My 15 year old redpoodle Joy passed away 12-21-2013. He collapsed 12-17-2013 due to severe kidney failure. Even after all my efforts to save him, he had to be put down since his kidney completely stopped working. I did not realize how sick he was until he showed such symptoms on 12-17. Till that moment, his appetite was good, he did not vomit at all, and he walked OK. So, I could not fully detect his kidney was failing. But I a bit suspected something was happening to him since he drank water and urinated more often than usual. There is no point for me to regret that I should have brought him to the vet earlier. But, I feel so guilty and I am so sorry to him.

Joy became blind two years ago when we fed him with a new brand of commercial dog food. That was my biggest mistake. That dog food caused him undergo huge immune responses leaving him blind a week after. With the sudden blindness, Joy became so frustrated and lost his cheerful spirit, which broke my heart.

Now, I lost him due to kidney failure, which could have been detected earlier. Losing him was like losing my entire life. He was a sweetest boy in this world to me. As we don't have our own kids, Joy was simply our first child and has been a blessing to our life. We loved him so much and we will do forever. However, the loss of Joy left us immeasurable emptiness and unbearable pain in our heart. I am not sure if I and my wife are going to be ever healed.

My 13 year old toypoodle Andy was really sad when Joy passed away. Andy was in the same room at the vet when we put Joy down. My wife told me that she had never seen such sad face of Andy. Since Joy's gone, Andy became lethargic, and started to lose his weight drastically and to develop very severe anemia. He then passed away yesterday. His death was so sudden. It was simply a shock to us. I and my wife never prepared for it. Andy has actually suffered from extremely severe arthritis affecting all his limbs and every single joint. With all our efforts to get him treated, his condition has been getting worse. Andy is our precious second child. He is so unique and he is just like a small kid with unceasing happiness.

I am afraid if I and my wife can live normal life ever again without our precious children. I am very concerned about my wife as well. She is so devastated and her heart is completely broken. I have read many postings here. I feel so much pain when I read all the losses. My heart goes to all the people who lost their precious, beloved children.

Joy and Andy, both mom and dad love you so much, which is beyond verbal expression. Our life has been blessed with your unconditional love. We so much hope that Joy can see and Andy can walk now, so that you can play together again in the Heaven. Please wait for us. We will see you guys again.

I'm so sorry for your double loss.
I lost my cats Baby and Mr. Precious within a few days of each other. We were "expecting" Baby to pass. She was 21 and her body had started to shut down beyond healing. We called a vet over for a home euthanasia on January 26...and it was very sad, but she had lived a long life of love and it was OK to let her go.

On January 29, Mr Precious started yowling in pain. We rushed him to the emergency vet where they found his urethra completely blocked off, with no way to urinate. They might have been able to perform surgery that may or may not have fixed the issue, but we just didn't have the money for that. Before that, he had no symptoms at all and we had no idea there was anything wrong. In the end, the only option we had was to set him free from his pain.

They are buried side by side in the garden.

It can be devastating to lose family members so close together. I feel for you and I wish you peace and comfort. They are together again, happy and healthy, playing in the meadow beside the Bridge.

Hi, mylovejoy, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical losses of your beloved Joy and Andy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Losing two, or more, precious companions in a very short period of time intensifies the grief.

Mylovejoy, this grief journey is one of the most painful experiences you and your wife will know on this side of eternity. It is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time, in your own way and in your own time. This grief journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Joy and Andy, and it is a journey that cannot be reconciled in an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months - - for you and your wife are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" and the memories that can be all too painful right now that include "this time yesterday, last week, last month, last year" to endure.

Please let me try to reassure you and your wife that what you are feeling is very normal deep grief - - very painful both emotionally and physically, yes - - still very normal. It is important that you and your wife allow yourselves the opportunities you need to openly release your deep sorrow. Clinical professionals now recognize that the grief journey for a beloved companion is the same as for a human family member or friend. Some people think that if they suppress their grief it will make their sorrow less painful. Clinical studies prove that suppressed grief can cause serious medical problems further down the road that may require emergency attention. Scientific studies prove that the tears we cry are literally healing tears as they literally cleanse the body of toxins that build up from the stress of grief. So it is important that you and your wife find healthy ways for the both of you to release your sorrow as frequently as you need to - - even if it means that you must find a private place to do so apart from other people.

Mylovejoy, there is no doubt that you and your wife did everything in your power to give your beloved Joy and Andy a happy, healthy earthly journey. When our companions come into our hearts, our lives are changed for the better. When they precede us to the angels our lives are changed again. We are faced with the incredibly painful task of re-inventing our lives and establishing "new normals" that no longer include the physical and emotional needs of our beloved companions - - and this an incredibly painful adjustment. But I promise you and your wife that the deep sorrow that is in your hearts now will not always be this way. One day when you least expect it you and your wife will be thinking of your beloved Joy and Andy, and you will find yourselves smiling - - truly smiling - - and your hearts will fill with the warmth of the many treasured memories that you and your wife share with your beloved Joy and Andy. But until this day comes for you, please know you are among friends here who truly do understand what you are going through. We are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

There is one thing that never changes even in the midst of the deepest sorrow that is in your and your wife's hearts - - the love bond you and your beloved Joy and Andy share is eternal -- it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Joy's and Andy's sweet Living Spirits continue to share your earthly journey as they always have and always will - - for they are always and forever in your hearts and memories - - they are always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

I know all too well from first hand experience that when our hearts are entrenched in deep grief there really are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow. Still I hope the words I share with you and your wife will be able to offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you and your wife travel your grief adjustment journeys.

Thank you so much in honoring us in sharing your beloved Joy and Andy with us. They are so adorable. Please know you and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers, mylovejoy, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear MaryB and Moon_beam
Thank you very much for your comforting words and consideration. Most people do not fully understand that humans and pets can form a bond, which is unbreakable and eternal. MaryB, I am so sorry for your loss. It must have been extremely hard on you losing two precious babies. I hope you feel peace and rejoice with beautiful memory of Baby and Mr.Precious.
Best
Joy and Andy's Dad