Coping with Pet Loss

APZonerunner

So... yeah. I... just lost my pet of 14 years. I don't really know what to do with myself at the moment. So I figured I'd create a thread and... anybody can share experiences or whatever.

Any interested in the story of what happened, Here's a link to what I wrote on an extremely useful website I found, used to share your experiences on pet loss:
http://www.petvets.com/bbs/edmobbs8r.php?messageID=3057&table=caring&fid=6

I'm... optimistic at the end of this, but honestly, I can't stop crying. I just want my girlfriend to be honest, but she's not going to be around for hours. I feel like I'm being a baby but I don't care. For anybody here who's lost a pet, I'm sorry. It's a horrible feeling.

But... yeah. Does anybody have any advice?

MetroNinja

Get a new puppy or kitty (or whatever you lost), nothing covers the pain of loss like something new :-)

monkeypoo

My dog just got put down yesterday. Ruptured tumor in her stomach. She wasn't eating or drinking anything. She was in pain, so she had to get put down.

I'm going though moments of okay to moments of crying.

And now I'm at work and I'm about to start crying again because I'm talking about it. So I'm gonna go back to work now.

Sorry about your loss though, I guess these things happen. It doesn't make it any less painful though.

crake

Getting a new pet isn't replacing the memory of your old. Don't be afraid to get a new pet. It would be a shame for all the pets out there to loose one more in the pool of available loving owners.

In the past, I have always buried my pets in the back yard (make sure to wrap carefully and put a layer of bricks or some other heavy stone to discourage vermin). It takes some time, and some hard work, which seems to be just what I need. Taking care of them one last time. I then keep their collar. I might recycle toys and leashes, and various other equipment, but never the collar. I just put that away in a special little box.

I also take the time to create a grave marker. I'm a creative type, so that portion is of particular importance to me.

Anyway, that's what helps me. Perhaps one or two of the ideas will help for you too.

(for the record though, burying pets in the yard is illegal in many cities - doesn't stop me, but I'm just saying)

Heir

crake wrote:

Getting a new pet isn't replacing the memory of your old. Don't be afraid to get a new pet. It would be a shame for all the pets out there to loose one more in the pool of available loving owners.

In the past, I have always buried my pets in the back yard (make sure to wrap carefully and put a layer of bricks or some other heavy stone to discourage vermin). It takes some time, and some hard work, which seems to be just what I need. Taking care of them one last time. I then keep their collar. I might recycle toys and leashes, and various other equipment, but never the collar. I just put that away in a special little box.

I also take the time to create a grave marker. I'm a creative type, so that portion is of particular importance to me.

Anyway, that's what helps me. Perhaps one or two of the ideas will help for you too.

(for the record though, burying pets in the yard is illegal in many cities - doesn't stop me, but I'm just saying)

This is all very good advice. We too buried our pets, even if it was against the law.

Hoewever, I believe the OP cremated this pet. I would still make some kind of marker though, something to help you feel like you've said goodbye.

Blake T

It's just like loosing anyone else in the family. It hurts, it doesn't stop hurting but it does get better.