Hello,

A week ago almost to the minute, I had to put my 20-year-old best friend to sleep. I have checked the chat room several times in the past week and always found it empty. If anyone else is experiencing a recent loss or doesn't mind supporting someone for whom this is the first major loss, I would like to share about this.

hi, i'm the first to admit the chat room is not used very much for reasons i don't know. we've tried to set specific times but people are around the world so it was difficult to synch up a time for all.

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

Ananda's mom, this grief journey is one of the most painful experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is a journey that cannot be reconciled in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months - - for you 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. 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 - - with the reassurance that you are among friends here who truly do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

As painful as this grief journey is with adjusting to the physical absence of your beloved Ananda, there is one thing that will never change - - the love bond you and your beloved Ananda share. Love is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. I hope you will find comfort in knowing that your beloved Ananda's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey as she always has and always will, for she is always and forever a part of your heart and memories - - she is 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 are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow. Still I hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey.

High technology is not my forte by any stretch of the imagination, so attempting a live chat would be beyond my very limited abilities. But this message board is open 24 / 7, and because we are a global community united in the common bond we have for our beloved companions, you will receive responses to your messages as soon as possible - - if you would like to share your beloved Ananda with us.

Thank you so very much for honoring us in sharing your beloved Ananda with us. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Ananda's mom, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi, my name's Vicky, I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing now? I lost my beloved dog just under 48 hours ago and I'm heartbroken I can't even go home yet as too many memories.
If you don't mind me asking, was Ananda a dog or a cat? I'm so sorry for your loss, I feel your pain believe me, I still don't quite know how I'm gonna get by without my beloved Millie.

I can relay some advice I have been given from a friend of mine who has much experience with pet loss as she has a shelter in Romania, taking in stray dogs. She explained that losing someone whether an animal or a human is always very hard and that it's about the energetic strings (cords) that are breaking and this is why we feel it so painful. But is also explained as a subconscious reaction coming from our spirit. Deep there we know that the soul is leaving this world will be much happier there than we are here.

As I said I'm still grieving myself, but talking to others who truly understand and listen, give advice... really helps soothe the soul to an extent. I've been told in time this gets better, until then I guess we just have to embrace this pain and except it as life, that it means we are alive... and it hurts!

I wish you all the strength to get through this sad time.