Thoughts on saying goodbye to pets

[Blueberry]

((((Lisa and Kitty))))

((((Spindizzy))))

It's strange - a friend of ours had a kitty suddenly pass away last night. Apparently she cried, and he tried to rush her to the vet - she passed away on the way

It's always so hard

[Selkie]

So sorry to hear about Nugget. It sounds as it Nugget passed quickly and thank goodness, you didn't have to be the one to make "the decision." We've had to do that twice and it's incredibly difficult.

For Agnes and Maud, we got them each an 'angel" (yard ornaments) for the front yard. Their ashes are next to our bed, along with their collars and a photo of them. On the living room mantel, we have pictures of them and a memorial candle.

When I die, my DH is going to mix my ashes w/Agnes' and toss us into the ocean together (Caribbean - in my will, he's instructed to take a vacation there to take care of this).

[sundial]

(((((Lisa))))))

(((((Spindizzy)))))

When I gently led Ana and Jodi Bell to the Bridge, I wrapped them in a soft blanket and buried them near the wild honesuckle and blackberry bushes. I planted a dogwood and every spring when it blooms, it gives me hope and a sense of renewal. I've always enjoyed nature's living tributes to our little family members. When Jodi was buried, a mockingbird rested on her grave for 3 days. I will always cherish that memory.

[ZenSojourner]

I've kind of been avoiding this thread because it hits too close to home, I guess.

I have an elderly dog who is probably not going to last out the year. According to the vet, she can't walk (she does) but she's definitely getting to the place where she can't walk anymore. She was run over as a puppy and her hindquarters are a mess, it's a long story that involves multiple incompetent vets over a 10 or 12 year period, but I've seen the x-rays and she SHOULDN'T be able to walk. I expect to lose her soon. She's 17.

Not exactly a pet, but my elderly father lives with me and the last year and a half has been a struggle with his health, and it looks like we're about to lose that struggle to a 3rd bout of lung cancer. I expect to lose him before the year is out as well. He's 89. It's been a bad year for him.

I feel for all of you who are about to or have already lost pets. You have my sympathy.

[tctrek]

When we are feeling our worst about losing anyone that we love, we have to cope somehow and keep going and do the right thing. The only way I've ever been able to do this is to fully believe that when my pet is in pain and not able to live the way they always have that they will be at peace when they pass away. I have to envision an end to their pain and suffering. If you approach it as the ultimate act of love, it is doable.

I don't know if this really applies to people, though. I don't think I believe in euthanizing people. With people, there is often a hope in a medical miracle. Our bodies can fight. With a pet, they are so small and veterinary medicine is nowhere near as advanced, that when they start to slide it's often impossible to bring them back.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I remember when I lost my sweet little pug dog Kinky, what I did was this-
there was a certain corner where her little doggie basket/bed always was. A few days after she died I gave the dog bed to the humane society (they really can use it!) but then that corner looked so sadly empty. I took a little red felt tip pen and made a tiny 1/4 inch red heart on the wall way down there where her basket had been. Funny, but it cheered me to see the tiny little heart on the wall in "Kinky's corner" whenever I passed it. It made that empty corner more positive and sweet, rather than so sad.

[spindizzy]

Thanks everyone- I've passed on your hugs to DD whom is devastated, but coping. She has decided to have him buried in the back yard, along with some ashes from our dog - they grew up together. We will plant something - that part hasn't been decided.

Nugget was in great health (or so we thought). He was prancing around my legs as I got out of the shower, "tormenting" his feather fur toy..I guess we can take solace that his death was sudden with no prolonged illness prior.

DH mentioned that this is the first time in 18 years we've been pet -less...

Bleecker - I love the little red heart.... makes my heart smile!