My husband and I are having a really hard time dealing with the death of our little boy, Gizmo. He was only here for two and a half years. This poor baby had health problems from day 1, from an inoperatable liver shunt to severe bladder stones and infections. Through all this he was able to be a sweet, funny, loving friend to everyone. He passed away on Friday night after a surgery to remove severe bladder stones. He came through the surgery just fine, but after we brought him home he started a rapid decline and there was nothing we or the vet could do to save him. I miss him so badly. I really need to talk about this, because so many people just don't understand the severity of the pain pet loss can cause. I just wish I had my sweet Gizmo back!

I am just so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Gizmo. It sounds as though he had a wonderful personality even though he was so sickly all his life. I am sorry Gizmo did not make it very long past the operation. I know the helpless feeling that comes when you have done all you can do. And yet you still could not save your baby.

We here at LS do understand it was just like losing our children. We all miss our babies with all our hearts. We would give anything to have them back whole and healthy. We each have cried enough tears to fill an ocean. We have been left with an empty hallow feeling. It just hurts so bad.

I know what you mean when you say people around you do not understand the severity of your pain. I had lost my Chili Bean to cancer, and 6 week and 3 days later my precious Snookie left this world. A few days later my dad was telling me to snap out of it, even though he knew she was the love of my life. He spoke the words to me that she was just a dog to get over it.

I have found comfort and compassion here at LS. I don't know how I would have made it through without all our wonderful members here. I invite you to come and talk to us just as often as you would like. I extend my hand to you and your husband, you do not have to walk alone.
Hugs, Ann

My heart goes out to you both ~ the love and compassion you have for your dear Gizmo is larger than life and it is what will get you through this day and the next and the next ~ it is the LOVE that gives us the strength to walk with our precious animal spirit friends/guides through all of life and through the gentle hallways that lead to helping them find the way they need to go at the end ~ Please know that all of us here at this place LS have been on the path and will walk it with you also from here on in ~ You are not alone ~ You both are with those who care and understand ~ You are brave and courageous and have filled a life of sweet Gizmo with joy and the knowledge that what ever happened to him he was loved and safe in the arms of your benevolence and joy at his very existence ~ Be gentle with yourselves ~ and share more ~ you will always find comfort and understanding here ~ Sincere Thoughts of Condolences~ Kathryn

Dear Gizmo's Mom,

I know exactly how you are feeling -just wanting your sweet boy back! They are so precious and such special members of our families. I felt so close to my Allie -she was the light of my life and my best little friend. She died very unexpectedly at 2 years old. I felt cheated that I didn't get more time with her...but eventually I just had to start thinking that it must have been her time to go. She had such a wonderful life and I'm sure Gizmo did too. Try to remember that it's the quality of life and not the quantity of years that counts. You were wonderful parents to Gizmo and you did everything in your power to try to help him become healthy again. I'm so very sorry that he didn't make it. Please know we are all here for you. God bless your family.

(((Hugs)))
Jenny

I am so sorry about Gizmo. We all know how hard it is to deal with the loss of our family members. Each one of us has walked this road, I said once it was like all of us walking along a path, we must keep moving forward, sometimes one of us will stumble and fall back, that is when we all stop and turn around to help that person up so they can keep walking with us. It is a hard path we are walking on and we have to find our way as we go.
So walk with us, we understand, and you will find sharing and knowing that you are not alone helps you take the next step. Pamela

I'm truly sorry for the loss of Gizmo. It sounds like he really had a rough time. The fact of knowing that he is no longer in pain, and at peace may help you get through this.

I wanted to reply to you, because about a month ago, I took in 2 abandoned kittens. One has left our house, and the other is still here. It's up in the air whether we are keeping him or not, but the other day, I had thought that Gizmo would be a perfect name for him.

Just before I came back on to the site tonight, he was sitting on my lap, and while talking to him, I called him Gizmo. When I looked at the topics in the forum, and saw this one, I knew I had to read the posts.

Nothing will change the way we feel about our losses except time. Yours was very short, but you loved Gizmo and did all you could for him. He knew that, and time was just not on his side.

I'm sure he is thankful for all you tried to do for him.

Dear Gizmo's Mommy,

I am so sorry for the pain you are going through right now and that Gizmo had to leave you at such a young age. I know how bad you miss him and want him back. You did everything you could to help him and he knows this as we all do. I share in your pain. Gizmo is with all our furbabies now and is free of all pain. It has been 5 mos. since I lost my girl and I am starting to feel some peace now knowing she is healed. I am starting to be able to see beyond her last year when she was so sick.

My thoughts are with you,
Kimi

I am so sorry for the loss of your baby. Know that you did everything you could, more than alot of people would have done. Although you miss your friend, find comfort that there is no more pain, and that gizmo is in a better place, playing with all of our lost pets. Post here often, i have found comfort with sharing the grieving process with all here. Feel free to contact me, if you need a shoulder to lean on.
Dawn

Dear Gizmo'sMom,

Oh, how heartbreaking! Your poor little Gizmo wasn't dealt a good hand in life with all his physical ailments. But, he should did have the right people to love and care for him and do all that they could to let him experience life as best as he could. Obviously, he didn't let his maladies hold him back. He probably felt he lived his entire lifetime in those brief two years. You'll see him again.

Life just isn't kind sometimes. We fall in love with these precious souls and the joy and happiness they bring to us simpy cannot be replaced. I can only imagine how you must be feeling. It is difficult enough when you have your babies for many years, but to lose one so young, under such heartbreaking cir%%stances, seems incredibly cruel.

I can remember being so angry that I'd curse God when I'd lose one of my beloved cats. I'd ask "Why?" over and over again. I'd blame myself and go through the "If only I did this, or maybe if I could have done that", when in fact, I had to come to grips with the reality that my baby's time here had come to an end. Over time I've come to realize that "end" only refers to the physical. These beloved creatures all possess souls and spirits and therefore they live forever. I often feel their presence. I often see them in a new addition to our family and I wonder if they've come back in another body.

I am so sorry for your loss. You will find the nicest, most sympathetic and caring people here. You can share your thoughts and pain without fear of being misunderstood. We are all intimately familiar with the stabbing pain of loss. Sometimes we wonder if we can go on. Those of us who have endured many losses over the years never get "used to it." A person could love a thousand fur babies and mourn horribly each death. You see, these precious creatures are our truest, most loyal companions and friends. They love us unconditionally; they forgive and never hold a grudge. How may humans do you know that can claim those virtues? How could we not endure agony at having to say goodbye to them?

Please don't blame yourself for your beloved boy's passing. I'm sure he understood completely how much you loved him and how hard you tried to make his life comfortable. He sure didn't lack for love and, knowing that, you will gain some comfort as time goes on.

Grieving is different for everyone. You will find acceptance, solace and uplifting here.
We share your pain and we want you to know we care.

--Susan
~ a voice for the voiceless ~