Mentally coping with Loss

[jdcnow]

I apologize to the site mods if this is in the wrong forum board.

I just got home and found that my wonderful little Dacshund was attacked by some of my neighbor's large-breed dogs. (I don't know which neighbor it was; I have several nearby who have large-breeds.) My baby's gone

And while we are often made fun of, I am (was) proud to be one of those kinds of pet owners who treat(ed) pets as children, who liked/loved their pets more than some family members. He would run to my feet and jump up, asking for me to pick him up and hold him like a small child (and oh how he enjoyed being picked up). There were the times when I would set my dinner plate on top of a fold-up table next to the sofa in preparation to watch TV. I'd forget something in the kitchen, leave my food there and go back for something. And when I came back, one food item (sometimes a chicken leg, sometimes a steak rib bone, etc) would be missing. I need only look to the other end of the couch for my missing food (thank God it was easy to clean up). Had his own chair in the living room, but would always climb up on the sofa with me and would want me to play with him. Yes, spoiled rotten he was. His house, I just paid the bills.

I welcome your thoughts >> How do you cope with such a loss so close? How does one deal with losing such a dear friend? How does one even bother to go on...

Thank you, my angel for 6 great, wonderful years

 

[bluedragon4]

I'm so sorry!!!! That is heartbreaking!!!

 

[Horschallen]

I am sorry to hear about it. You should report the attack to appropriate authority, so they can deal with the issues of bad dogs in the neighborhood.

 

[PASSAT]

So very sorry to hear of your sudden loss.

He certainly was a cute little guy.

 

[jdcnow]

I am sorry to hear about it. You should report the attack to appropriate authority, so they can deal with the issues of bad dogs in the neighborhood.

Thank you very much for the suggestion. However, the town I live in sucks and takes the Barney Fife (from The Andy Griffith Show) approach to law enforcement. There is (I think) a county-wide leash law, but nobody actually enforces it. If I go to the police, nothing will come of it.

 

[byro]

My heart goes out to you. It's hard enough losing your baby, but to do so under such awful conditions is truly traumatizing. I understand the incredible bond between human and animal, the communication that transcends mere words, the profound comfort their simple presence can bring, the agony of sudden and inexplicable loss. God bless you both. You were blessed to have each other -- and he knows it even now.

 

[collegejock20]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I, too, and the proud owner of a miniature Dachshund named Lucy Rose. She is 7 years old and lately, I have been thinking about what is going to happen when she dies? I don't know what I am going to do.

Our family is one of those families that considers our pets as much a part of the family as each of us. My aunt has four children, they just all happen to have four legs and wear collars.

Hang in there. You will make it through!

 

[momp57]

My Sympathy!

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog." - Gene Hill

 

[Simon123]

I am so sorry. Having just lost a pet of 15 years, all I can say is that he knew you loved him and always will. The loss will never go away but get a bit easier with time.

 

[KennyD]

My sorrows and sympathy go out to you, my friend . No One can tell you how to cope with the loss of your "Child" ...
I experieinced the loss of my beloved Princess several years ago and I still tear and cry uncontrollably today as you post remind me of her passing ... only I was forced to have her put down and had to be there .... I had her for 13 years , ever since she was three months old ... just me and her ...
They actually had to sedate me for three weeks ... and thanks to a dear friend who stayed with me during one of the most traumatic times of my life and helped me eat, go to bathroom, shower etc ...
I can only imagine what you are going thru . I pray that you have someone who will be with you for awhile as you go thru this .... God bless you and your lost little child .... because they ARE our children ...

 

[luminum]

I'm sorry for your loss Just remember what was good about yoru time together and be happy that he was able to give it to you and that you were able to make him happy for 6 years. That's what's most important to remember when you think of him.

 

[jredbush]

My sympathy goes out to you. I lost my little schnauzer on April 2, 2007 due to complications from more than 6 years of diabetes. I don't know how you cope with a loss like that either. My little dog was like my little child too. He was a chronically ill little guy who took up a great deal of my time and energy, but he was well worth it. Fortunately for me, I met someone recently who has been such a good friend that he has really eased the trauma of my loss. If you are lucky enough to have someone in your life like that, who is willing to share of himself, then count yourself among the extremely fortunate as I do. Nothing will ever make me forget my little dog or the wonderful times we shared together, but if you have a person or persons who truly care about you, then you can begin to overcome the hurt slowly. I wish you well.

 

[BrandonSBCA]

Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I had a dachshund that died on March 14th of this year. We don't know what caused his death but we are thinking it might of been that dog food that had the poison in it. I'm really sorry.

For me, to cope with a loss I've tried to move on knowing that my dog is in a better place now, no longer hurting. When I see pictures or have really deep memories of my dog I'll shed some tears. It takes a while, but you'll have a lot of memories. Thankfully the memories I have of my dog are of him in pictures and only two videos.

I'm really sorry for your loss, a friend made this picture for me, and someone posted this poem on a thread I made about my dog's death.

The Rainbow Bridge Story
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow
Bridge.

When an animal who has been especially close to someone
dies, that pet goes to the 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
and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable. Animals who were 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
from days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one
thing: they miss someone very special to them; the
person they left behind.

All of the animals 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 break away 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.
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…

 

[antdak]

You have my deepest heartfelt sympathys!!

 

[JackFTwist]

you cry, you know that a lot of us understand, you do file a report with the police, you get another dog, in about four years you get a second dog so you will never come home to an empty house, and you remember this dauchsie forever and cry years from now and tell your other dogs what a great dog this one was

 

[Spiff]

Your loss is more difficult to handle than usual, since you weren't prepared for the cruel circumstances. And I imagine you're every bit as angry as you are sad, at least you should be. Your neighbors have some explaining to do (unless your dog was out running loose.)

 

[Christopher123]

~shedding tears for you and your baby~

 

[jockboy01]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Pets really do become part of the family and losing them is like losing a member. I had a cat that was similarly killed by dogs in our neighborhood. It was terrible and I'll never forget him. We did report it to animal control b/c my brother saw it happen. I'll never forget my mom going down the street and into those peoples' house and ripping them a new one right in front of animal control (she said the damn dogs should be put down b/c next time it could be a child). It was an aweful time, and I feel for you as you go through something similar. All I can say is that time really does heal all wounds but leaves the memories.

P.S. And this is a perfectly acceptable forum so no need to apologize.

 

[jdcnow]

Thanks everyone. All the messages, poems and thoughts of love are greatly appreciated.

The pics in my signature are how I always want to remember him.