How to cope with premature loss of a pet? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #16 10-31-2011, 01:45 PM

Obviously many here have experienced the loss of of loved pet (or pets).

I think what makes it so hard is that your pet has given you so much unconditional love, and seeing such a devoted friend leave this earth is a lot to deal with emotionally.

I've had to watch a few of mine pass away while growing up, but until recently, my wife refused to allow pets to share our space. We have a dog now that is so phenomenal that even the wife bonds with him immensely.

I think his inevitable passing will crush us all. I feel your pain.

barry123400 · #17 10-31-2011, 04:18 PM

I have suffered through this many times. Our current oldest dog is slowly reaching the end of the line. He went on heart medication a few months ago and I really do not expect him to have a lot more time. Perhaps a year if we are lucky. Nobody really knows. I always will remember his tremendous speed when young across the wet sand chasing seagulls. I never saw another dog move at his speed.

Even when the seagulls became airborne he could match their speed. It must have suprised then when they looked down that he was pacing them. Plus his very high intelligence for a dog. He just chased them for the sake of the chase. He would never hurt another animal.

At my age I think the latest dog will last longer than the wife and myself if he lives his full average lifespan. So I will hopefully only have to do the deed one more time unless our older dog passes away in his sleep.

As I sit here I cannot even easily recall all the names of all the dogs over the years since being a child. No two dogs we ever had were identical in many ways. They were all individuals. The best dogs where the mixed breed ones or mongerals if you wish.

Solid Snake · #18 11-01-2011, 08:33 AM

Guys,

Last night, I had to make the decision to have Mac euthanized... this is the first pet I've had throughout my foray into adulthood, and having him only live to 8 years of age crushed my spirits... I felt like a coward having given the order to bring out the needles... But over the day, I was trying anything to keep my mind off of the fact that my dog was dying. When I went in to see him, I could barely even look at him, covered in blood he had been releasing from both ends... What killed me the most was that my dog is never excitable, except for when I come home, when it takes him a good 15 minutes to stop barking. When I walked into his area, he sat up from his slump and tried to walk towards me. And all I could do was turn around and wimper in the corner. I eventually worked up the courage to lay with him for a last time, telling him how good he is and how much I love him. They told me there was a chance that with a transfusion he may get better, but I knew it was only prolonging the inevitable. His intestines, for whatever reason, were blocked and swollen, preventing excrement from releasing... x-rays showed nothing but the swelling...

Solid Snake · #19 11-01-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

I had to put my American Bulldog down back in 08.
She started to try to back out when I led her into the death chamber, as she could smell the death.
But like a good soldier, she obeyed her masters command to sit.
When they pushed the needle in.......
I will never forget watching the life leave her eyes.

If it comes down to Macaroni having to be put down, just be glad that you could be there to see him off, and he did not have to make 'that trip' alone.

Because of this experiance..I will never own another pet.

My dog was already in the examination room once I had gotten there, and seeing him lay there and just the very tip of his tail wagging to see me, made me realize it was his time... After the same experience as you mentioned, feeling him go totally limp in my arms, I don't think I could ever have another dog, as much as I joked I would buy a 'real' dog like a German Shepard with him listening...

Solid Snake · #20 11-01-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

It's never easy, and no matter how old the animal is, it's always premature. I would advise you that if the dog has to be put down and you can't control your emotions, it's better in my opinion to say your goodbye while he's alive and let the vet do his job in private. Your emotions will upset your dog and make it harder for him. If you can control yourself, it's better to stay with him. Good luck.

I stayed strong for him... he was always there for me in my times of plight, and knew I had to do the same for him...

Solid Snake · #21 11-01-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Sorry to hear your situation. I had to have two Lab's put down years ago and recently had our hamster die in my lap from heat exposure (my fault). It's never easy but if your dog is really suffering then unpleasant as it may be it's best to have him put to sleep. In that regard what elchevito said might apply in your case. Just remember you are not alone in this situation, others have been there as well, and will be again.

- Peter.

That's why I love this site; I'm only 20 and basically only have my parents and a brother. My mom's side doesn't get along and my father's side all live in Cuba. I see my stepfather's (who is my father) family maybe once a year as they live out west. This community really helps me out with the stuff an extended family offers, as most of you are older and have been through the trials I have to go through in the next 20 years...

Solid Snake · #22 11-01-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

Crying is natural and healthy and will help. I can't begin to count the dogs, cats, horses, sheep and goats I've cried for.

I was raised differently from my younger brother; I got the no nonsense 50's approach. Honestly felt like a trial by fire. My brother was raised like 'the baby' because he was the second child. He's the crier, and I was always told by my dad not to cry. When he passed, I only cried when I first saw him in the hospital. After that, I stayed as strong as I could for my then 9 year old brother... After the amount of death I've witnessed in my life, I don't think I would tell my son/daughter that crying is unnatural...

Solid Snake · #23 11-01-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

So sorry to hear this. Comfort yourself knowing that, if you do have to put Macaroni down because of his pain, it is the most humane and loving thing you can do.

Sunday before last, I had to have our ancient (17 years!) red chow chow put down. She'd been moving slower and slower but overnight had gotten to the point where she no longer would/could move. I took her on a ride around the farm in the buggy, loaded her into the front seat of the truck and took her to the clinic.

I held her in my arms, sobbing while they euthanized her. Such tough love; she will be missed so much. They were chows unlike any others.

This post really helped me rationalize that I was being selfish putting him through all of those tests. He was on a morphine drip and was still whimpering in pain. Thanks for the helpful explanation

Solid Snake · #24 11-01-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I have lost several pets. As has been said it is never easy and never gets easier. What gives me a little comfort is knowing that I am doing it for them. You are their voice. If they are suffering you have to make the choice for them.

I was with everyone as they said good bye. I cried like a baby but I was not going to let the last thing they see be a stranger, but that is just me.

If this is your first time it is not a messy process. They clean tbe injection site, give the shot and a seconds later they close their eyes and its over in a minute. It is very peaceful.

Ok. I need to find a tissue. Im crying just thinking about it.

This post helped me stay in the room-- he was so pack oriented that he would bark at anything foreign in our home for about 6 months. I can't begin to tell you guys how many girlfriends he's barked out of the house. He really was special, but I think everyone thinks their dog is

Solid Snake · #25 11-01-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

This poem helped me when I lost my best friend in a house fire in 2007. He was a mini mutt mix hybrid of a border collie and miniature chihuahua. Damned little guy was so goofy looking that I fell for him in an instant.

He used to climb up in my chair during the day when I was at work, and refused to allow anyone else sit there until I came home, then he would sit in my lap, on his rump, and lean back on his back and nap with me, snoring the entire time.

I've shed many tears since his loss...he was truly my best friend.

Anyway...I hope it brings you some peace.

Your dog reminds me so much of Macaroni... I park a good 600 feet from my house, but as soon as I opened my car door, I would hear him barking away because I was home. He could differentiate my exhaust note I guess

It's these quirks that let us know how special our pets are!

Your poem helped me greatly; the last thing I said to him was that we'll cross together in only 55 years and sit on the couch for hours with not a care in our world...

Solid Snake · #26 11-01-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

To answer your question, how to cope?

Cry, communicate with other people who have lost pets (like you're doing now), journal your thoughts and emotions, think about the good times with your pet, read poems like posted above and don't rush out to replace the pet- give it some time.

After this I don't think I could do it again. Some may say the pain is outweighed by the companionship, but I don't handle loss and change nearly as well as others...

Solid Snake · #27 11-01-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

Obviously many here have experienced the loss of of loved pet (or pets).

I think what makes it so hard is that your pet has given you so much unconditional love, and seeing such a devoted friend leave this earth is a lot to deal with emotionally.

I've had to watch a few of mine pass away while growing up, but until recently, my wife refused to allow pets to share our space. We have a dog now that is so phenomenal that even the wife bonds with him immensely.

I think his inevitable passing will crush us all. I feel your pain.

I feel that as long as you consider death a part of life, and not a separate, awful experience that is a consequence of living, it makes the pain much more bearable... he will live on in spirit and in my heart forever.

chilcutt · #28 11-01-2011, 09:19 AM

I am happy that the poor little fella isnt in pain and hurting anymore.

You did the right thing Snake.

Txjake · #29 11-01-2011, 09:32 AM

SS, you did the right thing, as tough as it was and you are a better person for it. I wish you respite in this tough time, but know that this too will pass. Take care.

R Leo · #30 11-01-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

...He could differentiate my exhaust note I guess ...

This reminded me; one night years ago, we were watching a movie that had some scenes with old Mercedes diesel taxis clattering around Beirut. Every time one of those cars would turn up, our two chows would start barking like we'd just gotten home. What a howl!

Remember the good times with Macaroni.