I'm new to this site and I came across it by chance looking for some comfort after losing my ##er Spaniel mix of 15 years. He was so special to me. We had a strong loving bond and we have gone through a lot together.

He battled with Mast Cell tumors and underwent many painful surgeries and chemotherapy. The vet also suspected he had cushings. He also suffered from severe hip dysplasia along with many other problems, but he held on like a little trooper and showed me what courage and perseverance was. Always by my side: in the bathroom when I showered, by my recliner, by my bed, next to me when using my PC. Then last Wednesday, I came home from work and found him having tremendous difficulty lying down. He would inch his way down to the floor and I got very concerned. I thought, maybe it was the rain and the weather that had caused more pain in his hips and arthritis, so I gave him a Tramadol for the pain. He did not eat or drink that night or after that.

The next day, he could barely walk and refused to drink or eat. Worried, I called in to work and stayed home. The next few hours that followed are so painful to remember. He spiraled downward and became worse, unable to stand, panting excessively, showing signs of a lot pain. I gave him water through a dropper because he could barely lift his head and called the vet. Not having any money, I pleaded with them and they would not work with me.

I went to the pawnshop and pawned everything I had of value and rushed him in to the vet at 3:50 p.m. knowing in my heart this would be the day my beloved Poppy would leave me. The money I had was not enough and I only had enough for either a very expensive x-ray and blood work, or x-ray and euthanasia. I chose the latter not being able to watch him suffer anymore. I nearly lost it when I saw him go.

I have lost several pets before and it was painful then, but Poppy was like my child and the grief is tremendous. I have another little one that’s been with me for 3 years (Pekingese mix) and he is grieving and won’t eat. I don’t know what to do and I’m worried I may lose him also. My house has become a house of mourning and although I try not to cry in front of the other one and I do it quietly, he knows. It breaks my heart to see him suffering for his lost friend. Unfortunately, I have to work all day and he has to stay at home alone. If I had the money, I would find a doggie day care for him for a little while. The people around my block all work during the day and I have no one that can come to check in on him or walk him to keep him company, so I leave the radio on or the TV, but I know it’s not the same. The house has lost all peace and joy at our loss.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get my little one to eat or on anything? I don't know what else to do. I've tried giving him even table scraps, which he loved, but refuses them now. I take him for walks and cuddle and hug him, but then he's alone all day till I get home. I'm torn at the loss of my Poppy and the fear of losing this one.

Dear Poppy's Mom

I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and your little doggy over the loss of your beloved Poppy. I am so sorry that you are both suffering so much, but when we love our fur babies so much, the grieving, when they have to leave us, is a painful thing that we all go through. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this dreadful time.

You and your little pekinese- cross will be a comfort for one another. Lots of cuddles and re-assurance will help him and also give you purpose to try and carry on when you would otherwise feel like caving in with the heartache. It will take time for you both to adjust, but for Poppy's sake, as well, you will, eventually. No way would your dear Poopy want her Mom or her fur brother to suffer.
Please let us know how you are getting along. What is your little fur babies name? I'm sorry if I missed it in your post.

Hugs
Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Thank you for your words of comfort and prayers. My other little one's name is "Gordo." I never changed his name when I adopted him... funny and ironic though, his name means "chubby" in Spanish and chubby he is not. Please continue to pray for us.

Hi, Poppy's Mom, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Poppy. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company. Euthanasia is the last gift of love we can give to our beloved companions - - at great sacrifice to ourselves - - so that they can be restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels.

I am so sorry you had that horrible experience with the vet not wanting to work with you to help your precious Poppy. Please know you did everything that is in your power to provide the very best for your precious Poppy, and your Poppy is eternally grateful to have you for his earthly caregiver.

Jan has given you excellent advice about Gordo giving him extra hugs and cuddles. Just keep encouraging him to eat and drink water, for this is important for his health. If you're able to get this there is a supplement called Nutri Cal that you can try to give to Gordo that may help stimulate him to eat again. It's a high caloric paste that comes in a tube and you can put some in the palm of your hand and have him lick it from your hand, or you can paste to his lips that will force the reflex action to lick his lips and get it that way. You can get it from PetsMart or any supply store for companion animals. You can also make a "sugar" water for calories by mixing tap water with the clear Karo Syrup - - and make sure it is the CLEAR Karo Syrup. There's a formula for this on the internet - - I used it for my Abbygayle the last week of her life when I had to syringe feed her until I could take her for her final journey to the vet. If your Gordo continues to refuse to eat anything and drink water normally, then you will have to take him to the vet. Our companion animals can survive for days, weeks without food but they must have fluids or they will become dehydrated which leads to other complications.

Poppy's Mom, this grief journey is a one day at a time journey, sometimes a one minute at a time journey. It is filled with so many highs and lows, ups and downs, and turnarounds that can overwhelm us all at the same time. It is further complicated when we have a beloved companion who is also deeply grieving. Please know we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us, Poppy's Mom.

Please also know you and your precious Gordo are in my thoughts and prayers, and please do let us know how things are going for you whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

A heartfelt thank you moon beam, you gave me great advice and I will look into this to give Gordo. I have seen him drink water so a big load is off my shoulders. My Poppy would not eat or drink the last day I had him on earth and eventhough I was giving him water with a dropper and a little sugar water for energy, he still got very dehydrated. So you can imagine how scared I was when Gordo stopped eating but thankfully, he is drinking. I was just saying to myself earllier today, we have to take this one minute, one hour, one day at a time. It is just so hard coming home and not seeing him anymore. I know it's going to take a while until we adapt but I know my Poppy is in heaven where he is no longer in any pain or suffering anymore. Thank you for the prayers.

Hi Poppy's Mom

I'm so sorry to read of the loss of Poppy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Let us know how little Gordo gets on. If you ask me, the fact that he's drinking is a great sign that he'll be okay.

Take it as easy as possible.

Peter

Thank you Peter for your kind words. Gordo was able to eat a few pieces of ham and bits of cheese last night. It wasn't a meal and his usual food, but as long as he eats something, I am happy. We both miss Poppy very much. We are both adjusting to the loss.

Hi, Poppy's Mom, so glad to know that Gordo is eating something and drinking water normally. This is very good news, and I know it takes a real concern off your mind. Just wanted to stop by to let you know you and your precious Gordo are in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how things are going whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

moon_beam,

Thank you for checking up on us; I really appreciate it. Now that Gordo is making some improvement, Poppy is back on my mind. Today I had a sad day thinking about Poppy. I know I will have highs and lows and only time will bring healing. Today I miss my Poppy terribly. Everything reminds me of him.

Dear Poppy's Mom,

Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your sweet boy. I totally understand how Poppy was like a child to you, as that was how my Victoria was to me.

So glad to learn that Gordo is eating a bit and drinking.

With healing hugs and wishes,
Juturna

Thank you Juturna for your kind words. I am taking one day at a time. Today I woke up crying again but I thanked God for giving me such a wonderful friend and companion. Poppy gave me 15 years of love and joy, and sometimes of many sleepless nights full of worry, but the joy and love is the one I hold on to. I have learned not to take anything or anyone for granted as life is too fragile and we never know how long our loved ones will be around.

I know in my heart I did all could possibly do for my sweet boy but it was time to let him go, I knew it the moment he looked at me while I fed him water with a dropper. That look of "thank you…I love you but now let me go" was the one that I cry over and cannot get out of my mind. He will be forever in my heart until I join him and see him again, and all my fur babies that have gone before him. What a joyous moment that will be.

I pray that you will also take comfort in knowing that one glorious day you will see your little one again.

"He will be forever in my heart until I join him and see him again, and all my fur babies that have gone before him. What a joyous moment that will be."

Hi, Poppy's Mom, in our deep grief the things that remind us of our beloved companions feel like a sword piercing our hearts. I hope in time as your deep grief eases that you will find the things that remind you of your precious Poppy will become a comfort to your heart and spirit.

You are so right about your reunion at your appropriate time with your precious Poppy and all of your beloved companions who are with the angels. Until then, Poppy's Mom, please know that Poppy and all of your precious fur angels are still with you sharing your life just as they always have and always will - - for they are forever a part of you as they keep a loving vigil over you from heaven's perfect garden.

I do know how challenging it is to endure this grief journey, Poppy's Mom. I hope and pray that each day will bring comfort and peace to your heart. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I look forward to knowing how you're doing whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Poppy's Mom,

Yes, I too look forward to that day when I can rejoin with my canine companions.

Feeding Poppy with a dropper was so loving and beautiul. I believe Poppy's spirit is with you. Grief truely is a one day at a time journey.

With healing thoughts and hugs,
Juturna

Dear Poppy's Mom
I just wanted to stop by and let you know I also am thinking of you and Gordo. I am lucky that my husband is retired so he is home with Zack during the day. We were advised to give Zack lots of extra attention-although he got a lot of our time before his sister died. I am seeing great improvement in him in the last 2 weeks and hope Gordo will also begin to adjust.
I think for people it takes much longer to grieve and come to accept that our companions are no longer with us. I too miss Zoe every day and every night. I still wake during the night and think of her. I have cried part of every day and night since she was killed not quite 3 weeks ago.
I read Moon_Beam's wise words and know that we cannot rush through grief. I hope for you that as time passes you and Gordo will make a new life and new memories even though Poppy is not with you. Of course as I say that I am thinking of my family, also, without Zoe. Losing someone we love is soooo hard.
Sending warm wishes to you and Gordo
Joanne

Joanne, thank you so very much for your words of encouragement. Gordo has begun to eat his regular meals and today he got a nice warm bath. All the extra attention I'm giving him while I'm at home has helped him. He still goes through spurts of loneliness and grief, but I know it will take time for both of us to adapt. It will be harder for him because I'm at work all day but even in this he will adapt.

I hurt with you for the loss of your Zoe and appreciate your kind words trying to help me in my healing. I hope in doing so, you will also receive the healing that you need. we need to take one day at a time. Yesterday I had a bad day with the memories and crying a lot. Today, I'm having a better day. One thing I did before my pet passed on was to clip a lock of his long silky fur. Yesterday, I was missing him terribly and pulled out this lock and stroked it. I cannot tell you how much this has helped me. It felt good to feel his fur again.

Sending warm hugs.