How do I get through this?

[terryw]

I lost my Golden Retriever, Bentley, a couple of days ago to snakebite. My whole world has collapsed on me.
He was everything to me, He was part of who I am. All my thoughts and plans were based around him and his sister being there with me.
I wasn’t there when he needed me the most and this has destroyed me.
I have no idea how I will get through this, let alone helping my other baby get through it.It is heartbreaking watching her wander around alone.
This loss has hit me harder than anything I have experienced in the past and I just don’t know what to do.

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[VM-Mancha1]

Hello @terryw,

I am so sorry this has happened to you, and I can’t comprehend just how painful this must be. As an owner to a gorgeous staffy who’s been our constant companion and is slowly disappearing to cancer, your words strike right to the heart of the love we feel for our pets and the inescapable grief we feel when we lose them.

First, you have come to the right place. This forum is here for us, for people like you, and it’s a place where we can share the pain and the loss and feel heard. Our losses are all different yet share the same paws and tails. Bentley must have been such an amazing companion for you – how is his sister coping with that loss?

Grief might feel like something we can’t possibly overcome or cope with, but there are ways to make things easier. Firstly I would recommend starting here: https://griefline.org.au/resources/east-toolkit/

This page helps you to see the basic, simple, everyday steps we can take to start coping with grief. It’s not a shortcut or a magic bullet to solve the problem, but it absolutely helps you to find a little respite and space to begin processing.

I would also strongly recommend calling Griefline, or booking in time for a call. You don’t need to feel this sorrow on your own, we are here to help.

Reach out, and come back – tell us how you’re coping, today.

And be kind to yourself.

[alwaysmyangels]

How are you doing?

I lost my beloved Jack Russell x on 28 January and it’s desperately painful. I knew it would be. I feel like I can’t breathe.
I lost my beautiful lab suddenly in 2015 and me and my Jack Russell grieved together. He cried for her, just like I did. I had to wrap him up in her blanket and he’d snuggle with her teddy so he was surrounded by her scent. It’s so so hard losing this being that is your everything and your life revolved around them.

[vm-Amaya]

Hi @Terryw,

I was reading your post and wondered how you and Bentley’s sister have been going. It really is heart-breaking to lose a beloved part of the family, I lost our dog to a snake bite, and it was quite challenging as I always held a little guilt and the what ifs played in my mind. Our baby was a Golden lab named Jessie, we still talk about her and the crazy things she use to get up to, which make us smile a little. Our Jessie’s companion was a Jack Russel funnily enough and we still have him, he is such a character, and he did feel lonely for quite some time, so we use to snuggle in mink blankets together, which he still does to this day. @alwaysmyangels sorry to also hear of your loss also, Jack Russell’s are such an amazing, energetic little character and they really do become part of the family.

We planted a lemon tree in memory of our girl Jessie, which helped us in our grieving process. There may be something you can do to honour and remember your beloved family members, like plant a tree, keep the collar somewhere special in the house, or a special plaque/piece of jewellery as a special remembrance. It is natural to grieve the loss of a pet, they play such an important part in our lives.

Thank you both for sharing it takes courage to reach out when we are in pain, and please continue to read and share in the forum as there are many members grieving the loss of their beloved pets and it can be helpful to share our experiences. If you feel you would like a little more support, please don’t hesitate to call Griefline and speak with someone on 1300 845 745 8am-8pm (AEST), also there is a resource that may help #https://griefline.org.au/resources/losing-a-pet/.

I hope you are both being kind to yourself, take care

[aksp]

Hi @terryw how have you been going? I lost my Lola around the same time and the pain is still so much. I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds so sudden and traumatic. I am positive he is still looking out for you from the other side. Xx

[sydney]

Hi @terryw
So very Sorry to hear of your sudden loss of your beautiful Goldie, it is such an unbearable excruciating pain to lose our beautiful gentle angels
I am feeling exactly the same as you, this grief and trauma is so so painful
I lost my beautiful Angel Goldie on the 3rd March and I am dying with grief
I had to make the decision as she was suffering which I am feeling so guilty about as it was not up to me to take her life, I always said I would let her go when she wanted to go
I am so sad for you having your other Goldie alone Bad on her own now
I will never love again as this heartbreaking heartache is too painful
I cry all day and night for my baby, I just need her back

[Author]

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