Posted on 02/25/2025 9:13:53 PM PST by Kevin in California
Disagree. Our greatest regret was not being with one of our dogs when she passed at the hospital. The later regret is worse than the short lived shock.
I feel for ya. My Black Lab just turned 8 a couple months ago. I’ve been dreading “the day” since he was a puppy. I’ve already warned people when it comes I will blubber like a little girl - and I’m a guy who has cried twice in 30 years, once when my dad died and once when my mom died. Dogs are family as far as I’m concerned.
He got a little brother (a chocolate lab) about a year ago. My big sisters tell me its not as bad if you have more than one. I hope so and I hope its many years from now. I’ve told Blackjack he owes me until at least 14.
I have started a few threads regarding my pets passing over the years I’ve been here. FReepers are a good sounding board.
Losing a loved one (human or pet) is never easy.
Crying is good. You will probably cry off and on for a week.
Remember the good times.
Hopefully you have someone to share the grief with you.
Look up “Rainbow Bridge.”
Take care of yourself.
5.56mm
Brings tears to my eyes too. Losing a beloved pet is like losing a child.
My precious Andy cat died eight years ago, and I was in tears, never going to get another pet. Three weeks later, I was at a street fair looking for tomatoes and there was a crate of kittens. End of story. Daisy is on my lap now.
May you too find a new love when the time is right..
God bless.
That is so sweet and such a good idea. Blessings to you and your wife as you have blessed the lives of your dear pets.
So very sorry. It is so hard.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss! Because of allergies we always had short haired dachshunds. My wife and I have lost 4 of them during our time together. The last one caused the most pain and sadness for us... We were still mourning her death 2 years later when a cat started showing up on our porch and my wife befriended it.
I have always been more allergic to cats than dogs so we were trying to find a home for it. But it turned out that this cat is a Siberian, and they have less of the allergens that cause problems for people such as me. So, the cat moved inside with us and doesn’t cause a lot of trouble.
Neither of us had been around cats since we were kids. Teddy was scrawny when we first saw him but because he was more of a kitten, he kept getting bigger and bigger. He now weighs about 18 pounds. I was concerned that he might be getting fat, but the vet says he is just a really large cat.
He acts more like a dog than most other cats and likes to play hockey with milk jug caps. He loves to be the center of attention at family get togethers. It really eased our pain when Teddy came into our lives.
I understand they’re a wonderful breed, but dog lovers who lose such a pet may consider a small breed dog next time, as they can live up to 20+ years. Of course, it still hurts when they’re gone; we recently lost our 18 year old Shi Tzu. A wonderful little dog who we should have put down several months ago, but we just didn’t want to face up to it.
I was in the room holding mine but kept my eyes closed. That way I could be with them but not see as I would have lost it.
Hang in there. I have been in the same situation many times over My 65 years and it’s never easy but what helps Me through this situation is that Your beloved friend is not hurting anymore and in a better place than We are. Check out My FRHomepage.
I can also share that many times I am pretty sure that They “come back” in the future based on the behavior of others that come into Your life afterwards.
Prayers for You and Kacie.🙏🙏🙏❤️🐾
One of the chapters really stuck with me. He said to tell the dog their story. Tell them about the first time you saw them, how they came into your life. Tell them everything about their life story and how important they have been to you. I did this on the living room floor sitting next to my girl who was in so much pain, and it was such a gift to see her facial expressions. She understood every word and there was even a moment where I swear, a look crossed her face that said, “Oh yeah! I had forgotten about that!” I felt so grateful to have the opportunity to say goodbye to her that way.
Been there...
Understand that pain...
Sit on the floor. Try to have her head in your lap when they give her the first shot.
Keep smiling and talk in a soothing way so she isn’t afraid.
That’s a tough thing to do.
Prayers for you, Kacie was lucky to have you. Multiple times with various animals and it’s never easy, but watching them when at the point they’re in pain is worse. My experiences having to take them was I just pet their head as they peacefully drifted off while the vet gave a few shots. We have a spot in the yard for them at home. Hope you keep remembering all the good times.
The only time a dog will break your heart is on the day that its heart stops beating.
Been through that - it’s rough....the last decision you want to make.
9 years later...we just got a German Sheppard puppy! They’re a blessing and part of the family...already.
I’ve always believed the caring, unselfish love freely given to a dog by a good person (like you) is an example of the best of the human race.
The love also means we are hurt when we lose that dog. It made us vulnerable. No way around that.
God bless you.
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