Loss of a pet

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  • #13406
    onlinecommunity
    Participant

    Welcome to a place to discuss the loss of a pet animal.

    For many, the loss of a pet can mirror the grief experienced when we lose a family member. The bonds we make with animals can provide us with joy, pleasure and companionship, and when they die, we can be left feeling deep sadness, isolation and loneliness.

    People around us may not associate grief and loss with the passing of a pet and assume you won’t be affected or at least, not for long. This can result in feelings of hurt, anger and resentment and sometimes leads to withdrawal.

    This forum is a space to freely reminisce about your pet, share your feelings of grief, discuss its effects on your relationships, and share coping strategies that have helped.

Viewing 10 replies - 11 through 20 (of 26 total)
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  • #26416
    aprilandy
    Participant

    It’s really hard to lose a pet.
    I’m very sorry to hear that. Our family decided to put down our 12-year-old German Shepherd last March. He got bone cancer and other health problems. It is very sad but it’s time to accept the fact that this is it. He will leave us any moment.

    I really miss him so bad. I knew he was in a good place now. RUN FREE BABY.

    #26010
    timothy03
    Participant

    Hi dear,

    Thank you for your feedback. It’s been a week and a half since we lost our dog and the pain is slowly fading. I had to remind myself that we did what was best for her and she was completely at peace. Only we have to live with the pain of losing her.

    I hope you and your family are okay. Time will heal all wounds and you will always carry with you the memory of your little girl and she will always be by your side watching over you.

    • This reply was modified 2 years ago by onlinecommunity.
    #26002
    vmpercy
    Participant

    Dear @angela27,

    I’m deeply sorry to hear about your loss. It’s clear from your words how special Tofu was to you and the emptiness you feel now is a testament to the unique bond you two shared. The moments you’ve described, from Tofu waiting for you at the door to his morning greetings, they truly highlight how much he was a part of your daily life. What happened to you matters and your grief is significant.

    Your courage to share your feelings with us shows your strength in this tough time. It also shows that you’re self-aware of your emotions, which is a very important part of navigating through grief. Remember, it’s okay to feel this pain and allow yourself to grieve. It’s a part of acknowledging your loss, and it’s crucial for healing.

    Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Everyone here in the forum is here for you. You’ve shown incredible courage in reaching out and sharing your story. While we might not replace the physical presence of Tofu, we can be here to listen, to empathise, and to share. It’s often comforting to talk to those who’ve experienced similar losses. If there are friends or neighbours who knew Tofu, they could also be of support during this time. Stay strong, and take care of yourself. We are here for you. I’ve included a link to one of our articles on losing a pet that you might find helpful, and a link to our helpline service, which you may call if you’d ever like to talk about how you’re feeling:

    • This reply was modified 2 years ago by onlinecommunity.
    • This reply was modified 2 years ago by onlinecommunity.
    #25948
    angela27
    Participant

    I lost my cat 30/06 and it has been horrible. My sweet boy Tofu died in my arms with several heart attacks as he had heart disease. I’m not close to my family so my pets are all the family I have. I have never experienced such grief and it has been triggering for me. Every time I come home, I expect to see him by the door because he always used to wait for me, and now there is an empty space. In the mornings he used to jump on my bed to say good morning, and he always used to watch me cook. There is none of that now.

    #25942
    timothy03
    Participant

    I understand it’s your indescribable sadness if you find it again it would be great petdisease is a great website if you care about your pet

    #23361
    chloe123
    Participant

    Hi lovely,

    Thank you for your response. It has been a week and a half since we have lost our dog and the pain is slowly easing. I have to remind myself that we did what was best for her and that she is at complete peace. It’s only us that has to live with the pain of losing her.

    I hope you and your family are okay. Time heals all wounds and you will always carry the memory of your little girl and she will always be beside your side watching over you.

    #23360
    italiangirl
    Participant

    Hi Chloe, I’m so sorry for your loss 💔. My family and I are going through the same feelings as you. We had to put down our 17 year old chihuahua yesterday. She too had heart failure and various other health problems. Nothing can even prepare you for such a decision! We knew it was coming but it doesn’t make it any easier or hurt any less. They are such a big part of our family and we love them so much, that is why it hurts so much when they leave us! I can’t stop crying 😭 and same with my mum and sister. I think we just have to feel these feelings and let ourselves cry without judgment! I think anyone who has ever had,loved and lost a dog can understand and empathise with you. I think there is a stigma attached to losing a pet and that people should simply move on and get over it. I feel that the grief of losing a pet is comparable, if not greater, than losing a relative or friend, so it is important to take our time, to go through the stages of grief and be kind to ourselves.
    I miss my little princess so so much and she will always be my little fur baby! She will always be in my heart.

    #23345
    chloe123
    Participant

    Hi,

    We unexpectedly had to put down our dog last week as she was suffering from heart failure. My whole family is having such a tough time adjusting, the house is so quiet without her. I feel bad for my dad especially as she was always by his side and i’m worried that he’s lonely now.

    I do feel like a part of my heart is gone and am feeling actual pain in my chest. I just burst into tears the moment I think of her. I don’t know how to cope with these feelings. I feel like it’s hard to confide in friends about the loss of a pet as it’s hard for them to understand.

    Not sure what to do.

    #22739
    vmsunflower2
    Participant

    @abby @babymushu @Sarah

    I’m so sorry to hear you have lost your pets. I too have lost a few dogs and cats, some Ive lost suddenly due to traumatic events that happened to them, and others Ive had to put down due to illness or old age, however one of the hardest things Ive had to do is leave a pet behind because she was unable to come in to this country due to an antibody she had in her blood.It was hard because I couldn’t explain to her that I wasn’t abandoning her, I still have a lot of guilt when it comes to her, but she was ok after we left and has since passed away, I always thought I would be there for that day, but sadly I was not. Losing them is always hard, but I find comfort in that I almost always only have good, wonderful, amazing memories of all of them, and what I find really amazing is that we always have capacity to love another and another and another….

    Thinking of all and would love to hear how you are all doing?

    #22687
    VM-ocean
    Participant

    Hi @abby,

    Thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss of your dog. It sounds like the last week was extremely difficult for you and her, and that her last moments are really sticking with you. Thank you so much for sharing.

    What was your dog’s name? And what was she like?

    It can be so difficult when pets die, especially when they are suffering and we need to make the decision to put them down. It can be heartbreaking. We have some information on losing a pet here, and I thought the tips on coping looked very practical:

    After something this stressful, it can also be helpful to make sure you are taking care of yourself. The self-care resources in this post might be helpful:

    EAST – Connecting to Healthy Routines

    Thank you again for sharing.
    Take care.

    • This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by onlinecommunity.
    • This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by onlinecommunity.
Viewing 10 replies - 11 through 20 (of 26 total)
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