Wanted: Your Pet Loss Story
Published September 26, 2008 under Feedback
PAWS Chicago is currently exploring the topic of grief, and how people are affected by the death of a treasured pet. We would like to hear how you dealt with this difficult experience.
Please describe to us, in as much detail as you would like to share, how much your pet meant, how his or her death affected you, and how you coped with the experience. Any tips on recovery would be welcome. Send your story, along with a high-quality picture of you with your pet to pdonmoyer@pawschicago.org.
Selected entries and pictures will be featured in the Fall/Winter issue of Angel Tales Magazine. Thank you for sharing your insight with PAWS Chicago.
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16 Responses to “Wanted: Your Pet Loss Story”
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Mara was 4 years old when we . We were on vacation and mara became blind, So oneday she got out of our back yard and sat and waited at our front door. Our neighbor went to bring her back in and grabbed her collar mara didnt see out neighbor and she heard her but the tug on the color scared her and she reacted very violently, as you can see it was sad but mara is in a happier place now. In Loving memory.
We adopted Ani from PAWS in June of this year. She was a beautiful, happy, healthy, and darling little one year old kitty. But just a few weeks ago we noticed she was ill and found out that she had FIP. It is a awful disease to see a tiny little cat have to suffer with. We tried to nurse her back to health but two weeks ago she died in my arms. As awful as this experience was for our whole family I am glad that she is no longer suffering.
Harley was my beloved, special American Bulldog mix. Rescued when at less than a week old when his mother died of neglect and starvation in a vacant lot, Harley was hand raised by my sister’s family. Harley’s kidneys suffered due to losing his mother so early and he was diagnosed with renal diasplasia at 4 1/2 months. After 2 and 1/2 years of fighting to survive, Harley lost his battle to kidney failure a month ago. He was a beautiful spirit and my best buddy. I will never forget him and he will always be special to me.
Last April, we had to put our dog Thunder down. He was a yellow labordor. He was only eight years old. He was a happy and loveable dog. He had massive tumors that were covering his lungs. If you were feeling down, he would make your day better. His prescence will be missed. He isn’t suffering anymore. In loving memory of my buddy.
My heart was a little black terrier mix named Joey, he came to us early at 4 weeks old no bigger than a minute, when his mother died. He lived with our family for 14 years growing up with my 4 kids. At 14 years with problems like hearing and sight loss, skin troubles and he was confused. I would come home from work,and he would be stuck behind the couch or tangled in something and I didn’t know how long he had been there. I had to make the heartbreaking decision euthanize him, because as every one was now grown and gone..I was afraid for him to leave him home alone. He was a loyal companion and will be sorely missed. I have 3 other dogs now, but as any one will tell you one pet will never replace another.
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My heart goes out to anyone experiencing the loss of a pet, as I have also. I lost my beloved Sugarbear almost four years ago, and I still cry over his loss and miss him dearly . I have another cat now, but like a precious child, he can never be replaced.
14 1/2 years ago we adopted Trina (Molly) from PAWS. She was just a puppy when we brought her home.
She has survived numerous medical issues and for us to have her put to sleep was the hardest thing we have ever had to do. She grew more tired and weary. We knew she was hurting and could no longer see her dealing with her pain. She was a true fighter, and family member to us. Remembering the first time we brought her home, her kisses and cuddles has helped us to deal with her loss. We will miss her dearly and will never, ever forget her.
Reading the fall/winter issue brought back all the bittersweet memories of my last days with my beloved Nikki, who died two years ago at age 16 after a year with cancer. Like some of the pets in the story, Nikki miraculously recovered from a terrible bowel condition that should have killed her within days, but was quickly followed by a cancer diagnosis. I was so blessed that she spent another year happily gobbling treats and table scraps (as my vet said, “This is no time to worry about her cholesterol”) and receiving acupuncture for her arthritis and, eventually, for the swelling related to the cancer. When it became clear that most of the good days were behind us, Dr. Shaman came to our home. She will always be my baby girl. Thank you for letting me share our story.
In December of 1992, we found 5 week old Oakley. She was a member of the family and groomed us like we were her pups, stayed by us when we were sick, and protected us…twice by scaring off would-be burglars. She stayed with me after my children were grown and traveled all over the country with me. In 2003, we discovered that she had cancer. My children and I agreed that we would keep her alive as long as possible, until it would be inhumane to do so. On March 23, 2004, the time came. It was one of the most heart breaking decisions I have ever had to make.Our vet was kind enough to come to my house so that Oak could be in familiar surroundings with the people she loved. As the doctor did what she had to do, my son held Oakley and I sang quietly into her ear (she loved to be sung to). Our baby quietly passed into her next life, and I wept as hard as I ever have in my life. We were absolutely devastated. I will never forget my Oakley, and will always love and miss her.
My 14 year old Bichon, Spunky, died suddenly in March 2008. One minute he was fine and then he jumped off of our bed and cried out in terrible pain. Upon examination, it was determined that he ruptured a disc. Unfortunately, because this happened on a weekend, the specialist (not our vet) did not see him for 48 hours.
By that time, his back legs were paralyzed, his blood pressure was danagerously low and he could not undergo surgery. My heart broke as I had to make the decision that the best choice was to put Spunky down. Tears flowed from as I held my precious boy when he took his last breath. I asked to be alone with him. I told him that I didn’t know how I could face life without him, that he would always be mine and our memories made together were in my heart for eternity.
I can only say that time does help with healing and don’t let anyone tell you what is right and wrong. The recent article about pet loss really captured the essence of what it’s like to have a pet die – suddenly or over a period of time.
I had the pleasure of knowning this beautiful angel pup. My life was better for it. God bless her and her mama until we all meet together with our furry babies someday. What a reunion that will be!
My beautiful Clancy was found in an open Las Vegas desert field, tongue hanging out, filthy dirty, with no collar on, in 110 degree stifling heat. I was so angry that anyone would do this to any living creature and was determined from that moment, to make her life, heaven on earth.
I took her to my vet and we discovered, to our sadness that she was probably at least 9 or 10. She was by my side for 10 months and never barked, only wanted love. She was the best God could offer me. I would massage her paws in front of the fireplace as we watched TV together and sing to her. One day, she began hemmorhaging from her gums and we rushed her to the vet, who diagnosed osteo sarcoma. Within a week, she lost her ability to stand on her back legs. We saw on a CAT scan, her cancer had metastasized to the liver and kidney. I was able to take a week off of work and spend every moment with her, but when I had to go back to work, I knew I had to do the humane thing. I held her as my vet let her go past the rainbow bridge and my heart broke.
In an addendum to the prior comment with Clancy, 2 weeks after we lost her, I was recounting her story to 2 friends as we sat on the ocean and watched a San Diego sunset. As soon as I told my story, a golden retriever, identical to Clancy, ran on the beach in the sunlight in front of us and into the ocean. I truly believe that at that moment, her soul was at rest and her spirit was telling me that someday, we would reunite together again.
I, am so sad after two months without my Nell can't stop crying. Found out she had Advanced Lymphoma and enlarged spleen.She, was my dear friend, my everything now Ginger and I are alone my little mix dog. Life, is cruel. So empty so sad devestated. Love you Nell. Priscilla
Nor only have I lost my precious Nell as of nov 08, now my brother has died as of Feb. 9 09. So, empty Priscilla