Posted on 10/21/2020 5:40:45 AM PDT by LouAvul
Mom is elderly and has no desire for a replacement pet, but grief is grief. No matter if the deceased family member is human or canine, she's still grieving.
Any suggestions for her?
Plenty of prayer. The elderly can go into a real depression after losing a loved furbaby. :(
She if she’s willing to ‘babysit’ someone’s small pet.
This way she’s not being forced to ‘move on,’ and yet by babysitting someone’s pet for an hour or a couple of hours can help lift her spirits up.
My wife and I lost our Maltipoo a few months ago. It was the only dog I ever got close to. It was tough. It was the only “person” (personality) I’ve been close to that died. I think it was preparing me for the death of my father, which happened a month later, unexpectedly (though he was 90).
We replaced the dog immediately with another just like him, and we are really glad we did.
Get a Trumpy bear.
All things will be remade in the world to come. I believe our animal family members will be waiting for us. Dogs are capable of love and loyalty but incapable of evil, so there’s nothing but good things waiting for them on the other side.
Have her children sit with her through her grief.
It is a normal part of life.
If it was a small dog that she cuddled with regularly, I’d suggest a stuffed bear that has a water bottle in it, they use them for comforting infants, when filled with warm water it gives them gentle soft heat.
It is sad to hear this. I recommend getting her a cat. That way her frustration will overcome her grief and all will be right with the world again.
(just kidding of course)
Sooner or later, she may even find one that melts her heart, and she just has to take home with her.
Get her another one, just like the lost one.
Every dog I’ve owned gave me a piece of their heart and when they died took a piece of mine. My heart is now mostly K9.
Volunteer at a pet shelter or vet’s office if she is physically able. Best thing is just spending time with her; keep her company and active. Time heals all sorrows and spending this time together will make her passing easier on you when that time comes.
We got my mom a little stuffed dog that has a motion sensor. It walks, wags it’s tail and barks.
I lost my best buddy of 18 years 18 months ago and am still sorely missing him. The pain does slowly ease off, but all we can do is remember the good times when the memories get maudlin.
Sorry, that’s all I know.
Let God fill the emptiness. That’s really the meaning of Lent; replacing what’s lost/gone with our precious Savior Jesus Christ.
: (
It’s tough, especially if you live alone & the animal was your longtime companion. I’ve been through it.
If she’s in her 80’s or in poor health, I can understand her not wanting to get another. They do require work.
Give her some time to grieve.
I mis-counted, it’s been 30 months.
For a while, she has entrusted her beloved pet to God. It’s temporary. We’re all temporary.
Until the Lord is ready for her, she still needs to get ready for Him.
Shedding grief is also part of her assignment. If she needs a hand, don’t give her a puppy. Give her a hand.
Do a search for “The Rainbow Bridge” and give her a copy. It is heart warming for people that lost dogs.
That still doesn't console her. I would maybe try to find an abandoned older pet, not a puppy that she'd have to re-train.
Please get her another dog, perhaps a rescue, but a little dog like a Yorkie or a Shi-Tzu or even a shorkie (Yorkie/Shih-Tzu mix). If and when she complains that the dog will outlive her, make it clear you will love and take care of it after she's gone as part of her legacy.
May the Lord comfort your mom.
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