Hi. I'm Jennifer. Four days ago I had to have my cat, Simone, put down. Needless to say I have been a wreck since then, overcome with grief, anxiety, and panic attacks. Everyone keeps telling me that it just takes time but, I honestly don't know if I can recover from this. I had her for 8 wonderful years and I miss her so very bad. Any help in getting through this is appreciated. Thank you and God bless.

Dear JennJenn73,

I am so very sorry for the loss of Simone. Though I know it does not feel like you will get better, I just wanted to share, that I lost my 19 year old dachshund, Auggie just almost 2 months ago, and I felt the very same way. I went through the panic attacks, I couldn't breathe. There were moments I felt ok, and then like a ton of bricks, it'd hit me again.
I know we all recover in so many different ways and time frames, and I do still have days that are harder than others, but I did finally get to a place where I am not feeling the crushing weight, and the anxiety has gotten better.

I pray for you, that in time, you also will feel less of this anxiety, and will get to a place where you can remember the good times.
I know all too well at this moment, you can't imagine that it will get easier each day, because I did not think it would either.
Just know that you are here in good company, with so many who truly do understand.

I pray for your anxiety and your grief, and that you will feel better a little each day,
Auggie's Mom

Hi, Jennifer, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Simone. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Losing a companion at a young age can intensify the grief. 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.

This grief journey is one of the most painful experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is a journey that is filled with many different emotions that can overwhelm us all at one time which is why it is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. This grief journey can only be traveled one day at a time sometimes one moment at a time with the reassurance t that you are not alone. Each of us here does understand what you are going through, Jennifer, and we are here for you for long and as often as you need us.

Although you are now faced with the enormous task of adjusting your daily routines to the physical absence of your beloved Simone there is one thing that will never change - - the love bond you and your beloved Simone share. Love is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Simone's sweet Living Spirit continues to be a part of your heart and memories - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

I know so very 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 searing 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.

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

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you all so much. It is so comforting knowing I am not alone.Click to view attachment

Hi, Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful picture of you and your beloved Simone with us. What a beautiful girl she is. There is no doubt from the contented expression on her face that she knows she is eternally loved. How blessed she is to have you for her Forever Mom, and how blessed you are to be her sole, and soul, heir to her eternal love.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Jennifer, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Simone's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hello all. Thank you again for the kindness you have shown. Tomorrow marks a week since Simone crossed the bridge. I am doing somewhat better. I have been able to come off of my anxiety meds and I am sleeping better. I find a lot of peace knowing that I did the right thing for her by having her put down. So I'm holding onto that. What I don't get is how I can be okay and then all of a sudden it hits me again and I have to stop and cry. I guess that's probably normal. Sorrybif I am posting too much but, the talking helps. Again, I am so glad I found you all!

Hi, Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and the good news that you are now being able to get through the days without the need for your anxiety medication. It is extremely important that you get plenty of rest because this grief journey requires a lot of energy, and the stress on your body from the grieving also puts your immune system at risk. So getting rest is essential for you to be able to cope both physically and emotionally with this grief adjustment journey.

You are exactly right in that it is perfectly normal to feel okay one minute and then find yourself overwhelmed with grief the next. This is one of the many reasons why this grief journey is referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. During the deep grief you have very little control over your emotions, which is why it is important that you allow yourself the opportunities you need to openly grieve for your beloved Simone, even if you must find a private place away from other people to do so. Eventually you will find that the waves of grief are not as frequent, and when they do happen are not quite as painful. This is good as it will allow you to begin transitioning your focus from the deep pain of your sorrow to the many wonderful memories you and your beloved Simone share - - and this is what your beloved Simone wants for you.

Thank you again so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Please know we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. I hope today is treating you kindly, Jennifer, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Simone's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Jennifer,

I am so sorry to hear of the physical loss of your precious Simone! There is nothing like this kind of grief !

I'm so glad you found this site. You are not alone. We all understand this kind of pain and we're here to help each other along the journey.

What a wonderful picture of you and your baby. The love between you is obvious. I agree with moon_beam that Simone knows she is eternally loved.

Please continue to let us know how you are doing. We can share ideas on what might most help.

Prayers your way!
Kathy

Jennifer,

I am so sorry to hear of the physical loss of your precious Simone! There is nothing like this kind of grief !

I'm so glad you found this site. You are not alone. We all understand this kind of pain and we're here to help each other along the journey.

What a wonderful picture of you and your baby. The love between you is obvious. I agree with moon_beam that Simone knows she is eternally loved.

Please continue to let us know how you are doing. We can share ideas on what might most help.

Heartfelt prayers your way!
Kathy

Hello, all. Just checking in to let you all know that after 3 weeks, I am still trying to adjust to my girl being gone. I get so lonesome for her and miss having her in my lap and on my bed with me. I had a photo of her framed and her tag is attached to the frame. And I still talk to her from time to time. The house is very different now and I guess so am I. I miss her terribly but, it is not the crushing grief it once was. Thank you again for the kind words and thoughts.

Hi Jen, thank you for checking in. I understand everything you expressed.

I love the photo-with-tag idea!

I hope you continue to come here to share, to ask questions, or just to read.

Prayers of peace your way,

Kathy

Hi, Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. I can so relate to how you're feeling when you share with us "The house is very different now and I guess so am I." Scientific studies prove that every living being has an "energy". When this "energy" is no longer present particularly because of a physical loss, it can feel as though the house structure itself is grieving. The sound of silence and the overwhelming physical absence of your beloved Simone's "energy" does indeed change how both you and your house feels. This is one of the many adjustments that are a part of this grief journey in the process of developing a "new normal" in your daily routines.

I'm glad you are feeling better, Jennifer, and please remember that we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I hope today, and every day, is treating you kindly, and that you will have peaceful evenings blessed with your beloved Simone's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hello all. It has been 4 months since my Simone crossed the bridge. I still miss her and have the occasional cry over her but, I am happy to say that I have come to peace with her passing. I enjoy talking about her now and remembering her sass and personality. I talk about her often and I know that she hears somehow. I know I will always miss her but, I also know that she will stay tucked in my heart. I am so grateful for the precious time I had with her.

Thank you all so much for the kind words and thoughts and prayers. I am so glad I had somewhere to turn. Thank you so much.

Jennfer

Hi, Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. It is natural to miss those who are no longer physically with us, and this will never change. The good news is that you're now able to think of your beloved Simone with a happy heart, and this is what your beloved Simone wants for you. Please know we are here for you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam