Thoughts on saying goodbye to pets

[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!

[nancielle]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Nugget. How sad.

It's been interesting to read through the posts and see how everyone copes with the loss of their pets. I thought the little red heart was touching and I loved the lasting tributes of plantings.

Many years ago, in another job and before I was fortunate enough to have a pet friendly landlord, a coworker's cat died. She had found this cat abandoned and brought him home and the two were constant companions. She was devestated by his loss and called out from work. I can still hear the office manager calling her and telling her to grow up and get into work. What a snot.

Within the past eight months three colleagues have lost their pets. While Chloe is pretty healthy and relatively young (Hunter is healthy too but I have no clue how old he is) I hope that I'm able to make the right decisions for them when the time comes.

Thanks for the replies.

[Aggie_Ama]

Hugs to ((Lisa, Lydia & DH)). ((Spindizzy, Dizzy daughter and Nugget))

This is kind of comical to me.... My Nanny and Pawpaw had a cat "Damn Cat or DC" that both claimed to have not wanted but spoiled rotten. When DC was put to sleep (after suffering because it was a flaw of Pawpaw's) they kept the ashes in the china cabinet and argued over who could be buried with them. The agreement was whoever died first but then they would lovingly argue over whether the survivor would hold the bargain. Pawpaw died in 2003 and Nanny let him have DC. But first she labeled the box "DC" so no one would open it, because you know so many people open boxes stuck in coffins.

I personally want to scatter or bury Maggie's ashes but DH is having trouble letting them go. We never even got them back with any pets in the past and I want to be cremated but made into an artificial reef which I saw on Discover Channel one night.

[OakLeaf]

I just remembered that our tradition of bringing something for our dogs to have in the afterlife, began because the one who died first had such strange tastes that we didn't know if they'd have what he wanted in dog heaven.

Xiao Shieung was such a picky eater, he wouldn't touch most treats or foods the other dogs loved, but whenever I made sushi he'd beg for nori. It was the only food he ever begged for. I was astounded the first time he did it. So at his funeral we tore up a small sheet of nori and cast it after his ashes. And also a little piece of fuzz to play with. He was so like a cat in his play.

[makbike]

I have seen many of my beloved buddies go to the Rainbow Bridge in the past years - it never gets any easier. My vet and her staff try to make it as peaceful as they can. I never leave their side and I talk to them throughout the procedure (a cold word I know). I tell them how much I love them, how much they mean to me and I always tell them to go in peace - which they do. When the time is right I write them a letter and I put it with their ashes. I look for signs that they are okay - Squire sent me a rainbow, Hondo a full moon, etc - silly I know but these things help make it easier for they mean so much to me and fill my life with such joy.