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

Jariya

Aw! ((hugs))

These adorable mischievous little creatures hit our hearts straight on don't they?
There's no going back once you fall for their ways.

They are by your side and they do know when you are down..they have that little concerned look or put a paw on your hand.

I've had a few very special pets, each with their own little character and all adored by me.
So much so I have chosen not to have pets right now as I found losing my last too painful.

These will make you cry - so be warned if you are unfamiliar with them.

They have helped me though - partly just to cry and remember how special they all have been and all are..uh oh..my eyes are now leaking too..

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

http://www.oes.org/page2/8647~You_have_chosen_tears_-_poem.html

Bless their paws..they have no idea how much impact they have upon us. :0)

vicx

It's really hitting me hard as they were never out of my sight, now they are both gone. My king charles would have been telling me its dinner time around about now - I keep going to feed her and looking for her hoping to see her.

Has anyone here had an idividual cremation for their pet and got their ashes returned? My dogs ashes will be returned in an urn which can be scattered or burried. I don't know if I can see the ashes inside the urn so unsure what to expect. I did hear that people are often surprised about the amount of ashes returned so I'm guessing there won't be a lot.

I was a bit worried I would get any ashes so I did ask and was told that the paper work for my dog would follow her every where so they wouldn't be mixed up. It was a lovely crem where she was taken to but a very emotional trip.

I was quite surprised that the cost of the cremation and return of the ashes was only £90, is this around about the cost? I was expecting a lot more expecially with it being out of hours, they had to open on a sunday especially for us.

benny123

so sorry to hear of your sad loss
from my experince it helped me to get the ashes when my dog was cremated, i planned to scatter them in places i walked with him but when it came down to it, i felt strangely like i did not want to part with them so have just kept them in my house.
Like you i said i'd never have another dog and i felt like that for about a year but then got a 2yr old rescue dog, he was the right dog at the right time and i adore him and would'nt be without him though he is not a replacement for my other dog
kind thoughts to you

MrsAtobe

Vicx, I am so sorry for your losses - you must be reeling at the moment. We had our spaniel cremated, and I was surprised at just how small the urn was. We had her ashes buried at the crematorium, but my mum had died not long before, and we were still raw from that. It does get easier, but it does take time. It is 10 years since we lost them both, and I still have a crying jag every so often for them both.

vicx

benny123 wrote: »

so sorry to hear of your sad loss
from my experince it helped me to get the ashes when my dog was cremated, i planned to scatter them in places i walked with him but when it came down to it, i felt strangely like i did not want to part with them so have just kept them in my house.
Like you i said i'd never have another dog and i felt like that for about a year but then got a 2yr old rescue dog, he was the right dog at the right time and i adore him and would'nt be without him though he is not a replacement for my other dog
kind thoughts to you

Thank you. I am sorry for your loss too. I can understand not wanting to part with your dogs ashes as I feel exactly the same. I planned to bury them in the grave where I have my two yorkshire terriers buried in my garden but I've now started to feel like I want her ashes close to me and have them in my house. She will be cremated tomorrow morning so hopefully her ashes will be ready to collect by the end of the week.

MrsAtobe wrote: »

Vicx, I am so sorry for your losses - you must be reeling at the moment. We had our spaniel cremated, and I was surprised at just how small the urn was. We had her ashes buried at the crematorium, but my mum had died not long before, and we were still raw from that. It does get easier, but it does take time. It is 10 years since we lost them both, and I still have a crying jag every so often for them both.

Thanks, I am sorry to hear your two big losses. I couldn't imagine losing my mum. The pain of losing my two dogs is unbearable but losing a parent must be very hard to come to terms with.

My family have asked if I want another dog, even offered to buy me one as they know how upset I am losing my two in the space of 3 month. I am just so lost and going through a very hard time. It is too soon to think of another dog but I don't think I could ever have another even in time. I would feel like I am replacing them too even though they could never be replaced.

hethmar

vic - you arent replacing them, you cant replace them - you just find another part of your heart for another dog. SO many out there desperate to be loved - its a tribute to your love your dogs that you can offer a home to another. xx

madmexican

what a touching story, we almost lost one of ours recently in a dog attack. couldnt imagine being with out him.

we had to call time on our lovely ami 5 years ago, horrific time, vet didnt exactly handle her lost moments very well.

we still had our 11 year old and vowed never again but 15 months later our friends had a litter and nali came home.

could not imagine having an empty house, so feel for you. near us the hearing dogs for the deaf often want people to socialise the puppies, keeping them for some time before being rehomed. not sure if you work full time and if this would be an option for you.

our friend got 2 kittens after her dog passed away, not the same but some thing to love, distract her and keep the house from being quiet. also first time she had been able to go abroad on holiday to take her mind off things as she would never put the dogs in kennels

does sound like you are perfect re-homing material judging by the way you have looked after and loved them for all their happy years.

it does get better but it has to be at your pace,

keep us updated

lol

User_Bob

Just take things at your own pace, although events have a way of overtaking you.

We lost Jack and Mel *(cats) within a few months, sad days. Mel was a "witches cat", jet black, knowing, old and wise and I used to say she had lived on this earth many times before. Devasted when she died. She was mine and I was hers.

Other half told me about a guy at work that didnt want his cat as they had a new baby. I said NO WAY! How could there be another Mel.

He said we'd agreed to look after him for their holidays ?? (I hadnt agreed anything) Wierd'y looking black and white thing arrived. Bit me on first night. I didnt take to him. Hubby loved him to bits and they instantly bonded

After the Owners Holiday he went back home to them. I sort of missed him in a funny way, and Hubby missed him loads, so he came back "on trial". He soon wheedled his way back onto hubby's Knee and looked at me nervously (Mel had put her "hex" on me) Next day he very tentatively rubbed himself against my leg.

Within days he was on my knee and purring. he's still here "on trial" two years later.

Did I say "on your own terms" I must be mad !!

hope you are OK xx

candjsmum

Vic, we lost our beloved collie just over 3 years ago and i am now only beginning to think we can have another one. She was almost 18, I had had her from birth, her mum being my older dog, and had her before I met my hubby. To say I was heartbroken was an understatement. We had her cremated with the idea of burying the casket in our back garden but when she was returned we all decided we didn;t want that and the casket sits on our shelf in the living room with photos of her around it. Some people may think this a bit strange but my son who was 8 at the time said he didn't care what anyone else thought and we all agreed.
It will take time, I always said never again but as I said i am now beginning to think the time we have with them is worth the pain of losing them. :A

3v3

How are you doing, vicx? How are you coping?