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

Solid Snake · #1 10-31-2011, 08:20 AM

Hey guys...

Last night I took my dog Macaroni to the animal hospital because he had been sick for the past few hours and wasn't getting better. I took him and he was so weak that he couldn't even lift his head and was wimpering in pain. One open check later and just 7 hours, I'm back in the waiting room and don't think he's going to make it. This dog is everything to me; I literally would trade everything for this dog. This is the first time I've cried since my father's passing 7 years ago, and I don't know how to deal with this...

Thanks,

Carlen

MercFan · #2 10-31-2011, 09:28 AM

Sorry to hear about your difficulty - pets are like family members. Take care - blessings...

chilcutt · #3 10-31-2011, 09:38 AM

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.

kerry · #4 10-31-2011, 09:40 AM

Sorry to hear that. Similar situation happened to our cat last year. Sudden and unexpected. Still miss her.

jplinville · #5 10-31-2011, 11:04 AM

Over the years, I've lost a number of my canine kids, or Fids (furry kids). Losing one is NEVER easy.

Right now, I have a Boxer that has suffered 4 strokes in the last year. He's showing signs of another one, as his left eye is drooping, and he's walking into furniture. I know his demise is coming, but it doesn't make it better.

I read the post, and felt the need to hug Slugger tighter.

You're in my thoughts...

elchivito · #6 10-31-2011, 11:23 AM

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.

pj67coll · #7 10-31-2011, 11:32 AM

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.

elchivito · #8 10-31-2011, 11:35 AM

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.

R Leo · #9 10-31-2011, 12:31 PM

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.

davidmash · #10 10-31-2011, 12:38 PM

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.

R Leo · #11 10-31-2011, 12:44 PM

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.

Well said.

Marrs · #12 10-31-2011, 01:17 PM

I have lost several pets over the years and living on a farm as a kid some were accidents, road injuries, and some were in the vets office like your situation today. I used to always be so upset but as I grew older I began to understand that this is absolutely normal, it is the true cycle of life. I have never met a person or animal that I knew was going to live forever, no matter who they were or how much I loved them. Now that I have fully accepted that, instead of dreading the day they leave me, which is a selfish reaction, I think about their lives while they are with me. I say selfish because, since it is a normal part of the cycle of life, we have no way of knowing what comes next, transitioning into death could very well be just the next step, or an even more wonderful experience than we have in life, we just don't know.
By posting here and saying how sad this event makes you, that is proof that you have been a good "parent" to this special little one, you have touched each other's lives. Just remember that this isn't happening only to you, everyone responding has been in the same situation and felt the same pain, and even right now, I can assure you that there are other people sitting in vet's offices, and also people sitting next to their wife or husband, son or daughter in a hospital bed about to say their goodbyes. There is someone also getting bad news that their child died in a car accident, or a grandfather suffered a heart attack, I am not trying to be morbid but rather to show you that everyone in the world shares these emotions with you, you are not alone. We must accept that this is natural, normal and that it will happen to us to one day. So I guess what I am saying is you are sad today and you will be sad when your buddy is gone, but you have had many wonderful days together and will have many memories of that time to comfort you. Be well and I wish you comfort.

jplinville · #13 10-31-2011, 01:25 PM

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.

Quote:

The Rainbow Bridge

inspired by a Norse legend

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,

Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,

Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;

Together again, both person and pet.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past,

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,

Has turned into joy once more in each heart.

They embrace with a love that will last forever,

And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

oldsinner111 · #14 10-31-2011, 01:38 PM

My rat Benny's been gone 5 years,but thinking about how he waited to die in my hands.I still get tearful.

The Swede · #15 10-31-2011, 01:41 PM

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.