I'll begin by saying that my dog Elton truely was the most amazing living being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I would love to say that we adopted him, but in truth he adopted me. He was part of a group outside my local Petsmart in April 2005. He was so calm that they didn't even have him in a cage, but instead his leash was just attached to another cage and he was hiding under the bus that they came there on. I was walking by, looking at a dog in a cage and out comes Elton. This frightened, underweight dog - who cowered at every sound, walked directly up to me - and just like that I was in love. We took him home and over the next 5 years he won over every person that he came in contact with. He was the happiest dog. He never asked anything of anyone except to be pet, constantly, and to be allowed to cuddle up next to you. He was the definition of my soul mate. And then last November I took him to the vet because he was sneezing a lot - and our lives changed dramatically. These past 3 months have been the hardest 3 months of my life. Watching my baby suffer, I felt like a part of me was dying. Just this past Wednesday we made the hardest decision of lives, and we let him go.

Now what? My husband and I don't have children yet. Elton was our child. I always assumed that he was going to be our children's dog. He was just a baby - only going to be 6 this April. I don't know how to explain this emptiness inside of me. My husband is amazing, and yet I feel so lonely. I just don't know what to do. Everyone says that it will get easier, but when? I just miss my baby so much.

Dear Eltonsmom
I am so sorry and sad for your loss and suffering. He sure is a handsome boy.You will be feeling that awful, dreadful heartache that makes you feel as if you can't breathe. I was there just coming up for 6 months ago, when my darling girl Noushka left us. I still miss her like crazy as I do Tasha who has been gone these last 4 years, but the pain has eased so that I feel as if I can live again. Please just take one day at a time and just think of all the love and happiness you shared with each other, that can never be taken from you, he is always with you in your heart and soul.
I wish I could help you more, but by coming here to this forum you will get lots of help from many wonderful people who share our love for our dear fur babies.
Please post again and let us know how you are.
Thinking of you
Hugs
Jan and my Angels x

I know how it feels to lose a much loved pet, it's devastating and you have my deepest sympathy. Elton was a beautiful looking boy and he was only six, way too young to go, life is so unfair at times. There is no shortcut with the grieving process, if there was I would have gladly taken it. It takes time to come to terms with such a great loss, so let yourself grieve and come here often for support. I was an absolute mess when I lost my soul mate Ulriich at only three and it is only the people here who helped me really. It's 9 months since my loss and I still think of him every single day and miss him, but I can at least go on with my life now. I have other pets, three dogs and a cat, but when Ulriich died it didn't make any difference, I wanted him back so much, it nearly drove me over the edge.
I hate to see you go through the pain that I know you are going through, but hang in there we understand and suffer with you. Lucky you have a great husband, what a blessing that is. Hugs to the both of you xx

madi xx

Hi, Elton's Mommy, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Elton. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company. The grief journey that follows a loss is a one day at a time journey. Unfortunately there is no "fast forward" button to push that can speed up the process. I can empathize with you about your loss of Elton at such a young age. Thirty-eight months ago my 6 year old kitty son, Eli, joined the angels with End Stage Lymphoma, and now my 6.5 year old beautiful kitty daughter, Abbygayle, has Stage III Fibrosarcoma. There is nothing more the vet can do for her except to help keep her happy and comfortable until it is time to send her home to the angels. Thank goodness she isn't in any significant pain right now, but her left hip - - which is the site of the cancer, is now becoming tender from the surgical treatments she underwent last year. So, she is on some mild pain medication for the discomfort, which is helping to lift her spirits.

Yes, a part of you went with your precious Elton when he joined the angels - - the part that was committed only to him and which was the very best part of you. Our beloved companions give to us their undivided attention and unconditional love, and we in turn surrender ourselves to them without reservation. That is one of the many reasons why the grief journey is so painful - - both physically and emotionally. Clinical studies show that adult men and women grieve differently, but it is important that the both of you be able to share your feelings of grief because Elton was the center of your lives, and will forever be a part of your hearts and memories.

Some folks find it helpful to do something in memory of their beloved companion to help with the healing journey. Some do memorial videos, some do memorial services, some do memorial scrapbooks, some do memorial gardens, some do donations in loving memory of their beloved companion, and some just keep their memories in their heart. There is no "wrong" way to grieve unless it becomes self-destructive. One of the most important things in a loss is to know you are not alone, and I am so glad you have found this forum. Each of us here do understand what you are going through and how you're feeling, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Elton's Mommy, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Elton's Mommy, I'm so sorry you've lost your best friend. It cuts you to the core, I know. I understand what you mean about your husband being great but you still feel so alone. It's so hard that only we can get through our own grief. No matter how much support you have, you feel alone when all things are quiet. This Friday will be 6 months for me since we lost our cat, Frasier. Some days I don't feel any better than I did the first day. But overall, your bad days will begin to turn into bad moments in a day. It won't always consume you like it does right now. This forum is a great place to be - especially when you begin to feel like people in the outside world will no longer understand that you are "still" talking about your loss.
Again, I'm so sorry. I do hope your good days will come soon.
-Donna

Hi Elton's Mommy,

Just wanted to say hello and I am in the same boat as you. So sad to hear about your poor doggy, he was so young and that must make it even tougher to understand and get over. I am sooooo sorry for you, he was such a cutie!! I love that picture of him, he looks so inquisitive and innocent (guess that's what gets us isn't it?.

We lost our dog of 14 years last Monday, and although he was old for a labrador, I cannot believe how much I miss him. We had so many happy memories, but they just make me cry even harder - arrrgh!! My children are still small, 6, 4 & 2 so they don't really understand. My little girl keeps tellimg me 'Stormy will be back', and I hug her every time she say it because she is only 2 and knows that Mommy is sad about Stormy! As I have said in my previous posts, if anyone had told me that this would be anywhere near as hard as it is, I would not have believed it. It is quite simply, devastating. Whether it's 3 years or 10 years you've had these sweet creatures it leaves a hole in your heart that is kilometers wide.

I am trying to sort out what to do with Stormy's ashes, but even that does not bring comfort. I will probably plant a tree or large plant of some sort so I can see it flower every year, but we'll see.

Anyway, just wanted to tell you how cute your doggy was and that I understand how hollow it feels when they are gong. Take care.

Moira