Hi all. I found this site while looking for reading material on the passing of a pet. I am not very articulate or much of a speller so bear with me please.
My dog Ginger passed away in January of this year. She was 14 years old. In early 2003 I noticed lumps starting in her breasts. I had them taken out and for the next several months she did just great. She was bouncing around like a puppy. Around december she started acting tired and depressed. Then stopped eating. On the return trip to the vet I found out her lungs were almost full of tumor*. It was devestating for me. I pretty much already knew what had to be done but was hoping that something could be done to help. The vet said he wanted to do one more test and told me to bring her back the next morning. I could tell that he was probably just giving me one more night with her. That night was both wonderful and extremely painful for both of us. It was painful for Ginger because she knew I was upset and she always wanted her human happy. I did everything for her that she enjoyed throughout her long happy life that evening and night. She was too tired and sick to enjoy it all but I believe she had fun. The next morning I dreadfully took her back and he told me what I expected. I called my mother to come say bye to her "granddog" and we held her while she was injected. It seemed painless and quick.
I feel so bad about it. I have never been a very emotional person and usually don't let things keep me down. But I have been crying for the last five months. Every time I see anything that remotely reminds me of Ginger I break down.

I will write more later.............sorry for being so longwinded about this but i think it is going to do me good to write down Ginger's story.............ty and tc

Rick,

I'm so sorry about Ginger's passing!!! What a special dog she was (and still is), and what a special Dad you are! You gave her your heart, and I think that's why you've been crying so much.

I'm glad you found this site. I think you'll feel right at home here. We grieve with each other---listen, comfort, reassure... I would suggest reading through some of the older posts here, too. It can be really helpful.

You and Ginger will be reunited. In the meantime, she's in a realm where there's no sadness or pain.

Write whenever you need to!

-Kathy

(((Rick))), I am so sorry you lost Ginger. I know how terrible the grief is and I'm sorry you are going through it.

I saw Ginger's picture - what a beautiful girl! There is nothing I can really say that will make the situation any better. Just know that we have all recently gone through this and continue to grieve with you.

Lean on us. We are here for you.


Jan

Rick. Sorry about your Ginger's death. I know it hurts. I lost my cat to cancer in Feb. At least you can know that she's no longer in pain. And soon you can smile and remember the good times you had in her long life.

Littlegirlsmommy, jan, Cattybird............. I would like to thank all of you for your kind words. I read alot of the other posts and I feel like i have felt every emotion being described. I was really relieved to know that it was pretty normal to feel all of the pain, guilt and lonliness. Even though the rational part of my mind tells me she (Ginger) had the most spoiled wonderful dog life that she could have i still feel a great loss. The house is very different without the pooch around.
You folks sound like a great bunch of people and i really appreciate the shoulders you have offered. Thanks....Ricky

Rick,

I am sorry about Ginger's passing. From the picture she was a beautiful dog and she looks so happy there. You can tell that she was very happy and well cared for. What you are feeling is totally normal ... you lost a member of your family. Don't worry about the time ... we all heal at different rates. I lost my Snoops in September and I still cry for him even though I now have two new little furry guys. Maybe, when the time is right you will be able to get another little furry one not to replace Ginger (you can never do that). To me getting the new ones was one of the best ways to remember my lost little guy. Snoops taught me so much and I wanted those lessons to benefit someone else ...

Hugs Rick,
Beth

awesome picture of an awesome friend! sorry to hear she has passed.

the pain will subside on your time, there is no need to rush it along. 14 years is a long
time, so rest assured what is happening is perfectly normal. everyone grieves differently,
and you will go from sadness to fond memories.

Dear Rick:

I am very happy Rick that you have found "Lightning Strike's" to come & share your feelings about your beloved fur-baby, Ginger..... Might I add, "what a beautiful Girl!!!!"

Although I am sorry that "any of us" has had to come to this site at all, we all agree (so very much), that we are all very grateful to MD Cohn for starting this site!!!!!
Whatever you need to say, whatever is in your heart....pain, sorrow, tears, depression........we are all here to comfort, support & listen...

There is no correct amount of time to grieve -- that's for sure!! Someone on this site told me that, "for every year your furbaby was alive, it takes at least one month/per year to feel better".....
But, as humans, we are all very, very different.....

Our beautiful girl, Ernestine was put to sleep on 2/7/2004..........and, I cried so very hard for a long time, but the more I stayed on this site, reading previous posts, reading the new ones, answering posts & trying to help as best as I could given that our girl was just put to sleep, it wasn't long before I was laughing & smiling over something funny that Ernie used to do............or some beautiful memory that's in my heart....

After you lose a furbaby that has been in your life for a long time, some don't think they'll every want another furbaby.
Mind you, "a new furbaby" is just that..... A NEW FURBABY.....
IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, WILL YOUR NEW FURRY FAMILY FRIEND REPLACE YOUR PREVOUS FAMILY MEMBER...
That would never happen..

The fact that you have been crying "for the last 5 months" over your precious Ginger --- that's normal...
She was and will always be FAMILYY!!!!

One day, whenever "you are ready", you will be able to look at Ginger's pictures, and think of all the wonderful memories that you & she shared with smiles, instead of tears.... And, tears are healthy, in that -- they help us to heal!!!!
Don't forget that....

Also, please stick around here on LS...... Okay??

Peace & Love,
Denise

Beth, Muffins, and LS Support,.......thanks for the words of support. I have never been one to "need" or seek out the help of others so for me this is a new experience. I do see how just knowing that i am not the only person who has had these extreme feelings of loss is helping me cope. While i do feel strongly about my own personal loss, i also see that everyone who is here is going through the same situation. I would like to tell each and every one of you that i am sorry for your losses also. If i sound selfish or sound like i am only worried about my own grief i am sorry. I have had very emotional responses to every post i have read about all of your past experiences. I just have a hard time talking about my emotions...lol.....I hope to be able to join you in helping others deal with the feelings you folks are helping me sort out.
I have thought about getting another pup but the time is not yet right. I live alone and dont really have the time to devote to a new "baby". But when i do get one I will spoil it just as bad as i spoiled Ginger. And i will tell you all about it.
This forum will definately help me. Every post i have read has emotions in it that i have felt. Thanks, Ricky

Ricky - being overwhelmed with grief doesn't make you selfish - it makes you human. Each person on here has been in that exact headspace before - and the rest of us will be here to support you through this period of grief and pain.

The loss of a pet is as deep and wounding as the loss of any other loved one. But as all wounds do - it heals and leaves you with a few scars. These make us stronger.

I am very sorry for your loss. When the time is right, you will know it - for getting a new pup. But until then, remember that you are not alone. We are all here and you have friends. Although we may have come together in pain, we will leave with a rejuvenated spirit.