How do you cope with losing a pet that you've had for 18 years?
I've had my little black cat for 18 years, almost my whole life, and today we had to put her down because there were so many problems with her. Her body shut down on her.
I've never lost anything so dear to me, and so if you could help me to cope with losing her, that would be great.
God bless.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
I'm sorry for your loss. You might try asking your vet if they offer any grief counseling services, or try to find a pet loss support group in your area. Dealing with the loss of a pet is not easy, but you will feel better with time.
15 Comments »
chevalrose said :
May 8, 2009 at 9:53 am
You just have to tell yourself that she isnt suffering anymore and that if she were alive, she wouldnt have a great quality of life. Its tough, but hang in there…it just takes time to heal.
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Bozema said :
May 8, 2009 at 10:40 am
I'm so sorry. I've been through it a few times. The only thing that I can tell you is that it's OK to grieve, it's normal and that time will make things better.
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Paula B said :
May 8, 2009 at 11:22 am
sorry to hear about your loss. hope you feel better soon.just think of all the happy times you shared , memorys never die
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lilredhead said :
May 8, 2009 at 11:33 am
Oh my I know exactly what your going through , I lost my cat a few months back she was 20. I keep her Pic near me , an a little chunk of her fur, I dont even know where you got the strength to type , I could nt keep myself together for almost a week. check out the Links below , they helped me , I bet they will somewhat help you ! I am very sorry for your loss.
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm
http://journals.aol.com/ourbelovedangels/OurBelovedAngels/entries/2005/06/27/i-stood-beside-your-bed-last-night/327
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Cocoa & Okra said :
May 8, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I'm so sorry for your loss. The decision to let a pet go is the hardest one to make. I lost three pets within two months last year and it's still very difficult. Take a look at the website petloss.com. The people and reading materials there are wonderful.
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C. Tahoe said :
May 8, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I know this feeling all too well….lost my Cleo a few years ago and she was 18 - I still miss that cat, probably always will.I try to remember the good stuff, as she had lots of personality. I ended up burying her in my garden,,,bought a nice plaque to put there and a silhouette cat. My co-worker at that time ordered me a "angel cat" from terry's village that we had personalized and i keep by the fireplace(as that was one of her favorite places to lay)….you will probably always miss her, If you can- go out and rescue another kitten,,,may help.Me, I am a one cat woman….as are all 3 of my dogs. good luck & try to remember she's in a better place :O) and that it's all about making memories.
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**catwoman** said :
May 8, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I'm so sorry to hear this….so sorry for you going thru it. I have 3 cats and although they drive me crazy most of the time, I would be heartbroken to lose one. I would suggest maybe going out to a shelter an adopting a new companion. Sometimes, like falling off a horse, you have to jump ride back on the pet wagon ASAP.
It can be hard but by getting a new cat, it may help the grieving period be shorter.
Good luck.
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daxs_baby said :
May 8, 2009 at 1:22 pm
same happend to us but it was our family dog it was soo sad every one including my older brothers cried the day the spca came and taken her away , what will happen is youll be real sad like coming home from some where and not seeing your pal its hard to deal with after a while youll get use to it then youll end up finding a special little person to try and fill your other pets place we didnt get a new dog till 7 months later id say wait a little bit see how you deal or just go right out and buy or adopt a cat. adopting a cat can be really fufulling cause you see the cats lonely as are you , so its a win win
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erica said :
May 8, 2009 at 1:46 pm
My cat was 17, I got him for my fifth birthday and it killed me for a long time after he died. I didn't want to, but my sister took me to the local shelter and I ended up falling in love again, and now have 4 cats. I wish I would have adopted sooner, I think I could have felt better sooner.
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Koter Boters said :
May 8, 2009 at 2:09 pm
aww im sorry for your loss! i know how you feel! Losing a pet is very hard and it does take time to grieve but everyone grieves differently.
Putting an animal down after you have loved and lived with them along time is painful for us but its best for a pet that is suffering.
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aquirius said :
May 8, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Sorry to hear about your loss.
It will take time, but in time you will accept another little kitten to help you overcome your loss.
God bless you. From another cat owner.
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steffy said :
May 8, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I'm so sorry. I had my kitty for 19 years so I know how you feel… I was really sad for a while. I think that mourning the same way you would mourn losing a friend is appropriate. You will be sad for a while, but just think about what a wonderful kitty she was and how happy she made you. In time you will get a new kitty, and even though the new kitty won't be the same, she/he will still be a new joy in your life.
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HilPoof said :
May 8, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
I'm sorry for your loss. You might try asking your vet if they offer any grief counseling services, or try to find a pet loss support group in your area. Dealing with the loss of a pet is not easy, but you will feel better with time.
References :
http://rainbowsbridge.com/hello.htm
just me said :
May 8, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I lost my cat I'd had for about 15 years. Only my Mom's death was worse!
I found a good book on pet death and grieving at my library. It included questions to write about (ie: What do you remember most about your cat? What were the favorite times you had with your cat? etc). Writing those answers was hard but it really helped.
Your Hospice may have some resources too. They often have free grief counselors available.
Time will heal the wound, until then be free to hurt and grieve and cry and miss your cat!
Writing and talking about it does help.
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April S. said :
May 8, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I lost my 18 year old cat 2 years ago. I had grown up with her and she was more like a little sister to me than 'just a cat.'
To this day, I am grateful that she went to Heaven peacefully, but I miss her terribly. We still cry over her. It's so hard, I understand.
I wish I had something to tell you to make you feel better but time will help. <3
She knew you loved her and that's what matters most!
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