If you've lost a loved pet

[kyle]

Maybe you can relate to how I'm feeling right now:

To A Friend

[Maharlika]

I can relate, kyle. Pets have a way of teaching us unconditional love.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Condolences man, my old arthritic dog is on her way out this year and it's going to be nothing short of devastating.

[VonDondu]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Originally Posted by Ode to a Grasshopper

Condolences man, my old arthritic dog is on her way out this year and it's going to be nothing short of devastating.

When you have a pet that's ill, you have to think about euthanasia. It's a tough decision to make. But at some point, I don't think there's any point in letting them suffer just because you want them to live a little while longer.

[dragon wench]

My condolences Kyle.
I have not lost a pet, but we almost did about a year ago when one of our cats was very ill. I know how I would have felt had she not made it...
Pets are a huge part of the family, and I don't think losing them feels a lot different to when a human family member dies.

[Scayde]

My condolences Kyle. Your kitten was Darling.

I lost Vladimir last year, a week after my mother died. I still miss them both.



Vladimir

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by VonDondu

When you have a pet that's ill, you have to think about euthanasia. It's a tough decision to make. But at some point, I don't think there's any point in letting them suffer just because you want them to live a little while longer.

Yup.

[rmemmett84]

I couldn't agree more. No matter how smart you believe your pet to be, they can't understand what's happening to them. We put down our pet ferret a few months ago. I found him very annoying and really didn't think I cared for him much (he was mostly my wife's)...but now that he's was gone I have to admit that I miss him dearly.

[gaminging]

i am sorry to here that..

[GawainBS]

I'm sorry to hear that. My condolences. I know what it feels like to lose a pet. They may be our best friends.

[Philos]

So sorry for your loss,

I have walked that path as well. When my Shizh Tzu passed away (he was almost 13) it was so very hard. I found myself tearing up often for quite some time. But I took great solace in the company and joy we had provided for each other. No matter how long or short a time one may have with their pet, that they received and could in turn bestow love brings a completeness to the relationship.

[Thomas77]

About two and a half years ago I bought my wife a chi/dox puppy. After having her for about a month, I realized how annoying puppies can be when they don't have someone or something else to play with constantly. So I bought a second one. Now, I never liked the smaller dogs cause they were too small and annoying, I always preferred the bigger ones. But I bought them for my new wife, so I had decided to put up with them. Mid summer of last year I had noticed that one of them was acting very oddly. She had vomited at least twice and was acting extremely nervous (shaking), as well as salivating excessively and licking her shoulders and chest constantly. I became instantly concerned, almost scared and rushed her to vet. That night I could hardly sleep and kept thinking about the possibility of losing her. I thought she had been poisoned in some way. Up till then, I'd never given thought to how much an animal contributes to the family and how attached you can get to them, just by them being there and being a companion.

My condolences on your loss....

[Claudius]

Thats extremely touching to hear how much you folks are affected by your pets and how much you are endeared toward them.

I felt the same way about a cat we were watching while a friend was away for the winter. The cat had hemmorages in its eyes and they filled up with blood and I was just so sorry and emotionally affected. The cat's vision is now impaired but we (friend included) decided its not time to put the cat down because it still purrs and goes about its normal life. It cries when it has the hemmorrages (the friend doesn't want to go vet since the cat is VERY old) but afterwords it is ok and just takes it in stride and sits in the sunbeam, eats its food, and still cuddles to people.

Cat's are amazing people sometimes.

[Shesau]

My most sincere condolences, Kyle. Not a month ago there was no denying my beloved mastiff was in too much pain from her hip dysplasia to drag her on any longer, so I squared off with the decision to take her to the vet one last time. Soon I will be taking her sister in as well.

I know some people think it's silly to become attached to animals. I myself come from a farm family where cattle butchering and shooting old herding dogs was the norm. Still, there really isn't anything quite like the loyalty and companionship of a pet, and no matter how rough things get, you can always count on your pal to love you. There's no shame in grieving over the loss of a dog or cat; all you can do is remember that you gave them the best life you could and cherish the memories.

I hope you are holding up well.

[stanolis]

my heart goes out to all of you (especially kyle). i went through this in december and Nothing can be said to ease this pain. Pets are loved ones and can never be completely replaced.

i suggest you try to adopt another cat. then you can transfer some of your pain into joy. if you adopt from a shelter, then the death may be meaningful as you were able to save a life that you wouldn't have otherwise. ya know the whole 'window open-door close' thing.