It is always difficult losing a pet. Some people do not understand how deep the hurt can be. With good fortune, the parent of a human child will outlive that child. They can watch the child grow for decades.
On the other hand, we pet parents know that our time with our furry friends slips by like sand in an hourglass. If we are lucky, we might get 15, 16 years. We know this every time we bring an animal in the home. The relationship is destined to end in heartbreak, yet we do it anyway.
The grief can be hard to handle. You are not crazy. You are not “wrong” to feel this way about an animal. He or she was your friend, and you have a right to grieve.
Fortunately, there are resources available to help you cope with the grief. The local emergency animal hospital, REACH, has a great section on their website:
www.reachvet.com/node/691/
Here, you will find references to a few books they recommend. They have also posted links to helpful websites and local support group information. They included that heartbreaking “Rainbow Bridge” story at the bottom of the page. If you have never read it, have a box of tissue handy. A person would have a heart of stone not to cry from reading it.
You can enter “pet loss support” at Google and find even more information. You do not have to suffer in silence. Sadly, all pet parents eventually go through this.
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Showing posts with label pet loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pet loss. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2012
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Real Joys & Sorrows of Pet Companions
This week, I have tried to explain the financial commitment required for pet companionship. I would like to end the series by discussing the joys and sorrows of having a pet companion.
You will experience love unlike that you know with humans. A pet genuinely does not care what kind of car your drive, what your job title is, what brand of cell phone you own, et cetera. A dog will be happy to see you, whether you have been gone five minutes or five hours. (Cats are less excited.)
They will listen to you ramble on and on about stupid stuff and generally do not roll their eyes at you. They will sit in your lap while you spend hours typing a silly little blog that no one may ever read. They want to be with you all the time, yet, interestingly, you will not feel the need to have a restraining order issued. They think you are the greatest person in the world.
They can also rip your heart to shreds when they pass. I was truly gutted when I lost Perdy and Dino. The most recent loss was Dino who fought an incredible battle against a nasty cancer for over a year. I cried myself to sleep and cried when I woke up each morning for a solid week after it happened. He was so brave and so sweet. My eyes are welling up as I type this. You never forget your pets.
And, yet, here Gracie sits in my lap. Pets fill a hole in our lives. They also force us to focus on something other than our silly concerns. If you can afford to have a pet and are willing to make the commitment, I urge you to do it.
Maybe your current situation prevents you from bringing a pet into your life right now. Please consider volunteering at a shelter or with a rescue group. They have plenty of pets who could use a hug and a walkie.
And, don’t forget - Rescue Pets Rule!
Rescue Mommy
You will experience love unlike that you know with humans. A pet genuinely does not care what kind of car your drive, what your job title is, what brand of cell phone you own, et cetera. A dog will be happy to see you, whether you have been gone five minutes or five hours. (Cats are less excited.)
They will listen to you ramble on and on about stupid stuff and generally do not roll their eyes at you. They will sit in your lap while you spend hours typing a silly little blog that no one may ever read. They want to be with you all the time, yet, interestingly, you will not feel the need to have a restraining order issued. They think you are the greatest person in the world.
They can also rip your heart to shreds when they pass. I was truly gutted when I lost Perdy and Dino. The most recent loss was Dino who fought an incredible battle against a nasty cancer for over a year. I cried myself to sleep and cried when I woke up each morning for a solid week after it happened. He was so brave and so sweet. My eyes are welling up as I type this. You never forget your pets.
And, yet, here Gracie sits in my lap. Pets fill a hole in our lives. They also force us to focus on something other than our silly concerns. If you can afford to have a pet and are willing to make the commitment, I urge you to do it.
Maybe your current situation prevents you from bringing a pet into your life right now. Please consider volunteering at a shelter or with a rescue group. They have plenty of pets who could use a hug and a walkie.
And, don’t forget - Rescue Pets Rule!
Rescue Mommy
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