Comments: Grief and acceptance of loss

“This summer was suppose to be about Sophie and I hiking, swimming and playing together....Instead, she tore her ACL, went in for surgery and the ani-inflamatory called Rimadyl caused her to have liver failure. After being hospitalized for 13 days and not eating, we had a feeding tube put in her neck. I sat on the floor with her for 2 months feeding her through a tube and giving her IV fluids. I kept asking if she was suffering. The vets said that they felt like she could recover and that she was not in pain but her body could not take any more. Her respetory system gave out and in the end, she died a horrible death.
Sophie was a beautiful, 6 year old Golden Retriever. She was my playful sweet best friend. My brother died last summer and I could not have gotten though the last year without her. I dont know how to feel better....she was my little love.” — Shelley, Sep 08 2009

“Our beautiful english bulldog Peanut passed away Sept 4th 2009. Just 3 1/2 years we we able to experience no better love a complete part of our life (almost unexplainable) She had been diagnosed with Valley fever a few months ago and we had just finished her medication. She went in for testing and she lost 7 pounds and her testing on the pancreas, liver and kidney were off the normal levels. Our vet recommended that she have an IV flush for the night and see how she looked the next day. They called us at 4;00 and said she looked good and we could come get her. That evening she looked very lethargic and almost life less, we thought it was from the long day at the vets getting the IV. At 1 am we rushed her to Er and she passed away within minutes of our arrival do to DIC.
Had we understood anything about this secondary condition we would have taken her earlier. The most painful thing is that we can't see her again. This is by far the most difficult process in my life. We like many other pet owner had a real almost human connection with Peanut. We will love you forever
Steve Basmajiian” — plovey, Sep 05 2009

“I am sitting here watching my 15 year beagle son sleep. We have decided it is time to let him move on. He has a cancerous tumor under his tongue and has lived a good life for almost a year longer than expected. He has stopped eating though, and its almost like he only went on his daily ride with us this morning to make us happy. I know it is his time to go, but I don't know how I am going to deal with this. I find some comfort realizing that so many others have made it through this heartbreaking time and survived. I love my Poogie so much, I can't even say his name without crying. My husband and I both promised each other that we would never keep him with us out of selfishness, and I am sure he has had a wonderfull life. But this morning I can see he is not himself . I read somewhere that you will know it is time when the soul of your dog is gone. He still looks at us with love, but the trott around the yard is gone, the howling out the car window isn't there,and he doesn't try to beat the cats to their food. The cancer has probably spread ,according to the vet, and with his heart he has no other options. Sooooo, I need to be strong for my buddie, and do what is best for him. ITS SO HARD! ” — sandy, Apr 30 2009

“I lost my gorgeous boy Pip on the 9th September 2008, I had him put down at home, he had liver cancer and hot gotton so thin, weak and tired that I thought the kindest thing I could do for my friend was to stop him from suffering any further. I was with him when he was put to sleep & it was awful to see, it did not go well and I still feel traumatised when I think back to it. I too seemed to loose the ability to think and there are many things I wish I had said or done at that time but I didn't and now it is too late; I am glad I was with him but will never forget his last moments or the look of fear in his eyes. I thought I was doing the right thing but will never know . . I did not want him to suffer with his cancer but now I feel guilty for making him give up the fight when maybe he wanted to fight till the end.

It is painful however you loose your friends and I think we will always be left feeling guilty in the end for 1 reason or another. BUT both Candy & Pip knew we loved them and if they could come back for one moment we know they would forgive us (you for not being there and me for letting him go when maybe we could of had a few more precious days or weeks together) coz we know thats how loving they both were. Candy knew you loved her and she would forgive you for not being able to think straight as you are trying to digest the news that you are loosing your best friend for ever. I feel for you as I know the pain. I miss my boy so much.” — Nix, Oct 02 2008

“My Candy was put down after a surgery that involved a tumor that was too invasive to save her. The vet brought her out of anesthesia and called to tell me there was no hope, asked me if I wanted to be there when they put her down and I was so distraught I did not think and told him just to put her down, I had already told her I loved her - but I was wrong and when I called back it was too late. I should have been there for her and I was not and I cannot get over the pain of feeling I deserted her. If anybody can help me understand please e-mail me; I loved her with all my heart and if I would have been thinking straight I would have never let her go without me holding her and telling her how much I loved her.
Barbara Abbott ” — barbjabb1, Jun 01 2008

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