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Losing a Pet
Started
by Kate Lee
on September 5, 2012
Yesterday my boyfriend and I had to have our great dane Bella put to sleep. We adopted her about 2.5 years ago when she was six; we knew great danes had shorter life spans but she was so sweet and won us over. Our first year with her was amazing - she loved going on walks, hikes, and camping with us. She loved being outside and sniffing grass and laying in the sun. After that first year she started having bowel movements in the house. We took her for chiropractic adjustments and started her on a hip/joint supplement but nothing really helped. We loved her though and she still loved life so we just kept on buying carpet cleaner in bulk.
However, also over the past year she started getting pretty bad arthritis and very sore. We live in a condo and have to go up a single flight of steps to get into our unit - she started needing a few tries and "running starts" to make it up the stairs. We used to take her on long walks and hikes (she even used to be my boyfriend's mountain biking buddy, just running along behind him) but gradually she started being able to tolerate only short walks. Last Saturday night, my boyfriend and I got home from a friends' and she couldn't even stand up to greet us. The effort of trying to stand was so much for her that she started peeing on the floor. We thought about taking her into the animal hospital but decided to wait for our vet to open since they know her. We bought her doggie diapers and just did our best to make sure she was comfortable and felt loved. Sunday night we took her on a walk around the block and we could see it was pretty painful for her.
We made it to the vet Tuesday - she couldn't even stand up to get out of the car. The vet told us we could try pain pills but I was adamant that it was her time. I felt that the pills would only mask the problem - yes she might be able to stand up with less pain but it wouldn't give her back any quality of life - she still wouldn't be able to hike and go on long walks. I made the decision to stay with her until the end; I knew it would be hard but I didn't want her to be scared and alone when she died. Lowering her limp body to the floor and watching as she took her last breath was the absolute hardest thing I have ever been through.
It feels therapeutic to get this all out but I was mainly hoping to see if others have had this hard of a time moving on from the death of a pet. I feel completely hollow inside - I look around our home and I see her everywhere. My boyfriend moved her doggie bowls and rack from the kitchen this morning and when I got up and walked into the kitchen and saw the empty spot I just couldn't stop crying. I promptly moved it back and yelled at him not to touch any of her things. I feel so out of sorts - I'm usually a pretty easy going person and I rarely ever yell.
I know it seems like we made the right decision but I'm so worried that maybe she herself wasn't ready yet. I don't know - I just loved her so very much and I'm so lost without her. Anyone have some inspiring words that could help me get through this very sad time?
Hi Kate , I know how you feel. I lost my cat 3 years ago, april 2009. I had him for 20 years. His name was STARLOSS . I found him on my street, my neighbor moved out and left him behind. I was really mad when i discovered what she did so cruel but she had done me a favour by finding him and haveing such an amazing cat as part of my family for 20 years. And i still miss him so much. Ill never ever forget him. He died of kidney failure. I did take to the vet weekly for the last two years of his life to have fluide injections to slow down the kidney faluire and to prolong his life bc it was possible to do so as long as he seemed ok and comfertable. But he did get to a point when he couldnt eat much and was loseing lots af weight and couldnt handle the fluid shots treatments any longer and he had to be put to sleep. I dont regret all the money i spent monthly for his treatments or for the time it took to take to the vet 3 times a week ,every week for the last year of his life. E verybody thought i was a bit crazy for doing so. I dont think i was bc i love my pets very much, there my family. My only regret is i should of put him to sleep a couple months earlier. I noticed he couldnt handle the treatment any longer and decided then to put him to sleep but should have done so earlyier when he was loosing weight. But i know i did the best i could and prolonged his life as comfertably as possible. I dont regret the money i spent i would do it again. Please just know that you will never forget your pet and time really will help with your pain. I find the best thing for me is to keep having pets. I have so much love and care to give and i know that no one can replace my star but theres lots of amazing pets out there that need homes and to be loved and cared for and will add so much richness to your life. And they will return the love right back to you no matter what, thats what so amazing about animals. Thats what has helped me. To keep on loveing and careing for other animals in honour for my beloved star. Just remember your beloved pet gave you love and richness to your life and you did the same for her, be happy that you found one another even if it was for a short time and consider yourself lucky to have had her in your life. ...............................I hope i helped you .......................nat.a
Kate Lee, you did an amazing thing. Your baby loved you and you obviously loved her. It is normal to feel empty and just down right horrible about the loss of a pet.
In February I had to put my faithful Shephard to sleep. It was sad. I still cry for her. Something happens and I think Cracker would of enjoyed this, or she would of helped me with that. We didn't wait very long to get new dogs. I decided that 1 was not enough, so we got 2 new shephard mixes within 2 and 3 months after putting her down. They are great rescue puppies, but there is still a big hole in my heart.
We had her cremated and a month ago we took her remains to our favorite camping spot (where my grandparents remains are too) and put her with our family. I know she is taking care of grandma and grandpa now.
The best you can do is keep her in your heart.
I still have her as my wallpaper on my computer and her dishes stayed where they were for a couple weeks, then I moved them downstairs for the cat. The cats dishes were in bad shape. Our cat and Cracker were best friends, so it is only fitting that the cat get her dishes. When we got new dogs I got all new stuff for them so I wasn't feeling like I was replacing my Cracker.
Her collar is hanging on my wall above my dresser, so I think of her last thing before bed and first thing in the morning.
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