Yesterday morning, my 16-year old Kerry-Blue passed away, and I'm absolutely heartbroken. Last year, my 9-year old Schnauzer passed away, so I know what it's like to lose a pet.
But my question is, if any of you have lost pets ever, what have you done to cope? I've been spending a lot of time with my 7-year old German Shepard/Irish Wolf Hound mix, and with my cats, too, and it's definitely helping, but I just wanted to know other ways I can cope.
When I was 14 years old, I lost my cat, Whiskers. She was 13 years old, so I basically had her my whole life. I grew up with her, and we became so close. I could never fit in at my old elementary school, because I moved to a different town. Nobody liked me, nor accepted me. I had my cat who I could go to anytime. Every time I ran to my room and cried, my cat would apparently sense it, and she would come to me, and lay right next to me. I suddenly felt so much better. I loved her so much.
One night my family and I were at the drive-in. My Uncle called, and told me my called was just hit by a car. The car was speeding down my street, hit my cat, and ran off. Still to this day I hold a grudge to that person.. how can you be so cold?? We got home as soon as possible. I ran to my cat, and hugged her and cried. She was in shock, blind, her jaw was severely dislocated, and coughing blood. We got to the vets, and they couldn't do anything for her. I wanted her to live so bad. But if I let her live, she would be relying on medications and IVs because she can't live and breathe on her own.. she'd be blind and unable to walk properly. I was so devesasted, but I had to let go, and let God take care of her. She was put down that night. On our way home.. all I did was sob, sob, and sob. I couldn't even sleep.. all I did was cry. My mom had to hold me and try calming me down.. they even got me sleeping pills.. but it did nothing. I laid there, crying.. but felt numb.
Everyone knew I was close to Whiskers. She was like my best friend. To cheer me up a little, my local library put up this In memory of thing in there, to help remember my cat. My neighbors actually did that for me, because they loved her too. She was a friendly cat.
For the grieving process, it took awhile for me. You could never replace someone like Whiskers, ever. It took me a few weeks to end the crying. After that, every night I would lay down and pray to God and ask how she was doing, and to promise me He would take good care of her.
Months passed, and I was feeling better. Two years later, I got a cat named Slinky. She resembles Whiskers a lot but with a whole different personality. She's playful, and energetic. Even though I still miss Whiskers to this day, I love them both equally very much.
I coped by praying to God, and talking to people who were able to relate to my story. A girl across the street from me had the same experience. My street is off of a road.. it's a 25 mph limit, but gosh, so many stupid people go down that road doing 60 mph.. In fact, I had quite a few wrecks next to my house.
I still go to God on occasion, to check up on her. Don't get me wrong, I am not crying over her every day, but I always think of the happy times.. and it makes me smile. I was very lucky to have a cat like her. And I am luck to have Slinky too. All animals are precious.
Spend all the time you can with your present dog. You never know when his/her last day is. That's what I do with Slinky.. every day is a precious gift. Please don't waste it.
I wish you the best of luck, and I will pray for you. I know it's hard, but your dogs are definitely in a better place now.
brandog90 answered Monday June 22 2009, 12:37 am: im sorry for yor loss.
about 2 years ago my puppy snuck out and was hit my a car and instantly killed, we were all devistated. my mom and i cried for a good two weeks, on and off. we ended up getting another god of the same breed and i cried when he came through the front door, but he made it a lot better. he brought back some happy memories. we still have him and rarely think of our last puppy. so maybe try getting another of the same breed. [ brandog90's advice column | Ask brandog90 A Question ]
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