| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/1/2008 7:41:38 PM | | After 16 years I had to put down our Pomeranian BearBear. He was the sweetest little thing and I can't imagine how it will be without him. It would have been much easier to put the ex down as opposed to the dog. Ever notice Dog is God spelled backwards? My kids are devastated and I remember as a child, whenever we lost a pet (because we always had one - especially dogs) my parents would say oh honey, he's gone to the farm. For god's sake I was oblivious - thirty years later and my dog was havin a happening time on the Farm. I had to tell my kids the truth and boy oh boy, what a painful pill that was. The kids want another pet but I think they should grieve this one or am I out of touch? | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/1/2008 8:53:54 PM | I'm so sorry to hear about your pup! Losing a family pet is always hard, their unconditional love is what makes them so hard be without.
In response to your kids wanting a new pet, I dont think you're out of touch. Kids need time to grieve and understand the process that it includes before moving on. I hope you feel better over the upcomming days!  | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/1/2008 9:08:39 PM | I lost my dog of 12 years just a week ago. She died in my arms of a heart attack. She went so fast I didn't have time to get her to the Emergency Vet. Just 3 hours earlier we had been playing outside as we always did and she was perfectly fine.
She was my first dog, and I'll miss her forever. I can't afford another dog and I don't have the time to raise one. It's so darn quiet around the house now. That's what I notice the most - the silence. | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 1:26:42 AM | finally a parent who dosnt want to lie thier kids, i applaud you for being honest with your children. Also I think your right to give a grace period in between a new pet. R.I.P to all of our past pets who have passed.....i miss you scrappy | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 5:53:14 AM | I'm sorry for your loss, Ottawa.
I'm giving you a couple of examples on how we handled this, as I don't know how old your children are.
When my daughter was two-1/2, her Goldfish died while she was at her papa's, I flushed it ~sorry Dorothy~ and went to the pet store and got an identical looking one before my daughter even returned home. She used to spend hours staring at that thing.
Close to a year later she said to me: you know mommy, I've been looking and looking at Dorothy and she looks different than before. I had to 'fess up, but told her Dorothy was in fish version of Heaven - the Grand River - across the street from us. Didn't mean to lie to her, so much as give her the type of information she could process at that age.
Two years ago,when she was 7, she lost her kitten. Wow, that was tough one, as it had gotten out and someone had kicked it so bad, it's back was broken in several places, but she had dragged herself back home (all this happened within a half hour of it shooting out an open door). We held her through her last convulsions, until she passed. We both cried uncontrollably, it was just so awful. We wrapped Princess up in her favourite blanket, and set her into a small open box.
When my daughter asked if we could have a funeral for her, I permitted it, and we ended up with about 15 little kids in my backyard singing 'O Canada' and 'You Are My Sunshine' (the only songs they all knew the words to), while I dug a hole in the garden. All the children solemnly passed by, and each put a little plastic shovel of dirt on top of the box, and a dandelion. I asked them to all go inside and wash their hands, and while they were doing that, I finished the burying and moved my daughter's favourite flower over from the garden to the top of the grave.
After 4 or 5 months she asked me if she could have another kitten. I had been watching her process her grieving. She had gone out daily for that entire time and watered the plant, pulling any weeds from around it, all awhile 'talking' to Princess. And when the delphinium started to bloom, she was ecstatic. Look what Princess is giving me, mom, it's bigger and prettier than ever!
It was then I knew that she was ready for another pet in her life.
Ottawagirlie, I don't know how old your children are, but IMO it is best to give them a little grieving time. I don't think there is a set time, as we are all so different, perhaps just kind of watch for signs when they are ready for another puppy in their life.
My daughter, now 9, (who cried when she read this) and I send you and your children our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your pet.
hnh
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 6:26:35 AM | | thank you all for your kind words. Niagara Falls all over again. I knew I shouldn't have put my face on this morning - lol. The kids tore through the pictures this morning and they each brought pics with them to school to show their friends. My daughter was so angry last night til about 8:30 and then she had a meltdown. this morning i turned the radio on for BearBear as I always have for the past 16 years and then I realized, I just left it on, not sure why but I had to leave it on. Anyway we will get through this and thank you all for your kind words and touching stories. Leanne | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 11:08:11 AM | | Sorry to hear of your loss ! Indeed a beloved pet is exactly like a family member to those who love them! I have always found bringing a new puppy into our lives had helped to ease the pain! Hope you all heal soon! | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 12:59:15 PM | I'm so sorry for your loss, ottawagirlie. Losing a beloved pet is every bit as hard as losing a human family member for many of us animal lovers. You must have taken very good care of BearBear for him to live to 16! As for when to get another pet, everyone is different. Some need to do it right away, others need time. When my beloved 14 year old dog died 3 years ago, I started looking right away for another - not to replace her, but to help fill the void. I got Boots 9 days later and it was the right thing for me. If you aren't comfortable getting a dog this soon, how about a small animal such as a gerbil or a fish?
Nedly, I'm so sorry for your loss, too. I so understand where you are coming from when you say it's so quiet without her. Perhaps a smaller animal might help fill the void? Or fostering? With fostering, many times the expenses are covered by the agency you get the animal from.
HugsNHisses, I'm so sorry about your kitten and omg, things like that make me so angry. Whoever did that to her should have the same done to him/her! It boggles my mind that anyone could hurt an innnocent, helpless animal like that. Your daughter's dedication to the grave is very heartwarming - what a special girl she must be!
 to everyone grieving the loss of a dear pet. | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 3:29:32 PM | When our beloved dog died we had to take him to the animal control to have his body disposed of and I brought home another dog from the shelter that very night and it was the best thing I ever did.
We still mourned the loss of our beloved Mikey but having a new pet to love eased the pain. Dodger, who I brought home that night, quickly endeared himself to the entire family and we are very happy that I made that decision.
If the kids want another pet, I think you should let them. There is nothing quite like the love of a good puppy. | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 5:59:09 PM | celtic angel
I think you have the best idea, loosing a pet is very hard, and I also know how hard it is to let go of the fear of loosing the pet and getting another one, but if you have the time and you obviously have the love to give then save a puppy or dog from your local animal shelter, I cant think of a better way to remember your beloved pet then by saving another beloved pet. Or if you arent ready yet to get another animal, if your children are old enough to understand this, then go and make a donation in your animals name at the local shelter, it may make things easier knowing you've helped another animal in need. | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/2/2008 6:03:37 PM | some wonderful ideas from you all, yes loosing a pet is very hard, I know, last cat I lost in 2002 , age 16 , well to say the least, I took it very hard, ottawagirlie your in my thoughts
take care !!! | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/4/2008 12:20:38 PM | Lester was our beloved doggie...he was our gentle giant...a huge husky/collie cross. When I lost him I went to the humane society with my daughter. We found Charlie...a quiet little kitten sitting in the back of his cage just watching everything going on. I insisted we take him...my daughter was 8 and wanting her own cat very badly...(Lester didnt like kitties...she did)
Charlie had distemper...we nursed him back to health and he has proven to be the most wonderful pet one could ask for...5 years later...(he snores really loud!...hehe)...oh, and by the way....after the first day he was Charlie Cash...cause he cost us a fortune!!!!....well worth it of course!
Losing the gift of the phenominal, forgiving love of a pet is devastating...giving life back to one of them is just as remarkably rewarding.
Lester's ashes stayed with us...and Charlie will also be on "the shelf"...in tribute to their unconditional love. | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 5/5/2008 4:57:15 AM | Only you can decide what's right for you and your children. My sympathies on your loss - it's tough to lose a member of your family. Kudos to you for telling your children the truth. It's hard to bear, but easier than maintaining a lie.
When I had to put down my dog (about 15 years ago), I had to wait to get another one. Bonnie was 18 years old when we euthanized her and although I know it was the right decision, it was very hard. A year ago, I had to euthanize a beloved horse with a bad leg and her foal (born with a defect that made it nonviable) - it wasn't any easier.
Almost a year later, I picked up Syra from the Humane Society. She has a completely different personality (dogonality?), but we love her to bits. Last fall I added Tinkerbelle, a Border Collie, to my menagerie. Syra is now 14 and Tink is 3 - life is interesting in my house some days!
I have four equines again, too - they range in age from 26 (my daughter's first pony) to a young filly (11 months). They don't replace Sheba or her filly in my heart, but I remember the good times more than the tough decision at the end. | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 7/23/2008 8:16:02 PM | | When I was 17 I moved out of my parents a few months later she was gone sandy my best friend. My parents adopted sandy when I was 4 and trust me it was hard. I was living in the YWCA shleter at the time and I went to my room and just stuck my head into the pillow and cried and cried and cried. I didnt want people to know I was crying I was trying so hard to be a strong person in the situation I was in. But one woman heard me and she sat on my bed and rubbed my back and just comforted me. A few months later my friend was threatning to put his dog to sleep his reason was b.c I had moved in and the dog was always in my room at night. After just loosing my dog I was really angry the dog was only three and was very healthy. So we walked 20 KM'S to my parents house in the pouring rain (dog and i) and i sat cryinng at my moms kitchen table while telling her the grusome words the guy had just said about hershey. She immediatelly agreed to keep hershey even though we as a familly were still greiving. Hershey is now in our familly and although she is in our familly she will never replace the love and the joy I got through sandy sandy is sitting above the fireplace we still love her even though she is gone | |
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| Our puppers left us tonight
Posted: 7/26/2008 8:51:25 AM | | Sorry to hear about your loss of your lovable Pomeranian BearBear. Only you can decide about how long your kids should grieve. I believe that a shorter timeframe is preferable before you get another dog. But you'll have to decide. Your gut will tell you when - listen to that voice inside you. | |
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