Comments on: Sharing the Loss

By: Ellen

Ellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 03:04:46 +0000

Thank you for your kind words. I was doing a little better today until my husband came to me with a green towel and
asked me where it belonged. (He had just done some laundry.) He didn’t know that was the towel I used to wipe off the rain water from Charlie before he went to the vet for the last time. I kept wiping his long ears as they were especially wet. (I have a little stuffed animal which looks like Charlie and I now keep stroking his ears.) Anyway, after seeing the towel, I’ve been pretty much crying since.

Right now, I want to put the towel someplace where it won’t be used again. I’m not sure that’s the best thing to do. Perhaps when I can let go, I may think differently.

How strong you were to be able to handle that party after Lucky’s passing. I don’t think I could have done it.

Finally, thinking about the Rainbow Bridge does help. I never heard of that before but the image is such a nice one.
Only problem is that I’d like to be there so I can see all the wonderful pets who are on the other side. If I can’t be there yet, I can imagine Charlie playing with his friends again. Also I had a dream last night. Charlie was dancing and running and happy so maybe he really is on the other side of the bridge with his friends and is trying to help me.

Thank you again.

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:26:18 +0000

Ellen, I’m so, so sorry for your loss. I really could relate to almost every word you wrote. What I didn’t write in my story above is that 3 hours after putting Lucky down, we had 100 people to our house to celebrate my daughter’s graduation. Being very, very busy with the party and company was probably a good thing..forced me to keep busy. For an hour or so in the evening, I gave myself deserved time to go to my room and cry my heart out. Keeping busy, yet taking time to cry out the heartache, might help you too.

Thanks for sharing your story. Others will read it in the future and be comforted because you put difficult feelings into words to which they’ll relate. With each story people share, it brings me back to my Lucky. My family and I have such fond memories of him, and I never want to lose those precious memories. May Charlie always live on in your heart as he runs like a puppy on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

Ellen

By: Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 22:27:11 +0000

Last night we had to have our Charlie of 15 years put to sleep. I can’t stop crying and the pain is unbearable. We lost our other dogs of 14 years each a few years ago, so I know, intellectually, that this will pass. But, it is so terribly bad and I can’t stop thinking of how frail he was as my husband put him in the truck, in the rain, for the trip to the vet.I can’t get that out of my mind. He was so sick. My husband held him when they did it. So, I feel terrible for my husband.
I had come home that afternoon to find him laying on the backyard grass in the pouring rain. That morning he refused to eat and he could not walk. The vet said he could no longer go on. But, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I just remember wiping off the rain especially on his long ears and I hugged him but I didn’t know this would be the last time.
The hardest part was when I was making dinner tonight. I saw the chicken pieces that we gave him for his treats after dinner and the salmon pieces which we shared on salmon night. And, his food bowls and blanket. I feel devastated. And, I can’t really talk to anyone because I just can’t stop crying.
I thank you for this website and a place I can express my feelings even through I’m crying all the way through.

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:28:39 +0000

April,
Our stories of loss are very similar, I’m so sorry your precious Shadow passed this weekend. There’s not an easy way to lose a fur-kid. Although the suddenness that we both experienced to so difficult on us, it’s nice that they did not suffer long. You’ll be in my thoughts as you go through this very tough time. Thank you for taking time to share your story. May we all keep happy memories alive.

By: APRIL KUSTER

APRIL KUSTER — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:34:26 +0000

this is in memory of our SHADOW we lost her today 2/12/2011 we rescued shadow when she was 2 months almost 10yrs ago she was an amazing dog i have been through other losses with shadow and to all of you so sorry for your losses. i have been through cancer in all three of my rottwielers who i lost. shadow started showing signs loss of appetite, very tired, lathargic, and excessive want for water and today could hold nothing down got her to the vet on emergency i knew it was bad but never expected the results this was all in 4 days. she had pancriatitus,diabetes,liver failure and bloat. we are broken hearted as you all know so thank you for your stories. R.I.P. MY SHADOW!!!!!!!!

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:08:28 +0000

Doreen, I’m so sorry for your loss. That feeling of having your heart ripped out is a horrible, horrible thing. I hope you’re proud of the special care you gave Nanook, what a wonderful pet parent you were for her. Although I now have my wonderful little Kobe, it doesn’t replace Lucky. Pets are so loving, they never leave our hearts….but the good memories are precious. Thank you for sharing Nanook with us. Sending healing hugs to you.

Sheryl, your quote is perfect. Thank you so much for sharing, many people will relate.

By: Doreen Comito

Doreen Comito — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:13:04 +0000

Thank you for writing about Lucky and telling about how you feel about your loss. We loss our 12 yr old Siberian Huskies 4 days ago. She was my baby. When we got her my 2 sons were married and my daughter was getting ready to go off to college. Nanook,that was her name, she became my newest baby. We loved her the same as my other human children. Two years ago she was diagnosed with Cushing Disease. We did everything we could to help her,cooking special meals,putting her on a diet and other things to help her. But we loss her after she put up a tough fight. I feel like my heart has been ripped out. I miss her so much. It helps to know that other people know how I feel.Thank you for writing about Lucky and for letting me write about Nanook.

By: Sheryl Jones

Sheryl Jones — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:40:21 +0000

I lost my 16 year old cocker spaniel, Sparky, to bladder cancer almost a year ago to the day. I still miss him. But there was never any doubt that I did the right thing to release him from his illness. The thing I worry about is that I kept him alive too long because I couldn’t stand to let him go. I got another dog in January, but there is still a void that she can’t fill. I came across this quote on a mailing list and I really love it:

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart
with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece
of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will
be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.
~Unknown

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:08:41 +0000

Maureen, I’m so sorry to hear about Priscilla. When our heart is touched so deeply, the pain doesn’t just go away. May the good memories with her live on forever. Sending out {{{hugs}}} to you. Thank you for sharing.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:50:20 +0000

In March I lost my beloved Pug Priscilla, she was 15 and died from a Stroke. I am just happy that she did not suffer long and now she is at “Rainbow Bridge”, free and happy with all the other dogs. Miss Priss was the love of my life and not one day passes where I do not think of her, because we had such a wonderful life together!