The pain has been so intense recently, I can't stand it. It feels like physical pain, like something is consuming me from the inside out. I don't feel like I will ever get through this and be able to enjoy life again. I miss my Sydney so much that I literally don't know what to do with myself. I've never experienced a loss like this before.

Dear Jess,

I am so sorry to hear about Sydney. I think I understand exactly how you feel. I had to have my dog euthanized last July and it took me months until I felt better. I was very depressed. If you want, check out my old posts.

I finally ended up adopting two dogs. One in February and one last month. I thought for the longest time I could never love a dog again. For a few months I couldn't stand even to LOOK at a dog. Though I still have feelings of guilt and grieve for Patsy--I know this might sound so "typical"--I just reached a point where I convinced myself that I loved that dog and would have done nothing to intentionally hurt her; that I didn't know how ill she truly was at the time; that there was nothing I could do to bring her back; and that the only thing I could do was to thank God for what time I had with her, the love she gave and the love and care we gave to her, and to try to help another dog... (I'm not saying what you should do is rush out and get another animal; and of course one can NEVER simply be replaced with another)

Jess, you are going through a very very difficult time. One of the major stressors in life. Many people are more distraught when they lose a beloved pet than they do a family member. It's actually quite normal. Animals are so innocent; they never do anything to hurt us, like people can and do. Do you have a support group you could go to, or know of a therapist who specializes in Pet Loss?

People wrote me some similar things to what I have written you... I just finally came to a sort of "peace" about it eventually. It wasn't easy and took a long time. I just have to believe that Patsy went back to the God Who created her, and that I will see her again someday.

Will be thinking of you...

Sincerely,
nancy

I wish I could say something to help ease your pain, Jess. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose an animal companion. Nothing has cut me more deeply than the deaths of my babies, each in his or her time. I could barely take it. I know it may be of little consolation to you now, and I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but time does have a way of taking the edge off the pain. And I know it helped me, when I found my way here about 2 months after my Nicole died, to read about the other members' losses of their babies, knowing that others cherished their companions as much as I did Nicole, and that they grieved as deeply for them as I did her. You're not alone, the members here are warm and compassionate. We understand what you're going through, we too have been through it. My thoughts will be with you through this painful time.

PLEASE PARDON ALL CAP LETTERS. I'M TYPING WITH ONE HAND AND IT'S EASIER FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING ...

DEAREST JESS, I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. I ALSO WISH THAT I COULD WAVE
A MAGIC WAND TO TAKE AWAY YOUR GOSH AWFUL PAIN. WHAT I DO KNOW FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE IS THAT IT TAKES TIME. LOTS AND LOTS OF TIME. BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND ALLOW YOURSELF ALL THE TIME YOU WANT AND FEEL YOU NEED.

PLEASE COME BACK AND EXPRESS YOURSELF AS OFTEN AS YOU'RE ABLE. TALK ABOUT YOUR TEARS AND FEARS. IT'S BY SHARING AND CARING THAT WE HELP EACH OTHER THROUGH THIS DEVASTATION AND HELP OURSELVES TRY, TRY, TRY, AND BEGIN TO FIND A HEALING PATH. WE ALSO HELP OUR FUR AND FEATHER KIDS WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US LIKE SO MANY OF OUR OTHER FRIENDS HAVE DONE.

YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS I WING MANY LOVING ANGELS TO YOU AND YOUR FUR KID TO SOOTHE AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH WHAT MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES IN YOUR LIFE.

I WISH YOU PEACE!



MANY COMFORTING HUGS!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

I'm sorry about your loss Jess.

I lost my dear Tommy 2 weeks ago (today) and I was such in pain the first week. I couldn't eat or work. I was sleeping and crying all day long. I thought I couldn't never get over it. I'm still very sad and I miss him so much, especially at night since we were sleeping together. Tomorrow would have been is birthday and I feel very sad tonight. He would have turned 6. Poor little boy. He's always on my mind. It was my first loss too ( well one that I'm old enough to remember). I never thought it could hurt that much.

Hang in there. You'll see with time you will feel better. I set up a picture of him with some of his hair and a whiskers that I found in a little jar ( we don't have the body so no ashes) ), and his favorite ball on a shelf. It was really painful to look at it at first, but I find it very helpful. I talk to him every morning and every night. Makes me feel better.

We love these critters so much and it's so hard when they leave. They love us so unconditionally.

My sincere condolences,

Melanie

Jess im so sorry youre in so much pain, I know exactly how you feel. Tomorrow will be 5 months since i lost my darling Squidge and my heart still physically hurts and a lot of the time it gets too much. Just take each day at a time hun, i find writing everything down helps. I miss calling her name and her running over to give me cuddles, but i still talk to her all the time and it makes it feel like she hasnt gone totally, which is true for all of our furbabys, they will always live inside our hearts and will always be in our lives in spirit.

Jess, I am new to this site but have found it helpful to read about how caring everyone is to one another. I lost my dog 2 weeks ago - he was 14 and lived a long life, but there is a hole in my heart and I miss him terribly. It's OK to cry when you feel like crying. Be kind to yourself - you've suffered a major loss - give yourself some time and try to keep busy. I know that's easier said than done. Even if it's just one little thing you get done, give yourself credit. I am so very sorry about Sydney. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Lori

Oh bless your heart for loving Sydney so much. And bless Sydney's heart too.

I just suffered the devastating loss of my kitty to oral cancer, so I know how you are feeling. I feel like my world will never be quite the same. And it won't be. Dear darling Callym has a place in my heart forever, just like Sydney does in your heart. I find talking to a photo of Callym helps me - it makes me cry, but it also makes me feel connected to him - and this way I can still talk to him using his name and all his wee nicknames I have for him.