Doggy heaven. Thanks for sharing.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
DebbieH
Cathlete
Debi!
Debi-sorry I'm a bit late reading this. Hope you are feeling better. Losing Canyon is a part of your family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
Debi-sorry I'm a bit late reading this. Hope you are feeling better. Losing Canyon is a part of your family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!