I'm scared. Help

CarrieJ85

A friend shared this with me when my15-year-old cat passed away last year and now I will share it with you:

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."

Elizabeth_C34

Please please have someone near you for comfort you. You'll need to talk afterwards and comforted. It's a very difficult thing to do.

I am so sorry for the loss of your pet. *hugs* Cherish and value the time you had with him.

doobabe

If your referring to that beautiful pug in your profile, well then I can understand your feelings to some degree. I have a pug and I swear he is my BFF- I would die if I ever lost him. That being said I love him enough to NEVER want him to suffer- even if it means losing him. I give you so much credit for doing what you have to even though it is so hard.

I know this must just kill you- but hurting yourself physically with junk food and booze is NOT the answer. Do you know how much worse you will feel once your drunk? Is that really how you want toy spend your last days with him?

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Give him all the love you can and be thankful for the time you've had with him. Hang in there...

iamahealthychick

I just went through this 3 days ago. It was incredibly hard. My puppy was 13 and in renal failure. I was torn about what to do as well. In the end, I knew I wasn't doing her any favors at all and that things were just going to get worse. I held her in my arms as the vet injected the medication. Be aware... it was fast. I don't just mean fast... it was lightning fast. She was up against my heart and I just kept telling her how much I loved her over and over and over....

If you have someone who can go with you, that is a huge help. Both my husband and I were there. It hurts like hell but you will also know you have not let them suffer and have done the right thing.

I admit to going completely off the rails food-wise that day.... not junk food (weirdly trying to not eat my feeling) so much as alcohol (yes, I drowned my sorrows in a martini and 3 glasses of champagne).

I say go ahead... have one day of indulgence.. try to keep the food healthy-ish, drink what you want then get back on track tomorrow.

FATISLANDLADY

So sorry to hear about your dog- i know what it's like to lose a much-loved pet. Don't try to hide your sorrow by stuffing yourself with bad food. You'll only be punishing yourself, and end up feeling really worse. Why not think "Today i will be strong for him, today will be in memory of him and all the good times we had together." I'm sure he helped you through a lot of bad times just being there with unquestioning love. Try to make his memory a positive thing, one that gives you strength to persevere with your goals to be fitter and more healthy. my thoughts are with you. good luck.

Rachaelluvszipped

I'm soooo very sorry sweety.. Don't worry about the crazy eating for today...its kind of hard to think when we lose a loved one..animals are like our sidekicks and are always there when we need them...just be there for your loved pet.. I hated the day I had to put our cat down... I was like a zombie the rest of the day...

Start a scrap book and that will help a little..I did that for my Father and Sister when they passed..remembering the best happy times will help ease some of the sorrow..:flowerforyou:

dlaplume2

Take him for a walk. I am soooo sorry for your loss. I had the same thing happen with my dog. We got her when she was a puppy. She was such a good dog. Really good with the kids and just a happy dog. She got cancer too. It was so sad to bring her in. I don't know how your dog is feeling, but mine was walking and acting fine, the day we brought her in, but the days before were not so good. I was thinking if you take him for a walk it will give you something active to do with him and a fond memeory to have. It does get easier, but the first few days and weeks will be hard, make a plan.

:flowerforyou:

magichatter06

:flowerforyou: Been there, down that twice. Thankfully, I wasn't there at either procedure but it hit me very hard. You will make it, might just take time

If you eat, you eat. Tomorrow or even next week is a "new day"

goforkissy

Thank you all so very much!!!

I am in tears reading all your kind thoughts, words, poems and stories.

Thank you for your motivation and your sympathy.

I will read all your responses again as I walk PAST the McDonalds and straight home to my puppy..... on second thought, maybe i will get that Big Mac and fries. BUT, not for me! For my puppy as a nice treat!

Thank you all for helping me through this. I couldn't have asked for a better MFP family!

cornerofgreystreet

I am so sorry. I understand this is a very difficult time. I just had to do this on Saturday with my kitty Jezebel. Thats her in my profile pic. It's a very tough thing to do and I wish you all the best getting through it. I had my dad go with me and we sat and talked about happy memories of Jezebel and of kitties that I had growing up. It felt good to tell some stories about her and remember the joy she brought to my life.

I understand the feeling of wanting to eat to make yourself feel better and I wish I had some great advice on how not to do that. I sat and ate some ice cream and cried when I first found out how sick she was. Then I realized that the ice cream didn't really make me feel any better, actually felt a little worse because now I had some guilt along with the grief. I did have a few beers.

It helped me to see her after they put her to sleep. She had been very sick and didn't look well but once she was gone she looked very peaceful. Good luck on this very tough day.

Scarletblue

This is very sad, I am so sorry.

fesse02

I feel for you and your difficult situation.

wifeygonzo

I recently read an article online that dealt with the sadness of loosing a pet. The article suggested creating one last great memory with your pet. Depending on your dogs condition, spend some time with your dog doing the things your dog enjoys the most. Does he like to go for a walk or a ride in the car? Does he like to lay in your bed or on the couch? What are his favorite foods, snacks? Give you dog "the best day" and take photos so you can look back and remember the great time you had together.

I have two dogs, 6 and 4 1/2 and I dread the day they will be gone. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but also remember you are taking away his suffering.

dnsrmr

First of all, I'm deeply sorry your precious animal is sick with cancer.
I had to do the same with my dog too by putting him to sleep as he was having a hard time with cancer & breathing at the end.
I felt I had to do what I had to do, yet I had a great deal of guilt.
I was told my animal trusted in me to make decisions for him, even until the very end.
I then felt I made a good solid compassionate decision which lifted my guilt and sadness.
Your animal trusts completely in you, loves you unconditionally no matter what, and will stay loyal to you until the end.
We can learn alot from animals.
On your part - you should take this extremely sad situation day by day.
You should not be worrying about what you eat at this time.
If it makes you feel better to eat your favorite food, then do this.
No one knows what your heart and mind think except you (and your precious dog probably).
I actually think eating what you want at this time can reduce your stress, which your dog can be feeling too.
An animal amazingly feels when we're sad, etc.
With such a difficult decision to face, it's important to focus your mind and time on your loved one, and not worry about anything or anyone else.
Do what you have to do to keep yourself and your dog comfortable, even if it's through eating the comfort foods you mentioned.
God bless you & your special pal.
Enjoy your time with your buddy.
~Dee

hannahlbur

Aw really sorry. X

grrrlface

I'm so sorry.
I've never lost a pet before but one of our cats is becoming very ill and I feel that soon we may be in this situation. It will still come as a shock.

I think you should do what other people have suggested a make him a very happy dog by treating him to his favourite things.

I was nearly crying reading all these replies. xx

MJ5898

(((((HUGS))))) I had to let my first dog go almost 3 years ago and it is still the hardest thing I have ever done. However, it was kinder not to prolong his suffering. It is so hard to make a selfless decision like this but you are doing the right thing. As others have said, make the remainder of his time the best of his life. Enjoy him and know that your memories will sustain you even through your grief. I am crying just typing this - I really do know how hard it is. Our oldest just turned 14 and I know I will be in your place again soon. God bless.

iamahealthychick

We luckily had a few days before putting Kaili down to say goodbye. We visited my parents, fed her anything/everything she wanted, went out in the sun the morning of and stopped by Tim Hortons for some plain and chocolate glazed doughnut holes (she loved chocolate so 20 min before,she got some. She had eaten it a few times before in great quantity and was never sick from it). I am glad we took that time together to make it all about her. Take lots of pictures of your puppy/you and your puppy together. All that stuff helps.

mynika

I just went through this EXACT same thing. Get ready to cry. Make sure you have support with you. Know that you are going to cry for several days. If you can, use your energy to go hike up a mountain and sit on a rock and reflect on all of your happy memories with your pug. GET ANOTHER DOG RIGHT AWAY!!!! Even if you don't feel you want to. Force yourself to go to the pound and rescue one. You will find love in your heart for him and he will fill a big hole in your heart. DO IT! And....give him all of his favorite snacks, cheese, steak, ice cream.....really let him live it up and love him to pieces!!!

I totally agree, Such good advice. Adopt a sweet dog in his place, one that doesn't get the love that you have to give. Hope everything works out, ((hugs))

brattyworm

i'm so sorry you're losing your little one. Give yourself time to grieve. Let others comfort you in a similar manner as you would if it were a different family member who passed. I am lucky, each time we have lost one of our little ones, we have had the other little ones help with comfort. I know it sound crazy but the first dog my husband and i had together who died at a much too young age was mourned immensely by his best friend, our cat. The second dog we lost, was mourned by the other dog we have. If you have other pets use them. they too miss their friend and need comfort and comforting them also comforts you.

Maryfullofgrace

I feel for you. Don't go alone, and if you can, have someone with you for a while afterward. Losing a pet is so very hard.

shedoos

Thinking of you today -- I hope you're okay...

LorinaLynn

I'm sorry about your pup, but know that you're doing the kindest, most unselfish thing for him. You're putting his needs before your own, and that's being a loving, wonderful doggie-mom.

Be kind to yourself, too. I love drinking and I love junk food, but when you're down, it's only going to make you feel more down. Take time to let yourself heal. Going from caretaker to mourner is a rough transition. My 18 year old cat had kidney and heart failure, and my life was so caught up in caring for her that I felt lost after she passed, not just from missing her, but because my routine was so different.

But if you need a day or two with a pint of Ben & Jerry's, that's ok, too. It's all part of the process, and big life event like losing a loved one is a very legitimate detour. You'll get back on track when you need to.

mrshoffman07

Sounds like you and your dog deserve some really great last moments together. It sucks to know hen it is time but also thankful to get the quality time to remember. I did not get that when my dog died in my arms on Christmas morning in 2006. Christmas will never be the same.