How do you move on after the loss of a pet?

Raksha

I was sent a booklet from the vets on Animal Berevement - I know they meant well, but I dissolved when I say the evnvelope, thinking it was the vets bill and it hadn't even been a week and how could they?

Did help (and I might sound totally bonkers here) that on my drive home from work I felt as if all three of my 'Bridge Babies' were licking my face.....

POSSETTE

Hope you are feeling better now..its an awful feeling when your fur baby has to leave you.
We did get another even though we still had 2 boys left, and im glad we did.He was "sort of " rescued,his previous owner just wanted him gone to anyone. He has bought sooo much laughter and love in our home. Im sure my Smudge will be looking down on us and saying well done mum, he needed a home like mine was.
There are some lovely dogs who would love to be loved by you,as your previous doggy was. Its a tribute to them to have another.
We have Smudges ashes in wooden casket at side of bed,with his little name tag and small photo on it. It makes me smile now. I do occaisionally look down at the lounge floor where he died in my arms and fill up,but then another boy will shove his nose in and demand a belly rub!

tealady

When I had to have my beloved furries put down I found this poem posted by foreign correspondent helped. It still makes me cry though.

A Dog's Legacy


When humans die, they make a will
To leave their homes and all they have
to those they love.
I, too, would make a will if I could write.
To some poor wistful, lonely stray
I leave my happy home,
My dish, my cosy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy.
The well loved lap, the gentle stroking hand,
the loving voice,
The place I made in someone's heart,
The love that at the last could help me to
a peaceful painless end
Held in loving arms.
If I should die, Oh do not say,
"No more a pet I'll have,
to grieve me by it's loss"
Seek out some lonely, unloved dog
And give my place to him.
This is the legacy I leave behind -
'tis all I have to give.

singlehouseholder

tealady wrote: »

When I had to have my beloved furries put down I found this poem posted by foreign correspondent helped. It still makes me cry though.

A Dog's Legacy


When humans die, they make a will
To leave their homes and all they have
to those they love.
I, too, would make a will if I could write.
To some poor wistful, lonely stray
I leave my happy home,
My dish, my cosy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy.
The well loved lap, the gentle stroking hand,
the loving voice,
The place I made in someone's heart,
The love that at the last could help me to
a peaceful painless end
Held in loving arms.
If I should die, Oh do not say,
"No more a pet I'll have,
to grieve me by it's loss"
Seek out some lonely, unloved dog
And give my place to him.
This is the legacy I leave behind -
'tis all I have to give.

That is so sad. Made me cry, again.

foreign_correspondent

I love that poem - it makes me sad too, but I also like the element of turning a sad situation into an opportunity to do something positive for another unwanted dog.

RacyRed

So very sorry for your loss Emma and to everyone who has lost a pet.

Be patient with yourself. Do what feels right for you.

I lost my first and much loved cat many years ago and it hurt so much. The "its only a cat, get over it" attitudes I encountered were almost too much to take.

Here, you are among friends who really understand. xxx

hethmar

I cannot for the life of me understand the people who show no feeling when you are upset over a pet. I have to say in some cases, I have been more upset over the passing of one of my dogs than I have the death of human friends - perhaps I should be ashamed of that, but its the truth.

Miroslav

I'm closer to my cats than any human and have been for over 14 years.

Animals tend to be more loyal and give love more freely.

Missing my little cat alot an no human to comfort me, just other cats. At least I can rely on them!

fififoofoo

I lost my cat Fifi, after 13 years, on Christmas Eve and had to bury her on Christmas Day - it was heartbreaking for the whole family. I had her for longer than my daughter. I miss her deeply and have planted a tree where she lays in the back garden.
Fifi's Christmas presents are still wrapped as I could not bear to part with them. I feel I am betraying Fifi a little by getting another rescue cat, as I know she would have hated another cat on 'her patch' but I will never forget her, and life does go on. If I could rescue another cat, and it love me back just half as much as Fifi, then I will be happy. We are going to the rescue home after our holiday to get another cat. It will never replace Fifi, but hopefully I will be helping another cat just as I did before.
Time is a fantastic healer - although you may not realise it now.

Miroslav

It's horrible to lose our friends at any time, but on a date such as Christmas is very upsetting.

Fifi won't mind you getting another cat. As you say, it's not a replacement, just a new family member that Fifi would want you to have to give you love and affection. Plus one day they'll meet and have a good gossip about you!