Comments on: Sharing the Loss

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:44:39 +0000

Rosemary, I’m so sorry for your loss. Like I said before, I admire your positive attitude. I’m sure Sandy appreciated your loving decision to let her go. 17 years is a long time to have a pet, I will keep you in my thoughts as you go through this tough time.

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:32:10 +0000

Sandy was euthanized yesterday, and has gone to Kitty Cat Heaven. I miss him, but it was time to let him go. I’m sure he has already met up with his littermates, and all the other cats he knew and loved while he graced our house.

By: JulieD

JulieD — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:42:12 +0000

Ellen- Thank you for writing this. You’re right by saying that your decision was right for your family and everyone needs to make the decision that’s right for them and their pet. Often, people try to give advice and tell you what to do but only you can make the decision. I know how you feel because at the end of the August, will be 2 years since we had to say good bye and let our precious Cinder go. It still hurts. Sigh.

@Katie, I’m so sorry for your loss. Ellen is right that we all grieve differently. I do have to say that we felt the same as you, could we have done something else? Could we have done something else to buy more time? After we put our Cinder to sleep 2 years ago, we were so lost. What you’re feeling is so normal. There will be a lot of crying and will be for some time. The important thing to remember is to take care of yourself at the same time you’re allowing yourself to grieve. I do hope the best for you and maybe one day you’ll be able to open your home to another dog. All the best.

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:17:10 +0000

Rosemary,
You’ve gone through a lot of losses – you have my sympathy on having to make so many tough decisions. It is obvious that you realize that the joy that pets bring to our life is well worth it. I’m sorry you are in a tough situation with Sandy. She’s lucky to have you to take such good care of her. I admire your attitude. Thank you for sharing your story.

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:40:56 +0000

Having had more experience with losing pets than I care to think about, I have come up with two simple philosophies. One- If you love them, when they are ready to go, you let them, even if it seems impossible for you to. Two- A new pet NEVER “replaces” them. They just succeed them, and create their own place in your life.

In the last seven years, I have made the painful decisions to euthanize a 15 year old dog, an 18 year old cat, a 16 year old cat, and a cat that was only 8, but had severe health problems. I am how faced with making a decision soon about my 17 year old cat. He is hyperthyroid, has epilespy, and is starting to look very frail. I am taking him in for his bloodwork next month, so we will have some idea of how bad he is. If the results are very bad, Sandy will be allowed to go to Kitty Cat Heaven, and I will cry and miss him terribly. But I will survive, and life will go on.

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:29:44 +0000

Katie, my heart aches for your loss. After 16 years of having Cordy in your life, I can only imagine there must be a big empty hole in your life right now. Please, please don't feel guilty about your decision. It's a living nightmare to have to make such a decision, but you made a very loving decision. It sounds as if it was the only realistic decision. I talked to Barb S., one of our Vet Technicians here at Drs. Foster & Smith, and this is what she had to say about Cordy's situation: "Remember that although seizures can be difficult to witness, pets do not seem to be in pain when they are going through them, although they may vocalize and lose control of bladder or bowels." Barb also recommends this pet loss article and www.petloss.com, which is a great site to leave a tribute to your pet and is a good way to start the healing process for you. When I had to make that decision, I kept thinking that he had the right to die with dignity. You let Cordy die with dignity when the time had come for him to go. I cried for days too - and was thankful for my parents who listened to me! Sounds like you're very lucky to have a mom helping you through this tough, tough time. It's obvious that Cordy lived a very love-filled life with you. I believe he is at peace, and I'm sending you many positive thoughts to help you get through your loss. Cordy will forever be in your heart. You have my deepest sympathy. Thank you for sharing your grief - through our stories, we may help other people know that they're not alone in feeling so lonely and miserable after such a loss.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:23:03 +0000

I loss my best friend of 16 years yesterday, due to seizures that the doctor believes was attributed to a brain tumor. I have been crying since yesterday. Im not married and Cordy was my life. I made the decision to have her put to sleep due to an episode of 5 seizures in 6 hours. The doctor gave her 2 shots to help stop the seizures, but the next day, she should have been back to normal, and was not. she couldnt walk, couldnt see, could barely keep her head up and i made that decision. Everyone tells me it was the right thing to do for Cordy. I have so much greif and guilt associated with this decision. Wondering if she could have bounced back with more time. My mom, tells me no, that it was the tumor and she looked like she may have had a stroke too. I feel like ive made a multitude of bad decisions, starting with the shots they gave her to try to stop the seizures. she just never came out of the stage they put her in. I cant seem to be at peace that this was the right thing to do. I miss my baby so much.

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:48:41 +0000

Ariana,
I’m so sorry for your loss. That loving decision is the hardest thing to do, and I’m sure the Leanyka felt your love for her. How wonderful that you have a sweet new pet in your life. Like you said, there’s no replacing our pet who crossed over the rainbow bridge, but we can always welcome new joy into our life. Thanks for sharing.

By: Ariana Adams

Ariana Adams — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:46:47 +0000

In December I had to make the most difficult decision of my life: to put my 12 year old Kuvasz to rest. She was such a sweet soul and I never realized how difficult it would be to let her go. I miss her every day. We did adopt another Kuvasz in January and while she will never replace Leanyka, she fills my life with love and laughter. I’m so incredibly happy to have her in my life. I believe she’s an angel sent to me by my sweet Leanyka, who wanted to be sure that I would continue to be loved and guarded.

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:17:15 +0000

Thank you all for sharing your story.

Terry, I couldn’t agree more that what pets add to our family is absolutely priceless. Which brings me to Chris’ question: how long to wait. Personally, I adopted a new pet fairly quick. We knew we wanted another dog, and we had to time it right to be able to make the transition as easy as possible for the new pet. My children were home during the day that summer, so I wanted to adopt while the new dog would seldom be alone in the house. Our family was able to still miss Lucky, but welcome Kobe with open arms. I’m sure we’ll be hearing from other people who waited a long time, if ever before getting another pet.

Bonnie, thank you for your words “loving choice” – so difficult but definitely loving. I can see Jasper was a very loved and “lucky” dog.