I'm feeling very sad today because my beloved dog that I had for 14 1/2 years, died today. I knew it was coming but it has still been very difficult. I had him before I had kids and I feel like I've lost one of my kids. I just feel the need to tell my friends.

Lolac

Oh Lolac thats so heartbreaking. I can sympathesize, although I personally dont own a dog. My aunt and uncle have gone through many dogs during the years, but one was put to sleep almost immediately after I said my own "goodbye" to her. They put her to sleep the following day due to hip displacia. sp? Although we were not told, we knew it was coming.


She cuddled up to me and I felt she was trying to say to me "I'm Scared, Hold Me." I cried for hours when I found out she had died the next day.

pat

I'm very sorry to hear that, Lolac.
I haven't had one single pet since I moved out of my parent's house many years ago. The reason being, we'd just previously lost Pepper, a black Lab that we'd had for ten years. He'd gotten out of the yard somehow, and was crossing the street to greet one of my siblings who was coming home from school. It was hit and run. Call me a whimp, but I just never wanted to go through that again.
This isn't about me, I just wanted you to know I understand how you feel, and I hope your time of pain is a short one.

Steve

I'm sorry for your loss, Lolac. I too am a dog person and know how difficult it is to say goodbye to a beloved pet. They really are members of the family.

You may want to visit this web site and share your thoughts with others on their message board: http://www.petloss.com/. It helped me cope with the loss of my dogs in the past, and I am sure I'll visit there again. If you go to the site, please read Rainbow Bridge too.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I know how you are feeling. I too lost a pet only two days ago and have been trying to deal with it. Hopefully we will both make it through. I hate to turn this around on myself, but I lost both a family member and a pet within this month, so I know that it is so hard to deal with. I hope you feel better and I'm sorry.

Dear KennedyDean, I am so sorry for your losses, also! It is a very difficult time, isn't it? My prayers are with you.

Lolac

I'm sorry for your loss, Lolac. I too am a dog person and know how difficult it is to say goodbye to a beloved pet. They really are members of the family.

You may want to visit this web site and share your thoughts with others on their message board: http://www.petloss.com/. It helped me cope with the loss of my dogs in the past, and I am sure I'll visit there again. If you go to the site, please read Rainbow Bridge too.


Larry, thank you. I will go to that site. I appreciate your kind words.

Lolac

Lolac, I'm sorry that you lost your pet. I know how you feel. My dog that I grew up with for 13 years died of cancer in 1996. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Lolac,
Not much time has passed, I know, so I don't expect you to be feeling any better right now. I just think of you, your family, and your loss from time to time, I and want you to know it. I'm sure others here do to.
Please find some comfort in that.

Steve

Thank you, Steve. That means so much to me. I'm feeling more at peace now. He was a very old dog and he let us know it was his time. It was just very hard to let him go, but I know it was the right thing. There are many wonderful memories and that makes me feel peaceful. Thank you again for your kind thoughts.

Lolac

Lolac, so sorry to hear of your loss. I know exactly how you feel. I had to have my cat of 20 years (I grew up with him starting at 14) put to sleep 10 years ago and have never, nor ever will forgotten it. I stayed with him during the process so that I was the last thing he smelled, heard, saw (with what vision he had left) and felt as he passed. I've had many pets before and since; two dogs that I would give my life for if I had two. They're as much as part of the family as anyone and the pain is just a real.
Have you ever read The Rainbow Bridge at all? It says it all. I don't know what your guy's name was, but this was a tribute I sent to a friend recently; when you're reading, just subsitute the name as it fits every dog who has ever walked the earth and touched a human life:

Lolac, I am so sorry about your dog. Pets give such unconditional love and companionship and they are very much missed when gone.

Kennedydean, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of a relative and a pet in such a short time. I lost two very close relatives, a parent and grandparent, in less than a year. Both died suddenly and unexpectedly. Both of them literally dropped dead. I would've been totally devastated if my cat, who is the best companion and comfort in my life, had also died.

Thank you for the kind words. I lost my grandmother (and had to go to her funeral the day after her birthday), and my pet (that I rescued) in such a short time frame. In between these two deaths, I had a very depressing birthday. A lot of people my age (22) aren't close to their grandparents, but I am completely the opposite. I am still having such a hard time getting over my grandmother.
We should feel lucky to have people, whom we've never met, to comfort us in this depressing time. I'm happy to know each one of you. =)

I, too, was very close to my grandparents. They lived next door so I saw them every day when I was a child. It's small comfort, but I think death is easier to handle the older you get. At least that's how it's been for me.