Pet bereavement

Badger -- I'm so sorry about your loss. Chevy looked like a beautiful soul and such a sweet face.

http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/a...plhotlines.asp

This is a link to a website with multiple listings of Pet Loss hotlines and information on their websites. It is listed by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and should be fairly reputable list. If you are still looking for information, there should be plenty there.

I hope that time takes away the hurt, and you are left with lots of beautiful memories of Chevy.
Jes

Dear Badger,

It is never fair to lose your love. The deep saddness we all feel are reflection of how we really feel about the animals we love. And we all miss our special buddy. Your Chevy looks like a wonderful sweet boy with wonderful smile.
Only words I can give is, Chevy is in a place where he is free of his old age and yes he wil be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge.

All of us here have lost our beloved dogs and cats. And we all have grieved over our loss so we do understand very well. I still miss my boy from 2 years ago. And still think about my other boy from 8 years ago. Thank you for trusting us and talking with us.

with deepest sympathy,
Smilingcat

Well said, Similingcat.

Badger

Chevy flew through your heart right into heaven! My Agnes will show Chevy all the best romping spots at Rainbow Bridge.

I think that dogs are too good for this earth -- that's why they don't have to stay here as long as humans.

I understand what you're going through. I lost my sweet girl Agnes to cancer in May '07 - she was my heart. I have three other golden retrievers, including a puppy who joined us last October, but there will never ever be a replacement for Agnes. She was that special, as I'm sure Chevy was to you.

You might never get over the loss. I realize now that I won't get over losing my Big Agnes, but that's ok. I know I'll see her again, as you will your sweetheart.

big hugs to you. Chevy is watching over you and you know you will smooch that fluffy, gorgeous face again some day.

{{{{Badger}}}} I am sorry for your loss. It is so difficult letting go of one who loved you unconditionally. Chevy was loved by you and you gave him a wonderful life....

I never forget any of my furry friends that I have lost. It is hard. But I am glad I had them in my life. And when one passes it opens the door for another in our house (after about a year, we never go out right away and start looking it doesn't fill the hole for us). Take your time and let the healing process do it's thing.

Sorry about your Chevy dog. He looks like a friendly boy. I know he is watching over you. I still miss my girl who went on last year, and she was a cranky old rhymes with witch dog.

I am so sorry for you loss. I had to put down my sweet yellow lab this summer and it was so hard for me. Eventhough we have a new puppy now, I still miss my yellow girl in so many ways. Comforting thoughts coming your way (((hugs))). Miranda

Big HUGS to you in this time of loss, Badger. I have decided that my "kids" are never allowed to die! That takes care of that!

Seriously, I think I'll be in for a REALLY rough patch when they do go. Please take gentle care of yourself.

Badger, I'm so sorry about your beautiful Chevy. His eyes are so gentle...so full of life. What a terrible loss for you. http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sad/sad0121.gif I hope you find some comfort with each morning that comes.

thank you, everyone.

It brings me comfort to know that he was loved by so many people, I would even say he had more friends than me!!

The support I've been getting has restored my faith in humanity, but also reminds me just how many animals out there don't have forever homes.

I brought Chevy back home with me from the SPCA 6.5 years ago. He was found wandering the streets with no collar. He did have a tattoo and they knew his name was Chevy, but for some reason he wasn't reunited with his guardian.

I volunteer at the SPCA hospital and see so many animals come through the doors with horrendous wrongs done by humans. And yet their spirits are always so pure, they still trust people. Take today for instance. There was a beautiful retriever cross with horrible burns to her face and flank. There were no reports of house fires in the neighbourhood, and nobody's come to claim her.

I'm not really sure where this post is going, it's a bit rambling, but I guess it's comforting to know on one hand that Chevy was loved and had a forever home, but there are so many more who don't or have been mistreated by humans.

It warms my heart to know that so many of you on this site love your fur babies, and I think that speaks volumes of someone's heart. If you can't love animals, there's something fundamentally lacking in your life.

Badger: Thank you for your volunteer work. That is so difficult to see. But seeing them go to new, good homes hopefully helps. I don't know how you don't take everyone home with you -- I just cannot even go in there without getting depressed. I see too many surrendered pets at our office due to finances. We take them instead of euthanize them.... it's just so hard.

It's good to know there are people out there with such big hearts for the furry ones of the world. Keep up the good work... it's good for the heart. ;)

Jes, are you a vet?

All throughout my childhood, all I ever wanted to be was a vet. Too bad I never could get my mind around numbers!?!? :confused:

I found volunteering at the hospital hard initially, but I hate to say it but I have to basically shut myself off or I WILL be taking all of them home! I just have to believe that the good folks at the hospital will do the right thing for the animals. Incidentally, I started volunteering there because I decided at the age of 27 to go for vet school. But alas, I have let that dream go, but still volunteer there 10 years later.

I just got a sympathy card from the Vet who helped me and Chevy. It spoke such volumes.

I also found a local organization dedicating themselves to the care of abandoned senior animals. Since much of my life revolves around senior animals (my two cats are 15 and 10 years old), I have such a big place for them in my heart. If only more people realized just how wonderful older animals are.

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my cat, Boots, over 10 years ago to feline leukemia and I still get teary eyed if I think about it too much. (I'll probably go and squeeze my cats when I'm done with this post. :) ) Losing a pet is a horrible thing, and I think it is made even more horrible by the fact that a lot of people do not thing that it is a grievable event. I hope that your days will be made brighter by the fact that you are helping so many other animals.

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Jes, are you a vet?

All throughout my childhood, all I ever wanted to be was a vet. Too bad I never could get my mind around numbers!?!?

I found volunteering at the hospital hard initially, but I hate to say it but I have to basically shut myself off or I WILL be taking all of them home! I just have to believe that the good folks at the hospital will do the right thing for the animals. Incidentally, I started volunteering there because I decided at the age of 27 to go for vet school. But alas, I have let that dream go, but still volunteer there 10 years later.

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Yes, I'm a vet. I went back to school starting at 28 yrs old. Funny that you thought about it around the same time. It must be a time in our lives when we re-evaluate. It was a great decision for me mentally. I love what I do. But financially, it is late in life to take on so much debt. I refer to my student loans as "my mortgage".

I'm glad that you find the volunteer work so rewarding -- it can be difficult, but still extremely rewarding. I also find I have to "turn off" a lot of times.

Good for you on the senior pet project -- they are unfortunately the ones overlooked at shelters by people adopting. They are the best loving pets, and often don't find homes. Very sad.

I hope you are feeling better soon.