How do you get through the loss of a beloved pet?

vicx

I lost my Yorkshire Terrier only three month ago and still grieving over my loss (some of you may remember my post). He was my world, my little shadow - that followed my every move and my rock as he helped me get through the hard times.

Now I've just lost my King Charles Spaniel only 2 hours ago after suddenly taken ill today, she died at home. She was on heart medication for a year as she was in heart failure and had fluid on the lungs.

I am really devastated, I still cry every day and night over the loss of my Yorkie. I don't think I will ever come to terms with losing him as he was the 'special' one that I had a very strong bond with. I love my dogs all the same but theres always the special one.

I've lost my two best friends in the space of 3 month and it's all too much for me to take, they were my world. I'm just wondering if this pain will ever fade? I lost my first Yorkie 4 year ago but the only thing that helped me through was my two other dogs which I have just lost so close together

thegirlintheattic

Pets give so much love, it's natural to grieve. I don't think their is a quick fix to stop the grief. It's sometimes better to think that at least they are no longer suffering or didn't suffer depending on the circumstances.

My cat was put down today so I know how your feeling. We got the news last week that he had cancer, he's been staying at my parent's because my new house doesn't allow pets. I came down yesterday intending to have a final few days before we took him to the vet and he spent the entire night sleeping on my bed and purring. This morning he tried to jump up on my dad and started to fit. We had to take him straight away to be put to sleep, he came round in the car and I got to say goodbye to him. He died in my arms.

I've been crying all day but I keep thinking at least he didn't suffer, the look on his face after the fit was just doppy puzzlement and he was happy right till the end. Just think your dog was at home with the person he loved when it happened, I'm sure that was a great comfort to him.

My 19 year old cat died several years ago and it did get better after a while, for some time I couldn't bear anything that reminded me but then one day it just lifted and I realised she had had a good life and we both got love out of the relationship.

*hugs*

Katiehound

Sorry to hear your sad news, it must be devastating to lose 2 much loved 'friends' in such a short space of time.
I lost my very very special hound 2 years ago and when I look at photos or articles about her I still cry, even as I write this. At the time I had another dog who is now coming up to 13 and I decided I really couldn't cope with a new dog for along time to come. However, my old boy started to act strangely-grieving too I presume and 3 months later I got a new rehomed hound. I am not saying getting another dog will be the answer for you but perhaps in a few months it will feel right. If you have lived with animals most of your life an empty house is hard to come to terms with.
Do you have friends who will listen? (not the kind who say ' it was just a pet!!') I was lucky and had two or three who would let me sit at their kitchen table sobbing

On a practical note do you know about this free service run by The Blue Cross? Details on their home page:
http://www.bluecross.org.uk/2083/pet-bereavement-support-service.html

or here is their number: Call the support line on 0800 096 6606 (UK only including northern Ireland).

I haven't used it myself but others have and said it was helpful to chat to someone over their loss.

Yes you will get over it, but it will take time. Be kind to yourself and grieve

vicx

I am sorry to hear of your losses. It's heartbreaking losing a beloved pet, the pain is unbearable especially losing two in the space of 3 month.

My Yorkie that I lost only 3 month ago was 15 years old and my King Charles that I lost last night was 11 years old, although they lived to a good age and had a happy life it still devastates me that they have fell asleep forever. I'd give anything to have my dogs back. I am still crying every day and night over the loss of my Yorkie. Everytime I think of him or see a photo of him I burst into tears.

They are more than just pets, they are part of the family so it is only natural to grieve the loss the same as you would as a human. I am just pleased she fell asleep at home as I couldn't bare the pain and guilt of having her put to sleep like I did with my Yorkie, 3 month ago.

I have just got back from the Pet Crem. My dog will be cremated on Tuesday morning and her ashes will be ready to collect during the week. I am going to bury her ashes in the garden with my two yorkies so they can all be together and it's a nice memory of them all.

I don't think I could ever get another dog, it's too heartbreaking when their time comes. Nothing could replace my dogs I have just lost. My house is just so empty though, it will take a long time to get used to having no dogs by my side

DebiT

Sorry about your sad loss Vicx.

Unfortunately, in my experience, time is really the best healer. It takes some of us longer than others to get over these tragic episodes, but in time I think we do come to terms with them. Just try to remember the good times. After all, in the end we all have to go, not just our beloved pets, but in the mean time if we give them a loving home and make their lives special and happy, thats all we can do.:)

tanith

Sorry for you loss , and having been through this with various cats over the years, I've always tried to remember them as friends that I've spent many happy years with but they have now moved on . I quite often look through photos of my various cats but I think of the happy times and don't dwell on the fact that they are gone... when you are ready to move on a new dog may help fill the gap..

vicx

Thanks for your kind words. I don't think the pain of losing my dogs will ever fade or even get easier. It's been almost 4 month since I lost my Yorkie and the pain is still like day one. I am really lost without them as they were great company for me but I will never get another not even in time, they cause so much heartache. The pain of losing them both so close together is unbearable.

hethmar

So sorry to hear of your terrible and tragic losses vic - I dont think you do get over losing your best friends but time softens the blow and then one day you find you can talk about them without crying.

I may be wrong, but I find opening your heart to another little dog who has no one can help the healing. In time, please offer the love you have to dogs who have no one in the world who would feel this sort of emotion over them.


xxxx

tweets

Sorry about your sad losses i am in tears reading this thread. I lost my girls dogs one 5 year ago she was my baby and my other two year ago i still grieve for them. I got myself in such a mess when my second one died crying not with it coming home to an empty house unable to eat and sleep. I ended up getting another dog from the dogs home and believe me i wouldnt be without her now. She's a Staffy and she wont replace my baby or my other dog but shes in a good forever home. She's asleep at side of me on sofa.

vicx

Thanks. I am sorry for your loss too tweets. I have been in such a mess too, for the past three month I have hardly ate or slept and always crying. Now I have another loss, I feel like I have had no time to breathe.

It's so sad that dogs live such short lives but it is comforting to know that my three lived up to their life expectancy for their breed and had a happy life and loving home. I remember bringing all three of my dogs home as puppies and hoping they'd live forever but the years soon creep up on us all.

I think the only way I'd have another dog is if I rescued one that urgently needed a loving home as I could never see a healthy animal put to sleep.

Katiehound

Hi Vicx, hope you change your mind about another dog,but seriously it does take time. All the rescues are crammed with dogs desperately wanting new homes, so when you are good and ready go take a look. It's not much consolation, but if your dogs lived a good life to a good age then both they and you were lucky. Try to concentrate on all the good things that happened. Sadly we wouldn't do anything if we knew we were going to get hurt/ upset, that's just life.
When I lost my first dog I stayed out of the house as much as I could and in the end friends took me took me to the nearest rescue centre- that's over 30 years ago!